Grass roots glory

Chapter 204 Get ready, score a goal
With a 2:1 victory over Wolfsburg at home, Schalke 04 finally managed to stop the bleeding after two rounds of invincibility.Although in this round of the game, Bayern reversed Nuremberg 2:1, Schalke has to stay in the second position for the time being.However, taking advantage of the momentum of the Champions League to regain the rhythm of victory is obviously more important to the team's momentum.

Next week will be another week of double matches. In the middle of the week, Schalke will continue to play in the second round of the German Cup. Schalke 04's opponent in the second round is the Bundesliga team Bochum.

As long as Schalke attacks with all their strength in a normal state, winning should not be a problem...but their luck is really not very good.Bayern's opponent is the Bundesliga team Oberhausen, and Dortmund's opponent is the Bundesliga team Karlsruhe-the Bundesliga relegated team last season.

Playing against a Bundesliga team, no matter how easy it is, will definitely consume more.But even so, Magath's "German Cup rotation" practice is still unshakable.In the past few days, the focus of rehearsal is also on the bench lineup, including several players he values ​​more.Hollerbach was worried that there would be no problems if the conference was delayed like this: "Felix, if our opponent is the Bundesliga team, even if it is the Bundesliga team, I absolutely support you to do so unconditionally, but do you still want to do it now? Don't forget the lesson of Schalke 04 in the second round of the DFB-Pokal last season."

Magath obviously knew what happened in the German Cup last season. It can be said that it shocked the entire German football world at that time, and the Dortmund media also mentioned it not long ago.He looked back at Hollerbach and said: "We only have a sufficiently competitive lineup now, but the main players are not hard-core. If we don't take the opportunity of the German Cup to give everyone a rest, we can let everyone play in the league. Even the Champions League match day off? Also, don’t mention historical records to me, that stuff is nothing but media hype. We are here to accomplish what our predecessors failed to do. Even if it is a substitute lineup, if even the relegation team wins No, don't mention defending the title as soon as possible, so as to save the embarrassment and throw it to the whole of Germany."

Before the training, Magath reported good news to everyone: the next German Cup will be played from the bench.

This time, the main players secretly rejoiced—finally they could take a breather.

The substitute players are even more happy-finally they can flex their muscles!

Magath announced the plan in advance, which greatly stimulated the spirit of the substitute players, and everyone obviously worked harder in training.

The physical training every morning is nothing new, just the same old ones, but because there are no mountains around the training base, the terrain of the city of Gelsenkirchen is flat.So the mountaineering run became a switchback run, and the rest of the push-ups and leapfrogs were routine.

When it came to the tactical training part in the afternoon, Magath called both Matip and Westerman over, and said: "The task for you two to fight in groups is to keep an eye on Jiang for me, and do your best to give Jiang the best chance." His greatest pressure is physical confrontation, pulling, shoveling, as long as he doesn’t injure people with shovels, you can do whatever you want, but you can’t let him shoot the ball into the goal of your group.”

Matip's eyes lit up. He and Jiang Hao had a lot of discussions when they were in the U19s: "It's very interesting, but the boss, I don't need Haike, I can handle it by myself."

Westerman also added: "Yes, boss, let me defend Zhou. To deal with a rookie like Jiang, we don't need the two of us."

"You don't want to? That's good..." Magath said, pointing to the fitness coach Reuthard not far away, "Follow Pugh to improve your fitness!"

The two shrank their necks and immediately begged for mercy: "No, no! Boss, let's just go."

After speaking, the two quickly ran away as if fleeing for their lives.Magath's so-called "stretching a circle of physical fitness" is to go back to the things that have been done in the physical training in the morning. Even a person like Matip who is not weak in physical fitness like Zhou Tiancheng feels terrible...

Turning his head around, Magath asked Jiang Hao alone: ​​"Jiang, your confrontation has improved a lot during this time. Have you felt any changes?"

