Bang!
The ball arced perfectly through the air, bypassing the Hoffenheim goalkeeper's fingertips, striking the inside of the far post, and bouncing into the net!
"Goal!"
"The scorer is Ivan Perisic!"
"The assist came from Mark Lane, making his first Bundesliga start of the season!"
"Wolfsburg has completed the comeback away from home!"
After scoring, Perisic immediately sprinted towards the corner flag, and amidst the torrent of insults and international gestures from the home fans, he executed a stylish knee slide!
Mark, who provided the assist, also clenched his fist and smiled towards the home fans in the stands, seemingly using his actions to retort their earlier boos:
"See, boos can't stop me!"
Subsequently, De Bruyne also came over and high-fived him:
"Great play, Mark!"
Afterward, both of them ran to the corner flag to celebrate with the goal-scorer Perisic.
Watching the Wolfsburg players celebrate so wildly in their home stadium, the Hoffenheim fans in the stands could not suppress their helplessness and anger.
Especially that black-haired kid, who, with his first touch and dribble, created a goal!
"Just now, I was wondering why Mark wasn't dribbling much this game. Turns out he was saving a big move?!"
"How could we let him dribble in that area?!"
"No choice, who knew when he would pass, and when he would dribble?"
Yes.
This is why Mark rarely dribbled on the wing in this game!
It wasn't that he couldn't dribble, but that he had to choose the right moment!
Learning from the previous match against Bayer Leverkusen, Mark began repeatedly watching Ronaldinho's videos and started to ponder the timing of dribbling.
Not every ball requires a dribble; it's about varying between feints and real moves.
Just as dribbling needs to alternate between feints and real actions to better deceive opponents.
The timing of dribbling also needs to vary between feints and real actions to be more deceptive and effectively manipulate opponents!
For example, if you get the ball and everyone knows you want to dribble, then naturally it's easier for them to make defensive choices.
However, if opponents see you with the ball and have no idea whether you're going to dribble or pass, then that's how you can catch them off guard!
Moreover, during team training, Mark also gained a deeper understanding of the [Samba Elf] card.
It's important to know that the [Samba Elf] card isn't just for one-on-one situations on the wing.
Under dense central defense, as long as opponents don't come at him with two players simultaneously for a double-team, he has a high probability of completing a dribble!
And short-range dribbling in the center is even more lethal!
Because the center is closer to the goal and poses a greater threat to the goal.
After a foul, it's very likely to result in a yellow card and give the opponent a central set-piece opportunity.
Therefore, opponents are even more hesitant to commit rough fouls against him.
Why does Messi always dribble past opponents with such ease when carrying the ball in the center?
Firstly, his dribbling footwork is unparalleled, almost no one can keep up with him.
Secondly, fouling in the central area just outside the box would give the opponent a direct free-kick at goal, making them more reluctant to commit physical fouls easily.
Of course, compared to Messi, who can dribble simply with footwork and rhythm, Mark's dribbling is more flamboyant, with more feints.
Furthermore, his dribbling speed isn't fast enough to break through from the wing like Ronaldinho or Messi, dribbling past multiple players for fifteen or twenty meters before delivering the final blow.
Therefore, he chooses to combine more with teammates through passing and movement, and then, once he enters the attacking third within thirty meters of the goal, he takes the ball for short-distance breakthroughs and dribbles!
This way, he can circumvent the drawback of his insufficient speed, where after dribbling on the wing, he can't fully shake off chasing opponents;
It also reduces the number and duration of his ball possession, decreasing the likelihood of being fouled, and thus creating more danger in crucial areas for the opponent!
This is also another style of play he employs when playing as an inverted winger, besides delivering crosses from the byline!
Watching the replay of the goal, the assistant coach on the sideline also said to Hecking:
"Dieter, have you noticed that this kid Mark has a very unique understanding of how to play?"
"What do you mean?"
"He doesn't like to stick to the sidelines, nor does he follow our predetermined tactical plans."
Hecking raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, then said:
"This shows that his game reading ability is strong, and he is constantly thinking on the field..."
"Yes, this is an embodiment of football IQ, he might truly be a genius!"
"Some players don't need us to tell them how to play; we just need to put them on the field, and they will naturally play beautiful football..."
