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In fact, the media will always have the idea that if you play a bad game against a weak team, then you will definitely play worse against a strong team. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 info This is a very marketable idea, but it has never considered the mentality of the players and the morale of the team. It is easy to have problems with the weak team, because most players will feel that the weak team is easy to deal with, and they will underestimate the enemy if they relax psychologically, and once they find out that the truth is not like that, they can't tighten it anymore, so the game is even more embarrassing. And when they face a strong team, because they attach great importance to it from the beginning, their mentality is different, their performance is naturally different, and the field and even the result are even different...... So Hoffenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach played ugly and embarrassed, and it doesn't prove that they will play worse against Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen. Of course, even if they played well in the last game, it doesn't mean that they can still play well in the next game, even if they face the bottom of the league...... While Rangnick said in his post-match press conference that he was happy to have a late equaliser, he didn't look that way back at Hoffenheim.

The first thing to do at the start of Monday's training camp was for all the players to stand on the training pitch and accept Rangnick's criticism.

Rangnick does that when the team is not doing well, and no matter how well you play in the game, there is no special treatment at this time, and you have to be with the whole team to be scolded by your teammates who make mistakes. It's a way for Rangnick to develop team spirit – it's the responsibility of the whole team if the team doesn't play well, and no one wants to stay out of it, even if you are voted the best player of the game. And if the team wins, the honor belongs to the whole team, and no one wants to stand up and say that "winning is all my own credit, and it has nothing to do with others".

So today, the whole team, including Chu Zhongtian, was scolded by Rangnick.

Rangnick scolded for thirty minutes before announcing the start of training.

The team trained intensively, but it wasn't meant to punish them, and it was morale-boosting to be able to equalise at the end anyway, so there was no need for punishment. Rangnick is a tradition of training intensively, with Hoffenheim almost twice as strong as other teams, while in Germany, highly paid players typically train five to six days a week, with a maximum of 90 minutes a day.

That's why Hoffenheim are often able to score in the final moments of a game and always play with a fast-paced attack.

In the run-up to the game against Bayer Leverkusen, the media had been repeating the narrative that Hoffenheim's form was starting to slump, as evidenced by their narrowly missed defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the previous round. What's more, the team has four rounds of devilish fixtures in such a state of mind, and the first opponent is Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Hoffenheim 5-2 at Bayer Arena.

"Hoffenheim will chuckle when he hears Leverkusen's name!" On the TV show, invited experts are giving their opinions on the game.

"Yes, they have a shadow in their hearts about this opponent. The defeat to Bayer Leverkusen was their final defeat in the Bundesliga, and the defeat in the first game was so bad, that Leverkusen left a deep imprint on Hoffenheim's heart. Bayer Leverkusen had a psychological advantage in this game......"

"But Hoffenheim are unbeaten at home, with nine wins and one draw. I think Hoffenheim have a better chance of winning this game because they are desperate to beat Bayer Leverkusen in the game and avenge the first half of the season. In terms of race dynamics, Hoffenheim had no problems. Some guests raised objections.

"I'm also bullish on Hoffenheim to win, considering that they scored 48 goals before the winter break, while Barcelona only scored 44 goals at the same time, Hoffenheim are the most attacking team in Europe, and they are on their home turf this season, and they are unbeaten at home this season, all of which can give Hoffenheim a win over Bayer Leverkusen."

"The number of goals scored is just a statistic in the past, and if you look at the recent games, their attacking line-up against Borussia Mönchenchen has been scoreless, and Hoffenheim seems to have a problem breaking down the dense defence. Chu is a very talented player, but he is not a striker, he is not good at scoring, he can't go up and shoot repeatedly when the team's strikers can't score, so it will be a clash of positions. Also, as for the 'home field advantage' that you are talking about, I think it is precisely the most crucial factor that prevents them from winning - this record has become a rope that binds them, stuck in their necks, and could kill them at any moment. They care too much about this record, but it will make them carry psychological baggage and shrink back in the game. I must point out that although this team is still at the top of the league, their mental quality is actually very average. It's easy to panic when you're behind in a game. In the seventeenth round, they played Schalke 04 at home, and perhaps it was the proximity of the winter championship that made them lose their sense of normality, and the first half of the first half of that game was very ugly......"

Chu Zhongtian felt very funny in front of the TV watching these experts and celebrities making all kinds of remarks there. But he still likes to watch it, and he watched this entertainment show...... The team is bound by an unbeaten home record?

I'm the captain, how could I not know?

We do want revenge, but it's not a burden, it's motivation.

※※※On February 13, the 20th round of the Bundesliga kicked off at the Rhein-Neckar Stadium, the home of Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim will take on Bayer Leverkusen, who humiliated them in the first half of the season.

