Master Tutoring Class

Chapter 239 New Season! First Goal!

Morton and Fran were exchanging pleasantries.

Wei Lai looked curiously at the legendary coach, Fran.

I remember this person was a little chubby, but now he is extremely thin. He's not exactly skin and bones, but he's not much better off.

He gets out of breath after talking a lot, which shows that he is not strong enough.

After chatting for a while, Wei Lai noticed that Coach Fran suddenly looked at him and then walked over.

"You've played in the English Premier League?"

Coach Forlán asked directly.

Wei Lai paused for a moment, then immediately shook his head: "No!"

Fran nodded; "How old are you?"

Wei Lai honestly replied, "17 years old!"

"This is the age to create miracles!" Fran exclaimed, then suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about playing for Manchester City?"

Wei Lai was stunned.

What's the problem?

"Hey!"

Old Master Morton walked over and interrupted their conversation, saying, "This is against the rules!"

Fran smiled and didn't ask any further questions.

He didn't even go to the Manchester City side of the bench; instead, he walked over and patted Hendrick on the shoulder.

"boss!"

Hendrick said dejectedly.

Fran smiled, patted him twice more gently, and then turned and left.

As for Atlético Amsterdam, after the warm-up matches ended, they moved to another venue to prepare for their third warm-up match.

The third warm-up match was played in the rain.

On rainy days in England, the rain doesn't fall vertically downwards, but rather drifts everywhere.

Even with an umbrella, it's useless; the rain is so strong it practically splatters your face.

The third warm-up match was relatively more difficult due to the rain, and the ball became harder to control.

However, Atlético Amsterdam still managed to secure a 2-1 victory thanks to their outstanding performance.

All three warm-up matches have concluded, with two wins and one loss, which is a respectable result.

After completing these events, they immediately returned to the Netherlands to prepare for the new season.

The new season will officially kick off on August 12th.

Atlético Amsterdam's first-round opponent is Almerós Elite.

On August 7, after the team arrived at the club, Wei Lai was called over by the club's management to renegotiate the contract.

Ultimately, Wei Lai's contract was extended to five years, and his salary jumped from 5,000 euros to 20,000 euros per week.

Although it's still a significant gap compared to players like Conrad Lehmann, who have the highest salaries in the team, it's still a major leap in income.

On August 11, Wei Lai received a notification that his hometown media had finally obtained an opportunity to follow and film him after negotiating with the club's management.

This is a right that Leksports acquired after spending a lot of effort and money.

They will be filming from August 11th until the end of the first round of matches on August 12th.

Moreover, since Morton had given his approval, Wei Lai didn't refuse any further.

The filming team consisted of three people.

A cameraman named Li Hanbin, a recorder named Liu Guoxiang, and a reporter named Luo Hao.

In the restaurant, Wei Lai was eating, but three people across from him were taking pictures of him.

Wei Lai was somewhat unaccustomed to it.

"Would you like some?"

Wei Lai looked up and asked.

The three of them immediately shook their heads.

"You eat! You eat!"

"Don't let us affect your performance."

"Don't worry about us, we've already eaten."

Wei Lai scratched his head awkwardly: "What should I do?"

"No need! Just do what you normally do!" Luo Hao said.

Before long, the teammates began to enter the restaurant one after another.

After getting their food, Felix, Conrad Lehmann, and Reyessa went straight to Wei Lai's side.

"You're conducting an exclusive interview?" Felix glanced at the three reporters. "Should we leave?"

“No need!” Wei Lai shook his head; “I’ll just be there to film and record.”

“It’s a documentary!” Conrad Lehman said casually, sitting across from Wei Lai. “Are you famous where you are?”

Wei Lai scratched his head; "I guess so!"

While Wei Lai and the others were chatting, Luo Hao immediately urged the cameraman, "Film it, film all of this!"

In the afternoon, the team held an internal training session.

Luo Hao looked at Wei Lai and asked, "Just two hours of practice?"

Wei Lai nodded; "Generally, it's two hours. After all, the competition is tomorrow, and during the preparation period, we train twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon."

"It doesn't feel very intense!" Luo Hao asked curiously.

Wei Lai grinned; "We won't be able to film for a while, tactical training doesn't allow filming."

"Ah!" Luo Hao shook his head with some regret.

Once the training camp started, Luo Hao had no choice but to turn off the camera.

Soon, they understood what rhythm and intensity meant.

Once the tactical training began, the rapid running and quick passing left them completely bewildered.

Sometimes, before you even realize it, the ball has already been moved.

They didn't even know how these guys reacted.

Wei Lai was among them, and his movements and rhythm were almost identical to his teammates, demonstrating his complete integration into the team.

