Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 132



Only Krnovel

Episode 132: The Worst Start

Rhine Energy Stadium.

The positions of both teams announced just before the match are the same at 4231.

“Julian, you need to control the defensive line. If Nana Schmitz joins the attack, it will be too late to return to defense, so give orders boldly in such a situation. You and Killian have good chemistry. Be confident.”

“huh.”

“Schmitz, you… … .”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. If I feel any discomfort in my calves or ankles, I’ll tell you right away.”

“good.”

The friendly defense line consists of a back four of Hector, Julian Chabot, Killian, and Schmitz.

Julian Chabot, who transferred in the winter, took advantage of Whibus’ absence and got a chance to start, but even though we know his ability itself is good, we can’t help but feel uneasy.

For defenders, unlike attackers, it is more important not to make mistakes than to shine for a moment.

Next up is the midfield.

“Salih, Eliye. Are you sure?”

“The mindset is always the same.”

“The opposing midfielders are Maxim Eggestein and Nicolas Hoeffler. Both are aggressive enough to play the role of attacking midfielder and are also threatening with long-range shots, so try to avoid giving them space if possible. Your roles are important.”

“Protect the defense, that’s it. I know that.”

Amid the string of injuries, the only positions that are still intact are the two central midfielders. Sali Ozcan and Eliez Skiri nod with confidence.

Next is the second line.

From here on out, the problem of the archery becomes slightly apparent.

Left-back Florian Kainz is out with a suspected stress fracture, substitute Jan Tillman is out with thigh pain, and third option Kingsley Schindler is out with a cold.

And this very fact was the reason why the coaching staff and even the team captain Jonas had worried expressions on their faces.

It’s not that he wasn’t talking, he was talking nonstop.

“Ryubichi, we’re partners on the left flank, right? Since we’re suddenly on opposite sides due to team circumstances, don’t worry and move comfortably. I’ll try my best to match up. I think it would be better to focus on cross-play.”

“The coach ordered an aerial duel inside the box.”

“Well, I heard that too. You’re talking about attacking Jonathan Schmidt, the winger?”

“Yeah. They said to suppress him with his physique since he is a player with experience and skills as his strengths.”

“Okay. Modeste will take care of the right-sided central defense, so let’s take our chances. Try to break into the edge of the box as much as we can.”

“I will do that.”

“Ut, you… … Anthony, depending on what you do, you will have a big impact on the left side… … .”

Mark Utt, who took on the attacking midfielder role after Ljubicic, and Gorilla, who is the front-line striker. There is a slight sense of anxiety in the locker room due to his unusual appearance.

Even so, I do not want the dignity of the argument to be damaged, so I quietly wait for my turn.

“Anyway, today is a game we can easily win. Our recent record and our performance within the league are also better, right?”

“Of course. Why are you saying something like that all of a sudden?”

huh?

“Okay. Since it’s a home game, let’s win cleanly and go to the finals!”

“Ja!”

No, wait a minute.

“……I am?”

“You’re just going to run around like that anyway… … Ugh!”

Remperle’s unexpected remark was suppressed by hitting his forearm with his fist.

“As I please, whatever.”

“… … What I mean is, you can do it well.”

“That’s right. That’s what it was.”

“You’re really a fucking bitch… … Ouch! Ah, it hurts! Stop hitting me!”

“Hanul!”

“huh!”

But the punishment time is over in an instant due to the intervention of the head coach.

As expected, as expected.

Why wouldn’t I talk to you?

I wanted to call it out separately because it’s the most important.

“How is your physical condition?”

Head coach Andre Polak, accompanied by physical coach Max Wegen and team doctor Klein Cooper, looks my body up and down.

“very good.”

“You think it’s really good? You rested for a few days after the last game?”

“So-so.”

“… … .”

“… … It doesn’t seem so bad?”

“… … Phew, how is it?”

If that was the case, he turned to the physical coach and team doctor and asked about my physical condition.

“If what he said is true, then there’s nothing wrong with it… … I think it would be okay to digest it for about 65 minutes.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to work full-time?”

“It depends on how much and how you run. The more sprints you do, the worse it is. This is especially true considering Hanul’s age. He’s still growing. He came from a long-distance flight and played league games all the way through… … .”

“Wouldn’t recovery be faster during the growth period?”

“… … Hanul.”

“Why, you’re just giving a reasonable opinion.”

The sharp gaze flew in for a moment.

Head coach Andre Polak finishes his conversation with the doctor and immediately spits out detailed game information: how I should play, how the manager wants me to play.

“Your opponent is Christian Gunther.”

“Yeah. I know. He’s 185cm tall and has a thick build, so he should avoid direct confrontation. He doesn’t have great attacking ability, and his ball touch is rough, so you’re telling me to respond with strong forward pressure.”

“That’s not all. Gunther is very fast for his size. He’s also physically superior, as you said. So don’t fight openly. Fight by responding technically or by creating a position and situation where you can gain the upper hand.”

This is worth listening to.

“and?”

“Considering the opposing manager’s tendencies, the match is likely to be intense.”

“Watch out for foul play?”

“I’m not talking about that kind of intensity, but rather a movement based on a tactical change. Did you see the starting lineup?”

