Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 137



Only Krnovel

Episode 137 Freedom and Responsibility (4)

After the DFB Pokal match between Cologne and Freiburg, I slowly began to feel the interest and reactions of people around me.

That makes sense, who would pay attention to a domestic cup match in Germany when they don’t watch the European Champions League matches?

But at least in the big cities of western Germany, filled with citizens who are half-mad about football, there was a consistent narrative flowing out all day long.

[We’re going to Berlin!]

[The strange, dramatic and bizarre things that happened at FC Köln]

[“If he wants to” Immediately after the position change: Steffen Baumgart talks about Sung Ha-neul’s striker usage]

[Final opponents are RB Leipzig or Union Berlin. Will the 39-year-long wait end?]

[TV star, Ryan Yannick. “If Cologne wins I will jump into the Rhine.”: This is strictly prohibited by law.]

From major news outlets to daily newspapers and women’s magazines, every media outlet in Cologne has jumped on the bandwagon and spread the news of the DFB-Pokal final on their street news stalls.

Thanks to the excessive kindness of my driver, Guwi Aziz, I was able to read a more detailed review article on my way to school.

It was a post-game review written by a sports media outlet.

“Cologne wins 3-2 against Freiburg, advances to DFB-Pokal final for the first time in 39 years.

: FC Köln have the chance to win the Bundesliga for the fifth time in their history (1967-68, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1982-83) after beating Freiburg 3-2 on Tuesday night. The final will be played at the German capital’s Olympiastadion on May 21, with the winner of the match between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin.

The home team played a tight game from the beginning at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion and, despite conceding an early goal, won the ball back high up the pitch to complete the comeback win.

– Niels Pettersen and Nicolas Hoeffler score first.

It looked like Cologne would be the favourites to score first, but the first goal came from the other side. Freiburg took advantage of the uncertainty in the Cologne defence… … .

…

…

…

-Seong Ha-neul encourages the team.

Despite conceding two goals, Cologne wanted to keep the game in check and the youngest player in the team did so on his own feet. With Freiburg on a fierce counterattack early on, Jonas’ cross from the left flank was headed in by Mark Uth, who changed direction and headed the ball into the net with an eye-popping overhead shot (26′).

And in the second half, Stefan Baumgart changed Sung Ha-neul’s position to a striker in line with Freiburg’s tactical change, and he continued to show outstanding performance.

He connected with a volley shot from Ljubicic’s header pass and hit the right goal post (60′)

In the 63rd minute, he shook off his marker and penetrated deep into the penalty box, creating a decisive scoring opportunity for Modeste with a powerful cross near the goal line.

Plus, the heel pass to Mark Ut in the second half of extra time is a priceless sight that shows the brilliant talent this player possesses.

Mark Uth, who had a chance at the penalty spot, finished smoothly to the right of the goal (90+5′) to give Cologne a 3-2 win and secure their place in the final.

hmm.

The main details of the game are listed, and below that are the player ratings.

Mark Ut and Modeste are both 2 points (scaled from 1 to 5, lower is better), Ljubicic, Ozcan and Skiri are all 3 points, and I am of course 1 point.

It was in some ways an inevitable result, as he was selected as the best player of the match.

If I had one very minor complaint, it would be that despite all this activity and praise… … my school life hadn’t changed much.

No, actually, it was more heartbreaking.

“Really? You’re going to Frankfurt this summer?”

“Yeah. It’s called World Club Dome and it usually opens in early June and there are a lot of DJs there. I don’t really enjoy EDM (Electronic Dance Music), but I’m in a band anyway. Music is all about having a variety of experiences. I’m going to go check it out this time.”

“Wow, are you going with your family?”

“No, just me.”

What’s with that band thing?

Ralph Pfaff, who has now achieved a certain level of superiority (which is annoying, but true) beyond our rivalry in the classroom, brags about it in a very arrogant tone.

Frankfurt?

Oh my.

“I’ve been there too. Deutsche Bank Park, right? They played in a huge stadium with a whopping 58,000 seats. I don’t know anything about Frankfurt… .”

“… … .”

“……why?”

“It’s nothing. I was going to say something because you looked unusually ugly, but on the other hand, I also wondered why you were acting like this… … Ugh!”

Jonas Dr. I was about to pay the price for this foolish otaku’s equation, when the nagging girl started nagging me.

“Hanul! But what if you strangle her? It’s dangerous.”

“It’s dangerous. I wonder if something could happen if I just squeeze your arm a little?”

“What I mean is-”

“Why don’t you hit me with a honey chestnut instead?”

“Yeah, no, that’s not it… … .”

“Ouch! Why are you hitting me again!”

“He said he would hit me with a hammer.”

Amidst the looks of resentment and bewilderment, I turn my head in response to a gentle tap on my shoulder.

The one who spoke in short sentences was Morsi the Black Panther, while the one who stuttered was Lisa Weiss, a Polish schoolgirl.

“Have you seen this?”

“Well, the two of us decided to do something as a hobby.”

