manynovel Chapter 86: The Quarter-Finals Are Here! Hao Ren vs. De Bruyne!
Chapter 86: The Quarter-Finals Are Here! Hao Ren vs. De Bruyne!
Chapter 86: The Quarter-Finals Are Here! Hao Ren vs. De Bruyne!
RB Leipzig Arena!
According to pre-match online ticket sales statistics, the attendance rate for today's game is expected to reach at least 95%.
Judging from the attendance data, Red Bull's investment has been very successful, with Leipzig accumulating a solid fan base in just a few years.
But no matter what, this team is still a second-division team, and they will still feel fear when facing Wolfsburg from the top league.
【black gold】
Wolfsburg Head Coach
"Yes, we did take notice of Goodman. Around February of this year, the team's scouts reported the player to me."
Hecking responded to reporters' questions about the transfer rumors.
Yes, Wolfsburg, like Dortmund, are both suitors of Mr. Goodman!
"I know Dortmund is also interested in him, but haha, what does it matter? Talented players are always in competition with many teams. Anyway, we will make an offer for Leipzig this summer. I think Gudmann can be a key player for Wolfsburg, and he should be able to play well with Kevin (De Bruyne)."
Click, click, click!
"In that case, will today's match be a test for Goodman's abilities?" Will you use today's match to evaluate Goodman's performance?
"Ha ha."
Black Gold on the stage suddenly laughed.
He seemed to find the reporter's question ridiculous.
"The gap in overall strength may deprive Goodman of opportunities to perform, but that's not a problem; he's only 17."
He's only 20 years old and still has a lot of room for growth. I won't completely dismiss this player because of one poor performance in a single game.
[This coach is a bit of a show-off. Isn't he afraid of being punished by Hao Hao?]
[Punishment my ass! Wolfsburg is second in the Bundesliga this season, much tougher than Leverkusen.]
[It's a bit sad, but it would be great if Hao Hao could go to Wolfsburg. He could play in the Champions League next season!]
[Here's a suggestion: before the match starts, just transfer Hao Hao to the other side so he can advance to the semi-finals with Wolfsburg.]
[No way, the match hasn't even started yet, how come you've all switched sides? You said you'd be Leipzig fans for life!]
"RB!"
Boom!
"RB!"
'
Bang bang bang!
With about 10 minutes to go before the match starts, the Leipzig fans in the stadium have already begun their preparations.
Because the opponent is strong enough, fans need to stand up quickly and stand firmly behind their team!
In the players' tunnel, Hao Ren listened quietly to the shouts of the fans outside, stomping his feet rhythmically.
"What are you looking at?"
Poulsen noticed that Hao Ren's eyes were fixed on the Wolfsburg players next door.
"Oh, that."
Hao Ren pointed to Wolfsburg's number 14, "Didn't Ralf tell me to keep an eye on him and not let him pass the ball?"
"Then you don't need to start keeping an eye on them now—"
Paulsen gave a wry smile.
Well, it's clear that Mr. Goodman is taking this very seriously.
"Whoosh!"
The referee's whistle blew from ahead, and the players from both sides began to enter the field in an orderly manner.
The game is on!
"Let me first introduce the away team in today's match, Wolfsburg, also known as Wolfsburg. You should all know this team, but I still want to introduce them a little."
"Wolves are very strong this season, currently second in the Bundesliga, with their league points total second only to Bayern Munich!"
Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Benaglio; Defenders: Vieirinha, Naldo, Robin Knoch, Ricardo Rodriguez; Midfielders: Träsch, De Bruyne, Gustavo; Forwards: Caligiuri, Dost, Schürrle; Head Coach: Hecking. The camera pans to the two coaches on the sidelines, with Rangnick clearly appearing more serious.
However—this guy doesn't seem to be unserious at all.
The match began, and Leipzig, having gained possession, passed the ball around in their own half, successfully drawing the attention of the opposing midfielders.
In the 2nd minute, Hao Ren received a pass pushed up by Klostermann, turned around and suddenly launched an attack.
"Oh!"
The fans in the stadium stood up, and at the same time, Hao Ren was running forward with the ball, his target being the center circle not far away.
Schürrle and De Bruyne tracked back together, quickly forming a double-team on the Leipzig midfielder.
Schürrle used his hand to interfere with Hao Ren, who then used his body to firmly protect the ball.
Seize the opportunity!
Snapped!
Hao Ren kicked the ball away.
The ball was delivered with great force, but Poulsen, making a forward run, caught it!
"Wolfsburg's interception failed, and Leipzig found an opportunity instead!"
