The next match was a home game against Dynamo Dresden.
The players were preparing on the training ground, and they all looked quite diligent.
But Adrian Vandenberg didn’t think so.
After training ended, the players gradually dispersed.
Adrian Vandenberg stood by the sideline, his brow tightly furrowed.
The quality of today’s training was not as good as before, especially Florian and Stefan.
For these two young core players, this was already their third time being late today.
During this period, Adrian Vandenberg had been busy handling the team’s daily affairs and also dealing with external matters.
He hadn’t disciplined them for being late promptly, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t deal with it.
He thought Florian and Stefan would restrain themselves, but unexpectedly, they became even more reckless.
Adrian Vandenberg had accumulated quite a bit of anger in his heart.
He knew that the team’s winning streak had caused some of the younger players to become complacent, especially Florian and Stefan.
Their recent training form had declined, and their attitude had become somewhat casual.
After all, they were young, too easily carried away.
He took a deep breath, determined to handle the matter seriously; this atmosphere absolutely could not be allowed to spread.
However, Adrian Vandenberg didn’t immediately confront the two.
Instead, he thought of Ivan, who had a relatively good relationship with them.
Ivan was an important member of the midfield group.
He often trained together with Florian and Stefan; the three of them were very close.
Ivan should be able to provide some clues.
Adrian Vandenberg stood up, his gaze sweeping across the training ground, finally landing on Ivan.
Ivan was chatting with a few teammates, preparing to leave the training ground.
When he saw Adrian Vandenberg looking at him with a very displeased expression, he stopped in his tracks, a hint of nervousness on his face.
“Ivan, come here for a moment,” Adrian Vandenberg called out.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it was filled with pressure.
Ivan responded and jogged over to Adrian Vandenberg, looking at him with slight confusion.
“Coach, is something wrong?” Adrian Vandenberg didn’t get straight to the point.
Instead, he remained silent for a moment, seemingly thinking about how to start.
“Lately, Florian and Stefan seem a bit unfocused, and their training attitude is a bit lax.
Do you know if anything has happened to them recently?
Are they…
often going to nightclubs or something?” He asked subtly, his tone steady, but a hint of vigilance showing in his eyes.
Ivan froze, clearly not expecting Adrian Vandenberg to ask this question.
He was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words.
Finally, he nodded and confessed in a low voice.
“Yes, Coach.
They have been…
I guess…
a bit complacent lately, and they do frequently go to nightclubs.” Adrian Vandenberg narrowed his eyes slightly, which made Ivan even more uneasy.
He quickly explained.
“Coach, please don’t misunderstand me.
I know they go to nightclubs because Florian invited me.
I have a girlfriend, so I didn’t accept their invitation.
If you want to know, I can tell you the name of the nightclub they go to.” A barely perceptible glint flashed in Adrian Vandenberg’s eyes.
Although he had expected it, hearing the truth still made him somewhat disappointed.
“Good, Ivan.
Tell me the address and name of that nightclub.” He said coldly, hands tucked into his pockets.
Ivan glanced around, seeing that no one else was paying attention to them, and replied quietly.
“It’s…
it’s the ‘Night Curtain’ bar downtown.
That place has been really popular recently; many young players go there.” Adrian Vandenberg nodded, his gaze deep.
He wasn’t in a hurry to get angry; it seemed he already had his own plan.
He knew that if such laxness wasn’t stopped immediately, the consequences could be very serious, especially for young players.
Excessive indulgence would erode their professional attitude, which would in turn affect the morale of the entire team.
“Alright, Ivan.
Thank you for telling me this,” Adrian Vandenberg said, his gaze becoming firmer.
“You can go back now.
Don’t let Florian and Stefan know I asked you.” Ivan nodded, seeming a little worried.
“Coach, how are you going to handle them?” Adrian Vandenberg smiled faintly, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.
“I have my own way.
Go home now, don’t keep your girlfriend waiting too long.” Ivan silently nodded and turned to leave.
Adrian Vandenberg watched him walk far away and took a deep breath.
