In front of the background wall full of sponsor GG, Chen Tao was already used to being surrounded by reporters.
Compared to his first time, which was a little awkward, Chen Tao was now at ease.
"Chen! Can you tell us how you decided to shoot that world-class goal against Bayern?"
Chen Tao didn't answer immediately, glancing at the scoreboard in the distance.
Borussia Dortmund 4-3 Bayern Munich
90:00 +
a Toni
27i
a Toni
xander Frei
68' — 24. Chen Tao
7r Frei
87' — 24. Chen Tao
With 2 assists and 2 goals, he orchestrated a great comeback in front of 80,000 fans at home.
When reporters asked about the last goal, Chen Tao honestly couldn't explain why he chose to shoot at that moment.
Logically, he should have passed. Alexander Frei, Klimowicz, Hummels, and others were all in position inside the penalty area.
A simple high ball in would have made it easy for teammates to head the ball into the goal.
Bayern also didn't expect him to take a direct long-range shot from that position.
Chen Tao only remembered that after dribbling past Förstner, there was only one voice in his head!
[Shoot!]
Compared to the warm current in his right foot during a "Perfect Pass," at that moment, his whole body was filled with some kind of explosive energy.
It could only be released through a violent long-range shot!
Could it be that...
Similar to "Perfect Pass," successfully completing a certain number of dribbles can trigger a "Perfect Strike"?
100% accuracy?
Uncertain, further verification of the hypothesis is needed.
"At that time, Bayern didn't block, it was a good opportunity to shoot."
"Being able to score shows that my usual shooting training wasn't in vain, and effort pays off."
Chen Tao spoke earnestly, spouting nonsense.
His shooting talent had been sacrificed; he couldn't score in training without a defender, so more practice was useless.
The surrounding reporters were completely fooled by Chen Tao, their eyes sparkling with admiration and emotion, continuously nodding in approval of his efforts.
"After defeating Bayern, Borussia Dortmund has successfully entered the top six. Has this season's goal changed?"
"The goal hasn't changed, it's still to avoid relegation. Defeating Bayern only means 3 points are in hand. There's still a long second half of the season, and anything can happen. We still need to work hard and strive to give our all for points in every game."
The reporters present were stunned.
They thought Chen Tao was young and easy to trick, that he could easily blurt out explosive news.
Like aiming for the championship.
Unfortunately, Chen Tao's answer was too official, giving the reporters no opportunity. Although he looked green and naive, he spoke just like a government official.
After only a few minutes of interviews, the reporters dispersed in disappointment.
The Bayern Munich players had already left the field dejectedly. Chen Tao finished his interview and was about to join his teammates in circling the stadium to thank the fans who came to watch.
Suddenly, a figure in a white jersey blocked his path.
"Chen, please... can we swap jerseys?"
"Huh?"
The blonde teenager in front of him had slicked-back hair and seemed as green as Chen Tao, smiling shyly.
The key was that he hadn't played today, and the white jersey he held was still dry.
3i Kroos
So his name was Toni Kroos.
The closer he got, the clearer Chen Tao's premonition became. He could even see him wearing a white jersey, lifting the Big-Eared Cup, and lifting the World Cup.
Holy cow? That amazing?
"Of course."
Chen Tao, filled with respect, took off his damp jersey and handed it to the other party.
Toni Kroos was flattered.
He had prepared for rejection, not expecting Chen Tao to be so agreeable and courteous to him.
Today's match completely conquered this 17-year-old German teenager.
"You played great, I want to be like you too."
"You will, brother, you will."
Although two years younger, Chen Tao patted Toni Kroos's shoulder like an older brother.
After a brief chat with Toni Kroos,
Chen Tao and his teammates circled the field, greeted by enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Especially at the South Stand, the applause was thunderous!
The 80,000 people present were reluctant to leave, some fans even crying uncontrollably, as if they had won the championship.
Only fans who had followed Borussia Dortmund through its low points understood
how significant this comeback victory against Bayern was!
Chen Tao, with 2 assists and 2 goals, had become the superhero of all Westfalen!
He received the most adoration,
Many fans wrote large slogans on makeshift cardboard signs:
"Chen! Can you stay?"
"The Eastern Hero of Westfalen!"
"Please officially sign with BVB, thank you! We need you!"
Chen Tao, of course, saw the fans' heartfelt wishes, but where he would go after this season's loan ended, whether he could return to Arsenal's first team, or whether he could stay at Borussia Dortmund, were all unknowns.
From Chen Tao's own preference, in just a few months, he had fallen in love with this home stadium, and fallen in love with the fans here...
"Hey!! Chen!! We're here!!"
Just as he thought of the Heinrich, he spotted them in the 3rd row of the stands.
Hans, Maria, and old Fritz were all enthusiastically waving.
Only Anna's painting style was out of place.
Amidst the frenzied and noisy crowd, she was like a lone winter plum blossoming, quietly gazing at him.
Chen Tao took off his glove and gestured to her with the lucky charm on it.
"It really works!"
At that moment, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and her usual poker face instantly melted like spring snow.
The winter plum blossomed.
...
"From 0-3 to 4-3, Westfalen's Magical Comeback Night!"
"2 Assists and 2 Goals, the Oriental Magician's World-Class Strike Secures a Comeback Victory Against the Bundesliga Overlord!"
"Westfalen Miracle! Chen Tao Orchestrates a Magical Comeback and Upset Victory Over Bayern!"
