Don't Bet Against Lin – You'll Lose Miserably!

When Werder Bremen's players gathered, there was still half an hour before the match started.

Some players pulled out snacks, while others took out beers.

They started chatting and eating enthusiastically.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Bayern, of course! They've won 14 games in a row, and they just crushed Barça in the Champions League. They're in terrifying form right now!"

"I think Dortmund has a chance too. The Westfalenstadion is no joke!"

"Hehe, since everyone has their favorite team, why don't we make a little bet?"

"Sure, I'll put 5,000 euros on Bayern to win!"

"Me too, 5,000 on Bayern!"

"I'll put 10,000 on Bayern!"

Everyone quickly agreed and pulled out cash, ready to join the game!

Seeing the organized setup, it seemed less like a spur-of-the-moment decision and more like a premeditated plan!

---

The majority bet on Bayern, with a total of 75,000 euros on Bayern to win.

"Hehe, since you all bet on Bayern, I'll go with Dortmund!"

Arnautović saw that there was 75,000 euros bet on Bayern, and if he won, he would take all that money.

So, he bet 5,000 euros on Dortmund, hoping to turn a small amount into a large one.

"What? That's not fair! You're betting 5,000 to win our 75,000 euros!"

Arnautović's national teammate, Junuzović, was the first to protest.

He couldn't believe his friend was trying to win big with a small bet, risking only 5,000 but potentially winning 75,000 euros.

If they won, they'd have to share only 5,000 euros among all of them, making it hardly worth playing.

"Yeah, come on! Anyone else think Dortmund will win? Place your bets and balance this out!"

Those who bet on Bayern started making a fuss.

Not wanting to spoil the fun, Fritz, the team captain, bet 15,000 euros on Dortmund.

"Captain, you're the best!"

"No wonder you're the captain!"

Players on both sides cheered for Fritz. With him leading, a few more players bet on Dortmund.

Even De Bruyne put down 5,000 euros on Dortmund.

He had watched Dortmund play at home with Lin and was confident in their abilities.

Although Bayern was stronger on paper, Dortmund still had a decent chance, perhaps 55% to Bayern's 45%.

Despite this, fewer people bet on Dortmund, with only 55,000 euros compared to 75,000 euros on Bayern.

"That's enough. It's not like Bayern isn't the favorite. It's only fair they have more bets!"

Seeing no more bets, Arnautović shouted.

The Bayern backers didn't push further. After all, it was just a game. Taking it too seriously would spoil the fun.

"Lin, aren't you betting?"

After everyone had placed their bets, they noticed Lin hadn't and looked at him curiously.

"Uh, I'm still on a youth team contract, and my annual salary is only 22,000 euros…"

Lin spread his hands, pretending to be poor.

Most of the others had annual salaries in the hundreds of thousands or millions. His salary was pitiful in comparison, not even a fraction of theirs...

In truth, he wasn't broke. He just didn't want to join in.

He feared he might end up taking all their money!

"No worries, just call me big brother, and I'll lend you some!"

Arnautović, putting his arm around Lin's shoulder, offered to cover for him.

Everyone knew Lin was heading to a big club next season, where his salary would skyrocket to millions of euros.

So, lending him money now wasn't a risk. They didn't mind if he didn't repay it; having a favor was even better.

Lin nudged Arnautović with his elbow. He hadn't wanted to play, but now he had to!

"Alright then, lend me 50,000 euros. I'll bet on a draw between Dortmund and Bayern!"

"What? Is a draw an option?"

Arnautović scratched his head.

"No worries, let's add that option. It's Lin's parting gift to us!"

Other teammates quickly hushed Arnautović, afraid he'd reject Lin's bet and cost them 50,000 euros in potential winnings!

Was it really a gift?

De Bruyne, seeing Lin's slight smirk, felt something was off.

Remembering Lin's accurate prediction of Real Madrid's loss to Dortmund, De Bruyne regretted not betting on a draw himself.

As the players made noise, the match between Dortmund and Bayern Munich began.

This match was not only a Champions League final preview but also the 100th official meeting between Dortmund and Bayern.

In their previous 99 meetings, Bayern had 45 wins, 29 draws, and 25 losses, holding the advantage.

However, Bayern hadn't beaten Dortmund in their last five encounters.

Last season, Bayern lost all three matches against Dortmund in the league and cup.

This season, their first match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Ignoring current form and only considering recent head-to-head history, Dortmund seemed more likely to win.

However, Bayern came in with a 14-match winning streak in the league and having thrashed Juventus and Barcelona in the Champions League.

Recent history seemed irrelevant now. Based on current form and paper strength, Bayern was the favorite.

This was why the public favored Bayern!

For Bayern, a win would tie the Bundesliga's winning streak record and give them a chance to break it in upcoming matches.

For Dortmund, protecting their home turf and preventing Bayern from making history was their main goal.