He knew that handling this kind of issue couldn’t be done by simply getting angry.
It required a thorough and forceful method to make these two young players realize the mistake they had made.
“I will absolutely not let this complacent atmosphere continue to contaminate the team,” Adrian Vandenberg muttered to himself.
…
Adrian Vandenberg deliberately went to his office to tell Sports Director Meyer about these matters.
“Meyer, that’s the situation.
Do you think I should teach them a lesson?” Adrian Vandenberg sat opposite Meyer, his expression not looking good.
Meyer stood up, poured Adrian Vandenberg a cup of coffee, and said to him, “Calm down, Adrian.
After all, they are young.
Arrogance and complacency are part of their nature; these behaviours are understandable.
But you are right, they have been a bit excessive lately.” “Meyer, you should know, I am younger than them.
Hmm…
the coffee here is really good.” Adrian Vandenberg took a sip and said.
“Hahaha, this coffee was brought back from Switzerland by my wife.
I don’t offer it to just anyone.
Adrian, you are young, but having worked with you for so long, you don’t give me the impression of a young man at all.
You seem more like an experienced veteran head coach from one of those powerhouse Clubs.” “Just take it as a compliment.
So, Meyer, do you want to go with me to catch them?
You know, this isn’t a glorious task, and I prefer not to let people outside the team know about it,” Adrian Vandenberg asked.
“No problem, everything is for the sake of the team.
You’ve already led the team to six consecutive League wins, and our reputation has been improving recently.
We can’t break this momentum.
I support any method of handling you choose.
These two little rascals must be punished a little.” “Okay, I’ll head out after I finish my coffee.” Adrian Vandenberg smiled.
…
Night fell, and the streets of Munich were lit by neon lights.
The hustle and bustle of the city had not diminished.
Adrian Vandenberg and Sports Director Meyer drove through the prosperous downtown area, their target clear—the nightclub rumoured to be frequented by young players.
Because the nightclub had a dress code, Adrian Vandenberg didn’t wear his usual suit.
Instead, he chose a simple yet stylish outfit: a black jacket paired with dark jeans, perfectly showcasing the steady yet handsome aura he possessed.
His appearance immediately drew attention in the crowd, especially his calm and profound eyes, which seemed capable of seeing straight through people’s hearts.
Meyer drove, occasionally glancing at Adrian Vandenberg’s profile, inwardly marvelling that not only was Adrian Vandenberg decisive on the field, but he was also very charismatic in appearance.
The car stopped in front of the nightclub.
The huge neon sign flickered with dazzling light, and the security personal at the entrance waved the two through.
Adrian Vandenberg and Meyer walked into the nightclub, stepping into this extraordinarily lively world.
Deafening electronic dance music blared from the speakers.
Colorful lights intertwined to form hazy patterns of light and shadow, and the atmosphere of the entire nightclub made people unconsciously intoxicated.
As soon as he entered, Adrian Vandenberg attracted the attention of many women.
A beautiful Caucasian woman wearing a low-cut, off-the-shoulder dress turned her slender waist and walked up to him.
A sweet smile hung on her lips, and her eyes were full of flirtation.
She used her finger to poke Adrian Vandenberg’s chest.
“Hey there!
sweetheart, would you like to dance with me tonight?” As the woman spoke, she squeezed the two mounds of flesh on her chest.
Adrian Vandenberg smiled slightly, his expression polite, his tone humorous, and he said softly, “Thank you, madam, but I’m better at playing soccer.
I’m not very good at other sports.
Perhaps you should find someone who likes basketball.” The beauty was clearly taken aback by his response, froze for a moment, and then rolled her eyes.
“Boring guy.
Well, have a good night.” With that, she turned and left, her figure disappearing into the crisscrossing lights.
Meyer witnessed the whole thing from the side and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahahahahaha…
Adrian, that reply of yours was brilliant.” Adrian Vandenberg didn’t linger.
His gaze swept around, quickly locating the booths that might contain their targets.
