Breaking down a packed defense is a challenge for teams around the world.
But Ye Chen is the ultimate weapon for dismantling dense defenses!
Without question!
His long-shot guaranteed goal card was designed precisely for such situations.
When opponents choose to park the bus, space inevitably opens up on the perimeter.
As long as Ye Chen takes three shots, triggering his long-shot guaranteed goal card, not even a world-class goalkeeper can stop him!
Moreover, with his SSS-level "Phantom Poacher" skill, his movement off the ball becomes even more unpredictable, making him difficult to mark.
His positioning for the goal just now was incredibly deceptive.
Of course, it's not the defender's fault for failing to track him â Ye Chen is just too agile. Everyone's attention was on the ball, and Ye Chen's quick reverse run created the space he needed.
After the goal, Dortmund continued to dominate the game.
Their strong control showcased why they sit at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Meanwhile, over on the Apennine Peninsula, in Inter Milan's tactical meeting room, Claudio Ranieri and his coaching staff were watching the match.
"Ye's movement is so elusive! It reminds me of Vieri in his prime!" Inter assistant coach Paolo Benetti couldn't help but praise as Ye Chen scored.
Daniele Bernazzani nodded, "And according to the stats, nearly 60% of Ye's goals come from outside the box. The area at the top of the penalty arc is his range â he can shoot with either foot and doesn't seem to have a weaker side!"
Ranieri nodded thoughtfully. "If we face Dortmund, who's best suited to mark him?"
Benetti shook his head. "I wouldn't recommend man-marking him. Our defense is aging, and it's hard for anyone to keep up with his movement. His stamina is exceptional, and his range is vast. Other teams have tried man-marking but with little success. The best way to defend against him is a pressing chain defense, keeping him as far from the penalty area as possible."
Ranieri nodded again. "Keep observing. Apart from Ye, Lewandowski's ability is also worth noting."
Bernazzani agreed, "In the first half of the season, Ye and Lewandowski mostly played independently, but since the second half began, their connection has grown stronger. One is tall, the other is fast â a difficult combination to deal with."
Ranieri frowned.
Nicknamed the "Tinkerman," Ranieri is a pragmatist who prioritizes defensive solidity over attacking football. His first task at any club is always to shore up the defense.
Inter Milan's defense might be aging, but experience has its advantages.
However, stopping Dortmund â and particularly Ye Chen â would require careful planning.
As Inter analyzed Dortmund, Klopp was also beginning his research on Inter Milan.
With plenty of time until February 23rd, both teams had ample opportunity to prepare.
After extensive preparation and tactical drills, the first Champions League clash promised to be a fierce showdown!
Back to the League Match
With Ye Chen breaking the deadlock, Dortmund seized full control of the match.
At 34:19, Kagawa found Azpilicueta on the right.
Azpilicueta surged forward and crossed the ball into the box.
Johnson managed to clear it, but De Bruyne picked it up at the edge of the area and passed to Ye Chen.
Ye Chen shaped to shoot, drawing defenders, before slipping the ball to Perisic on the left.
Perisic cut inside and shot, but goalkeeper Stark saved it.
Stark failed to hold the ball, allowing Lewandowski to pounce and score.
Dortmund 2-0 Hoffenheim!
The Westfalenstadion erupted.
But Dortmund's attack wasn't over.
At 42:24, Ye Chen received a direct pass from Kagawa and unleashed a long-range shot that smashed against the post!
"Ye's sudden strike! Oh... what a pity! Stark was beaten, but the goalpost denied him," the commentator lamented.
At 45:24, with two minutes of added time, Dortmund won a corner.
Hoffenheim's defense was under immense pressure.
However, Stark punched away Ye Chen's corner delivery.
Second Half
At 48:24, Kehl delivered a diagonal pass to Kagawa.
Without hesitation, Kagawa curled a shot into the far corner.
The ball hit the back of the net.
Dortmund 3-0 Hoffenheim.
The crowd exploded.
Dortmund was unstoppable â everyone seemed capable of scoring.
De Bruyne's arrival had seamlessly bolstered the team.
However, Ye Chen's luck seemed off. Aside from his opening goal, he had already hit the post twice.
At 57:24, Ye Chen drove into the box and struck with the outside of his foot.
The ball evaded Stark's reach but again struck the post...
At 62:42, Hoffenheim capitalized on a corner.
Braafheid's delivery found Johnson, who scored in front of 80,000 Dortmund fans.
Johnson, however, didn't celebrate. He grabbed the ball and hurried to midfield for a potential comeback.
Dortmund made substitutions â Mane replaced Lewandowski, and Sven Bender replaced Kehl.
The team shifted back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kagawa moving to attacking midfield and De Bruyne dropping deeper.
Dortmund regained control, dominating possession 80-20 between the 65th and 80th minute.
Hoffenheim's coach brought on Mlapa and Musona, replacing Johnson and Rudy.
But piling on strikers without midfield control was futile.
Mane repeatedly threatened from the flanks, but Ye Chen struggled to find space in the box.
Late on, Kuba replaced Ye Chen, and Dortmund secured a 3-1 victory.
Dortmund had 24 shots, with three goals and two hitting the post.
Ye Chen's luck was off, but a win was all that mattered.
After 19 rounds, Dortmund led the Bundesliga with 14 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses.
Bayern, second in the table, had 13 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, trailing Dortmund by four points.
On the top scorers' list, Ye Chen's 29 goals dwarfed Huntelaar's 19.
Huntelaar had scored 19 goals in 19 games â impressive, but Ye Chen had netted 29 in just 11 matches.
Despite bad luck, Ye Chen's form had been crucial to Dortmund's resurgence.
Fans hoped Dortmund's dominance would extend into the Champions League.
Facing Inter Milan, however, would be a daunting challenge.