After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

(Third update today, thank you for your support and encouragement.)

In early March, the Champions League battles kicked off in the small town of Sinsheim.

Hoffenheim, with a huge advantage from their 3-1 away win against Porto in the first leg, will host the second leg at home.

Despite Hoffenheim holding a two-goal advantage and three away goals, the experienced Porto team is no pushover, and they stepped onto the pitch with a strong determination to fight back.

In the locker room before the match, head coach Nagelsmann looked serious and focused, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of staying focused and controlling the pace.

"Everyone! Forget about the score of the first leg, treat this match as if it were 0-0! In the second leg, their counterattack will be very fierce. We must withstand the pressure at the start and always look for opportunities to suppress them!" Coach Nash's gaze swept over each player, lingering briefly on his protégé's face, full of trust.

"Understood, boss!" the men shouted in unison.

Yan Yuan did not start in this match.

Nash hopes to maintain the team's momentum in the second half by using Yan Yuan as a backup plan, while also conserving the energy of key players for the upcoming, more demanding schedule.

The course of the first half proved Nagelsmann's prediction correct.

Porto demonstrated the resilience and skill of a Portuguese powerhouse, with their high pressing and rapid passing putting considerable pressure on Hoffenheim's defense.

Hoffenheim, on the other hand, focused on counter-attacking, resulting in extremely intense midfield battles.

The deadlock was broken towards the end of the first half.

Hoffenheim seized a quick counter-attack opportunity, with center forward Uth winning the ball in the attacking third, surging forward, and calmly slotting it home!

1-0!

The Rhein-Neckar Arena was instantly detonated, the enormous sound almost lifting the roof off.

This goal almost completely extinguished Porto's hopes, changing the aggregate score to 4-1.

At halftime, with a lead in hand, the entire Hoffenheim team returned to the locker room with cautious optimism.

The second half had just begun, and Porto's attacking momentum had not yet subsided.

Their wingers repeatedly attempted to attack Hoffenheim's right flank.

Nagelsmann made the first substitution with keen insight.

He pointed to the substitutes' bench and shouted:

"Yan! Go warm up!"

A few minutes later, the fourth official standing on the sidelines raised the substitution board: No. 9 Oakes is replaced by No. 17 Yan Yuan in the right winger position!

Nash helped Yan Yuan straighten his sleeves, and Yan Yuan took a deep breath before stepping onto the familiar battlefield of the pitch.

Yan Yuan's teammates gave him high-fives, and the fans at the Hoffenheim home stadium cheered for their star player.

Yan Yuan's appearance immediately created a restraining effect.

Porto players clearly know how formidable this number 17 is; his dribbling, dribbling, and finishing abilities have already been proven in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

Whenever Yan Yuan receives the ball on the right wing, at least two defenders will nervously move closer.

This alleviated the pressure in the middle to some extent and also opened up space in Porto's already somewhat loose midfield and defense.

In the 72nd minute, Hoffenheim controlled possession of the ball in the right side of midfield.

Porto players maintained an attacking stance overall, leaving the defensive midfield position somewhat vulnerable.

De Jong received a back pass in the middle of the field in front of Yan Yuan. He keenly observed that the Porto players' attention seemed to be briefly drawn to their teammates who were making runs on the other side.

De Jong didn't hold onto the ball; he turned and delivered a high-quality diagonal long pass, precisely targeting the gap in the flank of Porto's defense!

The pass was incredibly clever, its trajectory positioned between the flank and the junction of the center-back and the full-back, at just the right height to clear the desperately chasing midfield interception line.

More importantly, Yan Yuan had already started!

He made a diagonal run down the right flank like a red lightning bolt, getting a step ahead of the pass and blocking the gap between the opponent's left center-back and left-back just before they closed in!

Without even stopping the ball, just as the defenders were trying to close in, he used the outside of his right foot to gently flick the ball diagonally into the top of the penalty arc.

This move completely caught Porto's defense off guard.

Their defensive focus was on the possible routes Yan Yuan might take to break through or shoot, and even on his routine handling of the ball after receiving it.

But this brilliant volley with the outside of his foot, though not fast, had an extremely tricky trajectory, just clearing the pressing defensive midfielder while allowing his teammates to receive the ball comfortably.

Where will the ball land?

It's located just to the right of the edge of the penalty area!

At that very moment, a gigantic figure arrived as promised!

Center-back Harry Maguire!

Maguire becomes a nuclear weapon when Hoffenheim gets a set piece or when the opponent pushes into their own half.

This time, Porto's high-pressing strategy failed to result in a timely retreat, leaving their backline vulnerable.

As Yan Yuan started his run, Maguire was also observing. When he saw De Jong's passing route and Yan Yuan's unexpected tap-in, Maguire sensed an opportunity.

He strode forward and sprinted at full speed toward the empty landing area!

Yan Yuan's deft touch sent the ball tracing a tiny arc that perfectly avoided any possible defensive interference, landing precisely in unoccupied territory.

