Chapter Summaries

Bayern overcame Dortmund’s lead through Su Dong’s late hat trick, winning 3–1 at the Allianz Arena. Su Dong’s final free kick sealed the comeback in stoppage time.

• Kehl came on for Dortmund at halftime as Klopp strengthened the midfield and focused on pressing and counterattacks.
• Bayern brought on Toni Kroos and later Zidan as both sides struggled to create chances while the match remained 0–1.
• In the eighty-second minute, Modrić and Lahm set up Su Dong to head in the equalizer for Bayern.
• Klose replaced Mascherano, and Su Dong scored again in the eighty-sixth minute after Ribéry’s low cross to put Bayern ahead 2–1.
• In stoppage time, Su Dong curled a free kick into the top-left corner to complete his hat trick and give Bayern a 3–1 victory.

Bayern recovered from a late collapse against Dortmund and continued its Bundesliga campaign with narrow wins over Berlin Hertha and Cologne, while Su Dong’s decisive goals kept him at the center of the team’s success. After Cologne, Bayern traveled to Lisbon for Su Dong’s first match against former club Sporting Lisbon since leaving.

• Klopp argued that Dortmund deserved at least a draw against Bayern, while Heynckes countered that Bayern had earned the 3–1 victory and backed the team’s chances on all three fronts.
• Kicker assessed Bayern as dominant in the Bundesliga and German Cup but said the Champions League would test them against leading English and Spanish clubs.
• After Hoffenheim lost 4–1 to Leverkusen, Su Dong scored the only goal in Bayern’s 1–0 away win over Berlin Hertha.
• Heynckes started Klose and Podolski against Cologne; Klose scored first, but Brożek equalized for the visitors.
• Su Dong replaced Podolski and scored late from Robben’s pass to give Bayern a 2–1 win over Cologne.
• Bayern traveled to Lisbon for a match against Sporting Lisbon, where Su Dong would face his former club for the first time since leaving.

Su Dong returned to Lisbon with Bayern Munich to face Sporting Lisbon, reflecting on his early years there and reuniting with former teammates. Before the match, he offered to help several old friends with their careers, then Sporting Lisbon’s head coach asked whether the reunion was meant to make him go easy on them.

• Su Dong and Pepe reminisced on the bus about their early days in Portugal and how they first met.
• Marcelo asked Su Dong why Cristiano Ronaldo had broken up with Jardel’s sister, and Su Dong explained that they had disagreed about whether she should move to the Premier League.
• Sporting Lisbon fans warmly welcomed Su Dong and Pepe as Bayern arrived at Alvalade Stadium.
• Su Dong reunited with former Sporting Lisbon youth teammates, learned about their lives, and gave them his phone number.
• Su Dong agreed to help Edgar Marcelino find a club, then Sporting Lisbon’s head coach asked if he expected Su Dong to go easy on the team.

Su Dong reunited with Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento before Bayern Munich’s Champions League first-leg match against his former club. Sporting Lisbon started aggressively, but Su Dong broke through both center-backs and scored in the 28th minute, leaving the home crowd applauding him.

• Su Dong met his former teammate Paulo Bento, now Sporting Lisbon’s head coach, before the match at a sold-out Alvalade Stadium.
• Sporting Lisbon pressed Bayern Munich intensely and created early chances, while Pepe cleared a dangerous ball off the goal line.
• Bayern adapted to the pressure as Ribéry and Robben threatened from the wings and won several corners.
• In the 28th minute, Modrić passed to Su Dong, who dribbled between Tonel and Polga and scored past goalkeeper Tiago.
• Su Dong celebrated as Alvalade’s fans applauded, while Paulo Bento lamented that Sporting Lisbon had conceded and its supporters were cheering the scorer.

Bayern crushed Sporting Lisbon 6–0 in the Champions League, with Su Dong scoring once and assisting three times. Days later, Su Dong scored twice and assisted once in Bayern’s 3–0 win over Werder Bremen, leaving Heynckes trading barbs with Schaaf after the match.

• Bayern defeated Sporting Lisbon 6–0, with Su Dong scoring one goal and assisting three as Ribéry and Robben scored braces and Klose added another.
• Su Dong consoled Moutinho and Paulo Bento after the match, while Bayern’s victory secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
• Bayern beat Werder Bremen 3–0, with Su Dong scoring twice—including a goal with a pendulum dribble—and assisting Modrić’s goal.
• Naldo was sent off after fouling Schweinsteiger as the last defender, prompting Werder Bremen to retreat and defend for the rest of the match.
• Heynckes complained about Werder Bremen’s defensive approach at the press conference, and Schaaf angrily left after Heynckes reminded him Bayern had already led 3–0 before the dismissal.

