The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills

Chapter 273 - 69: A Great and Unforgettable Crushing Defeat! Going on the Offensive Against Bayern! The Locker Room Detective! You’re Not Neuer

Bayern plays a 4-3-3 now.

Goalkeeper: Butt.

Defense: Planic, Badstuber, Van Bitten, and Lahm.

Midfield: Tymoshchuk holding, with Schweinsteiger and Van Bommel ahead of him.

Forwards: Ribery, Gomez, and Robben.

This was the starting lineup that Klopp and the coaching staff predicted for Bayern Munich’s match.

And they were pretty much certain about it.

Barring any injuries during international duty, this lineup was all but guaranteed to start.

Kael’s injury had a huge impact on Dortmund’s midfield.

Switching to a 4-3-3 was a clear signal that they intended to go on the attack against Bayern.

This was very much in line with Klopp’s style.

The question was, could the midfield handle the pressure?

"Shahin, Sven Bender, and Tinga. You think they can handle it?"

Klopp asked, his face etched with concern.

As a player, Wang Shuo had the most intimate understanding of the midfield’s strength.

"For the wings, use Grosskreutz on the left and Kuba on the right," Wang Shuo suggested.

Even though Reus was his little fan, Wang Shuo’s suggestion was rational and objective, based on what was best for the team. Dortmund desperately needed to beat Bayern and secure this victory.

"I’ve played against Bayern a few times and have been watching their matches this season under Van Gaal. I’ve noticed he’s using Schweinsteiger differently than before."

Klinsmann used a double pivot, pairing Van Bommel with Schweinsteiger.

Van Gaal uses a 4-3-3, adding Tymoshchuk behind them.

The objective was simple: to further activate the two wingers, Ribery and Robben.

Both players were skilled at cutting inside, especially Robben on the right flank.

If he were to field a number 10, an attacking midfielder, the final third would become too congested.

So why play a 4-3-3?

Everyone thought Van Gaal wanted to replicate the Netherlands’ 4-3-3 system at Bayern.

"I think it might also have to do with the lack of creativity in Bayern’s midfield. That’s why he often has Schweinsteiger push up to get involved in ball possession," Wang Shuo said, sharing his observation.

He was drawing a comparison between this season and the last.

"You’re absolutely right!" Klopp said admiringly.

The ability to notice such details proved that Wang Shuo was the type of player who played with his head.

"Schweinsteiger isn’t suited for that role. Therefore, I’m thinking of having Tinga specifically press him!"

If Dortmund also played a 4-3-3, it would certainly be Sven Bender or Hummels in the holding role, with Shahin on the left and Tinga on the right.

In Bayern’s 4-3-3 system, Schweinsteiger played on the left, which would put him directly against Tinga.

Standing at just 1.7 meters tall, Tinga’s strengths were his stamina and ball-winning ability.

And being a Brazilian player, Tinga’s passing was also quite decent after he won the ball back.

Of course, having him play as the holding midfielder wouldn’t really work.

He wasn’t the type of player who could hold his position. He was more like a bloodhound.

"Van Gaal is forced to play a 4-3-3. He has Ribery, Gomez, and Robben available, but in reality, he’s not satisfied with Gomez."

Gomez was a very traditional German target man.

He was an excellent finisher, but aside from scoring, his contribution to the attack was minimal.

The media had reported that Van Gaal and Gomez got off on the wrong foot from their very first meeting.

Afterward, Van Gaal praised Olic on more than one occasion.

And who was Olic?

A single statistic was enough to describe his defining trait.

Among all forwards in the Bundesliga last season, Wang Shuo averaged 12 kilometers of running distance per match.

Right behind Wang Shuo was Olic, who averaged 11 kilometers per match.

The two of them were miles ahead of everyone else.

And Van Gaal absolutely loved Olic.

In that respect, he was just like Klopp.

However, at Bayern, Gomez was the "politically correct" choice.

Furthermore, Bayern was also doing everything in its power to promote the young Thomas Müller.

For instance, they recently arranged for Thomas Müller and the legendary Old Müller to appear together at a television event.

The two generations of Müllers gathered, and Old Müller, who was currently coaching at the Bayern youth academy, heaped praise on Thomas Müller.

This was why Wang Shuo was now absolutely certain of one thing. ’My decision not to join Bayern back then was brilliant!’

’Otherwise, I’d be in the same situation as Olic is now.’

"Do you think we can go toe-to-toe with them?" Klopp asked, his gaze fixed on Wang Shuo.

Wang Shuo didn’t hesitate. He looked his coach in the eye with confidence.

"I don’t know if we can match them blow for blow, but as long as the team keeps feeding me the ball, I can definitely take down Bayern!"

"Just like in last season’s DFB-Pokal final!"

At the mention of that final, a flicker of pride flashed in Klopp’s eyes.

It was the proudest moment of his coaching career to date.

Wang Shuo had scored a hat-trick!

"Then it’s settled!"

Klopp was never one to hesitate.

"Kael will definitely be out for the first half of the season. He might even miss the majority of it."

"The captain’s armband will go to Weidenfeller."

Weidenfeller was the team’s current vice-captain. He had joined Dortmund back in 2002.

"But, Wang, I hope you can take on an even bigger role."

"You know the team’s situation perfectly well. And on this team, I think you’re the best person to rally your teammates!"

Wang Shuo felt the weight of Klopp’s expectations and nodded firmly.

...

For the next week and a half, the Dortmund players without international commitments were all busy with intense preparations.

Wang Shuo trained even more diligently.