novelnext Chapter 467 - 97: Bundesliga’s Top Star! Scoring Madly for the Title
Chapter 467 - 97: Bundesliga’s Top Star! Scoring Madly for the Title
"Every Bundesliga team has its own exclusive 30-second promotional video, and we need to cooperate with the filming."
Wang Shuo remembered. He had indeed seen something about this in the media before.
The short, 30-second Bundesliga promo video is broadcast in every country and region that airs Bundesliga matches. It’s played every week before each round of the league, so it has a huge reach.
The players and coaches featured in the 30-second promo are basically the Bundesliga’s most appealing stars, the ones the league itself heavily promotes.
In the past, it was always stars from Bayern, like Ribery and Lahm.
Last season, it was Ribery, Robben, and Lahm, with Van Gaal and Magat as the featured coaches.
This season, it’s changed to Wang Shuo, Robben, and Thomas Müller.
"According to my conversation with Ralf Kotecki, you’re going to be featured first this time," Shen Qinghe told Wang Shuo with a smile.
"First?" Wang Shuo was surprised.
"That’s right. And it’s a solo appearance, with more screen time than the others."
Shen Qinghe was very pleased with this outcome.
This meant that everyone, from the German Football Association to the German Professional League, acknowledged Wang Shuo as the current face of the German football scene—the star with the most influence and market value.
"During the shoot, we should probably talk to Adidas. The promo will have close-ups of your cleats making contact with the ball, so we should see if they want to rush us their newest model."
At this, Shen Qinghe gave Wang Shuo a radiant smile. "After we film this promo, I’m sure our negotiations with Adidas will go much more smoothly."
’With official recognition from both the German Football Association and the German Professional League, what could Adidas possibly object to?’
For this first round of the DFB-Pokal, Dortmund had an away match against Bughaussen.
They were a team from the Third Division League, so they weren’t very strong.
Wang Shuo considered this and had nothing more to say about it.
’It was an official assignment, and Klopp had already arranged for his ’leave,’ so there was no way to turn it down.’
"Oh, right, UEFA sent an invitation as well."
"To film another promo video?" Wang Shuo was quite surprised.
Shen Qinghe burst out laughing. "Come on, this is your first time playing in the Champions League, and it’s Dortmund’s first time in years. Barring any surprises, you guys are definitely going to be in Pot 4."
Wang Shuo understood.
’He didn’t have the clout yet!’
’Speaking of which, UEFA’s pot allocation system was a real pain.’
It was calculated based on the total European competition points from the past five years.
The *total* sum, mind you.
In the past five years, Dortmund had only played in the UEFA Europa League last season. Even though they won the title, one year’s worth of points was a huge disadvantage compared to other teams’ five-year totals.
For now, the final pot allocations hadn’t been decided; it all depended on the results of the qualifying rounds.
The initial estimate was that the best-case scenario would be scraping into the bottom of Pot 3, but they would more likely end up as a top seed in Pot 4.
This meant Dortmund was guaranteed to draw strong opponents.
Because the first two pots were full of powerhouses.
"UEFA is inviting you to the Champions League draw and awards ceremony at the Grimaldi Conference Center. You’re already going for the UEFA Super Cup, right? You just need to arrive a day earlier."
Wang Shuo made a mental note.
The Bundesliga season was set to start on August 21st.
The second round of matches was on August 28th.
But the UEFA Super Cup was on a Friday night, August 27th.
Therefore, Dortmund’s second-round away match against Stuttgart had to be moved to the 24th.
This meant that on August 21st, 24th, and 27th, Dortmund would face Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, and Inter Milan, respectively.
’That schedule is absolutely brutal!’
This was also why many in the German media were expressing concern over Dortmund’s situation.
They were particularly worried about "Klopp Syndrome."
More importantly, the team still needed time to gel.
Especially the attack on the right flank.
That’s why Klopp had previously told Wang Shuo that he would still be playing in the match against Bughaussen.
This suited Wang Shuo just fine.
He wanted to play in more matches to earn more Passive Value and reach 500 points as quickly as possible.
’Let’s do this!’
’New season!’
...
On the afternoon of August 14th, in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, Dortmund played an away match against Bughaussen.
Even though it was a complete mismatch for Dortmund, Wang Shuo still gave it his all.
Just three minutes into the game, he received a brilliant pass from Götze, controlled it in the penalty area, turned to shake off a defender, and then fired the ball into Bughaussen’s net.
1-0!
In the 13th minute, Wang Shuo sent out a brilliant pass. Reus used it to make a Breakthrough on the left flank, winning a corner kick.
Shahin took the corner, and Subotic headed it in for a goal.
2-0!
Having secured a solid lead, the match turned into a tactical practice session for Dortmund.
Even though their opponents weren’t strong, it was still an official match on their home turf, so Bughaussen was fully committed.
Piszczek was still the starting right-back.
Incidentally, the double pivot in midfield for this match was captain Kael alongside Shahin.
The players were relaxed, especially Wang Shuo, who focused more on using his off-the-ball movement to support his teammates and create plays.
Just three minutes into the second half, Wang Shuo assisted a goal for Reus with a precise through ball after dropping deep.
Then, in the 55th minute, Lewandowski came on to replace Wang Shuo.
Wang Shuo jogged over from the sideline and hugged the Polish striker. "Go get ’em. You’ll do great!"
Lewandowski nodded firmly and jogged onto the pitch.
This was his first official match since joining Dortmund!