Chapter 165: Semi-Finals Draw

Dino is very nervous!

He beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the Champions League, how could he capsize against Hoffenheim?

In the dead-ball phase, he summoned Li Kang to his side.

"Li, I've found their weakness — they're short!"

"Don't overthink — just loft a long pass into the box and we're done!"

"They lack our height, and their defense is slow to turn!"

"Tactics serve victory — they're not about being overly complex to guarantee success!"

Nagelsmann's new tactic caught the entire Bundesliga off guard.

Even the experts at Cologne Sports University haven't yet analyzed its tactical weakness.

There's no time to break it down on the fly.

Play resumed.

Lai Nuo launched a long goal kick.

The ball arced toward the center circle; Kiessling leapt high and flicked it to Li Kang.

Hoffenheim's three small forwards quickly closed in.

Still "press the middle, release to the flanks!"

Bolösi again pushed forward, confident he wouldn't be dispossessed.

Li Kang didn't pass; instead, he surged ahead, taking the ball wide.

In pursuit.

All of Leverkusen's midfield and forwards surged past halfway, pressing wildly.

"Kim Jin-su and Bolanski's interception!"

"Ah! They both hit the deck!"

"Li Kang's dribbling is ordinary, but his physical edge is huge!"

"The passing lane is open!"

"Loft it into the box!"

The thirty-meter area.

The ball left Li Kang's left foot, carving a diagonal arc in the air before dropping into the box!

Kiessling shook off Jule!

At the near post.

Havertz leapt high and headed the ball!

1:1!!!

"Too simple!"

"Hoffenheim can't cope with Leverkusen's attack either!"

"Li Kang and Havertz equalized with the simplest of moves!"

"Direct attack! One force breaks all!"

The livestream chat.

Comments flew thick and fast.

-【Using the most brainless tactic... to defeat a genius coach's system?】

-【Leverkusen's defense is weak, but their forwards are still decent!】

-【This proves that, faced with an absolute gap in strength, all tactics are meaningless! Swap in Juventus and Atlético Madrid's defense, and Leverkusen is doomed not to score.】

-【Even against Real Madrid's defense it wouldn't work.】

On the touchline.

Dino celebrated wildly.

He couldn't help gesturing at Jonathan Tah!

Since we can't keep them out anyway, we might as well add another tall target!

The other flank.

Nagelsmann wore a calm expression, but his mind was in turmoil.

Clearly his tactical skill far surpasses Dino's, yet he still can't easily win the match!

Give Hoffenheim a Li Kang, and they'd surely win the Bundesliga!

The 30th minute.

Li Kang didn't think, just charging forward in the attacking third.

After drawing most of Hoffenheim's defensive attention.

He played the ball out to Hilbert on the wing.

After receiving it, he surged forward, and upon nearing the byline, he whipped in a cross!

Inside Hoffenheim's penalty area.

Four players challenging for the ball!

Kiessling, Jonathan Tah, Havertz, Brandt!

Thud!

No time to see who got the header!

Hoffenheim's net was ripped again!

1:2!!!

「This is football! 」

「You never know what will happen in the next minute on the pitch! 」

「Lewokusen, they've overtaken the score! 」

「We seem to see that sky‑city of the Premier League! 」

「The simplest tactic, the most effective attack! 」

The 60th minute of the second half.

Kramer lofts the ball from the flank!

A 45‑degree cross!

In the chaotic penalty area, Hoffenheim tightly marks Lewokusen's several aerial threats!

Yet they failed to notice Li Kang making a forward run!

Nagelsmann keeps telling himself: That kid's heading is terrible!

Thud!

The ball struck the head of Lewokusen's number 10, ricocheting wildly toward Hoffenheim's goal!

Goalkeeper Boman looks utterly bewildered!

1:3!!!

Neckar Stadium, gradually falling silent.

Hoffenheim fans are somewhat baffled.

Clearly our tactical details are superior to Lewokusen's...

Hoffenheim has not given up.

Nagelsmann knows that at this moment, any formation, spacing, or wing‑center compression is meaningless!

Whenever Lewokusen's attack is thwarted, Hoffenheim immediately launches a long ball from the back!

The match gradually devolves into a worthless aerial battle!

-【Clueless noobs pecking each other.】

-【Dino has dragged Nagelsmann's IQ down to his own level...】

-【No need to watch, Lewokusen is going to win again!】

The 72nd minute of the match,

Jüler seizes the set‑piece opportunity!

He headers past Lai Nuo's goal!

2:3!

Hoffenheim fans see hope again, they shout in unison with orderly chants, cheering on the warriors on the field.

「This match still has suspense! 」

「Although the play isn't pretty, as long as there's a goal, it can whip up a frenzy in all four stands! 」

Li Kang silently stands in front of the defensive line.

