September 20th.
Bundesliga Round 4.
The Volkswagen Arena, with a capacity of 30,000, was already packed.
The stands on three sides were dyed green.
Only the black and red of the away stands trembled under the loud singing of the home fans.
"Welcome everyone to Sky Sports for the focus match of the fourth round of the Bundesliga…"
"Wolfsburg hosts Leverkusen…"
"Both sides are undefeated this season and are in good form…"
"The highlight of this match is whether Wolfsburg can continue its winning streak?"
"Or will Leverkusen end the opponent's winning momentum?"
As two major Bundesliga title contenders, Wolfsburg, who had a dream start to the season, welcomed the Leverkusen at home.
It is worth mentioning that these two teams are the only two factory teams in the entire Bundesliga!
Speaking of factory teams, one has to mention the Bundesliga's "50+1" rule.
The Bundesliga's "50+1" rule is not unrelated to the history of German football.
Until 1998, most German teams were non-profit organizations, prohibiting private ownership.
Culturally, German football also attaches great importance to fan participation and the untouchable idea that teams should belong to the fans.
By 1998, "50+1" came into being.
To this day, many Bundesliga teams are limited companies or public limited companies, with the bottom line that the team's "member association" must retain the vast majority of decision-making power.
The Bundesliga's official website states that this rule ensures that members of each team hold at least "50% of the voting rights" plus "1 vote", meaning that members are the main decision-makers of the team, and that fans have the final say on the team's operational direction.
Ultimately, this rule is to prevent teams from being controlled by external investment.
Under the current German football League regulations, if "50+1" is not complied with, one cannot participate in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2.
Of course, there are exceptions to everything.
Currently, there are two major exceptions in the Bundesliga: Leverkusen, known as the "Pharmaceutical Factory," and Wolfsburg, known as "Wolfsburg."
These two teams are owned by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Volkswagen Group respectively, and are exempt from the "50+1" rule because their corporate support has a long history.
The German Football League (DFL) once had a rule that if a company or individual could prove continuous and stable financial support for a team for twenty consecutive years, they could apply for an exemption.
In addition to the "Pharmaceutical Factory" and "Wolfsburg," "Hoffenheim," which has been supported by tycoon Hopp for many years, finally gained most of the decision-making power this year.
Of course, as teams backed by major financiers, Wolfsburg and the Pharmaceutical Factory both aim for the championship this season.
This season, both teams have strengthened their squads to varying degrees.
Although the Pharmaceutical Factory lost two key players, Emre Can and Sam, the main lineup was not affected.
Moreover, under the leadership of new coach Schmidt, the team adopted an attacking style, scoring an average of three goals per game in the first three League rounds!
The attacking line composed of Kießling, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Son Heung-min, and Bellarabi is definitely one of the best.
In the first League match, the Pharmaceutical Factory defeated Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion, securing a winning start.
Although they conceded three goals at home to Werder Bremen, exposing defensive shortcomings.
However, in terms of offensive firepower alone, Leverkusen fears no one!
In contrast, Wolfsburg's offense and defense are more balanced.
However, having traveled to London three days ago to face Premier League giants Chelsea, Wolfsburg's physical condition is definitely worse than the Pharmaceutical Factory's.
Therefore, considering the physical advantage and the styles of the two teams, many media outlets and betting companies predicted that this match would be a fiercely contested attacking battle!
Compared to the Champions League match midweek, Hecking made personnel rotations in this League match:
Dost replaced Olić as the starting center forward in this match;
Caligiuri replaced Perišić as the left winger;
Malanda replaced Guilavogui, starting as a defensive midfielder alongside Gustavo;
Mark, who played almost the entire last match, continued to start as the right winger.
In the defense, right-back Jung was replaced by Vieirinha.
Because in the last match, Jung became the opponent's main target for breakthroughs, his physical consumption was the greatest, and he had a slight muscle contusion.
Therefore, for the player's health and the defense on the right flank, Hecking also had the versatile Vieirinha play as a right-back.
The main purpose was to target Son Heung-min, a breakout player on the wing.
And at home, Wolfsburg, who had just defeated Chelsea, immediately showed strong confidence.
Even the Champions League champions from two years ago were no match for us, so you, a factory team that sells medicine, want to stop our winning streak?!
No way!
