With Dortmund conceding a goal, more and more people began questioning Klopp.
Isn't it a waste to force a top striker to play on the left wing?
Doubts flooded the internet.
Even the fans watching started to complain.
"What's wrong with Klopp? He's usually fine, but why is he making strange moves against Bayern?"
"Is Klopp under some kind of curse? Or did he suddenly lose his tactical sense?"
"The fans can see the problem, so why is the head coach standing idly by?"
"What kind of first half was that? What on earth is Yecheng doing out there?"
Celebrate together when you win, but shoulder it alone when you lose? Not a chance!
Fans didn't hesitate to voice their opinions the moment they saw something they disliked.
Unfortunately, Klopp on the sidelines couldn't see any of it.
Gómez celebrated wildly, while Yecheng stood in the distance, clenching his fists.
To be honest, he felt uncomfortable playing.
During training matches, playing on the left felt easier. The opponents were weaker, and he could charge forward recklessly.
But this was different.
This was Bayern!
He needed time to adapt to their rhythm and defensive intensity.
Put simply, his previous opponents were like minor obstaclesâeasy to overcome. But now, he was suddenly facing the final boss. There was no smooth transition.
Not realistic!
Could a top coach like Klopp fail to see this? While watching the game, Klopp's mind raced furiously.
"Ye, come here!"
Seizing a moment during Bayern's celebration, Klopp shouted at Yecheng.
Yecheng ran over quickly. "What's up, boss?"
Klopp handed him a water bottle. "It's uncomfortable, isn't it?"
"A bit. I'm not used to this position," Yecheng admitted honestly.
Klopp nodded. "I'll switch your position now."
"Huh?" Yecheng, mid-sip, froze.
"Stop sticking to the left wing. See the front line? The entire area is yours to roam!" Klopp gestured broadly.
"But won't that leave a gap on the left? And won't our defense suffer?" Yecheng frowned.
"Just listen to me!" Klopp had no time to explain further. He placed the tactics board in front of Yecheng and fired off instructions like a machine gun.
Yecheng nodded repeatedly.
"Got it?"
"Got it!"
Klopp nodded. "Now, go call Kagawa over!"
"On it!" Yecheng sprinted back onto the field and called over Shinji Kagawa.
Klopp grabbed Kagawa's shoulder and unleashed another flurry of instructions.
As a top coach, Klopp had his reasons.
Placing Yecheng on the left was a gamble. But if that gamble paid off, Dortmund's attacking trio could rival any powerhouse in Europe!
Imagine Yecheng, Lewandowski, and Götze â a trio capable of sweeping through the Bundesliga and shaking Europe!
Before the match, Klopp had already mentally prepared himself to give Yecheng half a game to explore and adapt.
If the left wing wasn't working, how about dropping deeper as a false nine?
Sure enough, when Kagawa returned to the pitch, Dortmund's tactics shifted.
Their 4-2-3-1 transformed into a 4-2-4. Yecheng, dropping back, took on some playmaking duties.
It was like how Real Madrid's "false nine" operated when Ronaldo played thereâlinking the attack.
So, what is a false nine?
The role primarily connects midfield and attack. The player drops into deeper spaces to hold the ball, link up, pass, or switch play. If there's a chance, they can also feed the strikers directly.
"Understand?"
Kagawa nodded firmly. "Got it, boss!"
Dortmund had changed tacticsâagainâduring a high-stakes match!
If they won, Klopp would be hailed as a genius. But if they lost, he'd be crucified.
Just like Guardiola's tactical gamble in the Champions League final with Man City...
In football, winners are heroes, losers are forgotten.
But Klopp wasn't afraid. He was a coach with a spirit for adventureâ
A man with madness etched into his bones!
To play it safe, Klopp could have chosen PeriÅ¡iÄ or GroÃkreutz. But for a match of this magnitude, he started 17-year-old Yecheng!
Just like the previous year when he defied critics by starting Götze in the derby.
Now, Götze was an irreplaceable force on Dortmund's right flank. But back then, he was just an 18-year-old kid struggling for stability.
Could Klopp not predict the risks?
Of course he could.
But he had confidence he could handle it!
More importantly... he genuinely believed in Yechengâ
Just as he had once believed in Götze.
Some players are simply made for big moments.
Back on the field, Yecheng felt more at ease. Truth be told, the past twenty minutes had been rough.
His training revolved around forward movements. His special skill, "Poacher," thrived in the striker's role.
He wasn't cut out for the wing.
But after Klopp's adjustment, he felt liberatedâ
As if invisible chains had been broken.
The striker was back!
Whistle!
Lewandowski passed to Yecheng, who returned it to Kehl.
The match continued.
Bayern pulled back to defend, while Dortmund pushed forward.
On the left, Kagawa gave Yecheng a quick lessonâ
When facing Lahm, just pass the ball!
Don't fight fire with fire.
Bayern opted for zonal marking, not man-marking.
Anyone entering their zone was double-teamed, but this left Yecheng with space to operate!
Movement brought life!
37:24.
Dortmund attacked.
Kagawa received the ball on the left. Yecheng stepped up to support.
The ball arrived at his feet, and he made a long, sweeping pass!
Boom!
The ball curved beautifully through the air, landing perfectly at Götze's feet.
The commentator screamed,
"Oh my God! That's the best long pass so far!"
"Yecheng, dropping back, seems reborn. His vision and passing are outstanding!"
"Bayern must find a way to stop him!"
Before the commentator finished, Götze dribbled forward.
Facing Rafinhaâplaying out of positionâGötze dominated!
Boom!
Götze crossed.
Lewandowski sprinted forwardâ
Thud!
Diving header!
The ball rocketed toward the goalâ
Neuer, reacting instantly, blocked it!
But the ball landed near the penalty spot.
Badstuber rushed to clear itâ
Only for a yellow-clad figure to appear.
Yecheng smashed it in!
Boom!
The net rippled.
Yecheng roared toward the Dortmund fans, screaming,
"Trust me, I can do this!"