Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 134



Only Krnovel

Episode 134 Freedom and Responsibility (1)

The first half is intense but ends cleanly.

Although Cologne and Freiburg adopted tactical changes during the game, they traded fierce attacks from start to finish.

In the first half of extra time, there was a heart-stopping moment when the referee awarded a penalty kick to the opposing team, but the VAR (video assistant referee) quickly corrected the situation and the team displayed flawless play.

However, the score between the two teams is still 1 to 2.

The locker room becomes very lively at halftime as the home team is down by one goal.

“Give me the tape!”

“water?”

“Well, thank you.”

“Just keep the ice pack on.”

Some people found the things they needed first, some discussed what they were disappointed with in the first half, and some… … went to the team doctor with an ominous feeling.

shit.

It was Beno Schmitz.

“It looks like it’s swollen a lot even when you look at it with your own eyes. How’s the pain?”

“It hurts, but I can endure it and run.”

Why would he be a right-back if he gets injured?

As the substitute, Ehijibue’s performance is not up to par, the number of times he naturally glances at the person next to him also increases.

Kuk.

“Okay.”

“I feel pain when I press on it.”

As it is said that a player’s groan attracts attention, in an instant, Steffen Baumgart, the captain of Cologne, approached and asked a question.

“how is it.”

“I suspect ligament damage. The range of motion is normal and there is no major functional impairment, but… … .”

“… … I guess I can’t run any more.”

“I’m sorry.”

iced coffee.

Even the death sentence is so clean. It doesn’t mean you’re really dead, but it means you can no longer fight, so what difference does it make?

But there is no time to grumble about this tragedy.

The head coach called me aside.

“The second half tactics will be changed to 4132.”

“……already?”

He continued talking without even listening to my answer.

“Hanul, it has been decided that you will move up to the striker position. The correct position is right striker. You and Modeste will be paired up, with Mark Ut supporting the two of you.”

“Eliye will be the defensive midfielder, so who will be on the right wing?”

“For now, Sali Ozkan. If it gets too much, we’ll bring in Rempale.”

It looks like you’ve already made up your mind.

I am concerned about the fact that he is moving Ozkan to the right flank, but on the other hand, he is a player with excellent ball handling skills, so I thought he would do surprisingly well.

Then, out of the blue, head coach Andre Polak’s quiz show opened.

“Hanul, focus on the conversation. Do you understand what the director wants from you?”

“Uh… … I guess I’ll score a goal?”

“In a nutshell, yes. But in reality, it’s to make it possible for you to play full-time. Since you’ve moved up from the side to the front line, you should lower your level of defensive involvement. Just check the central defenders or goalkeepers.”

“okay.”

“So how do you plan to run now?”

“huh?”

“How do you want to play as a striker? You can’t run wild by yourself like you do in the second team. You’ll be under a lot more pressure than when you play on the wing.”

“… … He played well on the national team.”

“That’s the national team, as you said. It’s completely different from a club team in terms of organization. Freiburg’s defense will be rough and tenacious. You could feel it in the first half.”

“That’s true.”

“Keep it simple. Make it a little simpler than the side. Especially make sure to use Mark Ut actively.”

“Utl?”

“… … Look at the game in a bigger picture. 451 and 4132. Why don’t our coaches put in one more attacker?”

“Because Modeste is fighting generously at the forefront-”

“Hanul.”

“… … The lone striker is isolated.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, at the moment when I couldn’t come up with a proper answer, the last answer came close to being the correct answer.

What I mean is that it wasn’t a perfect answer.

“That’s a good answer. But if we go into it a little deeper, it’s to attack the opposing team’s back four. Freiburg currently has a two-line defense. They line up the defense and midfielders in a single line, and they encroach on the entire space. In this case, the space between the central defenders is what we’re going to attack.”

“I’m listening.”

“Tactically, Philipp Lienhard, the right-back, will stick to Modeste, while Nico Schlotterbeck on the left will stick to you. That’s where the options come into play.”

Next it’s the tactical board’s turn.

As the red horses, representing the team’s attackers, moved widely to the left and right of the penalty box, the white horses, representing the opposing team’s defenders, were also torn to the sides.

