Chapter 119: Champions League Life‑and‑Death Battle

Bundesliga 12th round.

Stuttgart 0:2 Lewokusen.

In preparation for the week's doubleheader against Arsenal and Bayern Munich, the coaching staff once again opted for the most conservative counter‑attack tactic.

Stuttgart's genius striker Werner blasted out several high‑shots.

Li Kang launched two counterattacks, with Brandt and Kiessling scoring in succession.

At the Mercedes‑Benz Arena, the home fans were restless, shouting all kinds of slang.

Stuttgart's ancestors were extremely wealthy.

In the history of the German Cup, it is the only 'three‑peat'!

This is an honor that Bayern Munich has still not achieved to this day.

This club has produced many legendary stars, for example: Klinsmann, Brazilian captain Dunga, Hildebrand, Lahm, and so on.

There is also a legendary coach known throughout Germany: Löw!

However, Stuttgart at this time is deeply stuck in the relegation zone, unable to climb out.

After the match.

Stuttgart's legendary star Bobic found Li Kang at the locker room door.

This guy used to be Wo Le Er's little brother when he was young.

He had no special purpose; he just brought his 17‑year‑old beautiful daughter to ask for an autograph.

Another headache for Leverkusen's coaching staff: Son Heung‑min, discarded by the South Korea national team, suffered a relapse of his old injury in this round, so severe that even the injury‑immunity (deficit) bond could not recover quickly.

He will miss the Champions League life‑and‑death battle and the Bei lai yin defense battle.

Considering the seriousness of the situation, the club specially allowed the young players to skip homework during this period.

Returning to Leverkusen.

Li Kang's luck is a bit bad.

What was actually drawn from Stuttgart's legendary treasure chest was: 【Bobic "Black Iron Left Foot" module.】

Compared to Baggio's golden left foot, it is several grades lower...

It can only serve as furnace fodder.

The next day.

On the training field.

Havertz steadily received the pass and exclaimed, "Li, half a year ago I never imagined I could play in a Champions League Round of 16 match!"

Li Kang smiled and raised his hand to compare their heights.

Brandt pursed his lips and said, "I don't know what you two have been eating, but you've grown so tall in half a year without your technique suffering… I almost every month have to adjust my nutrient intake and modify my training direction; last year I could still break the fifty‑meter record, but now…"

He helplessly patted his increasingly chubby cheeks; no matter how intense the training, he just can't shed the weight.

Wearing a jersey one size too big, he looks like a fat guy.

In the distance.

Dino said, "Boss, Spanish head coach Bosque emailed the coaching staff, saying he won't call up Li for the European qualifiers and suggesting we also not let Li play too often, so we should protect the young players."

The Spain national team has a nickname: 'King of the Qualifiers'.

Tuopu Laotou wore a black overcoat, hands in his pockets, his hair disheveled in the cold wind.

"Damn it, Bosque makes the qualifiers sound easy because Spain has many midfield stars, while we Leverkusen can't do without Li."

Four days later.

The second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 knockout officially kicked off!

Two‑thirds of the seats in Bayer Stadium were removed!

Over thirty thousand home fans flooded into the cramped stands!

They would rather stand for ninety minutes just to cheer for Leverkusen! Defend the dignity of Bei lai yin!

Pre‑match press conference.

Facing the reporters' enthusiastic questions.

The two head coaches' replies were very brief.

"Arsenal has made all preparations."

"Leverkusen can defend its home ground."

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Now broadcasting live is the second leg of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League Round of 16!"

"Leverkusen home versus Arsenal!"

"In the first leg, the two sides played a fluctuating draw, while Leverkusen gained the advantage of two away goals!"

"Tonight, Bei lai yin will welcome a highly suspenseful life‑and‑death battle!"

"I am the commentator for this match: Duan Xuan!"

"I am He Wei!"

"Now let me introduce the starting lineups of both sides!"

"Goalkeeper: …"

"…"

"On Arsenal's side, there isn't much change from the first leg; Ramsey can't play, while Wilshere gets the start!"

"On the other side, Leverkusen's main winger Son Heung‑min is injured and absent; the youngster Havertz makes his Champions League debut!"

The referee squad led the players of both teams out of the tunnel.

The mascot, Little Lion Bryan, excitedly gave high‑fives to each of the home players!

The broadcast above the stadium called out a name.

"Lee!"

Tens of thousands of Lewokusen fans excitedly waved their scarves and team flags!

The Bayer Arena instantly erupted with a cheer like a mountain‑shout, sea‑roar!

The stirring Champions League theme was instantly drowned out.

In the north stand, a huge mosaic quietly fell, revealing Lewokusen's number 10!

"Though small as a sparrow, it has all five organs!"

"The Bayer Arena, seating only thirty thousand fans, burst forth with an aura rivaling any powerhouse!"

"More than a hundred years ago, Bayer Company established an amateur football team, and hundreds of its employees were the earliest fans!"

"They lived peaceful lives in this small town, spreading and multiplying! They witnessed Lewokusen's prosperity and decline!"

"The cramped home ground, far inferior to Europe's elite clubs, cannot express generations of fans' love for the club!"

Beep!

Along with the referee's whistle!

The match officially began!

"Lewokusen did not continue the conservative play from the last two league matches!"

"They're playing very aggressively!"

"Five players charged into Arsenal's half to press!"

The ball, after several passes, arrived at Wilshere's feet.

Kiessling blocked his advancing position.

Brandt approached from the side.

"Arsenal's number 10 flicked the ball with his left foot! He shook off the Bundesliga header monster and crashed toward Brandt!"

At the close‑quarters moment.

No fierce physical struggle!

The ball‑carrier's own rhythm underwent a drastic change, alternating slow and fast!

Brandt kicked at empty air.

Wilshere instantly broke through the double‑team press by two players!

No pass!

He continued to dribble forward himself!

The Arsenal fans who had followed the team to the match wildly shouted his name!

"Jack!"

"!"

"Jack!"

"!"

"Jack!"

"!"

The livestream room.

The fans were dumbfounded.

-【What's going on? Wilshere didn't make any move—how did he get past those two so easily?】

-【Do you still remember the Earth Defense War? Even the peak dream trio's Busquets and Xavi couldn't stop him! He almost single‑handedly eliminated Barcelona, a British imperial star!】

-【It's not a matter of foot‑skill technique! It's a sense of space while in possession!】

-【Without injuries, Wilshere's sense of space while in possession and the rhythm change when dribbling are terrifying!】

-【I still miss the Wilshere who wore the number 19 shirt, not the number 10.】

I still miss Weirshier in the number 19 jersey, not the number 10.