With one goal and one assist from Su Luo, Union Berlin suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Chelsea at home.
After the match, neither the fans of Union Berlin nor the German media criticized the team. Instead, they received a great deal of encouragement.
"No exaggeration, Union Berlin played exceptionally well and showed their true spirit," commented the reputable German sports magazine, Kicker.
"In the first half, they broke through Chelsea's high press and utilized Weghorst's aerial prowess to create chances for Salah," Kicker continued. "Salah, arguably the closest player to match Su Luo's caliber in the post-Su Luo era, showcased his ability to break down defenses with his individual brilliance."
The match analysis continued: "Tactically, both teams were sharp and executed their strategies well. Chelsea's focus on Salah wasn't enough to prevent him from scoring. Of course, the absolute star of the game was Su Luo."
"The former 'King of Union' returned to his old stomping ground, and the fans were eager to see him again. Su Luo's performance was as stellar as ever, using his individual talent to create scoring opportunities not long after Chelsea fell behind."
"His long-range shot was of the highest quality, forcing Pickford to make an extraordinary save," they added. "The subsequent corner kick was a display of brilliance—Su Luo's scorpion kick was not only technically flawless but aesthetically captivating, a goal that will undoubtedly be a contender for the best in the Champions League this season."
The praise didn't stop there. "Su Luo's assist was a masterclass in long-range passing. All Lukaku had to do was be in the right place, and the goal was inevitable."
Bild, another major German publication, echoed the sentiment: "Even though Su Luo has left East Berlin, his spirit continues to drive Union Berlin forward. The team is no longer just a Bundesliga club; they have the core of a strong European contender."
The article confidently stated, "Next season, Union Berlin will surely return to the European stage, and they will remain at the forefront of the Bundesliga."
Public opinion was unanimous: it wasn't that Union Berlin hadn't tried hard enough, but rather that Su Luo was simply too formidable.
Union Berlin's coach, Urs Fischer, expressed his helplessness in a post-match interview: "Honestly, before the game, Neuhaus called me multiple times to emphasize how dangerous Su Luo is. Today, I understood it clearly. We did our homework, but it still wasn't enough."
"It's unfortunate that he left before I arrived, and I didn't get the chance to work with the best player in the world. Su Luo is only 20 years old, and I hope to have the opportunity to team up with him in the future. He's the perfect player for any coach."
At the press conference, Chelsea's coach, Conte, was full of pride. "Union Berlin is strong, but we have their former king. We won't underestimate our opponent in the second leg, but we will advance to the quarter-finals. Chelsea's goal is clear—the final."
Conte's bold proclamation was met with little skepticism. Chelsea was one of the favorites to win the championship, alongside powerhouses like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and Bayern Munich. A team boasting Messi, Ronaldo, and Su Luo was expected to at least reach the semi-finals, or risk being lambasted by both the media and fans.
But for now, the Champions League had to wait. Three days after Chelsea returned from Berlin, they were scheduled to face Wolves in the 5th round of the FA Cup.
With a league match against Swansea looming just four days later, Chelsea decided not to field their strongest lineup against Wolves. Key players like Kante, Azpilicueta, and Lukaku were already fatigued and were left out of the squad.
To play it safe, Conte planned to keep Su Luo on the bench. Before leaving Berlin, Conte had a quick chat with Su Luo to get his opinion.
"Coach, I want to go to the club," Su Luo said with a smile.
Conte, well aware of Su Luo's habits, simply waved his hand. "Go ahead, just don't stay out too late. You've got a flight to catch tomorrow."
So, Su Luo returned to Berghain, the best nightclub in Europe, after half a year away. The security staff and the club's owner were stunned to see him.
"Sue! You're back!" they exclaimed. "Tonight's on us, drink all you want!"
The owner of Berghain waived Su Luo's bill with a flourish. Su Luo was a legend at the club. But tonight, he was here with a different purpose—to reconnect with the mysterious power that helped him recover his physical fitness.
As he stepped onto the dance floor, Su Luo stood at the center as usual, closing his eyes to feel the energy. The regulars, familiar with his routine, gave him space, respecting his solitude.
However, something felt off. Despite his usual methods, Su Luo couldn't achieve the same connection between fantasy and reality.
"What's going on?" Su Luo muttered, opening his eyes in confusion. For the first time, he couldn't access his illusion.
Was it his posture? Or was he not emotionally in the right place? He decided to try again.
"Link_start!"
"Hallelujah, Chance!"
"El_Psy_Congroo! It's all Steins;Gate's choice!"