“What is it?”

“Scrap the article.”

“……oh?”

Perhaps because she had dexterity that was on a different level from that of other guys like me, the notebook thrust before her eyes felt quite neat.

There’s no need to go this far.

Immediately after using up my daily ‘humility quota’, I was about to open my notebook out of pride, but somehow, I blushed and took it back.

“I, I’ll read it for you. Just looking at it is a bit… … .”

“Oh, well, that’s what it is. But I’ve read most of the articles. The driver took care of them for me.”

“Okay. Then I’ll read what came out this morning. The most interesting one.”

In a bold move that belies the phrase “the most entertaining thing ever,” Lisa Weiss prefaced her piece with the words “This is from Bild.”

It’s already exciting.

Bildrani.

The best tabloid in Europe, not just Germany. Prepare yourself mentally so that you don’t laugh in vain after hearing such nonsense.

“April. The cold winds of winter have passed and the spring air is in full bloom. But for professional sports, this is the time to prepare variations for summer.”

“… … It’s unexpectedly poetic.”

“Right? Is that okay to hear?”

“Okay. Keep going.”

“Professional clubs in each European country are already evaluating their performances. From England and Germany to Italy, Spain, and France. If you were to count the famous teams in each country, there would be dozens, but in reality, only a very small number of teams survived. Those who are ‘still’ free in the evaluation yardstick. Real Madrid and Manchester City, Villarreal and Liverpool. Those who advanced to the Champions League semifinals and whose final performances for the season have not been determined… … .”

However, it seems like the content is more substantial than I expected, considering I had prepared myself mentally.

In the top five leagues, Chelsea and Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions League in England. In Spain, Barcelona and Sevilla were eliminated early. In Germany, Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Wolfsburg, and Leipzig were all excluded, and the same goes for Italy and France.

“… … Even though a certain team finished third in the group stage and advanced to the Europa League finals (the third-placed team in the Champions League group stage automatically enters the Europa League round of 16), they are still competing, but even if they win the championship, it will not be an achievement worthy of their reputation. That is why now is the right time to make a new plan. And at the center of it all is Sung Ha-neul.”

“ok?”

I questioned the sudden statement for a moment.

The girl from Poland continues to speak stubbornly.

As expected, they are descendants of the Winged Hussars (Poland’s elite cavalry unit). They charged in front of tanks on horseback… … They were indeed stubborn.

“There were strong links to Arsenal around the winter, but it is Manchester United who are showing the most interest. Manchester United, who had a historic transfer window with the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Christian Ronaldo under Solskjaer, have sacked their manager due to poor performances. Ralf Rangnick has been in charge as interim manager since November. However, with the public assessment that ‘this could be the worst season since the launch of the Premier League’, a major reshuffle seems inevitable. With Sung Ha-neul’s transfer fee estimated at less than €30 million, Manchester United have recently sent scouts to Bundesliga matches… … .”

“Wait, wait a minute.”

“Huh? Why? There’s also the Paris Saint-Germain story. They’re also said to be in total disarray. There’s also Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, West Ham, Ajax, Benfica… .”

“… … That many?”

“huh.”

Then suddenly, a feeling of doubt creeps into a corner of my heart.

“Well, it’s like making up stories. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

“I’m not making it up. There are many more than just here.”

“My transfer rumors?”

“Yes. Yes, it’s been like that since before.”

There are more than a few witnesses to dismiss this as empty talk. Even Jonas Drur and Sophie Hertz have spoken out.

“Yes, there are three or four transfer rumors coming out every day. What is it?”

“… … My grandfather was worried too. He said that I would probably leave before Modeste.”

Hmm.

Alex Pasek never said a word to me.

It would be right to trust the agent rather than listen to rumors, but on the other hand, there was also something to fit in.

Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was scratching my head over a phone call from Bayern Munich? Maybe they didn’t tell me on purpose because they were afraid I would be psychologically shaken.

however-

“… … Isn’t that not right?”

“what?”

“Um, nothing.”

The worries don’t last long.

It was because I could have just asked directly what I didn’t understand, but more than anything, I heard words from the other side of the classroom that I could never ignore.

[… … with Claudia?]

[okay.]

[Just the two of us?]

[We’ll have to wait and see. But for now, we decided to go together in the summer. If it’s fun, we can go together again at the end of the year. Austria or Belgium, anywhere would be fine.]

Our eyes met for a moment, and Ralph Pfaff looked at me with a blank expression.

Have you finally gone crazy?

This was a serious provocation and clearly crossed the line.

I could laugh it off and ignore that glaring remark, but the moment you mention the name Claudia, things change.

“don’t do it.”

“……what?”

“Don’t do what he wants. You’re so much better than that.”

“… … .”

If Sophie Hertz hadn’t grabbed my wrist at that moment, I would have made a fuss.

In soccer and human relationships, timing is important, so once you stop, you hesitate to rush in again. It was because the face of the captain bear came to mind belatedly.

I can’t disappoint the director.

Of course, I had no intention of just letting it go.