Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 131



Only Krnovel

Episode 131 Two Koreans

As league standings become more or less fixed, the attention of sports media shifts to tournament matches.

Most of the focus was on the quarter-finals of the European Champions League, which took place in mid-April.

As the results of Chelsea vs. Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester City and Liverpool vs. Benfica were in the headlines, Bayern Munich faced sharp criticism after being knocked out of the Champions League by Villarreal.

But on the other hand, for each team’s fans, the relegation battle in the domestic league and the DFB Pokal were more interesting than the Champions League, which they did not even advance to.

As the date of the semi-finals approached, news articles began to come out one by one.

“DFB Pokal semi-final review, who’s going to Berlin – By Peter Weies

: 50,000 spectators at FC Köln’s Rhein-Energie-Stadion are expected to watch the DFB Pokal semi-final in one of Germany’s most historic cities on Tuesday evening.

Earlier this month, the 50,000 tickets for the DFB-Pokal semi-final sold out in minutes, as both teams have risen to the top of the Bundesliga this season. Despite their impressive performances in the league, the two historic clubs are each looking to head to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

In the head-to-head matches within the league, there was a 1-1 draw in the 4th round and a 3-0 win for Cologne in the 21st round, but it is difficult to say that either team has a clear advantage.

Either way, there’s a chance.

[Cologne]

Longtime fans of Cologne say they miss the days when the Bundesliga was founded in 1963-64 and was renowned as a powerhouse until the early 90s. And this season certainly feels the most similar to that time.

3rd place in the league after 30 rounds.

Even though there are only four games left and the southern villains (Bayern Munich) have virtually secured the league title, the Goats still dream of winning the title.

A shining achievement of winning the DFB Pokal four times.

Another win this year would make it five, but fans can’t be satisfied with the previous four wins because they are the preserve of old fans.

Because that fact and joy have faded away over time.

[Freiburg]

Freiburg are very close to a top four spot, which would qualify them for the Champions League, but their inconsistent form is the problem.

Despite a great start to the season, they have gradually fallen down the table and a resurgence in the second half of the league – Leipzig’s resurgence – is putting serious pressure on Freiburg’s chances of Champions League qualification.

But that is precisely why lifting the DFB Pokal is seen as coach Streich’s best chance to deliver.

Young striker Kevin Schade is out with an abdominal muscle tear, but Freiburg still have options in Ermedin Demirovic, Lucas Hüller, Nils Pettersen and even Jung Woo-kyung or Szalay. It’s a very different situation to injury-ridden Cologne…

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.

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-A showdown between Koreans.

As mentioned earlier, Freiburg coach Streich used the 4141 formation and used Jung Woo-kyung as a substitute to get some amazing results.

He praised the performance of Jung Woo-kyung, who recorded two assists, saying, “He returned perfectly and showed outstanding performance.”

On the other hand, Cologne has a castle in the sky.

A promising young player favored by coach Baumgart and on the radar of major big clubs.

Although he faltered for a while in the second half, he played a major role in helping the team rise after being called up to the national team.

Cologne will likely have to change tactics after Round 30 due to a number of injuries, and Freiburg have also been using a variety of tactics throughout the season, so it seems unlikely that they will repeat their existing 4141 formation.

It will be interesting to see what roles the two Koreans will each play and how they will become the turning point of the match.

And because of this interest, I was also called to the interview room the day before the game.

The location is the media interview room at the Rhine Energy Stadium.

Groan, groan.

The pre-interview attracted more people than usual.

Sports Bild, Fussball Transfers, Latin Kreuz, Hessen Schaude and Revier Sport, etc. I’ve only read a portion of the signs on the desks and the text on the cameras.

I wasn’t interested in anything until the quarterfinals, but now that the finals are right around the corner, I guess it’s a pretty good topic of conversation.

Well, I don’t feel bad about it though.

The company logo (billboard) written all over the back, a glass of water and a long microphone on the desk, and even broadcast lights illuminating the field of vision.

Although it’s a blemish on the jade that I’m not the only one who came out, it’s always a joy to be noticed by someone.

“Ahem.”

Then suddenly, I turn my head at the sound of a cough coming from the seat next to me.

Black hair, slightly prominent cheekbones, dark eyebrows, and dark skin tone. Although they were also Korean, they were on different teams and had a nervous expression on their faces.

This is Jung Woo-kyung.

[If you are thirsty, drink water.]

[Huh? Uh… … Yeah.]

Since this is my home ground, I show my consideration and offer her a glass of water. Since I said it in Korean, everyone’s attention turned to me for a moment.

“Why, this is the first time I’ve seen you speak Korean? You look at me like I’m looking at a monkey at a zoo.”

“ha ha ha.”

I haven’t had a proper conversation with him since he wasn’t called up for the A match (by the way, there is someone with the same name on the national team), but I’ve met him in league matches before, so I try to brush off any undue interest.

Just be humble, and focus only on me.

“Now, let’s start the pre-match interview for the DFB Pokal semi-final between Cologne and Freiburg.”

