Chen Tao, Borussia Dortmund's new darling, started for two consecutive rounds.
Borussia Dortmund fans were naturally delighted to hear this news.
With another home match, Heinrich packed up his family and drove 12 kilometers from the training base to Signal Iduna Park, also known as Westfalen.
The Heinrich's pickup truck was the brightest sight on the highway.
The truck bed carried a huge cardboard sign with the exceptionally eye-catching words: "Savior from the East! Lead BVB to Victory!"
Most of the surrounding traffic was heading to the match, and people passing by would roll down their windows and give the Heinrich a thumbs-up.
Some overly enthusiastic fans even dangerously leaned halfway out of their cars, shouting at them:
"Chen! Invincible!"
"Chen Tao! Chen Tao!"
Clearly, Chen Tao's standing in the hearts of Borussia Dortmund fans had risen immeasurably.
"See? Today against Hertha Berlin, a starting Chen will definitely win."
"Exactly!"
Hans and Maria both had confidence in the young man.
Fritz, sitting in the back, was already celebrating with a beer can:
"Victory is certain! Chen is victory!"
His older brother, Frank, had already left with the team on the bus, leaving only Anna in the back, pinching her nose in disgust.
"Can he really do it?"
Looking out the window, Anna's eyes were filled with worry.
That day against Schalke 04, after Chen Tao was substituted in the 80th minute, only the sharp-eyed Anna noticed that his jersey was covered in grass stains and mud, with no clean spots anywhere.
Furthermore, his jersey was completely soaked with sweat, and his steps were somewhat unsteady when he came off the field, clearly indicating that his physical exertion had reached its limit.
European U17 youth matches typically consist of two 40-minute halves.
A 15-year-old playing in a top League, enduring 90 minutes of high-intensity confrontation, and frequently using flashy and complex dribbling moves...
Frank had more than once subtly hinted that Chen Tao was prone to injuries in such a high-pressure environment.
Anna couldn't help but close her eyes devoutly, making the sign of the cross over her chest as she prayed.
She didn't pray for the team's victory, but instead quoted Psalm 121 from the Bible to pray for Chen Tao.
"...The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm..."
...
The second time, while enjoyable, wasn't as exciting as the first.
Of course, Chen Tao was referring to starting.
Under pressure from external fans, media opinion led by Borussia Dortmund legend Matthäus, and subtle hints from CEO Watzke,
Head coach Thomas Doll compromised; he no longer insisted on a conservative tactic centered around Tinga.
Instead, he boldly employed youngsters, with Nuri Şahin, Chen Tao, and Hummels all securing starting positions.
Thomas Doll even called up Marco Reus from the youth team to the first team.
For the past week, Reus had been training with Chen Tao and the others.
It was clear that Thomas Doll had simply given up.
Aren't young players supposed to be good?
Then I'll just use young players!
Marco Reus was equally bewildered.
He had always yearned to join the first team since his days in the Borussia Dortmund youth squad, but he was once looked down upon by academy coaches for his weak physique.
In 2006, he was almost kicked out of the team and joined Rot Weiss Ahlen in the third tier, his career nearly reaching its end.
However, the academy coach, seeing his dedication in training, allowed him to stay with the team for another two years, continuing to participate in youth matches with Borussia Dortmund U18.
He wasn't jealous when his good friends from the youth team, Nuri Şahin and Hummels, joined the first team.
But the first team actually loaned a 15-year-old kid from Arsenal! And he was Chinese!
Reus was initially very unbalanced.
He's not as fast as me, his body is as thin as mine, and his technique is just... a little better than mine. Why him?
It wasn't until Chen Tao repeatedly delivered excellent performances in the Bundesliga, especially his goal against Wolfsburg where he dribbled past six players, that Reus was truly convinced.
Sitting on the bench, watching the starting Chen Tao perform brilliantly, Reus genuinely cheered for him.
"Beautiful!! Bravo!!"
One would think they were watching a stage play.
Chen Tao had just used a Marseille Roulette to dribble past two players on the wing; the ball was almost out of bounds, but he timely pulled it back and turned to dribble past another opponent.
Seamlessly executed!
Borussia Dortmund fans often saw similar moves on the touchline and simply named this type of roulette.
"Kungfu - Roulette"
Literally "Kungfu Roulette."
In the words of the fans:
"Watching Chen Tao play is like watching a Chinese Kungfu performance; every time he manages to overturn my perception!"
The Kungfu Roulette, after continuously dribbling past two players, penetrated deep into the opposition's half, and Hertha Berlin was simply unable to stop Chen Tao from entering the penalty area.
