As Messi's weighty words, "The future is yours," still echoed in his ears, Qin Feng knew that their celebration had only just begun.

Eliminating Barcelona has etched Borussia Dortmund's name into the Champions League trophy this season, like a brand.

When Dortmund's name was linked with that of Ligue 1 newcomers Monaco during the semi-final draw, almost all the media outlets had already decided that a spot in the final would go to the young Bundesliga team.

"The best draw ever! Dortmund's path to the final is clear!"

"Although Jardim's team eliminated Arsenal, their counter-attacking style was utterly vulnerable against Klopp's heavy metal rock!"

Public opinion was almost unanimously in favor of the defending champions advancing easily.

But in Dortmund's tactical analysis room, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.

Klopp drew a string of numbers heavily on the tactics board with a red marker.

"In the round of 16, the two-legged tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, with Arsenal being eliminated on away goals."

"In the quarterfinals, over two legs, the aggregate score was 1-0, eliminating Juventus."

"Gentlemen," Klopp's gaze swept across each of his disciples' faces, "what do you see?"

"Defense..." Captain Kehl frowned. "They only conceded three goals in four knockout matches, and they even kept a clean sheet against Juventus, who have Tevez and Pogba."

"That's right." Klopp nodded. "Jardim, that Portuguese man, is a complete defensive master. The Monaco team he built is like a wall. A... moving, trap-filled wall of sighs."

"They will give up possession, they will collapse their defense, they will use the ugliest and most pragmatic methods to stifle all our attacking space."

"This match will be even more difficult than the one against Barcelona."

……

Early May, Monaco, Stade Louis II.

This tiny principality, bathed in the Mediterranean sun, exudes an air of luxury and languor.

The match started exactly as Klopp had predicted.

Monaco retreated completely from the very first second.

Their 4-4-2 formation was so compact it resembled an iron barrel. The distance between the two four-man defensive lines was compressed to the extreme. Berbatov and Martial, the forwards, even dropped back to the vicinity of the center circle to participate in the defense.

The Dortmund players were like a pack of wolves facing a hedgehog, possessing sharp claws and fangs but unable to find a way to bite.

"Monaco's defensive discipline is outstanding!" He Wei's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "Dortmund simply couldn't find any space to penetrate!"

In the 20th minute of the match, Reus attempted a strong breakthrough on the wing, but his attempt was cleanly thwarted by the double-team of Portuguese veteran Carvalho and Brazilian Fabinho.

In the 35th minute, Gundogan attempted a long-range shot, but the ball was blocked by a dense array of defenders inside the penalty area.

Qin Feng was plunged into an unprecedented predicament.

Every time he gets the ball, at least two players immediately stick to him like glue. He doesn't even have a chance to accelerate!

In the first half, Dortmund had a possession rate of 75%, but their number of shots on goal was embarrassingly low... zero!

……

During halftime, the locker room was deathly silent.

"Patience! I need you to be patient!" Klopp's expression, unusually devoid of his usual madness, was replaced by extreme focus.

"Their defenses can't be without flaws! Keep spreading! Keep stretching them! I want you to be like water, penetrating everywhere! Find their weaknesses, and then deliver the fatal blow!"

The second half began with the teams switching sides.

Dortmund's players began to use more patient passing to move Monaco's defense around.

But Jardim's team is like a precision machine; no matter how Dortmund tries to stretch them, their formation always remains perfectly in place.

Time slipped away second by second amidst the torment.

When the game clock struck sixty-two minutes.

The score remains 0-0.

Monaco fans in the stands had already begun celebrating the scoreline, which should give them a significant advantage in the second leg.

Just then!

Qin Feng received the ball on the left wing!

This time, he was once again met with a double-team from Carvalho and Fabinho!

He knew he couldn't wait any longer!

He must break this damn deadlock in his own way!

He didn't try to pass the ball again!

He started it!

Fabinho was the first to come close!

He flicked the ball to the outside with his right foot, but his body suddenly sank inward!

A simple yet efficient ball-driving change of direction!

He tried to force his way through!

But Fabinho's defense was exceptionally solid, effectively blocking his path to cut inside!

Just as the two were about to engage in a fierce battle!

Qin Feng suddenly pulled the ball back gently with his right foot!

Immediately afterwards, the heel of the supporting leg's left foot struck the ball, which had been pulled back, towards the baseline!

"What?!"

Fabinho's pupils suddenly contracted!

All his attention was focused on Qin Feng's inside cut! He couldn't understand the move at all!

The ball, like a mischievous sprite in his blind spot, silently slipped through the narrow gap between him and the baseline!

"That's it!!! A truly imaginative backheel flick!!!"

Having shaken off Fabinho, Qin Feng didn't hesitate for a moment. He caught up with the ball and broke into the penalty area!

Veteran Carvalho was like a wall, blocking all his possible shooting angles!

No chance!

However, there was not a trace of panic on Qin Feng's face!

[God's-eye view], now open!

He "saw" it!

He saw the fleeting vacuum created at the edge of the penalty area by Monaco's defensive line dropping back!

He didn't even look up!

Near the baseline, he used the instep of his right foot to push the rolling ball backward and to the side with great finesse!

Inverted triangle pass!

The ball, skimming the grass, drew an unbelievable diagonal line!

It precisely targeted the gap between Tulalan and Kondogbia, who were retreating to defend, through a mere body length...

I passed through!

"Holy shit!"

Jardim, who is known for his composure, uttered a curse on the sidelines.

He simply couldn't understand it! From that position, at that angle, Qin Feng was facing away from that direction! How could he possibly see that gap?!

There it is!

A figure in yellow and black arrived on horseback!

It's Ilkai Gyantse!

He caught the ball!

Facing an empty penalty area!

He even had time to adjust his pace!

Shot! To the far corner!

Goalkeeper Subasic dived to the side, but his fingertips could only touch the cold air in despair!

Swish!

Goal!

0: 1!

"Goooooooooooooooooooooal!!! GÜNDOĞAN!!!"

"Gündoğan!!! In the 62nd minute, he calmly slotted the ball home, breaking down Monaco's wall of despair for Dortmund!"

"The one who initiated this attack was Qin Feng! Despite being double-teamed, he created an opportunity for Dortmund with an incredible, creative individual performance and assist!"

Ultimately, thanks to this valuable away goal, Borussia Dortmund managed to snatch a hard-fought victory at Monaco's formidable home ground, a victory that could decide the course of the entire series!

When the final whistle blew, Klopp was the first to rush onto the field! He hugged the number 37 figure tightly, who was almost exhausted and collapsed on the ground, and patted him hard on the back.

"Kid..." he grinned, chuckling as he cursed, "You're fucking...born for this kind of competition!"

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