"Hao Ren's pass was very decisive, but Poulsen, Poulsen is in a very difficult position right now, there are no teammates around him!"
Vlaan ran quickly to receive the pass, but the Wolfsburg player was clearly faster.
Before his teammates could get in place, Poulsen was already surrounded and could only manage to create a throw-in.
"Sure, no problem!"
Rangnick clapped his hands and walked to the sidelines: "When you're thinking, stay calm. Once you have an idea, be decisive. Don't waste time with them!"
Tiger threw the ball out, and Kimmich caught it.
"Go up!"
Wolfsburg players prepared to double-team Kimmich, but Hao Ren reacted quickly and rushed to the rescue.
However, this save was somewhat difficult. Hao Ren had just gotten the ball when Gustavo knocked him away, and the ball at his feet was also taken away by the opponent.
"Grass!"
Hao Ren tensed up instantly and slid down to make a sliding tackle.
"Fuck!"
Gustavo was startled and failed to protect the ball!
Wow!!!
Hao Ren's immediate counter-pressing created an opportunity for Leipzig, as Wolfsburg's defense had not yet fully retreated!
Kimmich passed the ball to Poulsen, who was preparing to cut inside.
However, at this moment, Wolfsburg's back line was already in place, with a full five defenders standing in a line.
Not to mention Poulsen near the penalty area, even the viewers with a god's-eye view didn't know where the attack was coming from!
Polsen!
Force a cross!
Vlaan and Morris rushed toward the penalty spot, but there were only two of them, so they couldn't outrun the defenders in the penalty area.
Naldo clears the ball!
"hiss----"
Seeing this, Rangnick couldn't help but shake his hand.
This pressure is immense!
The game continued, and Rangnick returned to the bench, where he and Almas quickly scribbled something on the tactical board.
"I've said it before, Wolfsburg is even harder to beat than Leverkusen this season."
Almas didn't know what to say, and could only sigh for the Leipzig players on the field, saying how tough it had been.
17th minute!
RBL: 23%.
VFL: 77%.
"Leipzig's possession rate, wow—they're under immense pressure!"
"The main problem is that Leipzig can't hold onto the ball, as you can see. Leipzig doesn't have any players who can hold onto the ball. Hao Ren's ball control relies purely on physical protection; he doesn't dribble much. This makes it easy for Wolfsburg to suppress them."
"Here it is, Theresh, who do you want to give it to!"
Snapped!
Tresch played a long, low through ball, precisely finding Caligiuri on the right wing.
Dem and Hao Ren were forced to defend on the flanks.
Wolfsburg clearly noticed this as well, and the away team players immediately abandoned the idea of long passes.
De Bruyne also came to help!
De Bruyne received a pass back from his teammate and pushed the ball forward a step.
Snapped!
"Oh!"
A very decisive 45-degree cross, aimed at the far post of the penalty area!
"Take a look, take a look!"
Bellot was getting anxious and quickly signaled Klostermann to keep an eye on Schürrle.
However, Schürrle still managed to jump and head the ball to Rodriguez who was coming from behind to support him!
Rodriguez unleashed a powerful shot!
boom!
Bellot jumped quickly, but unfortunately, she was still a little short.
Goal!
"Nein! (No)"
The Leipzig fans in the stands all said in unison.
Of course, it's no use for fans to shout "no".
Wolfsburg scored, that's an undeniable fact!
"Rodriguez scores, making it 1-0, Wolfsburg takes the lead!"
The announcer's voice made the Leipzig players on the field sigh.
"I feel a little unwell."
Hao Ren stood still in a "at ease" position, his expression full of helplessness.
"Their offensive transitions are too fast."
Kimmich saw the problem.
Hao Ren nodded, "Yeah, and the fact that they don't celebrate after scoring is disgusting."
As he spoke, Hao Ren was looking at the Wolfsburg players near the corner flag.
Rodriguez's goal-scoring slammed down with one hand, immediately drawing boos from the home fans.
The Wolfsburg players made it very clear that they would not celebrate scoring against a second-division team!
It's true that the Wolfsburg players have a sense of superiority, but it's also a fact that they played well, leaving Hao Ren with nothing to say.
Leipzig really needs to make some adjustments; if they continue like this, they might suffer a crushing defeat!
"I'll just stick on Kevin."
Hao Ren directed his criticism at De Bruyne.
In the pre-match arrangements, Hao Ren's task was to suppress De Bruyne's performance as much as possible.
However, judging from the current situation, close defense may be more effective than suppression!
"Whoosh!"
The game continues.
Hao Ren has temporarily abandoned his attacking duties and returned to his role as a defensive midfielder!