Heinrich Berenberg, the commentator for German Sport1, passionately exclaimed:
"Chen! He's in! Unstoppable!! Chen—shot! Now!"
Guest commentator Matthäus was stunned.
This guy got so excited watching Chen Tao play.
Facing the goalkeeper alone in the penalty area with no one marking him, anyone would want to take a shot.
Chen Tao was no exception!
Take a shot?
Shoot it!
Bang—
His waist drove his thigh, and his calf, like a whip, struck the ball, unleashing a powerful shot!
After practicing shooting for half a year, even with poor technique, he should at least be able to score, right?
The result...
Chen Tao stared in disbelief as the ball sailed past the goal.
It was clearly supposed to be a full-instep shot, but he kicked it with the inside of his foot, creating a curved shot that went straight towards the corner flag.
The Hertha Berlin defenders were dumbfounded, collectively watching the ball skim past the goal.
At the crucial moment, a foot extended out just in time, blocking the ball into the goal with a slide tackle!
"Goooooooooaaaalll!!!"
"Alexander Frei!!! Borussia Dortmund takes the lead at home!"
"It's another connection between Chen Tao and Frey; Chen completes his 11th League assist, temporarily leading the assist chart!"
"Alexander Frei has already scored 16 goals, temporarily tied for first place with Bayern's Luca Toni!"
"What an efficient attacking combination!"
Commentator Berenberg's voice was hoarse from shouting, continuously delivering a torrent of commentary, giving guest Matthäus no chance to speak.
German Sport1 initially wanted to capitalize on the buzz by having Matthäus commentate on Borussia Dortmund's match.
But the commentator stole all the thunder.
It wasn't until Berenberg tired himself out that Matthäus found an opportunity to interject.
"Chen's dribbling on the wing just now is his specialty; it's usually very difficult to defend against him if you're not physically strong enough."
"In the penalty area, it looked more like a shot than a pass, but it was mishit and turned into a brilliant pass."
From Chen Tao's body language, it was clearly a shot.
Everyone thought he intended to pass, including the goal-scorer Alexander Frei.
"Chen! Well done!!! Great pass!! How did you know I'd be there!"
"Uh... because you're the top scorer, I knew you'd show up."
"You're truly my brother! Man!!"
Alexander Frei, a Swiss strongman, excitedly hugged Chen Tao, almost crushing his ribs, with a force no less than Aunt Maria's.
I just wanted to shoot!
Chen Tao's inner thoughts roared wildly.
...
Borussia Dortmund, leading by one goal, played very relaxed, with the midfield well-organized under Nuri Şahin's orchestration.
After several League experiences, he had gradually grown into a reliable central midfielder.
Compared to the Brazilian veteran Tinga, who frequently lost possession and often strolled around, the 19-year-old Şahin was clearly more dependable.
Especially the tacit agreement understanding between Şahin and Chen Tao.
Towards the end of the first half, Şahin's sudden long pass disrupted Hertha Berlin's defense.
A yellow and black figure surged forward at high speed from the wing.
"Chen!!! He's got the ball!! A perfect first touch and dribble!!!"
Berenberg's commentary was still a frantic roar.
Chen Tao was seen attempting to receive the ball on the right side of the field.
The Hertha Berlin left-back came from behind, constantly pulling at his jersey, trying to disrupt Chen Tao's control.
However, Chen Tao inexplicably used a rabona to stop the ball on the other side, suddenly changing direction and dribbling past his opponent!
The defender helplessly grabbed at thin air as he turned, unable to even see Chen Tao's taillights.
Shaking off his opponent and driving straight towards the goal,
Chen Tao's dribbling had already met the five-dribble requirement, and he felt the familiar energy in his right foot.
Unfortunately, the move's brilliance seemed to be slightly lacking, failing to create the ethereal state needed for a shot.
He honestly delivered a cross, with incredible speed and a bizarre curve.
It perfectly threaded between the two center-backs and the goalkeeper's gloves, precisely finding Alexander Frei in front of the goal.
Frey didn't even need to make a move; he just had to stick his foot out to block it, and the ball was bound to hit the back of the net!
"Here it comes again!! Alexander Frei!! A brace!"
"The Chen-Frey connection once again showed its power!"
German legend Matthäus, accustomed to Chen Tao's dribbling, praised his pass effusively.
"His ground cross technique is too high-level; the curve and trajectory are perfectly executed."
"Even if you put a tin can in front of the goal, he could still score."
Previously, Chen Tao was just a player known for his flashy dribbling, but now it seems his passing ability is growing by the day.
To what extent will he evolve in the future?
Matthäus shuddered at the thought!
"If only he were on our Germany team."