2nd Episode of the Genius Soccer Coach - Chapter 212



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Episode 212 20-21 Champions League Round of 16

Leipzig succeeded in advancing to the Champions League round of 16 by finishing second in their group.

The day after the draw.

Journalists gathered at the main gate of Leipzig.

“Coach Nagelsmann. The round of 16 match against Barnet has been confirmed. What do you think?”

“You’ve been given the nickname ‘Next Kim’ due to your recent sensational performance. Do you like that nickname?”

“Barnet have always performed well in the Champions League, do you have any plans in mind?”

“He is being evaluated as a candidate to become the next manager of Munich. What are his future plans….”

Amidst the flood of questions.

Nagelsmann silently goes his own way.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he boarded the team bus.

“Whew. Why are there so many people interested?”

The tactical analyst laughed out loud after hearing his lament.

“That must mean there are high expectations for the director.”

“Next Kim? That’s ridiculous.”

Recently, the German media has been giving the nickname “Next Kim” to rising new directors.

It is only natural that Nagelsmann, who has been leading Leipzig and showing excellent performances, has been given this nickname.

In fact, the two had quite a bit in common.

Although both had mediocre careers as players, they each worked as coaches under great coaches Klopp and Tuchel.

Because he emerged as a director at a young age.

Also, as expected from German coaches, they used strong forward pressure as their tactical framework.

“Coach Tuchel often said that Kim is a genius among geniuses. It’s too much of a nickname for me.”

“In my opinion, the coach is also a genius. He is attracting the attention of the football world at a young age.”

Nagelsmann shook his head at the analyst’s words.

“Of course, I don’t think I lack ability. But compared to Kim, it is. Kim is good at covering up the players’ weaknesses and using tactics to bring out their strengths.

“Well…. Considering the popularity of tactics like 4-4-2, zone pressing, and inverted fullbacks, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Kim is leading the trend of modern football.”

Nagelsmann nodded and bit his fingernails nervously.

“To meet that kind of opponent in the round of 16… I guess I’m just unlucky.”

“But I’m sure the director can do it.”

“….”

The tactical analyst glanced at Nagelsmann’s face and was convinced.

‘You’ll be up all night again today.’

Coach Nagelsmann is famous for saving time, even eating, to think about tactics.

Now that his match-up with Kim, whom he respects, has been confirmed.

The lights in Nagelsmann’s office will not be turned off until the Champions League is over.

* * *

[Battle of the Stars. Champions League Round of 16 first leg, matchup between Barnet and Leipzig. The match will be held at RB Leipzig’s home stadium, Red Bull Arena.]

[This is a matchup between Coach Nagelsmann and Coach Kim Hyun-woo, who have been attracting attention from many clubs recently. It will be a very interesting match.]

[Let’s check the starting lineups for both teams.]

―RB Leipzig―

Adams-Olmo-Nkunku

Camp-Aidara-Javicher

Angelino-Upamecano-Klosterman-Mukiele

Gulachi

―Barnet FC―

body

Jejus-Fernandes-Sala

Rodrigo Kante

Robertson-Rüdiger-Van Dijk-Militan

Alison

[Barnet has made changes to his starting lineup.]

[Player Holland, who has been frequently in the starting lineup recently, is out, and player De Bruyne is also waiting on the bench.]

‘With Holland and De Bruyne out, it’s 4-2-3-1?’

Nagelsmann couldn’t hide his bewilderment after seeing Barnett’s starting lineup.

Because the lineup was far from what he had predicted.

He ran straight to the locker room and called the players together.

“I’m going to make some changes to the detailed tactics.”

Leipzig originally prepared a strong forward pressure based on the modified 3-back.

Nagelsmann made a change here, instructing the team to counterattack after defending based on the classic four-back formation.

“But Coach. We’ve been training with a modified 3-back system for the past week in preparation for the Champions League, so if you suddenly change it….”

The head coach tried to dissuade him from making a sudden change. However, Nagelsmann’s intentions were firm.

“It’s not Holland, but Vardy? The opponent’s goal is to control the midfield using the false nine. Kante and Rodrigo to Volante support this. It would be more efficient to give up the midfield and use the flanks to counterattack.”

“but….”

“This is Kim’s trap.”

Nagelsmann stared at the players in the locker room.

The players looked visibly confused by the sudden change in tactics.

‘Still, this is right.’

Kim, a tactical genius, would never change the lineup without a reason.

He must have prepared a sinister plan.

‘First, we will play the game steadily, and then make changes in the second half.’

Nagelsmann was convinced that this was the best option.

Tung-

The game started with Barnett’s first goal.

[Contrary to expectations, Leipzig is forming a defensive block?]

[I guess because they are opponents, they approach cautiously.]

Contrary to predictions that there would be a fierce battle in the central region, Barnett easily took control of the central region.

Hyunwoo, who was watching the game, gestured to Niki.

“How is De Bruyne’s physical condition?”

“I still experience occasional vomiting. I don’t think I’ll be able to play today.”

“All right.”

De Bruyne was left out of the starting lineup due to poor condition.

This kind of thing happened often.

There are cases where it is difficult to adjust to jet lag due to frequent flights, and the pressure of competing on the Champions League stage is not light.

The reason Holland was excluded from the starting lineup is the same.

I was thinking of playing the first match with experienced players rather than rookies.

If we can widen the gap in this game, there won’t be any problem sending in younger players for the second game.

Nicky Butt, who was watching the game, stroked his chin.

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“By the way, it’s surprising. Coach Nagelsmann is famous for his forward pressure, but he gave up the initiative so easily….”

