After posting on "Moments," the three Marks also took their individual player cards back to the locker room.
When they saw Mark's overall rating and his various stats, his teammates felt he was undervalued: "Speed is only 90?! Has EA even watched your games?!"
"Exactly! They have no idea how fast you run!"
"Also, Shooting is only 70?! You're the top scorer in the Bundesliga!"
"That's right, it should be at least 80!"
Meanwhile, sitting nearby and looking at Mark's player card, Malanda couldn't help but become engrossed.
He was also a fan of the FIFA Series, and naturally understood the significance of an 85 overall rating.
You have to know that when drawing player cards in UT Mode, only first-rate players with an overall rating of 85 or above would walk out from the side.
However, although he felt a little envious internally.
Malanda was also very happy for Mark.
Because, as a teammate, Mark absolutely deserved that overall rating!
Mark, who was a year and a half younger than him, was the undisputed hero who helped Wolfsburg historically win the German Cup and finish third in the Bundesliga last season!
He was also the clutch hero who helped the German Team lift the world cup trophy at the World Cup in Brazil!
Furthermore, he was currently the top scorer in the Bundesliga this season!
Across the entire Bundesliga, not many defenders could stop him!
For a player like this, is an 85 overall rating high?
No!
Right?
Absolutely right!
For Mark, receiving his own player card for the first time was a very novel experience.
Because, in the FIFA game, owning your own exclusive player card is definitely a vital part of every fan's football dream!
Before he transmigrated, Mark had always been a loyal player of the FIFA game.
Furthermore, he started playing with the FIFA 15 generation of the game!
And his favorite game mode was Player Career Mode!
In every generation of the game, Mark would create a brand new original player to serve as his "self" in the game world.
He would then control this "self" in the game world, representing major powerhouse clubs, competing in the five major leagues and the Champions League, fighting alongside or against various football stars, and winning championship after championship!
Doing that, to some extent, allowed him to realize his football dream.
But everything in the virtual world was ultimately virtual.
Returning from the game world to the real world, he wasn't the core player of some European powerhouse club, nor was he a superstar who lifted the world cup trophy and the Ballon d'Or.
He was merely an ordinary fan who was frustrated by the lack of success in Huaguo Football.
Now, he had been reborn and had become a true professional player.
Moreover, he even had his own exclusive player card in the FIFA game!
This was truly a dream come true!
Once upon a time, Mark sat in front of his computer, watching Bundesliga matches broadcast on TV, fantasizing about becoming one of the players running on the field.
And now, that dream had been realized!
And he was about to achieve his next dream:
That was to represent his club in the club's highest-tier competition—the Champions League!
The next day.
Wolfsburg began their Champions League journey for the season.
Aboard a private chartered plane arranged by the club, the Wolfsburg coaches and players arrived a day early in the capital of England—London.
That's right, Wolfsburg, returning to the Champions League after four years, was set to face the Champions League winner from three years prior...
...and Premier League powerhouse—"The Blues" Chelsea!
Chelsea had undergone a major squad overhaul this season and made targeted reinforcements.
Last season, due to the lack of goals from forwards like Torres, Eto'o, and Demba Ba, they were unable to breach the opponent's goal in many crucial matches, thus losing the chance to compete for the championship.
Therefore, in the summer following the World Cup, Mourinho aimed to strengthen the attacking power upfront, successively spending large sums to acquire Atlético Madrid's sharp striker Diego Costa, and two strong reinforcements: former Arsenal captain and Barça star Fàbregas.
Furthermore, they welcomed back the veteran legend "The Beast" Drogba.
Although the team lost key players and legends such as Lampard, David Luiz, and Ashley Cole.
However, the team's defense never gave cause for concern.
Because "The Special One" is the coach who knows best how to organize a defense in football.
Bar none!
Facing Chelsea, who topped the Premier League table, coupled with playing away, Heijin was quite relaxed about the mindset.
Returning to the Champions League after several years, they were there to experience the atmosphere, not to win the trophy.