He and Meyer moved through the crowd with light yet steady steps, soon locking onto a booth in the corner.
In the booth, Florian and Stefan were sitting together with several scantily clad girls.
The table was covered with bottles of alcohol, and the air was thick with the smell of spirits.
Florian leaned back in his chair, holding a glass, his smile somewhat relaxed, clearly a little drunk; Stefan was slumped over the table, chatting with the girls and occasionally letting out relaxed laughter.
“Look, that’s our target for today,” Meyer whispered, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
Meyer was a traditional German and also a devout Catholic.
The dissolute appearance of Florian and Stefan genuinely disgusted him.
Adrian Vandenberg nodded, his gaze sharp.
His face remained calm and composed as he said, “Meyer, let’s go over quietly.
Don’t let them spot us.” The two approached the booth silently.
Adrian Vandenberg’s steps were light, making almost no sound.
Meyer followed closely, maintaining a low profile.
Adrian Vandenberg’s eyes pierced through the noisy bar, landing on Florian and Stefan.
He saw Florian laughing somewhat unrestrainedly, chatting animatedly with the woman beside him, while Stefan was clearly a bit intoxicated, seemingly having completely forgotten about the upcoming match.
Adrian Vandenberg’s heart sank slightly; this attitude was simply not fitting for a professional player’s image.
They were less than five meters from the booth.
Adrian Vandenberg’s expression became even more serious.
He exchanged a knowing glance with Meyer, preparing for the next move.
The music in the nightclub was still deafening, and the air was filled with a mixture of alcohol and perfume.
The lights flickered on and off with the rhythm.
Adrian Vandenberg approached the booth, with Meyer standing beside him.
Then, Adrian Vandenberg bent down slightly and quietly placed his hands on Florian’s and Stefan’s shoulders.
The dancers nearby noticed something was wrong and immediately stood up, moving aside gently to make space for these unexpected ‘guests’.
“Who is…” Florian and Stefan were still immersed in the previous atmosphere and hadn’t expected the coach to appear here.
They asked drunkenly who it was.
The moment they turned around and saw Adrian Vandenberg, they froze instantly, their eyes immediately clearing, all traces of drunkenness vanishing in an instant.
Adrian Vandenberg’s hands gripped their shoulders tightly, the force just right—not overly severe, yet possessing an undeniable strength.
He said in a low voice, “Now, follow us back immediately.” Florian and Stefan were stunned; the air seemed to freeze for an instant.
They exchanged a glance, their hearts in turmoil, but at that moment, Adrian Vandenberg’s gaze was like two sharp blades stabbing directly at them, making resistance impossible.
“Coach, we…” Florian’s voice was somewhat stammering.
He seemed to want to explain something, but clearly, his composure had been shattered by the sudden appearance of the Coach.
Adrian Vandenberg didn’t wait for him to continue.
His tone remained calm, yet it was filled with deterrence: “No need to explain.
Come with me now.” Stefan opened his mouth, as if he had something to say, but seeing Adrian Vandenberg’s calm and resolute gaze, he silently lowered his head and said nothing more.
Both of them knew they were finished this time.
Meyer stood to the side, never speaking.
He thought Adrian Vandenberg’s handling of the situation was very direct and entirely appropriate.
As the Sports Director, he had seen this kind of situation many times, but he also knew very well that Adrian Vandenberg’s approach was already considered relatively mild, enough to leave these young players a lesson that wasn’t too harsh.
A few minutes later, Adrian Vandenberg and Meyer put the two into the car and drove toward the training base.
The atmosphere inside the car was oppressively quiet.
Florian and Stefan both hung their heads, feeling a degree of shame, yet also feeling that the mistake they had made had disappointed the Coach.
Upon returning to the base, Adrian Vandenberg took them directly to the training ground and commanded coldly: “You two will sleep here tonight.
There’s no need to go home.” His tone was still severe, but the sense of pressure made it impossible for the two to resist.
Florian finally spoke, using a pleading tone: “Coach, please forgive us.
