Griffith scored a hat-trick.
Bayern defeated Bochum 3-0 in an away match.
Hertha Berlin defeated Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 at ho.
anwhile, Hoffenheim drew 1-1 with Frankfurt in an away ga.
...
On March 21st, during matchday 25 of the Bundesliga, Mainz played an away ga against Cottbus.
The ho team was fighting to avoid relegation.
Playing on their ho turf against Mainz, they adopted a purely defensive, park-the-bus strategy.
This created significant problems for Mainz, and for Wang Shuo in particular.
Especially in the first half, Mainz struggled to find an effective way to threaten their opponent’s goal.
But as the second half began, Mainz used the kickoff to their advantage, decisively launching a frenzied assault on Cottbus.
Wang Shuo, in particular, relentlessly applied pressure up front. With his teammates’ support, they began to corner the Cottbus defense.
In the 51st minute, Wang Shuo finally seized an opportunity. He capitalized on a misplaced pass from the opposing center-back, Alan, intercepting the ball and distributing it to the right wing.
Schürrle burst into the right side of the box and sent a low cross in front of the goal. Hainauer charged forward and tapped it in.
1-0!
After conceding the goal, Cottbus fell into disarray.
Mainz pressed their advantage, eager to extend their lead.
In the 56th minute, just five minutes after the first goal, Gunkel, who had scored a brace in the previous match, once again played a crucial role.
This ti, however, his long-range shot deflected off a defender in the box. The ball bounced up, and Wang Shuo seized the opportunity, juggling it twice before smashing a close-range volley into the Cottbus net.
2-0!
The score remained 2-0 until the final whistle.
Mainz had secured a three-ga winning streak!
From a five-ga winless streak to a three-ga winning streak, Mainz was experiencing a resurgence.
But neither Klopp nor his coaching staff dared to get complacent.
Because after matchday 25, another international break was upon them for national team training.
Their international players, including Kalhan, Pekovic, and Hainauer, all had to report for national duty.
For a Mainz squad already suffering from the so-called "Klopp Syndro," this was undoubtedly salt in the wound.
It wasn’t just veterans like Kalhan, Pekovic, and Lővér; even international players in their pri like Hainauer and Nowitzki were struggling with it.
...
"Lately, a lot of teams have been getting in touch with through various channels. They’re all trying to find out what your plans are."
With the international players away on national duty, and even younger players like Schürrle and Kirchhoff away at national youth team camps, Wang Shuo, who had yet to receive a senior call-up, remained at the club to train.
Thomas Essien took the opportunity to invite Wang Shuo out for a al and update him on recent developnts.
It was already March, so many clubs were deep into planning for the sumr transfer window. Naturally, they were frequently contacting players they were interested in.
In Wang Shuo’s current situation, he actually had a significant say in his own transfer.
It would be very difficult for Mainz to force Wang Shuo to join a team he didn’t want to play for.
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.
A public falling-out would be ugly for everyone involved.
In reality, the two sides would communicate privately and amicably to reach a mutual understanding.
As for the possibility of Mainz not wanting to sell him...
Wang Shuo himself thought, ’That possibility is virtually non-existent.’
’Why?’
’Because to this day, Mainz hasn’t even ntioned a contract extension with .’
That was a very clear signal.
It was a signal not just for Wang Shuo, but for all the teams on the transfer market that were interested in him.
’Want to sign this player?’
’Bids are welco!’
Wang Shuo was already ntally prepared for this and understood the club’s position.
He was well aware that Mainz had a ceiling. If he stayed, it would be difficult for him to develop much further.
’In that case, it’s better for us to part amicably.’
’Given my current form, I can definitely leave Mainz with a hefty transfer fee.’
’Mainz will make a killing on this deal.’
On a professional level, Wang Shuo also wanted to give his all and leave sothing behind for Mainz before his departure.
’A spot in a European competition?’
’The DFB-Pokal?’
’Either one would be great!’
"Is there any more news about Klopp?" Wang Shuo asked, concerned.
According to the information he had, Klopp was also set to leave Mainz this sumr.
He had almost left last year. After successfully keeping the team in the top flight this year, he would be leaving with his mission accomplished.
"The rumors are all over the place right now. I doubt even Klopp himself knows for sure. There’s even talk that Bayern is planning to invite him to be their coach. Do you think that’s possible?"
Wang Shuo smiled and shook his head. "Knowing Klopp’s personality, he’d never go to Bayern."
’If it weren’t for what happened last year, he definitely would have gone to Bayern.’
’But since Bayern chose Klinsmann last year, there’s no way Klopp will go now.’
’No matter how generous Bayern’s offer is, he won’t consider it.’
’It’s a bit like the whole affair between Mourinho and Barcelona.’
’Interestingly, both things happened in 2008.’
’The big clubs are so capricious!’
’Maybe they just don’t care at all.’
It aligned with the "rookie pitfall avoidance guide" Wang Shuo had previously formulated for himself: having a coach who knew and trusted him was crucial. And right now, the coach he worked best with was Klopp.
"There are quite a few teams definitely looking for a new coach," Essien continued. "Schalke 04, for example. Luten might not even make it through March."
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