After defeating Braunschweig, Hecking gave the team a day off.
However, Marc did not go to play games with De Bruyne, nor did he go shopping. Instead, he drove his black Beetle to the team's training ground.
Perhaps understanding the team's habit of taking a day off after a win, there were no loyal fans waiting outside the training ground as usual.
Marc greeted the gatekeeper uncle and then drove directly into the base.
His purpose in coming to the base was only one:
To feel and adapt to the physical changes brought about by the attribute points!
Compared to a month and a half ago, his [Explosiveness] attribute had increased from 63 to 80.
With such a large increase, he also needed to adapt to the changes in his body.
For example, changes in dribbling footwork, rhythm, etc., all required him to feel and adapt, and to fully master his body's now more powerful explosiveness.
Otherwise, if he couldn't master it, it would lead to deviations in his breakthroughs and dribbles, or he might push the ball too far, or his strength control might be off...
"Hello!"
"How are you?"
Seeing Marc suddenly appear at the base, the club staff were also a bit confused.
However, Marc didn't explain, he just went straight to the locker room, changed into long-sleeved training gear, and then carried a bag of footballs and a stack of marker cones to the outdoor training pitch.
Wolfsburg in mid-March was still chilly.
After setting up the marker cones, he began to warm up.
After a simple warm-up and stretching, he began ball training.
He used dribbling and sudden acceleration to feel the changes in his footwork.
By comparing the distances between the marker cones, he could clearly feel that his first step in a breakthrough was much faster!
If he were to challenge Alaba one-on-one again, Marc felt that he should be able to create a greater body-length distance with his first step!
While Marc was experiencing his [Explosiveness] of eighty, in the meeting room of the base building, Hecking and the coaching staff were holding a meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was, on the one hand, to review the tactics of the past few games, and on the other hand, to evaluate the players' performance and condition.
"Kevin's form is very good; he connects the front field very well..."
"It's worth noting that the chemistry between him and Marc is as if it were natural."
This season, in addition to Marc, the biggest discovery that emerged, the speed at which De Bruyne, the Bundesliga winter transfer window's most expensive signing, integrated also delighted everyone at Wolfsburg.
This Belgian talent, who cost the club a record transfer fee, made everyone exclaim in just a month and a half:
"This deal was a steal!"
Eight League matches, seven starts, one substitute appearance, contributing three goals and five assists!
An average of one goal created per game!
Moreover, his presence on the field was strong, and he had clearly become Wolfsburg's new midfield core!
Of course, the chemistry between Marc and De Bruyne was also visible to the naked eye.
"According to statistics, when Marc and De Bruyne are on the field together, their mutual passing and assist numbers are the highest in the team!"
"Furthermore, both of their goals and assists occurred when they were on the field together..."
"Marc's weakness in physical fitness is still very obvious."
"Should we have him do more physical training?"
"Also, his dominant foot is his right foot, and he performs excellently whether he plays as a right winger or a left winger."
"However, at his age, playing a fixed position will allow him to grow better..."
Just then, the assistant coach suddenly spoke, "Marc seems to have come for extra training again today..."
Hearing this, Hecking raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and then suddenly stood up:
"I'll be out for a moment..."
Soon, Hecking found the black-haired teenager engrossed in dribbling on the training pitch.
"Nice weather today, isn't it?"
"Coach, why are you here too?"
"Like you, I can't stay away from football."
Hecking paused, then changed the subject: "Marc, I want to ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"Do you prefer to play on the left or the right?"
For a young player who is developing, playing a fixed position is beneficial for his growth.
Frequent changes in position and role can leave a youngster at a loss, not even knowing how he should play.
How could he play well?
However, what made Hecking difficult to decide was that Marc performed exceptionally well whether he played on the left or the right!
Of course, depending on the position, Marc's playing style and role responsibilities would also differ.
If he were to play as a fixed left winger, then Marc would need to focus on training cutting inside to shoot after dribbling past a defender;
If he were to play as a fixed right winger, then Marc would need to focus on training crossing after dribbling past a defender;
However, his basic approach was always to create danger through dribbling past opponents.
Moreover, in addition to his ability to break down defenses with breakthroughs, the most crucial aspect was his tactical role, which could attract the opponent's defensive attention, thereby creating more space for his teammates.
This was also why De Bruyne played more comfortably and calmly when Marc was on the field!
So, Hecking wanted to confirm what position Marc ultimately wanted to play, and then decide what type of player Marc should be developed into.
Would he be an inverted left winger like Real Madrid's 'Golden Edge' Ronaldinho?
Or a natural right winger like Manchester United's early Ronaldinho?!
The former would focus more on developing Marc's individual scoring ability.
The latter would place more emphasis on the ability of the team's center forward.
Even if he could deliver high-quality crosses from the right wing, if the team's center forward wasn't strong enough, the ball still wouldn't make it into the opponent's goal.
Of course, the roles of the two are also different.
The ultimate form of an inverted left winger is a tactical core who can cut inside to shoot, organize, and link play;
While the ultimate form of a natural right winger is, at most, a crossing delivery man who can dribble past opponents!
The ceiling is completely different!
As the team's head coach, Hecking should naturally consider the collective interests of the team.
However, looking at the talented Marc, he also didn't want to hinder Marc's personal growth for the sake of the team's interests.
Therefore, he also wanted to hear the player's own thoughts.
Facing Hecking's sudden question, Marc was first stunned, then considered it for a moment, and gave an unexpected answer that surprised Hecking:
"Whatever position the team needs me to play, I'll play it!"
For Marc, football is a team sport; no matter how strong a player is, he cannot take on eleven opponents alone.
The coach's tactics and the teammates' skill level all determine the outcome of the match.
And the purpose of a football match is only one:
To win!
If he performed averagely, but the team won;
If he performed excellently, but the team lost;
If Marc had to choose between these two options, he would decisively choose the third!
That is, he performs excellently and helps the team secure victory!
This is what he strives for, giving his all every minute of every match!
Of course, specific situations require specific analysis.
With his current ability and stamina, as long as he can get more playing time, whether it's left winger or right winger, it's fine!