At that moment, when the leader bear patted my right shoulder and showed a refreshing smile, the reporters’ eyes lit up along with the voice of an official.

Shh, shh shh.

If I were to express in words the speed at which a hand goes up, it would probably be something like this.

Everyone quickly raises their arms, and the person in charge points out one person and gives them the right to speak.

“This is Johanna Jaeger from Lateng Kreuz. I will ask the coaches of both teams. Both teams are facing the DFB Pokal in the midst of a tight schedule. Since the final is so close, I don’t think they will be using the reserve players as much as before. Cologne is likely to defend its third place in the league, so it will have some room for the next game, but it has many players on the injury list. On the other hand, Freiburg has a deep roster, but it will have to compete fiercely for the fourth place. I am curious about the coaches’ perspectives on this.”

At a long table, Steffen Baumgart briefly locks eyes with the Freiburg coach and leans into the microphone.

“… … Ahem, listening carefully, our situation doesn’t seem very good. If we just look at this match, wouldn’t the team with the thicker roster have the advantage?”

There was a brief burst of laughter in the stadium at the half-joking, half-serious story, and soon Freiburg took over the floor after a mention of Cologne’s injured players.

To summarize, both the league and the cup are important – you have to keep the momentum going.

That’s a boring answer.

It’s common to start with a formal answer, but in this case, you need to express even more confidence.

Provocative showmanship.

Isn’t that what fans want?

“Khaled Nahar of Sport Chau. I will ask Hanul a question.”

Just in time, the direction of the question turns towards me.

The words without any honorifics are purely mine, so I naturally raise my head and make eye contact with the person who asked the question.

His hair was sticking up in a ponytail, and his square glasses had mischievous eyes, and beneath them a thick beard hung.

“Union Berlin, FSV Mainz, and Mönchengladbach. The recent performances have been excellent… … No, it’s not enough to say that it’s excellent. In fact, in the 21st round of the Bundesliga held in February this year, he recorded two assists against Freiburg. Can you tell us about your mindset going into this semifinal, your personal expectations for the performance, and any special instructions you received from the coaching staff?”

The question is a bit mundane, but that’s okay.

“As for mindset… … I guess it’s about the team’s victory, my personal performance, and faithfully following the coach’s instructions. In terms of importance, it would be personal performance, the team’s victory, and following the coach’s instructions.”

“Hmm… … Huh? Individual grades are more important?”

I stubbornly accept the stares that momentarily catch my eye. Even if a knife is put to my throat, I must speak correctly.

In most cases, honesty is best.

“It doesn’t matter. Usually, if I don’t do well, I lose the game. So I have to do well. I’ll do well and win.”

“… … .”

Knock, knock.

Look.

This is it.

Instead of nodding my head when I give a proper answer, I’m busy tapping away at my laptop keyboard.

“The expected result is to accumulate attack points, and the special instructions are… … Well, I guess we’ll just have to watch it in person at the stadium.”

As we ended with a quick glance at Director Baumgart, the corners of the reporters’ lips were seen slightly rising.

Even a Korean reporter who appeared in the pre-interview room for the first time is like that, so there is no need to explain further.

“I would like to ask questions to Jung Woo-kyung and Sung Ha-neul.”

“yes.”

Then, suddenly, a Korean reporter asked me a question in fluent German.

“Jung Woo-kyung was not called up for the March A-match due to a minor injury. However, as a result, you could say that he and Sung Ha-neul have become seniors and juniors on the national team. How does it feel to face each other, and can you tell us about your aspirations and impressions?”

“Uh, I… …Should I go first?”

“Okay, then.”

The first answer belongs to the representative team’s ‘senior’.

He fills it up with polite language and polite content so that no one will say he is not Korean. Things like respecting the other person and doing your best.

But what can I do?

I think a little differently.

“What about Seong Ha-neul?”

“I have an older brother.”

“……yes?”

According to [Seongha Neul’s Code], Korean is formal and German is informal. The Korean reporter’s face was filled with confusion and bewilderment at the unexpected remark.

“I like to study at home because I’m a little sick, but I’ve thought about what it would be like if my older brother was a soccer player just like me. I think it would be good to answer based on the thoughts I had at that time. If Sung Ha-jun had been playing as a defender in Freiburg… … Oh, Sung Ha-jun is my older brother’s name. Anyway, if that were the case… … .”

“If that were so?”

“I’ll kill you no matter what. I’ll just run towards where you’re standing and tear you to pieces without leaving a trace. I don’t want to hear people say I just ran carelessly. I won’t show any mercy because we’re all Koreans.”

“… … .”

“……no.”

Why is this middle-aged Korean man making such an expression as if his soul has completely left his body? I find myself speaking to him in a polite tone without realizing it.

In contrast, German journalists, including Steffen Baumgart, all burst into laughter. It’s a familiar feeling.

okay.

It is welcome that a Korean reporter has come, but it is up to you to adapt.

What can I do if this is my way?

And so, the very next day.

On Tuesday, April 19th at 8:45 PM, the DFB Pokal semi-final match was held at Cologne’s home stadium against Freiburg.