On match day, the Rhein-Neckar Arena roared like boiling water, and Hoffenheim fans' scarves formed a blue and white ocean. After the opening whistle, Hoffenheim surged forward like a blue tide, executing Nagelsmann's high-press tactics. The attacking quartet—Uth, Rupp, Gnabry, and Oliver—acted like four precise surgical knives, directly targeting Mainz's passing hub. Uth and Rupp suffocated the double pivots Gbamin and Latza, while Gnabry and Oliver stuck to Mainz's fullbacks Donati and Hack like shadows.
Near the center circle, Demirbay commanded the play like a stabilizing force, and Amiri transformed into an omnipresent hound, contesting every suspicious passing lane. Mainz was suffocated by this relentless strangulation, forced to repeatedly clear the ball long into the front. They hoped for striker Quaison's powerful hold-up play or tried to pierce Hoffenheim's pressure using Öztunali and Maxim's sharp speed on the flanks. Possession remained firmly in Hoffenheim's hands, but Mainz's quick transitions were incredibly fast, with each counter-attack making the home stands at Rhein-Neckar Arena gasp. The two wing-backs, Schulz and Kaderabek, actively pushed forward to assist the attack, leaving behind gaps that became Mainz's target.
The Commentator analyzed at a rapid pace:
"Currently, it appears Hoffenheim is dictating the match tempo, with possession firmly over sixty percent! But Mainz's counter-attacks are like needles hidden in cotton—one threat can be fatal! Schulz's recovery steps, the vacuum behind Kaderabek… these spaces in a top League are wounds that will bleed!"
The match sped to the 18th minute in a fierce struggle between both sides. An opportunity quietly emerged under high pressure. In Mainz's right backfield, Latza tried to pass the pressure cooker to a teammate. Latza's receiving option was Gbamin, but Amiri's sense of smell was as keen as a beast's. He burst forward like lightning, and a precise tackle cut off the passing lane! In a flash, the ball was at Amiri's feet. Without any hesitation, he threaded a through ball directly through the gap in Mainz's midfield, accurately delivering it to Rupp, who had his back to the defender.
At that moment, Rupp seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. With his back to the Mainz goal, Latza was tightly marking him, and Gbamin aggressively pressed forward, creating a pincer movement. A desperate situation! Yet, Rupp broke free in the most agile way. His left heel, like a caress across a violin string, performed a nimble 'drag-back' move, and the ball unbelievably passed through the legs of the lunging Gbamin! The ball not only escaped the blockade but also rolled precisely into the open space behind the Mainz defense! Just as Rupp dragged the ball back with his heel, a blue lightning bolt had already started from the right-wing area!
Oliver!!
He instinctively captured the momentary gap created by Latza's forward press, as well as the newly opened seam between Diallo and Hack. This was not a blind sprint, but a long-planned forward run! He was like an arrow released from a bow; the moment Rupp got rid of the ball and sent the through pass, he had already successfully beaten the offside trap!
"Onside!!! Oliver! The chance is here!!" The Commentator roared, his voice drowned out by the gasps of the home fans and the curses of the away fans.
The ball flew from Rupp's foot, skimming the grass, rapidly passing Diallo's startled outstretched leg and Hack's desperate slide tackle, traveling through the sudden Rift in Mainz's unprepared defense. Oliver, like a gust of wind, perfectly caught up with the ball! One-on-one! Facing Mainz's goalkeeper Adler! Rhein-Neckar Arena fell silent in an instant, with only the sound of heartbeats and the'swish' of the ball rubbing against the grass. Oliver's mind, however, was exceptionally clear at this moment. His S-rank advanced vision made him almost impervious to the piercing noise. The green field was already his world.
While running at high speed, his brain didn't stop. With just a quick glance to his left and right, Oliver knew: Adler's center of gravity was slightly shifted towards the near post, intending to block a near-post shot. The far post was clearly open! The answer was right there. In a flash, Oliver adjusted his steps, his movements fluid without any hindrance. He pushed the ball with the inside of his right foot! The ball skimmed the grass, calmly darting into the bottom left corner of the goal! Adler fully stretched to his side, his fingertips barely grazing the air!
1-0!
"GOOOOOAL!!!!! Hoffenheim!!! Oliver—!!!" The Commentator's voice cracked instantly, "An incredible counter-attack! Amiri's tackle was worth its weight in gold! Rupp's escape and through pass were artistic! Oliver's positioning and calm finish! A perfect team goal! Look at him! A young player, only 17 years old! Scoring in his third consecutive Bundesliga match! He is simply made for the big stage!!!"
