Chapter 144: Come On—Show Us What You've Got, Challenge the Defending Champions!
Borussia Dortmund's loss to Schalke 04 in the Ruhr Derby just days before their Champions League clash had been a real blow to morale.
Many of the Real Madrid players were already talking about it in the dressing room.
Li Ang wasn't sure if Mourinho and his staff had factored that defeat into their psychological preparation. But if they had, he feared it could become a serious miscalculation.
Dortmund had yet to truly prove themselves in Europe, and the broader football world still tended to underrate Jürgen Klopp.
Yes, he'd already defended his Bundesliga title. Yes, he'd won the domestic double last season. And yes, he was gaining recognition across Europe as one of the sport's top coaches.
But even so, Li Ang felt that Klopp was still undervalued.
This was a tactical innovator. A pioneer.
From his early days in Germany to the refined pressing systems he perfected in England, Klopp had consistently developed frameworks that changed the tactical landscape.
His high-intensity pressing system broke down possession-based giants. Later, his controlled build-up model at Liverpool reshaped how teams approached transitions.
In that way, Klopp was not unlike Guardiola.
Li Ang knew one thing for sure: this man was dangerous.
He wasn't as reactive as Mourinho during matches. But in terms of pre-game planning, motivation, and preparing tactical traps, Klopp was elite.
Only Li Ang seemed to fully understand that. Most others still didn't give Klopp enough credit.
Fortunately, in the final few days of prep, Li Ang noticed Mourinho had done his homework as usual. Despite Dortmund's recent stumble, there was no sign of complacency.
Mourinho, after all, never let his guard down against unfamiliar opponents. It was one of his biggest strengths—and it put Li Ang's mind at ease.
The joking among Madrid's players about Dortmund's loss to Schalke vanished quickly. They all knew who they were about to face:
The team that had crushed Bayern 5–2 in the German Cup Final.
Everyone in Madrid knew what level last season's Bayern had played at. And if Dortmund could do that to them, no one was taking this match lightly.
On the afternoon of October 23, under the watchful eye of global media and eager fans, the Real Madrid squad and coaching staff boarded their flight to Germany.
By that evening, they stepped onto the turf at Signal Iduna Park.
A proper European fortress.
Big. Loud. Majestic. And as Li Ang gazed up, he saw them—the eight massive yellow pylons looming above the stadium, thrusting into the sky like giant swords.
Perfectly arranged. Structured. Brimming with power.
Much like this youthful Dortmund side under Klopp.
If everything continued on its current trajectory, this team might very well rock all of Europe.
"Beautiful stadium," Marcelo said, rubbing the grass approvingly. "But the thought of getting booed here tomorrow makes me a little sad."
Everyone chuckled. But inside, Li Ang shared the concern.
Could Madrid withstand the pressure at what many claimed was the loudest home stadium in Europe?
There were no answers yet.
Even Mourinho and Karanka looked slightly uneasy—but neither addressed it. No sense in stirring up anxiety the night before battle.
And in truth, most of Madrid's players had been on stages like this before. They'd seen the pressure. Felt the roar.
Newcomers like Matuidi and Modrić would start on the bench.
This team could handle it.
They spent a quiet, composed night in Dortmund.
But by midday the next day, the city was buzzing.
This match was the most anticipated fixture of the week—a clash of two titans.
And in the shadow of their spotlight, the other big match in Group D: Ajax vs. Manchester City.
It couldn't be helped. Group D was the true group of death. Every fixture felt like a quarterfinal.
If Madrid beat Dortmund and City defeated Ajax, the group standings would become very interesting.
Madrid would sit atop with nine points.
City and Dortmund would be tied on four.
Ajax, with one point after three games, would be hanging on by a thread.
Tensions would rise. The matches would only get better.
Among fans, only Madrid's were calm. Dortmund fans? Nervous, but hopeful. Ajax fans were… well, resigned. Watching with pillows tucked behind their heads, ready to do sit-ups if they pulled off an upset.
But City fans? They were sweating.
They had to watch both matches. Pray their team beat Ajax. Pray Madrid buried Dortmund.
For now, they were cheering for Madrid. No shame in it—progress over pride.
While fans crunched numbers, the players had only one mission:
Win.
Dortmund weren't counting on Ajax to do them any favors. They wanted to beat Madrid and take top spot themselves.
Madrid, undefeated, had no interest in slipping now. They wanted three straight wins.
This wasn't the league. There were no second chances. No "draws are fine" scenarios.
The group stage is a war. Retreat once, and you'll have to retreat again and again.
As both teams emerged from the tunnel, warmups complete, tactical briefs delivered, there was no turning back.
This was it.
A battle of strength. Of will. Of dominance.
The Champions League is not a place for the timid.
You win? You move on.
You lose? You might not come back.
And when the players stepped onto the pitch, facing the legendary Yellow Wall, they felt it.
The pressure. The weight. The roar of 80,000.
But Madrid stood tall.
Because they weren't just Real Madrid tonight.
They were the defending champions.
As the camera swept across their lineup, every player looked calm. Focused.
No arrogance. But no fear.
They were ready.
Ready to defend their crown.
And if Dortmund wanted it, they'd have to earn it.
The game began. And from the first second, Madrid showed intent.
They pressed hard.
Essien. Li Ang. Benzema. Ronaldo.
They chased. Hounded. Swarmed every Dortmund pass.
It was a shock.
Because this was Dortmund's usual tactic.
Now, they were on the receiving end.
They adapted fast—this was Klopp's team, after all—but they couldn't match Madrid's muscle.
Li Ang and Essien manned the middle like a fortress. One pressing high, the other dropping to cover.
Götze and Reus? Stifled.
The physicality shook them.
The Dortmund crowd booed every hard challenge. But Li Ang and Essien didn't care.
After a foul call, Li Ang even smiled down at a fallen Götze. The cameras caught it. The Yellow Wall erupted in rage.
Li Ang was provoking them.
The booing only grew louder. It didn't stop—even after the restart.
Dortmund finally fought their way into Madrid's half.
Reus slipped away from Essien. Smartly played the ball to Lewandowski, who dropped deep to connect.
But he didn't see it coming.
Li Ang and Alonso closed in like a pincer. Boom. Ball gone.
Lewandowski fell. No whistle.
Li Ang had already played it wide.
Then he glanced back, shaking his head with a smirk.
"That's all you've got?"
His expression said it all.
"Come on then. Show us what you've got."
"Let's see what you've really got, Dortmund."
"Come and challenge the defending champions."
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