Maguire arrived immediately.

The Porto player defending him was misled by Yan Yuan's run and pass, and his hasty recovery was too late.

Faced with this "golden pie" that seemed to fall from the sky, Maguire even had time to adjust his footwork, aim at the goal, and leap high into the air!

His massive 194cm frame gave him absolute dominance in the air, and he swung his neck powerfully!

The ball was headed in a very clean and sharp angle by Maguire's forehead, heading straight for the far corner of the goal!

Although the Porto goalkeeper was experienced, after witnessing the chaotic passing sequence just now in the penalty area, and with his view being partially obstructed by his teammates who were rushing back, his reaction was ultimately a beat too slow!

He made a desperate dive to the side, barely managing to touch the ball with his fingertips, but he couldn't stop it from crossing the goal line by a hair's breadth and flying into the net!

2-0!! 5-1 on aggregate!!

The entire goal-scoring process was fluid and effortless, especially Maguire's header, which was so easy and graceful!

After scoring, Maguire roared with excitement and pounded the team badge on his chest.

He immediately rushed towards the source of the pass, the young Yan Yuan.

Amid the deafening cheers of tens of thousands of fans at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, Maguire's massive frame almost completely enveloped the rather slender Yan Yuan.

He vigorously ruffled Yan Yuan's hair, repeatedly shouting, "It's fucking gorgeous, Yan! That's awesome, buddy!" Yan Yuan laughed in his arms, and the two embraced each other in celebration.

The scene is visually striking: one is a solid "aircraft carrier" and the other is agile "speedboat".

At this moment, however, they were closely linked by a brilliant goal and a superb assist, becoming the most dazzling combination on both ends of Hoffenheim's offense and defense.

On the sidelines, Nagelsmann's eyes gleamed with barely concealed excitement and...surprise!

He certainly knew Maguire was good at heading, but this goal came so easily, even in a fast-paced game rather than a dead ball, that the opponent could hardly defend against it!

Maguire's absolute aerial dominance and overwhelming presence, combined with Yan Yuan's highly observant and high-quality assists, opened a new door for Nagelsmann's tactics.

His mind raced: "Harry... he's a natural battering ram in the penalty area! Not just for set pieces, but also a deadly weapon on the counter-attack! ... Yan's vision and technique are practically tailor-made for him! This is definitely something to make a big deal out of!"

The match ended 2-0, with Hoffenheim advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 5-1 aggregate score!

The Rhein-Neckar Arena was transformed into a sea of ​​joy; it was undoubtedly a landmark night.

The post-match excitement lasted for two days, but intense training quickly brought the team's attention back to reality.

Making it to the quarterfinals is certainly something to be proud of, but even tougher challenges lie ahead.

The Bundesliga title race between Bayern Munich and Bayern Munich has entered a heated phase, leaving them no room for complacency.

Nagelsmann has clearly taken note of Maguire's heading prowess in the Champions League.

In the following days of training, targeted drills on header offense and defense became the focus.

On the offensive end, Maguire has become the core player.

Whether it's corner kicks, free kicks, or the counter-attack tactics newly added by Nash, these are all simulated.

The focus of the practice was on how to get the ball to Maguire's head more effectively, and how Maguire could maximize his aerial advantage under various double teams.

During set-piece practice, the penalty takers repeatedly practiced passing the ball at different heights and with different spins.

Yan Yuan, although a right winger, is also one of the key players in delivering crosses from the flanks.

He is also diligently practicing various crossing techniques: high, flat, and inward-spinning crosses.

Yan Yuan's passing skills are already quite good.

Although he has not yet replicated a high-quality passing skill.

However, his usual hard work and extra training, along with the passing training packs from the system store, have helped him improve a lot.

After a day of intense group training, the players on the field were all drenched in sweat.

Yan Yuan picked up a bottle of mineral water and habitually walked towards Maguire, who had just gotten up from the ground and was resting with his hands on his hips.

"Here, Harry, water." Yan Yuan handed over the mineral water bottle.

Maguire grinned and accepted it without hesitation:

"Thanks, buddy! Those last few passes you made to me today were really clever."

Maguire was referring to a simulation of his powerful header after a successful cross from the wing during the final stages of training.

Just as Maguire's large hand took the cold mineral water bottle, the moment his fingers touched the bottle...

The system has come back to life:

[Interaction level between host Yan Yuan and player Harry Maguire has reached 100%, unlocking the skill: Aerial Dominance Zone, skill compatibility 53%]

[Skill Description: When the skill matching degree reaches 100%, when the host is in an aerial aerial contest, including aerial contests for goal and aerial contests for clearance, the accuracy of predicting the trajectory of the landing point is enhanced, the core power burst is significantly enhanced (specifically enhances the instantaneous burst power at the moment of take-off), and the stability of confrontation is greatly improved, enabling the host to maintain the stability of the aerial posture in intense physical contact and not be easily pushed away.]

Range of effect: Primarily targets the core area where the host directly jumps to contest.

