Chapter 2999 The Ruhr Derby with the biggest gap in history!
Dortmund's Champions League campaign has come to an end, but a new round of Ruhr derby is on the horizon.
Unlike the previous Dortmund vs. Mönchengladbach match, this was a friendly sparring match between brothers.
But now their opponent is Schalke 04!
This is a real battle between enemies!
As mentioned before, the two teams have a long-standing feud.
In recent encounters, Dortmund has thoroughly dominated Schalke 04.
This only fueled the resentment between the two sides!
Of course, both sides are aware of the gap in strength between them.
But the more this happened, the more Schalke 04 resented Dortmund!
We absolutely cannot win on the road.
Now that they're back at home, with the home advantage of the Veltins-Arena, they might be able to keep those Dortmund punks in check!
Despite Dortmund's improvement over the past decade or so, Schalke 04 was actually a contender for Champions League qualification when Ye Chen first arrived.
Unfortunately, their youth training program hasn't produced any outstanding players.
Or rather, Schalke 04 hasn't produced any decent talented players since Neuer left.
That's why things kept getting worse!
However, a closer look at the head-to-head history between the two teams reveals that Schalke 04 holds a commanding lead with 55 wins, 37 draws, and 47 losses!
This is due to Borussia Dortmund's rise in recent years.
The first real Ruhr derby actually took place in 1925, with Schalke 04 winning 4-0.
For the next 20 years, until 1945, Schalke 04 held an absolute advantage.
Dortmund won their first victory against their opponent in 1943, a victory that was of great significance to Dortmund fans!
These Dortmund fans are so white!
The most exciting match in recent years took place in 2017.
Dortmund led 4-0 at halftime, but the second half saw a dramatic turn of events as Schalke 04 scored four goals in quick succession, ultimately achieving an incredible 4-4 draw. This match has become one of the most high-scoring classic derby battles in history!
However, when the two teams met in the first half of the season, Dortmund won 8-0.
They have firmly nailed Schalke 04 to the pillar of shame!
The Champions League match just ended on the 3rd.
We'll be facing Schalke 04 on the 6th!
Dortmund are somewhat exhausted.
Schalke 04 felt that the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared up, so they were back in form!
As we all know, derby matches are not just about rankings and lineups, but also about fighting spirit!
Therefore, in this match against Dortmund, they need to burn themselves out and crush the Yellow and Black.
Show them the same do-or-die courage they have as miners!
As for pre-match previews and such—
It doesn't matter at all!
Of course, Dortmund's consecutive away games have taken a toll on their physical condition.
Given that there were only two days between the two matches, Schalke 04, who were well-rested, were definitely in a better physical condition.
So Schalke 04 is not without a chance!
CCTV, a Chinese state-owned television station, immediately invited Hao Junmin, who used to play for Schalke 04, to come and lend his support.
However, most fans who watch games online still prefer to watch live streams.
Since Migu Sports emerged as a dark horse, it has signed long-term agreements with the top five European football leagues, meaning that football matches for the next few years can be watched on Migu Sports.
Of course, the commentators aren't just well-known commentators, but also many internet celebrities.
The annual fee of 300 yuan is really a bit expensive!
It was still cold in Gelsenkirchen on February 6.
But the chill in the air did nothing to dampen the intensity of the Ruhr derby.
Starting around noon, players began appearing on the streets around the Veltins-Arena, while fans dressed in blue and white and yellow and black uniforms arrived early to take photos.
The two stadiums are very close to each other, only about half an hour apart.
As the match was about to start, King's Road was already packed with Schalke fans.
Schalke 04 fans!
Some people wrapped blue and white scarves around their wrists and held up signs that read "The eternal pride of the Ruhr"; others stood at the entrance of a bar, singing "Blau und Wei?" with ice-cold beer, the lyrics "We fight for Schalke" drifting halfway down the street amidst the clatter of glass.
