As a legendary player for the team, Weidenfeller was already adorned with numerous honors.
World Cup champion, German Cup champion, Bundesliga champion x2.
Behind every championship trophy lies the figure of this veteran athlete.
Andy earned Weidenfeller's respect through his own respect.
However, there were other reasons why the latter stayed to train with Andy.
That is, since Tuchel arrived, he has signed two excellent goalkeepers for rotation.
Weidenfeller is no longer the team's first choice, so he needs to improve his form.
In conclusion, Andy's diligent attitude finally earned Tuchel's approval.
During the second day of training, he paid special attention to Andy's data.
The result greatly surprised him!
Speed!Speed!And it's all about speed!
Andy's speed is actually comparable to Aubameyang's!
Furthermore, their physical fitness data is also very impressive!
This is a perfect fit for players in the full-back position!
Although he is at a slight height disadvantage in matchups, but.
Andy's lower body is exceptionally stable!
There's a little anecdote here.
After Andy changed into his training clothes, his athletic shorts looked a bit tight.
The logistics staff discovered this only after repeated checks.
Andy's thigh circumference is astonishing!
It reached 61cm (24 inches)!
This isn't fat, it's solid muscle!
When everyone learned of this news, they all showed expressions of sudden realization.
No wonder I heard he injured two players with two shots during a previous match.
Even an elephant couldn't withstand being hit by a cannon at close range!
(Carlos: No problem~)
On September 27, Andy watched the Bundesliga Round 7 match at the Westfalenstadion.
The opponent is Darmstadt 98.
Logically speaking, winning the game should be no pressure for Dortmund.
But that's not the case.
The away team scored a goal within the first 15 minutes.
The game remained close until the 63rd minute of the second half when Aubameyang finally equalized.
Then he scored twice within ten minutes!
However, in the 90th minute, the away team miraculously equalized from a set piece!
The player who caused all of this is Park Joo-ho!
After taking the lead in the second half, he substituted Shinji Kagawa.
They could have secured all three points by maintaining a stable performance, but they collapsed at the last moment.
They conceded a free kick to the opponent and also failed to mark their man in defense.
Tuchel was so angry that he closed his eyes and sat on the bench, no longer paying attention to what was happening on the field!
Dortmund's morale is severely damaged!
Meanwhile, Andy encountered the player he most wanted to see in the stands.
Reus!
Dressed casually, Royce didn't notice Andy.
His expression was complicated after the team conceded a last-minute equalizer.
"Password!How can we miss someone!Password!"
Hearing such vulgar curses coming from nearby, Reus turned his head to look.
Andy stood there, his emotions mingling with the fans'.
What a rude kid!
This was Royce's first impression of Andy.
The following day, the entire team arrived at the training base to prepare for the Europa League match two days later.
Their opponent is the strong Greek team Thessaloniki!
Surprisingly, Reus also appeared at the training ground.
After confirming with the team doctor, he began rehabilitation training.
Andy walked up to him and greeted him.
"Hello, Vice Captain, I'm Andy."
There were no superfluous words, but the words conveyed respect.
Royce nodded."Keep it up, Andy!"
This was their first conversation.
Royce himself probably never imagined what kind of bond he would form with this boy in the future!
Tuchel announced the squad list, and Andy's name was prominently featured!
However, he was not part of the main entourage, but rather belonged to the accompanying personnel.
After several days of training, Tuchel finally agreed to promote Andy to the first team!
However, the registration process and contract signing are somewhat complicated and will take about a week to complete.
So he decided to let Andy go with the team to Greece to watch the game live.
Meanwhile, the second team is in a worse situation.
Without Andy, the left flank is like a pile of loose sand!
Head coach Hans was on the verge of tears.
The series of defeats earned him a warning from the club!
If there is still no improvement by mid-October, then Hans's position as interim head coach will be over.
He even went to his brother's house, who was the CEO, to complain!
As a result, Watzke dismissed him with the advice, "Take my advice, you can't handle this."
On October 1, Andy and his team arrived in Thessaloniki, the largest port city in northern Greece.
This is Greece's second largest economic, cultural, and commercial center, and a major transportation hub connecting Eastern and Southern Europe.
It also has a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers.
Andy had heard about this place from his Greek teammates when he lived in Lisbon.
Byzantine architecture, Ottoman architecture, Jewish architecture, etc.
He collectively referred to these as exotic customs.
Because we arrived a day early, everyone was given two hours of free time after checking into the hotel.
However, players generally avoid going out to prevent any issues from affecting the next day's game.
As one of the accompanying staff, Andy decided to go out and experience it for himself.
Along the way, some locals would greet him.
Near the sculpture in the city center square, Andy saw tour groups from all over the world.
I even saw "Greek yogurt" on the street.
Just as Andy finished checking in and was about to return to the hotel, the child in the seat next to him made a squinting gesture towards him.
??
Judging from his clothes, this child is definitely not a local.
Regardless of where he's from, pressing his hands to the corners of his eyes is definitely a racist gesture!
Andy took a picture with his phone at lightning speed, then said to the woman not far from the child:
Excuse me"Ma'am, is this your child?"
"certainly."
Don't you think his behavior is somewhat inappropriate?
Having lived in Europe for many years, Andy didn't say anything too offensive.
Because there are many legal protections for women and children here, sometimes acting impulsively can actually put you in a passive position.
The woman glanced at the child and said impatiently:
"I think you've misunderstood.In Israel, this is simply a gesture of goodwill, nothing more."
Expressing friendliness?
Are you kidding me with this password?
Andy's face instantly turned cold.
Israelis?
Okay!
It's not just your country that makes friendly gestures; we do too!
Seeing that his mother didn't scold him, the little boy pressed his eyes even harder!
Sudden!
Andy's eyes sharpened, and he quickly extended his right arm in a salute!
Then, make a "Berlin sound" in a volume that only the two of them can hear!
"Oh God!"
The little boy was so frightened that he cried on the spot.
The woman was furious and shouted for help to the people around her!
Andy quickly lowered his arm and simultaneously turned on his phone to show those around him the photo of the little boy displaying racist language.
In European law, the most important condition for constituting a racial discrimination crime is that it must occur in a public place!
Upon seeing the photo, the woman immediately calmed down, decisively picked up her crying child, and quickly left.
The crowd quickly dispersed, and Andy looked at his right hand.
How could such a small action cause them so much harm?