Relying on the God's perspective and Morata's heading synergy bonus.

With 21 players on the pitch... hardly anyone can compete with him for the landing spot!

Finally.

Beep! Beep‑beep~

The head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match!

Hoffenheim 2:3 Lewokusen!

Dino and Nagelsmann shake hands, hug tightly, then walk arm‑in‑arm into the tunnel.

After leaving the pitch, they remain good classmates.

「Hey kid, give me some advice—Lewokusen in the Champions League semi‑finals... 」

「Face reality—no matter which team you meet, under the two‑leg format you have no chance at all! Just like you beat me with that stupid simple tactic! 」

Lewokusen's club bus encountered a traffic jam while on the overpass.

In the originally stuffy air, a few more traces of restlessness appeared.

Dino patiently stood at the front of the car, reviewing the match's details.

Bellarrabbi tried to lighten the mood, laughing as he said: "If we reach the Champions League semi‑finals and get beaten 7‑0…5‑0, will our value plummet?"

No one responded.

There was no expected laughter.

Playing against the up‑and‑coming Hoffenheim... we still conceded two goals.

When facing Juventus, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid, who knows what devastation the back line will endure?

Lai Nuo is under tremendous pressure.

Whether others' values drop or not is uncertain, but this goalkeeper will surely be hit the hardest!

Dino claps his hands, encouraging the teammates.

「Let the restless hearts calm down! 」

「We haven't even drawn the lots yet—who knows if we have any hope! 」

As long as we don't draw the invincible away‑form Real Madrid, Lewokusen still has a glimmer of hope.

That night.

Li Kang returned to Lewokusen's first‑team dormitory.

The recent refugee riots in Baden‑Württemberg have been too frequent; the club dare not let the players stay overnight there.

【Ding, congratulations on completing the Bundesliga weekly random treasure box task!】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Hoffenheim·Golden Treasure Box!】

【Treasure box is opening...】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Firmino "Bond" Module (Damaged)!】

【Additional attribute: all attributes reduced by 20%.】

【Special effect: unknown.】

Nowadays, with the intensity of matches, a damaged module without bond resonance is hardly useful.

Li Kang thought for a moment, summoned the module furnace, and threw it in!

Accompanied by a sizzling sound.

The system prompt sounded again.

【Already accumulated ten modules! The level of the fused module will greatly increase!】

All modules surged on the furnace surface.

As far as Li Kang could see, it was endless red light.

【Fusion successful!】

【Congratulations, Host, obtained: Roberto Carlos "Heavy Sword No Edge" Module! (Special)】

【If I kick, you might die...】

【Top defender with a knife, he carries a cannon.】

【Free-kick master? 382 attempts, 16 goals, accuracy as low as 4.2%.】

【Special effect: the adjustment time required to trigger this module is relatively long!】

Li Kang's left foot felt a slight numbness.

He hadn't had time to think yet.

All things around underwent a drastic change!

1997, Four Nations Invitational.

Carlos completed an ultra-long-distance run-up.

He unleashed an unreplicable super heavy cannon with his left foot!

Several minutes later.

Li Kang came to his senses.

Carlos's "Heavy Sword No Edge" module has too long a charging time, generally making no decisive impact in matches.

Especially as football has developed to today, facing that kind of strangulation from top teams, there is hardly any chance to kick.

As for free kicks?

The accuracy compared to Mihajlovic's "Bogvo Missile" is far too low.

Of course.

Without the system, I am just a waste.

How could I still dislike the module?

I need to reflect!

The "Heavy Sword No Edge" module surely hides other effects.

Tuopu Laotou is seriously ill.

So much so that he cannot attend the Champions League semi-finals draw ceremony.

Li Kang, Dino, and Wo Le Er arrived in Paris, France.

UEFA has built up a huge publicity momentum.

As soon as the three walked out of the arrival gate, tens of thousands of fans swarmed over!

Lee!!!

Lee!!!

Lee!!!

The LED big screens on nearby high-rise buildings switched to Li Kang's photo at the same time.

Security personnel hurriedly escorted the three into a business car.

Dino remarked: "When did our club gain so many fans in France?"

Wo Le Er laughed: "These fans might not be able to shout our names, but they will surely remember Li's birthday; UEFA places great emphasis on the conversion value of super new stars..."

"Last year, when we first participated in the round of 16 draw ceremony, no one paid attention to us..."

"Who the hell could have imagined we'd make it to the Champions League semifinals!"

Forty minutes later.

The three arrived at the Paris Conference Center.

The Champions League semifinals draw ceremony is more like a commercial money-making event.

