August 25, 2012.

St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland, Kimipake Park Stadium.

St. Gallen fans sang and danced in the stands to celebrate the victory.

On the electronic scoreboard of the stadium, the score of St. Gallen 2:0 Basel is bright red.

'Before the game, Basel were second in the league and St Gallen were three by two points, which should have been a battle of the stars, but when we look at Basel's starting line-up, the result was to be expected.

'Vogel rotated most of his key players and obviously the second leg of the Champions League play-off tie with Cluj was more crucial than this league game, and all eyes were on Basel.

……

As commentator Hansen said, after the away defeat to direct title rivals St. Gallen, the vast majority of Basel's media did not pay much attention to it, did not pick a thorn, or it can be said that the loss was temporarily 'booked', and they focused all their attention on the second leg of the Champions League play-offs between Basel and Cluj three days later:

If the team can come back from home to advance, then Vogel's choice to abandon the game against St. Gallen is a stroke of genius and a successful strategic choice, and if Basel is eliminated, then the media will not mind the old and new accounts being counted together.

……

Within Basel, there is support for coach Vogel's choice to abandon the league with St. Gallen.

The club's hierarchy are well aware of the situation.

There are only 10 teams in the entire Swiss Super League, and they have to play St. Gallen four times a season, and even if they lose this time, they will have time and a chance to win back in a direct duel. The league is long, and winning or losing one or two games doesn't matter.

However, if they can beat Cluj away and qualify for the Champions League, it represents tens of millions of euros in real money.

Which is more important is straightforward and clear.

……

After playing the match against St. Gallen, the team left for Cluj, Romania the next day.

Normally, teams arrive away the day before the match, but Basel arrived a day earlier to allow more time to familiarise themselves with the local climate and venue.

From Basel, Switzerland to Cluj, Romania, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary are separated by three countries, but it only takes more than an hour to fly.

In fact, leaving for the away game earlier also has the advantage of allowing the players to avoid distractions and prepare for the game with peace of mind, according to head coach Vogel.

……

When we arrived at Cluj Airport, it was already late afternoon local time and it was drizzling.

The players boarded the bus and headed for their hotel.

Cluj used to belong to Hungary, after the end of World War I, it was ceded to the Romanians, and now, the city is the third largest city in Romania, but in fact, the area is not large, in Jiang Chenxi's opinion, it is about the same size as some large towns in China. However, unlike the high-rise buildings that have begun to be built in towns and villages in China, many buildings can be seen along the way with the shadow of the European Middle Ages, and this is a small city with historical precipitation.

……

“FUCK！” Streller, who was wearing headphones and playing a mobile game with a controller, suddenly cursed, threw away the controller, and sat in his seat sulking.

Sitting next to Jiang Chenxi, Salah, who was playing Plants vs. Zombies, was startled.

Everyone else glanced at Strayler, but said nothing.

They all know that this teammate is in a bad mood right now.

……

In the match against St. Gallen, the starting high school striker Streller was criticised by David Brown, a journalist for the Basel Daily. Zahavi quipped that Streller was almost invisible throughout the game, 'It's not Streller's responsibility to lose, but in this game, did Streller play?' ’

This is too heart-wrenching.

Zahavi then pointed the finger at Basel coach Heckie. Vogel, saying that Volger broke up Alexander for no reason. Frey and Marco. Streller's pair of fixed strikers in last season's Champions League round of 16 was a huge mistake. That's why Streller has felt terrible scoring this season, and for that Vogel is responsible.

……

In fact, Zahavi's words are a bit exaggerated, Jiang Chenxi has only started three times in all competitions this season so far, and Streller has started more times than Jiang Chenxi.

Moreover, Jiang Chenxi has repeatedly substituted for the savior, all of whom are replaced by the underperforming Streller, in the arena, the survival of the fittest, the capable live in it, and whoever does it is the most direct truth.

However, when a journalist is determined to criticize someone or something, he always has a reason.

……

Zahavi's spearhead was pointed at Volger again, and then at Jiang Chenxi in a roundabout way.

It stands to reason that Zahavi is defending Streller, but the Swiss striker doesn't appreciate it at all, and he doesn't like the journalist's sowing discord.

Although Jiang Chenxi now poses a threat to his main position, from the bottom of his heart, Streller still admires this Chinese teammate, and Jiang Chenxi's hard work and serious attitude in training and games are not to be said.

Moreover, Jiang Chenxi is very good at being a person, this is an optimistic and cheerful young man, who takes the initiative to chat with everyone, takes the initiative to integrate into the team, and can be regarded as chatting with everyone in normal times.

In a word, competition is a work category, outside of competition, although it is not necessarily a friend, but it is not an enemy, professional football itself is a cruel competition, as a professional player must always face the consciousness of competition.

Streller is most annoyed by his recent scoring form, who can blame him for his poor form?!

……

Jiang Chenxi also heard about Zahavi, the reporter who had been targeting him, and fired at Streller and head coach Vogel.

What Zahavi thought, he didn't bother to pay attention to.

However, one thing is certain, the Basel Zeitung columnist is now the least favorite media personality of the Basel team, and it is even rumored that the club's top brass has issued a stern warning to the Basel Zeitung.

……

Two days later.

Cluj.

Gruja Stadium.

The whole Basel team sat in the away dressing room at the Gruja Stadium and listened to the head coach Hecky. Vogel made his final speech and pre-war deployment.

"In this game, we have no choice but to win and at least two clean sheets! All other results are unacceptable. Vogel's expression was very serious, he glanced around, "The Champions League is my goal, is anyone who doesn't want to play in the Champions League?" ”

If no one is silent, how can you not be eager to play in the Champions League.

'I know it's a bit bad for us to be 2-1 in the first leg and it's a bit difficult to come back and beat Cluj by two goals away. But nothing is impossible! When we beat Manchester United last season to qualify for the group stage, almost the world didn't expect us to do it! Our home win over Bayern Munich in the round of 16 was something that no one could have imagined, so nothing is impossible...... Beat them! Let's go to the Champions League! ”

……

Meanwhile, in the home team's dressing room at the Gruja Stadium, Cluj coach Ivan Brown. Anthony was also doing pre-war mobilization.

'We played really well in the first leg away from home and now we're just one step away from the Champions League, this is our home stadium, it's our turf, don't give Basel any chance, so, gentlemen, go ahead, win this game, qualify for the main draw, what does that mean, you know better than me, higher stage, more chances to perform, go ahead, win the game, you are the heroes of Cluj.'

……

Meanwhile, in the away dressing room next door, FC Basel manager Kent Brown. Hasler walked up with his suitcase in his hand.

"Qualifying for the Champions League is good for the team and the players, you all know that, I won't say more, let's be practical!"

The fat manager opened the suitcase and spread it out on the table, where colorful bills were spread.

Wow!

There was an exclamation.

Everyone's eyes were attracted by this large pool of banknotes.

……

"It's 500,000 euros in cash, win the game and qualify for the Champions League, it's all yours." Kent. Hasler said.

There was a burst of cheers from the scene.

Woger looked at this scene with a wry smile, and he said that such a big call was not as effective as Hasler's trick.