Chapter Three: The Introduction Begins

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Mino Raiola was well aware of the dilemma Philipp Lahm faced. With Bayern Munich’s first team boasting the established defender Bixente Lizarazu, it was difficult for Lahm to break into the starting lineup. Head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld placed greater trust in his seasoned veterans, not surprising given they had just clinched three consecutive Bundesliga titles.

There’s an unspoken rule in football: when a team is on a winning streak, the lineup seldom changes.

Given this, it wasn’t surprising that Lahm was seeking a loan move; it wasn’t a sign of insecurity on his part. By pursuing a loan, Lahm would remain a Bayern Munich player—he simply needed consistent playing time to showcase and develop his abilities.

In fact, from the moment he laid eyes on Lahm, Raiola understood he was a player of real talent. Especially considering Lahm was a defender standing only 170 centimeters tall—a disadvantage in that position—his promotion to the first team was testament to his abilities.

“This is a good choice—I mean, it’s the best option for you right now. So, which club would you like to join?”

At this moment, Mo Mo’s mind stirred. He tugged gently at Raiola’s sleeve and whispered, “What do you think of bringing him to 1860 Munich?”

Raiola shot Mo Mo a look. Acquiring Mo Mo had already been 1860 Munich’s biggest expense, with rumors that his signing bonus was to be paid in installments! In such strained financial circumstances, to even contemplate loaning Lahm from Bayern was out of the question—it was simply impossible.

Ignoring Mo Mo’s suggestion, Raiola focused on Lahm, deliberating for a moment before saying, “Stuttgart’s defenders are getting on in years. You could try for a loan there next year. By the summer transfer window of 2003 at the latest, I can help you secure a loan deal.”

With that, nothing more needed to be said. Lahm was not the sort of defender who impressed at first glance. Indeed, his lack of height and physicality made it hard for people to believe in him. Yet, as Raiola suggested, the wait would not be long—just one more season. Lahm could afford to be patient.

Just as Raiola and Lahm concluded their discussion, a message sounded within Mo Mo’s mind.

Congratulations, host, on successfully recruiting Philipp Lahm.

Mo Mo was momentarily startled, then reclined in his chair and closed his eyes, as if tired and needing a brief rest. Raiola glanced back at him but said nothing, turning instead to ask Bastian Schweinsteiger about his own aspirations.

Meanwhile, Mo Mo opened the gateway to his system, stepping onto the pitch, his eyes shining as he gazed at the unassuming trainer, Su Yichen.

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“Where’s the new player I recruited? Let’s bring him out and have a look!”

Su Yichen smiled slightly and asked, “Would you like to activate defender training mode, host?”

Mo Mo nodded emphatically. Yes, bring it on! He was eager to test the true measure of Philipp Lahm.

The two stood ten meters apart. Lahm wore a focused expression, a trace of melancholy on his youthful face. Mo Mo recognized that look—he had worn it himself when he couldn’t get playing time at Hannover 96, when it seemed the whole world was against him.

Mo Mo controlled the ball at his feet and charged toward Lahm, planning to use his speed to nutmeg the defender before he could react. But Mo Mo’s calculations were off.

Lahm’s speed was astonishing—faster than Mo Mo anticipated, catching him off guard. Even so, Mo Mo quickly adjusted, and on his next touch, he used the inside of his left heel to flick the ball, aiming to slip it through Lahm’s legs.

But Lahm’s footwork was exceptional, and his reaction even quicker. He swung his right foot and powerfully cleared the ball away—a textbook defensive clearance.

As the ball sailed off, Su Yichen appeared before Mo Mo, smiling. “Challenge failed—one point of stamina deducted. No training points awarded.”

Mo Mo stared in disbelief. How could this be? No one had mentioned this before!

“Challenge failures cost stamina too?”

Su Yichen’s lips curled in a faint, satisfied smile. “That’s right. If you challenge a recruited player and succeed, you earn ten training points. If you fail, you get nothing.”

After this brief exchange, Mo Mo realized that it would be very difficult to get past Lahm in a one-on-one. More importantly, Mo Mo’s strength was in finishing, not dribbling past defenders.

Seeing Mo Mo deep in thought, Su Yichen spoke again.

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“You have one point of stamina left. Do you want to challenge again?”

Mo Mo raised his eyelids, looking at the smug Su Yichen. “Yes! You’re my next opponent!”

In the days that followed, Mo Mo moved into the new house Raiola had arranged for him and began preparing for his driving test. But most importantly, he was readying himself for his debut with 1860 Munich.

August 15, 2002—Allianz Arena. Yes, that’s right—the Allianz Arena, at that time still jointly owned by Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich, serving as the home ground for both teams.

Mo Mo’s first opponent would be Rostock.

Rostock was a club on the rise. Back when Germany was divided, they claimed East Germany’s last league and cup double. But after reunification, they were relegated to the second division after only one season.

It wasn’t until the 1997–98 season that things improved and they fought their way back to the Bundesliga. Now, as they strove to reclaim their former East German glory, Mo Mo’s debut against Rostock would be a true test.

Initially, Mo Mo was anxious. But when head coach Pacult assured him he would start against Rostock, excitement surged within him. He resolved to make everyone take notice.

He was determined to shine in the Bundesliga, just as Yang Chen had done before him.

Of note, on August 10, 2002, Bayern Munich played Borussia Mönchengladbach to a goalless draw at the Borussia-Park. On August 11, newly promoted Hannover 96 lost 2–1 away to Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion.

Meanwhile, fellow promoted side Arminia Bielefeld defeated Werder Bremen 3–0 at the Alm Stadium. Before the final match of the first Bundesliga round—1860 Munich versus Rostock—Bielefeld temporarily topped the table on goal difference.