"Yes!" Jiang Hao replied bluntly, and rolled up his sleeves to show off his muscles. It is indeed thicker than when he first entered the first team. The arms are like this, and the muscles on his body have grown significantly more. "I feel empowered."

Magat nodded: "But don't be overly superstitious about strength. You are not a player like Zhou. Speed ​​and dexterity are your advantages. This must be maintained. The growth of muscles is only for protection, to ensure that you do not frequently fight in high confrontation." Injury, your current muscle strength is enough."

Jiang Hao was a little disappointed after hearing this, he thought he could become a muscular man like Zhou Tiancheng... Even if he looked perverted, he didn't object.

"So, I'll give you a challenge. After training later, I arranged for Joel and Heike to defend you together..."

Jiang Hao immediately opened his mouth wide: "Boss, I can't handle this! It's just that Joel is pretty much alone, and Heike is the main force."

"I didn't let you score a 1V2 goal, can you listen to me?" Magath continued, "As long as you can get past their defense and enter the penalty area, and finally shoot the ball within the goal. It's not difficult. OK?"

Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, this sounds more realistic.

Jiang Hao stood in front of Westerman and Matip, looking at the two mountains, although his expression was calm, he couldn't help muttering in his heart.

After all, one of them is the main force!
The two coincidentally glanced at Jiang Hao sympathetically, and Westerman said, "Jiang, it's a pity that you offended the devil, and he wants to deal with you like this. But don't worry, I will let you go later. .”

Jiang Hao chuckled: "I don't need it. Haike, the main force is amazing, isn't it? I have come here by stepping on so many main players. So I am a man with handles. I haven't competed with you yet, I heard that you were selected for the German team? I don't seem to see how strong you are!"

Westerman was obviously agitated by Jiang Hao, and his face darkened: "Okay, you asked for it yourself, I hope you don't give up so early!"

Matip was next to him, and gave Jiang Hao a look helplessly, the meaning was obvious: You are out of your mind!

……

For the first one-on-two, Jiang Hao came up and directly drove to the penalty area with his speed advantage. Matip was very familiar with Jiang Hao's breakthrough method, so he directly stopped Renhe with one foot. Between the balls, Jiang Hao either jumped away, or had to make a small circle to catch the ball, and taking advantage of this time, Westerman could catch up from behind.

But Jiang Hao has always been like this. He drove the ball into the penalty area without slowing down at all, and just after entering the penalty area, he took a shot and hit the goal post firmly.

The ball surprised Westman, and Jiang Hao was a little dissatisfied. Although the coach said that it was enough to hit the goal, he felt that the ball should be scored.

well!Still haven't played for too long, I feel rusty!Jiang Hao secretly sighed.

But he still turned his head and said proudly: "Heike, I'm sorry, I won a game first."

Westerman said in a deep voice, "You won't have another chance next time."

In the second confrontation, Westerman directly intercepted Jiang Hao with a dribble at the moment Jiang Hao started based on his experience.

Glancing briefly at Jiang Hao who was lying on the ground, Westerman deliberately sneered: "Is this the only trick you know?"

Jiang Hao, who suffered a loss once, knows that his sprint can no longer be used, and it is time to show his real skills.

However, his physical fitness and toughness are very difficult for these two people. Fortunately, Jiang Hao's current ball handling skills are not bad. Passed Matip, who is relatively inexperienced, against Westerman, and shot directly into the corner.

For being able to make this series of dribbling moves, Jiang Hao thanked the U19 coach Elgort in his heart.

……

The whole training process was beyond Magath's expectations. Jiang Hao could pass Matip one-on-two. Although he was intercepted a lot by Westerman, as long as he chooses to shoot, he can hit the goal in nine out of ten. The probability of scoring is also more than half.

"Jiang, to be honest, I rarely praise people, but I must say that your efficiency is good. It seems that you are really ready to play at all times."

Jiang Hao smiled: "That's for sure, isn't the striker always ready to score?"

Magath nodded: "In the next game, you will bring this state and go to the field to score goals!"

(End of this chapter)