53%...

Yan Yuan quickly scanned the system information in his mind. This was the lowest matching degree the system had determined since he copied so many star player skills.

The reason is self-evident.

Look at Maguire next to him: 194cm tall, weighing nearly 100kg, as strong as an ox, with core strength and physical strength at the level of a top center-back.

As for himself? He is 184cm tall and weighs around 72kg. His body type is more inclined towards speed and agility.

The body types are vastly different, and the muscle types and strength bases are completely opposite.

This means that Maguire's physical foundation for becoming an "air king" lies in his massive weight, which provides a crucial fulcrum for aerial duels and his exceptional ability to withstand overwhelming force.

This is something Yan Yuan could never obtain through simple skill copying.

With a 53% match rate, the system very "honestly" reflects this reality.

What Yan Yuan was able to "replicate" was more of Maguire's technical experience and feel in areas such as prediction, core bursts, and body control.

But he still needs to hone and train his strength himself.

It's like getting a manuscript containing some of the insights and experiences of a top-notch forging master. Even though you don't have the best materials, you can still learn from and draw inspiration from the master's techniques and skills.

In subsequent specialized training sessions focusing on headers, Yan Yuan's concentration and dedication reached a new peak.

He not only buried himself in practicing heading techniques, but also became an active observer and questioner.

When Nagelsmann specifically explained the heading tactics designed for Maguire during training.

For example, how to utilize Maguire's massive physique to create space for other players during set-piece attacks; or how to time Maguire's forward runs during counter-attacks, and how the passer should choose the best passing technique to allow Maguire to unleash his power...

Yan Yuan always sat at the very front, listening intently with a thirst for knowledge in his eyes.

He remained eager to learn:

He listened very attentively to every group scrimmage, set-piece drill, and even theoretical explanation session involving heading training.

Yan Yuan would actively observe how Maguire positioned himself in the crowd, how he used his body to block, and how he adjusted his center of gravity and exerted force at the moment of takeoff.

On one occasion, after the coaching staff had assigned a specific training session focusing on crosses from the wings and attacking runs from the center, Yan Yuan went directly to Nagelsmann's side:

"Coach, regarding that cross just now, if the breakthrough on the wing attracts more defenders, there might be more space in the box than just behind the penalty spot? Harry seemed quite comfortable turning and heading from that position."

Yan Yuan pointed to the tactics board and offered his insights.

Nagelsmann glanced at Yan Yuan with some surprise, then revealed an approving expression:

"Very good, Yan! You observed very carefully."

Harry's height and vision allow him to cover a wide area, but we can't rely solely on the penalty spot area.

The ribs and posterior point should also be fully utilized to create misalignment.

Nash explained in detail to his protégé the differences in Maguire's optimal air attack zone under different attack initiation points and different defensive formations.

Yan Yuan nodded and made a mental note of it.

He then walked over to Maguire, who was stretching and relaxing.

"Harry, about that last play, before you got into position and were about to jump, how did you anticipate that the defender would extend his leg first? I felt that you maintained your balance very well."

Maguire looked at his eager-to-learn young teammate and laughed heartily:

"Buddy, this is the experience of a center-back!"

In addition to observing the slump in the other person's shoulders and the tension in their leg muscles, you should also 'listen' to their breathing rhythm.

Of course, the most important thing is the application of strength and the timing of the jump in the first few steps before taking position. You have to withstand his power, but you can't let him entangle you and make you lose your jumping rhythm...

Maguire shared his insights without reservation. The two began to communicate more frequently during training breaks.

These practical experiences from top center-backs and tactical analyses from coaches nourished Yan Yuan like nutrients.

He even practiced heading the ball extra after the team's training session.

It's not about pointless aerial duels, but rather about training route selection during rapid movement, timing of jumps in tight spaces, and how to use leverage and skillful heading to complete header passes or shots under pressure.

While learning theoretical knowledge, Yan Yuan also strengthened his jumping ability and core strength training, making sure that he did not neglect either theoretical or practical learning.

Nagelsmann saw all of this.

The young coach already has a clearer blueprint in mind.

Maguire is indeed a super weapon capable of changing the landscape of set pieces.

The growing tacit understanding between him and Yan Yuan, and Yan Yuan's precise delivery ability on the flanks, are definitely the key to maximizing the power of this weapon.

He will not only design more heading tactics for Maguire, but perhaps he can also try to let Yan Yuan, who is nominally a right winger, take on a more flexible role at certain times.

After all, a winger with good crossing ability, excellent vision, and a unique understanding and technique in aerial duels will have a more comprehensive tactical value.

Yan Yuan and Maguire's teamwork is constantly improving.

In the short term, Yan Yuan will definitely not be able to become a top-ranking airman.

However, becoming a deadly "assassin" and "mastermind" in aerial combat is a perfectly possible goal.

In March, Hoffenheim, the dark horse from a small town, continued their assault on the breathtaking Champions League final with increasingly clear ambitions and an ever-evolving arsenal.