“how is it.”

“The center is empty.”

“What would happen if we did this?”

“… … an attacking midfielder could break in.”

“That’s right. That’s the first option. Not only Uth but also Ozkan on the right can choose to move into the center, and the space on the side can be filled by our defenders joining the attack. It will work quite well since Freiburg has a two-line defense.”

okay.

Honestly, I think it’s a pretty good tactic.

The only problem is that… …it seems difficult for the striker to shine.

“Then what’s the second one?”

To the natural question, he gave an answer as if he had been waiting for it.

“A momentary change of position. If Mark Utna or Ozkan come through, drop down to the second line instead of the flank and wait for the opportunity.”

“……hmm.”

I kind of like this one.

“Keep in mind, you can’t stick to this method. Defenders aren’t scarecrows. Put your primary option first, but mix in the second method once in a while. Got it?”

“… … .”

“Okay?”

“… … .”

“… … Hanul.”

“okay.”

* * *

The professional stage gives a different feeling every time.

My time in the second division in Cologne was also a professional stage in the fourth division, so I learned a lot, but it is incomparable to my experience in the first division.

Which foot do you use most, where do you prefer to utilize space, and what other defensive habits do you have?

The advance information about specific defenders was detailed and dense, and the tactical battles over more complete players also boasted a superior level.

Same goes for me.

Looking back, I felt like I had learned a lot, but before I knew it, I was given new things to learn.

It is a similar position with similar tactics as the national team, but there is a dilemma because there is no need to cooperate with Modeste smoothly…

Boom!

That’s all for my random thoughts.

3 minutes in the second half.

Immediately after regaining possession, central defender Julian Chabot, who had been working hard on the build-up from the back in the friendly zone, attempted a bold ground pass.

Urrrrrrr.

It was a super long-distance pass that cut through the central area and reached the heart of the enemy lines in one go.

“Hold the line!”

“Philip! Tight!”

Phew!

As the official ball rolled toward the second line center, Modeste, without any resistance, the opposing defense responded with a rough physical fight.

Even though he used a series of tricks, such as sneakily hitting the gorilla’s thigh with his knee and grabbing its side with his hand, he didn’t see much benefit because the gorilla’s hide was very thick.

Anthony Modeste, that guy is really bad.

Boom, roll-

However, the ball bounces a few paces away from Modeste’s easy back pass attempt, and Mark Utt, who has been scurrying into the space, gains possession.

“Little one!”

And at that moment, he asks me to do a link play, but for some reason, I don’t feel like doing it.

Not because of the word brat, but because of the given circumstances.

Jjiik-

It wasn’t, but the opposing central defender and my new marker, Nico Schletterbeck, grabbed the back of my jersey with a vicious grip.

Boom!

I would like to try to break through with the ball rolling under my feet, but since I haven’t been able to get into the box in time, the probability of being stopped in the first place is… … about 99 percent.

If you’re really unlucky, the referee might not blow the whistle, so we’ll wait until next time to try to create a scoring chance ourselves.

Kwuk!

So now, I’m bracing myself for the impact from behind by stamping my soccer cleats deep into the grass.

It was a fight that could be won if you held out for just one moment, with a one-touch pass.

* * *

On the other side of the Cologne bench.

Remperle, who had been warming up since halftime and returned to his seat following the coach’s instructions, has a sullen expression on his face.

“… … He’s good even if he’s on top.”

“That’s right. The balance of distribution is incredible. From a defender’s perspective, attackers like that are a headache.”

“Ugh, is that a headache?”

The person who received the message was Benno Schmitz, who was sitting next to him.

The veteran, who remained on the field until the end due to a minor injury, was amazed by Seong Ha-neul’s pre-game movements, the accuracy of his passes, and even his subsequent movements.

“Well, that’s right. I held on despite being outnumbered and outstrength. Just before receiving the ball from Uth, you opened your shoulder to the right and received it, right?”

“Isn’t that what you were trying to link up for? You have to pass the 2-on-1 again.”