"This is our time for revenge!" A Hoffenheim fan walked past the camera of the premiere television station with the latest issue of the Rhein-Neckar newspaper in his hand, and the television broadcast gave the newspaper a close-up to the headline.

The reporter didn't say anything, and this shot has already explained the hearts of Hoffenheim fans.

There were thin snowflakes floating in the sky, and a layer had accumulated on the ground. This snow has been written since the early hours of this morning, and it has been falling until now, after eight o'clock in the evening, and it has not stopped.

But don't worry, the Rhine-Neckar has a state-of-the-art geothermal system and drainage facilities, so there will never be any snow on the turf that would affect the excitement of the game. Hoffenheim are a team that is used to working together on the ground, so they also have high requirements on the field. As its home turf, it is natural to strive for perfection in this regard. Mr. Hope spent 60 million to build the stadium, and it is impossible to have no geothermal heat.

The temperature has dropped below freezing on a cold winter night, but the stadium is still packed to the brim with fans who come here to watch the game.

Fans in Germany are known for their enthusiasm, and while the Bundesliga doesn't have any big names, the league has the highest attendance in Europe. So far this season, the average attendance of the Bundesliga has been 39,000, which is nearly 5,000 more than the Premier League, which claims to be the first league, and about 11,000 more than La Liga, which also claims to have surpassed the Premier League's top spot. Even under the invasion of the financial turmoil, the Bundesliga still maintained a very high attendance rate.

As an upstart this season, Hoffenheim is even more sought after by many people. Hoffenheim jerseys are now the most popular sports equipment in the country, and many kids want to get a Hoffenheim blue jersey. So much so that Hoffenheim's jerseys were completely out of stock, and even Hoffenheim FC's fan goods store in Hoffenheim only sold children's jerseys. Karstadt, Germany's largest retailer chain, removed the Hoffenheim jersey option directly from its sales page on its online website because it was out of stock. And in Hoffenheim's own online fan shop, all the fan supplies are sold out. On the eBay trading site, a Hoffenheim jersey was sold for more than 100 euros, and even the team's training jersey was priced at 70 euros, exceeding the price of authentic jerseys from other clubs.

Whenever the team's manager, Rotthouse, sees this, he remembers the time when the team had just been promoted to the First Division, when they were worried about whether the rented Karl Benz Stadium, which had a capacity of 26,300 people, could be filled.

Now it's like a dream, it's happening. Just like Rangnick said to Chu Zhongtian after he joined the team - one day, as our results get better and better, there will be more and more fans who support us!

"Hoffenheim! Hoffenheim! We are Hoffenheim! Such shouts echoed over the Rhine-Neckar Stadium.

When Hoffenheim's bus arrived outside the stadium, you could hear the shouts from inside the stadium. Although there were still snowflakes in the sky, it couldn't stop the fans.

※※※Because it is a snow battle, the team must be extra careful and careful when warming up, and any player who does not focus or does not take the warm-up seriously during the warm-up will be punished quickly.

Hoffenheim's players don't need to be reminded by assistant coach Zeidler that they are working hard during the warm-up. Because they have long been hungry for this game.

As the media said before the game, Hoffenheim saw the game as a battle for revenge. The team's first defeat in the Bundesliga last season was sent by Bayer Leverkusen, and it also lost 2:5, which can be described as a heavy defeat. After that race, it was thought that the promoted team had finally been beaten back to its original shape. Fortunately, Hoffenheim did not sink there, otherwise everyone would never have seen that exciting "rural miracle".

Despite this, the Hoffenheim players were still haunted by the defeat in that game. Even if they win the attack title and draw with Manchester United on the road, they still can't let go of this heavy defeat. They were also conceded five goals against Bremen, but they also scored four goals and fought back from three goals down to draw 4-4.

Only against Bayer Leverkusen, they lost and had no way to fight back. Such a failure is the most unwilling defeat for the entire Hoffenheim team. Now that Hoffenheim has mixed well and won the winter championship of the league, it is natural to think about revenge.

Bayer Leverkusen's fans are mocking Hoffenheim with the defeat and putting psychological pressure on them.

"5:2 last time, 5:0 this time!!"

Signs like this can be seen everywhere in the stands of the away fans.

※※※After the warm-up, the players from both sides returned to their respective locker rooms.

The dressing room at the new Stade Rhine-Neckar is much larger than that at the Carl Benz Stadium, with 18 players plus a variety of coaches and staff all present in the dressing room at the same time, and it will not look crowded.

Chu Zhongtian's position is still at the door, which is a Hoffenheim tradition - the captain sits next to the door.

Eduardo came in with a strange yell, "How long is it until the game starts?" I can't wait! ”

"Half an hour, Carlos, are you so anxious?" A teammate answered him.

