Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 99 Facing Hamburg
Hamburg is a long-established team in the Bundesliga.

Throughout the decades-long history of the Bundesliga, Hamburg has never been relegated and has won the Bundesliga title six times, as well as the European Cup in 1983.

If we compare them in this way, Hamburg's history is undoubtedly much more illustrious than Roma's.

However, over the years, Hamburg has only experienced ups and downs in the Bundesliga, with their last title being the German Cup in 1986.

Last season, Hamburg finished fifth in the Bundesliga and largely retained its squad in the summer. During the summer, Hamburg's management showed great ambition by bringing in players such as Berg, Vallejo, and Rozenal, and also signing Ze Roberto, who left Bayern Munich on a free transfer.

However, their performance this season has declined significantly, finishing only eighth in the Bundesliga at the halfway point, which is unacceptable to Hamburg's management.

Therefore, during the winter transfer window, they signed Dutch veteran Ruud van Nistelrooy again.

Van Nistelrooy returned from injury and immediately showed excellent form, helping Hamburg eliminate Anderlecht and turning the tide in the league.

For Hamburg, reaching the Europa League quarterfinals means they will face Serie A leaders Roma, but they are not intimidated at all.

Moreover, this year's Europa League final will be held at Hamburg's home stadium, the Nordbank Arena, which makes Hamburg full of expectations for winning the title at home.

Of course, Hamburg still takes Roma seriously enough, and their coaching staff has noticed Roma's biggest threat, Shan Yongzhuo.

Head coach Labbadia also emphasized to the players that they must defend against Shan Yongzhuo, saying, "Their number 19 has an outstanding shooting ability. He has already broken the Serie A goal-scoring record, scoring 48 goals in Serie A. We must pay attention to him."

"When this player gets into form, his shots are completely unreasonable. He once scored 5 goals against Inter Milan and AC Milan in a single game."

"We must be extremely careful in defending against him!"

Labbadia's words did indeed take Hamburg's players seriously, especially the forwards.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was a renowned striker in Europe, known as the King of the Penalty Area. However, even in his peak season in the Premier League, he only scored 25 goals.

48 league goals – this statistic even surprised Van Nistelrooy.

However, Hamburg's defenders don't see it that way.

Hamburg's defensive prodigy Boateng said in an interview, "I know their number 19, Shane? Sorry, I know he's very good, but he'll be facing Hamburg's defense. I'll show him what a really tough defense is!"

Hamburg's defense can't really be called strong, it's just passable. In the 28 rounds of the Bundesliga this season, Hamburg has conceded 37 goals, an average of 1.3 goals conceded per game, which can barely be called good, but it's still a bit short of a tough defense.

Meanwhile, Hamburg's other Peruvian striker, Guerrero, said in an interview, "Single? Serie A goal record? That's only because he's in Serie A. If he came to Hamburg, he would only be able to sit on the bench."

These remarks thoroughly angered the Italian media and Roma fans, especially the vast majority of female Roma fans.

With only Inter Milan and Roma remaining in the Champions League and Europa League respectively, isn't Guerrero's statement blatantly implying that Serie A is inferior to the Bundesliga?
Italian media couldn't stand it anymore and began mocking Guerrero, while also encouraging Roma and Shan Yongzhuo to teach Hamburg and Guerrero a lesson in the match.

As for the vast number of female fans in Rome, especially the so-called "Shan Yongzhuo Cheerleading Team" that was recently organized, they were all indignant and instantly took over Guerrero's Twitter account.

Meanwhile, the captains of the cheerleading squad decided to lead their team to Hamburg to give Shan Yongzhuo the warmest encouragement during the match.

The Roma team flew to Hamburg and checked into a hotel.

Roma seemed quite relaxed about their match against Hamburg, just as the Italian media had predicted; they didn't take Hamburg seriously.

Roma is a Serie A title contender and has reached the Champions League knockout stage for several consecutive years. If compared to the Bundesliga, they are only slightly inferior to Bayern Munich.

Hamburger?

Sorry, it's not that I look down on you, but you are really no match for us.

That's what the Roma players were thinking.

Before the match, Spalletti also emphasized defense, demanding that the players be more aggressive in their physical confrontations on the field.

Bundesliga teams have a more open and aggressive style of play, and they also place a greater emphasis on physical confrontation. The overall pace of the game is also a bit faster than that of Serie A.

Of course, this is just one point. In the first leg, Roma is playing away. To win in the two-legged tie, a victory would be ideal, but a draw or even a narrow defeat would be acceptable. However, scoring an away goal would give them a significant advantage.

The attack mainly relies on four players: Shan Yongzhuo and Totti on the front line, Vucinic on the left wing, and De Rossi who can make runs at any time.

The match took place at People's Park Stadium on the day of the game.

The fans have already entered the stadium, with the majority being fans of the home team, Hamburg, but there are also quite a few Roma fans who have come with their team.

In front of the away team's stands, a row of beautiful scenery particularly caught the eye.

There were a dozen or so Italian women with outstanding figures and looks. They were wearing matching Roma number 19 jerseys and miniskirts, showing off their long, alluring legs, and they held up a striking banner.

"Shan Yongzhuo, defeat Hamburg, and we'll all be yours!"

The men in the room were completely stunned.

As long as Hamburg is defeated, it's all his...

cough cough...

Seeing this scene, De Rossi, Tony, Mexes, Taddei, and other teammates lost all interest in warming up.

Mexes couldn't help but say, "Single, for your happiness, we'll definitely do our best to beat Hamburger, but... as your best friend, shouldn't you learn to share?"

Tadai immediately replied enthusiastically, "That's right, Shan, we're best friends!"

Tony suddenly whispered, "If I had this opportunity, divorce would be a good deal!"

"Shan, consider me. I'm divorced. You should help me get over this." De Rossi patted Shan Yongzhuo on the shoulder and laughed.

Dan Yongzhuo's face darkened. It wasn't that he didn't yearn for it, but rather that he couldn't yearn for it.

"Damn it, I'm not that kind of person! I'm a professional player with a perfectly healthy private life! I would never do such a thing!"

Unfortunately, his teammates all felt that he was trying to cover up the truth, so Shan Yongzhuo simply ignored them.

Meanwhile, the Hamburg players on the other side were also sighing with envy.

Boateng stared intently at the row of Italian women, then finally pursed his lips and said, "I really regret not choosing to play striker. If I had, I would definitely have received the same treatment!"

Matthias, standing to the side, shook his head and said, "No, Jerome, that's impossible."

"why?"

Matthijsen said seriously, "Look at Van Nistelrooy. He performed well enough and was once the world's top striker, but why did he never receive the same treatment?"

"Why?" Boateng listened with a puzzled look.

"Ahem." Matthias said, "That's because, like you, you're all too ugly. If it were me, maybe there would be a chance."

"..."

Boateng felt like punching someone, while Van Nistelrooy was filled with deep doubt.

"Yes, I'm a world-class striker too, not much worse than Shan Yongzhuo, right?"

"But why aren't there any female fans supporting me like this?"

"Am I really that ugly? Am I even less attractive than that bastard Matthias?"

(End of this chapter)