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

The German Cup semi-finals are underway at the Vessa Stadium.

In the German Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen, Nagelsmann employed his long-prepared "half-rotation" strategy.

Today, Yan Yuan's agile number 17 figure was nowhere to be seen on the field, nor was Gnabry's dashing style on the wing. Maguire and De Jong, the two pillars of the midfield and defense, were also sitting comfortably on the bench.

Instead, players like Demirbay, Szalai, Oakes, and Nordtveit, who are not usually key players, and many more rotation players eager to prove themselves were brought in.

Although the stars on the field were dim, Nagelsmann on the sidelines had a focused gaze.

Their opponent, Werder Bremen, was no pushover, and the match was far from easy.

From the outset, Werder Bremen displayed tenacious resistance, with their midfield and attack constantly pressing Hoffenheim's defense.

But this time, Nagelsmann did his homework very well, even more so than when playing Werder Bremen in both home and away league matches.

He had a very thorough understanding of Werder Bremen's usual attacking tactics and key players.

More importantly, the team's current unstoppable high morale has become a second solid line of defense.

The first half was a close contest until a set piece opportunity.

Demirbay, the defensive midfielder who came on as a substitute but took on a heavy responsibility, showed his value by catching a cleared ball at the edge of the penalty area.

After keen observation, he delivered a clean and precise pass to Szalai, who was lurking on the edge of the penalty area, before the ball even hit the ground.

Szalai held off the defender and, with a classic center forward turn and shot, slammed the ball into the net!

1-0!

This goal ignited the passion of the Hoffenheim fans who had traveled with the team and also calmed the slightly nervous home team.

In the second half, Werder Bremen launched a fierce counterattack, with right-back Nordtveit becoming the key player.

He made a textbook sliding tackle to intercept a dangerous cross from the wing, precisely clearing the ball out of bounds and defusing the danger in front of the goal.

This crucial defensive play was invaluable.

Hoffenheim then extended their lead with a goal from another substitute player.

Although Werder Bremen pulled one back in the final moments, it didn't affect the overall outcome.

Ultimately, thanks to outstanding performances from the rotated players and brilliance from key figures, Hoffenheim defeated Werder Bremen 2-1, advancing proudly to the German Cup final this season!

When the final whistle blew, Hoffenheim's substitutes and fans in the stands erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Players and fans alike embraced and celebrated their hard-won place in the finals.

This season is not only the best in the Champions League, but also the best in the German Cup. This is Hoffenheim's first time reaching the German Cup final.

While everyone else was celebrating, Nagelsmann simply clapped a few times, his expression calm with a hint of relief.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the celebrating crowd and reach into the distance.

As for their opponents in the final, whether it's Bayern Munich or Wolfsburg, who are theoretically a threat, they will face a tough challenge.

Nagelsmann felt no emotion whatsoever.

So what if it's Bayern Munich?

Bayern Munich is indeed strong, but on the stage of the German Cup final, under the spotlight of millions, any gap can be bridged by a moment of determination and chance.

Not to mention they've already defeated Bayern once.

He will not back down, nor will he be afraid.

Because at this moment, the huge weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted, and he could finally devote all his energy to the battlefield he cared about most!

At the beginning of the season, Hoffenheim's management set the goal for the team to reach the semi-finals of the German Cup.

Now that they've reached the German Cup final, they've already exceeded expectations.

Now, Nash can finally, completely and wholeheartedly, place his and his entire coaching staff's soul on the upcoming pinnacle battle of European football, which will soon take place at home:

Hoffenheim host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final!

The celebration of advancing to the German Cup was brief, or rather, there was hardly any celebration at all.

Upon returning to Sinsheim that evening, Nagelsmann gave the entire team clear instructions:

From this moment on, every breath, every drop of sweat, every thought is for Real Madrid!

The training intensity increased dramatically starting on the second day.

The air was filled with an unprecedented, almost suffocating sense of focus.