The camera panned to Nagelsmann, who was already applauding Oliver with both arms raised. The home stands erupted in cheers! The blue and white ocean instantly exploded! Fans' support signs for number 17 were constantly waving. Oliver ran towards the corner flag, spreading his arms to embrace the overwhelming cheers! His teammates swarmed him, engulfing him. This goal turned the early pressure into a tangible result. However, the Bundesliga never lacks drama.
Just seven minutes later, Mainz retaliated in the most direct way! Hoffenheim again pushed forward in attack but failed. The moment possession changed, Mainz's center-back Balogun made a decisive long clearance directly to the left flank. Maxim, like a wild horse, galloped with the ball, drawing Hoffenheim's chasing player, Kaderabek, to his side.
He didn't force his way to the byline but suddenly cut inside, compressing the space! Just as Hoffenheim's defense was drawn to Maxim, Öztunali, who was originally on the right, quietly moved inside to the central rib area, creating a receiving option. Maxim understood perfectly and played a horizontal pass! Öztunali didn't even stop the ball. Facing the incoming ball, he looked up and observed for only 0.1 seconds!
He swung his right foot and delivered a precise diagonal over-the-top long pass! That long pass, like a precision-guided missile with intense spin, arced in a huge curve, soaring over the head of Hoffenheim's chasing center-back Vogt! Captain Vogt chased back desperately, but the slight delay in his turn and acceleration was mercilessly amplified! Quaison had already started his run! He was like the most sensitive hound, anticipating the landing spot! Just as Vogt was inches away from the ball, Quaison had already positioned him behind him! He didn't hesitate. Facing the ball falling from mid-air, he executed a highly difficult half-volley shot! Hoffenheim's Baumann had already made a save attempt, but Quaison's shot was angled sharply and incredibly fast, directly finding the bottom left corner of the goal!
1-1.
"GOOOOOAL!!! Mainz!!! Quaison!!! A quick equalizer! What an efficient defensive counter-attack!" The Commentator's voice carried a sense of shock,"Öztunali's long-pass vision was dreamlike! Quaison's positioning and shot were impeccable! This is the speed of the Bundesliga! Hoffenheim's fullbacks' forward runs were severely punished! 1:1!"
The recently fervent home fan section instantly cooled down, while the away fans' stands erupted in a yellow frenzy. Oliver, near the center circle, watched the celebrating Mainz players, his brow slightly furrowed. This conceded goal stemmed from the exploitation of the space left by the fullbacks pushing forward, and the exquisite 'connection' between the opponent's striker and passer. He had already replayed that losing goal in his mind: Maxim's distraction, Öztunali's timing of cutting inside and passing choice, and Quaison's running route. Mainz's attack had cut off the 'lines' between their teammates. This time, it was Mainz's Coach who excitedly raised his arms in triumph, while Nagelsmann's expression was as calm as still water, his sharp gaze sweeping over his somewhat disheartened defensive line.
This conceded goal clearly revealed the risks behind high-pressing. After conceding, Hoffenheim opted for a temporary withdrawal. The storm needed to settle, the rhythm needed to be controlled. They began to rely more on the individual abilities of their two sharp wingers to tear open space.
Gnabry's left-wing cut-ins were like a butterfly flitting through flowers, always drawing defensive attention; Oliver's ball progression on the right wing was like a constantly bouncing bullet, every touch of his filled with threat. They began to patiently pass and stretch, trying to once again tear open Mainz's solid defense. The Diallo + Balogun combination was like a rock. Hoffenheim was no longer as aggressive as they were at the start.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 41st minute of the match, as Hoffenheim's patient passing in the attacking third gradually compressed Mainz's defense. The ball returned to Gnabry's feet on the left flank. Facing the experienced Donati, Gnabry leaned his body to the left, feigning a run down the line. The moment Donati's center of gravity was deceived, Gnabry's ankle flicked like a magician's wand, The ball changed direction, and he cut inside! Balogun, in the central core area, had no choice but to step forward to cover and block!
Gnabry didn't try to do too much. He keenly caught the gap created after Balogun moved away! He subtly passed the ball with his left foot to Schulz, the fullback who was making a high-speed overlapping run on the left flank. After passing the ball, Gnabry moved horizontally, intentionally or unintentionally blocking the path of Donati and Latza, who were trying to double-team Schulz, buying his teammate valuable space to shoot. Schulz didn't hesitate for a moment! While running at high speed, he met the rolling ball and delivered a low, flat, and extremely fast driven cross with his left foot! The trajectory of this ball was very tricky, basically aiming for a spot slightly behind the penalty mark.
