The New Year's customs of North Rhine are somewhat similar to the Spring Festival of the Dragon Kingdom.

On the evening of December 31, firecrackers rang out in unison, and brilliant fireworks pierced the night sky.

Leverkusen's staff beat drums and rattles around the club, meaning to dispel demons and monsters.

on the training ground.

Teacher Belenta secretly took out a double-barreled shotgun from his bag, pulled the bolt, loaded it with ammunition, and threw it to Li Kang.

"Shoot it in the sky! It's a custom in my hometown, don't be nervous."

The words are not finished.

Li Kang pulled the trigger!

Bang!

The sound of gunfire was quickly drowned out by the sound of firecrackers and fireworks.

The air was filled with the choking smell of gunpowder.

Teacher Belenta hurriedly helped Li Kang, who was shocked by recoil, and said with a smile: "What I looked forward to the most when I was a child was to be able to shoot on Chinese New Year's Eve!" ”

In the cafeteria of the club, there is a fir tree and a horizontal tree, and the leaves of the trees are covered with silk flowers.

After dinner, Worrall reached for a thick stack of envelopes from his coat pocket.

"Happy New Year!"

Everyone took the envelope expectantly and quietly opened it, containing euro bills.

This custom is exactly the same as the Chinese New Year red envelope.

The assistant clasped his hands together: "Thank God for him"

Suddenly.

There was a noise on the TV, it was an urgent news break!

Twenty miles away from the club, in the city of Cologne, there are a vast number of ragged goblins!

Teacher Belenta clenched the double-barreled shotgun in his hand and muttered, "God is napping"

The security guards didn't have time to wipe their mouths, so they scattered and ran to the various entrances and exits of the club.

Worrall lit a cigar and smiled, "It seems that I can only stay at the club tonight for the New Year." ”

Everyone nodded yes.

The New Year's atmosphere was too congenial, and the heaviness of the goblin event was fleeting.

It is customary for everyone to gather together and stay until midnight.

Li Kang glanced at his mobile phone, most of which were New Year's greetings from the national team and club teammates.

Old man Toph said his car was smashed.

Kramer said there was a burglar in his home.

Brant said the pork sausage was robbed.

Havertz says he caught two goblins.

As midnight approaches.

Worrall led the group and stepped on the chairs.

The bell rang at twelve o'clock.

The crowd jumped down.

This New Year's custom is a bit odd, and the meaning is: throw off last year's calamity and jump into the new year.

On 6 January, the chaos in North Rhine was completely quelled.

The assistant took Li Kang and carried a few boxes of club souvenirs, and went to Feltings to pay New Year's greetings.

After all, the endorsement fee given by the other party for most of the past six months is too much, and the form must be repeated.

It's cold.

Vans with the Leverkusen crest drive through snow-capped mountain roads.

"Li, the director doesn't let you receive too many advertising endorsements for many reasons"

Li Kang nodded in understanding.

Young players are different from stars, and the most important task is to play well.

The tablet is replaying the 1/8 knockout match: Benfica vs Juventus.

I have to say that there are no weak teams in the Champions League.

Benfica's strength was terrifying, and if it weren't for the help of the crossbar, they would have almost overtaken the comeback.

On the Juventus side, the old lady is no longer the strong team that broke into the top of Europe last time, and they are in the throes of a lack of success: Pirlo left for the United States, Pogba is very alone, Morata is weak when he is weak, Dybala is not mature, Cuadrado likes to work hard, and Marchisio is easy to go crazy.

It's all up to Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, and Bonucci to form a defensive team that is hard to support.

Fortunately, at the last moment of the game, Chiellini scored with a header, completely killing the suspense of promotion.

Li Kang couldn't help but wonder which players he should buy to solve the problem if he was Juventus' sporting director

Unconsciously.

The van drove into the old town of Fertings.

Snow dotted the wooden houses and sculptures, and the surface of the fountain was covered with ice.

Ms. Sandra stuffed an envelope for Li Kang and his assistant, and judging from the thickness and width, it could be judged that it contained a lot of money.

The New Year's greeting customs of North Rhine are a bit long.

The assistant and the Fertings staff chatted enthusiastically.

Li Kang pushed Claudia's wheelchair and walked around the ancient town again and again.

He had memorized the street map by heart, and he would never get lost again.

Although the two have reached the legal age of marriage in Germany, the content and behavior of the communication have not exceeded half a point.

It is nothing more than the woman talking, and the man nods or shakes his head from time to time.

Gradually, the cold wind blew on the body, and it was not so cold.

Until nightfall.

Just say goodbye.

