The New Year customs of North Rhine are somewhat similar to the Spring Festival of the Dragon Kingdom.
On the evening of December 31st, firecrackers went off in unison, and brilliant fireworks pierced the night sky.
Leverkusen staff went around the club beating drums and ringing bells, which meant to drive away demons and monsters.
On the training ground.
Teacher Belenta secretly took out a double-barreled shotgun from his bag, pulled the bolt, loaded the ammunition, and threw it to Li Kang.
"Let's shoot into the sky! This is a custom in my hometown, don't be nervous."
The words are not finished yet.
Li Kang pulled the trigger!
Boom!
The sound of gunfire was quickly drowned out by the sound of firecrackers and fireworks.
The air was filled with the choking smell of gunpowder.
Teacher Belenta quickly helped Li Kang, who was knocked down by the recoil, and said with a smile: "The thing I looked forward to most when I was a child was to have a shot on New Year's Eve!"
There is a fir tree and horizontal tree in the club cafeteria, with silk flowers tied between the leaves.
After dinner, Worrell reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick stack of envelopes.
"Happy New Year!"
Everyone took the envelope expectantly and quietly opened it. Inside were Euro banknotes.
This custom is exactly the same as the Spring Festival red envelope.
The assistant clasped his hands together: "Thank God for giving us."
suddenly.
There was a noise coming from the TV, it was an emergency news break!
Twenty miles away from the club, in the city of Cologne, a large number of ragged goblins appeared!
Teacher Belenta clenched the double-barreled shotgun in his hand and murmured: "God has taken a nap."
The security men didn't have time to wipe their mouths, so they scattered and ran to various entrances and exits of the club.
Worrell lit a cigar and said with a smile: "It seems that I can only spend New Year's Eve at the club tonight."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The atmosphere of the New Year was too harmonious, and the heaviness brought about by the Goblin incident was fleeting.
As is custom, everyone gathers together and stays until midnight.
Li Kang glanced at his phone. Most of them were New Year greetings messages from his national team and club teammates.
Old Man Top said his car was smashed.
Cramer said the home was hit by a burglar.
Brandt said the pork sausage was robbed.
Havertz said he caught two goblins.
As midnight approaches.
Woller led everyone and stepped on the chairs.
The twelve o'clock bell rang.
Everyone jumped down one after another.
This New Year's custom is a bit quirky, but the moral is: shake off last year's woes and jump into the new one.
On January 6, the chaos in North Rhine completely subsided.
The assistant took Li Kang and several boxes of club souvenirs to Veltins to pay New Year greetings.
After all, the other party has paid too much endorsement fees in the past six months, so the formalities must be repeated.
It was freezing cold.
A commercial vehicle with the Leverkusen team emblem printed on it drives along the snowy mountain roads.
"Li, the director won't let you accept too many advertising endorsements. There are many reasons."
Li Kang nodded to express his understanding.
Young players are different from stars. The most important task is to play football well.
The tablet is replaying the 1/8 knockout round: Benfica VS Juventus.
It has to be said that there are no underdogs in the Champions League.
Benfica's strength is terrifying. If it weren't for the crossbar's help, they would have almost comeback.
As for Juventus, the Old Lady is no longer the strong team that reached the top of Europe in the last term. They have fallen into a period of inactivity: Pirlo left for the United States, Pogba is very independent, and Morata is weak when he is weak. , Dybala is not yet mature, Cuadrado likes to spend time, and Marchisio is prone to going crazy.
It all depends on the defense team composed of Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci.
Fortunately, at the last moment of the game, Chiellini scored with a header, completely killing the suspense of promotion.
Li Kang couldn't help but think about, if he were the sports director of Juventus, which players should he buy to solve the problem?
unconsciously.
The commercial vehicle drove into the ancient town of Veltins.
Snow is dotted with wooden houses and sculptures, and the surface of the fountain is covered with ice.
Ms. Sandra gave Li Kang and his assistant an envelope each. Based on the thickness and width, it could be judged that there was a lot of money inside.
The custom of New Year greetings in North Rhine is a bit long.
The assistant had a lively chat with the staff at Veltins.
Li Kang pushed Claudia's wheelchair around and around the ancient town.
He has memorized the street map and will never get lost again.
Although the two have reached the legal age for marriage in Germany, the content and behavior of their exchanges did not exceed the legal age.
It's just the woman talking and the man nodding or shaking his head from time to time.
Gradually, the cold wind blowing on my body became less cold.