Bayern Munich defeated Leverkusen 1–0 in the German Cup quarterfinal after Su Dong stunned the hosts with a 39-meter strike. Bayern advanced to the semifinals against Mainz, then returned to the Bundesliga and fell behind Hannover 96 shortly after kickoff.

• Leverkusen pressed Bayern early, but Su Dong scored with a powerful long-range shot in the twenty-first minute to put Bayern ahead.
• Leverkusen counterattacked after halftime, but Su Dong threatened again and Robben narrowly missed his cross before Bayern secured a 1–0 win.
• Su Dong’s goal drew widespread praise, and Bayern advanced to the German Cup semifinals, where they were scheduled to face Mainz.
• Bayern returned to Munich to host Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga, and Hannover scored first soon after kickoff.

Su Dong led Bayern to a 7–1 comeback win over Hannover 96 and then helped them crush Sporting Lisbon 7–0, setting a Champions League aggregate record of 13–0. Arsenal drew Bayern in the quarterfinals, leaving Wenger worried that his defenders, especially young Johan Djourou, could not contain Su Dong.

• Su Dong scored twice as Bayern came from behind to beat Hannover 96 by seven goals to one.
• Bayern defeated Sporting Lisbon seven-nil in the second leg, with Su Dong scoring twice and providing three assists to complete a thirteen-nil aggregate victory.
• UEFA drew Arsenal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals.
• Wenger asked Pat Rice whether Johan Djourou could physically hold his own against Su Dong, and Pat Rice doubted that he could.

Su Dong and Bayern Munich prepared for their Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal, whose formidable home record unsettled the squad until Su Dong confidently dismissed the threat. Bayern then won two Bundesliga matches, lost to Wolfsburg while resting players ahead of Arsenal, and Arsenal extended its home clean-sheet run before unexpected guests appeared at Emirates Stadium.

• Bayern Munich players discussed Arsenal’s unbeaten Champions League home record, and Su Dong rallied them by naming Arsenal’s defenders and recalling his past success against Gallas and Kolo Touré.
• Su Dong scored and won a penalty as Bayern Munich beat Bochum 5–0, with Robben, Modrić, Lahm, and Pepe also scoring.
• Su Dong scored twice in Bayern Munich’s 2–0 win over Karlsruhe, reaching forty Bundesliga goals for the season.
• Heynckes rested key players against Wolfsburg ahead of the Arsenal match, and Bayern Munich lost 2–1 after Wolfsburg mounted a comeback.
• Arsenal beat Manchester City 2–0 through Adebayor’s brace and extended its home clean-sheet streak as unexpected guests watched from the Emirates Stadium VIP box.

Man City owner Mansour reviewed the club’s disappointing season and backed plans to hire Guardiola, rebuild the squad, and pursue Su Dong. As Bayern Munich arrived to face Arsenal, Su Dong confidently predicted he would score.

• Mansour discussed Man City’s poor results with Soriano and Begiristain and approved their plan to appoint Guardiola.
• Mansour warned the executives to tighten club management and authorized them to pursue Su Dong and strengthen Man City’s squad.
• Mansour stayed in London to watch Bayern Munich face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
• Arsenal fans booed Su Dong when he entered the stadium, and he told Pepe he expected to score more than once.

Bayern and Arsenal began their match at the Emirates, where Arsenal pressed and controlled possession while Bayern looked for quick counters. Su Dong claimed a long-range free kick and started his run-up with Modrić moving inside the wall, leaving the shot unresolved.

• Wenger set Arsenal up with Djourou and Kolo Touré in central defense to challenge Su Dong physically, while Bayern fielded their regular starting lineup.
• Su Dong exchanged a few words with Fàbregas in the tunnel, then warmed up as Arsenal's defenders worried about facing him.
• Arsenal's supporters loudly booed Su Dong as both teams entered the packed Emirates Stadium.
• Arsenal took control of possession after Djourou and Sagna disrupted Bayern's early attack, and Fàbregas's long-range shot was deflected wide.
• Neuer launched a long counterattack, and Gallas tripped Robben near the edge of the attacking half and received a yellow card.
• Su Dong took charge of the resulting free kick from more than thirty meters out, and he began his run-up as Modrić moved inside Arsenal's wall.