Abolishing the split between upper and lower halves, they make full use of the final draw opportunity to earn broadcast revenue.

Li Kang followed the staff to a venue of about five hundred square meters.

Media reporters raised their long and short guns.

Magnesium lights flashed wildly.

Buffon stood up from the front-row seat and waved his big hand.

"Li! It's just you missing!"

C Ronaldo simply nodded, trying to keep a cold face.

He greatly admired Xiao Li Zi, but there were too many people present... need to mind one's image.

Griezmann's IQ at this time... is similar to the low-IQ villains in film and TV works; he earns Asian endorsements on one side while discriminating against yellow-skinned people on the other; at this point he simply turned his face away; his football skills and personal character cannot be equated, especially for a talented young prospect.

Buffon enthusiastically patted Li Kang's buttocks.

"Haha, don't mind, they both want to draw Lewokusen!"

Dino sat in the coaches' representative seat, very nervous.

Beside him were Simeone and Zidane, Allegri.

Atletico Madrid's head coach enthusiastically patted the assistant coach's shoulder:

"Don't think too much, Lewokusen has the most outstanding genius midfielder."

Next came the redundant program.

Several senior officials from UEFA and FIFA took turns speaking on stage.

Various speeches made the audience and media reporters drowsy.

And there was no way to change tables.

Who knows when the draw ceremony will start.

Barcelona.

Robert and Enrique slumped in the meeting room.

"We still have a chance."

"We can still keep our position!"

"Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will play in the Champions League! Barcelona has a chance to win the La Liga title!"

"Next season! No matter where that kid goes..."

After Enrique pondered for a moment, he said: "Summer transfer window, we need to increase recruitment efforts; the midfield problem is too serious."

Robert nodded seriously: "The club has prepared 200 million euros for signings! The genius midfielder you favor, André Gomes, will come to Camp Nou!"

Paris Conference Center.

The glass cylinder containing four small balls was placed at the center of the main stage.

Buffon yawned, gazing at the chubby figure on stage.

"Ronaldo?"

The two laughed, extending their hands and pointing at each other from a distance.

Nineteen years ago, during his Inter Milan period, Da Luo had already breached the goal guarded by Buffon!

On the coach's bench, Zidane and Simeone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Memory seemed to be pulled back to the distant 1990s... that was an era of brilliant stars.

Only Buffon this guy... still playing in the Champions League!

The draw ceremony officially began.

Da Luo vigorously stirred the glass cylinder and drew out the first small ball.

Split it open!

Unfolded the paper slip, facing the camera.

"Real Madrid!"

Applause filled the venue.

This season's Champions League semi-finalists, the team with the strongest on-paper strength and highest value is the Galaxy Battleship!

Da Luo didn't rest long, panting as he drew out the second small ball.

Split it open.

Unfolded the paper slip, facing the audience.

"Lewokusen!"

"The first matchup result is out!"

"Real Madrid vs Lewokusen!"

Dino's gaze was vacant, as if he had lost his soul.

Wo Le Er helplessly covered his forehead: of all things, he drew the hellish difficulty.

Live broadcast room.

Comments flooded like a waterfall.

-【Watching the match late, who can explain if Lewokusen can eliminate Real Madrid?】

-【Overthinking... Real Madrid's championship is basically secured; playing Lewokusen hardly requires much consumption.】

-【Li Mingdeng's Champions League journey ends at the Bernabeu.】

-【Let me give you an example: Real Madrid vs Lewokusen, the strength comparison exaggeratedly is like China vs Vietnam! No surprises will occur.】

-【A few years ago, Leverkusen's "Three Asia King" season was exactly when they were eliminated by Real Madrid, with Zidane's "Heavenly Flying Immortal!" shocking the world.】

-【With football's evolution, in recent years the Champions League's dark horses have become fewer; hope Lewokusen shows momentum, don't park the bus!】

-【Lewokusen making the semi-finals is already great; don't indulge in the "Three Asia King" daydream!】

-【Xiao Li Zi's Champions League opponents so far have all been fierce—Barcelona, Roma, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid... the semi-finals are the limit; Lewokusen's T2.5 teammates could be blown apart at any moment.】

The second matchup result goes without saying.

Rather, it is necessary to determine the home/away order according to the draw order.

Da Luo's little fat hand fidgeted a few times.

The sequence result came out.

Juventus VS Atletico Madrid!

The draw ceremony did not end immediately.

UEFA staff quickly set up the venue.

The representatives of the four semifinalist teams were invited onto the stage, leaving behind a precious group photo.

Griezmann looked at Cristiano Ronaldo with a helpless expression...

He was the shortest, so the organizers had specially prepared a small box for him to stand on to increase his height... but at that moment Cristiano Ronaldo stepped on it.