Nuremberg, Frankenstadion.
On the bench, Nuri Şahin and Chen Tao shivered, huddled on their seats in thick training gear.
Germany was gradually entering late autumn, and the weather was getting colder.
Even colder than the weather was Nuri Şahin's heart.
"Why didn't the coach let me start again?"
Nuri Şahin complained incessantly.
He had clearly proven himself to be the core midfielder for Borussia Dortmund, but the head coach always started captain Sebastian Kehl and the Brazilian, Tinga.
Thomas Doll favored a 4-4-2 formation, with two defensive midfielders and two wingers, which left no room for Nuri Şahin to play.
The same went for Chen Tao; his slender build wasn't suited for a defensive midfielder role yet, but his technique was exceptionally outstanding.
Thomas Doll preferred to have him play as a right winger, breaking through from the flank to deliver crosses.
Nuri Şahin also spoke up for his good friend.
"You played so well in the previous few matches, yet you still didn't get a starting position. And playing on the wing clearly limits your performance. I really don't know what the coach is thinking."
"You can see it, so the coach must know too, but he doesn't dare to take a risk."
Chen Tao crossed his arms, intently watching the match on the field.
Borussia Dortmund faced Nuremberg, who were in the relegation zone, and couldn't gain any advantage; instead, they were being pressured by Nuremberg.
The score was 0-0, and Borussia Dortmund was barely holding on, unable to find any attacking opportunities.
Tinga and Kehl were defensive midfielders, lacking creativity.
The left and right wingers, Delron Buckley and Jakub Błaszczykowski, were both speed players.
The four midfielders lacked any true playmakers, leaving the two forwards, Alexander Frei and Klimowicz, isolated in the box, receiving no support.
Sometimes, even Frey, the forward, had to drop back to participate in playmaking near the center circle.
Did head coach Thomas Doll know about the tactical issues?
He certainly did.
But he was helpless, unsure how to adjust, or perhaps afraid to make adjustments.
He had managed to save the team from relegation last season using this approach.
Once a person enters their comfort zone, it becomes very difficult to change.
Especially for a first-team head coach under immense pressure, overturning one's own tactics faces even greater resistance.
Listening to Chen Tao analyze all of this, Nuri Şahin's eyes widened.
"How do you know so much?"
Nuri Şahin was already a football genius, an excellent playmaker, but he could only understand things on the second level.
Yet, he found that Chen Tao's understanding had broken through the atmosphere?
What a monster!
When others were 15, they were still playing in youth teams.
Chen Tao had already reached the level of a first-team coach?
"Watch more, think more. Performing well on the field can be due to talent, but winning matches requires using your brain."
In fact, the 'God-level ball control' was just a gifted talent.
Chen Tao believed his true advantage was his ability to read the game.
From the sidelines, by observing the match, he had a complete understanding of Nuremberg players' playing habits and tactical vulnerabilities.
It just depended on whether the head coach would consider him.
"Have they both warmed up?"
"Of course, they've warmed up several times in the second half, ready to go on at any moment."
"Tell them to change."
Thomas Doll sighed helplessly.
As a coach, he had reached this point and realized his own mediocrity.
If not for the two young men repeatedly saving the day, Borussia Dortmund would surely have plummeted straight into the relegation zone.
Today, he had to rely on the young lads again.
"Chen, Nuri, when you two go on, try to link up as much as possible and create action on the right flank."
"It's good if you can threaten the goal, but if you attract too many players, quickly switch to the weaker side."
"Understood!"
Nuri Şahin and Chen Tao said in unison.
The coach's tactics weren't new; it was still the same old wing attack.
Chen Tao and Nuri Şahin, like two 'Hum and Ha Generals', stood on the sidelines.
The Nuremberg stands erupted with jeers and mocking chants:
"What kind of Hornets? They're just little bees!"
"They're relying on two little kids to win!"
"Go home and put on your diapers!"
"So you don't cry if you lose, cry, cry!"
Fans modifying songs to mock each other is an indispensable part of football culture.
