Godfather Of Champions

Trailing behind the Germany team by one goal in the first half was a source of frustration for many of the England players, who vented their frustrations in the locker room.

“Their jerseys are so blinding to the eyes in the sun. It’s despicable!”

“That’s right. I can’t concentrate at all!”

“Forget about concentration, I can’t even see their movements clearly. Why did the UEFA not stop this kind of thing from happening?”

A group of people blamed the Germany team’s snow-white jerseys and the bright sunshine for them trailing behind.

These voices did not go away when Twain came in with Rooney. It was not until Twain closed the locker room door that everyone realized their boss was here and it was not the time to be noisy.

“What did I say before the game?”

After looking around the locker room, Twain asked with a serious face.

Everyone looked at each other. They did not know why the boss was so dissatisfied. Although we are one goal behind, the team morale is still very strong. It should not be a problem to reverse the score with a goal in the second half.

“I told you that you had to keep your heads cool, but I did not see that in the first half.” Twain spread his hands and shook his head, “I know we feel animosity toward the Germany team, and the game against Germany will give you a surge of adrenaline. But if you let that thing dominate your brains, then we’ll lose this game…” Twain suddenly raised his voice, “I’m not saying this to scare you! I’m not spurring you into action by making negative remarks! I’m telling you this very seriously—”

He raised his arms and waved his hands forcefully in accordance with each utterance, “If you can’t put your focus on how to win the game and instead concentrate on how to get revenge on the Germans, we will definitely lose! Then we’ll entrust the possibility of advancing to the next level to Portugal and Wales!”

“Don’t tell me you have never experienced a game like this in your career? A sunny afternoon with the opponents wearing white or light-colored jerseys, which reflect the sunshine that it is somewhat blinding to the eyes … Did the English Premier League not have games in the afternoon? Did you all lose in games like that?”

The England players slowly bowed their heads as Twain shouted the questions.

“So why did you play so badly in today’s game? Because your opponent is the Germany team! You just think, ‘The Germans are so cunning!’ ‘The Germans are so despicable!’ Did any of you ever thought, ‘I’m going to win the game’? You’ve put all your energies into those details that you’re not thinking about the game now! Now I’m saying this to you, ‘Think of this game as a normal game.’ Are you able to get this in your heads?”

Twain saw George Wood who sat in front of his locker. He did not seem to be listening, as his eyes were fixed on the door of the locker room, but his mind seemed to have wandered to the pitch.

“Now bring your focus back to the game itself. I don’t want to tell you what will happen if we don’t advance out of the group stage. I just want to tell you that we have an agreement with George. He’s waiting for us in the knockout stages and we are meeting him in the knockout stage.”

Everyone set their sights on Wood. Wood indeed did not listen to what Twain said. He was unresponsive to his words. He just continued to stare at the locker room door, lost in his thoughts.

“Are you still men?” Twain asked, “A man has to keep his promise! Once you make a promise, you must do it! We promised George that we will advance to the next stage for him! If we can’t do it, then we’re all not men!”

“Forget the hatred between England and Germany. Remember this is a game. A game that is going to determine which team will directly advance! Now, let’s make a tactical adjustment.”

Twain drew on the tactical board as he spoke, “Toni Kroos is their attacking midfielder, but the German’s attacking core is actually Schweinsteiger. Pay attention to his position. Where he goes means that the German attack is focused on that side.”

That was the conclusion of Twain’s observation in the first half. Toni Kroos was only responsible for passing the ball. “Schweini” Schweinsteiger was the most threatening player. His position was also very irregular. Sometimes he was on the left, and sometimes he was on the right. At other times he would even switched positions with Toni Kroos and take up the role of an attacking midfielder. Despite the rise of his name in Bundesliga in recent years, the core position had never been his, whether at Bayern Munich or in the German national team. He was just a cover for Schweinsteiger. If they focused too much defensive attention on this talented kid, they would let the big fish get away, which could lead to terrible consequences.

“So, our defense must be focused on Schweinsteiger. Restraining him will also limit the Germany team’s attack. With a solid defense, we will then have a way to attack with confidence. We have to be extra careful with defending against positional play.”

Hearing the boss say so, Walcott bowed his head. Obviously the goal concede had something to do with him, which was when they lost the ball during the positional play.

Twain glanced at Walcott and said, “Theo. I don’t know what happened to you. Your performance in the beginning and end of the first half was like that of two different people. But I don’t want to dig any deeper into it. I just want you to know this. I’m giving you fifteen minutes in the second half. If you still play like this, I will not hesitate to replace you. You’re not a rookie and you don’t need me to take care of you. You know what you should do.”

