Chapter 55 The Grassroots Team Challenges The Giants Bayern!
"Welcome to 'Today's Game Preview'! I'm your host, Sauer."
"The Second Division is heading into its final match! With just one round left, five teams are competing for promotion spots!"
"Cologne has maintained a stable record and has firmly held the top position."
"Union Berlin, the surprise package of the season, surged to second place in the league. Unfortunately, injuries have disrupted their form."
"Thankfully, Su Luo's consistent brilliance with 32 goals has propelled the team forward! With 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, they're hot on Cologne's heels!"
"Due to Union Berlin's rise, Carl Sruhe and Kaiserslautern couldn't handle the pressure, leading to a collapse in their performances."
"These two teams suffered three consecutive losses and dropped out of the top 4 instantly. Paderborn seized the opportunity and quietly climbed to third place."
"Because Union Berlin's home match against Cologne was postponed to the final round for some reason, the suspense in the Bundesliga Bundesliga has been maintained until the end!"
"The top group is extremely tight! The final round could change the promotion landscape of the Bundesliga!"
"Cologne leads with 64 points, Union Berlin is second with 62 points, Paderborn closely follows with 61 points, while Fürth and Kaiserslautern are tied for fourth and fifth with 60 points! Carl Sruhe has 54 points and is out of contention!"
"In the final round, if Union Berlin defeats top-ranked Köln, they'll be promoted to the Bundesliga as champions!"
"However, if Union Berlin loses or draws, they risk undoing the entire season's efforts and remaining in the Bundesliga!"
"Thanks to Union Berlin's emergence, this Bundesliga season has been full of drama and excitement!"
"Now, let's look forward to the final round of the Bundesliga Bundesliga!"
...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At the Berlin United Training Base, the faint sound of footballs being kicked echoed.
Coach Neuhaus, who had been working overtime all day, stepped out of his office, rubbing his sore neck.
After the recent rough patch,
Union Berlin had nearly plummeted to sixth place after a string of four matches.
Seventeen-year-old Su Luo was feeling the pressure too.
A pulled muscle had forced him to sit out for two rounds.
Fortunately, injured players were gradually returning, and Union Berlin was regaining its strength.
Their previous five consecutive wins had propelled them back to second place, just 2 points behind Cologne!
But the competition behind them was fierce—they couldn't afford to relax!
The rescheduled 30th round of the Bundesliga Bundesliga would decide the promotion fate!
The clash between the top two teams would have a massive impact on Bundesliga promotion!
A loss or a draw would allow trailing teams to catch up and snatch promotion spots.
Union Berlin had to push forward! They aimed to secure promotion to the Bundesliga as champions!
In preparation for the final battle, Neuhaus and the coaching staff held a full-day strategy meeting.
Neuhaus himself meticulously studied both teams' tactics until dusk.
As he stepped out of his office, Neuhaus heard the sound of training still going on?
"What's going on? Didn't training end two hours ago?"
Who was still training?
No one usually practiced extra.
Intrigued, Neuhaus headed towards the training ground.
Under the floodlights, a lone figure was practicing shooting on the field.
"Su, why are you still training instead of going to the nightclub today?" Neuhaus teased.
He was accustomed to Su Luo's frequent nightclub visits, so seeing him practice on the field seemed unusual.
Su Luo simply shook his head and chuckled:
"The final battle is approaching, and I want to prepare seriously."
"Is the Bayern game still bothering you?" Neuhaus inquired.
Su Luo readily admitted:
"Yes, it's been on my mind, and it won't stop until we beat Bayern again!"
Under the stadium lights, Su Luo's determination shone brightly!
Neuhaus was taken aback. So, this kid had such deep convictions!
Wasn't it a foregone conclusion?
Three weeks ago, in the German Cup semi-final.
Union Berlin had a showdown with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, were unexpectedly defeated by a second-division underdog,
Their pride had been stung!
Recalling that game, Neuhaus couldn't help but shiver!
Fortunately, due to stadium renovations, the match between Union Berlin and Cologne had been postponed to the final round.
This gave the team ample time to prepare for the German Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich!
Unfortunately, they were drawn away again, visiting the Allianz Arena for the second time this season.
While they had easily defeated 1860 Munich last time,
This time, they faced the mighty Bayern Munich!
Guardiola was fielding his strongest lineup in pursuit of the treble!
With Neuer in goal, defenders Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, and Alaba!
Captain Lahm and Schweinsteiger in midfield!
Ribery and Robben on the wings, the deadliest duo!
In midfield, they had the formidable Toni Kroos!
Leading the line was the clinical Mandzukic!
Such a formidable lineup was akin to their starting lineup in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid four days later!
Guardiola dared to field such a lineup because he wanted an easy win over Union Berlin to prepare for Real Madrid.
However, from the opening minute, it was clear that this game would not be easy!
In the first minute, Union Berlin scored!
The commentator's words still rang in Neuhaus's ears!
"Unbelievable! Union Berlin takes the lead! Su Luo's incredible speed and skill broke through Lahm, Boateng, and Dante's defense and found the back of Neuer's net!"
Su Luo seemed possessed by Ronaldo, executing a bicycle kick combined with an explosive start, leaving Bayern's defense in his wake, and slotting the ball into the net!
Neuer was helpless against that goal!
Su Luo had given Union Berlin a sensational start and lit up the Allianz Arena!
However, this goal seemed to have angered Bayern, the Bundesliga giants.
They launched an onslaught that surpassed all the pressure Union Berlin had faced before!
This grassroots team was experiencing the pressure of playing against giants for the first time!
Soon, Robben, Ribery, and Mandzukic each scored, putting Bayern 3-1 ahead in the first half!
In the second half, Union Berlin suffered another blow!
Robben once again cut inside from the wing and found the net with a powerful shot.
Everyone knew his signature move, but no one could stop it!
Bayern Munich led 4-1, effectively sealing the victory!
But at the crucial moment, Su Luo rose to the occasion!
Almost single-handedly, he almost changed the outcome!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you've liked my work so far and would like to support me, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. since this is labor work and I'm not receiving any payment. your support means a lot to me to continue this fanfic. even a small amount, like 10rs. can make a significant difference.
Please consider using UPI id divyrajsinhsodha5167@ybl
Or you can visit my Patreon page:
patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
patreon have 5 advanced chapters for you guys
Your help will be greatly appreciated.