Bang!
Robben dribbled past R. Ricardo, cut inside horizontally, and unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that struck Malanda and rebounded.
From the bench, Mark Lane immediately waved his towel, cheering loudly for his teammates:
"Junior (Malanda), well done!"
"That's it!"
Seeing Mark Lane so excited, his other teammates couldn't help but cover their faces, pretending not to see him.
This humorous scene was also captured by the live broadcast:
"Haha, Mark Lane is fully engaged on the sidelines!"
As Wolfsburg's targeted defensive strategy proved effective, Bayern's most threatening wing attacks were stifled.
Helpless, Bayern could only try to penetrate through the middle with passing and movement, aiming to get the ball to Götze to finish.
However, even when Kroos delivered several perfectly weighted through balls, he couldn't connect with Götze.
This was because Naldo was very experienced; he would often anticipate and steal the ball before Götze could even receive it, poking it away with his long legs.
Unable to outmuscle Naldo, Götze could only try to find space and help create opportunities for his teammates.
Yet, even seeing the struggles in the attacking third, Guardiola remained seated on the bench, showing no signs of anxiety.
Perhaps in his view, the team's attacking setbacks were temporary, and a goal would come soon.
Perhaps because it was a cup final, a single-match decider, both teams held back somewhat in the opening thirty minutes.
Although there were exchanges of attacks and defenses, no goals were scored.
It wasn't until thirty minutes into the match that a change finally occurred on the field!
During a challenge with Caligiuri, Bayern captain Lahm pulled a thigh muscle and sat on the ground.
"Lahm appears to be injured. If he can't continue, Bayern has two other defenders on the bench: Contento and Van Buyten..."
Seeing this, Guardiola, who had been sitting calmly, suddenly stood up.
After an examination by the team doctor confirmed Lahm couldn't continue, and seeing the doctor on the field signal for a substitution, Guardiola frowned on the sidelines and immediately waved for Contento to change and prepare to come on.
While Lahm's injury was regrettable,
from an opponent's perspective, Bayern losing a defensive leader was absolutely an opportunity for Wolfsburg!
It was known that under Lahm's defense, Caligiuri on the right wing had no chances whatsoever.
However, just as Wolfsburg thought the goddess of victory was smiling upon them, Bayern scored first!
In the forty-second minute, Robben on the right wing received a through ball from Rafinha and once again took on Ricardo one-on-one.
This time, as he cut inside horizontally along the "Robben Corridor" to the edge of the penalty area, he didn't choose to shoot directly. Instead, he faked a shot, dribbled past Malanda, and then passed the ball to Götze inside the box.
"Mario!"
Hearing Robben's call, Götze didn't choose to control the ball and turn. Instead, he met the ball and immediately back-heeled it to Robben. At this moment, the unmarked Little Flying Dutchman was ready, swinging his left leg and unleashing an inswinging shot!
With a "whoosh," the ball arced beautifully through the air, narrowly evading Benaglio's fingertips, grazing the inside of the post, and nestling into the net!
The next second, the entire Berlin Olympic Stadium erupted with thunderous cheers!
Götze set it up, Robben curled it in!
Just a flash of brilliance between a superstar and a super talent broke the deadlock on the field!
After scoring, Robben excitedly ran to the corner flag and performed a knee slide.
Seeing this, Mark Lane couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"Old Robben's knees are truly durable..."
This goal held until the halftime whistle blew.
Back in the changing room, Mark Lane clearly felt his teammates' spirits were a bit low.
They had more chances in the first half, yet the opponent scored with a simple one-two.
Such an easy goal conceded made them feel all their first-half efforts were wasted in mere seconds. When Hecking entered the changing room, he also sensed this low atmosphere.
However, he didn't blame his players but encouraged them:
"In my opinion, we played well in the first half!"
"We created many chances. Although we didn't capitalize on them, we still caused a lot of trouble for the opponent."
"Forget about that goal. If we just keep playing like this in the second half, we will definitely score!"
In contrast, in the other changing room, Guardiola acted as if he was the one trailing.
"In the first half, although we were ahead, we didn't play as well as the opponent!"
"I don't see your desire for victory, nor do I see the team controlling possession."
"We are Bayern Munich! How can we let the opponent treat us like this?!"
"Get serious!"
Guardiola paused, then turned to the left-back Contento, who had replaced Lahm, and said in a deep voice:
"In the second half, the opponent will definitely bring on Mark Lane."
"Diego (Contento), you need to be careful. His footwork is extraordinary, and his feints are very deceptive."
"However, his speed isn't fast enough. Don't fall for his feints easily. Let him make the first move, then use your body to interfere!"
"Understood, Coach."
"Thomas (Müller), come back more often and help Diego defend. Don't let that kid get the ball so easily and break through!"
Hearing this, Müller nodded with a serious expression.
After a short halftime break, both teams returned to the field.
The second half began with a change of ends.
After Guardiola's lecture, the Bayern players were clearly more energized.
Götze also frequently dropped back to receive the ball, linking up with Kroos, helping the team control possession in midfield.
However, the difference in squad strength gradually put Wolfsburg at a disadvantage.
Even so, Wolfsburg still managed to win the ball in midfield and seize a few counter-attacking opportunities, distributing the ball wide.
Unfortunately, neither Perišić nor Caligiuri could truly break through on the wings and deliver the ball to Olić.
And De Bruyne, though very active in the middle, was quite isolated.
When the match reached the sixtieth minute of the second half, Hecking could no longer hold back.
"Mark Lane, you're on!"
"Alright!"
As the play stopped, the fourth official raised the substitution board.
Number 7 Caligiuri off, Number 45 Mark Lane on!
"Trailing Wolfsburg finally remembered they had an ace up their sleeve..."
"Number 45 Mark Lane is about to enter the field. This eighteen-year-old Wolfsburg dancer becomes the second youngest player to appear in a German Cup final since Draxler in 2011."
"In his last encounter with Bayern, Mark Lane scored his first goal against Bayern immediately after coming on as a substitute. Although they ultimately lost the match, no one doubted his talent..."
"It is said that many clubs are very interested in him, including Borussia Dortmund and Premier League's Arsenal."
Watching Mark Lane about to come on, Guardiola, not far away, raised an eyebrow.
He had guessed correctly.
But why was there a strange sense of unease...?
....
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