Chapter 36: Waiting for the Counterattack
"Listen carefully, Hansi… trust me this once."
Klopp's voice had lost its joking tone. Across the desk, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke watched him quietly, sensing that his head coach was more serious than ever.
"You really believe that much in this kid?" Watzke asked.
Klopp nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I rarely speak this confidently, but Ken is different. I've watched thousands of young players, and very few give off that same instinctive feeling — the sense that they already understand the rhythm of top-level football before even reaching twenty."
Just as Watzke was about to respond, Klopp's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered immediately.
"Peter? Any news?"
A cheerful voice came from the other side. "Good news. Bayern's negotiations with Ken didn't work out. They couldn't promise regular playing time, and the talks ended quickly. Their scouts will keep watching him, but nothing has been signed."
Klopp's eyes lit up. "Perfect. That means we still have a chance."
He hung up, turned back toward Watzke, and smiled. "Our window is open."
Watzke folded his arms thoughtfully. "Then start the contact. If the player values playing time, Dortmund may be exactly what he's looking for."
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The Invitation
Later that afternoon, Ken finished a recovery session at the training ground in Munich. The Audi Cup schedule had been intense, and the coaching staff insisted that every player maintain proper physical recovery between matches.
As he wiped the sweat from his face, his phone vibrated.
It was Wagner.
"Ken, I just received a call from Borussia Dortmund," his agent said. "Their head coach, Jürgen Klopp, wants to meet you after the final."
Ken paused for a moment. "Klopp… Dortmund's coach, right?"
"Yes. One of the most respected managers in Europe right now. And they're very interested."
"Did you tell them about my requirement?" Ken asked calmly.
"I did. They said playing time won't be an issue — they want to discuss details face to face."
Ken nodded. "Alright. Let's finish the final first. We'll talk afterward."
---
Audi Cup Final — Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena looked slightly quieter than during the semifinal, but the tension on the pitch was far greater. Manchester City had arrived with a strong lineup, determined to take the trophy seriously despite the competition being labeled a preseason tournament.
From the opening whistle, City pressed aggressively.
Yaya Touré dominated the midfield with his physical presence, David Silva drifted between defensive lines creating passing lanes, and Sergio Agüero hovered near the penalty area like a predator waiting for a mistake.
São Paulo's tactical setup for the first half was cautious — a deep defensive block, focused on limiting space rather than controlling possession. As a result, Ken spent long stretches running without the ball, waiting for rare counterattack opportunities that never fully materialized.
In the 44th minute, the pressure finally paid off for Manchester City.
Silva slipped a precise pass behind the defensive line, and Agüero timed his run perfectly, finishing calmly past the goalkeeper.
1–0.
Ken stood at midfield watching the celebration, his breathing steady but his expression focused. The plan had been to absorb pressure, but now the team needed to respond.
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Halftime Adjustment
Inside the locker room, the atmosphere remained tense but not defeated. Head coach Ramalho spoke first.
"I misjudged their attacking rhythm in the first half," he admitted. "We can't sit back like that anymore."
He turned toward Ken.
"In the second half, you move into the central attacking role behind the forwards. We'll bring on Aloísio and increase our counterattacking speed."
Ken nodded. "Understood."
"Remember," Ramalho continued, drawing shapes on the tactical board, "City's fullbacks push high. That space behind them is where our opportunities will come. We defend compactly, then strike fast."
The players exchanged determined glances. The match was far from over.
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Second Half — Momentum Shift
The difference became visible almost immediately.
With Ken positioned centrally, São Paulo's transitions grew faster and more dangerous. Every time the ball reached him, City's midfielders reacted nervously, unsure whether he would pass, dribble, or accelerate into space.
In the 65th minute, Ken received the ball just outside the penalty area. With a quick change of direction, he slipped past David Silva before being brought down by Yaya Touré.
Free kick.
Ken stepped up, adjusting the ball carefully. He had already proven his ability from set pieces earlier in the tournament, and the defensive wall shifted uneasily as the referee signaled readiness.
He struck the ball cleanly with his right foot, curling it over the wall toward the top corner.
Joe Hart reacted instantly, pushing the shot away with a spectacular save — but the rebound fell directly into the path of Aloísio, who smashed it into the net.
1–1.
São Paulo's bench erupted in celebration.
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Rising Pressure
Manchester City responded immediately. Determined to avoid penalties, they increased their attacking intensity, pushing more players forward.
Zabaleta overlapped repeatedly on the right, Silva continued threading passes between defenders, and Agüero remained a constant threat near the box. Twice in ten minutes, City came within inches of retaking the lead — once hitting the crossbar, once missing narrowly wide.
But every attacking wave also left space behind their defense.
Ken noticed it clearly.
Instead of chasing the ball aimlessly, he positioned himself near the halfway line, conserving energy and studying the defensive shape. He knew the decisive moment would come only once — and he intended to be ready when it did.
From the stands, commentators began pointing out the tactical duel unfolding on the field.
"Ken is staying high… he's waiting for the counterattack. If São Paulo wins the ball cleanly, this could become very dangerous."
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The Moment Approaches
The match entered the final ten minutes. Manchester City dominated possession, their formation stretched across São Paulo's half as they searched desperately for a winning goal.
Ken remained near the center circle, calm, watching.
To some observers, he seemed inactive. To others, he looked like a coiled spring.
Every defensive clearance, every midfield interception, his eyes followed the ball's trajectory instantly, calculating angles, distances, and the positioning of defenders.
He was not resting.
He was preparing.
When Denílson intercepted a pass near the edge of the defensive third, Ken immediately raised his hand and began to sprint forward, accelerating into the open space left behind City's advancing fullbacks.
The counterattack had finally begun.
Behind him, teammates surged forward in support, while City's defenders scrambled to recover their positions.
Ken didn't look back.
He was already running at full speed, chasing the opportunity he had been waiting for the entire half — the moment where a single decisive move could determine the champion of the Audi Cup.
And somewhere deep inside, he felt it clearly:
The match was about to reach its turning point.