At this moment, Uth, lurking in the heart of the penalty area, showed his worth. Before the ball was passed, he suddenly made a step forward, feigning a run to the near post, with Diallo tightly marking him with full concentration. The moment Diallo was shadowing him, Uth timely looked back, sensed Schulz's crossing intention, and made a sudden stop and retreated! He cleverly bypassed Diallo's left side, the blind spot he had just been forced to abandon! Diallo was completely fooled by this feint! By the time he realized the danger and awkwardly turned to defend, he was already a step too late!
Ball arrived, player arrived! Uth calmly received the ball in an almost unmarked area near the penalty spot! He barely adjusted, aimed at the empty bottom left corner of the goal, and pushed the ball in the most secure way! The ball flew across the grass! Adler's vision was likely obstructed by Diallo, Gnabry, and others in the chaotic scramble! His save reaction was a beat too slow, and the ball found the back of the net!
2-1!!
"GOOOOOAL!!!!! Hoffenheim!!! Uth!!!" The Commentator roared again,
"A brilliant team effort! Gnabry's attracting power with his cut-in! Schulz's timing of the run and crossing quality! Uth's ghostly positioning and calm finish! A textbook example of an attack through the half-space! Hoffenheim leads again! 2:1!"
Uth celebrated with a knee slide!
At halftime, leading 2:1, Nagelsmann did not reprimand the defensive lapses, praised Oliver's opening goal, and gave new instructions to the defense. At the start of the second half, Mainz pushed their formation forward, with Latza and Gbamin moving significantly higher, applying continuous high pressure. With this setup, they clearly intended to pin Hoffenheim in their own half.
Hoffenheim's formation was forced to retreat, with the double pivots Demirbay dropping deeper, forming a solid passing triangle with the two center-backs. Amiri focused more on defensive coverage, transforming into a running barrier. In the 55th minute, Maxim forcefully cut in from the left, and after a series of feints, delivered a low cross. Deblasis, in the center, ghosted into position, seemingly ready to sweep the ball in! At the last moment, Hoffenheim's defender Nordtveit, like a moving iron wall, made a sliding tackle to bravely block the ball out for a corner!
Three minutes later, Mainz's corner kick was taken! Gbamin, with immense power, managed to hold off Amiri and unleashed a powerful header towards the goal! Baumann leaped into the air, his body fully stretched, and with a single hand, he pushed the ball upwards with all his might!
"Thwack!" A crisp striking sound.
The ball changed trajectory, hit the top of the crossbar, and bounced out! A crucial save! The home fans let out a collective gasp of relief, as if escaping death. Vogt repeatedly won aerial duels to defuse high balls, Nordtveit continued to contribute crucial blocks and tackles, while Schulz tirelessly ran back and forth on both ends, expending immense physical energy.
On the sidelines, Nagelsmann roared at Schulz: "Schulz!! Pull back a bit! Hold your position!" His tension was palpable.
After withstanding Mainz's frantic ten-minute counterattack, the situation on the field began to subtly shift. Constant pressing meant that Mainz's backfield was like ploughed fertile ground, with cracks gradually appearing. And Hoffenheim's attacking edge remained as sharp as ever.
In the 65th minute, the decisive moment arrived. Schulz cleared the ball with a big kick from the edge of the box, and it landed near the center circle. Vogt, who had been trailing, accurately judged the landing spot. He chested the ball down, then looked up to survey the field. In that instant, Oliver quickly created distance from his opponent on the right, while keenly observing that Mainz's left-back, Hack, was positioned too far forward due to his involvement in the attack!
More crucially, Oliver had already clearly outlined an "optimal solution" diagonal pass, starting from Vogt's feet, spanning half the field, and precisely landing in the open area in Mainz's right-back position (behind Hack)! And at the end of this line, a bright spot named Amiri was initiating his run! Oliver looked towards his teammate Amiri's position, and Captain Vogt's intention seemed to perfectly align with his. Vogt did not choose a safe horizontal pass or a back pass to the goalkeeper; he saw Amiri's figure starting his run in the middle! Vogt decisively swung his right foot, delivering a high-quality, spinning long pass over the top!
The ball, as if guided by navigation, flew over the head of Mainz's defensive midfielder, Latza, who was desperately chasing back, and even more precisely over the head of the high-positioned Hack, soaring towards the wide-open area on the right side of Mainz's penalty box! Amiri burst forth with astonishing speed, successfully beating the offside trap! He was like a sharp knife piercing into Mainz's heartland! Hack desperately chased him from behind, but could only watch in despair as Amiri's back grew smaller and smaller!