We…
we are truly sorry.” He finally realized his mistake but didn’t know how to make amends.
Stefan also begged, saying: “Coach, we truly know we were wrong.
Please give us one more chance.” Adrian Vandenberg did not respond to their pleas; instead, he turned directly and left the area.
Meyer looked at the two, patted Florian and Stefan on the shoulder, shook his head, and said: “Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Looks like you two are going to face trouble tomorrow.
If you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?
You’ll be sleeping at the training base tonight.” Inside the training base, a deep silence enveloped the entire grounds.
Florian and Stefan looked out at the empty field, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
Although Adrian Vandenberg’s handling was severe, it was exactly what they needed.
After this night, they would be thoroughly awakened.
On the training ground the next day.
The players were already lined up in two rows, awaiting Adrian Vandenberg’s instructions.
Adrian Vandenberg’s expression today was even calmer than usual, his eyes holding a hint of unquestionable authority.
Meyer stood to the side, observing.
His eyes revealed a trace of appreciation.
He rarely came to the training ground, but he had arrived early today.
Clearly, he was looking forward to how Adrian Vandenberg would deal with these two young men.
Adrian Vandenberg slowly scanned the players, his gaze finally stopping on Florian and Stefan.
“Florian.
Stefan.” He called their names in a flat tone, yet it carried a pressure that made people’s hearts tighten.
The two immediately lowered their heads and silently walked to the front of the formation, standing before all the other players.
All the players looked at them, and there was a subtle tension in the air.
“Your recent performance has been quite dazzling, hasn’t it?” Adrian Vandenberg said with a tone laced with sarcasm.
“You two worked hard in training, and the winning streak became steadier because of your efforts.
Unfortunately, it seems your drive has recently vanished, transferred to the nightclub dancers instead, is that right?” He paused and continued in a somewhat humorous tone: “Do you two feel that as important members of the team, you have the right to relax a bit and enjoy some ‘easy’ nightlife?” Florian and Stefan’s faces instantly flushed red.
The entire scene became so quiet that one could almost hear everyone’s heartbeat.
They kept their heads down, not daring to look into Adrian Vandenberg’s eyes, knowing that their weak spot had been struck and they had no grounds to argue.
A slight smile touched the corner of Adrian Vandenberg’s mouth, and his tone became relaxed.
“Since you want to relax, I’ll give you a real chance to ‘relax.’ You two will not be playing in the next match.” He said it lightly, but every word struck their hearts like a heavy hammer.
“Coach…
we…
we…” Florian sounded frightened.
“Don’t speak yet.
Listen to me finish,” Adrian Vandenberg interrupted Florian.
The two exchanged glances, their expressions growing gloomier, realizing that Adrian Vandenberg’s punishment this time was not as easy as they had anticipated.
Adrian Vandenberg continued: “Not only that, but you also need to handwrite a sincere self-criticism letter, admitting your mistakes, and what’s more, this week’s wages are also forfeited.” His words carried a clear sense of finality.
“I hope you can learn something from this.
Alright, you two young men, do you have any objections?” The two nearly bent their heads lower and lower, looking as if they were about to bury them in the ground.
Florian bit his lower lip, his ears burning hot, and said softly: “No objections, Coach.” Stefan hastily nodded too, not daring to look at Adrian Vandenberg’s eyes, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: “No objections, Coach.” Adrian Vandenberg glanced at the two, his expression still calm.
He turned to Meyer and smiled faintly.
“How about it, Meyer?
What do you think of this punishment?” Meyer looked at Florian and Stefan and smiled slightly: “Not bad, Adrian.
Your measures are just right.
The punishment needs to have weight, but also educational significance.
It seems our two young players will quickly realize their mistakes.” Adrian Vandenberg nodded and turned his gaze back to Florian and Stefan.
“Alright, go back to the formation and reflect properly.” “Remember, all of this is not just for yourselves, but for the entire team.” The two walked back to the formation with their heads down, their figures somewhat dejected.
The other players said nothing, and no one came out to defend Florian and Stefan.
