Dad was a Genius - Chapter 64
Only Noblemtl
My Dad Was a Genius Episode 064
The first half is over.
The score was 2-0, beating the expectations of experts, football fans and Wolves supporters. It was an overwhelming performance by Wolves.
“Is this really Wolves?”
“It felt like we were playing against some EPL first division team.”
“What the heck… … ?”
The expressions on the Leicester players’ faces were all the same.
Everyone was dumbfounded, as if they had no idea what had happened.
Didn’t they concede two goals in the first half to Wolves, a team they thought they could easily trample on?
Even at Wolves, there was no one player who stood out as particularly good.
For Wolves, everything was just smooth.
In contrast, Leicester failed to attack or defend properly.
When you try to defend, another space keeps getting breached, and when you try to attack, the number of defenders you thought was three suddenly increases to five.
In addition, the players in the midfield actively participated in defense and blocked the space.
And when it builds up, it progresses very slowly, but at one moment, it breaks through like crazy.
It was a very clear tactical difference that even a soccer beginner could understand.
But those Wolves use such tactics?
What on earth happened?
“Don’t panic, everyone. We were just too carried away by the tactics we had never seen before. We couldn’t resist the constant luring, and we just followed along, so one side ended up getting caught.”
But even Coach Rails was going crazy over this point.
The ball continues to roll from the center in a diamond shape.
As a result, even if the defender tries to steal the ball, it just ends up going around in circles, as if it were a game where one player is chosen and the ball is passed around.
Then, only the Leicester players lost energy, and Wolves were passing the ball around comfortably, and when there was space, they changed direction in that direction.
‘I was completely taken by surprise.’
Passing in a diamond shape is easy, but it’s a more difficult tactic than you might think.
Don’t you often make mistakes while trying to pass the ball to avoid the overwhelming pressure from the defense?
But seeing him pass so well, it must be because the passing coach at Wolves has trained him well.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean there were no mistakes. After scoring two goals in a row, Wolves also continued to make mistakes.”
That’s exactly what we need to take advantage of.
This tactic is one that penetrates empty space.
So, if you cover that well, you can block it easily.
And if you can force mistakes from the midfielders through tight pressure, you can quickly break through the opponent’s defense.
Because there are only three defenders responsible for the rear.
Even if both wings join the defense late, it will be too late.
“We just have to aim for that mistake.”
Even though they were behind by two points, the game was not over yet.
We are Leicester City, the strongest team in the second division.
We can never lose to Wolves!
* * *
“Obviously, if you press hard in the center, mistakes will come. It’s not easy to maintain a diamond shape, so there will definitely be opportunities… … That’s what Coach Rails and the Leicester players are probably thinking by now.”
The Wolves players were not excited about being two points ahead of Leicester in the first half. Instead, they calmly listened to Cha Seong-eun’s words in the middle of the locker room.
“Maybe they are right. Although the players trained hard, we were short on time. Nevertheless, we scored two goals in the first half alone. That means our training was not in vain.”
It wasn’t in vain.
The players know it too.
Rather than saying that they were superior, Cha Seong-eun’s tactics were several steps ahead of his opponents.
“And it is true that we were shaken. It is definitely not as easy as it seems to maintain the pass map in the form of a diamond. Leicester also started to press hard.”
His clear English pronunciation and soft, yet overwhelming voice made the players listen to him without even a sound of breath.
“But the reason we keep making mistakes is simple. It’s because we’re going too fast. So let’s slow down the tempo a little bit starting in the second half.”
Cha Seong-eun brought the tactics board and showed it to everyone.
“Let’s say we build up from the goalkeeper’s side. Then White drops from the center to the back and starts the build up. Then the other midfielders should drop as well. Killing the tempo means starting from the back rather than going forward.”
The diamond-shaped build-up that started in the center is now pulled down to the back area.
“Then Leicester City, who need to score, will have no choice but to force themselves forward. They will press even harder. They will try to rush in and score a goal somehow. We have to take advantage of that mentality.”
Through the tactics board, Cha Seong-eun showed the players’ positioning.
He also started to give detailed instructions on how to deal with certain situations.
Then he put left midfielder Reyes up front.
The players tilted their heads at the sight.
“Coach, is Layers going to be up front?”
“Yes. Reyes is the fastest player on our team. And we need a fast player who can catch a long pass from the back during the build-up and run. Reyes is the perfect player for that.”
After drawing in the impatient opponent by passing the ball all the way to the back, he throws a long ball to Reyes, who is in front, and leaves the finishing touch to him.
“Of course, there should be players who back up behind, but there is one thing to remember. We are not trying to score goals. We are trying to wear out the opponents as much as possible. That is why we build up in a diamond shape at the back.”
All the players in the center come down to the back and continue the diamond pass map shown in the first half, forcing the opponent to run.