“It’s good for us. We can easily play the game.”

“Why would you make that choice?”

“Perhaps you have fallen into a self-contradiction?”

“Is that a contradiction?”

Hyunwoo didn’t give much meaning to this match from the beginning.

It was difficult to use tailored tactics against Leipzig because Barnett was in a different weight class.

Of course, Leipzig was a good team.

They have top-class players like Nkunku and Upamecano, and their coach, Nagelsmann, is also very capable.

‘But the limits are not clear either.’

Nagelsmann was definitely a good coach.

A type of tactician who accurately understands the trends of modern football and uses various tactics based on this.

But whether players could employ a variety of tactics was a separate issue.

“Sometimes it’s better to go by the book.”

Even Guardiola was notorious for being afflicted with the disease of a famous general.

Hyunwoo, you could have avoided this by referring to their cases and organizing the team for a long time.

It was a trial and error that any tactician-type manager would inevitably experience at least once.

Even in the history of Won, he showed a disappointing appearance immediately after taking office in Munich.

[N’Golo Kante stops Leipzig’s counterattack.]

[This is really great. There is no room to break into the duo of Rodri and Kante.]

[As counterattacks using the flanks continue to fail, Leipzig is naturally forced into a defensive position.]

[The shooting ratio has already increased to 12:1?]

Then, 22 minutes into the first half.

Rodri’s lightning long-range shot shook the Leipzig goal net.

[Rodri’s mid-range shot?! It goes in.]

[What can’t this player do? He blocks counterattacks, distributes the ball, and finishes all by himself.]

[I don’t feel Kimmich’s gap at all.]

[Leipzig collapses without any significant resistance.]

“….”

Nagelsmann came to his senses only after conceding the first goal.

Aren’t the Leipzig players lacking much Champions League experience anyway?

In addition, because they were forced to play in a more defensive position than usual, they had no choice but to play in a timid manner.

Because of being obsessed with tactics, I failed to understand the players’ psychology.

“Change to Plan A. We can’t allow the opponent to keep hitting mid-range shots!”

Nagelsmann, who belatedly admitted his mistake, instructed his players to actively press forward.

[The movements of the Leipzig players have changed.]

[It’s not easy to lose at home and take the series. Leipzig will also be desperate for a win.]

As the two teams began to engage in a full-scale midfield battle, the tempo of the game quickened.

As expected from a team that uses pressure as its weapon, the speed of transition between offense and defense was extremely fast.

Among them, Kante is showing a shining performance.

[Kante intercepting the ball aimed at Nkunku.]

[It’s because he gets injured often. Whenever he plays, he shows great performance.]

[There’s a reason Coach Kim Hyun-woo let you play in such an important match today.]

As they tried to apply strong forward pressure, the Barnett players were running around the gaps in Leipzig’s space.

At its center were the body and the sala.

[N’Golo Kante passes the ball to Salah and enters the box.]

[The defenders haven’t formed their formation yet?]

A body that comes out of the box in an instant.

Salah exchanged a 2-on-1 pass and shook off his marker before running down the goal line.

[Goalkeeper Gulac needs to come out!]

[It comes out at a narrow angle?]

Taang-

Salah fires a powerful shot towards the goalkeeper’s head.

The goalkeeper reacted late, but the ball bounced off the top of the net.

[Mohamed Salah shows off a neat finish.]

[That’s because they were dealt a blow by Munich, who achieved the treble last season. Originally, Barnet was an undefeated team in the Champions League!]

[The score is 2:0. The first half is coming to an end. Barnett is giving Leipzig a big task.]

* * *

Leipzig brought in a substitute as soon as the second half started.

Although they were losing, they were trying to stabilize their defense by bringing in center back Willi Orban and Hwang Ui-chan, who has decent defensive participation.

As the substitute players took on a lot of activity, things seemed to stabilize at first, but that was only for a short time.

Knock knock knock

As Bruno switches to the opposite direction, Jeju immediately attempts to dribble.

Angelino, who was completely stripped of his foot after a single play, belatedly extended his leg, but the ball had already left the pitch.

Jesus, who tripped over Angelino’s foot and fell, sent a frustrated glare to the referee.

[Ah. Jeju player fell?]

[The referee has marked the ball. A penalty kick is awarded.]

[Angelino protests vigorously. But the referee shakes his head.]

Jamie Vardy stepped up as the kicker.

The ball he kicked shook the goal net without fail.

[Jamie Vardy puts the wedge in. The score is 3:0!]

[Barnet gives Leipzig a taste of the bitterness of the Champions League.]

Hyunwoo glanced at the opposing team’s coach.

Nagelsmann was on one knee, washing his face dry.

He probably guessed it too.

Even without the tactical mistake, Barnett would have easily won the game.

* * *

The game ended with no change in the score.

The only one who stood out in Leipzig was Hwang Ui-chan, who came on as a substitute.

[Hwang Ui-chan. Are you going to bring the ball up?]

[Rodri cuts off the ball with a tackle. The referee gives him a yellow card.]

[You know that Rodri is going to collect the cards, but you tackled him like that. The defenders could have been exposed.]

Hyunwoo lets out a sigh of relief as Hwang Ui-chan, who had fallen after being tackled, gets up from his seat.

‘Handle it gently.’

He was a player who suffered frequent injuries, to the point where there was a saying that he would get injured even if his collar just brushed against his.

Still, he created many threatening chances, living up to his nickname of ‘Bull’.

Hyunwoo thought he should at least give lip service during the interview after the game.

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