Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 127



Only Krnovel

Episode 127 Show and Probe

There are many things I have experienced in the national team, but the most impressive one is the organic movement.

It may have been due to the tactical differences between 4231 and 4141, but either way, it was clearly different from Cologne’s attacking style.

The two attacking midfielders constantly move into position to create passing lanes, and sometimes the wingers move into central areas.

When the pressure and control became intense, the wingers would switch positions to create a rift in the opposing team’s defense.

This was based on the tactical instructions of the bench.

Constantly looking for a spot to receive a pass.

Allocate space so that you don’t overlap with your colleagues.

If you can’t see any empty space, don’t force yourself to move.

This is the tactical policy of the national team that I heard from coach Philippe Jorge. Although Cologne’s attacking tactics are more personal, there are some points to note.

Especially considering the advice he received on his way home from a veteran of the national team.

So I just apply what I heard.

In the meantime, he made eye contact with Sali Ozcan, who had moved up to the center of the second line, but he indicated his intention not to pass by putting an opposing player between the two of us.

… … perfect.

Swish, squeak.

This time, Paul Yekel, who was my designated defender, tugged at my jersey, but it was useless.

Factors that are not important right now.

In reality, the moment the ball leaves Ozkan’s feet was the deciding factor. If he spreads wide to the left, he can penetrate the box and try to score, and if he goes to the right…

Fight!

The latter case is demonstrated directly.

Ozkan passes a strong ground ball to right-back Ehizibu, and a contest breaks out at the edge of the box. I also put strength into my thighs and strike at an appropriate speed.

Instead of going all the way to the goal, make sure to arrive just behind the contested area on time.

“Big!”

Of course, the situation that followed was not perfect.

If he was going to run, it would have been better if he had run more towards the goal rather than the goal line. Even though he was closing in on the center, he moved in a straight line, and to make matters worse, his feet got tangled at his first touch, causing the ball to bounce slightly.

In this case… … I’ll just watch calmly for now.

Mistakes are part of the game. Above all, it is not the attitude of a professional to crowd into one space and struggle. All I could do was maintain my running speed and hope that it would not be long before the winner was decided.

Boom, boom!

And fortunately for me, after a fierce competition, Ehijibue wins possession of the ball. It’s all thanks to his outstanding physicality.

As if it was difficult to hold on any longer, he quickly kicked the surface of the ball with the tip of his foot and sent it rolling towards me.

The position to catch the ball is perfect.

It was on the right edge of the box, about 22 meters away from the goal. However, as it was a good place to connect with a direct shot, the opposing defender did not leave me alone.

Kwaaaaak.

The moment the uniform stretches out, a hand comes to the side and pinches the hem and flesh at the same time.

An efficient defensive strategy that avoids the referee’s eyes.

From the attacker’s perspective, I can’t help but say it’s dirty, but now… … I guess it doesn’t matter. Do whatever you want.

The important thing is how to create space.

My choice is extreme STOP AND GO.

Phew!

Maximize your thigh output as if you were going to resist Paul Yeakel, then stop when you see signs of tucking your shoulders in.

He digs deep into the grass and turns his upper body about 160 degrees to the left. As the arm holding the uniform inevitably falls off, the dedicated defender also stops and blocks the front.

Right now, the match is decided.

I’m not in a situation where I’ve completely turned back.

The upper body direction is pointed obliquely towards the left rear.

“Hanul!”

So there are three possible routes in total.

The first is the gorilla near the left side of the goal, the second is near the left corner flag, and the last is the Ozkan running up while calling my name.

WHEEK!

There’s no way the opposing defender wouldn’t know what I know, and soon Paul Yeakel is shaking off his physical limitations (called inertia) and stretching his legs.

okay.

I wanted that.

There is a limit to human muscles, and I have been fighting against inertia for a while now. With this, Paul Yeakel’s defensive turn is completely exhausted.

I go back to where I came from in a split second.

Talk-

He made a light touch with the top of his right foot, as if he was about to pass the ball, and rolled it towards Paul Yekel’s stepping foot.

If you desperately swing your outstretched right foot, the possibility of your left foot, which is the pivot, moving is close to 0, so the ball will soon hit your opponent’s ankle and bounce to the left.

I quickly turn to his left.

There was no need to pass through quickly since the opponent’s legs were stiff.

Be careful not to get caught, and slightly raise your eyes to check the defenders’ positions. Then, make a decision and move on to the final stage.

The next step is, of course, direct shooting.

“Timmy! Robin!”

Two large defenders rushed at the goalkeeper’s shout, but it didn’t matter. I hadn’t intended to draw a straight trajectory in the first place, so I focused more on getting into a shooting position than on the defenders rushing at me.

Keep your lower body center as low as possible, spread your right arm wide to maintain balance, and bend your waist so much that you can apply enough rotational power.

The direct means was the left foot axis, and even after hitting the official ball, he pushed his foot all the way in with all his heart.

And then-

Saaaaak!

Following the sensation of kicking the air, a ball spinning violently appeared in my field of vision.

The shape of a blue star on an orange background, and even the Bundesliga emblem in the center. Everything was mixed up and turned into a single color.

After a short journey, the ball is sucked into the upper left corner of the goal in a strange trajectory.

Chorus! Chorus, chorus.

I really liked how it went around the defensive wall, leaving neither the goalkeeper nor the defenders with time to react…

Woof woof-!

Even when I hear the boos from the home fans, I laugh.

