German Bundesliga, penultimate round, Rhein-Neckar Arena.
The early summer sun brought warmth, yet it couldn't hide the almost burning passion of the fans in the stands. As the League entered its heated sprint phase, Hoffenheim, with a one-point advantage over Bayern, climbed to the top of the Bundesliga standings! And today, this second-to-last match at home against RB Leipzig held immense significance. They needed to solidify this hard-won lead and, even more, reclaim their dignity after their away defeat to RB Leipzig in the middle of the season.
However, even more captivating than the points was the familiar and exhilarating name that finally appeared on the starting lineup.
"Ladies and gentlemen!! Now, let us welcome Hoffenheim's starting players onto the field!" The passionate voice of the stadium announcer rang out.
As Hoffenheim's players successively ran out of the players' tunnel and stepped onto the green turf they had fought on countless times, the applause from the fans was enthusiastic and rhythmic. However, when the announcer clearly read out the next name:
"Number 17 — Oliver — Thorne —"
In an instant! The entire Rhein-Neckar Arena seemed like a lit powder keg! In the stands, regardless of gender or age, all Hoffenheim fans dressed in red and blue jerseys, as if receiving a silent command, stood up from their seats in unison! There was no premeditation, no organization. It was a surging torrent of emotion from the depths of their hearts!
More than thirty thousand fans, with their uniform standing, with deafening cheers, shouts, and applause like a mountain roaring and a sea raging, welcomed their hero's return! The wave of sound converged into a powerful force, instantly soaring into the sky, pushing the stadium's atmosphere to an unprecedented peak!
"Oliver! Oliver! Oliver!"
"Our Number 17! Welcome back!"
"Welcome back!"
A huge banner unfurled in the stands, emblazoned with a photo of Oliver fighting with blood at Bernabéu, beside which was written a giant slogan:
"Forged in Steel! The Spirit of Number 17 Lives On!"
This was prepared by the fans in advance after Hoffenheim's official announcement that Oliver would return in this match. This cheer was not only an acknowledgment of Oliver's superb skills and pivotal role. It was also the highest tribute to the iron will and fearless responsibility he displayed on that night at Bernabéu, carrying the team on his shoulders, a display that won hearts of people around the world. At the same time, it was filled with the immense joy and relief of the fans whose deep worries about his injury were finally released!
Standing on the sidelines, preparing to enter, Oliver was clearly deeply shaken by this sudden and grand tribute. He stopped, looked up, and gazed at the sea of fans boiling for him. Today, Oliver's face lacked its usual sternness or flamboyance, replaced by a deep and gentle emotion. He took a deep breath, didn't immediately run to his position, but slowly and solemnly raised his hands, waving to the fans present in the stadium. Then, he straightened up, a long-unseen, slightly shy but incredibly warm smile on his face, and waved vigorously to every corner of the stands.
Nagelsmann on the sidelines also couldn't help but applaud his beloved disciple. Oliver's silent interaction spoke louder than a thousand words. The response from the stands was an even more fervent wave of cheers!
The match began.
Oliver's return was like injecting lubricant into Hoffenheim's high-speed machine. He appeared in his familiar right-winger position, running actively, making sharp penetrations, and every touch of the ball caused a tense and excited stir in the stands. Although he had just recovered from injury, his explosiveness and the quality of his technical movements had not diminished at all. His ability to read the game and his sense for goal, like an instinct etched into his bones, were also completely intact.
In the 28th minute, the opportunity arrived!
De Jong, receiving the ball in midfield, the broad-visioned midfield master keenly captured a momentary loosening in RB Leipzig's defense.Without hesitation, he delivered a precise through ball, like a surgical knife, instantly piercing through RB Leipzig's entire backline! The ball skimmed the turf, rolling at high speed towards the open space on the right side of the opponent's six-yard box. There, a blue lightning bolt had already launched!
Oliver!
He executed a perfect offside trap, shaking off all defenders. He was one-on-one with RB Leipzig goalkeeper Gulácsi. The stands held their breath instantly! Oliver dribbled into the penalty area, facing the charging goalkeeper, he didn't choose a powerful shot, but instead, with extreme calmness, he gently pushed the ball with the outside of his right foot. An extremely tricky low shot! The ball slipped past Gulácsi's outstretched leg, accurately rolling into the far corner of the goal.
"Gooooooal!!!!!!! Oliver!!! First goal on his return!!! This is his 30th Bundesliga League goal!!! Let's cheer for this tough guy who returned from injury!!" The commentary box erupted in excited shouts.
"A perfect offside, a calm push shot, De Jong's pass was astonishingly brilliant, Oliver announced his perfect return with a goal!"
After scoring, Oliver did not celebrate wildly; he first waved to the four sides of the stadium, then turned and pointed to De Jong, who had provided the crucial assist. The two ran together, high-fiving and hugging tightly.
Immediately, he ran to the sidelines, faced the stands, took a deep breath, and struck that celebration pose so familiar to the fans—body slightly lowered, center of gravity stable, right hand as if holding an invisible whip, slowly and powerfully, with grace, swinging forward. The long-awaited Aikido celebration. The entire red ocean of the stadium was instantly ignited by this iconic movement. The roar of the fans' cheers once again reached its peak!
Before halftime, RB Leipzig managed to pull one back through Emil Forsberg after a quick counter-attack, making it 1-1. But Hoffenheim's morale was not significantly affected. In the second half, both sides competed even more fiercely. Oliver remained the primary target for RB Leipzig's defense, but he constantly created opportunities for his teammates with flexible runs and passes.
