Chapter 72: Yes! Camp Nou!
Match time passed by every second.
Except for the two goals scored at the opening.
Neither side had any further threatening shots on goal.
Leverkusen played with ease.
Mainz's attacks always got stopped when they advanced into the thirty-meter zone.
The playmaker, Marle, was 'frozen' by Li Kang's tight marking.
Kazuki Mutō also couldn't get past the German international Kramer.
Beep! Beep-beep~
The referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half.
"Leverkusen took their two-goal lead into the locker room!"
"The first-half statistics for both teams have just been released!"
At the BayArena, applause thundered.
Leverkusen fans never expected this round's match to be so easy!
Li Kang and his teammates slapped hands and walked together toward the player tunnel.
The coaching staff is very good at dealing with teams like Mainz that are strong in attack but weak in defense.
Before the match, they had already pointed out multiple problems in the opponent's defensive system in the tactical analysis.
Leverkusen played extremely easily in this first half.
The defenders barely expended any stamina.
"Li, teach me how to shoot that low driven shot sometime... sigh, I haven't finished my weekend homework yet!"
Havertz's excited expression instantly turned gloomy.
Why is the coursework still so heavy for German underage players?
The instigator is none other than Old Ma, the tactical master Magath!
Back then he loudly advocated in the media: talented players should give up academics and focus all their energy on football!
This viewpoint sparked a nationwide discussion frenzy.
The German Football Association quickly responded, issuing an emergency new rule: all German adult players playing in professional leagues must obtain at least a college diploma!
At the 2014 World Cup, every member of the German national team had gone through the German Abitur, and many went on to attend prestigious universities.
Kramer consoled: "It's fine, Brandt often doesn't do his homework! He still passes the Abitur!"
Brandt silently walked away...
Leverkusen locker room.
Dino quickly moved the little pieces on the tactics board, reviewing the first half's tactical details.
Tuopu Laotou called out to Li Kang from the side: "In the second half we'll let you play even more easily—watch your range of motion, and absolutely avoid injury! When the match loses its suspense, I might sub you out early."
Li Kang nodded.
The Leverkusen head coach never says such things to other players.
In three days we'll be heading to Camp Nou for an away match.
The club hopes every starting player can maintain peak condition for the battle.
Wipe away the disgrace of the 7-1 score!
Mainz locker room.
Uncle Martin frantically drew circles on the little whiteboard!
The players were somewhat downcast.
Especially Kazuki Mutō and Marle.
These two were tightly shut down in the first half, making reception difficult, and they could not execute the 'pierce the ribs, split to the wings' attacking tactic at all.
The fifteen-minute break ended quickly.
Both sides' players returned to the pitch.
"Good evening, friends! Welcome back! We are now broadcasting live the 2015/16 Bundesliga Round Seven match between Leverkusen and Mainz in the second half!"
"Leverkusen made the first substitution, Papadopoulos replacing Havertz!"
"Bender should move up from his defensive position a bit to strengthen midfield control!"
Accompanied by the referee's whistle.
The second half officially began!
Mainz had possession.
Kazuki Mutō kicked off, laying the ball off to Marle.
Marle was somewhat shaded after being challenged.
He didn't carry the ball forward himself, but instead passed it to Sampeo on the flank!
The instant he received it, he flicked the ball to the advancing full-back Bentsen.
"A smooth give-and-go!"
"They shook off Brandt!"
"Mainz's flank advance is very fast!"
The thirty-meter zone.
Sampeo saw the aggressively approaching Leverkusen full-back.
He dared not hesitate.
He immediately passed the ball to Marle in the center!
Ma Er Le is a bit nervous!
Afraid the Asian kid would suddenly rush out!
He touches the ball with one kick.
He sent a diagonal pass to the front-right Ke Lai Men Si!
Uncle Ma Dan excitedly roared: "Just like that! Get the ball out quickly!"
Ke Lai Men Si lifted his head and took a glance.
He decisively kicked a cross!
The ball left the ground and flew toward Lewokusen's penalty area!
Beautiful!
What a high-quality rib-side cross!
In the second half, Mei Yin Ci's attack became more aggressive, Lewokusen's defense loosened... Wu Teng Jia Ji!
Wu Teng Jia Ji made a frantic forward run!
His speed was very fast!
His judgment of the ball's path was very accurate!
He leapt into the air!
He launched himself toward the penalty area, trying to head the ball into the goal!
Bayer Arena, the fans let out a gasp!
Leaping header!!!
Just like a game character who picked the wrong talent.
Wu Teng Jia Ji's heading ability is strong, but limited by his height and leaping...
When everyone thought Mei Yin Ci would produce a beautiful shot...
The ball skimmed over his head!
It bounced on the grass!
It fell into the arms of goalkeeper Lai Nuo!
What a shame! If Wu Teng Jia Ji could just grow a little taller...
He's only 18 this year; he should be able to grow over 170cm in the future!
Wu Teng Jia Ji helplessly covered his face.
Lai Nuo had already thrown the ball to Yue Na Tan·Ta.
This black centre-back is similar to Wu Teng Jia Ji's situation; although his defense is average, his long passes are excellent.
Boom!
He effortlessly whipped his leg!
The ball then whooshed toward the midfield circle!
The two Mei Yin Ci fullbacks can't get back!
This long pass is meant to find Bu Lan Te... Li Kang!
At the sideline.
Dino waved his fist excitedly: "Boss! Awesome! If we don't know how to use Li Kang, we'll just blur his position!"
Tuopu Laotou's expression was grave; it seemed his mind wasn't on the match before him.
Our defense also has a big problem; if we slightly move Li Kang's position forward, Mei Yin Ci would almost threaten our goal...
On the other side.
Uncle Ma Dan grabbed his long hair, angrily shouting: "Too shameless! How can they put Li Kang at the front!"
Li Kang shook off Shi Te Fan.
He trapped the ball with his chest.
He took a big step!
Before him lay an open half of Mei Yin Ci's pitch!
Lewokusen fans sang the team anthem in unison.
Bayer, Bayer04, wirstehenzudir!
Bayer, Bayer04, wirstehenzudir!
Bayer, Bayer04, wirstehenzudir!
The singing suddenly stopped.
Following that came a flood-like roar of cheers!
Li Kang didn't trigger any module.
Facing the onrushing Mei Yin Ci goalkeeper.
A light chip!
Poor Ka Li Wu Si! He could only watch the ball fly over his head... it fell near the small penalty area, bounced once, and rolled into his own goal!
3-0!!!
Hat-trick!!!
The Asian youngster Li Kang! He killed the match!
Unbelievable!
Incredible!
He is the brightest new star at Bayer Arena!
By the field.
Dino and Tuopu Laotou raised their fists, cheering wildly.
Boss! Can we get Li down? He should save his strength for Nou Camp!
Yes! Nou Camp!
End of Chapter