And Mark, the team's number 10 and star player, who was embroiled in a sex scandal, once again became the focus of this match!
Compared to last season's starting left-back Sebastian Boenisch, the Croatian wonderkid Jedvaj, who started this match, had better physical qualities and greater Speed.
And Schmidt entrusted the important task of marking Mark to this eighteen-year-old.
However, just as Jedvaj, full of ambition, wanted to nullify Mark and make a name for himself, Mark, also eighteen years old, used his exquisite footwork to tell him and the world a cruel reality:
Not every eighteen-year-old is as strong as he is!
In the eighth minute of the match, Mark received the ball on the right wing, facing Jedvaj for the first time.
Noticing that the opponent was relatively young, Mark was not at all polite, leading the ball forward, continuously feinting with shoulder drops.
His exaggerated body feints, coupled with his fancy footwork, dazzled Jedvaj.
"How is his footwork so fast?!"
The moment Jedvaj couldn't resist his inner impulse and lunged to tackle, Mark gently pushed the ball with his right foot, nutmegging the Croatian new star, who was making his Bundesliga debut, with ease!
After dribbling past Jedvaj, Mark accelerated down the flank and delivered a low cut-back cross.
De Bruyne understood perfectly, rushing in from behind to unleash a powerful shot that pierced Leverkusen's goal!
The cut-back cross from the right flank had already become Mark and De Bruyne's exclusive combination play.
To increase the success rate, during training, Hecking would arrange for the center forward to act as a decoy, constantly attacking the near post, thereby drawing defensive attention away from De Bruyne, who would surge in from behind!
Of course, the key to this wing-to-center attacking routine lies in Mark's dominance on the flank!
Across the entire Bundesliga, almost no one could defend against his breakthroughs one-on-one on the flank.
His terrifying average of five successful dribbles per game was even better than breakthrough masters like Ribéry, Robben, and Reus!
Whether on the left or right flank, Mark could tear apart the opponent's defense single-handedly!
In addition, whether it was a pass to the center forward at the near post or a cut-back, Wolfsburg could ensure that there were two players, one in front and one behind, to receive Mark's pass.
This is also why this move is very effective and difficult to defend!
After a dream start, the singing at the Volkswagen Arena grew even louder.
It's worth mentioning that after the camera focused on Mark, who provided the assist, the shot quickly cut to a beautiful sight in the VIP area of the stands:
Keeley Hazel, wearing a Wolfsburg number 10 jersey that perfectly highlighted her graceful figure, stood up and applauded Mark's brilliant assist!
The camera's message was self-evident.
And the commentator also joked: "This British sex goddess is also here to support Wolfsburg."
"But everyone knows who she's here for…"
Meanwhile, Hecking on the sideline had no idea that the live camera was focused on his protégé's rumored girlfriend.
He was simply proud of his disciples' excellent performance.
If there was one most significant difference between this season and last season, it wasn't the team's increased squad depth, nor improved defense, but rather the Speed at which the team got into form!
Since the start of this season, the team has often created scoring opportunities within the first thirty minutes of the first half.
Of course, this change also reflects a significant improvement in the team's attacking quality and efficiency.
As for why the team's attacking quality and efficiency have significantly improved in the first half?
The reason is simple.
Because Mark has become a key player, starting every match!
And since the start of this season, Mark has been involved in 80% of the team's goals.
And in four League matches, he has contributed an astonishing four goals and two assists!
Seeing his team concede a goal in less than ten minutes away from home.
Leverkusen coach Schmidt on the sidelines crossed his arms, his brows tightly furrowed.
Although he had reviewed Wolfsburg's match videos and highlights multiple times during the preparation phase, and had a certain understanding of Mark's individual ability.
However, witnessing Mark effortlessly dribbling past Jedvaj with his own eyes, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion!
"He truly is a super genius who helped the German Team lift the world cup trophy at eighteen!"
Schmidt also clearly knew that his team was stronger in attack than defense.
If they only defended and counter-attacked away from home, not to mention counter-attacking, they simply couldn't defend against Wolfsburg's relentless waves of attacks.
Therefore, only by attacking could they perhaps secure points at the Volkswagen Arena.
And attacking was what they were good at!