Until nightfall.
Just said goodbye.
time flies.
In the blink of an eye, the Bundesliga winter break is coming to an end.
Van Dijk came to the Leverkusen club. After completing the physical examination, he followed the staff to the training base.
After all, he is still a little-known young defender. Even if the club wants to hold a welcome ceremony, not many fans will come to the scene.
Although Li Kang's joining ceremony only cost a few thousand euros to hire many extras, Worrell was reluctant to spend money on the Dutch.
Van Dijk looked at Leverkusen's training facilities with a relieved expression.
He originally thought that this upper-middle Bundesliga club would be very poor, but of course it was far from Southampton.
But deep down, I also cherish this loan opportunity.
You must perform well and strive to be in the Champions League.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Violent explosions irritated everyone's ears!
The assistant looked at his watch and explained with a smile: "Li comes to the training ground every morning, but in order to avoid affecting the staff's work and rest, he only starts shooting practice at ten in the morning."
Van Dyke was a little unbelievable. He asked tentatively: "He didn't go on vacation during the entire winter break?"
The assistant shook his head.
The Dutch central defender was given a bowl of chicken soup for no apparent reason:
Li Kang is a super star who is famous in Europe. Shouldn't he go to Dubai to enjoy the warm sunbathing during the winter break?
When arriving at the training ground.
Worrell suddenly stopped and said, "Go grab the ball from Lee!"
Van Dijk nodded seriously and rushed to the training ground excitedly!
Li Kang was a little surprised.
Step on the ball with your left foot.
After the Dutch central defender got close, he didn't have any tendency to steal.
The eyes are not on the football, but on the eyes of the opponent.
One-on-one offensive and defensive drills have begun!
Li Kang advances with the ball!
Van Dyke kept a certain distance and began to retreat!
Woller frowned and praised: "He is very cautious. He is observing Li's rhythm changes and pace rate, waiting for the opportunity to take a shot! The distance in position just blocks Li's space to take the ball."
"The speed of retreat is very fast!"
Dino couldn't help but exclaimed: "His defensive awareness is perfect! It made Lee passive and unable to get rid of it easily. His nickname in the Eredivisie was"
A few seconds later.
Li Kang stopped the ball again!
Van Dijk made a decisive move!
It's now!
Snapped!
Perfect steal!
Look down.
I found myself standing outside the bottom line.
Everyone had a dark look on their faces.
Worrell spread his hands and turned to leave.
Dino shook his head helplessly, this was only half of his damn praise!
The assistant asked: "What is his nickname in the Eredivisie?"
"Backward centre-back!"
Van Dyke looked embarrassed and extended his hand to apologize to Li Kang.
Then he took the ball back to the thirty-meter area and signaled for a restart.
The sun sets.
The two were conducting intense offensive and defensive drills again and again on the training ground.
The winter break is over.
All members of the first team return!
Son Heung-min has recovered from his injury.
Brandt gained weight.
Li Kang's dormitory living room is filled with many specialties, such as kimchi and pork sausages.
Calhanoglu did not carry back the roasted whole lamb. He put down a handmade carpet from the Kingdom of Stars and Moon.
On the training ground.
It was filled with the roar of old man Top: "Where is Papadopoulos? Where is our main central defender?"
Dino explained helplessly: "When he was celebrating the New Year in Greece, he stepped on moss and rocks and injured his feet. He is temporarily unable to train, but we still have Van Dijk!"
Old Man Top was stunned for a moment, then slapped his forehead and then remembered the Dutchman signed by the club.
Then the whistle blew.
Divide the first team members into two groups and start a team training match!
Four days later.
The Bundesliga is back in the spotlight.
It’s a great game day.
Li Kang and his teammates took a plane together and headed to northern Germany-Lower Saxony!
The world-famous Volkswagen headquarters!
Leverkusen is about to arrive on the road to challenge the Bundesliga powerhouse Wolfsburg!
The standings and historical records of the mid- and upper-tier Bundesliga teams in the past two years are completely useless paper without any reference basis!
Wolfsburg had De Bruyne last season and their record was amazing!
Simply the second overlord of the Bundesliga!
Let Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach, Schalke 04 and other powerful players suffer a lot!
The plane broke through the thick clouds.
Landing at a corporate airport in the Brunswick area, few airlines fly here, mostly for private use.
As everyone walked out of the airport pick-up gate, there was not even a cordon: because no fans could enter this area at all.
After getting on the club bus.