Hecking paused, then looked at Mark on the field and murmured:
"And this young man is undoubtedly one of them..."
Next, Mark frequently received the ball in the right half-space, then, after completing a small-range dribble to shake off his marker, he would deliver a pass to a teammate.
Unfortunately, compared to his clearly top-tier dribbling ability, his passing accuracy was still quite lacking.
Either his passes didn't find a teammate and were intercepted by the opponent;
Or his passing power was misjudged, making the pass slightly too strong.
After several attempts, realizing that the opponent had already guessed he would definitely pass after dribbling, Mark also tried a shot, but the push-shot lacked power and was easily collected by the goalkeeper.
Even so, compared to the first twenty minutes, Mark became exceptionally active, clearly becoming the main instigator of Wolfsburg's offense.
However, this was, after all, Hoffenheim's home ground.
As they fell behind, Hoffenheim's coach Gisdol on the sideline frantically waved his players forward, signaling them to attack with full force!
And amidst the cheers of a blue ocean, the Hoffenheim players, as if injected with adrenaline, regained control of the match!
Hoffenheim focused their attacks down the left wing.
Firstly, Wolfsburg's right-back Ochs is an attacking full-back, strong in offense but weak in defense.
Secondly, the defensive ability of Mark, the right winger, was truly nothing to write home about.
Even though his defensive attitude was very active, constantly tracking back to his own half.
But he couldn't withstand the large number of players Hoffenheim committed to that side.
Hoffenheim's left-back, Teske, frequently overlapped to assist, combining with left-winger Modeste to create a local numerical advantage, coupled with the runs and support of Salihović and Firmino in the center, putting Wolfsburg's right defensive zone under immense pressure.
It is worth mentioning that Firmino, wearing the number ten jersey, was definitely the attacking core of this Hoffenheim squad.
The Brazilian, wearing number ten, frequently interchanged in the left half-space, acting as a pivot point, constantly drawing the attention of the Wolfsburg defense.
Although he had not yet transferred to Liverpool and been coached by Klopp.
However, this Brazilian forward, later hailed by fans and media as "a generational false nine," had already showcased his unique style on the Bundesliga stage.
Whether it was his interchanging runs, his back-to-goal play, or even his pressing in the attacking third, he was outstanding.
And under the tireless pressing of this Brazilian compatriot, Wolfsburg's midfield pivot Gustavo was in great discomfort.
Fortunately, besides Gustavo, Arnold and De Bruyne, and even Mark, would drop back to receive the ball, which meant Wolfsburg's build-up play from the back was not too severely affected.
Unfortunately, the right-side defense remained stretched thin.
Before the end of the first half, Hoffenheim's left winger Modeste broke past Ochs on the left, earning a corner kick.
It was from this corner that Salihović delivered the ball to the far post, where Süle, the "Leopard 2 tank," overpowered Naldo to complete a towering header, slamming the ball into Benaglio's net!
After scoring, Süle, during his celebration, did not forget to wave his fist in Mark's direction.
In response, Mark merely raised an eyebrow, without any reaction.
Your towering header was quite impressive.
But your tank-like turnaround when I dribbled past you was truly clumsy!
...Beep ~ Beep ~ ~ Beep ~ ~ ~
As the referee blew the whistle for halftime, the scoreboard on the big screen displayed "2-2."
Both teams' players walked directly into the locker rooms.
Mark, having played a full half, was also drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.
The first thing he did upon returning to the locker room was to grab a banana from the table, peel it, and put it in his mouth.
Chewing the banana, his eyes were unfocused.
Perhaps it was his first start, and he felt very excited.
Coupled with more off-ball running and more tracking back in the first half, Mark felt that this half was more exhausting and tiring than the halves he had played as a substitute before.
Looking at Mark receiving a massage from the physiotherapist to relax, Hecking patted his head and praised him:
"Well done! Keep it up!"
Mark just forced a smile, then took another sip of electrolyte water.
Hecking did not make significant changes to the team's tactics during halftime.
After all, the fact that they were evenly matched with Hoffenheim away from home indicated they were playing quite well.
Moreover, against Hoffenheim's fierce attack, defending would be unsustainable.