Tresch, with the ball, was looking for De Bruyne!
Hao Ren suddenly stepped forward and stood directly between De Bruyne and Tresch, preventing the two Wolfsburg midfielders from forming a combination.
It must be said that Hao Ren's decision was correct.
Because after De Bruyne was contained, Wolfsburg's attacking frequency began to gradually decrease.
Even Wolfsburg's possession rate has been declining!
"Leipzig seems to have discovered some tricks!" (German)
"Yes, Goodman abandoned the attack just to contain De Bruyne, and I think that's a very smart choice. Because De Bruyne is Wolfsburg's attacking core!"
In the footage, Poulsen and Kimmich are panting heavily.
With De Bruyne contained, Leipzig's attacking players got a brief respite.
but----
Fans' attention was focused on Hao Ren and De Bruyne, one wearing number 20 and the other number 14, who had been locked in a tug-of-war for at least 10 minutes.
Soon, around the 30th minute of the match, a data box popped up at the bottom of the screen.
Hao Ren (RBL): 24 assists in the league, top assist provider in the 2. Bundesliga, market value of 6 million euros.
[De Bruyne (VFL): 15 assists in the league, top assist provider in the Bundesliga, market value €2800 million]
Good guy!
What I thought was just a regular halftime showdown turned out to be a contest between two league assist leaders.
Coincidentally, both players are considered by fans of their respective leagues to be "the most talented midfielders in the entire league".
"Kevin's advantages are still quite obvious - however, judging from the situation on the court, he seems to have some difficulty shaking off Goodman's defense."
The home announcer seemed to favor Leipzig, but that was indeed the case on the field.
Just as the announcer began speaking, Hao Ren snatched the ball from De Bruyne's feet.
"1
""
De Bruyne's pupils dilated instantly, and he turned around to try and grab Hao Ren.
But it failed!
Wow!!!
"Hurry, hurry!"
"Goodman, get them!"
"Long live Leipzig!"
Hao Ren, who was running, encountered a Wolfsburg player who was pressing forward, and decisively made a long pass.
Leipzig's 10-second counter-attack tactic has already used up 3 seconds of Hao Ren's dribbling run.
This also means that the forwards have a maximum of 7 seconds left!
Poulsen receives the ball with his chest and passes it to Tiger, who is supporting him!
Tiger dribbles forward at a 45-degree angle, aiming for the penalty area.
At that moment, Kimmich was running forward at high speed and received a through pass from his teammate with almost no difficulty.
The defender moved closer to Kimmich!
Kimmich was not nervous at all; on the contrary, he was very excited.
They fell for their trap!
Chicken Bro never charges forward alone.
If he moves forward, then the chicken dad will definitely be right next to him!
Kimmich cut inside with his right foot, and Hao Ren, who rushed up from the left, successfully got the ball and unleashed a powerful shot.
boom!
Snapped!
The goalkeeper reacted with lightning speed to block the ball.
It wasn't over yet. Hao Ren rushed into the penalty area, bent down, and headed the ball in for a rebound.
The Wolfsburg goalkeeper had just stood up at that moment.
"G000AAALLLL!"
"Mr. Goodman!!"
"1:1!!!!"
"My God, what is this?!"
"Benaglio blocked Goodman's shot, but Goodman himself followed up with a shot!"
In the shot, Benaglio stands on the goal line with an utterly speechless expression on his face.
He never expected Hao Ren to react so quickly.
Kimmich, who was also in the penalty area, didn't react in time!
"Goodman!"
"Good job, Goodman!"
Hao Ren started running on the grass.
Originally planning a joyous celebration, Hao Ren seemed to have thought of something and actually made a downward pressing motion with one hand below the home team's stands.
This is----
"Holy crap, haha, Hao Ren must be responding to Wolfsburg's previous celebration, right? That's great."
"That's how athletes are; they settle scores on the spot."
The fans in the stands quickly reacted and decisively cooperated with Hao Ren, starting to shout rhythmically.
"VFL! (Wolfsburg)"
"Shhh!!!!!!"
*Clap clap clap clap clap!*
Rodriguez, who scored earlier, is now green with envy!
"It's nothing."
Tresch was reassuring his teammates: "We'll get back at them later, we can beat them easily."
Rodriguez gritted his teeth and nodded seriously.
"How come the script is like this? Didn't those reporters say Leipzig was going to get beaten up?"
Seeing Hao Ren tie the score, Wang Chao immediately started to act arrogantly.
"Huh? Benaglio's big kick went straight to Dost!"
"!"
"It depends on the person!"
"Klosterman, what are you doing?!"