In front of the tactics board, Nagelsmann's voice, hoarse yet undeniably powerful, repeatedly dissected every detail of Real Madrid.

On the training field, the intensity of the group scrimmage was close to that of actual combat, with the sounds of bodies colliding rising and falling.

The players' shouts were no longer just a morale booster, but more like an instinctive roar erupting when facing a strong opponent.

During the intense tactical drills, a crucial change quietly occurred:

Yes, Nash has put Yan Yuan back in his right winger position.

Although his midfield talent had already been evident in previous matches, showing the beginnings of a future playmaker, Nagelsmann did not hesitate at all in this important decision.

"Strict," Nagelsmann said bluntly in a brief conversation after training.

"Your midfield potential and vision will surely shine brightly in the future."

But next, we'll be facing a midfield trio of Modric, Casemiro, and Kroos.

To go toe-to-toe with them and gain an advantage in that level of midfield battles? That's not risking it, that's suicide.

He pointed to a video of Real Madrid's three midfielders on the training field. The smooth and coordinated passing, the powerful coverage, and the ability to instantly accelerate and tear apart the defense on the screen were truly nerve-wracking.

"We need you here." He pointed heavily to the area where Real Madrid's left-back Marcelo and left center-back Ramos met.

"At the same time, move your position forward, return to your most threatening source—that deadly acceleration, that ghostly run and movement, that final pass that tears apart the defense, or that calm shot! I need you here," he drew a circle on the left side of the tactics board for Real Madrid.

"When Casemiro can't make a lateral movement to cover, and Marcelo can't get back after his run, just ram in! Use your most familiar methods to create the biggest chaos for Real Madrid!"

This is a cold, hard judgment based on reality and reason.

No matter how Nash changes his arrangements, his protégé's position remains a key tactical focus.

Yan Yuan nodded heavily; he knew the coach was right.

His task is to maximize his disruptive power on the right wing of the attacking third, rather than trying to bridge a midfield gap that is impossible to close no matter how hard he tries.

He can play in midfield, but his current midfield level is nothing compared to the dominant "Ceremony Three Midfielders".

In the days that followed, the players trained, and Nagelsmann almost completely shut himself off in the tactics room.

Thick stacks of documents covered the desk and floor, while a large screen repeatedly played recordings of Real Madrid's key matches from recent seasons: Champions League knockout stages, Club World Cup, El Clásico, crucial league games, and national team matches featuring Real Madrid's key players, among others...

Cristiano Ronaldo's sprinting and jumping height and timing in the penalty area, Benzema's tricky positioning on the wing, Isco's habitual dribbling routes, Carvajal's overlapping runs, Ramos's aerial momentum during set pieces and Varane's coverage area, Casemiro's coverage radius and key tackle points...

How dedicated is Nash?

He's practically studying Real Madrid under a microscope right now.

Based on these almost self-torturing studies, combined with the abilities and characteristics of his own players and the only possible advantage they possessed, he painstakingly constructed a completely new tactical system.

It is no longer the smooth and fluid transmission and control system of the past, but more like a sophisticated network of traps and counterattack devices with multiple layers of ambush.

Every movement is meticulously designed, and every possible passing route has been simulated thousands of times.

His goal was to use the brief space exposed when Real Madrid's formation pushed forward to deliver the ball to the most dangerous area in the fastest and most direct way—especially the side where Yan Yuan was responsible for attacking—the moment he intercepted the ball.

On the training field, the players repeatedly practiced these complex running routes and instantaneous starting combinations.

Frequent mistakes and communication breakdowns continued to occur.

Nagelsmann roared from the sidelines, then immediately called a stop, repeatedly explaining the intention behind each action.

"Positioning! Look at the positioning! If you start 0.5 seconds late, Modric will have already blocked that passing gap!"

"Pursue back! We must track back immediately after losing possession! We can't let them easily transition through midfield!"

"Don't falter in a fight! Whoever's legs buckle first will be the first to be crippled!"

The training process was very rigorous, but Nash still felt that the tactic was somewhat fragile.