Walcott nodded hard.

“Now let’s talk about the offense. We did have a lot of counterattacks in the first half, but our players lacked in their ability to seize the opportunities… Is it true? No, it’s your attitude that’s not right. I bet you wanted to volley the football in when you’re facing an empty goal. You are not usually like that.” Twain said as he looked at Rooney and Mitchell.

The two men were indeed a little overexcited in the first half. They would appear to use too much force whenever an opportunity was presented at their feet.

“Well, relax, I won’t ream you out.” Looking at the players who were somewhat dejected from being scolded by him, Twain laughed again. He also could not crack down them too hard… Regulating the mentality of the players was a job that required skills.

“The Germans won’t destroy you either. Just relax your minds and you’ll find it easy to beat the Germany team. They’re basically not considered as a powerful opponent at all! I have the confidence to beat all the strong teams in the world, and you have it too. This confidence can help you stay calm against a strong team.” Twain pointed to his head and said, “It’s important up here.”

“When you attack, you should pay attention to the success rate. We are behind the other team. The opportunities for counterattacks in the second half will not increase. Instead, it will decrease. Sammer is a very cautious manager. Such a game can be won easily. Just one goal is enough, so he will have the defense retreat. I ask you to grab hold of every opportunity to attack. I don’t want to see those long shots blindly show up frequently like they did in the game against Wales – the frequency of shots doesn’t lead to goals.”

※※※

On the other side, in the Germany team’s locker room, after praising his team’s performance in the first half, Sammer also made some adjustments. He said, “Attack the moment the second half starts and then slowly withdrew the defense. You must remember this. All I want is a victory. It makes no difference whether it’s 1:0 or 2:0.”

The players nodded their heads one by one. The German players were known for their strong discipline and the manager’s words were like an imperial edict. They would not go against the manager’s arrangement just because they wanted to play a beautiful game.

Oddset Sportwetten, Germany’s largest bookmaker, once ran a television advertisement that used exaggerated mockery to illustrate the characteristics of different leagues. For example, after Serie A league players were injured, employees with hairdryers in hand would follow the team doctors and arrange the hairstyles of the injured players; a European star player in the Qatari league rode in a Lincoln car and appeared on the sidelines of the pitch. He came out to kick a corner kick. Then put on sunglasses as he got back in the car and left amid the cheers of the fans. As for Germany’s domestic league, they represented it in this way – the players on both sides were lined up in neat 4-4-2 formations and marched forward or backward at a uniform pace under the command of the manager with a megaphone.

The description of their league by Germany’s local bookmaker was clearly justified. The Germans’ discipline was not only reflected in football, but also played an important role in other area and even in wars.

Now Sammer told his players that he needed defense and to win in a dependable way. Then the German players would do accordingly. “They’re simply like emotionless robots.” There must be people who complained about German football in this way, that it was rigid, stubborn and mechanical without any artistic flair. But it was precisely this style that made them the most feared team on the European continent. They could always inspire immense hidden capability in desperate situations to accomplish impossible to achieve miracles.

Just like Britain’s famous sports commentator, Kenneth Wolstenholme once marveled, “Some people are on the pitch. . . they think it’s all over… it is now!”

※※※

Twain ended his tactical adjustment just when the halftime interval came to an end. The players got up and walked out of the locker room in succession to make their way towards the pitch.

George Wood purposely dragged till the last. He wanted to talk to Twain alone.

Twain also noticed Wood’s strangeness. He stayed behind to see what was up with Wood.

“Are you looking for me, George?” When the players and coaches had walked out, Twain turned to look at Wood, who was still in the locker room, and asked.

“Bring me on in the second half.” Wood went straight to the point.

“It’s not possible, George.” Twain also flatly turned him down.

“The situation is not good now.”

“But it hasn’t reached the point where it’s bad enough to bring you on with your injury. Otherwise what would your teammates – those who have played for forty-five minutes on the pitch as well as those who are healthy and sitting on the substitutes’ bench – think?” Twain pointed to the door of the locker room, where outside was the corridor leading to the hall.

“Don’t you believe them, George?” Twain asked as he stared into Wood’s eyes.

“No…” Wood shook his head slowly and said, “I’m just… I just don’t want to be a spectator…” He mumbled with his head down.

Twain smiled and reached out to rub Wood’s head. “I won’t make you a spectator. We will definitely go to the knockout stage. I’ll see you there at that time, George.”

