Chapter Summaries

Su Dong joined Bayern Munich, won over his new teammates, and chose to take Bayern’s long-vacant No. 9 shirt despite its supposed curse. Hoeness then discussed Bayern’s transfer plans, including Marcelo and a possible signing of Pepe.

• Kahn, Sagnol, and several Bayern players welcomed Su Dong at the club offices, and Su Dong offered to treat the team to dinner.
• Kahn and the others explained Bayern’s troubled history with the No. 9 shirt and advised Su Dong to choose another number.
• Su Dong declared that he would take No. 9 and break the supposed curse, impressing Hoeness with how he handled his teammates.
• Hoeness told Su Dong that Bayern hoped to sign Luka Modrić during the winter break despite his Champions League ineligibility.
• Hoeness said Bayern had decided to sign Marcelo and was also considering Quaresma and Pepe, then revealed that the club was considering Pepe in particular.

Pepe learned that Bayern Munich was interested in signing him and asked Su Dong for advice about his chances of joining. Bayern also signed Marcelo and Luka Modrić during the Winter Break, while Su Dong awaited approval of the tax exemption clause for his own move.

• Pepe watched reports about Su Dong joining Bayern and reflected on his own stalled career at Sporting Lisbon.
• Su Dong called Pepe and told him Bayern was interested in signing him, then assessed Pepe’s chances of competing for a place in the defense.
• Bayern signed Marcelo from Fluminense for six million euros, and Mendes brought him to Su Dong for guidance.
• Bayern signed Luka Modrić from Dinamo Zagreb for ten million euros, while Su Dong continued training and reviewing Bayern match recordings.
• Heynckes arrived to lead Bayern’s Winter Break training camp, and the tax exemption clause Bayern had sought was approved just before camp began.

Germany introduced the Su Dong Act, and Bayern Munich officially signed Su Dong on a free transfer, setting off a major reaction across European football. Bayern anticipated commercial gains from his arrival while facing a growing struggle to keep Hargreaves from joining Manchester United.

• The German Tax Authority announced tax relief for qualified foreign players on contracts of at least three years, and Bild reported that Beckenbauer had pushed the measure to help Bayern sign Su Dong.
• Allofs welcomed the act, while Rummenigge backed it and said Bayern would increase its transfer spending and pursue stars such as Su Dong.
• Bayern formally announced Su Dong's free-transfer signing, and Beckenbauer welcomed him as an Avenger seeking revenge and challenging the Bundesliga.
• Bild reported that Su Dong's arrival had brought Bayern twenty thousand new members and attracted increased sponsor contributions, while foreign media lamented his move from their leagues.
• Corriere della Sera reported that Juventus had agreed to sign Salihamidžić and was pursuing Pizarro, while Manchester United raised its offer for Hargreaves to thirty million euros.
• Bayern rejected Manchester United's offers as Hargreaves pushed to leave, and Heynckes tried to retain him while Bayern searched for a replacement midfielder.

Bayern adjusted to Heynckes’s training methods in Dubai while Hoeness strengthened the squad after Hargreaves left for Manchester United. Mascherano agreed to join Bayern pending FIFA approval, and fans awaited Su Dong’s debut in the league match against Dortmund.

• Bayern trained under Heynckes, who reduced the workload, demanded German communication, and worked to restore the players’ focus and fighting spirit.
• Bayern finished third in the Dubai Cup after beating Marseille 3–2, while Hoeness reached an agreement with Marseille over Ribéry.
• Hargreaves left Bayern for Manchester United for thirty million euros, leaving the club short of defensive midfielders.
• Hollabchin recommended Mascherano to Hoeness, and Su Dong supported the move; Bayern agreed to a fifteen-million-euro transfer pending FIFA special approval.
• Bayern returned to Germany with fans anticipating Su Dong’s debut against Dortmund after the Winter Break.

Su Dong settled into life in Munich while Bayern Munich struggled under Heynckes, losing to Dortmund before Mascherano joined the squad. Su Dong made Bayern's match-day squad against Bochum, where the frustrated crowd began calling for him.

• Su Dong rode with Wang Chuqing to his villa, discussed renovations with designer Alexander Brenner, and asked Wang Chuqing to teach him German.
• Bayern Munich lost 3–2 away to Dortmund in its first match after the Winter Break, while Su Dong, Modrić, and Marcelo stayed in Munich to train.
• FIFA approved Mascherano's transfer to Bayern Munich for fifteen million euros, and the club closed its transfer window.
• Su Dong entered the match-day squad against Bochum as Bayern's starting forwards struggled to score.
• Heynckes replaced Pizarro with Podolski at halftime, but Bayern's attack remained ineffective, and fans began chanting for Su Dong.

