Tiger of the Ruhr

The development of football is inseparable from industrial progress. This world's number one sport was initially dismissed by the upper class as a working-class pastime, bearing distinct class markers.

It was a sport for workers to pass the time in their leisure hours, and football united them effectively.

Many powerful teams are located in famous industrial cities, such as Liverpool, Manchester, and the Ruhr area, Germany's coal and steel heartland.

The Ruhr area gave birth to Dortmund and Schalke 04, the two giants of the Ruhr.

The emergence of these two teams was precisely due to some workers and students.

As time passed, football has become a part of Dortmund, and Dortmund's rapidly rising home ground, the Westfalenstadion, makes all of Europe tremble.

The group got off the plane and took a bus straight to the hotel. Upon arrival, Marco Reus ran up to the coach and asked, "Boss, can we go out for a bit?"

Traveling abroad was still quite novel at this time, especially since Germany had a unique situation.

Boskov glanced at him and said, "You can go out, but I have two conditions. First, no going out alone, and second, no conflicts with fans."

"That's great, Boss!!!"

Reus said excitedly.

He had always wanted to take a picture of the world's largest Christmas tree for his girlfriend.

Mancini pursed his lips and grumbled, "Someone like him will eventually be tricked by a woman."

Vialli didn't argue this time, nodding in agreement with Dejan Lu.

Ever since Reus was promoted to the first team, he has had a girlfriend. This local player is being groomed by the team to be their future captain. Apart from training and matches, he usually stays close to his girlfriend.

"Marco, you've sent so many photos, what's her usual reaction?"

Dejan Lu asked.

"She's very happy. Tina also likes photography, and we have the same hobby. That's the best, understand, Dejan?" Reus said excitedly.

"What about other things? For example, when you go abroad this time, did she say anything else?"

Dejan Lu asked.

"She said German cars are great, and she's dreamed of owning a Mercedes since she was a child," Reus said.

Vialli glanced at Dejan Lu.

Reus's salary isn't high. If he were a starter, that girl's dream would probably be a Porsche.

Mancini was about to speak, but Vialli pulled him aside.

"What are you doing?" Mancini asked impatiently.

"It's useless for others to advise him on this kind of thing."

Vialli said, "We can guide him when he comes to his senses."

The hotel where the team was staying was not far from the train station, and more importantly, it was near the Westfalenstadion, making it very convenient to get to the stadium.

As for the environment, it wasn't particularly good; the exterior was as ordinary as the interior.

"Want to play a couple of hands of Scopa?"

Pagliuca asked.

This is a very popular Italian card game played with Neapolitan cards.

It's a game where you compare total scores.

"No, I think I'll read a book."

Dejan Lu took out the "Japanese Encyclopedia" and his portable music player.

"Are you planning to settle in Japan after you retire?" Mancini asked as they walked towards their rooms.

"No, I'm planning to make money from them."

Dejan Lu said with a smile.

Learning the local language is the easiest way to gain favor with locals. Japanese people are so wealthy, and Dejan Lu is willing to put in some effort to learn.

The others' loud chatter playing cards didn't bother Dejan Lu.

The whole team had dinner together in the evening before returning to their respective rooms.

Reus was Dejan Lu's roommate. After returning, the kid was on the phone.

"If the phone bill is too high, the team might not cover it," Dejan Lu reminded him.

Reus asked nervously, covering the receiver, "Really?"

Dejan Lu nodded.

International calls were not cheap back then, and the team wouldn't pay the bill for him.

Reus quickly said a few words to his girlfriend before hanging up.

"We're playing Dortmund tomorrow, aren't you nervous?"

Reus asked.

It was his first time starting in a European competition.

The only response to him was Dejan Lu's steady breathing.

Lana suddenly felt a bit envious of Dejan Lu, his young teammate was always so cool and composed.

The next morning.

The entire team went downstairs early to gather.

Sitting in the dining hall, Boskov said, "I know you're all eager for breakfast, but I need to remind you to manage your diets properly and perform well on the Germans' home turf!"

"Yes, boss!"

The players responded casually.

But Boskov didn't smile at all.

Dortmund was a bit special.

Their home stadium, Westfalenstadion, had an extremely strong oppressive atmosphere. He wondered if these youngsters could handle it.

Around 4 PM, the entire Sampdoria team arrived at Westfalenstadion.

Even in the locker room, they could hear the cheers from the stands. Without even warming up on the field, one could imagine what the scene was like.

This stadium, including standing room, had a capacity of over 60,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in all of Europe.

In the simple locker room, everyone was somewhat nervous, the previous ease gone.

Dejan Lu tightly tied his shoelaces.

He chose to draw a card.

[Ding, because your brother Bagnato has very weak lower body strength and often falls because he can't control the ball, you've drawn a player with strong lower body strength. You've obtained the 2006 World Cup Final, Italy VS France, Zinedine Zidane Single Match Experience Card.]

Dejan Lu: ...

Zidane's peak was around the 1998 World Cup.

Although he performed well in the 2006 World Cup, he was significantly less impressive than in his younger days.

However, a player of this caliber, even past his prime, was still the core of the French team in the World Cup, surpassing the level of top-tier players. That's why some people said Zidane was half a Football King.

Regardless of whether he was a Football King or not, his skill was undeniable.

Most importantly, Zidane's attributes were a perfect fit for Sampdoria.

Lacking players who could hold the ball, Mancini often had to drop back.

And Zidane?

His ball-holding ability was top-notch. His ball-processing speed wasn't fast, and his playing style involved keeping the ball close to his feet. This kind of play was actually the most suitable for this Sampdoria team.

In the stands of Westfalenstadion.

Aki Schmidt and Beckenbauer were sitting together.

Schmidt, the German captain, was 10 years older than Beckenbauer, and their careers didn't overlap much.

"Shouldn't you be watching Bayern's match, Franz?"

Schmidt asked curiously.

"I'm more curious about Sampdoria and Dortmund. Champions represent conservatism, not changing easily. But both Dortmund and Sampdoria have something new about them. I want to see what differences their matches will have."

Franz Beckenbauer explained.

He had a lot of respect for this senior player. Schmidt had been rated as continental class 12 times in his career and had long served as Dortmund's captain and a starter for the national team.

"Oh? I thought you wanted to scout players for Bayern," Schmidt teased.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Schmidt was actually a bit surprised.

Was he serious?

Bayern had never had a foreign player from Italy in their history.