"Smash Varudo!"
"Evil King True Eye, activate!"
"Gunara, God of Darkness!"
No matter how many times he tried, the familiar feeling evaded him. It was as if the illusion had vanished, leaving him in a void.
Su Luo even asked the DJ to play various tracks, including electronic music from three years ago, but nothing changed. The more frustrated he became, the harder it was to calm down and connect.
This was the first time Su Luo had ever been completely disconnected from his illusion. He had no idea if this was temporary or permanent. He also didn't know if he'd be able to use his special abilities again or what his physical state would be without them.
Thankfully, Su Luo had faced many challenges before and had developed a resilient mindset. Even if the "cheat code" was gone for good, he was still confident in his ability to become Chelsea's key player.
Staying calm, Su Luo returned to his booth, finished his drink, and headed back to his hotel.
Without his usual way to recover, he would have to rely on conventional methods: rest, proper nutrition, and massages from Chelsea's team doctors to stimulate blood circulation and relieve muscle fatigue.
Even with back-to-back games, Su Luo's young and strong body could still handle the demands.
Three days later, at Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium, the 5th round of the FA Cup kicked off. The winner of this match would advance to the top eight, bringing them one step closer to Wembley.
By this stage, most lower-league teams had been eliminated, leaving primarily Premier League squads. Wolves, though a Championship team and currently mid-table with no promotion hopes, were known for their tenacity and solid defense. It wouldn't be easy for Chelsea's semi-main lineup to secure a win.
Chelsea's young players, like Mount and Loftus-Cheek, faced strong resistance on the field. Within just the first 10 minutes, Mount was knocked down three times, with one particularly brutal challenge nearly causing an injury. Despite the rough play, Wolves only received a verbal warning, no cards.
Throughout the first half, Wolves' aggressive and desperate style effectively neutralized Chelsea's tactical advantages. Their straightforward approach repeatedly threatened Chelsea's goal.
In the 35th minute, Wolves' strategy paid off. A long pass from their backline found forward Saville in the penalty area, who fired a powerful shot that hit the back of the net. Wolves took a surprising 1-0 lead.
With the lead secured, Wolves retreated into a defensive shell, setting up a solid "iron bucket" formation. They parked the bus, leaving no one in the front court. Chelsea dominated possession, holding the ball 90% of the time, but struggled to break through the packed defense. Every shot was blocked, and Loftus-Cheek couldn't find any openings in the midfield.
As time ticked by, Chelsea's frustration grew. By the 60th minute of the second half, their offense remained stagnant. Conte decided it was time to unleash his secret weapon.
"Su! Warm up on the sidelines! He's going on!" BBC's ace commentator, Guy Mowbray, couldn't contain his excitement. Chelsea had struggled to score, and everyone knew that Su Luo was the man who could change the game.
Seeing Su Luo prepare to enter, Chelsea fans breathed a collective sigh of relief. "It's safe now," they thought.
Wolves coach Paul Lambert, however, began to panic. With the striker already substituted, Wolves were left with no offensive threat, forced into total defense against Chelsea's onslaught.
The Wolves fans in the stands gasped in unison. The moment had come.
But amidst the rising tension, Su Luo remained calm. Despite the pressure, he was focused. He knew he couldn't rely on his usual tricks, as his connection with his special abilities had been disrupted. Still, his passive skills remained intact.
Even from the sidelines, Su Luo could see the weak points in Wolves' defense, thanks to his keen footballing vision and instinct. He was ready to capitalize on those gaps. Moments earlier, he had warmed up by juggling the ball and performing some difficult freestyle tricks, confirming that his touch was still top-notch.
Feeling his strength returning, Su Luo relaxed. This was the perfect opportunity to test himself against Wolves and push his limits.
"Chelsea request a substitution! Number 19, Mason Mount off!"
"Number 7, Lord Su, coming on!"
As the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium, the visiting Chelsea fans erupted in cheers.
"Lord! Lord! Omnipotent Lord!"
"Whether sunny or rainy, he will lead us to victory!"
"Because his name is Lord!"
Chelsea fans had adapted the team's anthem, replacing the lyrics with Su Luo's name. Their voices filled the stadium, striking fear into the hearts of Wolves' players as Su Luo stepped onto the pitch.
In that moment, all of Su Luo's doubts vanished. His mind became clear. This was his arena, and he could feel the energy surging through him as his feet touched the grass.
He was ready. He was the strongest.
"I, Su Luo, will lead the team to victory!"
"No one can stop me now!"
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