Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Ye Chen Takes the Stage Amidst a Storm of Jeers

Werder Bremen, emboldened after their first goal, continued to dominate the field.

This momentum had much to do with the dynamics of the two teams.

Dortmund, as Bundesliga champions, boasted players who were key starters for their national teams. In contrast, Werder Bremen's squad mostly consisted of substitutes.

Even Naldo, a national team player, only played 20 minutes as a substitute.

As for Marin, he participated in the first game but didn't even get a chance in the second.

It couldn't be helped; Germany was brimming with talent on the left wing. In the last match, Podolski held that position for the national team.

The game resumed, and Dortmund began to stabilize their play. However, yellow cards started piling up for them.

Marin, the scorer of the first goal, became the focal point of Dortmund's defense.

On the right, Götze received a yellow card for a sliding tackle from behind.

Subotić was also booked for dragging down Marin.

But Marin was in exceptional form today, seemingly unstoppable.

At 43 minutes and 24 seconds, Marin received the ball and delivered a perfect 45-degree cross.

At the far post, Rosenberg headed the ball in.

Werder Bremen now led Dortmund 2-0!

The stadium erupted once more, resounding with chants of Marin's name.

Though Rosenberg's positioning and header were brilliant, it was Marin's cross that truly shone.

Rosenberg celebrated his goal with a knee slide. Scoring in such a crucial match was pivotal for cementing his place in the starting lineup.

After all, the team's other forward, Arnautović, was touted as a prodigy striker. Having scored two goals already this season, he was competing with Rosenberg for the starting spot.

The 3,000 Dortmund fans who had traveled to the match fell silent.

They could see that their team was playing with great effort, but the effects of the "FIFA virus" were evident—the players were visibly struggling with their stamina.

"Ye! Ye! Ye!"

It wasn't clear who started it, but the chants grew louder and louder.

Yes, they were calling for their super-sub—

the man who had scored six goals in just two substitute appearances!

With the score now 2-0, could he score three more and turn the tide?

The 3,000 Dortmund fans chanted with the energy of 30,000.

On the sideline, Klopp glanced at Ye Chen, then at Kagawa.

It seemed that just bringing on Ye Chen wouldn't be enough.

Why was Dortmund playing so passively?

The primary reason was that Gündoğan was getting overrun!

At this point in his career, Gündoğan didn't yet have the poise and precision he would later develop. Meanwhile, Bargfrede and Hunt were playing in perfect sync for Werder Bremen.

Several counterattacks resulted directly from Gündoğan losing possession.

But could Kagawa last an entire half?

"Beep! Beep-beep!"

The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the first half.

Ye Chen's expression was solemn.

This match seemed to be heading for disaster.

But did Dortmund have no chance at all?

No!

If he came on, there was still a chance!

Today, Perišić clearly looked exhausted; his usual sharpness was gone.

Lewandowski wasn't playing poorly up front, but he was isolated and couldn't turn the tide alone.

The lack of a game-changing presence in the attack was the root of the problem.

Dortmund had two issues to address: they needed a midfielder who could hold the ball and an attacker with speed and the ability to break through defenses.

Without a doubt, Ye Chen and Kagawa were the best solutions.

This conclusion came from years of watching and analyzing countless matches. But Ye Chen wasn't the coach, and he couldn't decide whether he'd play.

As the players headed into the locker room, Ye Chen could hear the jeers from the away fans.

"Relying on two Asian monkeys? You'll win nothing this season!"

"Trash rejected by Manchester United should leave the Bundesliga!"

Ye Chen felt a surge of anger but had nowhere to vent it.

Klopp, however, didn't hold back.

Bang!

As soon as the players entered the locker room, Klopp slammed the door shut.

"Look at how you played in the first half!"

"Gündoğan, how many times did you lose possession?"

"And you, Perišić, were you drained by a woman last night?"

"And Owomoyela, are you a traffic cone? How can you be beaten so easily?"

