Chapter 1 During Halftime

During halftime, Klopp praised the team's performance. Despite being behind in the first half and conceding two goals right from the kickoff, Borussia Dortmund had managed to pull one goal back, which was still a good showing.

He also needed to praise them to keep their fighting spirit up in the second half.

Stuttgart's coach, Stevens, also praised his team.

The team had executed his tactics well, resulting in two goals. Stevens believed that the conceded goal wasn't due to the players' poor performance or his tactics being flawed. It was purely a display of individual ability by Zhou Yi and Yan Min. His players had done well enough and shouldn't be criticized.

And to maintain a high morale for the second half, he couldn't criticize his team now either.

Another coach who praised his players' performance was Guardiola. Although Bayern Munich had conceded a goal in the first half, their overall performance was excellent. Apart from that one goal, there was nothing to criticize. Moreover, Bayern Munich had quickly scored three goals after conceding, now leading 3-1. What was there to criticize about such a performance?

Only Hoffenheim's coach, Gisdol, didn't praise his team during halftime. However, he didn't criticize the players either. Instead, he encouraged them: "I bet many people think we're doomed to lose this game, perhaps even Bayern Munich's players themselves. If they really think that way, then that's our opportunity. There are still forty-five minutes left in the game, even if we're two goals behind, it doesn't matter, as long as we don't give up, we still have a chance. Capitalize on Bayern Munich's belief that they've already won. In the second half, we need to be even bolder in pressing them in the middle and front of the field. We need to disrupt their ball control rhythm, don't let the ball stay at their feet for too long, keep snatching it from them! Also, their two center-backs aren't in great form today, we can focus on that… Van Buyten is slow to turn around, so play behind him more often. Dante likes to hold onto the ball, if either of them gets the ball, ignore everything else and press them, don't let them pass the ball comfortably…"

※※※

The second half of both games kicked off almost simultaneously, and none of the four teams made any substitutions.

However, right at the start of the second half, Bayern Munich was forced to make a substitution…

The young midfielder Thiago collided with an opponent while battling for the ball, then fell to the ground, clutching his right knee, unable to get up, his face contorted in pain.

"Thiago seems to be injured…"

Team doctor Wolfahrt quickly came onto the field, and then came good news – a substitution was needed!

"Wolfahrt is signaling for a substitution, it looks like Thiago can't continue the game. This is really bad news for Bayern Munich! The second half has just started, and they have to use up a substitution…"

Guardiola also frowned.

The second half had just begun, and they had already lost a key player… He wasn't sure what impact this would have on the team, but it made him feel uneasy.

Guardiola eventually replaced Thiago with Lahm. After leaving the field, Thiago was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance, which suggested that the injury was quite serious, otherwise they wouldn't have sent him straight to the hospital…

Not long after Thiago was taken off injured, Hoffenheim finally managed to win the ball through a series of high pressing plays.

Having successfully intercepted the ball, they immediately launched a counterattack. Lahm, who had just come on, had to foul Salihović, who was carrying the ball, in order to stop their attack.

The referee gave Lahm a verbal warning and awarded Hoffenheim a free kick in the attacking third.

The free kick was about thirty-two meters from the goal, slightly to the right, but overall still within the "central" range.

Salihović stepped up to take the free kick himself.

He was an excellent free kick specialist and Hoffenheim's number one set-piece taker.

After placing the ball, Bayern Munich formed a wall.

There were boos throughout the stadium, all from Bayern Munich fans, hoping to disturb Salihović.

However, Salihović was unaffected. After the referee blew his whistle, he started his run-up and then shot!

He kicked the ball up, and it went around the wall.

Heading straight for the upper right corner of the goal.

Goalkeeper Neuer's vision was blocked by the wall. By the time he saw the ball curve around the wall and head towards the upper corner of the goal, it was too late to make a save…

Although he flew out, he didn't touch the ball. Instead, he almost crashed into the goalpost!

The ball had flown into the goal before him!

"This…" The commentator from Munich Radio was surprised, "Salihović scored a free kick! Hoffenheim pulled one back! The score is now 3-2, Bayern Munich is only leading by one goal!"

Guardiola stood on the sidelines, watching the game with a frown.

He wasn't too surprised by the conceded goal, because he already had a bad feeling in his heart.