Or it's not that their tactics were weak, but rather that Real Madrid was too strong.

Facing the experienced Real Madrid, their chances of success are perhaps only 20%, or even lower. He is now like searching for the only viable foothold on a tightrope.

After training, as the players dragged their tired bodies away, Nagelsmann stood alone in the center of the empty stadium, gazing up at the night sky above the training ground.

A tremendous sense of exhaustion and powerlessness washed over him, almost overwhelming him.

He rubbed his bloodshot eyes.

"Is this... really the limit of what I can do?" He asked himself this question more than once this season.

Yes, that's the limit.

Nagelsmann poured all his wisdom, foresight, and courage into crafting a tragic answer for this seemingly invincible team.

Time, like the hands of a countdown clock, relentlessly marches forward.

Amidst the suffocatingly tense training atmosphere, the atmosphere in Sinsheim was quietly heating up.

During this training period, more and more flags symbolizing Hoffenheim were hung up in this warm little town.

The bar window on the street corner was covered with huge posters depicting Real Madrid's bullseye and "Number 17 Yan Yuan".

The number 17 jersey is sold out again in the fan shop.

The children excitedly imitated Yan Yuan's phoenix tail twirl over the defender and his shooting motion on the open ground.

"Go for it! Let's take them down!"

"A miracle will happen right in our doorstep!"

"Hey, next round I'm wearing size 17!"

A flame, a mixture of hope and anxiety, burns in the hearts of everyone at Hoffenheim.

...

The date for the first round has finally arrived.

The Rhein-Neckar Arena was more bustling than ever before, packed to capacity! A sea of ​​red surged as a giant "TSG Hoffenheim" banner covered the entire south stand.

A little excited,

It's also somewhat tragic.

In the locker room before the match, Nagelsmann looked at the young faces in front of him, tense with nervousness and anticipation, and at the calmly burning flame in Yan Yuan's dark eyes.

He did not deliver a lengthy speech.

"Guys," his voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the rapid heartbeats in the locker room.

"We've practiced everything on the tactics board countless times. Now, forget about it."

The team members looked up in surprise.

Forget about Real Madrid's glittering names and intimidating resumes! They're trampling on our turf! The turf we've worn down our studs time and time again in our pursuit of victory!

Here, there's only room for one voice—the roar of Hoffenheim! Your own voices!

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Yan Yuan:

Run! Run with every last drop of strength in your body! Use your shoulders, chests, and foreheads to smash open even the smallest gap!

Let the world see who we are! Why we stand here? For Hoffenheim! For yourselves! Show the courage of warriors! Fight!

Roar! ! !

A beast-like roar erupted from the locker room!

All the unease and fear seemed to be ignited in that instant, transforming into the most primal fighting spirit!

The locker room door was suddenly pushed open!

In the players' tunnel, Real Madrid's black and blue figures descended like gods, exuding an innate aura of royalty.

(In the 2017-2018 season, Real Madrid's away jersey was predominantly black and blue.)

Cristiano Ronaldo was adjusting his cuffs with a blank expression, while Ramos's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.

Yan Yuan stood at the front of Hoffenheim's formation today. His blue and white figure appeared somewhat small yet exceptionally upright in the face of the imposing black and blue presence.

He looked up, and his gaze met that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had just been looking over.

"You're great, kid." Cristiano Ronaldo flashed his signature big white smile and greeted Yan Yuan beside him in English.

"Thank you, Mr. Cristiano. Can we exchange jerseys after the match? I'm a fan of yours," Yan Yuan asked with a smile.

"Of course, come find me after the competition."

Amidst deafening cheers, the players from both teams stepped onto the green battlefield, which was as vibrant as an arena.

The Rhine-Neckar Arena reached the pinnacle of its roar.

The giant screen lit up with the logos of the two opposing teams: Hoffenheim vs Real Madrid.

Nagelsmann took a deep breath and stood at the forefront of the sideline command area.

The whistle blew.

The match has begun!