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, the Bundesliga winter break is coming to an end.

Virgil van Dijk arrived at Bayer Leverkusen and, after completing his medical examination, followed the staff to the training base.

After all, he is still a little-known young defender, and even if the club wants to hold a welcome ceremony, not many fans will be there.

Although Li Kang's joining ceremony only cost a few thousand euros to invite many extras, Worrall was reluctant to spend money on the Dutch.

Van Dijk looked at Leverkusen's training facility with a relieved expression.

He had thought that this club in the upper middle of the Bundesliga would be poor, and of course compared to Southampton, it was far behind.

But deep down, I also cherish this loan opportunity.

You have to perform well and try to be in the Champions League.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A violent explosion stimulated everyone's ears!

The assistant looked at his watch and explained with a smile: "Li comes to the training ground every morning, but in order to avoid affecting the staff's schedule, he only starts to practice shooting at ten o'clock in the morning. ”

Van Dijk was a little incredulous, and he tentatively asked, "He didn't go on vacation during the whole winter break?" ”

The assistant shook his head.

The Dutch centre-back was inexplicably poured a bowl of chicken soup:

Li Kang is a superstar who has shocked Europe, shouldn't he go to Dubai to enjoy the warm sunbathing during the winter break?

On arrival at the training ground.

Worrall suddenly stopped and said, "Go and grab Lee's ball!" ”

Van Dijk nodded seriously and rushed to the training ground excitedly!

Li Kang was a little surprised.

Step on the ball with your left foot.

The Dutch centre-back didn't have any inclination to tackle after getting close.

Instead of staring at the football, the eyes of the opponent are on the eyes.

The one-on-one offensive and defensive drill has begun!

Li Kang advances with the ball!

Van Dijk kept a certain distance and began to retreat!

Worrall frowned and praised, "Very cautious, he is observing Lee's rhythm changes and cadence rate, waiting for the opportunity to make a move!" The distance just sealed Lee's ball. ”

"It's fast to retreat!"

Dino couldn't help but exclaim: "His defensive awareness is perfect!" made Lee fall into passivity, and there was no way to get rid of it easily, and his nickname during the Eredivisie period was "

A few seconds later.

Li Kang stepped on the ball again!

Van Dijk made a decisive move!

Now is the time!

Syllable!

Perfect steal!

Look down.

I found myself standing outside the bottom line.

The crowd had black lines on their faces.

Worrall spread his hands and turned to leave.

Dino shook his head helplessly, this is only half the boast!

The assistant asked: "What is his nickname in the Eredivisie?" ”

"Drop-back centre-back!"

Van Dijk looked embarrassed and stretched out his hand to apologize to Li Kang.

Then he carried the ball back to the 30-meter area and signaled to start again.

Sunset.

The two were on the training ground, conducting fierce offensive and defensive drills again and again.

The winter break ends.

All members of the first team are back!

Sun Xingmin recovered from his injuries.

Brant gained weight.

Li Kang's dormitory living room is full of a lot of specialties, what kimchi, what pork sausage.

Calhanoglu didn't bring back the roasted whole lamb, he put down a handmade carpet from the Star and Moon Country.

on the training ground.

Filled with the roar of Old Man Topp: "What about Papadopoulos? What about our main centre-backs? ”

Dino reluctantly explained: "When he was celebrating the New Year in Greece, he stepped on moss and stones to his feet. We can't train for the time being, but we still have Van Dijk! ”

Old man Toph was stunned, slapped his forehead, and then remembered the Dutchman recruited by the club.

Then the whistle blew.

Divide the first team members into two groups and start the team training match!

Four days later.

The Bundesliga is back in the spotlight.

It's a great race day.

Li Kang and his teammates took a plane to Lower Saxony in northern Germany!

The world-famous Volkswagen headquarters!

Bayer Leverkusen will arrive away to challenge Bundesliga powerhouse VfL Wolfsburg!

The standings and historical records of the middle and upper reaches of the Bundesliga in the past two years are completely waste paper and have no basis for reference!

VfL Wolfsburg had Kevin De Bruyne last season, and his record was impressive!

It's simply the second hegemon of the Bundesliga!

Let Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchenchen, Schalke 04 and other Haoqiang suffer enough!

The plane pierced through the thick clouds.

Landing at a corporate airport in the Brunswick area, few airlines fly here, mostly for private individuals.

When the crowd walked out of the pick-up gate, there was not even a cordon: because there would be no fans in the area at all.

After getting on the club bus.

Li Kang looked down at the map of the Wolfsburg area, looked at the majestic Cliff Mountain, and got a general impression of several clubs in Lower Saxony.

