May be misled by Schalke's four-game winning streak, coupled with the impact of Union Berlin's recent loss, people believed Schalke 04 could beat Union Berlin.
At the start of the game, the odds were 3.12 for a Union Berlin win, 3.33 for a draw, and 2.27 for a Schalke 04 win. The away team's odds were even lower! This seemed outrageous. Despite Union Berlin's recent form, they won the Bundesliga double last season, with their star "Huaxia Captain" Su Luo setting a record of 60 goals.
However, Schalke 04's coaching staff, players, fans, and media were caught in a bubble. Su Luo's assist to Quining in the first minute burst that bubble, putting Union Berlin ahead immediately.
Union Berlin led in the first minute and did so against Schalke's strong defense. This woke everyone up—Union Berlin was as formidable as ever, and Schalke 04 was not as strong as imagined.
The next goal came naturally.
"Union Berlin hits the penalty area again! Sane shoots from a tight angle! Saved!"
"Su Luo follows up with the rebound! How did he get there?"
"Union Berlin leads 2-0! Only 20 minutes into the first half!"
Su Luo's attempt to break through the middle attracted all of Schalke 04's defensive attention. He then suddenly passed the ball to the left, another through ball that penetrated Schalke 04's defense. Sane burst into the penalty area but his angle was too tight and the goalkeeper blocked it. However, Su Luo, who had been outside the penalty area, appeared inside like a ghost, calmly pushing the ball into the empty net. Schalke 04's defense was pierced again!
In the second half, Union Berlin continued their strong offensive, wave after wave, leaving Schalke 04 struggling to breathe. Despite being double-killed last season, they didn't feel this oppressed. It seemed that playing in the Champions League had elevated the entire Union Berlin team.
Schalke 04 players felt the impact. Participating in two UEFA Champions League games was a great learning experience for Union Berlin. Especially the 4-3 home game against Manchester City; the coaching staff and players reviewed it daily, analyzing every move and pass. This European experience made the players more calm and confident.
Union Berlin's tactics outmaneuvered Schalke 04. Su Luo and Forsberg sped up the tempo with a perfect 2-over-2 cooperation. Su Luo received the ball with his back to the goal, used an unconventional kick with his foot's sole, and passed it to Forsberg, who calmly scored.
"3:0!"
Schalke 04 completely surrendered!
At the end of the game, Su Luo took advantage of a corner kick, showcasing his jumping ability to expand the score with a powerful header.
"4:0!"
2 assists, 2 goals! Even commentator Simon couldn't help but feel envious.
"There are so many excellent German players on the field, yet the most dazzling one is Chinese."
"When will we have such outstanding young talents?"
Fortunately, Simon was narrating on ZDF, so his influence was local. If this spread to Chinese social media, Chinese netizens would be thrilled.
In the past, everyone envied players from other countries. They envied South Korea's Son Heung-min, Japan's Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, and Kaoru Mitoma. They admired Germany's abundance of talents and the depth of football powerhouses.
Who would have thought that one day, a German commentator would envy a Chinese player?
But Simon's envy was understandable. Recently, few domestic players in the Bundesliga shined globally. Sane was the best performer among young players. Mario Götze, once a hero in the World Cup final, gradually lost Guardiola's trust. Bayern's starting lineup had no place for Götze unless veterans like Robben or Ribery were injured. He ranked just ahead of 18-year-old Seanan Coulter. The once highly-anticipated supernova seemed to have fallen from grace. That goal against Argentina appeared to have cost him all his luck.
Besides Götze, players like Musiala and Havertz were still too young to be mainstays. FM monster Draxler was not as powerful as the media portrayed, and Schürrle was mediocre. Reus was injury-prone. In key games, the frontline still relied on Thomas Müller, Gomez, and even Podolski!
With Su Luo, combined with Germany's strong midfield, they might win the 2016 European Cup and the 2018 World Cup!
Simon's envy was shared by Kahn and Klinsmann. As the game ended, the three chatted and sighed simultaneously. A minute of silence ensued in the studio. German fans watching the game at home were also silent. Fortunately, the referee's whistle broke the tension.