Su Dong made his Bayern Munich debut against Bochum, joining Luka Modrić in a late attacking substitution. Six minutes later, he scored a spectacular solo goal to put Bayern ahead.

• With Bayern struggling to break down Bochum, Su Dong asked Heynckes to send him on and invited Luka Modrić to join him.
• Heynckes brought on Su Dong for Ottl and Modrić for Demi, then switched Bayern to a 3-5-2 formation.
• Modrić found his rhythm and played a forward pass to Su Dong, who used a Marseille Turn to beat Matthäis and surge toward goal.
• Su Dong shot past Drobný in the seventy-eighth minute, scoring six minutes after coming on and leaving the players stunned.

Su Dong scored twice after coming on as a substitute, leading Bayern to a 2–0 win over Bochum and impressing Bayern’s executives and fans. Marcelo taunted the unhappy Pizarro after the match swung decisively in Su Dong’s favor.

• Heynckes saw Su Dong’s first goal and concluded that his individual ability made him a stronger option than Makay for Bayern’s ambitions.
• Hoeness, Rummenigge, and Beckenbauer praised Su Dong and Modrić, with Beckenbauer predicting Su Dong could score at least twenty goals.
• In the eighty-fourth minute, Modrić and Lahm helped create a chance, and Su Dong headed Lahm’s cross into Bochum’s net for his second goal.
• Su Dong celebrated his brace as Bayern’s fans cheered, while his teammates gathered around him.
• Marcelo celebrated Su Dong’s goal and mocked Pizarro, who sat depressed on the bench.

Su Dong made a sensational Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich, scoring twice as a substitute in a 2–0 win over Bochum and winning praise from teammates and the media. With Bayern still fourth after the Winter Break, Heynckes prepared to start Su Dong alongside Makay against Nuremberg.

• Bayern Munich defeated Bochum 2–0 after Su Dong came on and scored twice, while his teammates celebrated and Su Dong teased Marcelo about training and getting a haircut.
• Wang Chuqing picked Su Dong up after the match, and they joked together during the drive to the hotel.
• German and international media praised Su Dong’s debut, and Heynckes and Bayern players publicly commended him and Modrić.
• Heynckes assessed how Modrić and Mascherano could improve Bayern’s midfield as the club sought to climb from fourth place in the Bundesliga.
• Heynckes selected Su Dong to start alongside Makay in Bayern’s away match against Nuremberg, marking Su Dong’s first Bundesliga start.

Bayern struggled to create chances in the first half against Nuremberg, so Heynckes changed the formation and brought on Modrić and Marcelo while leaving Su Dong as the lone striker. Su Dong urged his teammates to trust him and promised he could turn their service into goals; early in the second half, Sagnol sent a difficult high ball toward him.

• Bayern's attack faltered in the first half as Su Dong and Makay occupied the same spaces, while Mascherano anchored the midfield.
• Su Dong and Schweinsteiger discussed Bayern's lack of options on the wings as they headed into the halftime break.
• Heynckes replaced Makay and Salihamidžić, switched Bayern to a 4-3-3, and assigned Su Dong to lead the attack with unlimited license to shoot.
• Su Dong told his teammates he could beat defenders and score if they created chances, lifting the mood in the dressing room.
• Soon after halftime, Sagnol sent a difficult high ball forward from near the halfway line toward Su Dong.

Su Dong scored a hat trick after halftime to lead Bayern Munich to a dominant win over Nuremberg. His performance restored Bayern’s confidence and left Heynckes wondering whether Su Dong could win the Bundesliga Golden Boot.

• Spiranovic pressed Su Dong after halftime, but Su Dong knocked him aside, dribbled through Nuremberg’s defense, and scored in the forty-ninth minute.
• Marcelo sent Su Dong a lofted pass in the fifty-fourth minute, and Su Dong beat Fischer and Spiranovic to score his second goal.
• Bayern increased the pressure, and Van Bommel’s deflected shot fell to Su Dong, who turned and scored his third goal in the seventy-first minute.
• Heynckes celebrated Su Dong’s hat trick and considered how his goals could transform Bayern’s attack.

Su Dong continued his astonishing scoring run after joining Bayern, helping the team win four straight Bundesliga matches and drawing praise from German football figures and the media. Barcelona struggled to score after his departure, and Rijkaard admitted the team had forgotten how to score without him.