Thus, after falling behind by a goal, Leverkusen unhesitatingly pushed their formation forward, trying to Speed up the tempo as much as possible, quickly moving the ball through midfield, and then giving it to the two faster wingers, Son Heung-min and Bellarabi, for them to break through from the flanks and tear open the defense.
In the thirteenth minute, midfielder Castro passed the ball to Son Heung-min on the left.
The Pharmaceutical Factory's number seven advanced with the ball along the left flank, suddenly cut inside and delivered a horizontal pass, and the Turk Hakan Çalhanoğlu received the ball and unleashed a powerful long-range shot!
The ball, with strong spin, suddenly dipped in front of the goal, bouncing up.
Fortunately, Benaglio was focused and punched the ball away, but it landed inside the six-yard box. Naldo quickly cleared it with a big kick, defusing the threat of the attack;
Naldo cleared it with a big kick, defusing the threat of the attack;
In the seventeenth minute, Leverkusen attacked again!
Bellarabi received a through ball from the defender on the right, immediately used his Speed to make a powerful run down the flank, and delivered a cross.
Kießling in the center headed the ball towards goal before Naldo could intervene.
Unfortunately, the ball sailed slightly over the crossbar, failing to hit the target.
Seeing Leverkusen actively increasing their tempo and engaging in an attacking battle away from home, Wolfsburg, playing at home, naturally accepted.
It's important to note that the high-frequency scoring periods are during transitions between offense and defense.
As long as Leverkusen pushed their formation forward, once in the transition phase, huge spaces would inevitably be left behind them.
With Wolfsburg's counter-attacking Speed, just three or two passes or a one-two would be enough to get to the edge of the penalty area!
In the twenty-eighth minute, Malanda intercepted the ball in midfield and immediately passed it to De Bruyne upfront.
De Bruyne took the ball and immediately delivered a surgical-precision through ball to Dost upfront.
Dost held the ball for a moment, then passed it horizontally to Caligiuri, who was surging in from the left, and the latter curled a shot that went slightly wide of the goal.
In the thirty-second minute, Mark was fouled on the right flank. Ricardo Rodriguez took the free-kick, lofting the ball into the penalty area.
De Vrij's flicked header hit the post and rebounded out, only to be cleared by Pharmaceutical Factory defender Sebastian Boenisch… Neither side held back, engaging in a fierce attacking battle!
However, compared to the Pharmaceutical Factory, whose defensive players like Toprak and Papadopoulos were out due to injury, Wolfsburg's defense became more solid with the arrival of De Vrij.
Moreover, even though the Pharmaceutical Factory possessed one of the best attacking lines in the entire Bundesliga, their attacking play was mostly individual efforts.
Among Leverkusen's front four, apart from the relatively steady Kießling, who was over thirty, the other three were spirited young players.
And these three, in their eagerness to take shots and due to issues with coordination, often chose to dribble and shoot independently.
Such a simple and crude attacking method was very effective against weaker opponents or those with fragile defenses.
However, against Wolfsburg, they only needed zonal marking to compress their space and routes for breakthroughs.
Because, knowing that they would most likely dribble and shoot themselves, and were unlikely to pass to teammates, defending them became much easier.
And under Wolfsburg's targeted defensive strategy, most of the Pharmaceutical Factory's attacks were intercepted on the flanks, followed by a quick counter-attack!
In the thirty-fifth minute of the match, Pharmaceutical Factory right winger Bellarabi took the ball, intending to once again burst past Ricardo Rodriguez, but the latter's precise positioning cut off his connection with the ball.
He passed the ball horizontally to Gustavo, and the Brazilian immediately launched a diagonal long pass, finding Mark on the right flank.
Mark once again faced Jedvaj!
The young Croatian, who had been tricked by Mark multiple times and received a yellow card, was already flustered seeing Mark with the ball.
Watching Mark's dazzling step-overs and ball manipulation, he dared not make any move, only retreating sideways, waiting for teammates to provide cover.
However, Mark mercilessly flicked the ball with the outside of his foot, suddenly bursting forward with a powerful acceleration, forcefully overtaking him from the outside!
Jedvaj, whose body was originally oriented inwards, was greatly alarmed and immediately turned to try and chase!
Unexpectedly, accompanied by a "snap" from his knee, a sharp pain struck.
"Ah!!!"
With a scream, Jedvaj fell to the ground, unable to get up.
.......
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