[You cheeky brat!]

[Get out of here!]

“Ahaha.”

Immediately after scoring, I run slowly behind the goal and smile.

This is it.

Cheers or boos, either way is fine.

What’s important is not my physical condition or my surroundings, but my state of mind. I didn’t realize it when I was having a hard time with Claudia’s problem, but after I gained new energy in Korea, I finally noticed it.

None other than overwhelming confidence.

That’s what was important.

Wow~

Because someone needs me, like the faint cheers of the away fans in Cologne that can be heard in the distance.

[Damn #noby!]

[#@$, I scored a lucky goal!]

And because the fans of Union Berlin, who I don’t even know, hate me so much, because I have such abilities and talents.

Exactly, I forgot about that for a moment.

[This #@ guy!]

side.

In response, I raised my middle finger in a tense atmosphere and gave the old man a kiss on the hand.

It felt so good.

[Huh… … That guy is completely crazy.]

[… … .]

From my own experience, I think small soccer-specific stadiums are pretty good.

* * *

Round 28 of the Bundesliga, the match between Union Berlin and FC Köln.

Steffen Baumgart, standing outside the bench, nods his head absentmindedly.

Wow!

Because Seong Ha-neul has taken full swing.

No, to be exact, it wasn’t so much that I went with the flow… … it seemed like I made changes on my own.

The first scoring process around the 37th minute of the second half was also like that.

41 minutes, instead of responding to the opposing defender’s approach with a dribble, he passes a one-touch penetrating pass to Ehijibue.

In the 43rd minute, he also chose the ‘opposite side switch’, which was something he had rarely done before.

Even now, in the second half of extra time… … .

[You need to spread it out further, idiot!]

[… … .]

Until he yelled at Modeste.

The content was correct, although there was a problem with the way it was delivered. If they had moved a little more to the left, there would have been space for our attackers to break through.

And obviously-

“Modeste is also affected.”

He must know it too.

That a young player named Sung Ha-neul had the potential to threaten his position. And that he was getting closer, and much faster than expected.

[… … You do it yourself, you little shit! You’re just hiding between defenders, what?]

[I don’t like it? I’ll tell you every time I feel the need? I’m doing so well. You’re not as good as me, but you’re just babbling. If I just get a board, I can surf… ]

[Hanul! Anthony, you stop it too!]

“… … .”

The coach was speechless when the two men argued on the field and were stopped by the referee, but it was an undeniable fact.

At that moment, head coach Andre Polak, who had come up next to him, also expressed the same opinion.

“It’s really fast, isn’t it?”

“… … Hmm. I guess my experience on the national team definitely helped.”

“Yes. It’s not strange. It’s been like that since before. When I taught him something, he would pretend not to hear it for a while, but when he felt the need, he would absorb it in an instant.”

“Yeah, well. It’s still a bit awkward, but overall, I think it’s had a positive impact. More than anything, knowing how to change your play style is a talent. Those who are a little shy can’t do it.”

No, inside the stadium.

The boy wanted to erase his life as the youngest member of the national team from his mind, so he manipulated Ehijibu’s movements right after being assigned to the team, and ended up getting a crucial opportunity.

[Now, deep inside!]

No defender, no matter how poor his ability, will let someone penetrate into the box, so one player is dragged into Ehijibue’s movement.

Thud, thud!

The ball leaves Mark Ut’s feet, who was standing wide open on the right sideline, and flies into the sky.

The position is the same as when the tying goal was scored.

Near the right edge of the penalty box.

However, because Ut’s pass was caught on the opponent’s foot, the ball rose to chest height and seemed difficult to control.

The person in question stands in place as if nothing happened, preparing to receive it against his chest, but then suddenly opens one shoulder and turns his body.

At first glance, Sung Ha-neul’s direction of movement seemed to be the center of the box. His upper body turned 180 degrees, so it felt like he was trying to turn toward the center.

Paul Yeakel then takes a couple of steps forward to gain position, and that one choice has mixed results.

container!

“… … ?!”

Turn 180 degrees to the right, and then again… … another 90 degrees.

The boy rotates his body around his left shoulder, but immediately after the ball has rotated 180 degrees, he bounces it up behind his right shoulder and slams it toward the goal line.

This is truly an exquisite feat.

Paul Yeakel, who had been rushing in, could only watch as the ball flew precariously over his head, and so did his teammates.

If something goes far beyond the expected range, you won’t even be able to react.

like that.

The moment when Union Berlin’s defenders, goalkeeper and even the spectators stopped booing and took a deep breath.

Seong Ha-neul steps inside the box line and switches to shooting stance before the ball touches the grass.

A straight spine, a left arm stretched out to the side, and muscles in the thighs, shins, and ankles.

Unlike the previous goal, it did not contain any extreme spin, but as before, it was a shot aimed at the upper left corner of the goal.

Thud!

“her…….”

Because the trajectory was straight and the power was properly applied, Seong Ha-neul’s shot hit the goal post and was sucked into the goal.

Wow!

Naturally, the stadium was filled with the loud cheers of Cologne fans, and amidst all this, the head coach’s sigh reached Baumgart’s ears.

“ha…….”

“No, no. Why are you sighing at a moment when admiration is not enough? Huh? Let’s laugh together! Hahaha!”

“Yes. I’m happy, but I’m worried about the interview I’ll have to do later.”

“Haha… … ha… … euhm.”

After thinking about it carefully… … it made sense.