He just hoped the team could be more realistic and not constantly try desperately to win every match.
Winning or losing wasn't important; what mattered was understanding their tactical philosophy first and then executing what the team was good at.
And Chelsea, the team with the best defense in the Premier League, could serve as the perfect touchstone to test Wolfsburg's offensive firepower!
After the Wolfsburg squad arrived in London, they stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in London.
Mark and De Bruyne were assigned to the same room.
That evening, after Mark finished showering, he saw De Bruyne sitting on the edge of the bed watching TV, and deliberately asked, "You're returning to Stamford Bridge for a match tomorrow, Mr. De Bruyne, what are your thoughts?"
"
Hearing this, De Bruyne was startled for a moment, and then a look of remembrance flashed in his eyes.
As the first stop in his journey to a major club, Chelsea held a special place in De Bruyne's heart.
Unfortunately, just like being abandoned by a host family, Chelsea had also abandoned him.
Of course, strictly speaking, it wasn't Chelsea who abandoned him, but Mourinho during his second spell who gave up on him!
The Portuguese Special One believed De Bruyne couldn't establish himself in the team, so he sold him to Wolfsburg.
Indeed, the De Bruyne back then was not the De Bruyne of today.
De Bruyne's defensive intensity and running range did not meet Mourinho's requirements.
The Belgian's free-spirited style of play was clearly incompatible with the rigorous tactical system Mourinho was determined to build.
In contrast, the more obedient Oscar was favored by "The Special One."
Of course, "The Special One" wouldn't know that this discarded Belgian blonde boy would later become the world-shocking "World's Best Midfielder," and the prime example used by fans to mock his poor judgment.
Images of himself wearing a Chelsea jersey flashed through his mind, and De Bruyne couldn't help but smile: "I don't think I ever started a match at Stamford Bridge..."
"I never thought my first start at Stamford Bridge would be as an opponent..."
"I want to win this match tomorrow, what do you think?"
Hearing this, Mark curled his lips into a determined and serious expression: "Then let's win it!"
September 17th.
The media room at Stamford Bridge was packed with reporters from both domestic and international outlets.
When Mourinho, dressed in a suit and black trench coat, quickly entered the room expressionlessly, camera shutters clicked incessantly, and flashlights flickered wildly.
As the most talked-about coach in the entire Premier League, "The Special One" Mourinho, who had led his team to four consecutive wins to start the season, was certainly in high spirits recently.
When facing questions from the media regarding De Bruyne's return to Stamford Bridge, Mourinho responded with great arrogance:
...
"I don't think selling De Bruyne was a problem. At the time, he lacked intensity in training and lacked patience..."
"I don't regret any decision I've made..."
"Wolfsburg is an excellent team, I won't pay attention to any single player..."
"Mark Lane is a player with great potential..."
"At home, we will dedicate a victory to the fans..."
Compared to the high-profile Mourinho, Heijin was very modest: "We are naturally very happy to return to the Champions League stage..."
"We will go all out and play well in every match..."
"We are honored to be grouped with a top powerhouse like Chelsea..."
As the press conference concluded, both coaches returned to the locker rooms.
For the first Champions League match of the season, both head coaches fielded their strongest lineups.
Chelsea was led by the "fàbregas-costa connection," featuring big-name stars like Hazard, Matić, Terry, and Cahill, making for a truly star-studded lineup.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, was spearheaded by the "wolfsburg twin stars," Mark and De Bruyne, along with Gustavo,
Perišić, Naldo, and other core players were all starting!
During the pre-match motivation session, after the head coach finished speaking, Mark suddenly spoke up: "Guys, I want to say a couple of words!"
Facing the confused looks cast his way, Mark simply said seriously and solemnly: "This is our first match back in the Champions League, and it's also Kevin's return to Stamford Bridge, so it holds great significance."
"I hope everyone gives it their all, whether it's for the team or for Kevin!"
After Mark finished speaking, De Bruyne looked at the black-haired teenager, his eyes filled with surprise and emotion.