On a new Monday morning, Aunt Maria habitually collected the table full of newspapers, making them into scrapbooks for collection.
Whenever she saw news praising Chen Tao, she would stop and read it carefully.
Especially the Bild's column commentary, Borussia Dortmund legend Matthäus spared no words in praising Chen Tao's performance:
"The 15-year-old Chinese prodigy embodies the soul of Borussia Dortmund! It reminds me of the time we fought against Bayern, we also feared no strong enemies and stubbornly forged Borussia Dortmund's glory.
His elegant and delicate skills are simply unstoppable in the Bundesliga, and Bayern must commit more resources to mark him.
This invisibly curbed Bayern's offense, completely neutralizing their left-wing sharp sword, Ribéry.
The most commendable aspect is Chen Tao's ability to seize opportunities. He doesn't just dribble with his head down; he's decisive whether to pass or shoot!
Two assists prove his excellent vision, and two different types of goals prove his outstanding scoring ability!
Here, I need to give Thomas Doll a suggestion: the lineup doesn't have to be conservative.
Learn to trust young players, and use them more.
If Borussia Dortmund rises in the future, it will definitely be a yellow youth storm..."
...
"We're going to class."
"Okay... oh, wait!"
Aunt Maria quickly came to Chen Tao's side, helped him straighten his collar, and then gave him a warm hug.
Anna next to her pouted, jealous:
"I'm your daughter."
"I know, I know, go on."
Aunt Maria waved her hand dismissively.
The Bundesliga winter break always starts early.
After the match against Bayern on December 15th, the team had already announced a holiday for the winter break.
The next match wouldn't be until February 2nd, 2008,
Chen Tao would get at least a month's holiday.
Late December and early January were also exam periods.
Chen Tao's usual training schedule was quite tight, and he often took leave from class.
Anna could help him catch up on the missed parts, but the lost credits couldn't be recovered.
To successfully obtain his high school diploma, Chen Tao had to work hard and get good grades in his final exams.
Therefore, on the very first day of the holiday, Chen Tao resumed his student identity and went to school with Anna after a long absence.
Having just experienced a top-intensity battle, Chen Tao, physically and mentally exhausted, only wanted to take a leisurely stroll.
Along the way, Chen Tao felt Anna's pace beside him quicken.
"Wait for me, why are you walking so fast?"
"The whole family treats you like a child, and I've become an outsider."
"Speaking of which."
Chen Tao suddenly thought of something,
"The club recently found an apartment for me, and I'm considering whether to move out to avoid bothering you all."
"Äh? Was?"
Anna stopped abruptly, and Chen Tao bumped straight into her back, almost making her stumble.
Chen Tao quickly reached out and held her shoulders. They were so close that he could almost see his reflection in Anna's blue pupils.
The air suddenly became a bit ambiguous.
"Why?"
Anna, slightly flustered, pushed Chen Tao away and took half a step back, averting her gaze and subconsciously tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
"When I'm here, you complain every day, so moving out would be exactly what you want. And Aunt Maria has to prepare extra nutritious meals for me every day... It really is too much trouble for you all."
"Oh, yes... it's good if you move out too."
Anna's expression changed, then returned to her initial indifferent look, and she turned and quickened her pace, leaving.
Leaving Chen Tao bewildered.
"No, is she sick?"
According to Kicker magazine's evaluation of Chen Tao:
"On the field, he is a wise man, calm and cunning, hardly like a 15-year-old, toying with Bayern's defense..."
At this moment, Chen Tao was truly just a teenager under 16.
Girls' subtle thoughts were harder for him to understand than calculus in math class.
Strolling into the classroom, Chen Tao first saw Anna, who was lie on her desk, lost in thought.
An aura of 'do not disturb' emanated from her, and the temperature in the classroom dropped by a few degrees.
So much so that the female classmates didn't dare to talk to her.
Seeing Chen Tao at the door, Anna glanced at him with a complex look, then buried her head in her desk.
Chen Tao was about to ask her what was going on when he was suddenly surrounded by a group of excited classmates.
"Chen!! Sign my jersey!"
"You played great yesterday!! Chen!! You're a hero to our whole family!"
"Chen, can we date? I like you."
"OHHHHHHH —"
The classroom instantly erupted.
The best-figured and most fashionably dressed blonde bombshell, Claudia, actually confessed in public!
If it were anyone else being confessed to by the goddess, the boys in the class would definitely be unconvinced.
But Chen Tao was the hero who led the team to victory over Bayern!
Although unwilling, everyone was convinced.
The commotion at the classroom door also caught Anna's attention. She didn't look up, but clearly tilted her ear to listen.
Chen Tao, the center of attention, was first surprised, then gave the blonde bombshell Claudia a gentle smile:
"Thank you, what was your name again?"
"Claudia..."
"Beautiful Miss Claudia, I am honored."
The blonde bombshell beamed, her ample bosom practically daring to pounce.
But Chen Tao held out a hand to stop her.
"But I'm sorry, my heart is already taken."
"Wooooow —"
The surrounding onlookers had various expressions; today's gossip was really explosive.
"Then can I ask, who... who do you like?"
Claudia bit her red lip lightly, looking at Chen Tao with a mournful expression.
"Of course, it's football."
Amidst the astonished gazes of the entire class, Chen Tao, his achievement and fame deeply hidden, returned to his seat.
He didn't notice that Anna, who was lie on her desk, was secretly smiling beautifully.