Amiri sprinted into the right side of the box! Facing Adler, who had rushed out of his goal, and Diallo, who was throwing himself into a sliding tackle to block, Amiri displayed delicate footwork and composure unbefitting his identity as a tough defender! He lightly chipped the ball with the outside of his right foot! The ball traced an elegant arc, bypassed Adler's outstretched arm, and grazed the inside of the far post before nestling into the net! A brilliant counter-attacking goal, initiated by a center-back and perfectly finished by a defensive midfielder!
3=1!!!
"GOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!! Hoffenheim!!! Amiri!!!!!!!!!" The Commentator was almost speechless, filled with incredulous ecstasy.
"Oh my goodness! That's incredible! Vogt! It was Vogt who delivered that forty-meter long-range guided pass! A perfect penetration! Amiri! A beautiful control, a calm dribble, and that stroke of genius, an outside-of-the-foot chip shot! A curve full of imagination! 3:1! A goal to seal the victory!"
Amiri was exceptionally excited after the goal, sprinting to the sidelines and sliding on his knees! Oliver also excitedly ran over from the other side to embrace him. He had noticed the tricky angle Amiri chose for the outside-of-the-foot chip shot, avoiding Diallo's largest interception area with his sliding tackle. This was absolutely an optimal solution. Mainz, trailing by two goals, was in dire straits. Mainz's Coach made continuous adjustments, bringing on attackers like Holtmann and Muto, and changing the formation to a highly offensive 3-4-3!
Mainz began a tragic full-line press, attempting to create a miracle in the final twenty minutes. Nagelsmann also made corresponding adjustments. He substituted Rupp, who had expended immense energy in tackling, with Grillitsch, to increase the defensive depth and coverage in the midfield. Full-back Kaderabek's position also clearly dropped deeper, ensuring the stability of the four-man defense. Oliver and Gnabry, the two youngsters, were also given heavier defensive duties; they needed to track back deep to protect the flanks.
Mainz's offensive waves came crashing in. High balls, long-range shots, small-area penetrating combinations… Hoffenheim's defense was under immense pressure. Vogt and Nordtveit in the backline transformed into towers, heading aerial balls out of the danger zone time and again.
Demirbay and Amiri were like two moving walls, frantically sweeping and blocking in the area around the top of the box. Baumann made high and low saves, in superb form. Oliver participated in defense on the right, helping Kaderabek block shots, intercept crosses, and even once blocked a deflected shot from the opponent on the goal line!
Time elapsed amidst fierce close-quarters combat and repeated clearances. Watching his team desperately hold onto the lead, Nagelsmann continuously applauded from the sidelines, his voice hoarse from shouting. He could feel that the players' physical energy was at its limit.
In the 85th minute! Just when everyone thought the match would end 3-1. Oliver, in the most shocking way, put an exclamation mark on this intense match! Mainz's full-force attacking cross was blocked out of the box by Grillitsch. The ball landed at Gnabry's feet, just outside their own penalty area. Gnabry looked up and instantly saw the huge open space behind the opponent, who had almost everyone pushed past the halfway line! Especially on the right flank (Mainz's left half), it was almost completely open! And at this moment, Oliver's figure was near the center circle! A tacit signal instantly connected between the two of them! Gnabry did not hesitate, not even controlling the ball to adjust; he struck a powerful, over-the-top long pass directly at the incoming ball! The ball soared over the heads of all the midfielders, like a precisely guided missile, flying directly towards the vast, uninhabited area behind Mainz's entire defensive line! Oliver moved! Just a few tenths of a second before Gnabry's pass, Oliver had already smelled the deadly opportunity!
Oliver's vision presented the entire field with unprecedented clarity: Gnabry's possible passing routes, the huge gaps on both flanks after the opponent's formation pushed up, and the probable landing zone of the ball!
He could see that "fastest channel" starting from the top of the center circle, traversing the opponent's left half, and finally pointing to the right flank of Mainz's penalty area! Mainz's left-back, Hack, had been exhausted from previous attacks and was lagging behind in his positioning! Oliver exerted all his strength, instantly unleashing the last stored energy in his muscles! Start! Sprint!
Oliver burst out like a blue lightning bolt from a position slightly to the right of the center! Once he found his direction, his speed became incredibly fast! He perfectly controlled the ball before its first bounce! Hack, a few meters behind him, watched in despair as that figure got further and further away, without even a chance to foul! Next was a blood-pumping long-distance sprint! Nearly seventy meters!!