He hadn't expected Mark to emphasize the importance of this match for his sake, in front of everyone.
At this moment, Captain Benaglio also agreed: "That's right, Mark is correct. We must win this match, whether it's for the team or for Kevin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone piled their hands together and shouted the slogan: "Go, VFL!!!"
"Welcome everyone tuning in to Sky Sports for the first round match of Group G in the 2014–15 Season Champions League..."
"This is a battle between league leaders!"
"Premier League table-toppers Chelsea are hosting the Bundesliga table-toppers Wolfsburg, who have traveled a long distance!"
In the player tunnel, both teams lined up.
De Bruyne, who was starting the match, actively stepped forward to greet his former Chelsea teammates.
"Hey, mate, how are you..."
"Kevin..."
...
For De Bruyne, this was a battle for revenge.
He certainly hoped to use an excellent performance at Stamford Bridge to slap Mourinho in the face, thereby proving how wrong Chelsea and Mourinho were to give up on him.
Moreover, the opposing goalkeeper was that bastard who had cuckolded him...
As for Mark, although this was his Champions League debut, the match was even more important to De Bruyne.
As De Bruyne's good friend, he naturally wanted to help his buddy complete his "revenge" against his former club and against Courtois!
However, while many media outlets were emphasizing the feud between De Bruyne and Mourinho, and the drama of whether De Bruyne could strike back upon returning to Stamford Bridge.
The famous commentator for the match, nicknamed "The Poet," Peter Drury, focused his attention on the German Imperial Star who rose to fame with a single goal at the World Cup: "In the Wolfsburg lineup for this match, besides De Bruyne who previously played for Chelsea, the most watched player is the Super Prodigy Mark Lane, who won the world cup trophy at just eighteen years old!"
"This player, already guaranteed to be the best youth product in Wolfsburg's history, has been firing on all cylinders in the new Bundesliga season. He has scored four goals in three matches, and his average chances created per game leads the entire Bundesliga!"
"This match is also the Champions League debut for this super rookie!"
"He is also the player Chelsea must focus on marking in this game..."
Just as the commentator mentioned, Mark faced tight marking in this match.
After studying Wolfsburg's recent Bundesliga matches, Mourinho easily identified the most dangerous person in the Wolfsburg squad: the black-haired young man wearing the number ten jersey!
Therefore, he entrusted the heavy responsibility of defending Mark to the veteran "Terrifying Ivan," Ivanović!
Ivanović, over thirty years old, was in his prime and was arguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.
Physically strong, defensively solid, excellent at running up and down the flank, and effective both offensively and defensively!
The first time Mark received the ball, he saw Ivanović appear instantly in front of him, blocking his path.
"So fast!"
Such marking Speed caught Mark slightly off guard.
However, Mark didn't hesitate, immediately dribbling forward and performing a step-over!
Several consecutive Step-over Feints constantly deceived Ivan's center of gravity, preventing him from finding an opportunity for a physical challenge.
Although dazzled by the fancy footwork Mark displayed.
Ivan still managed to maintain his position thanks to his excellent physical fitness, before suddenly stepping across to block.
Although the sudden aggressive block didn't touch the ball but instead shoved Mark, resulting in a foul being called.
The instant they made contact, Mark, who was pushed half a step away, immediately felt just how robust this veteran's physique was!
In their first encounter, Mark clearly felt the defensive intensity of a top Premier League defender and realized one thing:
Ivanović in front of him was the toughest opponent he had faced so far, besides Lahm!
Compared to Lahm, the tall and robust Ivanović gave him an even greater sense of pressure!
Fortunately, Ivan's Speed wasn't particularly high; Mark could still get past him by utilizing changes in rhythm. However, just as Mark was preoccupied with figuring out how to defeat Ivanović, Chelsea was using their left-flank attack to threaten Wolfsburg's goal.
The most active player in the attack for The Blues was naturally "King Hazard," who also wore the number ten jersey!