In the home team dressing room at Veltins-Arena,
the FC Schalke 04 players sat quietly.
Magath stood in front of the tactical board, passionately outlining his strategies.
"Hao! Remember, you’re not just working with Su—when Su is marked tightly, you must take control of the ball yourself! You have to believe in your ability!"
"And Vardy—faster! Move faster!"
"This is our last home game!"
"Perhaps this is also the last time we’ll play together as a team!"
"I don’t want another complicated, dramatic match—no more falling behind, equalizing, and then scrambling for a late winner!"
"Next season, who knows how many of us will still be here?"
"We’ve fought our way to this moment!"
"I don’t want any regrets in front of our home fans!"
"Do you understand?"
"Look at those people in the stands!"
"For many of them, this might be the only chance in their lives to see their team lift the trophy at home!"
"I won’t let them down!"
"I’m sick of being overtaken by Bayern! I’m tired of always chasing! I want victory—a clear, decisive victory!"
"I want FC Bayern München to know that this season, the title belongs to FC Schalke 04!"
"Let Bayern kneel before us! Let their defeat be the stepping stone to our throne!"
"Give everything you have—keep the championship here, where it belongs!"
Every word from Magath struck deep into the hearts of the Schalke players.
Yes.
This was their last home game.
Neuer would be gone. Su would be gone. Even Baumann—rumor had it Wenger was scouting him.
Once again, the team would be torn apart at the end of the season.
But right now, they were still top of the league.
..............
"What has Magath done during this halftime break?!"
"The energy has completely shifted—it’s like watching two different teams!"
"From the attacking third onward, Schalke are playing like men possessed!"
"But at what cost? They’re burning through their stamina!"
"They’re facing Bayern—if they run out of gas late in the game, Bayern’s attack will tear them apart!"
Inside Veltins-Arena, the atmosphere was electric.
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To the wild chants of the FC Schalke 04 fans,
the team launched their final, frantic full-field press on home soil!
Su, Hao, and Raul—
even the wingers, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Vardy—
the attacking five swarmed desperately around Bayern’s defensive third,
applying relentless pressure.
Especially Su and Hao.
With the "Perfect Partner" card activated, Hao’s improvement wasn’t just individual—
his synergy with Su had reached an entirely new level.
This boost, evident in both attack and defense,
was making life incredibly difficult for Bayern.
49th minute—
just four minutes into the second half.
Bayern froze, completely pinned in their own half,
unable to advance the ball past midfield.
"Schweinsteiger!"
Raul pounced, but Schweinsteiger sidestepped and fed Lahm.
"Lahm!"
With a quick feint, he shook off Huntelaar.
Now in space, Lahm prepared to drive forward—
but before he could, Su closed in like lightning!
Lahm hastily pulled the ball back.
He knew Su’s speed all too well.
Losing possession here would be disastrous.
With no other option, Lahm angled a pass wide with his right foot—
straight toward the advancing Robben.
Yet the moment the ball left his foot, he regretted it.
Damn it!
Another Chinese player!
Hao had read the passing lane.
Anticipating Lahm’s only viable outlet,
he stepped in and intercepted the pass cleanly!
The second Hao won the ball, Su exploded forward like a storm.
Hao, alert as ever, slotted a perfect through ball ahead.
"Brilliant interception!"
"Su pressures, Hao picks off Lahm’s pass!"
"Su’s through!!!"
"Hao with the perfect feed!!!"
"Into the box!!!"
"Su’s lining up the shot!!!"
By now, Su had blitzed into Bayern’s penalty area—
one-on-one with the keeper.
Seeing Demichelis panicking, Su raised his right foot as if to shoot!
The moment Demichelis saw Su's shooting motion, he threw himself recklessly to block.
But Su was already one step ahead - he pulled his right foot back at the last moment and flicked the ball sideways instead!
The sudden change left Demichelis lunging uselessly past!
Not done yet, Su deftly knocked the ball backward with his heel after that initial touch!
Right on cue, Hao - who had just passed to Su - was already charging into Su's original position!
"CHANCE!!!"
"Brilliant backheel pass from Su!!!"
"HAO!!!!"
"HAO!!!"
Without breaking stride, Hao wound up and smashed the ball with his right foot!
"BANG!!!"
The explosive sound echoed as the football streaked toward Bayern's goal like white lightning!!!
A full-sprint, no-spin rocket of a shot!
Bayern's keeper Butt had no chance - the ball bulleted straight into the net behind him!
"GOAL!!!
"GOLAZO!!!!"
"IT'S IN!!!"
"IT'S IN!!!"
Just minutes into the second half!
The Chinese duo combined for a world-class goal to put Schalke back on top!
"Su's ingenious backheel pass!!!"
"Hao's thunderous finish!!!"
"FC Schalke 04 regains the lead!!!"
"A goal made in China!!!"
No longer just spectators, our Chinese players are writing history in this Bundesliga title decider!
They're fighting with every ounce of strength! Running themselves into the ground!
"A goal for the Chinese twins!!!"
"Viewers, in over a decade of commentating, I've never felt such overwhelming emotions during a match!!!"
"For the first time, I feel truly proud of our players!!!"
"Go for it!!!"
"Your future is out there on that pitch!!!"
"Hao... He's finally proven himself! He's not..."
Duan's commentary caught in his throat as he watched Hao's goal. His voice, initially bursting with excitement, now trembled with emotion.
He knew Hao's journey all too well.
From being scorned at first...
To spending six months without playing time...
Even enduring accusations of being a "fraudulent export-to-domestic transfer"...
During those dark days, Duan would often call Hao, knowing the quiet young man must be suffering silently inside.
Hao had given up a lucrative CSL salary to chase his dream in distant Germany.
He'd persevered through China's skeptical voices with quiet determination.
But now!
In this moment!
All those doubts were shattered by what might be the most crucial goal in Schalke 04's entire season!
No—
Not just this season, but perhaps the most important goal since the club's founding!
Just like Agüero's title-winning strike for Manchester City!
Su and Hao—
No matter how much time passes—
This city will forever remember them both!
The Veltins-Arena erupted.
Fans had been roaring for minutes, now chanting Hao's name in unison.
This humble Chinese player...
This soft-spoken, always-smiling introvert...
Now stood proudly before the stands, mirroring Su's signature celebration.
He leaped high, arms outstretched behind him—
"HAO!!!"
"HAO!!!"
"HAO!!!!"
And in that moment, with his back turned to the crowd,
Hao finally let his tears flow freely.
.............
