Chapter 21: Chapter 21 First Practice Game
The next day, on August 2, Hoffenheim had their first practice match before the season. Hoffenheim residents wanted to watch, but were told it was a closed training and not open to the public. This disappointed them. While the training was closed, Zhang Xian had no idea how to block the media like larger clubs. Losing could dispel fans' enthusiasm. Even though the opponent was a stronger team, no one likes to lose. Rheinbamann's player bus slowly entered the village of Hoffenheim at 10 am. The dark green bus stopped in front of the club office building, where Zhang Xian and Ma Li were already standing. The car door opened, and Taylor Hallson, the general manager of the Rhein Mamba club, walked down in a white shirt and trousers. "Hello my friend!" Hawson greeted Zhang Xian with a big smile, "I am very happy to receive your call." Zhang Xian smiled and said, "A free training game. This is very enjoyable, isn't it?" Hawson shook his head and said, "No, we came here with the mentality of testing our combat effectiveness. You see, I brought all the first team here." Zhang Xian looked behind Howerson and saw Rheinbamann's players getting out of the car one by one. Among them, he saw some core players and nodded and smiled: "Thank you for your honesty."
"Integrity is based on a foundation," Howerson finished with a smile and asked, "When shall we start?"
"Anytime. Do you need to take a break?" Zhang Xian replied.
"No, we also have an appointment for a training match in the afternoon."
The implication was that they were in a hurry and had other engagements after dealing with Zhang Xian.
At this, Howerson rolled his eyes, smiled, and said, "Our next travel expenses?"
Zhang Xian smiled and nodded. "We have packed it."
Howerson laughed and said, "Have fun! Then let's hurry up and get started."
The "Jurgen Stadium" was now in use. Hoffenheim players and Rheinbamann players began warming up in their respective halves. The coaching staff on both sides also started their own training after contact.
Zhang Xian and Howerson sat in the same stand, side by side, looking leisurely at the stadium. Howerson touched the plastic seats beneath him and the blue and white lines that were unique to the home court, then couldn't help but ask, "Have you renovated the stadium?"
Zhang Xian nodded and said, "Yes, this stadium has just been completed, and you are the first guests."
"This is really our honor." Howerson asked sourly, "You have been sponsored?"
Zhang Xian smiled but said nothing.
Howerson gave a dry cough and turned his gaze to the court. Mary accompanied the two of them, taking notes. When he saw the Rheinbamann team's lineup, his expression changed.
"They are cheating, this is simply a substitute lineup!" Mary turned his head to complain to Zhang Xian.
The strong problem with Rheinbamann came from the midfielder. However, their core player, LeBron, who was sitting on the bench at this time, had no intention of playing at all.
Zhang Xian turned his head and glanced at Howerson. Howerson seemed to have not noticed Zhang Xian's gaze and was still calm. At this point, Zhang Xian also understood. They were being underestimated.
Rheinbamann did lead the first team, but not playing is another matter. Obviously, they were simply rubbing travel expenses. Zhang Xian did not say anything about this. In fact, Rheinbamann did nothing wrong. From the perspective of interests, this was the best arrangement. If he thought in another way, Zhang Xian would do the same.
Hoffenheim noticed this scene. Erich said with a gloomy expression, "This is underestimation." Wagner was also unhappy and said, "They are too much. This is an insult to us." Compared to the two, Koch said indifferently, "Dignity is earned by strength. If we don't force their main strength, then we deserve to be insulted." Hearing this, the two of them shut up one after another, but they were always upset in their hearts.
In the stands, Zhang Xian took out his cigarette and asked, "Is your team going to upgrade this season?"
"Yes, last season we were only two points short of the promotion. This season, we have carried out some reinforcements to upgrade," Howerson replied.
Zhang Xian nodded and said, "I have a cooperation plan. I wonder if Mr. Howerson is interested?"
"How?" Howerson turned his head and looked at Zhang Xian in surprise. "Cooperation?"
Zhang Xian nodded and said, "I remember there are several young players in Rheinbamann who could not get better training. I want to reach a partnership agreement with your team, which includes player rentals, team exchanges, and technology sharing."
"For example, those young players can be loaned to us, and we will help you pay your salary. We will also give you some rental fees."
"In terms of team communication, we can conduct training games before each season and have priority training game qualifications."
"Technology sharing requires both parties to send technical management personnel to exchange and communicate. The period is one quarter. What do you think?"
Howerson raised his eyebrows and said, "I am only interested in the first option."
Zhang Xian took a mouthful of smoke, exhaled, and smiled, "Mr. Howerson, this is a business. There are gains and losses. You can't just let us pay and not give us some benefits."
"Hahahahaha, sorry, I just made a joke."
"I don't like this kind of joke."
"Ahem." Howerson turned around and said sternly, "Then how to rent?"
"We want to rent two players, but not necessarily young players. Of course, we will only pick substitutes. The salary is a weekly salary of 150 Euros. At the same time, we give Rheinbamann a loan fee of 4,000 Euros per person. However, we need to pay the rental fee in four quarters, one thousand euros per quarter. What do you think?"
Howson was silent. He estimated for a while and nodded, saying, "It's reasonable, but what about the third condition of cooperation?"
Zhang Xian said directly, "This is our bottom line. We need talent training in technical management. In fact, this is not free. We have already paid a lot of tuition for your team in the form of a lease. Even if this benefit is not given to us, we can only find other teams to cooperate with. Do you think the Black Forest is interested in our plan?"
Howerson's eyelids jumped. The Black Forest is their rival in the league. Last season, they ranked fifth, below Rheinbamann, with very little difference in points, and it is possible for latecomers to top it at any time.
Zhang Xian smiled slyly and said, "Compared to the Black Forest team, I prefer Rheinbaman. We will give you money, and you will provide us with direct impact players and skills. We both reach a win-win situation. This is called a win-win template!"
Hesitating again and again, Howerson nodded and said, "Well, I accept your cooperation proposal. When we return to the club, we are ready to sign."
Zhang Xian stretched out his hand and smiled, "Happy cooperation."
Howerson laughed, "Happy cooperation!"
Just as the two shook hands, cheers suddenly came from the arena.
Zhang Xian and Howerson turned their heads and looked around, seeing the Hoffenheim players in blue uniforms running wildly in excitement.
Howerson had a bad feeling and looked at his goal.
At this time, the ball was lying quietly in the goal.
"Shit!"
Howerson was furious.
He couldn't believe it.
How is this possible, Hoffenheim actually scored?
Although it is a training match, Rheinbamann is the team that is ready to attack the senior regional league.
In this small village, they were led by a small broken team?
It's embarrassing to say this.
Mary looked at the violent Howerson, with a smile on her mouth, and said first, "Mr. Howerson, is it time to let the main force play now?"
Howerson turned his head and looked over.
He noticed that Zhang Xian was still smoking, but the smile at the corner of his mouth was unmistakable.
Mary had a villainous look on her face, and her expression was particularly disdainful.
For a moment, he wondered if these guys were an amateur team.
Furthermore, they had just signed a partnership agreement, and although it was only an oral agreement, he couldn't lose his temper at this moment.
He could only sit there, sulking.
A sense of unease crept over him.
"Am I creating a monster?" he thought to himself.
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