Chapter 1 Topp versus Wenger

Topp and Wenger were not facing off for the first time.

It was back in the distant Sanya Wang season.

Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal met in the Champions League group stage.

The Factory was crushed 1-4 by that luxurious Arsenal team, which possessed stars such as Vieira, Bergkamp, and Henry.

The two sides didn't have deep grudges.

Because Topp worked hard in the subsequent matches, and with the advantage of accumulated points, he manipulated Juventus and Arsenal to their doom.

Bayer Leverkusen ultimately advanced to the knockout stage alongside Deportivo La Coruña.

Which Deportivo?

It was the mid-to-lower tier Spanish club, Deportivo de La Coruña.

Except back then, it was "Super Depor."

How strong was it during that period? It broke Real Madrid and Barcelona's domination of La Liga.

Including staging one of the most incredible comebacks in the history of the European Champions Cup, eliminating the then-dominant AC Milan!

...

Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal had a good relationship.

Many fans even believed: Bayer Leverkusen was the Arsenal of the Bundesliga.

The two clubs had many similarities: fluid play, sharp attacks, a tendency to choke at crucial moments, and a team-wide lack of mental fortitude... both had young and energetic rising stars.

In addition, Wenger would send a faxed offer to Bayer Leverkusen every year, but he just couldn't afford it.

This kind of cross-league club friendship.

Made the German and English media embarrassed to mock each other with cartoons.

......

Bayer Leverkusen first team dormitory.

The phantom of the module furnace appeared in front of Li Kang.

The system prompt quietly sounded:

["Haymaker," "Heaven's Gate," and "Elegant Fatty" modules can be synthesized. Fuse now?]

[Are you sure you want to throw in these three complete modules? Don't do it!]

[Fusing...]

Must fuse!

If these three modules remained on his body, he would become a "Fat Buu."

The furnace churned violently.

Rolling black mist spread wildly.

As far as Li Kang could see, there was boundless darkness.

[Fusion successful!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Xavi's "Spin" module!]

[There's no problem that a spin can't solve! If there is, spin twice!]

[Everyone can learn it, but no one can master it!]

This was a La Masia divine skill.

Every youth academy player knew the key points of the movement, but no one could use it as skillfully as Xavi in actual combat.

Cruyff's turn was a static dribbling skill, the disadvantage being that it slowed down the offensive rhythm.

The V-shaped drag back was a dynamic one-on-one skill, the disadvantage being that it couldn't evade multiple interceptions.

Xavi's spin was an option between the two, fitting the tactical system of a passing and controlling team, which was contrary to Bayer Leverkusen's tactical requirements for speed and impact.

Of course, combined with physical advantages, it might produce a different effect.

....

The battle was approaching.

Accompanied by his little assistant, Li Kang came to the Gelsenkirchen branch of Veltins.

The purpose was to sign a new advertising endorsement renewal contract.

And to see Claudia.

From a work perspective, the two didn't need to meet at all; Ms. Sandra was Veltins' signing representative for business cooperation.

It was just that Li Kang felt that the shadow in his brain hadn't been active for a long time, and the phantom of the legendary module appeared less and less frequently in matches.

He needed to "recharge" with the wheelchair girl.

Only in front of her would he regain the emotions that a normal person should have.

....

"Ms. Sandra, why was an additional clause temporarily added: no joint advertising with other women within a year?"

"It's even stranger than Barcelona not letting Suarez bite people, right?"

"From a long-term perspective, it's simply not conducive to Li's subsequent commercial endorsements..."

"We can't sign this renewal contract; you didn't even tell us about this in advance! It's too arbitrary! Where's your professionalism?"

The little assistant was red-faced, angrily accusing.

Ms. Sandra maintained a professional smile, placed her index finger on the contract amount column, and slowly said, "We've added money."

The little assistant was stunned, itching to take out a magnifying glass to count how many zeros were on the amount!

My God!

The Veltins Group was really generous!

"Li..."

Li Kang nodded.

He didn't care much; too frequent advertising endorsements during the growth phase would only take up his training time.

Professional players aren't celebrities; consistent and stable performance on the field is the foundation for making money.

.....

The contract signing ended.

Li Kang met Claudia.

The wheelchair girl's face still had no color, and her lips were pale.

He handed over a soccer ball.

She lacked nothing, there was nothing good to give.

He could only give her the match ball he received when he completed his first hat-trick in the Bundesliga.

Claudia didn't speak, and hugged the soccer ball in her arms.

The two looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the reconstruction of Gelsenkirchen.

After a long time.

The shadow in Li Kang's brain frantically contracted.

Only then did he get up to say goodbye.

........

Colney Training Ground.

The 66-year-old Wenger had his hands in his pockets, pacing back and forth on the sidelines.

Assistant coach Bould said, "Inter Milan is offering 50 million euros... we won't be able to bring Icardi over this winter transfer window, as for Real Madrid's J-Rod..."

Wenger smiled and said, "We'll have money next summer transfer window."

Bould spread his hands and complained, "The American boss said the same thing last year, but this summer transfer window they only spent 9.8 million pounds to buy a Čech, which isn't even as much as a Championship team's transfer spending! You know, our total revenue last season was 344.5 million pounds! And the after-tax profit was as high as..."

"The outside world says the American boss isn't sucking blood, so why can't the money in the club's account be touched? Isn't it just waiting for the shareholders to distribute profits?"

"The fans and the club legends are pushing all the blame onto you! Even though we've won twelve out of fourteen Premier League matches, only losing two! We still have to accept the abuse!"

Wenger shook his head and gently patted his assistant coach's shoulder: "Where did you hear this false information... the most important thing for us right now is to prepare for the Champions League Round of 16."

False information.

In 2015, how to enrage an Arsenal fan? Just say one sentence to him: Protect the best American boss!

The responsibility that Wenger shoulders at Arsenal is much heavier than that of many famous coaches.

The Emirates Stadium, in a sense, was built by him single-handedly.

Without any financial assistance, even every chair in the stands was saved.

No one wants to sell the captain.

Building a stadium is always the most painful thing.

For example, Atlético Madrid in La Liga... building a stadium almost caused them to fall from La Liga into the Segunda División B.

Wenger's ability to hold on to the Champions League Round of 16 year after year, and even reach the Champions League final in the 05-06 season, is already very great.

Even if he does more, he still has to endure the abuse from fans, club legends, and former disciples.

From a long-term perspective, Arsenal had no choice but to build a stadium.

Highbury's capacity limited the club's development; to maintain its status as a top club, it was imperative to have a modern stadium that could accommodate more spectators.

It's really not being stingy.

If they were being stingy, who would build a stadium?

If it were another coach, after coaching for a year and a half, if the results weren't good, they would just pack up and leave.

For twenty years, how many top clubs have extended olive branches to Wenger...

"During my playing days, I lost to Cruyff."

"After coaching, whether it was Monaco or Arsenal, I always encountered Barcelona."

"Even today's Bayer Leverkusen, the midfield core comes from La Masia."

"They are a test that I am bound to experience."

.....

The Champions League Round of 16 arrived.

Li Kang and his teammates boarded a plane to North London.