The turning point came in the 67th minute.
Hoffenheim was awarded a free-kick on the left wing in the attacking half. Gnabry lofted the ball into the box. In the ensuing scramble, RB Leipzig center-back Upamecano leaped high to clear the ball. However, the ball, by some strange twist of fate, struck the raised arm of his teammate Emil Forsberg, who was attempting to challenge for the header nearby!
"Whistle—!" The referee's whistle was exceptionally firm, and his finger decisively pointed to the penalty spot.
Penalty!
RB Leipzig players immediately surrounded the referee to protest, but the slow-motion replay clearly and unmistakably showed Emil Forsberg's handball foul. The penalty decision was beyond dispute. All eyes in the stadium were focused on the penalty spot. Who would take it?
Nagelsmann had already made arrangements; his beloved disciple would take the penalty, partly because Oliver would soon leave Hoffenheim, and partly to try and get Oliver a few more goals. Oliver picked up the ball and walked steadily towards the twelve-yard spot. He took a deep breath and carefully placed the ball. Across from him, goalkeeper Gulácsi jumped on the goal line, trying to interfere. The stands were silent, tens of thousands of eyes fixed on him.
Run-up was with steady rhythm. No fancy moves whatsoever! A push shot with the instep of his right foot, the ball speed was not fast, but the angle was extremely tricky, aiming for the bottom left corner of the goal. It was almost the theoretical dead angle!
Gulácsi guessed the right direction and dived sideways. His fingertips even brushed the ball. But though the ball speed wasn't fast, the angle was too tricky. The ball eventually grazed the inside of the post and rolled into the net.
"Oliver! Penalty converted!!! Brace!!! Hoffenheim takes the lead again! 2-1! His 31st goal!!!!"
Oliver clenched his fist and let out a low roar, running around the field, sharing the joy of the goal with his teammates and fans. In the final stages of the match, Hoffenheim scored another goal through Gnabry, completely sealing the victory. The final score was set at 3-1. Hoffenheim successfully avenged their loss to RB Leipzig at home, securing all three points. With only one round left in the League, they still held a one-point advantage over Bayern Munich, who also won their match, firmly occupying the top position in the standings.
At the final whistle, the players hugged each other in celebration. Oliver walked to the sidelines and once again applauded the stands in gratitude. At this moment, RB Leipzig's tall center-back Upamecano voluntarily approached him. The French center-back had a sincere smile and a hint of admiration on his face.
"Hey, Oliver," Upamecano extended his hand, "Congratulations, two goals on your return, that's great."
Oliver also smiled and shook his hand: "Thank you, Dayot, you guys played very tough today too."
Upamecano looked at the faint mark on his forehead, then subconsciously glanced at his right leg, and his expression became serious: "To be honest, brother, those two games you played at Bernabéu… I watched them live. Especially the second one…"
Upamecano paused, seemingly recalling the tragic scene, "Your forehead bleeding, your thigh getting tackled like that… refusing to come off twice… toughing it out for the last few minutes… that scene… honestly, it was so tough! I admire you!"
He forcefully patted Oliver's shoulder, his tone filled with genuine admiration, but also a hint of lingering fear and concern: "But that was too risky! Really! Your body is your capital in the game! Especially for us who rely on our physique for a living! You're a top star now, you need to know how to protect yourself even more! Don't ever play like that again!"
This was sincere concern and advice from an opponent, from a fellow professional.
The smile on Oliver's face gradually faded, becoming serious and gentle. He looked at Upamecano's concerned eyes and nodded: "You're right, Dayot. Absolutely right."
He took a deep breath, his gaze frank and filled with the clarity of someone who had experienced much: "It was only after that match, in the hospital, that I truly understood… some things are far more important than winning or losing on the field, more important than a momentary victory."
He thought of what had happened these past few days; it had a profound impact on Oliver. "That is… the feelings of those who truly care about you, who love you." Oliver's voice was calm, yet it carried a heavy weight, "Making them anxious, even heartbroken, that's the greatest loss. I was too impulsive then, too naive. Thank you, brother, I will remember it. I will protect myself in the future, and you should protect yourself too; the defender's position is not easy either."
Upamecano looked at the calmness and maturity in Oliver's eyes, different from his usual intensity on the field, and felt the sincerity and weight in his words.
He nodded forcefully, a relieved smile on his face: "That's right, Oliver, that's the smart way to do it. Protect yourself so you can play longer and win more championships!"
With that, he opened his arms and gave Oliver a powerful hug.
"Keep fighting! I look forward to our next duel!" Upamecano patted Oliver's back and turned to walk towards his teammates.
Oliver stood still, watching this "friend" from the opposing team.
[Player Upamecano's interaction level reached 100%, unlocking skill "Turbocharged Pressing", skill match rate 81%]
The system provided a notification. The early summer wind, carrying the scent of the turf, swept across the stadium. The wave of fans in the stands continued to surge, cheering for their victory. Oliver turned around and ran towards his wildly celebrating teammates, sharing the joy with them. The League championship salad bowl and the German Cup at the Berlin Olympiastadion were shimmering with enticing light, beckoning him and all of Hoffenheim.
This time, he would face the final challenges of the season with a more mature mindset and a healthier body.
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So poll for female lead has ended. We got a winner.
Drum rolls
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Just go to p@tre0n man.
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What? You still here?
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Fine.
The winner is
*Ba Dumm Tss*
🎊Alessia Russo🎊