Then they would naturally tire out and that was when Wolves had a chance to attack.
“But how do you know when the other person is tired?”
“I will let you know when the time is right. So you have to pay attention to the signals I give with my body language. Also, you have to stay in tight positions and maintain your pass map. That way, you will be less likely to make mistakes.”
“yes!”
Only the director can give instructions.
But for today, I will follow the instructions of this new coach.
No. Maybe the next game.
“Let’s all win.”
Cha Seong-eun gathered the players in one place.
“We can win. Let’s show that Wolves are no longer weak beasts, but wolves that can bite even the top predators.”
“Yes, Coach!”
The players’ morale was through the roof.
I could tell just by looking at his voice and expression.
“Nelson.”
“Yes, sir.”
“During my time as Wolves manager, has there ever been such a good atmosphere in the locker room?”
Head coach Nelson had a hard time answering the manager’s question.
This was the first time, he thought, that he had seen Wolves with such arrogance.
“There was this.”
“You really can’t lie.”
“that is…….”
“It’s okay. I didn’t ask to embarrass you. It’s just, what should I say? That guy named Cha Seong-eun. I thought he might be even more amazing than I thought.”
Nelson had no choice but to agree.
At first, I thought that the arrogant Oriental guy was getting too cocky because he got lucky with one good tactic and won two games in a row.
But didn’t you say that confidence follows skill?
Cha Seong-eun’s seemingly reckless confidence was, of course, backed by skill.
“It seemed like they knew exactly what the strengths and weaknesses of our team’s players were. They gave them completely different positions in the first and second halves. They didn’t even have the slightest concern about how to deploy the players according to the changed tactics.”
If things go well in the first half, it is common to carry that tactic into the second half.
However, Cha Seong-eun was not hesitant in changing tactics.
The placement of the players was also bold.
Just looking at the way he used a midfielder as a top player in certain situations, it was a great display of courage.
“Yeah. It even seems a little reckless.”
“Yes. But the problem is that I keep having this strange feeling that it might work.”
“Haha. You’re just like me. You may think it won’t work, but you feel like it could really work in your heart, right?”
Although they still have some lingering concerns about their opponent being Leicester, these two feel a strange sense of confidence.
Today we will see a completely different Wolves.
* * *
Leicester City entered the second half with a strong will.
Leicester are on their way to direct promotion.
How could a team like that be held back by Wolves?
The first half goal conceded was considered a stroke of luck for Wolves.
So, I vowed that I would turn things around with Leicester’s skills in the second half.
‘I’ve already figured out your shallow tactics.’
After a decoy operation in the midfield with the diamond pass map, a transition pass towards the empty space.
The first half was a well-deserved tactic, I admit.
But if you think the same thing will happen in the second half, you’re very mistaken.
‘Try it again.’
It’s a tactic that has never been shown in the last game, or the game before that, or any game.
What does that mean?
That team is using hastily put together tactics right now.
That’s why he showed a bit of an awkward appearance in the first half.
‘As time goes by, they will make more mistakes.’
It was vivid to see them floundering under Leicester City’s strong pressure, losing the ball and conceding a goal.
But once the game started, Wolves did not come forward.
Rather, it retreated further.
“Wait a minute. What is this… … .”
Coach Rails bit his lip.
Are you going to start a holdout operation here?
Yes, that’s the right strategy.
We’re ahead by two points, so there’s no need to push ourselves too hard.
Then we just have to push harder and beat them up unilaterally.
“Press harder and push harder! If they just play defense, it’s an opportunity for us!”
If you’re just going to put up a guard and play defense, I’ll knock until it opens.
But something was strange.
Aren’t Wolves’ passes very calm, even though they’re clearly rushing to steal the ball?
Even the diamond-shaped pass map created from the back was, in turn, eating away at the stamina of Leicester players.
In no time, I could see him running around, out of breath.
‘It’s like we’re being lured in again.’
The Wolves were like wolves waiting for their prey to fall over in their traps from exhaustion.
And when the time they wanted came,
“Huh!”
A long ball from the back crossed the halfway line.
Leicester City, who had been pushing up the line to beat their opponents, tried to come down quickly, but the speed of the player running after receiving the long ball was too fast.
“Hey, stop it!!”
Crash~.
“… … !”
The ball just shook the goal net.
Wolves score another goal.
The score was shocking, 3 to 0.
“What, what the heck is this… … .”
Rails looked aside.
Is this really Wolves?
Is this really director Richard?
The Asian coach we saw in the first half was shouting something to the players on behalf of the manager.
There, I felt a sense of alienation and enlightenment at the same time.
‘No way… … is it you?’
Are you the one who came up with all these tactics and pushed Leicester to this point?
Rails met the eyes of the oriental man.
For some reason, I felt a chill down my spine.