Come on, say what you just said again

There is a road to heaven, yet you refuse to take it; there is no gate to hell, yet you barge right in!

Ye Chen curled his lips into a cold smile. "You'll regret what you just said!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Makino Tomoaki remained indifferent and walked away.

His idea was simple—provoke this kid, disrupt his rhythm, and affect his performance.

But would Ye Chen fall for it?

The players from both teams had taken their positions, and the referee was checking his watch, waiting for the exact moment to blow the whistle.

Ye Chen glanced at Cologne's lineup...

Aside from Podolski, he didn't recognize anyone.

Of course, the only reason he knew Podolski was that he later played for Arsenal.

Speaking of which, it was because Podolski had scored 18 goals this season that Wenger took notice of him and brought him to Arsenal.

And the one he replaced was none other than Van Persie.

Van Persie had been Arsenal's captain for just one season before being sold. To think he had once said in an interview, "If anyone still remains loyal to Arsenal, it's me!"

The rest of the story is well-known.

Back to the match!

With the referee's whistle, the 10th round of the Bundesliga officially kicked off.

Cologne had the first possession and launched an immediate attack.

Ye Chen soon noticed that Makino Tomoaki was already eyeing him like a predator stalking its prey…

It seemed his only task today was to mark Ye Chen.

But could he really keep up with him?

To Ye Chen, Makino was hardly worth his attention.

Simply put, he wasn't even qualified to be his opponent.

With an ability rating of 81, Ye Chen was already among the top players in the Bundesliga, and among young talents, he was second to none.

How could a Japanese player who couldn't even secure a starting spot at Cologne possibly compete with him?

He wasn't worthy!

Cologne launched an early offensive. Podolski's positioning was excellent, and German midfielder Lanig delivered a precise through pass to his feet.

Podolski unleashed a powerful shot, putting Weidenfeller to the test.

But Weidenfeller reacted swiftly, slapping the ball down before securely gathering it.

Podolski's shot earned applause from the away fans—it was a good attempt.

However, what Cologne fans didn't expect was that this would be their only shot on target in the first five minutes.

Weidenfeller didn't opt for a long ball but instead passed it out from the back, starting a buildup.

Even before Ye Chen received the ball, Makino Tomoaki had already stuck to him like glue.

But Ye Chen wasn't in a hurry. He jogged leisurely, biding his time.

Dortmund circulated the ball quickly, and soon it reached Götze on the flank.

Only then did Ye Chen make his move toward the penalty area, but the cross was too close to the goalkeeper, and Rensing caught it easily.

Rensing had once been considered Kahn's heir, Germany's youth team's starting keeper, and scouted by Bayern early in his career.

When Kahn retired in 2008, Rensing took over Bayern's No. 1 jersey, which Kahn had worn for 14 years.

However, he soon hit a rough patch, and by 2010, he was unemployed until Cologne gave him a second chance.

Last season, he was rated the best non-Dortmund player in the league—though, of course, Dortmund players dominated the top five.

And today, the man once hailed as an "absolute guardian" of the goal would face Ye Chen's challenge!

At 4 minutes and 31 seconds, Ye Chen had just received the ball in the attacking third when Makino Tomoaki rushed at him again.

However, Ye Chen quickly passed to the right, finding Götze.

Makino still crashed into Ye Chen, nearly knocking him over.

"As long as I'm here, you won't get a shot off!" Makino snarled at him.

Ye Chen said nothing.

Scoring opportunities weren't dictated by Makino's words!

The game continued, with the referee's attention focused on the ball. Götze attempted a combination play with Kehl in midfield.

But the pass was intercepted.

Matuszczyk carried the ball forward but pushed it slightly too far ahead. Sven Bender stepped in, took possession, and passed it back to Subotić.

Dortmund's formation today was a 3-5-1-1, an aggressive setup.

The wing-backs played like wingers, providing additional width, while Ye Chen spearheaded the attack as the lone striker.

Kehl played a more advanced role to support him, and Kagawa was tasked with orchestrating the offense.

Klopp's tactics showed complete trust in Ye Chen.

And Ye Chen would not let him down.

The ball was played back to Weidenfeller, who patiently waited for Cologne to retreat before passing to Hummels.

Hummels sent it wide to Schmelzer.

Schmelzer, practically a winger today, saw an opening on the right and delivered a long pass to Götze.

His accuracy was impeccable.

Götze received the ball, immediately pressured by Jemal.

But he didn't force a cross—after all, an earlier attempt had been easily caught by Rensing.

Instead, he spotted Kagawa making a run.

Götze stopped abruptly and chipped the ball over the defenders.

Despite being short and closely marked by Matuszczyk, Kagawa didn't control the ball.

Instead, he flicked it backward with his head—a brilliant setup.

The moment Kagawa leaped, Ye Chen exploded into action!

Calm as a statue one moment, swift as a rabbit the next!

Makino Tomoaki lunged at him again.

Ye Chen stretched out his toe, stopping the ball dead in front of him. He then nudged it slightly to the left while glancing at the goalkeeper's position.

He feigned a shot…

"Damn, he's about to shoot!" Makino panicked and immediately slid in for a tackle.

If he couldn't get the ball, he'd at least make sure Ye Chen paid the price!

Ye Chen sneered inwardly. "Idiot!"

It was just a fake shot.

Makino went to ground, but Ye Chen simply flicked the ball over him.

With a light hop, Ye Chen effortlessly evaded the sliding challenge.

Panicking, Makino lifted his foot and exposed his studs, aiming to take Ye Chen down…

They were now at the edge of the penalty arc, and the two center-backs were still some distance away.

If he didn't stop Ye Chen now, it would be too late…

But even as he raised his foot recklessly, he still couldn't reach Ye Chen!

Ye Chen had anticipated everything—how could he let himself get caught?

The moment his feet touched the ground again, he didn't hesitate.

He swung his leg—

"Boom!"

The ball shot off like a missile toward the goal.

Sereno attempted a last-ditch block but was too late.

Rensing braced himself, reacting the moment Ye Chen struck the ball.

He lunged desperately, like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

But no matter how quick his reflexes were, the ball was faster…

"Swish!"

The net rippled violently!

A thunderous long-range strike!

Pure, unfiltered footballing beauty!

Yet after scoring, Ye Chen didn't celebrate.

Instead, he turned around, bent slightly, and looked down at Makino.

With a smirk, he cupped his ear and said,

"Go on, say that again!"