Only by attacking could they minimize the pressure on their defense!
So, after the second half began, he instructed the team's overall formation to push forward, pressing in the attacking third while also trying to neutralize Hoffenheim's central midfielders in the midfield.
Hoffenheim's three midfielders, Rudy dropped slightly deeper, with Salihović and Polanski on either side.
The German, Rudy, was the central pivot of this team, a deep-lying playmaker responsible for distributing possession.
Just like Firmino's pressing, Hecking also had Olić press Rudy, making it difficult for the opponent to calmly organize attacks from the back.
Then Mark continued to tuck into the center, continuing to support De Bruyne, while also disrupting passing lanes in midfield.
And with both sides attacking without reservation, the game became wide open, with the pace of attack and defense at its maximum.
Here, Hoffenheim had just advanced to the edge of the penalty area, where Salihović took a long-range shot that was parried by Benaglio.
There, Wolfsburg immediately capitalized, with center-back Klose delivering a direct long pass to Perisic, who was making a high-speed run down the left wing.
"Sword" Perišić carried the ball down the wing, executed a 'boiling soup' move to get past Hoffenheim's right-back, then crossed with his left foot to the center, where a surging De Bruyne unleashed a powerful shot!
Unfortunately, although the shot had power, its angle was too central and was tipped over the bar by Casteels with both hands.
In just ten minutes, both teams had added four and five shots respectively.
Both sides seemed to have been infected by the passionate atmosphere on the field, with only attack in their eyes!
Attack!!
And attack again!!!
Such an exciting attacking battle also had both sets of fans cheering wildly.
Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg were like two boxers in a ring, trading blows, just going for it!
Of course, as both sides opened up and attacked fiercely, defense became the key to who could last longer in the ring.
And when the time reached the fifty-seventh minute, the team with the weaker defense, Hoffenheim, was the first to have their line breached!
It was on the right wing again!
Mark pulled wide to receive the ball, facing the defense of Hoffenheim's left-back Teske.
He wasn't in a hurry to dribble past him, but rather stood still, swayed his upper body a couple of times, and then did a couple of step-overs.
Seeing this, the home fans once again erupted in thunderous boos.
"Bro thinks he's Ronaldinho or Neymar? Hahaha..."
The away fans, however, were somewhat puzzled by his actions:
"What is he doing?"
"Either dribble or pass, what's with the feints while standing still?!"
"Calm down, there must be a reason for him doing that."
However, just as everyone was puzzled by his actions, only one person understood his intention.
That person was De Bruyne!
Under Mark's flashy moves, Polanski, the left-midfielder, was indeed drawn over, preparing to double-team him with Teske.
However, just as everyone thought he had delayed the attack due to excessive dribbling or would be dispossessed by the double-team, this Wolfsburg prodigy chose to pass!
With a push of his instep, the ball passed precisely through the gap between the two defenders, finding De Bruyne who had already started his diagonal run forward. He took a touch with his foot, and with that single motion, he controlled and dribbled past the sliding defensive midfielder, Rudy.
"Control and dribble!"
"Beautiful combination!"
Subsequently, De Bruyne dribbled down the wing while observing his teammates in the center.
Soon, he reached the right side of the penalty area and, without hesitation, swept the ball with his instep!
However, to everyone's surprise, he wasn't sending a curved cross to Olić at the near post, nor a high cross to Perisic at the far post, but rather a cut-back pass to the top of the penalty area!
At this very moment, everyone's attention was drawn to Olić at the near post and Perisic at the far post.
As a result, there was no protection at the top of the penalty area.
The next second, a green figure surged forward!
"De Bruyne... passes!"
"Cut-back!"
"That's... Mark?!"
Mark, surging from behind, appeared exactly where he needed to be.
Then, unmarked, he met the ball with a push of his instep!
Bang!
To ensure accuracy, Mark only used the inside of his foot for the push-shot; the power wasn't too great.
However, Süle's massive body happened to block some of the view, so Casteels only reacted to dive when the ball was already upon him.
And his nearly two-meter height made his dive somewhat slow.
Finally, he could only watch helplessly as the ball, like a mischievous child, skimmed past his hand and nestled into the net...