The clamor of the international break finally settled, and Hoffenheim's players had successively returned to the team. After a brief respite, the drums of the fifth Champions League group stage match sounded again at Rhein-Neckar Arena, with the opponent being Slovenian champions Maribor. For Hoffenheim, who had already secured their qualification, this match was essentially a training ground. At the same time, it was also a match for Oliver to set a new personal record.
Before heading to the stadium tunnel, Nagelsmann had said to Oliver: "Play freely in this match. As long as there's no risk of injury or being targeted by the opposing defenders, I won't substitute you. I also want to see what kind of match result you, kid, can create. Perform well, Champions League top scorer."
After speaking, Nagelsmann even affectionately kneaded his beloved disciple's shoulders.
"Alright, you just watch, Coach."...
Both teams entered the field and lined up. This match was different from every previous one, because the disparity in strength was too great; Maribor was not even comparable to Spartak from the Russian Premier League. Therefore, as soon as the opening whistle blew, Hoffenheim displayed a strong desire for control. Hoffenheim, like a beast unleashed, strictly executed their pressing tactics.
As soon as Maribor's backline got the ball, Kramarić and Amiri pressed up instantly like two iron gates, while Oliver and Gnabry stuck to the opposing full-backs like shadows. Maribor's central midfielder, Viler, felt suffocated by the encirclement with every turn, and his passing lanes were completely cut off.
"Unlike the match against Dortmund, Hoffenheim's pressing in this game is too aggressive!" the Commentator exclaimed. "Less than 15 minutes into the game, their possession rate is already as high as 68%! Maribor is pinned firmly in their own half!"
In the 12th minute, the results of their pressing began to materialize, as Maribor's defensive midfielder, Viler, hesitated slightly in his pass under Kramarić's close marking. Kramarić keenly poked the ball with his foot! The ball rolled perfectly to the onrushing Oliver! The moment Oliver received the ball, he had already clearly found the route to the penalty area, the right flank! He faced the covering defender, Milevc, with a nimble nutmeg. The movement was fluid and simple, but highly efficient. After getting past Milevc, Oliver sprinted towards the byline without slowing down!
"Oliver!! Beautiful move! He's reached the byline!" the Commentator's voice rose.
Just as Maribor's defense was drawn in by Oliver's breakthrough and hastily converged towards the near post, Oliver caught a glimpse of that familiar figure in the center of the penalty area. Gnabry had already moved into the position he needed to be in! Oliver didn't hesitate. Near the byline, he used the instep of his right foot to deliver a precise, well-weighted cut-back pass. The ball skimmed across the grass, passing between the outstretched legs of two defenders, and rolled towards the penalty spot. Gnabry arrived steadily. He adjusted his steps and calmly slotted the ball into the near corner! Maribor's goalkeeper had no reaction!
1-0!
"Goooooal!!! Gnabry! Hoffenheim gets a dream start!" the Commentator shouted excitedly.
Rhein-Neckar Arena instantly ignited, and a giant wave rose from the blue ocean. Nagelsmann applauded vigorously on the sidelines, shouting into the field, "Keep it up! Kid, your observation was excellent!" Hoffenheim, after taking the lead, did not relax.
In the 23rd minute of the match, Oliver once again displayed his exceptional ball control and creativity that belied his age. He received a precise long pass from Vogt on the right flank with his back to goal, with Süle sticking close to him like a shadow. Just when everyone thought he would lay the ball back to a teammate, Oliver used the outside of his right foot to subtly and delicately flick the ball behind him. The ball obediently passed through Süle's spread legs. Oliver turned swiftly, instantly leaving the stunned Süle behind! He dribbled into the penalty area, attracting the covering center-back, Rajčević. The moment the defender rushed up, Oliver didn't hesitate. With a light flick of the outside of his right foot, the ball arced slightly, precisely finding Grillitsch unmarked at the top of the penalty area. Grillitsch met the ball with a powerful shot, and with a loud "bang," the ball violently struck the top of the crossbar and bounced out. The entire stadium gasped, mixed with sighs of regret.
