Chapter 278 An Unexpected Choice

In the second half, Zhou Yi indeed put on the Borussia Dortmund jersey and played for Borussia Dortmund U17 against the Chinese teenagers.

Actually, it was a little unfair for Zhou Yi to be on any team, because he was already nineteen years old, two years older, and had a slight advantage in terms of physical condition.

After two years of continuous training, Zhou Yi was still no match for those muscle freaks in the first team, but he wasn't exactly weak in front of sixteen or seventeen-year-old kids.

In addition, his experience far exceeded that of the children on both teams.

His appearance broke the balance and made the duel between the U17s seem less like a real competition.

But this was for the sake of the show. Zhou Yi's appearance could add fun, create hype, and of course, be used for nostalgia.

In terms of overall team strength, Borussia Dortmund U17 was already stronger than the Inheritors team, and now with the addition of Zhou Yi, they were even stronger.

As long as Borussia Dortmund U17 and Zhou Yi played seriously, it would be an absolute crushing victory.

So it was understandable that the Inheritors team players felt a little discouraged during the half-time break.

It was indeed difficult to be enthusiastic when facing such a strong opponent.

But there was an exception on the Inheritors team.

As long as the ball reached Yan Min's feet, Yan Min would challenge Borussia Dortmund's defense.

As a winger, Yan Min had extreme speed and excellent dribbling skills, which might be the reason for his confidence.

At first, when the Borussia Dortmund players didn't know this Chinese kid at all, Yan Min used beautiful feints to shake off two Borussia Dortmund players, reaching the edge of the penalty area and creating a threat.

But this performance also made the entire Borussia Dortmund team take him seriously.

Because the other Chinese youngsters were no longer a threat to Borussia Dortmund, and now suddenly there was a player who could threaten them, everyone would naturally not ignore him.

Once Borussia Dortmund increased their defensive force and paid attention to him, Yan Min had no chance.

Because Borussia Dortmund's defense was very complete and disciplined, it was impossible for Yan Min to break through Borussia Dortmund's entire defense line by himself.

But despite this, as long as the ball reached Yan Min's feet, he would not pass the ball out, but would choose to break through, even if the ball was intercepted quickly.

But even if the ball was intercepted, Yan Min would actively turn around and try to win it back. Of course, most of the time he couldn't win anything. The opponent would quickly transfer the ball away. No matter how fast Yan Min ran, he couldn't be faster than a flying soccer ball...

If Yan Min could pass the ball to his teammates and cooperate well, with his personal breakthrough and the cooperation of the whole team, it might be possible to threaten Borussia Dortmund's goal.

But unfortunately, Yan Min didn't do this. No matter how his teammates called him, waving to him, he just buried his head and dribbled the ball, seemingly wanting to become a personal hero who could turn the tide.

Head coach Hao Dong was also shouting from below: "Look up! Look up! Pass the ball! Pass the ball! Don't dribble into a dead end! Hey!"

Later, no one passed the ball to Yan Min at all.

When Yan Min asked his teammates, they all pretended not to see him.

After that, the Inheritors team was like they were one player short.

On the Borussia Dortmund side, Zhou Yi and Esveld, the two midfielders, cooperated to help Borussia Dortmund score four goals in one go in the second half.

In the end, Borussia Dortmund defeated the Inheritors team 6:1.

The Chinese teenagers suffered their third defeat in Europe.

※※※

After the game, the defeated Chinese teenagers were dejected. At first, when they knew that Zhou Yi was their comrade-in-arms, they had looked forward to winning a victory in Borussia Dortmund.

Who would have thought that they would lose so badly?

Although it seemed that there was a goal, which was a way to save face. But this goal only made everyone feel more ashamed, because this goal was scored by Zhou Yi alone, and had nothing to do with them.

They were purely benefiting from Zhou Yi's light.

The defeated players sighed or remained silent in the locker room. Somehow, someone suddenly accused Yan Min.

"You dribbled too much, Yan Min. Do you really think you're Messi?"

"That's right, if you had passed the ball earlier, maybe we could have scored another goal!"

"You're too selfish, we lost because of you!"

Faced with his teammates' accusations, Yan Min lowered his head and said nothing.

He was also frustrated, feeling that his performance today had not met his expectations. At this time, he was annoyed, and didn't pay much attention to his teammates' accusations.

Just when Yan Min was being criticized in the locker room, the door was pushed open.

Zhou Yi and the cameraman and his crew walked in.

This sudden attack caught everyone off guard, and the players in the locker room were all stunned. The criticism of Yan Min also stopped abruptly, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward...

But Zhou Yi didn't seem to know what had happened in the room. After he came in, the director also came in, and announced a piece of news that made the teenagers turn their worries into joy.

"Zhou Yi will choose four outstanding players, and then treat them to dinner!"

The players in the locker room looked at the director and Zhou Yi with disbelief.

