In the players' tunnel, Barrios grabbed Ye Chen.
"Ye, that goal just now was amazing!"
"Thanks!" Ye Chen smiled.
"I wanted to ask you something. A team from your hometown contacted me recently and wants me to join them. Any advice?"
"My hometown? Guangzhou Evergrande?" Ye Chen was aware of Barrios' transfer to Evergrande, though he wasn't sure why Barrios left so quickly.
In contrast, players like Alex and Conca stayed at Evergrande for a long time, even leading the team to an AFC Champions League title.
"Yeah, yeah! They offered me double the salary I get at Dortmund!" Barrios said seriously.
"Well, it depends on what you want. If it's about money, then go for it without hesitation. Our league in China is still developing, and the player quality is relatively lower. With your skills, you'd be at a superstar level in the Chinese Super League..." Ye Chen shared what he knew.
"Really? Do you think I can score three goals per match like you?" Barrios' eyes lit up with excitement.
"That depends on how hard you work. Scoring three every game might be a stretch, but averaging one per match shouldn't be a problem."
Barrios took a deep breath.
More money. Weaker opponents.
Go there and you're a king.
It sounded pretty tempting!
Seeing Barrios' reaction, Ye Chen reminded him, "I think you should consider what you truly want. Some chase money, while others chase growth."
Like Mbappé and Tchouaméni.
"Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll think about it carefully!"
Honestly, Ye Chen felt that someone of Barrios' caliber would be wasted in the CSL. But if he did go, he'd dominate like a nuclear weapon.
Back in 2011, Ye Chen didn't watch much of the CSL. But later, he occasionally tuned into the AFC Champions League.
During Evergrande's peak years, their advertisements were everywhere. By then, Barrios was already gone... maybe he regretted going to the CSL.
In the locker room, Klopp looked serious.
"Guys, you executed the tactics well in the first half!"
This time, Klopp didn't yell but encouraged them.
The game plan was clearâstay solid defensively in the first half, sneak a goal if possible, and minimize damage otherwise.
Their stamina was indeed an issue.
Klopp's real strategy was for the second half.
"Lucas, you rest in the second half. Kagawa, you're in!" Klopp announced the substitution.
Hearing this, Barrios furrowed his brows.
I'm being subbed off after just one half?
I'm not even getting game time in the Champions League... what's going on?
Barrios didn't question Klopp immediately but sat on the bench in frustration.
Damn, I can't stay at Dortmund.
Even if I don't go to the CSL, I need to transfer elsewhere.
Though Barrios was recovering from injury, he believed that with enough matches, he could regain his old form.
Klopp's decisions left him cold.
He was ready to leave Dortmund in the winter transfer window.
The second half began.
The 4-1-2-1-2 formation shifted to a 4-4-2, or even a 4-2-4!
Kagawa took the left flank as the key playmaker, while Götze handled the right.
With Kagawa's control, Dortmund gained momentum.
The game became evenly matched.
At 47:24, Kagawa made a breakthrough on the left.
His footwork was quicker than Höger, who was just subbed on. A curling cross flew into the box.
Matip cleared it, but the ball skimmed the post and went out for a cornerâalmost an own goal.
The Schalke fans gasped.
At the 49th minute, Götze dribbled down the flank.
Draxler, also 19, slid in too late and took him down.
It was a reckless tackle from behind, without pulling back his leg. The referee immediately punished him.
A red card!
Draxler was sent off.
But Götze didn't get up. He was stretchered off.
Klopp substituted him with GroÃkreutz.
Götze's injury angered Dortmund's players, and the tackles became rougher.
Hummels got a yellow card for a sliding tackle in the 63rd minute.
In the 65th minute, Papadopoulos flew into Lewandowski with a hard tackle, earning another yellow.
Captain Kehl picked up a yellow at the 79th minute.
The second half turned into a scrappy brawl, with the referee's whistle constantly blowing.
Ye Chen grew anxiousâapart from his goal, he hadn't had many chances.
Schalke's defense wasn't just man-marking; it was man-marking plus zonal coverage.
At 81:42, Ye Chen moved to the left to link up with Kagawa.
As the ball reached Ye Chen's feet, Höger stuck to him tightly.
Kagawa was open.
Ye Chen passed it back to him. Kagawa whipped in a curling cross with the inside of his foot.
Lewandowski jumped and scored!
Dortmund led 2-1 at home.
But Ye Chen couldn't celebrate.
Schalke had ignored the league MVP, Kagawa, to mark him tightly.
Seriously? Do they think I'm Messi or Ronaldo?
Lewandowski's celebration ended, and the players returned to midfield.
As Ye Chen brooded, the fourth official held up the substitution board.
"Dortmund makes a changeânumber 16 off, number 25 on!"
Ye Chen was stunned but jogged off.
One goal in such an important derby?
"Whew..."
Ye Chen sighed.
"But what a goal it was! Let's give Ye a round of applause!"
"Ye!"
"Ye!"
"Ye!"
Fans stood up and chanted his name, applauding Dortmund's hero.
Ye Chen froze, scanning the crowd.
He realized the fans had already embraced him.
Only he was dissatisfied with himself.
He smiled.
Strict with oneself, lenient with others.
He raised his hands, applauding the fans in return.
After high-fiving Owomoyela, Ye Chen left the pitch.
His first Ruhr derby ended, setting records as the youngest starter and goalscorer.
Ye Chen kept making history without even realizing it.
He was born to break records.