0030 The Tiger of the Ruhr (Seeking Monthly Tickets and Recommendations)

The development of football is inseparable from industrial progress. This world-renowned sport was initially a workers' activity looked down upon by the upper classes, bearing a distinct class hallmark. It served as a way for laborers to pass their spare time, and through football, they found a sense of unity.

Many powerful clubs are based in famous industrial cities, such as Liverpool, Manchester, or the Ruhr region, the coal and steel heartland of Germany. The Ruhr region gave birth to the "Ruhr Derby" duo: Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04. Both clubs were founded precisely by groups of workers and students. As time went on, football became an integral part of Dortmund, and their rapidly rising home ground, the Westfalenstadion, makes all of Europe tremble.

As the team disembarked from the plane and boarded a bus to the hotel, Marco Lanna ran over to the coach and asked, "Boss, can we go out for a stroll?" International travel was still a novelty in those days, especially given the unique circumstances in Germany. Boskov glanced at him and said, "You may go out, but I have two requirements: first, do not act alone, and second, do not get into conflicts with the fans."

"That’s great, Boss!" Lanna exclaimed excitedly. He had been wanting to take a photo of the world’s largest Christmas tree to send to his girlfriend.

Mancini curled his lip and remarked, "A guy like him is bound to be played for a fool by a woman sooner or later." This time, Vialli did not argue; he simply nodded in agreement along with Lu Deyang. Since Lanna’s promotion to the first team, he had been inseparable from his girlfriend. As a local player being groomed as a future captain, he spent all his time outside of training and matches with her.

"Marco, when you send her so many photos, how does she usually react?" Lu Deyang asked.

"She’s very happy. Tina loves photography too. We have the same hobbies, which is the best thing, you know, Deyang?" Lanna replied enthusiastically.

"What about other aspects? For instance, with you traveling abroad this time, did she say anything else?" Lu Deyang pressed.

"She said German cars are amazing, and she’s dreamed of having her own Mercedes since she was a child," Lanna said.

Vialli glanced at Lu Deyang. Lanna’s salary wasn't high; if he were a regular starter, the girl’s dream would likely have been a Porsche. Mancini wanted to chime in, but Vialli pulled him away. "What are you doing?" Mancini asked impatiently.

"It’s useless to try to persuade someone in his position," Vialli said. "Let him wake up to it on his own, then we can offer some guidance."

The hotel where the team stayed was not far from the train station, and more importantly, it was near the Westfalenstadion, making it very convenient to reach the stadium. As for the environment, it wasn't particularly impressive; the interior was as ordinary as the exterior.

"Do you want to play a couple of rounds of Scopa?" Pagliuca asked. It was a popular Italian card game using Neapolitan cards, a game based on points.

"Forget it, I’m going to do some reading," Lu Deyang said, pulling out his "Comprehensive Japanese" textbook and a Walkman.

"Are you planning to settle in Japan after you retire?" Mancini asked as he walked toward his room.

"No, I’m planning to make their money," Lu Deyang replied with a smile. Learning the local language was the easiest way to win the favor of the locals. Since the Japanese were so wealthy, Lu Deyang was willing to invest some effort into learning.

The rowdy card game nearby didn't distract Lu Deyang at all. The team had dinner together that evening before everyone returned to their rooms. Lanna was Lu Deyang's roommate, and as soon as he returned, he started making phone calls.

"If the phone bill is too high, the club might not cover it for you," Lu Deyang reminded him. Lanna covered the receiver, looking nervous, and asked, "Really?" Lu Deyang nodded. International calls weren't cheap in those days, and the club certainly wouldn't pay the tab. Lanna quickly finished his conversation and hung up.

"Aren't you nervous about playing Dortmund tomorrow?" Lanna asked. This was his first time starting in a European match. Unfortunately, the only response he got was the sound of Lu Deyang's steady breathing. Lanna suddenly felt a bit envious of Lu Deyang; his teammate, who was just as young, always seemed so composed.

Early the next morning, the team gathered downstairs. As they sat in the dining room, Boskov said, "I know you all want a good breakfast, but I must remind you to manage your diet reasonably and put on a good performance at the Germans' home ground!"

"Understood, Boss!" the players replied lightheartedly. But Boskov did not crack a smile. Dortmund was a special case. Their home stadium, the Westfalenstadion, exerted immense pressure, and he wasn't sure if these young men could handle it.

Around four in the afternoon, the Sampdoria squad arrived at the Westfalenstadion. In the locker room, they could already hear the roaring from the stands. Even without heading out for warm-ups, they could imagine the scene. The stadium, including the standing sections, held over 60,000 spectators—a massive venue by European standards.

In the modest locker room, everyone felt a bit more tense; the earlier lightheartedness had vanished. Lu Deyang pulled his shoelaces tight and chose to draw a card.

[Ding: Since your teammate Bagnato has very weak lower-body strength and often falls because he cannot control the ball, you have drawn a player with exceptional lower-body strength. Acquired: 2006 World Cup Final, Italy vs. France, Zinedine Zidane single-match experience card.]

Lu Deyang: ...

Zidane’s peak was around the 1998 World Cup. Although he performed well in the 2006 World Cup, he was still a far cry from his younger self. However, a player of that caliber, even past his peak, was the core of the French team in the World Cup—a level above typical elite players, which is why some called Zidane half a football king. Whether or not he was a king, his ability was undeniably immense.

Most importantly, Zidane’s attributes were a perfect fit for Sampdoria. They lacked players who could hold the ball, which was why Mancini often had to drop deep. As for Zidane? His ball-retention ability was top-tier. His speed in handling the ball wasn't necessarily fast, and his style involved holding onto the ball, which ironically made his playing style the best fit for this Sampdoria side.

In the stands of the Westfalenstadion, Aki Schmidt sat next to Franz Beckenbauer. Schmidt, the former German captain, was ten years older than Beckenbauer, so their professional careers didn't overlap much.

"Shouldn't you be watching Bayern's match, Franz?" Schmidt asked curiously.

"I’m more curious about Sampdoria and Dortmund. The champions represent conservatism and rarely change, but Dortmund and Sampdoria both have something new to offer. I want to see what their match will be like," Franz Beckenbauer explained. He held a certain respect for his elder; Schmidt had been selected as an intercontinental-level player twelve times in his career and had long served as the captain of Dortmund and a mainstay of the national team.

"Is that so? I thought you were here to scout players for Bayern," Schmidt teased. Seeing him remain silent, Schmidt was genuinely surprised. Was he serious? Bayern had never had an Italian foreign player in its history.