"Oh my goodness! What a shame! Grillitsch!" the Commentator exclaimed regretfully.
"But the essence of this attack was Oliver! A back-heel flick to get past his man! An outside-of-the-foot pass with a God's eye view! The way he handles the ball, can you believe he's only 17 years old? I already foresee the terrifying offers Hoffenheim will receive during the transfer window."
Nagelsmann also pumped his fist for the brilliant combination, then shouted at Grillitsch, "Grillitsch, keep it down next time!"
Grillitsch slapped his head in frustration towards the coach, while also giving a thumbs-up to Oliver on the right flank. Oliver patted his own chest, signaling to Grillitsch that it was okay. Leading Hoffenheim continued to control the game. Maribor was forced to retreat, with their two defensive midfielders almost dropping back to the top of the penalty area, attempting to build a human wall. Maribor's left-back, Apostolos, also dropped back significantly to assist in defense, trying to seal off the penalty area with a dense wall of players. Due to Maribor's tactical change, Hoffenheim's attacking focus also shifted accordingly. Gnabry and left-back Schulz repeatedly attacked on the left flank, tearing apart Maribor's defense again and again. Maribor's defensive Center of Gravity was forced to shift to the left, and the space on the right flank was exposed again. Oliver, like a lurking leopard, patiently roamed the right flank, waiting for the opportunity for a deadly strike.
In the 36th minute, leading Hoffenheim continued to control the game. Maribor was forced to retreat, with their two defensive midfielders almost dropping back to the top of the penalty area, attempting to build a human wall. Amiri made a successful interception on the right side of midfield, dispossessing Katanec. He looked up and immediately saw Oliver making a run on the right wing!
"Ollie!" Amiri shouted briefly and loudly, passing the ball to him. The moment Oliver received the ball, Maribor's left-back rushed aggressively towards him. Oliver slightly turned his body, using his shoulder to withstand Süle's initial physical contact, but his feet were exceptionally agile. He nudged the ball inwards with his right foot, feigning an inside cut! Süle quickly adjusted his weight to block the inside lane. The moment Süle shifted his weight, Oliver powerfully flicked the ball outwards with the outside of his left foot. At the same time, he engaged his full body strength, forcefully squeezing Süle aside by half a step. He got past the first one!
Immediately after, the covering defender, Ahmed, had already rushed in front of him! Oliver didn't hesitate, quickly pulling the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of his right foot! This was an extremely swift change of rhythm! Ahmed completely lost his balance and fell awkwardly to the ground! This was the second one!
"Two players beaten! Oliver!! He's in! He's in!!!" The Commentator's voice was filled with unbelievable excitement!
Oliver shook off the double-team and burst into the right side of the penalty area. The angle was already very tight, and Maribor's goalkeeper was blocking the near post! But Oliver didn't hesitate at all. He aimed for the only tiny gap above the near post, and his tensed right leg lashed out like a whip. A powerful blast of a shot! The ball, like a cannonball, whistled past the goalkeeper's fingertips and slammed into the net at the top corner of the near post!
2-0!!
"GOOOOOOAL!!! Oliver!!! An unparalleled individual performance! Beating two players! A tight-angle rocket shot! 2:0!!!!" The Commentator went completely wild. "He's only 17 years old! Look at that physicality! That technique! That composure! This is the value of 75 million euros! This is the most expensive U18 in the Bundesliga! This is the leader of the Champions League top scorer list!"
The process of this goal was truly beautiful. The entire Rhein-Neckar Arena erupted in thunderous cheers! The shouts were deafening! Oliver ran towards the corner flag, performing a passionate knee slide. His teammates rushed towards him wildly, ruffling his hair and patting his shoulders. On the sidelines, Nagelsmann raised his arms in triumph, his face showing unconcealed pride and excitement. For the remainder of the first half, both sides eased their attacks, and Hoffenheim ended the first half with a two-to-nil lead.