Unfortunately, these cannot be filmed.

When the competition begins, filming can resume, making it even more exciting.

Luo Hao had also watched intra-team scrimmages in the Chinese Super League, but the pace was completely different.

too fast!
It was so fast it was almost overwhelming.

Filming ended in the evening.

Luo Hao smiled and said, "We'll come back tomorrow morning."

Wei Lai nodded; "When will it be released?"

"I'll edit it tonight and send it back to China. There's also a live broadcast tomorrow!"

"Live broadcast?" Wei Lai was taken aback.

Luo Hao nodded: "Of course, sensitive parts will not be filmed, but some simple filming in the locker room during pre-match preparations and the time spent traveling to the stadium is allowed."

Wei Lai nodded: "Understood! See you tomorrow!"

In China, a short video titled "Wei Lai's Training Day" appeared on the Leke video platform in the evening.

The moment the short film appeared, a large number of fans flocked to watch it.

'They're here! They're here!'

First! First!

'Finally, they're filming us!'

'Wow, that's a touching five minutes!'

'There are too many things they don't allow to be photographed!'

A short film slowly appears on screen.

6:30 AM.

In the early morning, outside the window, the sky over Amsterdam was just beginning to lighten, and a thin mist shrouded the canals. Inside the dormitory, the light was dim and the atmosphere was quiet.

Jingle Bell!
A simple alarm clock vibrated on the bedside table, and a hand quickly pressed the button to turn it off.

Camera follows:

Wei Lai slowly got up, drew back the curtains, and quietly looked at the unfamiliar city outside the window.

Inner monologue: "Here, every day is like an exam. Not comparing myself to others, but comparing myself to yesterday's self."

7:15 AM.

Wei Lai, wearing Amsterdam Athletic's training uniform and carrying a ball, walked towards the training field.

The quiet, winding path was occasionally punctuated by the chirping of cicadas in summer, and dewdrops rippled along the puddles on the ground where grass and flowers had fallen.

Inner monologue: "They told me that the great Claudius also walked this path, stepping on the same cobblestones, but in a completely different world."

8:00 AM.

The locker room was filled with energy, with teammates greeting each other and joking in Dutch and English. Wei Lai high-fived and chatted with familiar teammates.

Wei Lai carefully tidied his sneakers and shin guards; his jersey had his surname 'Wei.L' printed on the back.

Background sounds: noisy laughter, the sound of cabinet doors opening and closing, and the crisp sound of soccer cleats hitting the ground.

9:00 AM.

In the tactical analysis room, the entire team sat, with a large screen playing video recordings of both their own and their opponents' matches.

In a close-up shot, Coach Morton uses a laser pointer to draw running routes on the screen, emphasizing high pressing and the three-second counter-pressing principle after losing possession.

The camera focuses on Wei Lai, who is listening attentively while simultaneously taking notes rapidly in his notebook, which contains a mix of Chinese and English notes and route maps.

Monologue: "Every run, every passing choice will be scrutinized under a microscope. Here, you can't be 'invisible'."

PM13:00.

At the gym, Wei Lai was doing core strength training under the guidance of a physical trainer, his clothes soaked with sweat.

Afterwards, he took alternating hot and cold baths in the icy recovery pool, his face showing a determined expression.

Finally, a physical therapist massaged his leg muscles to relax them.

Monologue: "My body is my only weapon. I must learn to listen to its voice, whether it is pain or growth."

PM15:00.

The highlight of the day's training was an 11v11 team match held on a standard-sized training field.

The intensity and rhythm completely simulated a formal match, with shouts and the sound of shoes rubbing against the grass constantly filling the air.

Wei Lai received the ball in the flank area, used a V-shaped dribble to evade the pressure, and immediately delivered a curved cross with his right foot, assisting Felix to score.

Assistant coach Pescho shouted from the sidelines, "Good! Wei, that's it!"

Felix ran over and gave him a high five.

Wei Lai wore a confident smile.

At dusk, I practiced alone until 17:30 PM.

As his teammates left one by one, only Wei Lai and his shadow remained on the empty training ground.

He moved a basket of soccer balls outside the penalty area and began practicing free kicks. Time and again, the soccer balls traced different arcs, flying towards various corners of the goal.

Monologue: "Only when everyone leaves will it be time to truly be myself, to kick those 'not good enough' things, one by one, into the net!"

Ending scene:

The last ball went into the net with a thud. Wei Lai bent down to pick up the balls scattered on the ground and neatly put them into the basket.

He glanced back at the training field, which was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, then turned and resolutely walked toward the locker room.

The screen went black, and then subtitles appeared.

