The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills-Chapter 134 - 49: New Leader: Wang Shuo! Klopp’s Team Is "Sick" Again! "I Will Create the Miracle!
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Mainz was "sick" again!
It was obvious.
The Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung believed that Klopp’s team was entering a new slump.
"The Mainz he manages is always like this. They’re stunning when they’re playing well, but more often than not, they revert to their old selves and fall into a listless slump!"
"But this is the true level of Mainz!"
Kicker Magazine also believed that Mainz’s position at the top of the table was unsustainable.
As one of the teams that spent the least in this summer’s Bundesliga transfer market, Mainz was practically playing in the Bundesliga with a 2nd Bundesliga squad. Many of their players, like Helle and Lővér, were bargains picked up on free transfers.
The only player they spent money on was Hainauer, and his performance was there for all to see.
But that was the extent of Mainz’s strength.
Besides, this wasn’t the first time.
Under Klopp’s management, Mainz always started strong but finished weak.
Kicker Magazine believed this had a lot to do with Klopp’s tactics.
"In fact, without Wang Shuo’s goals this season, Mainz would probably be in the relegation zone right now."
"No, if it weren’t for Wang Shuo, Mainz shouldn’t even be in the Bundesliga!"
But now, Mainz was somehow still at the top of the table.
After 13 matches, they had 9 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
They had secured 29 points.
Hoffenheim was second with 28 points.
Bayer Leverkusen was third with 26 points.
Bayern Munich’s recent performance had improved, placing them fourth with 25 points.
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As a cold snap hit Germany, Mainz’s form also entered a deep freeze.
This became particularly evident a week later, on November 22nd, during the top-of-the-table clash at home against Hoffenheim.
The two teams had very similar tactical styles.
Both employed a high-pressing tactic, emphasizing the need to immediately pressure the opponent after losing possession to win the ball back as quickly as possible.
The pace of transition between offense and defense for both teams was extremely fast.
This resulted in a high-paced match at Bruch Road Stadium right from the first minute.
In the words of the TV commentator, "This doesn’t look like the Bundesliga at all; it’s more like two Premier League teams are playing!"
Klopp versus Rangnick!
Wang Shuo versus Ibisevic!
The Bundesliga leaders hosting the challengers from second place!
But in such a high-stakes, highly anticipated match, Mainz only managed to hold on for 22 minutes.
An assist from Ibisevic allowed Demba Ba to break through Mainz’s goal.
1-0!
Just 10 minutes later, Salihovic delivered a brilliant pass, and Ibisevic scored again from inside the box.
2-0!
In just about half an hour, Mainz couldn’t hold on any longer and conceded consecutive goals.
Wang Shuo used to hear his teammates talk about the miserable state of Mainz back when they were relegated from the Bundesliga, how Bayern had scored on them again and again. He always found it strange. ’How could that happen?’
But now, he understood perfectly.
Stamina!
Stamina!
And still, damn stamina!
Klopp’s style of play was just too draining.
And it didn’t just drain one person; it drained the entire team.
Under Klopp’s system, if just three players needed to "catch their breath" at the same time, the speed and rhythm of the press would falter, and the effectiveness of the high press would be drastically reduced.
The moment the opponent moved the ball out, the back line was left in extreme danger.
And during that window, it wasn’t difficult for a Bundesliga team to score again and again.
The biggest problem in this match was with the two central midfielders.
In the 4-4-1-1 formation, there was supposed to be a three-man rotation in central midfield.
But Gunkel was injured.
Kalhan and Pekovic were both veterans in their thirties and couldn’t keep up anymore.
In contrast, Hoffenheim’s three midfielders were the 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Gustavo, the 24-year-old Salihovic, and the 23-year-old Tobias Weis.
All of them were in their prime, with seemingly endless energy.
Hoffenheim’s average age was only 24.2, making them the youngest team in the Bundesliga this season.
Bar none.
This was the foundation of confidence for Rangnick’s high-pressing tactics!
Of course, you couldn’t really blame Klopp for Mainz’s current situation.
Uncle Mustache had already played the hand Mainz was dealt to its absolute limit.
Although Wang Shuo understood this in his heart, he still felt unreconciled.
Especially in this match, where Ibisevic, relying on Hoffenheim’s overall superiority, had gotten a goal and an assist, extending his lead on both the top scorer and assist charts.
How could Wang Shuo possibly accept that?
Who could stand by and watch the top spot in the Bundesliga, watch the European Golden Boy Award, slip through their fingers?
In the 33rd minute, just one minute after Hoffenheim’s second goal, Wang Shuo dropped back to the center to receive a pass. He turned to shake off Gustavo and was about to sprint forward with the ball.
But he was tripped from the side by the Brazilian player.
The referee gave Gustavo a yellow card.
But Wang Shuo was furious. After slamming both fists hard onto the turf, he slapped away Gustavo’s outstretched hand and scrambled to his feet on his own.
He wouldn’t accept this!
He truly wouldn’t accept it!
Wang Shuo felt a raging fire burning in his chest, one he could barely contain, ready to erupt.
He had to find an outlet for it!
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"BANG!"
Returning to the locker room trailing 0-2, Wang Shuo slammed his fist into a locker.
The stainless steel door immediately dented, leaving the imprint of a fist.
Everyone in the locker room jumped in shock. They all turned their heads to stare at Wang Shuo in disbelief.