Oliver maintained his maximum speed, streaking across the grass like lightning! Hoffenheim fans stood up nervously, even Nagelsmann couldn't help but clench his fists, the entire stadium's attention focused on him! Mainz's center-back Diallo hurriedly came over from an angle to cover, and Balogun also quickly chased back from the middle to form a pincer movement! Oliver, dribbling at high speed, approached the right side of the top of the box. Diallo aggressively lunged at him! At this critical moment, Oliver displayed his astonishing football IQ and top-tier technique! He didn't blindly drive to the byline, nor did he panic and force a shot.
Just as Diallo lunged to about a meter beside him, Oliver, while dribbling, suddenly executed a very subtle and swift change of direction with the inside of his right foot, pulling the ball! Towards the middle!!! This change of rhythm was extremely crucial! Just one step, and it instantly created shooting space between him and Diallo! At the same time, it forced Balogun, who was chasing back at full speed from the middle, to slam on the brakes, adjust his center of gravity and stride, subtly delaying his dive!
Just a split second before the pincer movement was about to form, right after entering the right side of the penalty arc area! Oliver did not hesitate at all. All his strength was perfectly coordinated and poured into his right foot, and with an almost perfect striking posture, he unleashed a thunderous, low-driven shot!! The ball was like a cannonball fired from a barrel! With a whistling sound, it hugged the grass at incredible speed, rocketing towards the far bottom corner of the goal! Goalkeeper Adler had already prepared to dive to the near post. Facing this tricky-angled, completely opposite-direction ground shot, he barely managed to make a diving save, but it was out of his reach!
The ball, like a laser, slammed into the net!!
Top corner!!
4-1!!!!
"GOOOOOOOALLLL!!!!!!!" The Commentator went completely wild, his voice hoarse like torn cloth, "My! God! A! Flying! Immortal! Oliver!!! Unparalleled shooting power! Unparalleled angle! Unparalleled goal! 4:1! Game sealed! I simply cannot describe that kick! When he burst forward just now, he was simply a lightning bolt! That step he took to change direction was like seeing a painting! Mainz's defense has been completely crushed!" The Commentator was incoherent with excitement, his voice strained.
As the net violently trembled, the entire Rhein-Neckar Arena plunged into a roaring frenzy! The massive wave of cheers was like a tangible shockwave crashing outwards! Blue and white flags waved wildly, forming a boiling ocean! Almost all the home fans jumped up excitedly, embracing and roaring at each other! Oliver ran around the field after scoring, his jersey completely soaked with sweat, highlighting the contours of his upper body muscles.
All his teammates, including goalkeeper Baumann, sprinted from the backfield, surrounding him, patting his head and shoulders hard! Nagelsmann on the sidelines was once again shocked by his beloved disciple's performance. Nagelsmann also raised both arms and ran wildly on the sidelines, heading towards the fourth official's area, excitedly waving his fists, his face filled with absolute ecstasy and pride! Such a goal was also the best reward for him! Mainz's Coach angrily kicked a water bottle nearby, his face filled with endless disappointment and helplessness.
4-1, the game had completely lost its suspense. He could only slump back into the Coach's bench, watching the opponent celebrate.
Oliver was surrounded by his teammates, his ears filled with roaring cheers. He could feel that his nerve endings seemed to have connected with the pulse of the entire stadium, and this sense of control made him incredibly exhilarated. Stoppage time quickly passed.
The final whistle blew! Hoffenheim won 4-1 against Mainz! Continuing to solidify their position in second place in the Bundesliga standings!
Oliver was surrounded by his teammates as he walked towards the sidelines, his hair soaked with sweat, but his face beamed with a smile of youth and victory. Nagelsmann waited for him on the sidelines, his eyes full of satisfaction and expectation, and he patted his wet head.
"Coach…" Oliver was about to speak.
"Don't speak, Oliver, you worked hard tonight, really hard. Here, drink some water first…" Nagelsmann took the water from the assistant Coach and handed it to Oliver, while also thoughtfully wiping the sweat from his head.
"Coach, you're too biased~~~ I want some too, I want water handed to me by you personally." Gnabry "got jealous."
"Me too, boss, can you open it for me?"…
"Don't rush, don't rush, there's enough for everyone…" Nagelsmann was overwhelmed.
The Hoffenheim lads then started "teasing" Nagelsmann again. On the big screen after the match, the huge 4-1 score and close-ups of Oliver's running and sliding celebration were repeatedly broadcast.
The broadcast was announcing that Hoffenheim's 'Number 17 Blade' had been tempered and formed.
...
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