Is it cold?
Then you should definitely drink ice-cold beer.
After all, two negatives make a positive!
Occasionally, groups of Dortmund fans wearing yellow and black jerseys would walk by, drawing a chorus of good-natured boos—no emotion, just hostility.
This is also a unique way the two teams greet each other.
Schalke 04 fans had previously displayed the same attitude when they went to watch Dortmund games.
Among them were elderly fans with children wearing mini blue and white jerseys, squatting on the street to imprint the Schalke team logo on balloons. The children jumped up and down holding the balloons, shouting "Defeat Dortmund," which made the people around them laugh.
But there was a hint of helplessness mixed in with the laughter.
It's not a good thing to like Schalke 04 during their toughest time.
However, the fans will not back down; they are thinking about how to overcome the difficulties together with the team and defeat the strong opponents!
The scene shifts to inside the stadium.
The players from both sides had already started warming up, while the fans in the stands were doing the wave, creating a huge atmosphere!
Schalke's die-hard supporters stood up, holding their blue and white scarves above their heads, forming a "scarf wall," and suddenly raised their voices to chant, "Schalke, Schalke, we are with you!"
The sound crashed against the stadium roof, making everyone's ears ring!
After all, this is a stadium that holds a Guinness World Record!
As Ye Chen and his team walked through the uniquely styled mine, memories of the past began to flood back to him.
It seems that the first time he wore a Dortmund jersey to this stadium was on April 14, 2012, and that match is still a vivid memory for him.
He not only scored a hat trick, but also broke Atsuto Uchida's leg with a powerful football kick.
Of course, that was just an eye for an eye...
What's past is past, so let's cherish the present!
There are two familiar faces in this Schalke 04 team.
Mustafi, who had previously fought alongside him in the national team, had now become a substitute player.
Huntelaar, who competed with him for the Golden Boot in his earlier years, was a player but actually in charge of offensive training for the team...
They've gotten old, and Ye Chen has gradually entered his peak playing years.
If Ye Chen, who was still a greenhorn back then, could dominate at Aofu Schalke, what kind of drama will unfold this time?
That's something to look forward to!
Well, that's what Dortmund fans are hoping for; Schalke 04 fans are just hoping Ye Chen won't be able to play due to injury.
"If Ye Shen can't play, I'd be willing for my roommate to stay single forever!"
Many Schalke 04 fans were thinking to themselves.
Of course, these are useless.
Although the two sides are currently mismatched in strength, the Bundesliga's publicity is anything but vague.
Even though Bayern Munich plays Eintracht Frankfurt this round, the focus of the publicity is still Borussia Dortmund.
Don't underestimate Eintracht Frankfurt; they are currently ranked fourth in the league.
Second only to Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig.
Bayern Munich just finished their Champions League match and immediately have to play away against Eintracht Frankfurt. Everyone thinks their chances are slim.
Dortmund, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be under much pressure.
There's nothing we can do about it; Schalke 04 is currently ranked last in the league.
How much suspense can there be when the top-ranked team faces the bottom-ranked team?
This is arguably the Ruhr derby with the biggest gap in history, just like the Ruhr derby at the beginning.
Dortmund was a weak team back then, but now the tables have turned!
P.S.: 7 out of 12! Last night was truly outrageous!
曼联胜平，21/22；奥格斯堡让胜，11/21；切尔西让平让负，21/11；那不勒斯平负（搏平），11/01；
布伦特福德负，12/13； 赫罗纳胜，10/20；纽卡斯尔联胜，21/20；福图纳让胜，32/22；
乌迪内斯让平让负，11/21；帕尔马负，01/12；奥格斯堡平负，12/22；门兴让负，04/05；
汉堡胜平，21/11；布莱克本让胜让平，11/12；多特蒙德胜，20/30；摩纳哥胜平，21/11；
Lens to win or draw, 11/12; Benfica to win or draw, 40/30;