Being booed and mocked by the entire stadium, Nuri Şahin was already fuming before even stepping onto the field, clenching his fists but helpless against the fans in the stands.
"Want to slap them hard in the face?"
"No, that would get us suspended."
"I'm not talking about a real slap, but a psychological blow to them."
"How do you mean?"
"By scoring, of course! Their booing us means they're scared. Score a goal and shut the home crowd up!"
"Good!"
What Chen said made sense; a goal was the most powerful counter-attack!
Seeing Nuri Şahin's high spirits, Chen Tao smiled without speaking.
He only hoped his good friend would make more late runs from deep.
With both forwards restricted, there were many open spaces outside the box, and long-range shots were undoubtedly the best way to score.
Nuri Şahin's long-range shooting was quite good, so he could take more shots.
...
"Oh, did you tell Nuri to make late runs?"
"No, he's more focused on playmaking and defense."
"Then how did he manage to get into position... Look, there he goes again!"
Assistant coach Dick Fuhren noticed Nuri Şahin's activity.
After Chen Tao came on, he indeed used his excellent footwork to create significant problems on the wing.
In the 77th minute, Chen Tao skillfully turned and feinted along the touchline, deceiving the defender and breaking free with the ball from the other side.
He made a cut-back pass from the edge of the box, and Nuri Şahin's powerful shot was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper!
The 'Twin Stars' had been on the field for only 3 minutes, and Hannover 96's goal was almost breached!
Just 2 minutes later, Borussia Dortmund came roaring back!
It was Chen Tao again!
Seeing Nuri Şahin's pass was too strong and about to go out of bounds, Chen Tao stretched his foot to hook the ball back at the last second, lightly touching it with his toe to nutmeg the opponent, then accelerating past him along the touchline, splitting player and ball!
The brilliant breakthrough drew thunderous applause, and the cheers of the Dortmund fans in the away stand even drowned out the tens of thousands of home fans!
He dribbled into the box, performed a step-over and change of direction to beat the center-back, then delivered a cut-back pass from near the byline!
It was Nuri Şahin again!
His powerful shot hit a defender and deflected out for a corner!
Corner kick!
"I know. It must be their own idea, to let the unmarked Nuri take more shots."
"Should we stop them?"
"No need, this way of playing is quite good."
Thomas Doll also realized the opponent's defensive weaknesses.
He had actually thought of this before, but he was concerned about Nuri Şahin as a young player, worried that he lacked experience and couldn't bear the full responsibility of the team.
The difference with Chen Tao was that he trusted his teammates more!
Even if Şahin missed both shots, he was still willing to keep passing!
Captain Kehl took the corner, and a header cleared the ball to the other side of the goal.
Chen Tao chested the ball down on the right wing, feigning a breakthrough by dropping his left shoulder.
The Nuremberg defender was made nervous and paranoid by him, and this feint directly drew out the defender's slide tackle!
Chen Tao easily chipped the ball over the fallen player, surging into the heart of the box!
Nuremberg's defensive midfielder, center-back, and goalkeeper all focused their attention on Chen Tao, creating another vacuum in front of the box!
Just as Chen Tao was about to be surrounded by players, the ball flew out of the encirclement at an incredible angle, heading towards the top of the box!
"Perfect!"
Nuri Şahin's eyes lit up; the pass was absolutely perfect. He didn't need to adjust his steps; he just met the ball with a powerful shot!
Brother, thank you for your trust!
I won't miss this time!
Bang--
The long-range shot, with intense spin, eluded the despairing goalkeeper, grazing the crossbar and plunging into the top corner!
Suddenly, the Nuremberg home stadium fell silent.
It was precisely the two young players they had mocked the most who combined to deliver the winning goal!
After scoring, Şahin was overjoyed, pulling the assisting Chen Tao with him to the sidelines.
They both turned their backs to the stands simultaneously, pointing their thumbs at their jersey numbers and names!
This is the price for mocking us!
This classic moment was captured by the sideline photographer, becoming the front-page photo of Bild the next day.
"Dortmund's Twin Stars Are Rising! Three Consecutive Matches Undefeated!"