Capítulo 34: Dribbling Past Three Players and Breaking Bayern's Goal, Guardiola's Pride!
"This is CCTV, bringing you the 2012 German DFL-Supercup semi final with Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen.
I'm Commentator Marcy Tiwan!"
"I'm Hussk Baker!"
In red are Bayern Munich; Bremen wears green.
Bayern's formation is 4231, with the lineup as:
1. Neuer, 30. Boateng, 28. Badstuber, 17. Lahm, 21. Rafinha, 39. Kroos, 36. Emre Can, 11. Shaqiri, 25. Müller, 10. Robben, 33. Gomez.
Werder Bremen, playing 433, has:
1. Mielitz, 13. Schmidt, 15. Prödl, 22. Pasanen, 23. Sokratis, 16. Junuzovic, 8. Fritz, 6. De Bruyne, 11. Elia, 10. Lin, 7. Arnautović.
Lineups are young on both sides; notable is a Chinese player on Werder's lineup."
Hussk Baker added, "Yes, his name should be Lin, on loan to Werder from Barcelona's youth team. This is his first official match for Werder!"
Commentator Marcy Tiwan reviewed the lineups:
"This player is very young, only 16 years and 167 days, which is probably the youngest player in the history of the DFL-Supercup. Coach Schaaf's lineup choices seem daring, and he might aim to train young players in this match."
Hussk Baker nodded, "Indeed, for Werder, drawing Bayern in the first match is not optimal." They clearly underestimated Werder, expecting Bayern to emerge victorious.
As the referee blew the whistle, the game began. Bayern took the ball, attacking Bremen's half of the field. Since both teams knew each other's abilities, there was no need for probing; attack was the best strategy.
Bayern's coach, Heynckes, had not deployed all of his starters. Ribery, T. Müller, and Mandzukic were benched. Yet, with the given lineup, Bayern seemed spry enough to beat Werder.
Lin had mentally prepared for the game yet still felt overwhelmed when it began; Bayern's power is leagues above their previous opponents'. Their coordination, passing speed, and individual skills overshadowed all prior teams.
The pace of the game quickened; any slight mistake could result in a fatal attack from their seemingly superior opponents.
Minutes into the game, Bremen's team hadn't touched the ball. Bremen's coach, Schaaf, anticipated this scenario and had their formation change to 4141 with only the defensive aspects before the middle of the field.
To counter Bayern, Bremen now has five defensive players midfield, one protects from behind, and four take up a diamond shape, creating a tighter defensive line, blocking passing lanes and hurrying the ball handler.
Though Bayern's force was still overwhelming, Bremen stifled their attack somewhat.
Suddenly, Bayern's players started an attack from the sidelines, creating a weakness within Bremen's defense.
Minutes into the game, Kroos passed to Robben who, avoiding opponents, drove towards Bremen's goal.
Robben's speed forced Bremen's defenders into futile chases, expanding the gap.
If Junuzovic had moved earlier to block him, Bremen may have had a chance to secure the ball.
But now, Robben sped towards Bremen's goal, cutting inside, and on the verge of shooting. De Bruyne blocked the shot, but it went wide nonetheless.
Fan disappointment washed across Bremen's side.
—------
"Defense! Quick, fall back!" Bayern's captain, Lahm, shouted to his teammates as they initiated a swift counter-attack.
With only Boateng by his side, they didn't need to communicate. Lahm attacked while Boateng covered, prepared to exploit the young player's potential panic under their powerful pressure.
Lahm's shouting wasn't just for reinforcements; it aimed to pressurize the youngster, reminding him that if his ball control slowed, Bayern's players would catch up, forcing him to make hasty moves.
Given this urgency, the opponent's intentions would become apparent.
Lahm, being an agile defender, could confidently intercept if the opponent made any telltale movements.
"What's your move, kid?" Lin didn't even spare Lahm a glance, seemingly unfazed. He looked toward the goal, where Neuer was positioned, making a direct lob unlikely to succeed.
Even if Lin bested Lahm, Boateng trailing close behind meant losing space and speed upon his breakthrough.
Thinking this through, Lin adjusted his stride and made a feint to the right. Being a right winger, it was a natural shift.
Seeing this, Lahm confidently moved to intercept, believing he could take the ball from the youngster.
However, the ball disappeared before his eyes. What? A false move!
Meanwhile, Lin, having switched to his left foot, bypassed Boateng.
Boateng, unaware how his teammate was beaten, received an unexpected pass. Instinctively wanting to kick, he saw Lin expertly redirect the ball, altering its path.
Relieved not to have attempted an interception, Boateng acknowledged Lin's incredible skill, recognizing that the young forward was more dangerous than anticipated.
The stadium stirred as the young player tactfully flicked the ball, creating a prime opportunity.
In the eighth minute, Werder Bremen, on a swift counter-attack, scored a goal through Lin, changing the score to 1-0!
A hushed Allianz Arena contrasted with a burst of celebration from the away team's fans.
The club's president and manager were entertaining their guest, former Barça coach Guardiola, in a luxury box at the Allianz Arena, watching the game and conversing.
Impressed with Guardiola's coaching philosophy, Rummenigge floated a casual inquiry: "How do you rate Bayern's current lineup, Pep?"
Expecting a diplomatic response as their esteemed guest, Guardiola diplomatically praised Bayern, magnifying their strengths in attack and defense.
Elated with Guardiola's high praise, Rummenigge joked about their recent underperformance. Guardiola humbly disagreed, emphasizing that any team experiences fluctuations in performance and that Bayern's recent Champions League final appearance attested to their quality.
Hoeness joined the conversation, attempting to win over Guardiola before eventually extending a coaching offer.
The conversation then shifted to Guardiola's son playing in the Bundesliga.
Remarkably, Guardiola divulged that his son played for the opposing team at that moment.
Astounded by the coincidence, Hoeness queried Guardiola about the game's outcome. Guardiola cautiously admitted it theoretically favored Bayern but emphasized the unpredictable nature of football.
Just as he finished, Werder Bremen launched a counter-attack, as Lin dribbled past two players and scored, altering the result.
Guardiola smiled, gesturing in pride. "See, football is unpredictable!"
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