“Yeah. It was 4231.”

“What are the characteristics of 4231?”

“Uh… … It’s strong in mid-range battles… … and the balance between offense and defense is good… … .”

“also?”

“I guess… … it would be perfect for the gorilla at the front line to be isolated?”

Isn’t that the correct answer?

Modeste, who was preparing to leave the locker room, gave him a sharp look, but the head coach continued speaking with a serious expression.

“… … The 4231 formation has the advantage of tactical flexibility. Depending on the situation, it can be changed to a 433 by pushing up the midfielders on both sides, or to a 451 that focuses its power on the second line, and sometimes even a 424. This means that we will respond accordingly as the opposing manager frequently changes tactics.”

“Attacking midfielder, perhaps?”

“No, that won’t happen. I heard from Harness… … At least not this season. Position changes aren’t something you can do lightly.”

“… … .”

Tch.

I can do well in any position. I feel very sorry because in the old days, I was given a virtually free role in the Cologne second team.

That was when.

“Instead, you can go up to the front line. Be mentally prepared.”

“… … Forward? Striker?”

“Yes. Steffen (Baumgart, Cologne manager) is also considering 4132.”

“Then it would be better to go in as an attacking midfielder-”

“What are the downsides of 4231?”

“… … ?”

“Vulnerable to counterattacks. In fact, most of our team’s goals came right after the transition from offense to defense. So how should an attacking midfielder play?”

“… … We have to join the defense.”

“Yeah. You have to run around until you’re drenched in sweat. That’s why… … You have so many strengths, but I think Ut is better suited for that role. Do you understand?”

Nod nod.

Hereby, I clearly indicate my agreement.

If you cut out the ceremonial expressions, it ultimately means a lack of ability.

Above all, if you want to make a request, you should ask it to Steffen Baumgart, not the head coach, and there seemed to be no need to talk any further.

So now was the time to tie my cleats and head out onto the field.

DFB Pokal, the start of the semi-finals.

* * *

Unfortunately, Jonas’s worries came true.

Wow!

There must have been quite a few tickets distributed to Freiburg fans, as a huge cheer erupted from the away side of the stadium, which filled one side of the goal.

Cologne goalkeeper Schwabe lowers his head in front of the goal line.

With this… …the second goal.

The score gap between the two teams widened to two goals less than 20 minutes after the start of the game.

“… …Fuck.”

What’s worse is that it’s hard to blame anyone else for the mistake.

The first goal came in the 12th minute of the first half.

Freiburg’s right-back curled in a short cross and Nils Petersen, a target-type striker who is nearing retirement (and is a whopping 33 years old), headed home from nine metres out in front of goal.

It was a regrettable moment to concede an early goal because we were not behind in terms of performance.

But the worst start comes five minutes later.

17 minutes in the first half.

Immediately after the corner kick, the ball was kicked outside the left side of the box and fell in front of the opposing central midfielder.

Boohoo!

A mid-range shot explodes from 24 meters away.

The ball lands well on the instep, but the shot’s trajectory is focused toward the center, so goalkeeper Schwabe tilts his body center to the right and prepares to receive it into his arms.

Thud! Degururur-

The ball passed through the dense crowd of defenders, suddenly got caught on someone’s foot… … and rolled into the other side of the goal.

So 0 to 2.

It wasn’t like they were particularly lacking in skill, but in the semifinals, and even in a single-elimination match, the flow of the game was completely messed up.

[SC Freiburg, you are our heart!]

[We always share joy and pain together.]

[SC Freiburg, you are our star!]

[We will chase you wherever you go!]

[Black Forest, Our Home!]

[Where the trees cry out.]

[We will see you there.]

Meanwhile, the away team’s cheering song resonates loudly at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion.

As I was walking to the center line to resume the game, I looked around the friendly camp with a fierce feeling of being heard.

“It’s okay, it wasn’t a big mistake! Get your bearings!”

“It’s only been 20 minutes! Let’s go again!”

While Sali Ozcan looks as if he is blaming himself for failing to block the shot, the veteran players are all applauding in encouragement.

The direction is solely towards the two central defenders.

Julian Chabot and Luca Killian.

It seemed like it was because the two were the youngest on the team, at 23 and 24 years old respectively.

“… … Hanul, you too, be confident! I’ll push you properly from now on!”

“… … ?”

Then suddenly, my colleagues’ gazes turned towards me as if they were coordinated.

What do you want me to do?

I’m fine?

It wasn’t my mistake.

Why do you keep staring?

I instinctively scratched the back of my neck for a moment, then quickly turned my head away from the ground.

It would be useless to encourage each other as the stands were quiet, so they asked the players to wave their hands and cheer.

Wow!

Wow!

“Oh really, scream louder!”

Wow!

As if waving his palm wasn’t enough, he swung his fists to express his frustration, and only then was he able to properly speak.

You should have shouted a long time ago.

Do I really have to force myself like this?

“What, why are you looking at me? Are you looking?”

“… … .”

Across the white line.

Even my marksman Christian Gunter and even the linesman look at me as if they want to see all sorts of strange things… … but they completely ignore the perspectives of others.

Since I was going to cut them all down anyway, there was no need to become friends with them.