Chapter 494: Victorious All the Way (Everyday Transition)

In the evening.

After the teammates had finished dinner, they each went home.

Li Kang received an email from Van Gaal.

In the opening part of the email, a large portion of the content is Old Van describing how he originally transformed Bayern, laying what kind of foundation, and promoting whom.

"Wanting to defeat Heynckes' Bayern Munich looks difficult, but it's actually not simple at all."

Old Van's preparatory advice at the end of the email consisted of only one sentence: "Do not watch Hai Clan Bayern's match recordings."

Indeed, it's not useful at all.

Hai Clan Bayern scores an extraordinary number of goals, often netting five or nine in a single match, and their defensive penetration is extreme. What's more frightening is: their tactical tendency differs every match.

The 73‑year‑old Heynckes has already reached the realm of "making the complex simple."

That night.

The column "Handbook Teaching You to Become a Ceremonial Midfielder" was updated in a timely manner.

Kroos stood before the tactics board, moving the magnetic flags.

He poked his temple with his index finger.

"After Li joins Chelsea, he won't need to think much before the Champions League quarter‑finals."

"At that stage, Chelsea was stamped with a clear attacking‑football imprint by Tuchel."

"The ever‑changing tactical style makes it hard to fathom."

"Heynckes' Bayern Munich is the same; they display part of a clear characteristic in attack, but that's merely a trait, not the true tactical framework."

"In the first leg of Chelsea versus Bayern Munich, I predict the match will be very open."

Kroos and Heynckes share a deep relationship, being both teacher and friend.

Comment section.

【Both clubs' current styles are a blend of many strengths; even the ever‑changing little cherry blossom can't guess how they'll play.】

【Are Kroos and Heynckes not related by blood?】

【When Heynckes coached Real Madrid in the 1990s, he helped the club win the Champions League again after a 22‑year hiatus, but his record with weak teams isn't great.】

【His performance as a player was also not bad; he is the only one in history to win the European Triple Crown Golden Boot.】

【Chelsea can't just build around two La Masia number‑4 positions and keep playing some Kroos triangle, or they'll be smashed 7‑0 by Bayern in no time.】

On the other side.

A small Easter egg from the segment "Man United Iron Wall·Online Teaching".

Maguire interjected his opinion, speaking solemnly:

"This Bayern side has strong defensive‑penetration ability in positional play, its attack is very three‑dimensional, and the patterns of its attacking chains are very rich."

"If Chelsea had a centre‑back of my type, they could neutralize the opponent's attack head‑on!"

"If not? Then put Li up front; launching an attack is a good way to solve the problem!"

"Tuchel must never field Fabregas, or this Bayern will easily tear them apart!"

The audience believed this without doubt; Mr. Ma's teaching quality remains high.

They completely ignored the recommended section at the bottom of the interface, which was full of things like "80 million‑defence‑midfield traitor," "Wood Industry Bond: De Gea and Maguire," and "Horse Shadow."

Time flowed like a rushing stream.

Winter passed, spring arrived, and in the blink of an eye it was April.

April was no longer gloomy and rainy; Chelsea marched on with victory after victory in the league, unstoppable, dyeing London's sky blue.

Premier League Matchday 26.

Chelsea hosted Tottenham at home.

Tuchel fielded his full starting lineup, and the whistle blew to kick off.

Pochettino's reactive adjustments were made with ease, repeatedly breaking the deadlock.

At Stamford Bridge, blood flowed like a river.

In the end, Chelsea 5–2 Tottenham.

Diego Costa scored a hat‑trick; Kane's goal was in vain.

Premier League Matchday 27.

Li Kang and his teammates arrived at Turf Moor.

This stadium now holds over twenty thousand spectators, yet it has a 135‑year history.

Legend says it was the first stadium ever visited by a member of the royal family; in October 1886, Queen Victoria's son once appeared in the stands to watch.

Burnley's form this season is decent; they currently sit seventh in the Premier League, having successfully shaken off their cellar‑dweller status.

Tuchel was very cautious, fielding a starting XI in which Li Kang led half of the regulars.

The clash between the Blues and the Cherry Army was especially fierce, gradually losing any suspense.

Burnley 1–3 Chelsea.

Batshuayi felt the care of the starting lineup; he repeatedly spat out pie, contributing missed open‑goal chances and a sliced‑through solo run, yet he was still forced by Li Kang, Hazard, and others pressing on his head to score a brace.

Premier League Matchday 28.

Chelsea hosted Southampton at home.

The super‑youth academy that had made a fortune. This season they accidentally sold off all their immediate combat strength, now deep in the relegation zone.

Their indomitable will to avoid relegation could not be turned into fighting strength.

It's just like these past few years, letting Dresden Dynamo's whole team play with injected passion, defending the essence of East German power, an ideological battle—yet the result was the same: they got thrashed 12‑0 by Bayern.

Hamburg's resolve to avoid relegation is strong enough; they have gone 55 years without relegation, earning the nickname of the Bundesliga's toughest nail‑house.

It's useless; this season will also get beaten down to early relegation.

Speaking of "Dynamo".

During the Cold War of the last century, clubs around the world with the "Dynamo" suffix were likely a mysterious organization; some players played football by day and turned into black-clad mysterious figures by night, preventing certain evils in the darkness.

Especially in East Germany, some people were football stars by day and contributed to world peace at the same time.

Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel continued to make large-scale rotations.

The match had no suspense.

Chelsea 2:0 Southampton.

On the Premier League table, the title race heated up further.

The Blues led the Blue Moon by 5 points.

Manchester City lost two matches.

Chelsea lost one match, against West Ham United, the Hammers.

Fans exclaimed: "Tough luck," "The Hammers are the kings of mysticism," "Big brother looks after little brother."

Three days later.

FA Cup semi-final.

Chelsea vs. West Ham United.

Tuchel struggled to breathe, frantically pounding the turf.

His mind was filled with replays of the exciting scenes of the ball striking the posts and crossbar.

In the 90 minutes of regular time, both sides were tied 0-0; extra time remained 0-0, and only the penalty shootout decided the winner.

Chelsea successfully advanced to the FA Cup final!

Approaching the Champions League semi-finals.

The Premier League and Bundesliga media did not kick up any hype.

Chelsea legends came forward one after another to cheer for the club.

Drogba said: If Tuchel doesn't know how to beat Bayern, consider letting Čech take off his suit and put on gloves—that guy is the nemesis of the Bundesliga giants.

Čech said: I can't.

The most well-known encounter between Chelsea and Bayern in recent years is the 2012 Champions League final, when Čech played like a god descending to earth.

On the other side.

Bayern legends did not discuss topics related to victory or defeat.

Beckenbauer: "Welcome Li back to Germany; this is the cradle of his dreams."

Hoeness: "My sausage factory is preparing to invite Li to endorse; the profits of Fürstenberg beer in recent years are enviable."

Rummenigge: "Li still has a major weakness on the pitch: his celebration move."