• Bild, Kicker, Beckenbauer, Hoeness, and Kahn praised Su Dong’s ability and impact, while Su Dong declined any suggestion that he should replace Kahn as captain.
• Heynckes publicly criticized Lucio’s defensive mistakes but told him he trusted him to become Bayern’s defensive leader, prompting Lucio to promise to improve.
• Against Bielefeld, Lucio sent Su Dong through with a long pass for the opener, and Su Dong later headed in a second goal in Bayern’s 2–0 victory.
• Against Aachen, Su Dong scored twice early and completed a hat trick in Bayern’s 3–0 win, bringing his total to ten goals in four matches.
• Bild compared Su Dong’s scoring pace with the Bundesliga leaders, while Rummenigge said his arrival had strengthened Bayern’s attack and expanded its tactical options.
• Barcelona’s results and scoring declined after Su Dong left, and Rijkaard complained that the team had forgotten how to score without him.

Su Dong watched Bayern lose 3–2 away to Real Madrid in the Champions League, though Bayern’s two away goals left them well placed for the return leg. Barcelona also lost 2–0 to Liverpool, prompting Catalan media and fans to blame Su Dong’s departure for the team’s declining attack.

• Su Dong and Wang Chuqing watched Bayern’s match from a VIP box at the Bernabéu, where Beckham helped Real Madrid take a 3–1 lead by orchestrating all three goals.
• Heynckes changed Bayern’s formation and made attacking substitutions, and Van Bommel scored late to make the final score 3–2 and give Bayern two away goals.
• Su Dong congratulated Bayern’s players after the match and advised Beckham to reconsider his plan to move to Major League Soccer.
• Real Madrid fans and Spanish media criticized Capello’s conservative tactics despite the win.
• Barcelona lost 2–0 away to Liverpool without scoring, and Catalan media blamed Su Dong’s departure and Rosell’s management for the club’s weakened attack.

Su Dong led Bayern to victories over Wolfsburg and Berlin Hertha, helping the club climb to the top of the Bundesliga while strengthening his bid for the Golden Boot. The chapter ended with Bayern celebrating their return to first place and Su Dong’s 13 goals in six matches.

• Su Dong scored and assisted as Bayern beat Wolfsburg 3–0, and he let Podolski take a penalty he had won.
• Bayern moved into second place after the round, then Su Dong scored twice in a 3–1 win over Berlin Hertha.
• Schalke 04 lost again at home, allowing Bayern to overtake them and claim the top spot after six consecutive wins.
• Kahn and the Bayern players celebrated with Su Dong, while Heynckes announced that Gomez had failed to score that round.
• The Bayern players marveled at Su Dong’s 13 goals in six matches, and Makay considered returning to the Eredivisie to retire.

After Bayern eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League, Su Dong discussed the team’s weaknesses and transfer plans with Beckenbauer, Hoeness, and Rummenigge. Bayern planned to pursue Pepe and strengthen the wings with players such as Ribéry or Robben, leaving Su Dong confident they could challenge for the Champions League next season.

• Bayern beat Real Madrid 2–1 at the Allianz Arena and advanced on away goals, though Lucio conceded a late penalty after fouling Robinho.
• Su Dong told Bayern’s three leaders that their attack needed better wing play and finishing, while Van Buyten’s poor concentration and positioning remained a serious defensive weakness.
• Asked about Pepe, Su Dong said the defender had the physical ability and potential to become as good as Lucio or better, and Hoeness revealed Bayern planned to begin signing him.
• Su Dong asked about wingers, and Hoeness said Bayern were pursuing Ribéry and Robben, with Wolfahrt and Grant Downing’s medical expertise a possible selling point for Robben.
• Bayern’s leaders also considered Sánchez and Di Maria but preferred established players who could strengthen the team immediately.

Schweinsteiger struggled to find his role in Bayern’s changing midfield, so Su Dong advised him to stop imitating other players and focus on what he and the team did best. Before Bayern’s match against Werder Bremen, Schweinsteiger said he had followed the advice and knew what to do, leaving his answer to be tested on the pitch.

• Schweinsteiger became increasingly anxious as Bayern improved under Heynckes while he continued to feel lost in midfield beside Modrić.
• Schweinsteiger invited Su Dong to dinner and explained his confusion about his role in the team.
• Su Dong urged Schweinsteiger to identify his own strengths and match them to what Bayern needed instead of trying to play like Zidane or Modrić.
• Schweinsteiger wrote two lists of his contributions and the team’s needs, then told Su Dong that he felt clearer about his role.
• Before Bayern’s home match against Werder Bremen, Schweinsteiger showed Su Dong his notes and declared that he knew what to do.

