After the goal, van Gaal showed no mercy!
He continued roaring instructions to his players on the pitch,
strictly enforcing his pre-match tactical plan:
Double-team Su at all costs!
When Su and Hao combined within twenty meters of Bayern's box,
the defense immediately tightened.
Müller dropped back, joining Ribéry and Schweinsteiger -
forming a three-man pincer movement around Su!
Trapped with the ball, Su attempted to pass,
but Ribéry clung to him like glue.
Müller stretched his long legs, poised to intercept,
while Schweinsteiger cut off passing lanes to Hao.
Cornered, Su tried retreating to reorganize,
but Bayern gave him no breathing room.
As Su backpedaled to pass,
Ribéry suddenly threw himself into a sliding tackle without warning!
The abrupt challenge caught Su off guard,
but his 85-rated ball control saved him -
at the last instant, he flicked the ball forward to evade Ribéry's lunge.
Just as Su prepared to regain control,
Schweinsteiger - who had been shadowing him - delivered a shoulder charge.
The impact made Su finally understand Schweinsteiger's nickname ("The Tank").
Without even a running start,
the German's light bump sent Su staggering off balance.
That single contact broke Su's control completely.
Alert Müller hooked the loose ball and turned toward Schalke's half!
But!
He hadn't taken three steps before -
SLIDE! -
Baumann's perfectly timed tackle stopped him cold!
"PEEEP!"
The referee's whistle accompanied the challenge.
"What a crucial intervention!"
"Robben was already calling for the ball - letting Müller pass would've been disastrous!"
"Baumann stepped up when it mattered most!"
"The referee showed leniency - just a verbal warning, no card!"
On the pitch!
Baumann scrambled to his feet, ignoring Müller still on the ground, and rushed straight to Su's side.
"Su, you alright?"
While checking on Su, Baumann shot a venomous glare at Schweinsteiger!
That look!
It immediately ignited Schweinsteiger's temper.
This brat's clearly provoking me!
Takes out Müller with a slide tackle, then has the audacity to glare at me?
A menacing Schweinsteiger strode directly toward Baumann.
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Baumann stood his ground, chin raised defiantly.
"It's fine, it's fine!"
Seeing Baumann - this hothead begging for a card - Su quickly wrapped an arm around him and pulled him away.
Just got a warning and now picking fights? Trying to get sent off?
Su's intervention only further irritated Schweinsteiger.
He wasn't stupid - that whole scene was clearly Baumann trying to bait him into a card-worthy offense. Surprisingly, this Chinese kid saw through it too.
But Schweinsteiger wouldn't be outsmarted by such petty tactics.
After exchanging a knowing smirk with Su, he retreated to his position.
42nd minute!
Bayern Munich's attacking free kick!
From a full forty meters out, Ribéry opted against a direct shot.
Waiting for Bayern's tall players to advance, he lofted the ball into the box.
However, the delivery landed too deep - Neuer confidently punched it clear with both fists!
The ball fell perfectly to Schweinsteiger's feet.
Facing the dropping ball,
Schweinsteiger unleashed a powerful first-time volley!
The shot packed tremendous force but lacked precision -
sailing straight into the stands!
"Su's really struggling in midfield right now!"
"Bayern's triple-team tactic is proving effective!"
"Schweinsteiger's physicality, Ribéry's agility, and Müller's long legs - they've completely shackled Su!"
"Schalke needs to find a solution fast!"
"If this continues, Bayern will break through sooner or later!"
Wang voiced his concerns anxiously -
and those words seemed to reawaken his insatiable competitive spirit.
Neuer sent a goal kick that soared high toward midfield, but Su was unsurprisingly outjumped by Schweinsteiger, who headed the ball to Ribéry on the left as they battled for possession!
Ribéry, upon receiving the ball, gave the Veltins-Arena a glimpse of FC Bayern München's other wing wizard!
The fleet-footed Ribéry raced down the left flank in an instant!
While Uchida confidently positioned himself to intercept, focusing entirely on Ribéry's advance, the Frenchman did the opposite—he flicked the ball sharply to the right, just like Robben!
A swift inside cut!
That sudden move sent Uchida's heart into his throat!
Desperately chasing back, he could only watch as Ribéry prepared to shoot!
With no other option, Uchida stretched out his leg in a last-ditch attempt to trip Ribéry—
"BEEEP!!!"
The referee's whistle blew!
FC Bayern München earned a free kick in a dangerous attacking position!
Ribéry, standing over the ball, unleashed a wicked right-footed curler!
The ball arced over the wall, dipped sharply, and drilled into the top corner before Neuer could react!
2-2!
FC Schalke 04's lead vanished after Ribéry's stunning free kick!
"Ugh!"
"What did I say?!"
"What did I say?!"
"See?!"
"If you don't figure out how to free Su, this is what happens when Bayern turns up the pressure!"
"It only took a few minutes!"
"I called it!"
In the commentary booth, Wang was still grumbling nonstop.
I’ve never seen someone so shameless. You’re the one who just doomed Schalke, and now you’re blaming others?
Dr. Wang, do us a favor—stop talking. If you must, talk about Bayern. I just want to enjoy the trophy ceremony in peace. Is that too much to ask? With your jinxing mouth, I’m afraid Schalke will collapse completely!
Exactly! Dr. Wang, shut up, I beg you. Let Duan take over. Can’t you just play on your phone? Or fix that broken desk? Huh? Wait, why did I say "fix the desk"?
"No one rivals your talent for cursed commentary!"
Ribéry erupted in celebration after equalizing!
The once-raucous Veltins-Arena suddenly fell quiet.
Only the traveling Bayern fans chanted their team’s name in unison.
Schalke supporters grew nervous—they seemed to finally face reality at that moment.
Yes, they’re top of the league.
But now they’re up against FC Bayern München, the giants they’ve long looked up to!
The first half flew by in a flash.
Four goals in just 45 minutes—this title-deciding clash was living up to the hype!
And it all pointed to one thing: the Bundesliga crown would go down to the wire!
..............