After the break, Hoffenheim, with a two-goal advantage, played with even more composure. Nagelsmann made adjustments, changing the formation to a 4-1-4-1. Kramarić dropped back to play as a single defensive midfielder, while Amiri moved forward to form a double attacking midfield with Grillitsch. Maribor tried to counter-attack; captain Viler moved forward to try and link up the offense, but he was immediately locked down by Hübner's tight, shadow-like marking.
For the first 25 minutes of the second half, Maribor was almost entirely pinned back in their own half, with only one forced shot on goal. Hoffenheim's offense was patient and deadly.
In the 58th minute, they executed a textbook combination in the flank. Grillitsch received the ball slightly to the right of the center, attracting defenders. Then, he delivered a precise diagonal pass that pierced through the open space in Maribor's flank, accurately finding the overlapping right-back Kaderabek! Kaderabek surged forward at high speed and, unmarked, calmly crossed the ball. The ball arced through the air towards the goal. Forward Uth displayed his quick wit. He got ahead of his marker and, with an unconventional, imaginative "scorpion kick", cleverly flicked the ball with his right heel! The ball changed direction and zipped into the net past the caught-off-guard Handanović!
3-0!!!
"Beautiful! Uth! A scorpion kick! This goal's aesthetic appeal definitely puts it in contention for this month's Top 10 Goals. Hoffenheim's attacking combination sliced through the opponent's flank, Kaderabek's overlapping cross was perfectly timed, and Uth's finish was full of inspiration!" the Commentator exclaimed.
In the 67th minute, Hoffenheim earned a corner kick on the right side. This time, Gnabry opted not for a conventional cross but quickly took a tactical short corner to Oliver. Upon receiving the ball, Oliver feigned an inward cut, drawing two defenders near the corner flag to double-team him. Just as the opponent's defensive Center of Gravity was shifted, Oliver laid the ball back to the unmarked Grillitsch. Upon receiving the ball, Grillitsch, without waiting for the opponent's defense to reset, took one touch to adjust and delivered a precise 45-degree diagonal pass. The ball sailed over the dense crowd at the near post and dropped rapidly towards the back post of the penalty area! Amiri, arriving at full speed, overpowered his marker and unleashed a powerful header! The ball found the back of the net!
4-0!
"A tactical corner! Hoffenheim's set-piece design is very creative! Oliver's decoy run drew away the defense, Grillitsch's pass had excellent placement, and Amiri arrived perfectly! Nagelsmann's team always brings surprises!"
This was a set-piece tactic pre-designed by Nagelsmann, and the Hoffenheim lads had practiced it to perfection. With a four-goal lead, the match completely lost its suspense. Maribor's players were demoralized, and their formation was scattered. On Hoffenheim's side, Oliver's energy and spirit were still high. The exertion from this match was truly not comparable to the previous one against Borussia Dortmund, and he had only scored one goal so far; he needed at least one more.
In the 74th minute, Maribor's last-ditch attack was thwarted. Forward Tavares had a one-on-one opportunity, but his shot was bravely saved by Baumann! Baumann quickly got up and launched a counter-attack with a powerful throw. The ball accurately found Schulz on the left wing! Schulz advanced with the ball for a few steps, observed the situation, and then delivered a precise long pass, finding Gnabry who was surging forward on the left flank! Gnabry made a long run past midfield, attracting the attention of the opponent's entire defense, and then passed the ball horizontally to the top of the penalty area. Oliver, who was surging through the middle, arrived just in time. He adjusted his steps and, facing the incoming ball, did not stop to control it but rather gently flicked it with the outside of his right foot! The ball arced beautifully, bypassing goalkeeper Handanović's desperate dive, and nestled into the net just inside the far post!
5-0!
Oliver scored his second goal!
"A counter-attack like the wind! From Baumann's save to Schulz's long pass, Gnabry's surging run and horizontal pass, and Oliver's decisive strike—it flowed like mercury! This curled shot showcased his football IQ and technique perfectly! This is Ollie's 10th goal in the group stage!" the Commentator said, standing up.
The attacking horn had not yet ceased.
