Chapter Twenty-Three: The Contest Between the Lion and the Wolf

In the fifth round of the Bundesliga, Munich 1860 hosted Wolfsburg.

European bookmakers were generally not optimistic about a home win for Munich 1860.

European odds:
Home win 1.50
Draw 3.40
Away win 6.00

Odds from another international source:
Home win 1.66
Draw 3.30
Away win 4.50

Indeed, everything Munich 1860 had shown this season carried the air of a team stronger away than at home. Their home record could only be described as middling at best. Yet after a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Rostock in the opening round, they went on to beat Hanover 96 and Werder Bremen away from home in succession, at one point climbing as high as fifth in the table and displaying a powerful rebound.

At present, the veteran Martin Max still looked as sharp as ever, Thomas Hassler was supplying the ammunition from midfield, and there was also the towering center-forward Carsten Sroht, while the newly arrived Momo constantly threatened the opposing back line. Munich 1860 still possessed a fearsome attack.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, had brought in Stefan Effenberg and built their tactics around him.

That was right, no mistake: Effenberg. Bayern Munich's 34-year-old Stefan Effenberg. He had transferred to Wolfsburg at the very last moment, and now he would face Munich 1860 as well.

But the old hand was still settling in, and his influence on the team was not yet especially visible. Last season, Wolfsburg had lost twice to Munich 1860, falling twice before Munich 1860's overwhelming firepower. Psychologically, they were undoubtedly at a disadvantage. This time, too, things looked bleak.

In terms of stamina, however, Munich 1860 had only just fought a brutal city derby with Bayern Munich. Although Munich 1860 struck first, they were repeatedly overtaken by Bayern Munich's relentless attacks.

Munich 1860 head coach Packwalt was not troubled by this. He had already found the right path, and he believed the Blue Lions would continue the fierce attacking form of the previous season and show everyone just how formidable they were.

Packwalt said Munich 1860 would use an attacking 3-5-2 formation, though in fact it was a 3-2-3-2 setup with two holding midfielders. The newly transferred Romeo Meyer was expected to make his debut in this match.

Wolfsburg's condition was actually poor as well. They had just hosted Hamburg at home, and now, after another long journey to Munich, they had to challenge Munich 1860 away. And only three days had passed since their last match, a severe test of fitness.

Effenberg had only just joined Wolfsburg; it was hardly a good moment. Rumor had it, though, that he might simply want to test Momo again.

But Momo paid none of that any mind. After training together with fitness coach Su Yishen, he went with Li Qing to a taekwondo hall to learn taekwondo. To be honest, it was quite useful for improving flexibility, and Momo even felt he might try a volley in midair.

The gap before the Wolfsburg match was very short, only three days.

The derby with Bayern Munich was on the 10th, and by the 14th they were already to face Wolfsburg at home. Momo resolved that this time he would help the team win no matter what.

Munich 1860 lineup for this match, 3-5-2:
Forwards: No. 28 Momo, No. 21 Markus Sroht
Attacking midfielder: No. 10 Thomas Hassler
Central midfielders: No. 13 Harald Cerny, No. 32 Shao Jiayi
Holding midfielders: No. 17 Daniel Borimnov, No. 3 Romeo Meyer
Defenders: No. 44 Hoffmann, No. 4 Marco Kurz, No. 7 Rodrigo Costa
Goalkeeper: No. 29 Simon Jench, 26 years old

Wolfsburg:
Forwards: No. 7 Klimowicz, No. 9 Maric
Midfielders: No. 10 Effenberg, No. 11 Muller, No. 20 Karlhan, No. 18 Sappe
Defenders: No. 5 Schnorr, No. 3 Biliskov, No. 6 Quettrochi, No. 2 Wiesel
Goalkeeper: No. 1 Reitmeier

Momo felt his physical condition was not especially good. In fact, many people felt some degree of muscle soreness, though not too severely, mainly because they had fought so fiercely against Bayern Munich.

When he saw Wolfsburg, the so-called "Wolf's Lair," Momo smiled. Ah, their condition was not good either. Indeed, the fourth and fifth rounds of the Bundesliga came rather close together. Of course, that was because of the cup schedule, but unfortunately Munich 1860 no longer had a cup run to worry about. They could only place their hopes in the league and see whether they might force their way into the Champions League.

Well, all of that was merely Momo amusing himself. He dared not even dream of the Champions League. Within the Bundesliga alone, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Werder Bremen all possessed considerable strength, and during the transfer window they had also brought in many capable players.

And Munich 1860? They had lost the greater part of their quality. As things stood, their foremost task was relegation survival. Their second task was to see whether they could finish in the top six and qualify for the UEFA Cup.

One thing must be mentioned here: Mino was already actively looking for a new club for Momo. But Momo felt there was no need to be so mercenary. Mino, however, also believed Munich 1860 had little future. First, they had no money and were buried in debt; second, they had no good players, and as soon as any player began to make a name for himself, they would sell him to ease the financial pressure, especially wages; third, they had no real ambition. They shouted loudly at the fans, but in truth they were only thinking about survival.

Momo shook his head and stepped onto the pitch. At that moment, the entire Allianz Stadium once again turned into a sea of blue, and the crowd roared out:

Once blue, always blue.

No matter. For now, just play.

All I have to do is put the ball in the opponent's net and win the game for the team. Rather than loafing around to death at a giant club, Momo would sooner struggle bitterly at Munich 1860.

"Hello everyone, I am Chen Nu. The match I will be commentating on next is the fifth round of the Bundesliga, Munich 1860 at home against Wolfsburg. I myself bet on Munich 1860 to win, though I won't say by how much."

When Chen Nu said he had bet on Munich 1860, those who had backed Wolfsburg were delighted. They had come precisely for Wolfsburg's enormous attacking threat, and with Chen Nu's words, they instantly felt reassured.

Meanwhile, the fans who, like Chen Nu, had bet on Munich 1860 to win felt a tremor of unease. Ah, that crow's mouth! If it should go in, it would not go in; if it should not go in, it would. If it should win, it would not win; if it should not win, it would.

There was also a portion of the crowd who had bet on a draw and looked quite confident. After all, Momo was a veritable king of draws. He had forced a draw with Rostock by opening the Bundesliga with two furious goals, and had come off the bench at the World Cup to hold Costa Rica to a draw. Those were all glorious exploits, and in the previous match he had come within a hair of drawing with Bayern Munich.

After the two sides completed the necessary formalities, Wolfsburg won the opening kick-off.