"I'm in Amsterdam, a new season is about to begin, and new challenges are on the horizon!"

After the short film ended, the comment section quickly became lively.

"Wow! Who do I see? Felix and Hendrick."

"Wei Lai's assist to Felix with that perfect arc was so cool!"

"It doesn't feel out of place at all! He's completely integrated." "Are you kidding? Wei Lai was already a starter at the end of last season, and although it's not one of the top five leagues, it was still a starting position for Sporting Amsterdam in the Eredivisie! There's more to it than meets the eye!"

"In the new season, Atlético Amsterdam will be competing on two fronts, the league and the Europa League, and Wei Lai will have a chance to play in both! I'm so excited!"

"Go Wei Lai!"

"He made his debut for Atlético Amsterdam at just 17 years old, I'm blown away by Wei Lai!"

"Good luck in the first game! Aim for a starting position!"

"I'll definitely be there tomorrow! To see Wei Lai's first game of the new season!"

"Hopefully I can play, and I'll try to start!"

The next day, when Wei Lai got up and arrived at the cafeteria, Luo Hao and the others had already pointed the camera at their faces.

"Live broadcast?"

Wei came to inquire.

Luo Hao nodded and smiled, "You can say hello!"

Wei Lai: "Hello everyone, I'm Wei Lai!"

The entire comment section exploded.

"Wei Lai!!!!—"

"Come on!!"

"Wei Lai! Hello!"

"Go! Go! Charge forward!"

"Will there be a chance to play?"

"Starting position?"

"Playing as a substitute is fine too!"

Luo Hao flipped his phone over so Wei Lai could see the comments.

"It's quite lively!"

Wei Lai smiled but did not answer.

Before Morton announced the starting lineup, Wei Lai didn't dare to make any guarantees.

Soon, Wei Lai ran to the tactics room.

But filming is not allowed here.

Luo Hao and the others could only stand outside and wait.

“Tactical details cannot be filmed, so we can only wait here. The match starts at 17 pm Dutch time, and Amsterdam Sport will depart for the home stadium at 14 pm.”

"Mr. Morton has just announced the roster."

Luo Hao laughed and said, "Wei Lai has made the roster!"

The barrage of comments became heated again.

"Awesome! Wei Lai is awesome!"

"Starting lineup! Starting lineup!"

"Go for it, Wei Lai!"

Soon, the entire first team came out and did a simple warm-up run around the field.

During the session, head coach Morton called over players such as Wei Lai, Mussar, Felix, and Konrad Lehmann to reiterate the tactics.

But the camera was too far away to hear clearly.

But fans saw that Morton was pulling Wei Lai along, talking non-stop, which was a very positive sign.

After lunch, the atmosphere became a little more somber.

After all, the afternoon match was fast approaching.

This somber atmosphere was conveyed to every fan through the lens.

Soon, at 14:00 PM, the players on the roster boarded the team bus.

The bus slowly drove toward the Amstel River Stadium.

"nervous?"

Luo Hao sat down next to Wei Lai and asked.

Wei Lai shook his head: "I'm not nervous at all, it's not the first time."

Luo Hao: "Are you confident you can win the match?"

Wei Lai laughed and said, "You'll only know after you've tried it!"

Soon, the bus arrived at the stadium.

The enthusiastic cheers and shouts were conveyed through the camera to every fan watching the live broadcast.

The lively scene was infectious, captivating everyone present.

Wei Lai had no time to deal with Luo Hao and the others, and they didn't bother him either, quietly filming.

Inside the locker room, Wei Lai and others were making preparations.

Soon, Luo Hao and his live-streaming team were asked to leave the changing room.

But Luo Hao still brought good news.

Luo Hao looked excitedly at the camera and said, "Wei Lai! Starting!"

Suddenly, the comments section of the live stream became lively again.

"In this match, Atlético Amsterdam made no changes to their forward line, while the midfield pairing consisted of Wei and Mussal."

"Musar's arrival at Sporting Amsterdam has filled the gap in Morton's team organization. Meanwhile, the young Chinese player Wei performed exceptionally well at the end of last season. Morton will continue to trust this young player in this match. On the other hand, Hendrick has been benched, with Reyessa starting as the defensive midfielder."

"Almerlo Excelsior is also fielding their strongest lineup, with Swedish striker Zich, who just joined this season, starting the game. Can he solve Almerlo Excelsior's lack of firepower?"

"Let's wait and see if Atlético Amsterdam can regain their form this season!"

Dutch commentator Louis van Gaal gives the pre-match introduction.

Meanwhile, the players from both sides had already lined up in the players' tunnel.

The narrow and cramped player tunnel at Atlético Amsterdam's home stadium puts some pressure on the opponents.

