Chapter 4 Four Days Later

It was another beautiful Bundesliga match day.

After finishing training, Li Kang and his teammates boarded the club bus to Gelsenkirchen.

They were going to challenge Bundesliga powerhouse Schalke 04 on their home turf.

The league table and historical records of the mid-to-upper Bundesliga teams in the past two years were completely useless as a reference.

Although Schalke 04 finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season, they lost every major match with dignity.

Looking at the beautiful farmland outside the window.

Li Kang lowered his head and flipped through a map, getting a general impression of the geographical locations of the clubs in the North Rhine region.

"Li, the soccer anime you recommended to me isn't accurate at all."

"Schalke 04 and Leverkusen are only tens of kilometers apart, why does the protagonist have to take a plane?"

"But Raúl's appearance is very handsome!"

Brandt complained while holding a tablet.

Bender laughed and said, "The current Schalke 04 doesn't have Raúl anymore, only Huntelaar. Their strength is still very strong. How many top-tier teams have you seen where a center-back is the team's top scorer?"

Kramer pondered for a moment and said, "Without Schalke 04 in the Champions League this year, our Bundesliga's European points are a bit dangerous!"

Schalke 04 also has a characteristic: they are dignified in domestic battles and godlike in foreign battles. As long as they face La Liga and Premier League clubs in the Champions League, their combat power will skyrocket several levels.

Thanks to the explosive performances of the Bundesliga powerhouses and Bayern in previous Champions League seasons.

In the new 2015/16 season, the Bundesliga's European points surpassed the Premier League, rising to second.

What's the use of this score?

It can determine the number of teams from each league participating in the Champions League and Europa League.

.......

An hour and a half later.

The Leverkusen club bus drove into Gelsenkirchen.

Li Kang discovered that this city and Leverkusen were like two different worlds.

He didn't see the glass waterfall science park that had been reported on TV.

He didn't see any elements related to "green city."

The roadsides were filled with a wasteland atmosphere.

Amidst the noise.

Several drunken men were fighting in the dilapidated streets.

Son Heung-min said, "Don't be so surprised, Li. We took a shortcut. Next time we come to play, if we take the main road, you'll see a beautiful small town."

"The tattoos on these men... they should be from the Hydra organization. Heavens, to see your own people fighting each other, you can only see that in Gelsenkirchen."

Brandt asked suspiciously, "What is the Hydra organization?"

Son Heung-min was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to explain it to a 19-year-old player.

Kramer explained, "It's a women's protection organization. This city collects entertainment tax from girls... I hope there aren't too many Leverkusen fans present. Schalke 04 fans are known for being able to fight..."

......

Half an hour later.

The Leverkusen club bus arrived at the Veltins-Arena.

Schalke 04's home stadium!

Originally named: Arena AufSchalke!

Veltins Brewery spent a lot of money to get the naming rights.

This magnificent stadium has an artistic exterior that seems out of place in Gelsenkirchen.

It incorporates countless new technologies and can accommodate 60,000 spectators.

Leverkusen's BayArena only has one-third of its capacity.

The bus drove into the parking lot.

Old Top, with Dino, headed familiarly to the press conference venue.

"I attended the opening ceremony of this stadium back then! The President came too, and he shook my hand."

"Schalke 04 is too crazy. They borrowed 190 million euros to build this stadium. When will we Leverkusen have this kind of courage?"

.....

Pre-match press conference venue.

Breitenreiter stood up and shook hands with Old Top enthusiastically.

He is the new coach of Schalke 04.

His coaching style is very bold.

The reporters began to ask questions enthusiastically.

"Leverkusen and Schalke 04 have a very good relationship. We were both founded in 1904 and have never won the Bundesliga title."

Breitenreiter's words made the media laugh.

The reporters quickly turned the questions to Old Top.

"Mr. Top, has Li Kang renewed his contract with Leverkusen?"

What the hell kind of question is this?

Old Top's face darkened, and he said calmly, "This question should be asked to Leverkusen's sporting director. You should focus more on Schalke 04's Sané. He has already scored 4 goals in the first two rounds of the Bundesliga. He is definitely a phenomenal talent!"

"He scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season! Setting a historical record for a young player in the Champions League!"

"And in the match against Wolfsburg, his stunning performance of running 80 meters, dribbling past four players, and scoring, I think he has a bright future!"

Now it was Breitenreiter's turn to be uneasy.

"No, no, no! Sané is just relatively strong in breaking through. His other abilities are very average. Yes, yes, yes, the club has completed the contract renewal with him."

Damn it.

No one is allowed to have designs on our Schalke youth training treasure!

The major European powerhouses have long been eyeing Sané.

Especially Bayern...

..........

In the player tunnel.

The players from both sides greeted each other enthusiastically.

There was not the slightest bit of hostility.

Many players had formed deep friendships during their youth training period.

For example, Sané, he stayed in the Leverkusen youth training camp for three years before returning to the Schalke 04 youth training.

Li Kang looked at the walls and ceiling of the tunnel, feeling like he was in a mine.

He then looked at the Schalke 04 lineup.

The opponent's starting lineup today.

They are all elites who will gain a foothold in Bayern, PSG, Liverpool, and Manchester City in the future.

Brandt suddenly patted him on the shoulder: "Li, this is your Bundesliga debut!"

Kramer quickly corrected him: "Li played in the first round of the Bundesliga, but the match ended before he took a few steps on the field."

.......

Veltins-Arena.

The place was packed, with no empty seats.

Blue and white flags fluttered in the wind.

The Schalke 04 fans sang their passionate team song in unison.

The referee team led the players from both sides out of the tunnel.

The four large LED screens above the stadium immediately displayed the starting lineups of the two teams.

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Good evening, viewers. We are now broadcasting the third round of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season!"

"Schalke 04 versus Leverkusen at home!"

"A strong dialogue between two Bundesliga powerhouses! The competition between the two teams never lacks goals!"

"Now, let me introduce the starting lineups of the two teams!"

"Schalke 04 has lined up in a 4-3-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: Fährmann!"

"Left back: Aogo!"

"Center backs: Matip partnering with Höwedes!"

"Right back: Riether!"

"Midfield: Højbjerg, Goretzka, Meyer!"

"Left winger: Choupo-Moting!"

"Center forward: Huntelaar!"

"Right winger: Sané!"

"Leverkusen has also lined up in a 4-3-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper:..."

"...."