"Then I'll choose now." Zhou Yi smiled and scanned the audience. Next, he didn't point fingers, but directly called out the names of the players.

Although he was only in contact with these players for the first time, and the time was no more than two hours, he was able to remember the names of these players, which had to impress everyone present.

Of course, they didn't know that Zhou Yi had already matched the abilities, names, and appearances of these players in the virtual space last night, and memorized them.

So this was not difficult for Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi quickly selected three players who performed well in the game. His choice was undisputed. These three people were indeed recognized by everyone as outstanding and well-performing players.

Now there was only one spot left, and the air in the locker room suddenly became tense. Everyone hoped to have dinner with Zhou Yi. If they could also listen to Zhou Yi's experience, the gains would be even greater. Even if it was just chatting with Zhou Yi, saying that he had been treated to a meal by Zhou Yi, he could brag about it in front of his friends for a long time when he went back.

Everyone hoped that the last spot was theirs. They looked forward to it, looking at Zhou Yi with expectant eyes.

But Zhou Yi deliberately kept them in suspense: "Who should I choose for the last one?"

He muttered to himself, but made the players' hearts almost jump to their throats.

Just when everyone's hearts were about to jump out of their mouths, Zhou Yi suddenly announced his decision: "Yan Min."

When the last spot was announced, the locker room was silent.

Many people didn't react - why Yan Min?

The on-site director was also a little surprised. Even he, who didn't understand soccer very well, could see that Yan Min's performance in this game was not very good.

Yan Min, who had been lowering his head, suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhou Yi in surprise.

Zhou Yi seemed not to see everyone's surprised and unbelievable eyes, and clapped his hands: "Okay, I've chosen."

But he couldn't go to dinner right away, because Zhou Yi had to shoot a segment, explaining to the camera why he chose these four people.

Generally speaking, Zhou Yi and the camera crew and director would go to a separate room, then sit on chairs and discuss this topic.

But Zhou Yi unexpectedly chose to explain his choice in the locker room, in front of everyone.

For the first three people, Zhou Yi's comments were not limited to saying something like "His performance was really good, very hardworking", but from the details of tactics to say where these three people performed well, said it with reason and evidence, so that everyone was convinced.

At the same time, they also surprisingly found that Zhou Yi's observation of the game was very careful, which was very difficult in the ever-changing game.

After all, playing soccer and watching soccer are different. Soccer fans may be able to remember every detail presented in a soccer game on TV. But soccer players have to focus on the game, and the area they observe is limited, and it is impossible to have a comprehensive understanding of a game.

But Zhou Yi's comments were comprehensive. Through this commentary, everyone also understood where Zhou Yi was so good, and why he could play as a starter in Borussia Dortmund's first team at the age of eighteen.

Just based on his understanding of the game, few people can compare to him.

Finally, he said to Yan Min: "As for Yan Min..."

When he heard this sentence, everyone perked up their ears, wanting to hear why Zhou Yi would choose Yan Min.

"Well, to be honest, your performance on the field, from a tactical point of view..." Speaking of this, Zhou Yi paused, then frowned and said, "I'm telling the truth, it's not very good, or it can be said to be very bad. Because you always play by yourself, but completely ignore your teammates. Soccer is a team sport. If you are playing the game of personal heroism in the whole game, then I can only say that you have chosen the wrong sport."

For the previous three players, Zhou Yi's comments were actually very polite, and they were all positive comments such as "The performance was not bad" and "Very hardworking". But for Yan Min, the conversation suddenly changed, and became a naked and direct criticism, without even the slightest concealment. The tone was very stern, and the words used were also very harsh. Every sentence sounded like a sharp knife to the onlookers, cutting open Yan Min's flesh.

The staff present did not expect Zhou Yi to criticize a young player so mercilessly. This accident made them feel embarrassed. If it weren't for the fact that they still had work to do, they would have wanted to escape from this room, let alone Yan Min, who was in the center of the storm.

And hearing Zhou Yi say this, the players in the Inheritors team felt a hidden pleasure in their hearts - let you be so selfish! Deserved it! People Zhou Yi has been watching!

"From a technical point of view..." Zhou Yi's commentary continued, "To be honest, it's not very good..."

There was a low burst of laughter in the locker room.

Tactically bad, technically not good, then what are the advantages?

This Zhou Yi, insults people so directly, but also makes everyone feel secretly refreshed. For Yan Min, who completely ignores his teammates, he should be severely criticized! Don't give him face!

Sure enough, Yan Min, who was criticized by Zhou Yi in front of everyone, lowered his head, and seemed to feel a little embarrassed, unwilling to let others see his expression.

"Well, sometimes you are too sticky to the ball, and the timing of your judgment is inaccurate, and the technical selection is incorrect, which leads to the loss of the ball. These are all your technical problems..."

Although Zhou Yi was young, just turned nineteen years old, but when he commented on Yan Min, who was only two years younger than him, his words were quite old-fashioned, like a battle-tested, legendary veteran who had won countless honors.