Su Dong scored a spectacular early free kick and assisted Robben as Bayern raced to a two-goal lead over Arsenal. After Arsenal slowed the match and later pressed for a way back, Su Dong scored again on a counterattack to make it 3–0, leaving little time for Arsenal to respond.

• Su Dong scored a direct free kick in the fourth minute after Modrić disrupted Nasri and Fàbregas in the wall.
• Mansour celebrated Su Dong’s goal and resolved to buy him.
• Su Dong controlled Schweinsteiger’s long pass and crossed for Robben to head in Bayern’s second goal in the seventh minute.
• Wenger adjusted Arsenal’s approach, and both teams slowed the pace as Bayern defended their lead.
• Wenger brought on Van Persie and Bentner in the second half, while Bayern reinforced their defense and prepared to counterattack.
• In the seventy-first minute, Robben crossed for Su Dong to score his second goal and put Bayern 3–0 ahead.

After Bayern defeated Arsenal 3–1 at the Emirates Stadium, British and German media criticized Arsenal’s fragility and praised Su Dong’s decisive performance. Su Dong and Bayern put the acclaim behind them and returned to Munich to prepare for a demanding run of Bundesliga, Champions League, and German Cup matches.

• Bayern beat Arsenal 3–1 away, with Su Dong scoring and assisting as Arsenal’s defense collapsed early.
• The Guardian criticized Arsenal’s football and club management, contrasting them with Bayern’s investment and success.
• Kicker Magazine praised Su Dong’s two shots and one assist and said Bayern had put one foot in the Champions League semifinals.
• Bild and Beckenbauer hailed Su Dong as a transformative player who had made Bayern dominant.
• Su Dong and Bayern returned to Munich and resumed preparations for a crucial stretch of fixtures across three competitions.

Bayern crushed Frankfurt 6–0 as Su Dong scored a hat trick, then beat Arsenal 2–0 to reach the Champions League semifinals with a 5–1 aggregate victory. Bayern were set to face Manchester United, while Barcelona would meet Chelsea.

• Su Dong scored three goals and assisted Ribéry as Bayern defeated Frankfurt 6–0 at home.
• Funkel praised Bayern’s dominance and said Su Dong’s goals and assists made him central to the team’s success.
• Su Dong scored Bayern’s opener against Arsenal, and Robben added a second as Bayern won the second leg 2–0.
• Bayern advanced to the Champions League semifinals, where they would face Manchester United, while Barcelona advanced to play Chelsea.

After returning to Bayern’s training ground late at night, Su Dong found Heynckes planning for the Manchester United match and discussed how Bayern could exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. Su Dong left with greater respect for Ferguson and Heynckes, while Heynckes was left grumbling that the nosy striker had coaxed out his analysis before walking away.

• Su Dong returned to the training ground to retrieve his belongings and found Heynckes working late in his office.
• Su Dong examined Heynckes’s tactics board and suggested avoiding a direct battle with Vidić and Ferdinand by using his speed from a deeper position.
• Heynckes agreed and explained how Bayern could draw Fletcher and Anderson out of position to expose Manchester United’s midfield.
• Su Dong asked why Ferguson often played Rony centrally, and Heynckes said Rooney’s place in the team shaped Ferguson’s choices despite his limitations.
• Su Dong headed out after praising Heynckes’s preparation, then reminded him not to drive after drinking and not to put ice in his wine.

Bayern beat Bielefeld 2–0 and Schalke 04 5–1 as they prepared to face Manchester United in the Champions League. After Bayern arrived in Manchester and trained at Man City's Carrington ground, Ferguson devised a tactical surprise for the decisive match at Old Trafford.

• Su Dong scored twice as Bayern defeated Bielefeld 2–0 away.
• Su Dong, Robben, and Thomas Müller led Bayern to a 5–1 home victory over Schalke 04 before their Champions League match.
• Bayern arrived in Manchester early and trained at Man City's newly renovated Carrington ground, where Begiristain welcomed them.
• Su Dong told Begiristain he wanted to win three consecutive Champions League titles with Bayern before considering other options.
• Ferguson personally guided Manchester United's training and prepared a surprise he hoped would send them to the Champions League final.

