Su Dong saw Klopp again at the entrance to the players' tunnel before the match.
The players from both teams lined up in two rows. Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere and his assistants were ready as well, and they could enter the pitch at any time.
As the team captain, Su Dong stood at the very front of the line, right by the tunnel entrance.
Klopp had to pass right by Su Dong to enter the pitch. When the two met, Su Dong almost failed to recognize him.
The German giant, who usually wore a scruffy full beard and looked rather unkempt, had unusually shaved tonight and put on a suit. He looked completely refreshed, practically like a different person.
"What? Don't recognize me?" Klopp asked with a wide grin.
Su Dong saw his yellowed teeth, stained from smoking, then caught the smell of tobacco on him. He understood immediately.
It really was Klopp!
Su Dong still had a deep impression of the German manager, who had once come close to working with him at Bayern. The Mainz and Dortmund sides Klopp had coached were both unforgettable, each with a highly distinctive style.
"I almost didn't recognize you," Su Dong said with a smile, extending his hand.
Klopp clasped Su Dong's hand firmly. "Be careful tonight."
"Sure." Su Dong nodded.
Klopp waved goodbye and walked straight down the players' tunnel.
Watching his broad back, Su Dong really wanted to have a proper word with him. At the very least, he should get his teeth sorted out and whiten them.
He was a Bundesliga coaching great now, after all. Couldn't he pay a little attention to his image?
Of course, it was also possible that he deliberately maintained that image of a scruffy middle-aged uncle to attract a different kind of