He took the lead to walk out.

※※※

When the German players reappeared on the pitch, Twain did not see the slightest bit of smugness in their faces. Instead each of them looked so serious that it was as if they were the ones who were trailing behind with their solemn expressions.

This was the kind opponent that Twain hated most, because they were not conceited and would not underestimate the enemy. They would not be easily angered by him. They faithfully executed the tactics with discipline as long as the manager did not make mistakes. Even in the face of extreme adversity, they would not give up easily. They would still be thinking about how to equalize the score until the final moments of the game.

They were tenacious like a rock. It was extremely tough to compete against an opponent like this. There would be no moments of letting up, and their nerves must be tense for ninety minutes.

To his slight relief, England’s players were back to normal.

The other good news was that by the start of the second half, the lights on the roof of the stadium had been turned on and the bright sun and the dazzling white jerseys vanished. In this way, there was no off-field distraction, and the England players no longer had to squint their eyes and contend with the German player in a distracted state.

It was now six o’clock in the afternoon, and it was already the evening. Clouds drifted over the horizon and dimmed the glow of the sunset. The Nou Mestalla stadium was enveloped in a faint golden glow. If the lights were not turn on, nothing could be seen.

As the temperature dropped, the cool breeze blew into the Nou Mestalla stadium, and the stadium, which had been at a fever pitch for forty-five minutes, gradually cooled down.

But it was only an illusion. When the referee blew the whistle to start the second half, thunderous noise suddenly erupted from the stands, which were quiet earlier.

The English fans’ voices rang out again, and the German fans were not willing to appear weak as well. The stands became a place for fans from both sides to chant at each other. A stadium would have this kind of atmosphere only with the English fans around. Whether it was the Spanish, Italian, French or Dutch fans, they rarely sang for ninety minutes like the English fans.

The Germany team felt the change in the England team. Less than three minutes into the second half, the England team crossed the ball from the sideline to create great danger.

Mitchell’s header brushed against the goalpost to fly out due to Mertesacker’s interference, which caused the German fans to break out in a cold sweat.

This attack was not created by a counterattack, but a chance generated by the England team patiently passing the football back and forth in the positional play.

“The kid’s strength is weak, and he cannot withstand the collision. Next time the defense can use a little more force!” Mertesacker said to Westermann next to him, telling him the secret to defending against Mitchell.

Westermann nodded to show that he understood.

※※※

Ten minutes passed and the England and Germany teams were entangled in the midfield. It looked like no one could get the best of each other. The England midfielders’ defense against Schweinsteiger was largely successful. Wherever Schweini went, he would find himself surrounded by an England player who could be Michael Johnson, Chris Cohen, Walcott, or two full backs. England did not use man-on-man marking defense. Dealing with a player with a wide scope of activity, man-on-man marking would instead mess up their own defense.

Schweinsteiger’s contribution to the German team’s offense plummeted after he lost the space for free movement. England also had more offensive opportunities. But the German team’s defensive organization was very robust. Even when the German team attacked, their rear defensive line was still firmly in place in the backfield. Manager Sammer was the same as when he was a professional player, placing importance on the defense. As a result, England lost the opportunity to fight back and could only engage with the Germany team on positional play. Whereas the Germans withdrew the defensive line and clung fast to defending the middle. Several giants over 1.85-meter-tall inside the penalty area made the otherwise large penalty area appear crowded. It was simply wishful thinking wanting to rely on passing the ball to send the football to the feet of the strikers. The biggest possibility of forcibly sending out long shots would be to waste an attacking opportunity which was hard to obtain.

Mitchell stood in the penalty area and kept putting his hand up for the ball, like a center forward who rushed into the opposing team’s goal. But his teammates could not guarantee that the football would be delivered accurately to his head every time.

Cohen’s passes were excellent, but the England used his side as the main attacking point in the second part of the first half and he was left exhausted by Germany’s defense. Walcott was quick and good at breakthroughs, but there was a lack of fire in his passes.

At this time, Twain missed the injured Bentley invariably. He was not as fast and good at dribbling like Walcott, but he was as good as Beckham in his cross passes. With him on the right side, Mitchell could play to his fullest potential.

However, it was a shame…

Although there was still Adriano Moke around, his characteristics were neither speed, breakthroughs nor passing. It was his dribbling…

Walcott clearly knew the problems he faced. No matter how fast he was, he was left without ample scope for his abilities in the face of the German team’s contracting defense – without any space to sprint, he could not fully play to his technical characteristics. Moke was the kind of player who could get rid of the defense by relying on his skills, but he was not.

