Perfect Center

Chapter 165 Europa League!
The next morning.

At Dortmund's training base, Tuchel and assistant coach Michels are analyzing the Europa League match against Porto.

Performance analyst Benjamin Weber is showing a direct dialogue between the Portuguese Super League giants on the big screen, with Porto away challenging Benfica.

In this match, Porto beat Benfica 2-1.

"We have to pay attention to the opponent's striker, Aboubakar. This Cameroonian striker has a certain level, but as long as we take precautions, we shouldn't be too afraid. His ability to compete in the air and create chances is average."

"Another player who scored against Benfica was Hector Pereira. Hector can seize opportunities in the melee. His sense of smell in front of the goal is average, but his shot is good."

"Porto's players as a whole are not strong in heading, and their defense on both sides is also average. Mkhitaryan and Reus can repeatedly attack their defense!"

Reus patted Aubameyang on the shoulder and said, "You have just recovered from your injury. Your condition may not be very good, but Mkhitaryan and I will try our best to create opportunities and seize them."

"Xia is not here this time, so we need you to take on the center position. Everyone knows your strength and understands your abilities!"

Aubameyang nodded seriously.

Looking at the offensive and defensive battle between Porto and Benfica, Aubameyang said firmly: "I will score a lot of goals in the Europa League, and I will also work hard to win the league's Golden Boot!"

When Xia Han just transferred to Dortmund, Aubameyang thought that Dortmund had found him a strong super substitute.

Unexpectedly, Xia Han was so powerful that he could kill everyone in the Bundesliga!

Xia Han has a good character and ability, so Aubameyang has nothing to be jealous of him, but it also makes him feel a little bit of crisis.

Michels said to Tuchel: "Boss, can Aubameyang coexist with Xia?"

Tuchel touched his chin and said calmly: "Coexistence is possible to a certain extent, and competition between Aubameyang and Xia within a reasonable range is also a good thing, which is beneficial to both of them."

There are only two and a half days left until the first leg of the Europa League round of 16.

The days passed one by one in a slightly relaxed atmosphere in Dortmund.

The entire club, under the leadership of Tuchel, was unstoppable and won all the way.

Public opinion before the game favored Dortmund, with reporters from major media reporting on pre-match performance predictions.

"After the Bundesliga winter break, Dortmund, who have won all the games, are unstoppable!"

"Any team that gets in his way will be crushed!"

"Tuchel's yellow and black team will win at the Westfalenstadion! It may be difficult for the big dragon Porto to win, or even draw."

"Dortmund's weakness: Xia's absence! The absence of Xia, the Chinese striker and goal-scoring machine, may have some impact! Fortunately, Dortmund still has the return of Gabonese striker Aubameyang!"

In the blink of an eye.

The Europa League match day is here.

Porto players arrived in Dortmund, Germany.

Porto's bus slowly drove towards the Westfalen Stadium.

The Porto players looked at the surrounding scenery through the car window, and were worried about the upcoming game.

Dortmund is a tough team and we think they will have a hard time in this game.

Porto was third in the Champions League group stage and was eliminated to play in the Europa League round of 16. They are full of confidence when facing most teams.

But when facing the Bundesliga Hornets, the Premier League Liverpool and Manchester United, and the Europa League champion Sevilla, they are still a little scared. And there is no need to say much about Zalgiris's schedule. Whoever meets Zalgiris will advance.

Anderlecht from Belgium was lucky enough to meet Zalgiris, and the atmosphere within the team was very relaxed.

When the bus drove into the Westfalen Stadium, the fans remained as excited as they were a few days ago and they were very confident in their team's fighting ability at home.

The yellow and black ocean danced to the Europa League theme song, and the enthusiasm of the fans gathered together, waving team flags, scarves and posters.

The Porto fans who were playing away were not willing to be outdone and roared with all their might, but they still couldn't shake the Dortmund fans' shouts that were as loud as a landslide and tsunami!
"Zhuangdianertai! Zhuangdianertai! Good evening, audience friends!"

"Now we are broadcasting the first leg of the 2015/16 Europa League quarter-finals!"

"Dortmund plays at home against Portugal's Dragon City, Porto!"

"Bumblebee vs. Portuguese Dragon!"

"A fierce battle! Both teams are full of fighting spirit! Today's game will definitely create brilliant sparks! Let's wait and see!"

At the pre-match press conference.

After Tuchel and Peseiro greeted each other politely, they each dealt with questions from media reporters.

"Victory is well-deserved! We will get an undoubted victory at home!"

"Porto is very strong, but I believe our defense will be solid and Burki will keep the goal!"

"We will bring crazy threats on offense! Take the game seriously and we will definitely win!"

On the other side, Pesero's tone was calm.

"Porto will take this game seriously! When playing away from home, we will have many disadvantages, such as long-distance travel and pressure from fans on the players."

"I will use a victory to tell all the fans here that Porto will advance successfully!"

After a brief greeting in the player tunnel.

The referee team led the players from both teams out of the line.

In the VIP box at the top of the stands of the Westfalen Stadium, Xia Han, who was unable to participate in European-level competitions, was sitting in it and watching the game.

Xia Han looked at the green field curiously. This was his first time to have such a novel viewing experience.

The commentator was very sharp-eyed. Seeing this scene, he said with a happy tone:

"Xia Han can't play for Dortmund in this game!"

The commentator also provided some information to the players who didn’t know the rules:

"Xia Han played in European-level competitions for Zalgiris in the first half of the 2015/16 season, so after transferring to Dortmund, he was unable to play in the Europa League!"

"So there are also many domestic fans who are worried about whether Dortmund will lose the game!"

"I can only say that Dortmund's offensive firepower was at full capacity in the first half of the Bundesliga. Before Xia Han came, Dortmund's number of goals was also the highest in the Bundesliga, but they conceded a lot of goals and their defense was average."

"Aubameyang's return from injury is also a hidden danger, so let's focus on this game and watch the fierce battle between Dortmund and Porto!"

(End of this chapter)