August has arrived, and the schedule for the German seventh-level league has been faxed to the various clubs.
Hoffenheim's opponent in the first round is called the Newster Warriors. This is a club located in Romannan, a town near Mannheim. In the last season, the Newster Warriors ranked 12th in the standings. They are not too strong, but they are enough to test the strength of the reorganized Hoffenheim.
In the first game, Hoffenheim needs to play away, which is not friendly to them. If they lose, it is likely to affect morale. But now that it has been arranged, they can only prepare to play away. The game will officially start on the 10th, and Hoffenheim has already started active training.
The enthusiasm of each player is extremely high. After all, training in a more professional environment is a kind of enjoyment in itself. They have to adjust their state to the best within ten days. Four days have already passed, and under the leadership of the coaching staff, their physical fitness and condition have recovered quite well. In this case, they are eager to test their own strength.
For this, the head coach, David Koch, found Zhang Xian and said, "Sir, we want to have a training match!" David Koch would not make such a 'rude' request in the past. After all, there are very few teams that compete with a better team, and Hoffenheim is the rookie. The coaching staff's suggestion itself makes it difficult for the sports director. But David Koch always feels that Zhang Xian now has a way.
Sure enough, Zhang Xian took out his phone and dialled a number. "Mr Howerson, we are ready. Yes, everything will be fulfilled as agreed. OK, we are waiting for your team to arrive!" After finishing speaking, Zhang Xian put down the phone and said, "The opponent in the training match will come over tomorrow!"
David Koch was shocked and said in surprise, "May I ask which team it is?" Zhang Xian casually said, "Rheinbaman in the sixth tier!" David Koch exclaimed, "Rheinbamann, the fourth strongest team in Germany to promote the league table last season, with only one spot to rise to the fifth level of the regional league. This opponent is a bit strong!"
The phone's ringtone is ringing, which is a text message. Zhang Xian glanced briefly and said, "I have also found an opponent for the second practice match, Guoslin!" Guosling is a club in the German Premier League. Although they did not play well last season and barely avoided relegation, it is not something Hoffenheim can deal with. What's all this? Is this an old abuser?
Seeing Koch's helpless look, Zhang Xian raised his head and said, "Mr Koch, the purpose of the training game is to find out your own problems and test your strength at the same time. I think there is nothing more suitable than these two teams. A strong team at the sixth level, a weak team at the fifth level! I really want to know how we can play against these opponents!" David Koch asked, "Are there any requirements?" Zhang Xian replied, "Don't lose!" Zhang Xian opened his mouth and said, "I hate failure!"
David Koch left and informed the players of this 'inspiring' news. At first, the players looked at each other, but soon they looked excited. Obviously, they are very satisfied with the opponents arranged by the club. In fact, they also want to know how far they can play against these professional teams.
In Zhang Xian's office, Mary walked in.
"How did you contact these clubs?" Mary asked.
Zhang Xian said casually, "The German Football Association's service phone has their contact information."
Mary asked, "Then how did you get them to agree to play practice games with us? You know, no one wants to play practice matches with an amateur team."
Zhang Xian's answer was particularly concise. "I covered their round-trip fare and accommodation expenses!"
Mary covered her head and said, "Well, you can always make these strange decisions."
Zhang Xian smiled, "In fact, I just want them to lose so that they can see the gap between professional and amateur."
Although Zhang Xian asked not to lose, his plan was to let the team lose and at the same time figure out the gap between professional teams. However, Mary showed a weird smile and said, "If so, then you should be disappointed."
Zhang Xian raised his head and looked over.
Mary shrugged and said, "Do you know what Koch's nickname is?"
"What?!"
"Turtle shell!" Mary smiled and said, "He may not be a good head coach, but he is definitely a defensive master!"
At this time, on the training ground.
"Run! What are you looking at?" "Keep the distance, bastard, not let you stare at Will's butt. Stand parallel!"
"When you are fighting for the top, raise your arms, what do you keep your elbows for, top him!"
"Shovel him. The ball can pass, but you can't let people pass, bastard!"
David Koch, who is usually gentle, turned into a grumpy sprayer at this time. He was sitting on the sidelines, and the powerful hair dryer started to run. The loud voice was not like an old man should have.
At this time, the Scherf brothers are standing next to Koch, well-behaved like little sheep. Erich looked at Koch's irritable appearance and couldn't help but grin in a low voice: "I believe the rumours, his nickname when he was young, was the butcher!" The second child of the Scherf brothers nodded and said with emotion: "That's how the professional team's defence is, right?" Wagner, on the other side, sneered: "The general defence can't reach this level. When this old man was young, he played in the Italian league!"
Hoffenheim is training hard at this 4-4-1-1 formation. This is an offensive and defensive formation. When attacking, the midfielder can quickly organize, relying on the number of people to move forward, and at the same time give enough support to the centre forward in front, and also give the centre plenty of room for action. When defending, the two '4's of this lineup will instantly form a defensive gate, which is like two walls standing in front of the opponent's offensive players. As long as the distance is maintained, it is difficult to break through this lineup.
This is the formation that David Koch is more satisfied with, but he is more inclined to defend and counterattack. But Hoffenheim did not have a defensive leader, so he gave up this set of tactics and focused on both offensive and defensive formations. Zhang Xian's remarks undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on Koch.
But he is not a vegetarian. As long as this formation is played out, let alone the clubs of the high-level regional leagues, even the teams in the North and South regional leagues have to suffer. In fact, the senior regional league is similar to the promotion league and seventh-level league. There is not much difference in player composition or other aspects. The so-called professionals and amateurs are nothing more.
In fact, the senior regional league is similar to the promotion league and the seventh-level league. There is not much difference in player composition or other aspects. The so-called professionals and amateurs are nothing more than the gap in tactical execution. Now, what Koch has to do is to improve execution. He refused to accept that they were all paupers and questioned why only some of them were awesome.