The boss gave him only fifteen minutes’ time, and now he was three minutes away from that deadline. He had no doubt that if his performance still did not improve, he would have been ruthlessly replaced by his boss.

Walcott was not willing to be brought off like that in such an important game. It would be equaled to him being labelled as “underperforming.”

Once again, after receiving the ball, the Germany team’s defenders habitually prepared for Walcott’s breakthrough, with the left back, Jansen moving back to compress the space behind him. Although the gap in the front was left to Walcott, he was not too worried. Walcott’s cross pass was of a low quality. Previously, he had four passes, none of which was accurately sent to Mitchell’s head.

Walcott had intended to break through with a cross from the byline and then stick along the sidelines to slip into the penalty area, which would create chaos in this way. Next, he would take the opportunity to pass the ball during the chaos to pass the ball on the ground, to see who could hit the ball into the goal. But after seeing Jansen’s reaction, he changed his mind at the last minute and chose to lift his leg to directly pass the ball!

The football drew an arc and flew into the penalty area.

The quality of the pass was pretty good this time, and the football went straight to Mitchell’s spot.

“Squeeze him out!” Mertesacker was defending against Rooney and he shouted at Westermann.

Mitchell locked his eyes on the football and ran to adjust his position. Just as he was about to jump for the header to shoot the ball at the goal, he felt a force coming at him from below, which caused him to lose his center of gravity.

He somewhat exaggeratedly stretched his arms in the air, gave a loud yell, and Mitchell fell into the penalty area!

No one touched Walcott’s pass, which flew straight out of the end line.

Did it look like it was another terrible pass and a failed offensive?

No!

The referee’s whistle sounded. He ran to the penalty area and pointed at the penalty spot!

“It’s a penalty shot!” John Motson cheered with both his arms raised high.

Mitchell, lying on the ground, also raised his arms high and waved his fists in the air. While Westermann lying down next to him was staring at the referee running over with an incredulous look – how can that be a penalty shot? I only used a little force, but then it was a reasonable collision!

The referee did not care about Westermann’s doubts. He stood on the penalty spot and resolutely gave England a penalty kick! Looking at his serious expression, he believed Westermann’s defense must have been a foul.

Walcott, in charge of the pass, raised his hands on the sidelines and cheered for his pass.

Twain rushed to the sidelines and excitedly waved his fists.

“It’s f**king beautiful!”

Sammer, on the other hand, yelled unhappily at the referee, “It was obviously a dive!” He rushed into the field and made a gesture for the dive. “Can’t you see? Can’t you see it?”

It was not until the fourth official intervened that he turned around and walked back with a dark expression. Leaning against the shed in the technical are, he kept shaking his head as he looked at the pitch. It was an unexpected development. It did not matter how good he was as a manager.

After Twain cheered, he crouched on the sidelines, with one hand on the ground and the other hand over his mouth. He waited for the outcome of the penalty shot full of anticipation and anxiety.

he German players on the pitch failed to appeal to the referee, who did not change his decision. There were boos and swearing from the German fans in the stands, while the England fans crazily chanted to drown out their abuse.

When nothing could be changed anymore, the stands returned to calm.

The German players reluctantly pulled out of the penalty area and gave up the front of the goal door to the England players.

The goalkeeper, Adler kept moving in front of the goal with his arms wide open, putting psychological pressure on the England player who was going to carry out the penalty shot.

Gerrard was the one who came forward for the shot. As he was experienced, he was not bothered by Adler. The boos from the German fans in the stands did not destabilize him.

Facing the front of the stands where the German fans were as well as looking at the many middle fingers in the stands, Gerrard ran up for the shot after the whistle sounded and powerfully blasted the penalty shot into the goal!

Adler judged in the right direction but was not able to match Gerrard’s powerful shot. He only flew past when the ball hit the net.

“What a beautiful goal! Gerrard resisted the pressure to send it in! England has equalized the score! We can now see the hope again!” Motson shouted.

After the goal, Gerrard ran all the way back to the substitutes’ bench and then pointed to George Wood. He came in for a powerful hug with him.

“This goal is for you, George! We’re going to the knockout stage!” He roared in Wood’s ear.

As the cheering crowd dispersed, Twain walked up to Wood and smiled at him as he said, “Just sit back and watch the game, George. Looks like you’re not required to make an appearance.”