Chapter 49: Penalty
After coach Thomas Schaaf explained the tactics, he looked at his players with a serious expression.
"I know it's very difficult. You have to withstand the opponent's relentless attacks and save your stamina until the final stages of the counterattack, especially you, Lucas," Schaaf said, directing his gaze towards Lucas.
He then asked, "Lucas, do you still have the strength to keep running?"
Lucas nodded, despite having depleted a significant amount of his physical energy, as he still had a reserve stamina potion to rely on if needed.
"Well, then I won't substitute you. The team needs your breakthrough ability to turn the score around. In the second half, pay attention to managing your physical energy to ensure you have the strength for a final sprint. Understand?" Schaaf instructed, receiving a firm nod from Lucas, who could sense the coach's high expectations.
Fifteen minutes later, the game resumed.
The exhilarating goal towards the end of the first half allowed Dortmund's players to shake off their initial confusion.
They firmly believed in their invincibility at home, considering their opponents incapable of stopping their relentless offense.
Therefore, as soon as the second half began, Dortmund's players continued to implement their high-pressing tactics in the opponent's half.
Such relentless running is a trademark of Dortmund, a team that thrived on intense competition throughout the year. Only a team like Dortmund could maintain such an intense playing style.
The players from Werder Bremen are clearly unable to match Dortmund's intensity and struggled to keep up with them. However, this style of play had its limitations.
As players aged and suffered more injuries, executing this tactic became increasingly challenging. Moreover, as other teams in the league adapted to this style, they developed counter-tactics.
Consequently, if the team's tactics couldn't evolve and improve, their performance would decline. Dortmund's records gradually declined after the 2012-2013 season, and they even faced relegation in the 2014-2015 season. Only a late surge of 13 points in six games allowed them to escape relegation.
This intense style of play often pushed players to their limits, increasing the risk of injuries. For instance, Dortmund's new signing, Reus, experienced frequent injuries after joining the team, resulting in his absence from national team games.
A significant portion of these injuries could be attributed to Klopp's tactical approach.
Liverpool, under Klopp's guidance, faced a similar situation this season with numerous injured players. While Klopp is undoubtedly a skilled coach, his tactics didn't suit all players. Similarly, Lucas felt that he wasn't suitable for Klopp's tactical approach, just like Simeone of Atletico Madrid.
On the field, Dortmund's players continued to press and exert immense effort.
However, their opponents are no longer cooperating. Werder Bremen didn't engage in the high-intensity back-and-forth they displayed in the first half.
Instead, they adopted an dense defensive formation, amassing a significant number of players in their own half to limit Dortmund's attacks.
Dortmund's offensive firepower is formidable, but they struggled against Werder Bremen's resolute defensive approach.
The penalty area became overcrowded, and Werder Bremen replaced fatigued players with fresh ones, effectively disrupting Dortmund's offensive attempts. As a result, Dortmund started resorting to long-range shots and set-pieces to counter the dense defense.
Werder Bremen, anticipating Dortmund's tactics, implemented zone defense to impede their passing and ensured defenders surrounded the most threatening players, obstructing their shots. Dortmund's goal attempts are frequently disturbed, leading to a series of unsuccessful shots.
Klopp couldn't hide his frustration on the sidelines, finding the opponent's tactics infuriating. He couldn't help but wanted to ask Schaaf, "We're leading in the score. What's the use of defense? At this rate, Dortmund will emerge victorious! Are you willing to accept defeat?"
If Barcelona are in Dortmund's position, they would use their passing game to control the tempo and waste time, frustrating their opponents.
However, this possession-based style didn't align with Dortmund's approach, leaving them without such tactical alternatives.
Consequently, Klopp urged his players to display patience. They are leading the score, and the opponents should be feeling anxious.
If it's not for their home advantage, Klopp would have instructed the players to retreat to their own half and focus on defensive counterattacks.
However, considering the opponent's current approach, retreating might not prompt them to attack.