One by one, the players lowered their heads.

"Do you even want to win?" Klopp demanded.

"Yes!"

The players, who had been hanging their heads, raised them again.

"Say it again! I can't hear you!" Klopp roared.

"YES!"

The team shouted in unison.

"Good!" Klopp nodded. "We'll change tactics in the second half!"

He picked up the tactics board and then looked at Ye Chen.

"Ye, let me ask you: are you afraid of the opposition?"

Ye Chen looked puzzled. "Why should I be afraid of them?"

"They've been talking big before the game, saying they'd break your leg!" Klopp said seriously, motioning for Buvac to pull out a tablet and show the relevant news articles to the team.

Ye Chen chuckled. "Boss, you're not keeping me out of the starting lineup because of this, are you?"

Klopp raised an eyebrow. "I just want to protect you."

"Boss, if I'm afraid of getting injured, why would I play football? Besides, I'm a man aiming to win the Bundesliga Golden Boot! How can I achieve that if you don't let me play?" Ye Chen said helplessly.

"So you're not scared?"

Ye Chen was very young, so Klopp's concern was understandable. Ferguson's comment had stirred up controversy, and many players wanted to "teach Ye Chen a lesson."

"Boss, I'm not in great form today. Let Ye play," Perišić interjected.

Though they were direct competitors, Perišić didn't want the team to lose.

Ye Chen also spoke up. "Boss, thank you for trying to protect me. But since I've chosen this career, I have the courage to face any situation!"

Then, his tone grew firm. "If they want a fight, then let's fight!"

Everyone nearby felt goosebumps rise.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Was this really a 17-year-old kid?

Klopp was inwardly astonished. If only this kid were German, he thought. Then he could seamlessly inherit Klose's mantle and lead Germany into a new golden era.

The 15-minute halftime break passed quickly.

Ye Chen stood by the sideline, waiting for the referee's signal before sprinting onto the field.

The first half had been rather dull, leaving the commentators on CCTV-5, Huang Jianxiang and Zhan Jun, unenthused.

Of course, it was understandable—both teams had players fatigued from international matches, and several substitutes were on the field, lowering the intensity of the game.

But when Ye Chen, wearing the No. 16 jersey, appeared on the sideline, the commentators instantly came alive.

"Welcome back, everyone! We see that the Chinese youngster Ye Chen is now on the pitch!" Huang Jianxiang exclaimed. "He's coming on at the same time as in his previous appearances, replacing Croatian international Perišić!"

"Ye Chen is finally on! The fans' calls have been answered!" Zhan Jun added. "But with the team already two goals down, can Ye Chen alone turn the tide?"

Before they could finish speaking, the second half kicked off.

Beep!

Götze passed the ball to Lewandowski, and Dortmund surged into Werder Bremen's half.

Five Dortmund players pushed forward aggressively, while Bremen quickly dropped back to defend.

After two touches, Lewandowski delivered a diagonal pass to the left wing, where Ye Chen was waiting.

The moment Ye Chen took possession, the stadium erupted into deafening boos—something Bremen fans had prepared long in advance.

But Ye Chen didn't hear a thing. As soon as the ball reached his feet, an explosive burst of energy coursed through him!

Like a supercar at full throttle, Ye Chen switched to top gear.

Wolff, sensing danger, tried to foul him to stop his advance.

But Ye Chen read his intentions instantly. He pushed the ball forward with a deft touch, twisted his body, and evaded Wolff's outstretched hand.

The spectators gasped in unison, their boos forgotten.

What were they witnessing?

Was that speed even human?

By the time Ye Chen regained control of the ball, he had already broken into the penalty area. Naldo rushed to cover, but Ye Chen was already facing the goalkeeper!

Against Bremen's keeper, Mielitz, Ye Chen steadied himself—

Bow drawn.

Arrow notched.

Boom!

The shot was a thunderbolt!