He just said it like that, very confidently, and didn't feel that there was anything wrong with saying this at his age.

This is actually because he has trained and competed countless times in the virtual space, seen enough situations, and accumulated enough experience, so he can talk so confidently.

But in the eyes of others, they will only think that this is the confidence of a super genius.

With the amazing achievements Zhou Yi has achieved in Borussia Dortmund, of course no one will question why Zhou Yi dares to speak like this...

He just has the qualifications.

But after listening to Zhou Yi's merciless criticism, the confusion in everyone's hearts was not resolved, but became even stronger - since you look down on Yan Min so much, and criticize him for being useless, then why did you choose him in the end?

Everyone turned their eyes to Zhou Yi.

Under everyone's gaze, Zhou Yi only stared at Yan Min, who was lowering his head, and he said.

"But why did I choose you, Yan Min? Because I think your performance in terms of tactics is very bad, but you have one performance that is very good, very good. And it is unique to you, and no one else has it."

Zhou Yi's words aroused everyone's curiosity.

What is it that Yan Min has, but we don't?

Some people were still unconvinced, staring at Zhou Yi, intending to ask clearly even if Zhou Yi's reasoning wasn't logical, even if he was a successful senior.

"It's the spirit of not being afraid of anything, not giving up, and daring to challenge!" Zhou Yi's tone rose, and he said in a very affirmative tone. "I only saw this spirit in you in this game, Yan Min."

Hearing Zhou Yi's words, even Yan Min raised his head and looked at Zhou Yi in a shocked manner.

Only saw it in me? So I am the unique one?

He had a dizzy feeling of being suddenly dragged from the depths of hell to the clouds of heaven.

But Zhou Yi's comments, or rather, praise, were not over yet.

"It can be seen that in the second half, many people have lost their fighting spirit, perhaps feeling that the strength of both sides in this game is very different, and they will definitely lose. For a game that is destined to fail, it seems that there is no need to go all out." Zhou Yi continued.

"But you didn't think so. From the first minute you came on the field until the end of the game, I have seen that you have not given up looking for opportunities to break through and score goals. Of course, this makes you look a little selfish, unsociable, and uncooperative, but your spirit is very prominent. If there are problems with your skills, you can practice them. If there are defects in your tactics, you can accumulate experience. Only one thing cannot be practiced, and that is a person's character and will. How you treat the game determines your performance in the game. How you treat soccer determines how far and high you can go in soccer."

Zhou Yi talked eloquently. As expected of a former student, he had memorized a lot of Chinese and political textbooks, and his words were well-organized and set by set.

Although he was merciless when criticizing Yan Min, and his words were harsh, when he praised Yan Min, he was also going all out without reservation, and even said more and better than when he criticized Yan Min.

Hao Dong, the head coach who was listening quietly with his arms crossed, was a little emotional at this moment.

Because he thought of the experience of the previous season's *Green Football Inheritors* challenging in Europe from Zhou Yi's words.

The continuous failures of the trip to Europe defeated many people, but did not defeat the young man in front of him. He treated the failure with a normal heart, comforted his teammates, encouraged them, and waited for the opportunity. So when it was his turn to play, he gave everyone a surprise.

Just like he said, how he treats the game determines his performance in the game - his performance is very good.

And he also brought this attitude to his teammates, so that this team, which had been defeated by failure, defeated the most powerful opponent beautifully and uprightly in the final battle.

As for himself?

He also gained the favor of many clubs because of his attitude.

As for his ultimate achievement in soccer, it must depend on his attitude towards soccer... Hao Dong is not worried about this at all.

This kid is praising himself...

But... it's well-deserved.

※※※

"I think that personal psychological things are a very important component of talent. This is the thing that determines the upper limit of your talent." Zhou Yi made a gesture of a ceiling, "Your ceiling is still very high, Yan Min."

Yan Min was already dizzy from Zhou Yi's praise, and looked at him with a dazed expression.

"Although your performance in this game was really bad, but for the sake of your hard work, I am willing to encourage you, and I hope that you can stick to your current attitude in every game and every turning point in your life. So, this meal, I will treat you to something delicious." Finally, Zhou Yi smiled.

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, the locker room was silent. Everyone probably didn't expect Zhou Yi to say such a thing in the end.

This quiet atmosphere was finally broken by Hao Dong's applause: "Zhou Yi is right."

He stood up and said to all the players.

"I hope that every one of you, not just Yan Min, will remember what Zhou Yi said to you today. Remember, how you treat the game, the game will treat you, how you treat soccer, soccer will reward you. I have seen many extremely talented players, but because they treat soccer carelessly, in the end they are just mediocre players with nothing to show for it. Okay, the four people who were named will go to dinner with Zhou Yi, and the rest... go back to the hotel!"

So Yan Min followed Zhou Yi and left first in the envious and jealous eyes of his teammates...