"I'm worried that if I go out in another half an hour, my body will be cold again." Eduardo Dow.

"Then you just keep running!" Chu Zhongtian said.

"Uh......" Eduardo was silent, and the rest of his teammates burst into laughter. Eduardo's physical strength is not good, if he is allowed to run like Chu Zhongtian, I am afraid that he will lie down at halftime.

was tossed by Eduardo, and the atmosphere in the locker room became lively again.

When all the players came in, it wasn't long before head coach Rangnick and two assistant coaches pushed through the door.

First the assistant coach Marić pushed the door in and then said to everyone: "All right, boys. All quiet, here he comes. ”

He didn't say who "he" was, but everyone knew who "he" was.

So the music in the locker room was turned off, the chatting and conversation stopped, and everyone quieted down, looking at the entrance, waiting for his arrival. Rangnick wasn't good at dealing with big names when he was Schalke 04, but he managed the young players well. The young people of Hoffenheim both loved and feared him.

Soon, head coach Ralph. Rangnick and the team's other assistant coach, Zeidler, walked in.

When Rangnick came in, he stood in the middle of the dressing room and looked around at the players. Some were staring at him, others were looking down at their toes.

It seems that the emotions of the players are quite normal, although it is a revenge battle, but there is no screaming before the game to draw the opponent. It's no different than before any Bundesliga game starts. It's best to have the motivation to compete, but not to get too excited. Now this is Hoffenheim, like a wolf lurking in the night, unable to see any threat. But as soon as the prey relaxes, it rushes out and bites the opponent's vital point, which is likely to be fatal.

"Boys, I don't have much to say, I said what I had to say last night, you just have to remember to score as soon as possible......

"What do we do if they get the ball first, sir?" Obassi asked, raising his hand.

"If they score first? Then we'll get it back as soon as possible. After jokingly answering Obasi's question, Rangnick turned to the players and said: "I still can't forget that game, we lost 5-2 to Bayer Leverkusen. Now is a good opportunity. We were held to a draw by Borussia Monchengladbach in the last game, which must have given Bayer Leverkusen the illusion that we have not been in good form lately and that it would be nice if they really thought so. Don't be tempted after the opening kick-off, go straight to their goal! Strive for the first goal, as long as the first goal is the first goal, the initiative of the game is in our hands! ”

"Remember, the first team will take the initiative in the game, and we have the ability to score first!"

※※※ After the players came on the field, there were still snowflakes in the sky, and the snow seemed to be getting heavier and heavier. Chu Zhongtian glanced up at the night sky and was dazzled by the flying snowflakes.

It's not the first time he's fought a snow battle. Whether it was at Hoffenheim or in Metz before, he fought in the snow. Metz is in the northeast of France, and there are many snowfalls every winter, and Chu Zhongtian has long been used to playing football games in the snow.

He changed his long spikes today to cope with such a scene. Thinking about the first snow battle, running on the field is the same as skating, he, the offensive and defensive core, fell I don't know how many times, and the number behind him is almost invisible in the mud, he can't calmly control the football in such a slippery environment, and the opponent will lose the football as soon as he is forced to grab. At that time, he was embarrassed.

Nowadays, it is still very difficult to play football in the snow, but Chu Zhongtian is no longer the rookie he used to be.

Last year's game was also a shame for Chu Zhongtian. He has a strong personality, he is not willing to admit defeat easily in anything, he always wants to win, and he wants to be a winner. But when he was ambitious at Hoffenheim and wanted to create a new situation, he was knocked to the ground by Bayer Leverkusen. His own performance in that game was definitely not good, as the core of the team, the performance was poor, and it was a matter of course that the team lost the game.

So Chu Zhongtian has always attributed the failure of that game to his poor performance. Now it's Bayer Leverkusen again, and this game is his revenge. He can't tolerate a team that doubles his team in a season and that would be a complete failure for him. Lost last time, this time to win back no matter what.

"Go first!"

Head coach Rangnick's voice echoed in his head.

Chu Zhongtian retracted his gaze and found that the referee and the captain of Bayer Leverkusen were already waiting for him to go over and pick a side.

The captain of Leverkusen is Rolfes (simon_rolfes), and after seeing Chu Zhongtian coming up, he took the initiative to stretch out his hand and shake it.

Until now, they are not enemies and can shake hands like this. Once the referee blew the whistle, in Chu Zhongtian's eyes, everyone wearing a red jersey would be an enemy.

Chu Zhongtian got the right to kick off, and after Chu Zhongtian ran back, he gathered his teammates to surround him.

"I'll just say one word." He raised his right index finger and reached out to the center of the circle.

"Go first!"

(To be continued)