Especially the newly transferred Swedish striker Zich, who turned his head to look at the starting lineup of Atlético Amsterdam, his eyes gleaming.

Felix, Kakabania, Musar.

These three were once world-class players, and although they are now older, they are still very strong.

He also wants to perform well in this competition.

Musar suddenly turned to look at Wei Lai.

"I'll control the ball. If you feel there's an opportunity, ignore me and launch the attack!"

Wei Lai immediately nodded; "Understood!"

Atletico Amsterdam's midfield possession was distributed to Wei Lai and Musar.

Musar is the main force, with Wei Lai as his assistant.

Musar organized the organization, while Wei Lai was more of an offensive type.

Morton hopes that Mussal will encourage Wei to learn more, which is why he has paired the two together, even at the cost of keeping Hendrick on the bench.

"It's our turn to make our entrance!"

At the very front, Dennis Chilburn, wearing the captain's armband, turned his head and shouted.

"Ready to fight!"

The crowd roared.

The first round of the 2027/2028 Eredivisie season, featuring the match between Sporting Amsterdam and Almería Excelsior, is about to kick off.

"Athletico Amsterdam is still in possession of the ball. Musar is very patient. He doesn't launch too aggressive attacks, but keeps probing."

"Wei is also supporting from the side, and they are alternating the transfer of possession. Compared to Musar, Wei's style is more aggressive, and he will make more forward passes to probe."

Dutch commentator Van Gaal nodded.

This season, Atlético Amsterdam's midfield play has improved significantly, with fewer blind attacking decisions.

During the stalemate, they were patient.

"Athletico Amsterdam is still testing the waters; they are very patient."

On the Lek Sports website, Zhan Jing, watching the game, shouted, "Wei Lai! You lobbed the ball to avoid the pressure and passed it to Musar. Musar didn't rush to pass the ball, and Almero Elite's defense was stretched thin."

"Middle! Move it a bit!"

Qi He shouted loudly.

This game was very uncomfortable, especially for those two guys in the midfield for Atlético Amsterdam.

One Musar! One Wei Lai!
These two players kept them running around like crazy, and it was extremely difficult to steal the ball from them. The situation wasn't looking good.

Wei Lai kept observing, and he felt that it was almost done.

Wei Lai took the initiative to run towards the middle, and Musar also made cross-position runs in tacit agreement.

As the two passed each other, Musar stepped on the ball and stood still, while Wei Lai snatched the ball away.

Wei Lai suddenly appeared with the ball in the left flank area.

"Damn it!"

Almorlo Elite's right-back, Rogoz, was startled.

Next to him was Konrad Lehmann.

The teammate who was supposed to be marking Wei Lai in the middle position has now been taken away by Musar.

Wei Lai had absolutely no restrictions in the rib area.

Wei Lai cut the ball and dribbled sideways.

"Pay attention to the goalkeeper's positioning!"

While observing, Wei Lai noticed that the goalkeeper was positioned close to the left post.

"Have the opportunity!"

Wei Lai suddenly rolled up his left arm, assuming a shooting stance.

"Block it!"

The goalkeeper of Almero Elite roared.

However, the center-back was some distance from Wei Lai and could not catch up in time.

Wei Lai was already in a shooting stance.

boom!
A curling shot, the ball wasn't particularly fast, but the curve was very pronounced.

After taking the shot, Wei Lai leaned his entire body to the left, grinning, and kept muttering:

"Turn around! Turn around!"

Dutch commentator Van Gaal exclaimed:
"Wei! Go for a long-range shot, this ball..."

The ball arced through the air, and although its speed was not fast, the arc was very wide. As it approached the goal, it suddenly dipped.

Swish!
The ball bounced into the net.

In the 18th minute of the first half, Wei Lai scored with a long-range shot.

First goal!

"In!"

Wei Lai suddenly jumped up, raised his hands high, and kept jumping.

The other teammates immediately rushed over to celebrate.

Hey! High five!

"That ball pocket is so cool!"

"I thought it was passed to me, hahaha! That was such a clever play."

Wei Lai's teammates hugged him and cheered loudly.

Commentator Van Gaal stood up excitedly:

"Wei! Beautiful! Beautiful! A brilliant curling shot! Although the ball wasn't fast, the angle was too tricky. Almeró Elite shouldn't have allowed Wei to shoot from that position. They made a stupid defensive mistake!"

"In the first game of the new season, Wei scored his first goal in the Eredivisie!"

"He has maintained the form he had last season, no! He's even better!"

"Rejoice, Amsterdam fans! This stadium has once again given birth to a genius!"

(End of this chapter)