All the players knew that their recent performance had overturned previous impressions, and they wanted to maintain this winning momentum.
Everyone felt that Adrian Vandenberg’s decision this time was absolutely correct.
The scene returned to its usual order.
The players refocused on the upcoming training.
Although the atmosphere had become serious, everyone clearly understood that this kind of discipline and management was the foundation for the team to go further.
Next, Adrian Vandenberg gave a brief address.
His voice was deep and powerful, yet not without calmness.
“Today, I do not want to emphasize tactics, nor do I want to emphasize how to defeat Dresden or any other opponent.
Because in my view, any tactic, any skill, cannot be separated from the most fundamental thing—discipline.” Adrian Vandenberg’s voice was not loud, but it was full of power.
Almost every player instantly felt an inexplicable pressure.
His eyes swept over every player, especially Florian and Stefan standing in the front row.
Although they kept their heads down, Adrian Vandenberg knew that today’s address was particularly important for them.
“You should all know that our recent winning streak is not solely due to tactics or luck.
We are more united and cohesive than ever before.
Every bit of effort from each of you, every drop of sweat, is the foundation of this team’s winning streak.” Adrian Vandenberg’s tone was steady.
He paused, giving everyone time to digest his meaning.
“Yes, I must tell you, the root of the winning streak is nothing else but discipline.” He slowly walked up to Florian and Stefan, stopped, and continued: “Discipline is the source of survival and development for every team.
On the field, the coordination and tacit understanding among you are earned through effort and standardization in daily training, not just relying on talent.
Yesterday, the actions of Florian and Stefan served as a warning to everyone.
Their slackness off the field directly affected the team’s cohesion, fighting power, and influence.
If I let it slide, believe me, our winning streak will soon be over.” The players’ expressions gradually became serious, everyone’s gaze focusing on Adrian Vandenberg, seemingly listening intently to every word he said.
Adrian Vandenberg continued: “Our results are the outcome of all of you constantly breaking through yourselves and surpassing your opponents day after day in training.
And all this effort, without the support of discipline, will turn into smoke that vanishes in the blink of an eye.
Without discipline, the team’s strength will cease to exist, and victory will leave us.
Every one of you, whether a first-team player or a substitute, should have a sense of responsibility.
Responsibility is not only reflected in giving your all during the match but also in your daily life and training.” Adrian Vandenberg paused, his eyes softening slightly.
“As a coach, I know that each of you has your own passion, your own hobbies, and times when you want to enjoy life.
But you must understand that in this collective, your behavior represents not just yourselves, but the entire team.
The mistake Florian and Stefan made today, although individual, reminded me and reminded all of you that everyone should be vigilant about this.” His gaze swept over all the players.
“The winning streak is the result of our collective effort; it cannot be achieved without the sense of responsibility of every single one of you, nor without your serious attitude in training.
Only by maintaining your own rhythm and doing everything well can the team’s spirit and strength be maximized.
Every match is a contest where you give your all; only by consistently maintaining rigor and focus can victory be guaranteed.
You are an entity; any loose plank will affect the entire structure.” Adrian Vandenberg looked toward Meyer again.
Meyer nodded, completely agreeing with what he said.
Adrian Vandenberg continued: “Therefore, I hope that starting today, all of us can be more focused, always maintaining fervor and reverence for the matches and training.” He finally softened his gaze as he reached this point.
“I hope you understand that punishment is not the goal.
I still believe in every one of you; you will definitely do better than before.” Florian and Stefan finally raised their heads.
Their faces were no longer filled with shame, but with a nascent firmness.
They understood that Adrian Vandenberg was not merely punishing them, but reminding everyone in a deeper way that only by respecting discipline could they truly go further.
Adrian Vandenberg gave a final slight smile and clapped his hands.
“Alright, that’s the end of today’s address.
Next, let’s continue to maintain the winning momentum and bring discipline and focus into every upcoming match.” All the players responded loudly and uniformly: “Yes, Coach!” — DONATE POWER STONES