Bayern defeated Werder Bremen 3–1 as Su Dong scored twice and Schweinsteiger inspired the attack with a brilliant performance. The match ended with Schweinsteiger beginning to find his way toward becoming a midfield orchestrator.

• Schweinsteiger started the match with two long-range shots before assisting Su Dong’s opening goal in the sixth minute.
• Schweinsteiger created further chances, then won a free kick that he delivered for Su Dong’s second goal in the twenty-seventh minute.
• Bayern dominated the first half, and Heynckes joked that the exhausted Schweinsteiger lacked staying power, prompting the team to laugh together in the locker room.
• Kahn mishandled a cross in the sixty-sixth minute, allowing Rosenberg to score for Werder Bremen.
• Su Dong set up Podolski’s goal in the seventy-sixth minute, and Bayern held on to win 3–1.
• Su Dong brought Schweinsteiger along to receive the fans’ cheers, while Heynckes substituted Schweinsteiger after seventy minutes.

Su Dong’s fifteen goals in seven Bundesliga matches earned widespread praise, while he continued to lead both the Bundesliga and La Liga scoring charts after leaving Barcelona. The chapter ended with European fans watching to see whether anyone in La Liga could catch his twenty-six-goal total.

• Kicker praised Su Dong’s Bayern performances, quoted Podolski and Kahn praising his contribution, and reported that his fifteen goals made him the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
• UEFA president Platini called Su Dong the most complete center forward in world football, while British and Italian outlets lamented that their leagues had missed out on him.
• Spanish media fretted that Su Dong still led La Liga with twenty-six goals, as Kanuté, Diego Milito, Van Nistelrooy, Torres, Forlán, and Villa struggled to close the gap.
• Laporta blamed Rosell for forcing Su Dong out of Barcelona as the club’s form declined and Real Madrid and Seville drew closer in the La Liga race.
• Messi scored a hat trick in Barcelona’s 3–3 draw with Real Madrid and said Su Dong had taught him how to play and score.

After Bayern beat Frankfurt, Su Dong used the international break to move from Barcelona to Munich and spent time with Messi, who shared his doubts about Barcelona’s support. At Su Dong’s housewarming party, Pepe revealed he was in love, and Su Dong teased Messi about Xiao Fang.

• Su Dong scored twice as Bayern defeated Frankfurt 2–1 away and stayed atop the Bundesliga.
• Su Dong moved his belongings from Barcelona to his new Munich home, where Messi said Barcelona valued Bojan more than him despite his recent hat trick against Real Madrid.
• Su Dong reassured Messi that Barcelona had not always treated him well and discussed the slim chance that they could someday play together.
• Messi and Iniesta joined Su Dong in Munich for his housewarming, where Bayern teammates and friends gathered.
• Pepe asked Su Dong to help him find a house near his own and revealed that his girlfriend was moving in with him.
• Su Dong asked Messi how things were going with Xiao Fang, and Messi blushed.

Bayern Munich beat Schalke 04 2–0 after Su Dong scored and assisted against goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, whose first-half saves had impressed him. Su Dong left having exchanged jerseys with Neuer, while Bayern’s executives debated whether Neuer or Rensing could succeed Kahn.

• Neuer repeatedly stopped Su Dong’s first-half shots, and Kahn told Su Dong that the young Schalke goalkeeper was twenty-one and asked him to compare Neuer with Rensing.
• Su Dong chipped the ball past Neuer early in the second half to put Bayern ahead.
• Lucio set up Su Dong, who chipped a pass for Marcelo to score Bayern’s second goal in the seventy-eighth minute.
• After the match, Su Dong sought out Neuer to exchange jerseys and challenged him to improve before their next meeting.
• Su Dong exchanged replacement jerseys with Kuranyi and Halil Altıntop, while Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, and Hoeness discussed Neuer, Rensing, and Kahn’s succession.

Su Dong watched Bayern lose 2–0 at home to AC Milan in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg, then helped Bayern beat Hannover 96 3–1 in the Bundesliga. Bayern later drew 2–2 at San Siro and were eliminated 4–2 on aggregate, while Su Dong remained atop the scoring charts.

• AC Milan controlled the midfield and beat Bayern 2–0 at the Allianz Arena with goals from Seedorf and Inzaghi.
• Su Dong told reporters he had played only sixteen La Liga rounds, prompting Spanish media to challenge their strikers to catch him in the scoring race.
• Su Dong scored Bayern's opener against Hannover 96, and Bayern won 3–1 away to regain momentum in the league.
• Bayern twice came from behind to draw 2–2 with AC Milan at San Siro, but lost the quarterfinal 4–2 on aggregate.