In the 83rd minute of the match, Hoffenheim successfully intercepted the ball near the center circle. After winning the ball, Amiri immediately passed it to Oliver beside him. Oliver received the ball near the center circle arc. Facing the rushing Katanić, he first feigned a breakthrough to the left, then suddenly pushed the ball to his right front, while simultaneously bursting with astonishing speed. A clean and decisive dribble past the opponent! Katanić was instantly left behind! Oliver weaved left and right, continuing to advance with the ball, while also glancing up to observe the goalkeeper's positioning. At this distance, still over twenty-five meters from the goal, goalkeeper Handanović's positioning seemed to be slightly too far forward. This thought flashed through Oliver's mind. He adjusted his steps, aimed the inside of his right foot at the lower-middle part of the ball, and unleashed a powerful low shot! The ball, like a precision-guided missile, hugged the turf, carrying intense spin, and sped directly towards the bottom-left corner of the goal! Although Handanović made a diving save attempt, he was too far to reach it!
6-0!
Oliver completed his hat-trick!
"His 11th goal! Ollie has achieved his third hat-trick in the Champions League group stage!!! A dribble past Katanić, followed by a decisive shot! A low drive into the bottom corner! Impeccable! Unstoppable! 17-year-old Oliver has completed his third hat-trick in the Champions League group stage! He is the undisputed top scorer in the Champions League! This is a historical record that has never appeared in the history of the Champions League group stage!!" The Commentator's passion was completely ignited.
After scoring, Oliver was exceptionally excited. He ran to the sideline and celebrated with a clean and beautiful front flip. His core strength training during this period had paid off; his flip was both standard and aesthetically pleasing. The entire Rhein-Neckar Arena was completely in a frenzy! In the stands, the number 17 jersey could be seen in almost every fan section. His teammates surrounded him again. Amiri excitedly shook his shoulders, Gnabry laughed as he ruffled his hair, and captain Vogt also ran over to hug him tightly.
Nagelsmann, as if crazy, shook his assistant coach Kramer by the shoulders: "Did you see it! Did you see it, Kramer! A third hat-trick, a third hat-trick!"
Kramer's brains were almost shaken into a pulp by Nagelsmann, and he said with a trembling voice: "I... I... saw... it... Coach..."
As the match neared its end, Hoffenheim still did not let up.
In the 89th minute, Oliver even tracked back to his own penalty area to participate in defense, successfully dispossessing the opponent. He quickly passed the ball to Kramarić, and the two completed a simple one-two. Oliver immediately initiated a counter-attack, delivering a precise through ball to the overlapping Grillitsch. Grillitsch advanced with the ball and, after attracting defenders, calmly threaded the ball to Uth in the penalty area. Uth, facing the charging goalkeeper, deftly chipped the ball. It sailed over Handanović's head and dropped into the empty net!
7-0!
Finally, this exhilarating high-scoring match was set at 7-0. At the final whistle, the Hoffenheim players high-fived and embraced each other, basking in the adoration of the home fans. Oliver was once again chosen as the Man of the Match. Since the start of the season, he had lost count of how many times he had been named Man of the Match; it was certainly a lot. After the match concluded, the players hugged and high-fived each other. Amidst the celebration, Oliver was surrounded by his teammates. These guys planned to hoist Oliver up and parade him in front of the stands.
"Hey... Captain, what are you doing? Please put me down..."
As Oliver spoke, the tall Vogt had already lifted him, and several other teammates also took hold of Oliver's body.
"No... Gnabry... Amiri..."
Oliver was hoisted onto the shoulders by Gnabry and Amiri working together.
"Kid, it's your third hat-trick. You wouldn't refuse to give us this much face, would you? Let's go, let's go see our fans," Uth teased Oliver.
"Exactly, Ollie, why are you shy? This is our home ground!" Kramarić said.
And so, Ollie was carried by his teammates to celebrate in front of the stands. Nagelsmann had already walked onto the field. He stood behind the players, watching the celebrating crowd from afar, watching his beloved disciple being hoisted by his teammates. He spoke in a voice only he could hear: "A perfect night, kid. Go enjoy the applause that belongs to you."
...
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