Manchester United scored early against Bayern in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, then retreated to defend their lead. Su Dong drove forward after the restart but was pulled down by Ferdinand near the penalty area, and the referee allowed play to continue.

• Manchester United pressed Bayern from kickoff, creating several chances before Rony headed in Anderson’s corner to give them the lead before six minutes had passed.
• Su Dong encouraged his teammates after the goal and exchanged teasing remarks with Rony at the center circle before play resumed.
• Manchester United dropped back into defense after kickoff, while Bayern advanced and Schweinsteiger passed to Su Dong in midfield.
• Su Dong turned and drove toward the penalty area, but Ferdinand tugged him off balance near the edge of the box.
• Bayern’s players appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on.

Su Dong repeatedly threatened Manchester United despite Ferguson’s tightly organized defense, forcing Van der Sar into a difficult save and later slipping past Vidić to shoot inside the penalty area. The chapter ended with Su Dong’s latest attack unfolding as the stadium erupted in alarm.

• Ferguson praised Rony after Manchester United’s defenders crowded Su Dong and cut off his options.
• Su Dong met Marcelo’s cross, powered a left-footed shot that Van der Sar spilled, then lost the rebound when Ferdinand intervened.
• Su Dong changed his attacks toward Vidić and later dribbled past Fletcher with a Marseille Turn before Robben lost the ball.
• Manchester United defended deep and counterattacked while Bayern probed for openings on both wings.
• Su Dong flicked Modrić’s pass between Vidić’s legs, turned into the penalty area, and blasted a right-footed shot as the stadium erupted.

Su Dong equalized for Bayern with a spectacular individual goal, and Manchester United tightened their defense as the match settled into a tense stalemate. In stoppage time, Pepe stopped Tevez’s counterattack and cleared the ball upfield.

• Su Dong beat Vidić with a backheel nutmeg and scored Bayern’s equalizer, making it one-one.
• Su Dong teased Rony about scoring another goal, and the match restarted with both strikers still trading barbs.
• Ferguson ordered Manchester United to shore up the defense, while Heynckes urged Bayern to stay patient and Su Dong kept tiring out Vidić.
• Rony won a dangerous free kick, but Neuer caught his shot, and Manchester United’s defenders stopped Bayern’s attack through Ribéry.
• In stoppage time, Pepe got in front of Tevez, stopped the counterattack inside the penalty area, and cleared the ball upfield.

Su Dong scored twice to put Bayern ahead 2–1 at halftime against Manchester United, then Florentino Pérez decided to pursue him for Real Madrid after Zidane and Valdano praised his ability. The chapter ended with Su Dong recognizing that Manchester United’s supporters had rallied their team for a difficult second half.

• Su Dong capitalized on Vidić’s hesitation, won the ball with a risky header, and chipped Van der Sar to give Bayern a 2–1 lead in stoppage time.
• Florentino Pérez watched Su Dong’s goal with Zidane and Valdano, who described Su Dong as stronger than Zidane and Ronaldo and like a taller Maradona.
• Florentino instructed Manuel Redondo to contact Mendes and tell him Real Madrid wanted to sign Su Dong that summer.
• The first half ended with Bayern leading 2–1, while Manchester United fans applauded their players and chanted Vidić’s name.
• Su Dong praised Manchester United’s supporters and told Lahm and Schweinsteiger that the team would remain difficult to beat in the second half.

Bayern beat Manchester United 2–1 at Old Trafford, and Su Dong discussed Rony’s possible move to Real Madrid after the match. The two friends reflected on their careers and training, while Su Dong made clear he would not join Rony at Real Madrid.

• Bayern defeated Manchester United 2–1 after Su Dong created two late counterattacking chances, and Van der Sar saved both.
• Su Dong embraced Rony, who lamented the loss, and Su Dong explained that Manchester United’s center-forward role had exposed Rony’s weaknesses.
• Su Dong asked whether Rony planned to leave Manchester United, and Rony looked toward Rooney as they discussed the possibility of a move to Real Madrid.
• Su Dong said he aimed to win three consecutive Champions League titles with Bayern, and Rony asked whether they might become teammates again afterward.
• Su Dong and Rony discussed adapting their training and playing styles as they aged, including developing their shooting and Free Kick skills.
• Su Dong resolved not to join Rony at Real Madrid because he did not want to risk losing their friendship.