Dortmund was also on a six-match winning streak. A win would set a new club record.

"What the heck? Why are there so many substitutes?"

Seeing the starting lineups, Werder Bremen's players were stunned.

Both Bayern and Dortmund fielded many substitutes.

Bayern made seven changes to their starting lineup. Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Robben, and Ribéry weren't even on the bench.

Bayern's bench had only two regular starters, Thomas Müller and Martínez, along with four players under 20.

Dortmund wasn't much better off.

Aside from Götze being injured, Klopp rotated five players.

Grosskreutz, Santana, Şahin, Kehl, and Schieber started.

Reus and Hummels were on the bench.

Klopp seemed more restrained than Heynckes, as Dortmund's key players were still on the bench, unlike Bayern's mostly absent regulars.

"Heynckes is really daring, isn't he? Sacrificing the chance to tie the winning streak record just to hide his tactics."

Seeing the lineups, Schaaf couldn't help but sigh.

Both teams rotated heavily to avoid revealing their tactics for the Champions League final.

Dortmund, playing at home, was more eager to win, so they rotated fewer players. Key players on the bench would likely play in the second half.

Bayern, on the other hand, didn't care about the result, leaving their main players out of the squad entirely.

Seeing the lineups, the Bayern backers turned pale.

If both teams fielded their best players, Bayern would have the edge.

But with half-main, half-sub teams, Dortmund seemed to have the upper hand.

"Waaah, I want out! Give me my money back!"

Junuzović, regretting his bet on Bayern, tried to sneak his hand into the pot.

*Smack!*

Arnautović, eagerly awaiting his share of the winnings, slapped Junuzović's hand away:

"A bet's a bet. No take-backs!"

"Five grand plus seventy-five thousand euros… I'll get at least ten or twenty thousand, right?"

Drooling at the thought, he acted as if he had already won.

But the match had just started!

Despite the many substitutions, the game was exciting.

From the start, Dortmund aggressively attacked Bayern.

Bayern countered with quick attacks down the wings.

The match was fast-paced and intense.

Goals came quickly. In the eleventh minute, Dortmund attacked from the left.

Bayern's defenders focused on the wingers and forwards, missing Dortmund's right-back Grosskreutz speeding up from behind.

As Grosskreutz entered the box, his teammate's pass reached him.

He volleyed it into the goal.

Neuer couldn't stop it, as he hadn't expected the right-back to shoot.

This goal thrilled Dortmund's fans because Grosskreutz was a lucky charm.

In the last 20 matches where Grosskreutz scored, Dortmund always won.

His goal reassured the fans.

Although luck isn't science, a 20-time winning streak can't be ignored, right?

But luck isn't reliable.

Ten minutes later, Bayern's Gómez equalized with a header.

This was his 138th Bundesliga goal, moving him to 16th on the all-time list.

Gómez finally smiled.

Injuries had cost him his starting spot to Mandzukic, who was initially supposed to be his backup.

But Mandzukic's style suited Bayern better, earning the coach's favor.

With only 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, it was hard for Gómez to stay in form.

With the World Cup next year, Gómez didn't want to be left out, so he considered transferring.

Once Guardiola arrived, he planned to discuss his future.

If there was no place for him, he'd transfer to get more playing time.

The upcoming World Cup might be Germany's best chance to win, and Gómez didn't want to miss it!

After the equalizer, the game intensified.

In the 28

th minute, Bayern attacked down the right.

Shaqiri's low cross was missed by Gómez at the near post, missing a chance to score.

Dortmund quickly countered.

In the 31st minute, Lewandowski sped past Van Buyten and Boateng, receiving a pass and shooting from a tight angle, but Neuer blocked it.

Both sides missed chances, unable to change the score.

As the 1-1 score held for 60 minutes, Werder Bremen's players grew despondent.

If the game ended in a draw, everyone would lose their bets, except for Lin.

Just as the game seemed stuck, a major event occurred.

A Dortmund long shot hit a Bayern defender's arm in the box, and the referee, seeing it clearly, awarded a penalty!

"Whoo-hoo! My winnings!"

Seeing Lewandowski step up for the penalty, Arnautović was ready to collect his money.

If Lewandowski scored, it'd be 2-1, and Dortmund would win!

How could they lose?

But under everyone's eyes, Neuer saved Lewandowski's penalty...

Arnautović and his money sack were frozen in place.

Despite Rafinha being sent off two minutes later, Bayern held on to the 1-1 score.

When the final whistle blew, Werder Bremen's lounge fell silent.

"Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the gift!"

Lin grabbed Arnautović's sack, filled it with the money, and returned the 50,000 euros.

"Thanks! I love the gift!"

Lin waved the money-filled sack and politely thanked everyone.

He had warned them, but they hadn't listened. Now they regretted it.

Betting against someone who knew the future wasn't a good idea.

Oh right, they didn't know he knew the future.

Never mind then!