"The game is over! Union Berlin bounces back after a narrow defeat in the last round!"
"They were impeccable throughout the game, beating Schalke 04 4-0!"
"Notably, Su Luo not only displayed his scoring ability but also his impressive passing and playmaking skills!"
"Schalke 04's defense couldn't handle his several miraculous passes!"
"Su Luo this season is simply amazing, making opponents more and more desperate!"
"I'm afraid, after this game, Schalke 04 coach André Breitenreiter will start looking for a new club... Hahaha!"
Commentator Simon cracked a joke.
Despite four consecutive victories and only one loss, André Breitenreiter won't be dismissed so soon. But Su Luo's reputation as a "head coach killer" remains. After this loss, Breitenreiter's position may be shaky.
Union Berlin's dominance in the Bundesliga is back! The team quickly regained their confidence after a minor setback. This victory may seem ordinary, but it is crucial!
After the next two weeks of international matches, Union Berlin will face two tough battles!
The 9th round of the Bundesliga! Hertha Berlin vs. Union Berlin in the city derby!
Four days after the derby, the third round of the UEFA Champions League group stage!
Union Berlin will travel to Italy to face Serie A giants Juventus in Turin.
Only three days after returning from Italy, they will challenge Hoffenheim again!
With three back-to-back difficult away games, this schedule is indeed a bit hellish.
Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim are tough opponents, but the real concern for fans is the Champions League match against Juventus, the strongest team in their group.
Juventus might not be as flashy as Real Madrid or Barcelona, but their strength is undeniable. Even Manchester City, which has dominated the Premier League, struggles against them.
During their last Champions League run, Juventus almost overwhelmed a Barcelona team boasting MSN. For Union Berlin, this match is the biggest challenge of the year!
After the match against Schalke 04, the coaching staff immediately focused on preparing for Juventus. For the next two weeks, everyone had to participate and actively prepare.
To ensure his players' fitness, Union Berlin Club Chief Schingler called German coach Joachim Loew, emphasizing that the team's international players should be used sparingly during the international break.
Sane, Kimmich, and Rudiger were all selected for the national team training squad. Forsberg was selected for the Swedish team lineup and donned the No. 10 jersey. Naby Keita was the captain and midfielder of the Guinea team. Mahrez was selected for Algeria and became the on-field captain. Fabianski reclaimed his spot as Poland's national team goalkeeper, beating Szczesny. Laxalt played for Uruguay, and Ake for the Netherlands. Even Pavard caught the attention of French coach Didier Deschamps and was selected for the Gallic Legion.
Neuhaus was stunned; he was a fringe international player, but suddenly his teammates had become key figures for their national teams after a few games.
During the international break, the main lineup was almost exhausted, leaving only Su Luo to train with the remaining substitute players.
Meanwhile, the China National Football Team was struggling in the final 12 rounds of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Initially, Chinese football fans thought it would be fine if Su Luo wasn't recruited for the earlier stages. The team should have easily advanced to the top 12 with the original players.
However, in the final 12, Su Luo, the strongest player in the national football team, was nowhere to be seen. The Football Association didn't even consider recruiting him, which seemed outrageous.
On September 1, in the first round of the final 12, the national team played against South Korea away. Despite fighting hard from 0-3 down, they ultimately lost 2-3. Public opinion was harshly critical of the Football Association, suggesting that with Su Luo, they could have won even from 5 goals behind.
On September 6, the national team played Persia at the Shencheng Olympic Sports Center. They created opportunities but couldn't score, sparking further anger among fans directed at the national team and the Football Association. Yet, the Football Association only issued apologies and pretended nothing was wrong. Still, there was no news about Su Luo.
For the next two games, against Syria and Uzbekistan, fans stopped asking about Su Luo, assuming he wouldn't be on the roster.
The national team then suffered a humiliating 0-1 loss to Syria at home in Chang'an. After three years, the Football Association finally planned to hold a press conference to address the issues surrounding Su Luo.
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