Li Kang lowered his head and flipped through the map of the Wolfsburg area, looking at the towering Cliff Mountain, and had a general impression of several clubs in Lower Saxony.
Kramer put down the game console and said: "Wolfsburg was very strong last season and sold many stars in the summer window! But they will not be easy to deal with! They are a tough nut to crack!"
Bender nodded: "Draxler is very good. He is a talented midfielder with a different style from De Bruyne, and he also has the former Bayern main defender Dante!"
Wolfsburg can be said to be Leverkusen's nemesis.
Every time the two teams have met in recent years, the outcome has no reference significance, but there will never be a shortage of goals.
Last season, they even had a huge score of 4-5, with crazy reversals that made fans from both sides want quick-acting heart-saving pills!
Two hours later.
The Leverkusen bus slowly drove into the Volkswagen Arena.
Compared with the Bayer Arena, the capacity of this stadium can only be said to be half a pound.
It can only accommodate 30,000 spectators, and occasionally holds large car shows!
But Wolfsburg's fan culture is much richer than that of Leverkusen, especially after they defeated Bayern Munich in the German Cup final last season, the number of registered members surged.
Green and white themed elements fill the underground parking lot!
Old Man Top walked to the press conference with ease.
On the way, I also patted my opponent’s mascot - the big bad wolf Wolfe!
Pre-game press conference.
Black Gold held Old Man Top's hands enthusiastically.
The two people are very close.
As a player, Heijing was a disciple of old man Top.
After getting the coaching certificate, his first job was as an assistant coach to Mr. Top.
Reporters enthusiastically asked questions.
"Mr. Top, Leverkusen has lost to Wolfsburg for two consecutive years! Are you confident that you will survive in the Volkswagen Arena today?"
"Mr. Black Gold, can you beat this season's Bundesliga half-time champion?"
The answers from the two coaches were consistent.
"We will win!"
In the players tunnel.
Players from both sides greeted each other warmly.
There was no hint of tense hostility.
In the past two years, there may have been an atmosphere of a life-and-death contest.
But now many players on both sides have formed deep friendships during their youth training days.
Draxler and Kramer have a very strong private relationship.
Another example: Schürrle and Kramer, the two were good friends along the way to the German national team.
Li Kang looked at the opponent's queue and found many familiar faces in classic duel videos.
"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"
"Welcome to the fourteenth round of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season!"
"Wolfsburg vs. Leverkusen!"
"Every time the two clubs meet, they will provide the audience with a heart-warming battle!"
"I am the commentator for this game, Duan Xuan!"
"I'm He Wei!"
"The following introduces you to the starting lineups of both sides!"
"Wolfsburg's formation is 4-3-3!"
"Goalkeeper: Castells!"
"Right back: Trasch!"
"Centre-back: Dante partners with Knoch!"
"Left back: Rodriguez!"
"Single midfielder: Gustavo!"
"Central midfielder: Arnold, Guilavoji!"
"Forwards: Kruse, Draxler, Schürrle!"
Studio.
The audience was a little confused when they saw Wolfsburg's formation.
-
[Draxler plays center? Is the black gold ruined? Don't mess around! 】
-
[It’s normal. Last season, De Bruyne played in the midfield and often rushed to the front! 】
-
[Draxler should play as a false nine! Pass the retreat! Create space for the midfield stranglehold! In short, the attack power is very strong! 】
-
[Don’t talk so much nonsense! This is a battle! 】
-
[I miss Draxler so much under Magath! Black Gold doesn’t know how to use people! 】
"Leverkusen also formed a 4-3-3 formation!"
"Goalkeeper:"
"We see a new face! Dutch centre-back from Premier League club Southampton, Van Dijk!"
"He will replace Papadopoulos who cannot play in this game!"
"We are looking forward to the performance of Leverkusen's new defensive signing!"
-
[What did Leverkusen buy? waste money! Wasn't Van Dijk's performance in the European Cup qualifiers disastrous enough? 】
-
[Warm reminder: It is very likely that the Dutch team will not be able to break into the 2016 European Cup! 】
-
[Correction, it’s not buying, it’s renting. I guess Fan Tuitui is better than Papadopoulos after all! The intensity of competition in the upper and middle reaches of the Bundesliga is not as strong as that of the Premier League. 】
-
[What happened to the transfer market? Why have excellent defensive players become more and more expensive in recent years? Even disappeared! We will never see defensive superstars with distinctive characteristics like Cannavaro, Maldini, Nesta, and Baresi again! 】
(End of chapter)