Chapter 115: Construction and Destruction, Fateful Showdown (Daily, Caution Advised!)

The University of Göttingen was founded in 1734,

In the early 20th century, this renowned German institution had deep ties with the Dragon Kingdom.

That was an era of raging war.

Göttingen produced many Dragon Kingdom talents who were active on the invisible battlefield, defending the home and country.

The substitute teacher surnamed Zhang is of Chinese descent.

"Lewokusen's performance in North London was fantastic; keep up that single-core decelerating kicking style! Bayern will score seven goals against you in two weeks, no! Eight!"

Li Kang nodded seriously.

Teacher Zhang shared the prepared mathematical model, briefly summarizing the difference between Guardiola-style Barcelona and Guardiola-style Bayern.

While speaking, he occasionally mixed in Dragon Kingdom idioms.

"My hourly wage is high, but I must say some off-topic remarks."

Smack.

The chalk broke.

A set of words Li Kang couldn't understand appeared on the blackboard.

"The evolution of football's tactical framework is dead!"

"It died in 1990!"

"Tuchel, when he debuted a few years ago, proposed the 'GamePlan', sparking a craze in tactical innovation; all teams in the top five leagues will, each week according to the opponent's situation, implement different tactical detail changes!"

"We only see in football novels the cliché that some team plays possession, some team high press, some team counter‑attack, and so on, unchanging!"

"The strategic battle between the two coaching staffs has evolved into the form of Go!"

"All myriad tactical variations can find prototypes in football history!"

"False nine and centre‑back drop‑back? The Hungarians of 1953 are already bored of it!"

"Chain defending and counter‑attack? The Swiss started it in 1932, and by the 1960s the Italians had mastered it to perfection!"

"High press? The orange‑clad army of the 1970s had taken it to the extreme!"

"Sweeper? After zone defense was perfected, it disappeared from the historical stage!"

"Arrigo Sacchi, in the eighties of the previous world, proposed 'spacing changes', which ended the development of the tactical framework!"

"In the football you played in 2015, aside from player fitness and running distance, did the attacking‑defending transition situations change much compared to the 1990s?"

Teacher Zhang suddenly asked.

Li Kang thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Indeed, there has been no change.

All player actions on the pitch and the coaching staff's in‑game formation changes have already been given the optimal answer by the predecessors of the last century.

Teacher Zhang took a sip of mineral water and continued:

"Every tactical system has weaknesses! A script where one person saves the team appears abundantly only in national team matches!"

"Do you think the world will give birth to the most perfect midfielder?"

"If so, what template is he?"

"It is the builder!"

"Capable of switching roles according to match frequency and intensity, adapting to and switching between different system changes!"

"Thus, in the match, continually establishing one optimal‑solution tactical framework after another!"

"This is the builder‑type midfielder!"

"A perfect utopian formation is a team simultaneously possessing three such midfielders!"

"Southampton Youth Academy has, for years, been training players according to this template! Unfortunately, it remains merely an ideal!"

"Currently, the midfielder closest to this template in the top five leagues is..."

Li Kang's brain rumbled.

Builder‑type midfielder?

The template given by the system... is the destroyer‑type midfielder!

"Back to the main topic!"

"I am a Bayern fan; I think Guardiola is trash!"

"But his use of Alaba and Lahm provided a breather for tactical framework innovation!"

"He pointed out a direction!"

"That is the catalysis of football innovation by defenders and full‑backs!"

"The world is waiting for a defensive genius who can push football's development to be born, but in our lifetimes we won't see it."

"So, what is the key to Lewokusen defeating Guardiola‑style Bayern?"

"It is the stage where the two full‑backs cut inward and transform into double defensive midfielders!"

Teacher Zhang took out a triangle ruler and drew a diagram on the blackboard.

Li Kang frantically took notes in his workbook.

This lesson contained a huge amount of information.

He needed to record it well and digest it slowly back in the dormitory.

Beilunta Teacher's alumni—indeed they have ability!

"Have you heard of Maguire? I think he is very close to being a defender who can drive football's reform..."

One and a half hours later.

The tactics class ended.

The little assistant came to pick up Li Kang after school.

Teacher Zhang is about thirty-something, gentle and refined.

His talk seems unreal, like he's boasting, but it's built on rich knowledge, making it easy to believe.

He's suitable as a "relevant expert".

But the melon-style Bayern weakness he pointed out is undoubtedly real.

"I heard you have depression, I have a friend..."

Even when seeking business, Teacher Zhang behaves like a refined cultured person.

Li Kang smiled and made a gesture.

The little assistant immediately pulled out a business card, saying: "Teacher Zhang, money is no problem!"

The first leg of the Champions League round of 16 is over.

Real Madrid 3:0 Wolfsburg.

Paris Saint-Germain 1:1 Chelsea.

Manchester City 6:0 Porto.

Atlético Madrid...

The only score with an upset potential is Arsenal 2:2 Lewokusen.

Old Trafford.

Van Gaal watched the match footage, looking exhausted.

He muttered: "Why didn't I go coach Lewokusen back then?"

Giggs twitched the corner of his mouth and said: "The winter transfer window is approaching; we're preparing to make an offer for Wo Le Er, with the additional trade item being Lingard. This is the club's absolute last line, we are one of Europe's most financially powerful giants..."

Old Van shook his head: "Lingard can't leave; in my blueprint, he's best suited as one of Li's partners..."

His power at Manchester United is not great.

Stamford Bridge.

Abu stared intently at the TV, occasionally exclaiming.

As if appreciating a beloved collectible.

Ms. Skaya slightly surprised: Abu hasn't watched a full match of any club other than Chelsea for many years.

"I want to see him, arrange it quickly!"

"Can you build a new team with him as the cornerstone?"

"Forget it, if it really can't be done, just bundle Lewokusen's coaching staff together!"

Assistant coach Stephen froze.

He didn't dare to respond.

Mourinho is on the brink of being sacked.

If I were to become the interim manager, my days wouldn't be easy either.

Blue Army's former coach Boas once said in a media interview:

Abu has a strong desire to control the club.

His catchphrase consists of just two sentences.

"'Lose then! Don't listen to my advice!'"

"'Hey! You won! Right? You must stick to your own ideas! Don't let me influence you!'"

Meanwhile.

From the senior meeting room in Manchester City's office building came a burst of roar and filial piety.

"We're not short of money! What we lack is the championship!"

Li Kang's monotonous and dull days have become a bit more enjoyable.

Every day, aside from training, it's attending tactical lessons.

Teacher Zhang's lessons are like cartoons, captivating.

From the formation of the world's first international football match in 1870, he lectures to the recent revival and perfection of the three-center-back system.

The role and weaknesses of each generation of superstar within their respective tactical frameworks.

One mathematical model after another.

One heat map after another.

One match video analysis discussion after another.

Making people immersed and reluctant to leave.