Football: The national football team was expelled and rewarded with a long-range goal card Chapter 031

The Champions League match on September 29th saw Dortmund suffer a crushing defeat away from home!

On October 1st, China’s National Day, Dortmund was scheduled to play Augsburg at home.

However, it wasn’t just Dortmund that was losing; the U 17 team had also suffered two consecutive defeats!

What was even more unacceptable to fans was that they had lost to weaker neighboring countries.

This led to the U 17 team being mercilessly criticized across the country…

People also connected the explosive revelations previously made by Ye Chen with the team, ultimately drawing a conclusion: “Talented players are being kicked out, while useless players who paid their way are strolling on the field!”

In fact, the current Chinese Super League was in full swing, and the national team, built around Guangzhou Evergrande players, possessed a certain level of strength.

During the National Day holiday, they were also scheduled to play a home match against the UAE on October 6th.

However, none of this had anything to do with Ye Chen; his attention was focused on the next match!

As a player, his greatest concern was whether he would be able to start.

Of course, if Klopp didn’t arrange for him to start, it could only mean he wasn’t good enough yet!

He needed to spend more time finding his own problems instead of complaining!

Inside Dortmund’s training ground.

Due to the loss, the team’s morale was not high.

Even Kagawa and Götze, who used to joke around with Ye Chen, had become silent.

Ye Chen also remained quiet, immersing himself in the day’s training.

He would complete not only the tasks assigned by the coach but also the tasks arranged by the system. He noticed that the number of these tasks was changing, which likely meant the system was adjusting them temporarily based on Ye Chen’s physical condition.

After training for a period, Ye Chen hadn’t felt any discomfort.

Of course, with his stamina reaching 88, Ye Chen’s body, whether in terms of recovery or sustained training ability, was not to be underestimated.

However, because there was a league match tomorrow, today was only for recovery training, and the 18-man squad for tomorrow’s match would also be announced.

Klopp stood on the sidelines, discussing tomorrow’s tactics with his assistant, Buvac.

“Do you think Ye and Lewandowski can coexist?” Klopp asked Buvac, frowning.

“Are you planning to play with two strikers next match?” Buvac asked curiously.

“Yes, and an even more aggressive 4- 2- 4!” Klopp nodded. “Lewandowski can act as a pivot up front, and Ye can hide behind him, playing as a shadow striker! Waiting for opportunities!”

“We substituted Kagawa early in the last game, why not let Kagawa play?”

Klopp said earnestly, “We’re fighting on three fronts this season; we can’t always rely on Kagawa alone, can we?”

As head coach, he had to think further ahead!

“But if we lose this league match again, we’ll truly have no chance of competing for the title! After all, the current situation is already not optimistic!” Buvac said in a deep voice. “Besides, at the start of the game, everyone has full stamina, so Ye’s speed advantage will be hard to utilize. It’s better to let both sides consume some energy first, then bring him on around the 60th minute. That’s also a form of protection for him!”

“In that case, let Kagawa play for half a game and see how it goes?” Klopp said ponderously.

“If you’re worried about Kagawa’s physical condition, I think bringing on Kuba is also a good option… This way, Kagawa can rest, and Ye can be protected too,” Buvac said after a moment of hesitation.

Buvac was a thorough pragmatist.

Victory was his only pursuit.

Although Ye Chen was a player recommended by his good friend Leo, and had performed well in his first match, in his ingrained view, starting at 17 was still too early.

Starting as a substitute was the way to go.

As for Klopp’s thoughts, Ye Chen was indeed too young, and promoting him too early might backfire.

Moreover, after his dazzling performance in the last match, other teams would definitely study him. If he started, he might not be able to continue his previous performance.

At that time, it might even destroy the hard-won confidence Ye Chen had built.

Considering various factors, Klopp ultimately accepted Buvac’s suggestion.

“Beep!”

Klopp blew his whistle. “Everyone, gather up! I’m announcing tomorrow’s starting and substitute lineups!”

The players quickly returned and stood in two rows in front of the coach.

“Tomorrow’s starting goalkeeper will still be Weidenfeller.”

The vice-captain raised his hand with a calm expression. In fact, whether in the league or cup, he was the starting goalkeeper, unless it was an inconsequential match, in which case he might be a substitute.

“Piszczek, do you have any stamina issues?” Klopp asked the right-back Piszczek.

“No, boss!”

“Then the four defenders will be Löwe, Hummels, Santana, and Piszczek!”

Subotic and Großkreutz, who had performed generally in the last match, were rotated out.

The four players all nodded.

“The two central midfielders will be Sven Bender partnering with Gündogan.”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

Finally, it was the turn of the attacking line.

Ye Chen straightened his back, looking at Klopp with anticipation.

However, Lewandowski, standing next to him, glanced at Ye Chen, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

Although Ye Chen had performed excellently in the last league match, Klopp wouldn’t let him start.

The reason was simple.

Every league match now was crucial and couldn’t afford any slip-ups.

And in such critical matches, veterans were naturally more trustworthy.

“Left winger Perišić, right winger Götze!”

“The two strikers are Lewandowski and…”

At this point, Klopp’s tone paused. He glanced at the hopeful Ye Chen, then turned to Kuba.

“Kuba!”

“Boss, I won’t let you down!” Kuba clenched his fists, shouting excitedly.

Although he was a substitute for the team, he also yearned to start.

A player who doesn’t want to start isn’t a good player. Kuba longed to conquer Klopp with his performance and secure a starting position in the team.

Of course, he and Lewandowski were both Polish internationals, and their teamwork was more practiced.

Klopp nodded. “Next is the substitute list: Langerak, Subotic… Ye Chen!”

Ye Chen let out a long breath.

Regardless, he was still on the squad list, which was much better than those who didn’t even make the list.

Of course, Ye Chen admitted he had thought too much.

After all, he had only played one match and was already thinking about starting… it was too soon.

“Ding! Main quest issued: Start in an official match for the Dortmund first team within one month from today. Quest successful: Reward one Gold Treasure Chest. Quest failed: Randomly deduct 10 personal attributes!”

Ye Chen’s eyes lit up.

The first match might be difficult, but what about playing a few more? As long as he performed well, a starting spot would be within reach!

Ye Chen was still very confident in himself. After all, Dortmund was fighting on three fronts, so there would always be a chance to start!

Of course, he had to prove himself.

After all, the reward was a Gold Treasure Chest, which meant an S-rank skill…

Now was precisely when he needed skills!

He had to work even harder from now on and seize every opportunity he could.

Barrios was injured and out of the team, and Lewandowski had yet to firmly establish himself.

This was his best opportunity. It would be best to secure a starting spot before Barrios returned. As the saying goes: walk others’ path, and leave others with no path to walk!