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#More than 10 chapters ahead on my : /TrikoRex
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[21/12/2019 | Time: 16:15 | Location: MEWA Arena | Mainz 0 – 2 Leverkusen]
The first half ended in a convincing 0 - 2 for Leverkusen as neither team managed to mount a worthwhile attack in the dying minutes of the first half. But the visitors were not too bothered, simply singing their club hymns to their heart's content. The past 3 games have been rough for them, so seeing their team react positively despite the setback brought joy to their faces.
"Ben Christmas came early this year." Finn, a man in his mid-thirties and a third-generation Leverkusen fan, said in a jovial tone before proceeding to hug his mug of beer. "Those youngsters are making the money we spent on season tickets worthwhile."
"Hahah, yeah, they definitely gave us a big present, and if they continue at this pace, this might turn into a complete route," Ben responded with a bright smile before digging into his Currywurst and pommes. "After Charles' wild bombardment, I was ready to witness another rocky performance from the midfield, but he has been solid since."
"Have you been reading war novels again? For the last time, just because you read it in fanfiction doesn't make you qualified to lead men into battle." Finn exasperatedly commented as he eyed his shorter and slightly chubby friend who fancied himself as a modern-day Napoleon. "But bombardment is definitely the right word for that balled, Mainz B*st*rd, who got smacked on the dome."
"How would you know? Let me tell you I'm a distant descendant of Alexander the Great," Ben quickly retorted with indignation.
"Distant being the keyword, a hundred-plus generations down the line are no longer part of the same family, why else do you think those royalties f*£k their cousins and act like it's a noble thing." Finn retorted, shutting his friend up with his crude but mostly accurate argument that forced the latter to really consider his lineage.
"Duck that! I thought we were talking about the team and not about the world's most glorified incest practices." Ben quickly retorted with a huff, stabbing his wooden fork to stab another piece of bratwurst coated in warm curry ketchup sauce. Smiling at the delightful taste of the food, he momentarily forgot his train of thought. "It's a shame that they will be going into a break just as they are finding their momentum."
(cough cough cough) Finn choked on his beer at his friend's sudden outburst that bordered on bipolar. However, since he was already used to his friend's actions, he quickly brushed it aside. "It's indeed a shame, especially since this is the strongest frontline we've had in years."
"I've been saying that our midfield is the problem since the start of the season. Peter is too indecisive, mixing and matching the midfield core like a game of connect five." Ben huffed in annoyance. "Even when we were winning, most of the goals came from the wingbacks linking up with the wingers and attackers. The only time the midfield performed well was when one of the midfielders had a breakout game, controlling the game with solo heroics."
"I guess that's what happens when you are spoiled for choice's and it's not like he can play Kai in all games." Finn intoned, having also been forced to come to this realisation after the string of shaky performances following Rakim's excursion to Poland. Having lost one of their most clinical goal-creating players, the pressure on the midfield became that much more glaring, highlighting their faults. "You don't think it's the tactics, right? We have been dominant whenever we field our best team, working well, even with just one or two substitutions."
"I think it might be his tactical adjustment to certain players, for example, Julian Baumgartlinger, he is a German war machine who would excel in a more physical game rather than our usual pressing and zonal marking," Ben said in a serious tone, nodding his head sagely as he continued to analyse a few other players' tendencies and the best playstyle for them.
"Have you been reading football novels again? You know you're not 'The Special One', right?" Finn unceremoniously interrupted his friend, causing an awkward atmosphere to permeate.
[21/12/2019 | Time: 16:30 | Location: MEWA Arena | Mainz 0 – 2 Leverkusen]
With the referee's whistle, the second half commenced with a Leverkusen kick-off as the fans who had headed to the concessions stand returned to their seats. "And we're back for another half of what promises to be an exciting period of football."
"Indeed, Derek, this match promises to be a goal feast no matter which side decides to take control of the match," Robson commented with excitement as the red lions surged forward from the first moment to launch an attack.
Rakim, still burning with momentum from the first half, immediately darted inside from the left after receiving a smart ball from Wendell. He played a quick one-two with Demirbay at the top of the box before unleashing a curling effort from just outside the box. "Early warning shot from Rakim Rex!" Derek Rae exclaimed as the ball fizzed just wide of the far post, causing Zentner to stretch in vain.
"He's the type of player who is hard to stop once he gets hot and, unluckily for Mainz supporters, he his burning despite the freezing temperatures." Robson intoned with a light chuckle as Rakim could be seen staring at his boots in disappointment, almost as if blaming them for his miss.
Mainz seemed to have grown a backbone, or they simply woke up from their slumber as they started affecting the match, much to the delight of their fans. A long goal-kick from Zentner found its way to substitute Danny Latza, who chested it down graciously. Picking up the tempo, he sent a chipped through ball into the space behind the Leverkusen defence for Quaison to run onto.
The sudden change caught the Leverkusen back line off guard for a moment, and Quaison managed to bring it down on the turn. Quaison took a touch to his right, trying to create a shooting angle. Jonathan Tah recovered quickly, sliding across to block the strike, but the Swede managed to unleash a low, driven shot toward the near post.
"Quaison—on target!" Derek Rae's voice rose as the shot zipped toward the frame. Hradecky dropped fast, parrying the shot away with strong hands before Wendell came in to complete the clearance.
"That was more like it from Mainz," Stewart Robson noted. "You get the sense the next goal is absolutely crucial by how much both teams want this."
Leverkusen, sensing the shift in momentum, slowed the pace following frantic shouts from Peter Bosz on the sidelines. He motioned for Aranguiz and Demirbay to drop deeper and play shorter passes, recycling possession as they looked to draw Mainz out of shape. The wingers also dropped deeper to receive and link play, drawing fouls as the home side got more aggressive.
Seeing the lack of effectiveness for Wirtz in this slower-moving tempo, Peter Bosz sent for Exequiel Palacios alongside Moussa Diaby to warm up. A few minutes later, he proceeded with the substitution when a pass with too much power skipped off the pitch.
Bayer Leverkusen: OFF - Florian Wirtz & Leon Bailey | ON - Exequiel Palacios & Moussa Diaby
Mainz 05: OFF - Pierre Kunde | ON - Leandro Barreiro
The substitutions injected fresh energy into the match. Diaby, with his low centre of gravity and electric pace, immediately gave Aarón Martín trouble down the right. His legs seemed restless as he could be seen everywhere momentarily putting the right flank on lock. Meanwhile, Palacios brought a more measured control to the midfield, helping Aránguiz settle after a physically intense first half.
Barreiro only had a few minutes to settle on the pitch, but he made full use of the few touches he got. He pinched the ball off Demirbay near the centre circle with surprising ease and surged forward. Spotting Onisiwo peeling away from Weiser, Barreiro slipped a precise pass into the channel. Onisiwo took it in stride, cut onto his right, and let fly from just inside the box.
"ONISIWO—IT'S CURLED!"
The strike arced viciously toward the top corner but shaved the outside of the post. This sent Hradecky's breath palpitating as he had remained rooted on his spot, unable to react quickly enough. But he also knew that even if he had reacted to jump, he wouldn't have gotten there even if he stretched to the fullest.
"Ohh, that's close! That would've brought the house down here at the MEWA," Derek Rae exclaimed.