This goal was caused by Lahm's foul on Salihović. But if Thiago hadn't been injured, he wouldn't have had to substitute Lahm, and Lahm, who had just come on, hadn't had time to adapt to the game yet. Faced with Hoffenheim's pressing, he was a bit overwhelmed and could only stop them by fouling, which ultimately gave Hoffenheim a free kick opportunity…

※※※

The news of Hoffenheim's goal reached the Mercedes-Benz Arena, but it didn't cause much of a stir.

Both teams were focused on the game at hand.

Stuttgart was fighting to stay in the league, and Borussia Dortmund was fighting for the championship.

Neither was willing to give an inch.

Shortly after the start, Marco hammered a shot from the right side of the penalty box, hitting the right post and bouncing out, scaring the Stuttgart fans into a cold sweat.

However, Stuttgart was not to be outdone. A minute later, Ibisevic responded with a long shot from the edge of the penalty arc, the ball just missing the crossbar, scaring the Dortmund fans.

The players from both teams could put all their energy into the game, not caring about other things, but the commentators couldn't afford to ignore them. Marcel Reif knew that many Dortmund fans watching the live broadcast of this game must be distracted.

"Ah, there's another goal at the Allianz Arena. But it's not Bayern Munich who scored, it's Hoffenheim. Salihović scored a direct free kick, and Hoffenheim has now made it 2-3, they are really resilient! This makes both games even more interesting… Of course, Hoffenheim hasn't given up, but if Borussia Dortmund can't beat their current opponent, then it doesn't matter how Hoffenheim plays over there…"

In the fifty-seventh minute, Reus took a long shot from the left edge of the penalty area, but the ball went wide.

Stuttgart also quickly launched a beautiful attack. Ibisevic's header in the center was caught by Weidenfeller.

The two teams went back and forth, attacking each other non-stop, making it a lively game.

Such a game was of course exciting for neutral fans, but for the fans of the two teams, it was nerve-wracking, because it seemed like every attack could lead to a goal, either into your goal or into mine…

In the sixty-third minute, Yan Min was brought down by Stuttgart defender Niedermeier on the left flank, and the referee awarded Borussia Dortmund a free kick in the attacking third, while also giving Niedermeier a yellow card.

Zhou Yi took the free kick, sending the ball to the back post of the penalty area, but Aubameyang, under the close marking of the opponent's defender, didn't get a good connection and headed the ball straight out of bounds.

After landing, Aubameyang also tugged at his jersey towards the referee, indicating that the opposing defender was pulling his jersey, but the referee ignored him. Aubameyang could only complain a couple of times before giving up.

In the sixty-seventh minute, Zhou Yi got the ball near the center circle in his own half. Facing the Stuttgart player who came up to press him, he didn't pass the ball to Sven Bender next to him, even though Sven Bender was unmarked.

He chose a slightly risky path - a direct long pass over the top!

Including the Stuttgart player in front of him, the ball flew over the heads of three Stuttgart players, directly towards the space behind them.

Because it was an attacking game, Stuttgart's defense was very high, and the center-backs were pressed near the center circle, which meant that there was a huge gap behind them.

Zhou Yi saw this gap and chose to pass the ball there.

At the same time as he passed the ball, Aubameyang in the center suddenly cut forward diagonally, accelerating towards the gap behind Stuttgart's defensive line, his running route perfectly coinciding with Zhou Yi's pass!

"Beautiful! A Borussia Dortmund counterattack!"

Aubameyang used his speed advantage to catch up with the ball first. Niedermeier, the defender following him, could only stay on the inside, not allowing Aubameyang to cut inside.

After receiving the ball, Aubameyang immediately stopped abruptly, flicking the ball towards the center, wanting to cut inside!

Niedermeier wasn't as agile as Aubameyang in turning around. By the time Aubameyang turned around and dribbled into the penalty area, he had been squeezed aside by the opponent.

Niedermeier had no choice but to pull him with his hands. He couldn't hold him on the first try, and he still couldn't hold him on the second try. Aubameyang was like a slippery eel, making it impossible for him to hold on.

Aubameyang swayed his body, wanting to get rid of Niedermeier. At this moment, Niedermeier couldn't care about anything else, using both his hands and feet to finally bring Aubameyang down!

As Aubameyang fell to the ground, the referee blew his whistle.

Niedermeier suddenly came to his senses at this moment, looking at Aubameyang lying near the penalty spot, he slowly raised his hands, indicating that he was innocent…

But how could he be innocent?

"Niedermeier fouls! He pulled down Aubameyang in the penalty area! Borussia Dortmund gets a penalty! This is a great opportunity for them to equalize!"