The European battleground in mid-February was filled with the tense atmosphere of the Champions League. Oliver and his Hoffenheim team had just laid a solid foundation for advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory at Porto, and at the same time, other giants also engaged in fierce battles.
The most eye-catching among them was undoubtedly one of the favorites to win the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain, hosting the first leg against La Liga giant Real Madrid at Prince Park Stadium.
This season, Paris Saint-Germain's star-studded front line, under Henrique's tactical system, truly unleashed a terrifying brilliance that made opponents tremble. Neymar scored twice with his individual ability, while the young Mbappé was like a sharp scalpel, constantly attacking Real Madrid's defense, becoming a perfect 'wingman' and tactical fulcrum.
Paris Saint-Germain won the first leg at home against Real Madrid 2-0.
Such a score was definitely an ideal result for Paris Saint-Germain, enough to allow them to go to Bernabéu with a considerable advantage. After the match, Coach Henrique could not hide the smile on his face; he unreservedly praised this incredibly valuable attacking duo in front of the cameras:
"Neymar and Kylian's performance tonight perfectly interpreted my tactical intentions. Kylian's impact kept the opponent's defense busy, and Neymar's finishing ability decided the match. This is exactly the chemical reaction we expected."
This victory also brought some relief to Sports Director Antero Henrique, who had been at the center of controversy. Since last summer, after letting Oliver go for free and Paris Saint-Germain then spending a sky-high price to acquire Neymar and Mbappé, Henrique became the target of criticism from some media and radical Paris Saint-Germain fans. Especially when Oliver rapidly rose like a rocket at Hoffenheim, repeatedly topping the Bundesliga and Champions League scoring charts, his brilliance even rivaling that of Paris Saint-Germain's twin stars, this wave of criticism continued unabated.
Oliver's name almost became a 'boomerang' that was thrown at Henrique from time to time. After the match against Real Madrid, when asked by reporters if he had wavered in his original decision, Henrique chose a firm counterattack this time.
He generously admitted: "Oliver's performance at Hoffenheim is phenomenal. For a 17-year-old, this is beyond imagination."
However, he changed the subject, his tone even more resolute: "But we now have Neymar and Mbappé, they are the top attackers in today's football. Tonight's victory proves that we are on the right track. I firmly believe that the Paris Saint-Germain we are building will achieve better results this season and launch the most powerful assault towards the highest honor."
His implied meaning was clear: even the most dazzling potential new star cannot compare to the immediate combat power of current superstars and the certainty of reaching the championship throne. Paris Saint-Germain's choice was not wrong, and his choice was not wrong either. At Hoffenheim's training base, Oliver, who had just returned to his apartment after high-intensity matches and training, habitually browsed the major news from European football. Seeing Henrique's comments, he didn't have much emotional fluctuation.
The memories Paris Saint-Germain left him, aside from the bench, were those friendly first-team superstars. Being terminated? That was already in the past. The media's clamor, the favor of big clubs, or the director's response, in his current view, were all just outside noise. He had more important things to do; he just wanted to continue focusing on the present.
"Will I have a chance to play against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in the future? I'm really looking forward to it..." Oliver looked at the news, and this thought gradually emerged in his mind.
...
In the next League match, Nagelsmann arranged for Oliver to rest. The time happened to be the 22nd round of the German Bundesliga, with Hoffenheim hosting strong rivals RB Leipzig. Even without the two-time top scorer starting, Nagelsmann's team still showed strong overall strength and tactical execution. After more than half a season of cultivation and integration, Hoffenheim was no longer what it used to be. In this team, not only was Oliver strong, but Oliver's teammates were also very strong.
In the front, Gnabry was exceptionally active. His speed and breakthrough on the wing were sharp weapons for tearing apart the defense. Soon after the start, he assisted Kramarić with a precise cross to score. The midfield core, the young Dutch international De Jong, who also joined on loan, showed maturity and vision beyond his age in the deep-lying position. Like a metronome, he calmly and precisely controlled Hoffenheim's offensive and defensive transitions. On the defensive line, the tall English defender Maguire, on loan from Leicester City, showed strong aerial ability and tackling toughness. He and Vogt formed a rock-solid central defense; And Demirbay played the role of a sweeper in the deep-lying position, using his rich experience and calm judgment to resolve dangerous situations multiple times, becoming the lynchpin of the backline.
Although RB Leipzig stubbornly pulled one goal back, Hoffenheim secured the victory with a goal from substitute Uth. Ultimately, RB Leipzig lost 1-2 away.
The result on the scoreboard clearly and silently conveyed a more shocking signal: after 22 League rounds, Hoffenheim's points had caught up with German Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich! Both teams had the same points and the exact same number of matches played!
Both teams had 56 points.
...
At the same time, a fierce discussion also erupted among Bayern Munich's high-ranking officials.
"The points are tied again! Tied again!" Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the board, heavily tapped the latest League standings on the table.
Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, two names at the top of the table with the same points and the exact same number of matches played. Bayern Munich was only ahead of Hoffenheim due to a better goal difference.
"Who can tell me how this happened? A Hoffenheim!" Karl-Heinz Rummenigge asked loudly.
Next to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Supervisory Board Chairman Hoeness, the 'godfather' of Bayern Munich, looked somewhat displeased. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present: Sports Director Salihamidzic, Technical Director Reschke, and other high-ranking officials. These guys wisely remained silent. The confident Bayern Munich, who had previously regarded the Bundesliga crown as a sure thing, now truly felt the threat from this small rural club.
"Look at them!" Hoeness finally spoke, his voice low but extremely oppressive, pointing at Hoffenheim's player list on the screen,
"That kid, Oliver, who was released for free by Paris Saint-Germain! Only seventeen years old! The two-time top scorer in the Bundesliga and Champions League! Why didn't our people receive his trial application back then? Sali, what's going on?" His questioning was very sharp, especially towards the scouting network for which Salihamidzic was responsible.
Sali lowered his head even further, not daring to speak. Jules had indeed sent Oliver's trial application to Bayern Munich before, but Sali noticed at the time that Oliver had no League appearance data at all, and immediately rejected it. Bayern Munich received countless trial applications every year, and there were even more countless geniuses. Moreover, they preferred young talents from Germany, so Oliver was naturally not among their choices.
"And Nagelsmann! Not even thirty years old, not even as old as some of our players. He's taken a group of loaned, unknown players and pushed us to this point! In the match against RB Leipzig, without that kid (Oliver), they still won! Gnabry, Uth, De Jong, Maguire, Amiri... every one of them played like a top star!"
Sports Director Salihamidzic was under the most pressure, fine beads of sweat seeping from his temples. He spoke quickly, trying to explain:
"Sir, allow me to explain. That Oliver... he was without warning, but in Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy, he indeed didn't show such terrifying explosive power. Just a few months after that termination, he was like a changed person... this is simply illogical!"
"Illogical?" Hoeness interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising, carrying deep skepticism and a hint of imperceptible greed,
"One of the characteristics of a top genius is being illogical! Look at his composure in the Champions League, the winning goal against Porto! Sali, as a Sports Director, you should be the last person to use 'illogical' as an excuse! Now is not the time to discuss why we were wrong in the past! Now is the time to mend the fold!" He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Everyone listen, no matter what! No matter the cost! This season's League title must stay in Munich! This is a death order! I absolutely cannot tolerate being stepped on by Hoffenheim, and Bayern Munich fans can tolerate it even less! This blow to the club's reputation would be devastating!"
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge took over, his tone more pragmatic, yet also cold:
"Sali, after this meeting, prepare an overwhelmingly persuasive offer for Oliver. Financially... we can consider selling fringe players and adjusting the budget structure to prioritize this. Remember, ensure that when we enter the final bidding stage, we have the heaviest leverage. This concerns our dominance in the Bundesliga, and there is no room for error. You've been a director for so many years; you shouldn't make mistakes on this matter."
"There's one more thing," Hoeness added.
"This Nagelsmann... this young local genius Coach, he cannot be overlooked either. He started as a youth team Coach at Munich 1860 at 21. He can mold the current Hoffenheim into a team full of fighting spirit and tactical discipline with such limited resources. Making loaned players like Gnabry, De Jong, Maguire play such a huge role... this coaching ability, this player development ability, this potential to unite a team... it's truly invaluable."
His tone revealed undisguised admiration,
"Ancelotti certainly deserves respect, but we must plan for the future. If Ancelotti leaves later, it's not impossible for Nagelsmann to take over Bayern Munich. How about this, find a way to contact his team in advance, understand his thoughts, his plans. Hoffenheim, this small temple, cannot keep this great man."
Thus, a bold idea quickly formed in the minds of Bayern Munich's high-ranking officials: They planned to bring Hoffenheim's super-new star Oliver and the young Coach Nagelsmann, who shaped this team,
"Package the master and disciple and bring them back to Munich!"
The executives continued chatting, and then talked about Gnabry, who was on loan to Hoffenheim.
"At least, Gnabry's performance this season has been pleasing," Technical Director Reschke interjected appropriately, with a relieved smile,
"He has received ample playing time and room for growth at Hoffenheim, fully unleashing his impact in Nagelsmann's system. This loan decision now seems very correct."
The management team nodded in agreement after hearing this, which was also a comfort to them. Salihamidzic immediately added: "Our plan for next season must include Gnabry's return. His impact on the left wing is exactly what we need. I will continue to maintain good communication with Hoffenheim to ensure he gets the best training in the remaining season, and at the same time, start planning for his role after his return."
The Bayern Munich high-level meeting ended in a tense atmosphere. Hoffenheim's dark horse surge and Oliver's sudden emergence completely disrupted the Bundesliga situation.
...
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