Kramer put down the console and said: "Wolfsburg had a strong season last season and sold a lot of stars in the summer window! But they won't be easy to deal with! It's a hard nut to crack! ”

Bender nodded: "Draxler is very good, he is a talented midfielder with a different style than De Bruyne, and the former Bayern main central defender - Dante!" ”

VfL Wolfsburg can be said to be Bayer Leverkusen's nemesis.

Every time the two teams have met in recent years, the win or defeat is informative, but there is never a shortage of goals.

Last season, they played a super score of 4-5 and reversed each other crazily, so that fans on both sides had to take a quick relief pill!

Two hours later.

The Bayer Leverkusen bus slowly drove into the Volkswagen Arena.

The capacity of this stadium, compared to the Bayer Arena, can only be said to be half a catty.

It can only accommodate 30,000 visitors, and occasionally holds large car shows!

But Wolfsburg's fan culture is much richer than that of Bayer Leverkusen, especially in last season's German Cup final, where the number of registered members skyrocketed after they beat Bayern Munich.

Green and white themed elements flood the underground parking lot!

Old man Toph walked to the press conference with ease.

On the way, I also patted the opponent's mascot - the big bad wolf Wo Fei!

Pre-match press conference.

Black Gold warmly shook Old Man Top's hands.

The two of them have a very close relationship.

When he was a player, Black Gold was a disciple of Old Man Topp.

After obtaining his coaching certificate, his first job was as a teaching assistant for Old Man Topp.

Reporters asked questions one after another.

"Mr. Topp, Bayer Leverkusen lost to Wolfsburg for the second year in a row! Do you have the confidence to make it out of the crowd today? ”

"Mr. Black Gold, will you be able to beat the Bundesliga halfway title this season?"

The two managers were unanimous in their answers.

"We're going to win!"

Inside the Players' Tunnel.

Players from both sides greeted each other warmly.

There is not the slightest hint of saber-rattling hostility.

In the first two years, there may still be an atmosphere of life and death struggle.

But now many players in the lineups of both sides have formed a deep friendship during the youth training period.

Draxler and Kramer, the relationship between the two in private is very iron.

Another example: Schurrle and Kramer, two good friends along the way in the German national echelon,

Li Kang looked at the queue of his opponents and found many familiar faces in the classic duel video.

“CTV5！ CTV5！ Good evening, audience friends! ”

"Welcome to the 14th round of the 2015/16 Bundesliga!"

"VfL Wolfsburg at home against Bayer Leverkusen!"

"Every time the two clubs meet, they will give the audience a lively battle against each other!"

"I'm the commentator of this game, Duan Xuan!"

"I'm He Wei!"

"Here's an introduction to the starting lineups for both sides!"

"Wolfsburg are in a 4-3-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: Castels!"

"Right wing-back: Trasch!"

"Centre-back: Dante with Knoch!"

"Left wing-back: Rodriguez!"

"One midfielder: Gustavo!"

"Central midfielders: Alexander-Arnold, Giravogui!"

"Forwards: Kreuzer, Draxler, Schurrle!"

Live room.

The audience was a little confused when they saw Wolfsburg's formation.

-

[Draxler playing center? Is the black gold rotten? Don't fool around! 】

-

[It's normal, De Bruyne played in the midfield last season, and he often rushed to the front! ] 】

-

[Draxler should be playing a false nine!] By retreating! Create space for the midfield strangulation! In short, the attack power is very strong! 】

-

[Don't talk so much! It's a vs. war of attack! 】

-

[I miss Magath's Draxler!] Black gold doesn't use people! 】

"Bayer Leverkusen also lined up in a 4-3-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper:"

"We see a new face! Dutch centre-back from Premier League club Southampton, Virgil van Dijk! ”

"He's going to replace Papadopoulos, who can't play, in this game!"

"We're looking forward to what Bayer Leverkusen's new defensive signing will do!"

-

[What did Leverkusen buy!] Waste of money! Wasn't Van Dijk's performance in European Championship qualifying disaster enough? 】

-

[Reminder: The Dutch team is likely to fail to break into the 2016 European Championship!] 】

-

[Correct, it's not buying, it's renting, I guess Fan is one level better than Papadopoulos! ] The intensity of the competition in the upper middle of the Bundesliga is not as high as in the Premier League. 】

-

[What's wrong with the transfer market?] Why have good defensive players become more and more expensive in recent years? It's even gone! You won't see Cannavaro, Maldini, Nesta, Baresi again! 】

(End of chapter)