“For something like that, he received it perfectly with one shoulder. If he had given up his back, he would have been pushed back and fallen, but this was a good move by the attacker. The passing motion was the same. Did you see it?”

“……no.”

Meanwhile, inside the stadium, Mark Utt received a pass from Seong Ha-neul and crossed the center of the box before shooting directly.

Aaaah-!

The home fans collectively let out a sigh as the ground shot aimed at the left side of the goal was blocked by the goalkeeper.

But that was only for a moment.

A huge figure ran towards the goal, put its foot down, and soon explosive cheers filled the stadium.

Whoaaaaah!

It was Anthony Modeste’s goal, scored at the right moment after smelling the goal.

“Good!”

“Let’s go all the way to the reversal!”

The two also gave a round of applause and shouts of encouragement. It was a perfect start, as it was an early equalizer in the early part of the second half.

But as the conversation continued, a look of worry appeared on Remperle’s face.

“Anyway. To continue what I was saying, Hanul didn’t put much force into the pass. From here on out, this is just my guess, but he probably expected to get kicked.”

“… … Did you expect to get kicked? By the opposing defender?”

“Yeah. In situations like that, interference is bound to occur without the referee blowing the whistle. It’s a good idea to appeal the foul as soon as you feel it, but you can also proceed with it in mind, like you did just now.”

“Does that make sense?”

Despite the skeptical look in his eyes, Schmitz nodded with conviction.

“Why not? The world is big, and there are plenty of guys who are good at kicking the ball. Of course, it could just be luck, but judging by how he looked on the training ground, it wasn’t all luck.”

“… … .”

“Even Mark Ut. How was your last shot?”

“It was a bit… dull, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right. But it was a reasonable choice. Modeste was rushing in from the left. It was too close for the goalkeeper to catch, so I just kicked without any pressure and with all my might. It would be nice if it went in on the first try, and even if it didn’t, there was a high chance of my team scoring.”

“… … Yes. But do you have the leisure to think about all that and play? I’m not ignorant of the theory, but applying it in actual combat is a completely different story.”

“If you have talent, that’s all you need.”

“What if I don’t have talent?”

“You have talent just from the start, if you’ve made it to the first team. However, if you feel that you’re lacking… … you have to practice. Whether it’s a habit or a custom, you have to practice countless times until you can instinctively make the right choice. If you think about it, Modeste and Hanul are both competitors for your position.”

That’s right.

That was the problem. The kid who played on the right flank was also doing well up front, so I started to feel dizzy.

“So don’t just look at them as cute because they’re young, but watch them a lot and learn from them at times like this.”

“If I learn, will I ever get a chance?”

“Well, you scored goals this season too.”

“That’s… … .”

“First of all, I don’t think Hanul or Modeste will stay for long. If you wait, the opportunity will come. Until then, wait long.”

“… … .”

Then suddenly, Remperle’s pupils dilate at Schmitz’s meaningful remark.

It was only for a moment that I managed to control my mind with great difficulty.

As the game time passes, the positive mindset quickly fades.

Charruruk!

In the 7th minute of the second half, he joined Ozkan in the center and made a 2-on-1 pass, and then reacted to Mark Ut’s movement and made an exquisite penetrating pass with the outside of his right foot.

‘Ahhh! Whoosh-‘

Around the 15th minute, he connected with a left-footed volley shot after receiving a header pass from Ljubicic on the other side of the box, hitting the top right corner of the goal and drawing a sigh from the manager.

Three minutes later, he reversed positions and attempted a trick by receiving a heel pass from Mark Utt and pretending to shoot. He then made another run to the right side of the box and succeeded in delivering a strong ground cross in front of Modeste’s feet.

Thump, thump, thump~

‘Hey, you idiot!’

‘… … .’

‘Why can’t you put it in unless it’s your head-ah!’

Although he was excessively angry at his teammates for wasting big chances, there was no denying that he was excelling as a striker.

As if he was the front-line striker all along, he was tearing apart Freiburg’s compact defense.

“It really looks like it’s going to be a long and dirty look.”

But his chance comes too.

The score was tied 2-2 until the 25th minute of the second half. Both teams were still tied, but players who were starting to feel exhausted began to come out.