Chapter 47: Penalty!
After Coach Schaaf finished explaining the tactics, he looked seriously at his players.
"I know this is tough. You have to withstand the opponent's crazy attacking and save energy for the counterattacks in the later stages, especially for those playing throughout the field!"
While speaking, Schaaf looked at Lin and asked, "Lin, do you still have the energy to run?"
Lin nodded. Although his stamina was depleted, he had a secret backup plan of endurance-boosting energy potions.
If needed, I might have to spend some points to buy an energy potion that lasts for thirty minutes!
"In that case, I won't substitute you. The team needs your breakthrough ability to change the score. In the second half, manage your energy to ensure a powerful burst in the final stages. Understand?"
Lin nodded heavily, feeling the weight of the coach's expectations in his tone!
Fifteen minutes later, the game resumed.
The crazy goals towards the end of the first half helped Dortmund to fully recover from their confused start.
They believed they were invincible on home turf, unstoppable in their attacks!
Therefore, as the second half began, Dortmund players continued to implement their aggressive pressing tactics in the opponent's half.
This kind of tireless running could probably only be executed consistently by a team like Dortmund, always pumped up!
On the other hand, Werder Bremen players struggled to keep up; they couldn't match Dortmund's intensity.
However, such a playing style had its limitations.
As players aged or injuries piled up, executing such tactics would become increasingly challenging.
Moreover, once other teams in the league adapted to these strategies, countermeasures would quickly emerge.
After a few peak seasons, if the team's tactics weren't further refined or altered, the results could plummet significantly.
History showed that after the 12-13 season, Dortmund's performance gradually declined, even facing relegation at one point in the 14-15 season.
This intense physical and potential strain easily led to injuries for players, as in the case of Dortmund's summer recruit Reus, who faced frequent injury setbacks and missed national team matches due to injuries!
A significant part of this was due to Klopp's tactical approach.
For instance, as seen this season, Liverpool's injury woes were apparent.
Klopp was a good coach but not a fit for all players.
Players like Lin believed their style didn't match Klopp's tactics, much like Atletico Madrid's Simeone.
On the field, Dortmund players aggressively pressed and ran diligently.
However, the opponents no longer cooperated - Werder Bremen didn't pick up the pace as before or engage in direct attacks.
Instead, they deployed a defensive block, accumulating forces in their half to limit Dortmund's offense.
While Dortmund's attacking firepower was impressive, the opponents' sturdy defense rendered their efforts futile.
With the Werder Bremen side bolstered by fresh and energetic players, their active defending thwarted Dortmund's attacks repeatedly, leading Dortmund to attempt long-range shots outside the box.
Long shots and set-pieces were standard tactics against dense defenses.
Werder Bremen was prepared for the iron-walled defense; through zonal marking, they limited passing options and ensured key midfield and forward players faced interruptions when attempting shots.
Unable to make clear attempts at goal due to the disruptive defense, Dortmund players took several high shots in desperation, failing to threaten Werder Bremen's goal.
Klopp couldn't sit still; the opponent's strategy was frustrating.
He wanted to ask Schaaf, "What's the use of defending when you're behind in score?"
By sticking to this scoreline, Dortmund would be the eventual winners!
Are you content with just accepting defeat?
If the leading team were Barcelona, their opponent's defensive formation would give Barcelona a victory.
They could control the ball, run down the clock, and exhaust the opponents!
However, possession play wasn't Dortmund's style. They lacked such tactical options.
So Klopp had to urge his players to be patient, knowing they were in the lead and the urgency was on the opponents.
If it weren't at their home ground, Klopp would have considered having his players come back to defend for counterattacks.
However, considering the opponent's strategy, if they backed off, the opponents might not press forward either.
If both teams retreated to their halves and adopted a 'park the bus' strategy, the game would turn ugly, earning thunderous boos from the fans!
Klopp wanted to keep a good image, especially leading in the score. If they scored another goal, the game's outcome would be certain, and there would be nothing to worry about!
Klopp hoped the team would score another goal, but his hopes fell flat.
Under Werder Bremen's unified defense, Dortmund struggled for over 20 minutes to breach their goal once more.
During this time, they had over 70% possession, took 17 shots (12 from outside the box), and their dominance looked like a constant siege on the opponent's goal.
Unfortunately, although there were many shots, less than half of them were on target, and there wasn't even a single goal scored.
After a prolonged period without scoring, and with the waning effect of their earlier boost, the Dortmund players started reaching a physical limit. Their running speed and enthusiasm noticeably decreased on the field.
In the 55th minute, as they saw the opponent's energy levels dropping and their pressing in the front weakening, Werder Bremen's players finally started a counter-attack!
In an instant, they increased the game's pace, changed their defensive stance, and began launching attacks against Dortmund.
Dortmund's players were clearly taken aback. After pressing the opponents for more than 20 minutes, they almost thought the opponents wouldn't retaliate.
But as soon as they relaxed a bit, the opponents launched a frenzied counter-attack, leaving the Dortmund players feeling uneasy!
"Is this your tactic? Are you only willing to compete in the opening and closing five minutes? " questioned Klopp, Dortmund's head coach, reacting first and figuring out the opponent's plan.
Thinking back to the opponents' sharp counter-attacks and the two goals conceded earlier in the game, his heart skipped a beat as he immediately realized the danger!
"Quick, fall back! Don't let the opponents counter-attack!"
If Werder Bremen could produce the same threatening counter-attacks as the first half, Dortmund's goal would be in danger!
They were only leading by one goal. If the opponents scored, both teams would level the playing field again!
With limited time left in the game, if the scores were tied, they might not have time to score another goal to overturn the result.
In that case, they would be dragged into a penalty shootout by the opponents!
So, this is your real objective, isn't it?
Klopp turned to the opponent's coaching bench. There, Werder Bremen's coach was already at the sideline, watching the game attentively, observing the team's counter-attack.
Klopp's speculation was accurate; Werder Bremen indeed intended to push the game into a penalty shootout.
After a whole game, their energy had nearly run out, allowing them to muster one high-quality counter-attack.
If this move succeeded, it could inspire them to rally and defend desperately, holding out for the last few minutes of regular time.
But if this counter-attack failed, they would be powerless to change the score and would have to accept a loss.
This opportunity for a counter-attack was the result of the team's full defensive efforts in the second half, refusing to let their opponent extend the lead.
Otherwise, if the goal difference increased, even a successful counter-attack wouldn't help.
So, they absolutely couldn't miss this opportunity!
The ball quickly advanced from Werder Bremen's half to their opponent's half and reached the feet of De Bruyne.
Under pressure from Dortmund's player number 5, De Bruyne labored to sweep the ball away before hitting the ground.
At that instant, he saw player number 10, in green, sprinting at full speed in the opposing half.
"Lin, it's up to you. You've gotta score!" urged De Bruyne. In the second half, Lin had been conserving energy for this decisive moment.
And now, it was time to use it!
After receiving the ball, with a sideways dodge, Lin eluded the tackle from Dortmund's number 7 and darted into the penalty area, evading the defensive effort of Gunter.
With no defenders in front of him, only the goalkeeper remained!
So, Lin quickly lifted his foot, aiming for the goal to take his shot.
But at that moment, a figure rushed from the side and made a sliding tackle just as Lin was about to shoot.
The ball was kicked away, and Lin fell in the penalty area.
The whole crowd couldn't help but stand up and look towards the referee, wondering how he would rule.
The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
Penalty!
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