If both teams retreated to their halves, the game would become dull, disappointing the fans in attendance. Klopp felt embarrassed; after all, they held the lead, so going too far wasn't necessary.
If the team managed to score another goal, the game's outcome would become less uncertain, relieving their worries. Klopp hoped for another goal, but his expectations is not met.
Despite attacking relentlessly for over 20 minutes and maintaining a possession rate exceeding 70%, Dortmund failed to breach the opponent's goal again. Out of their 17 shots, including 12 long-range attempts, less than half were on target, with none resulting in a goal.
After the prolonged goal drought and the fading effects of their previous intense efforts, Dortmund's players entered a phase of physical fatigue. Their running speed and overall enthusiasm on the field significantly diminished.
In the 55th minute, sensing Dortmund's declining physical condition and reduced pressing force in the frontcourt, Werder Bremen players initiated a counterattack.
They quickly regained control of the game's tempo, transitioning from their previous defensive stance to offensive actions against Dortmund.
Dortmund's players were caught off guard. Having dominated the game for more than 20 minutes, they had become complacent, assuming their opponents wouldn't fight back.
However, as soon as Dortmund eased their pressure, Werder Bremen launched a fierce counterattack, leaving Dortmund's players concerned.
"Is this your tactic? Not playing the entire game, only attacking in the first five minutes and the last five minutes?" Dortmund's head coach, Klopp, was the first to react, deducing the opponent's intentions.
Recalling the opponent's swift counterattacks at the start of the game, which led to two conceded goals, Klopp's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the danger.
"Quick, retreat! Don't allow the opponent to launch their counterattack!" Klopp urged, fully aware that Werder Bremen's dangerous counterattacks from the first half could jeopardize Dortmund's goal.
With just a one-goal lead, allowing a goal at this point would bring both teams back to an equal standing. Moreover, time is running out, and if the opponent scored and leveled, Dortmund might not have enough time to score again and reverse the outcome. In that case, they would be forced into a penalty shootout.
Klopp questioned the opponent's true intentions, looking towards Werder Bremen's coaching bench. Their coach stood on the sidelines, fixated on the field, observing the team's counterattack.
Klopp's intuition is accurate—Werder Bremen indeed aimed to extend the game to a penalty shootout. Having exhausted their stamina throughout the match, a successful counterattack would provide the motivation needed to defend desperately and endure the remaining minutes of regular time.
The opportunity to counterattack emerged due to their meticulous defensive efforts in both halves.
By preventing Dortmund from widening the score gap, they created an opportunity to strike back.
Otherwise, once the goal difference exceeded one, even if they scored again it will be useless.
So, it is a crucial moment, and they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
The ball swiftly moved from Werder Bremen's backcourt to the front, finding its way to De Bruyne's feet.
Despite being pulled by Dortmund's No. 5 player, De Bruyne made a valiant effort to pass the ball before tumbling to the ground.
As he fell, he caught sight of the No. 10 player in the green jersey, sprinting at full speed in the frontcourt.
"It's up to you, Lucas! You must score a goal!" De Bruyne called out, urging Lucas to seize the moment.
Determined not to disappoint De Bruyne's assist, Lucas had conserved his energy during the second half, preparing for this decisive opportunity.
Now, it is time to make use of his efforts.
Upon receiving the ball, Lucas swiftly evaded the attack from Dortmund's No. 7, Leitner, and charged into the penalty area with a single stride, bypassing Gunter, who was defending.
There were no more defensive players in front of him, only the goalkeeper standing in his way.
Without hesitation, Lucas decisively raised his foot, took aim at the goal, and prepared to shoot.
However, just at that moment, a figure dashed out from the behind, making a frantic tackle to intercept the ball before Lucas could strike.
The ball is kicked away, and Lucas also goes down in the penalty area.
The audience rose to their feet, their eyes fixed on the referee, uncertain of how he would judge the situation.
Without delay, the referee hurried into the penalty area and pointed to the penalty spot.
Penalty!
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