Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 151



Only Krnovel

Episode 151 Struggle (1)

Based on my short but thick experience, life is full of ups and downs.

So this time it’s not much different.

Above all, compared to the past, haven’t things improved a lot?

“Don’t try to do something great. It’s not that you’re out of form because you did something wrong. The season is long, and it’s natural to reach your physical limits at some point.”

“… … Is that so?”

What I have accomplished.

From school friends and teammates within the club, to coaches and managers, to agencies and drivers, everyone around me was helpful in their own way.

“Don’t doubt it. Now is not the time to change your play style, but rather to look back on your innate strengths.”

“Natural advantage?”

“Clean ball touches, fancy footwork, aggressive dribbling, and above all… …a confidence that may at first glance seem excessive.”

After taking responsibility for my actions, I thought I stood up for myself, but some people still think that’s true.

Still, a good thing is a good thing, I nod to Hannes Dold’s advice.

Inside the main training center building.

I don’t know if it was a slump or a temporary decline in form, but I was seeking advice on everything I could to somehow resolve it.

It was easy to see why I was so anxious just by looking at the glass table in the break room.

「[Preview/ DFB Pokal Final, FC Koln RB: Leipzig – By David Parkes]

: On Saturday the 21st, FC Köln and RB Leipzig will battle it out to become champions at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

This is the third final in Leipzig’s history, but they lost to Bayern Munich in the 18-19 season and suffered a crushing defeat to Borussia Dortmund a year ago. That’s why this year’s final has a special meaning for Die Roten Bullen (The Red Bulls).

.

.

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As the 21-22 Bundesliga season comes to an end, Leipzig finished fourth and secured their sixth season in the European Champions League.

Key player Christopher Nkunku has been the man who has filled in for Timo Werner with 34 goals and 20 assists this season.

Of course, the goat herd led by Steffen Baumgart is no slouch either.

FC Köln, at the height of its power throughout the 2000s, turned the tide of the Bundesliga with its signature fierce attacking football.

Despite inevitably showing defensive weaknesses, they finished 3rd in the league.

At the center of it all is the Modeste and Seonghaneul combo.

Anthony Modeste had 20 goals and 4 assists in the league, while Sung Ha-neul had 20 goals and 17 assists, making a combined total of 40 goals.

In fact, the record between Cologne and Leipzig in the league is 2 draws (1:1, 2:2), so we can expect a fierce battle in the final.

Who will be the champion of the 21-22 season?

It is scheduled to be revealed at 6pm on Saturday evening.

Kicker predicted the starting lineups for both clubs as follows:

FC Koln: Timo Horn – Hector, Chabot, Killian, Schmitz – Ozcan, Schiri? Kainz, Ut, Sung Ha-neul – Modeste.

RB Leipzig: Gulac? Halstenberg, Orban, Simacan? Angelino, Kampl, Laimer, Klosterman? Nkunku, Silva, Forsberg.

Look.

The preview of the final, which takes up an entire page of the newspaper, is also included in detail in the local Cologne paper and various sports newspapers.

Regardless of the length of the content, the fact that it is published everywhere means that even if it is a cup match in Germany, it is attracting some attention.

“Stop watching the news. What’s the point of watching it? People are going to be more focused on the Champions League final anyway. Don’t feel pressured.”

“… … .”

Well, of course the interest will be more focused on the match between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

I know that too.

but-

“That’s because I have to do well.”

“… … You didn’t even listen to what I said? In a way, that’s just like you.”

Harness Dold’s complaints are inevitable.

What I pursue is independent survival.

School friends, teammates who have become close friends, the expectations and love of the coaches, etc. I think my relationships with people around me are very good, but on the other hand, that is only complete when one premise is satisfied.

You have to be good at soccer.

No, to be honest… …there had to be something that would get people’s attention, even if it wasn’t necessarily soccer.

That ‘something’ is soccer now.

“It’s not that I don’t listen. I’m just saying indirectly that it’s realistic and impossible for me given my personality.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Anyway, so what do I do now?”

“… … .”

“I’m serious. I want to do well, and I have to do well. So what’s the right answer? What should I do?”

The sigh is big, but the answer is simple and clear.

“……confidence.”

“confidence?”

“Yes. Be careful not to let your confidence turn into recklessness. Do what you can, but think carefully about what you can do well and what situations will be advantageous for you. When your body doesn’t move the way you want, you have to fill it with your head.”

This was somewhat convincing advice.

* * *

The final Bundesliga match was played on the evening of May 14th.

The Pokal final was a week later, on the evening of the 21st.

This last week is made up of psychological counselling, tailored training in Leipzig, more psychological counselling (Captain Bear never lets his counselling cycle be reduced) and tactical analysis.

It wasn’t that, inside the power analysis room on the second floor of the main building. Head coach Andre Polak was giving a passionate speech to the gathered players.

“Leipzig’s football can be summarized in three characteristics. One, strong forward pressure. They form a high defensive line and force the opposing defenders to make quick decisions and pass connections. Two, quick offense-defense transitions. Once they win the ball through forward pressure, they don’t hesitate. Everyone knows that, right?”

“Yes.”

“The third is high level of organization. The movement, coordination, and linkage between team members are very smooth. Most of the time, they play a set role, but they don’t hesitate to move freely when they feel the opportunity. Especially since Nkunku and Forsberg in the second line are both capable of playmaking. Of course, this story only describes Leipzig’s overall playing style. You have to notice the tactical instructions or detailed changes from the Leipzig bench on the day and react flexibly on the field.”

Hmm, I see.

– My mind is too complicated to just accept that without thinking.

It’s already Thursday evening.

There is no sign of the physical condition returning to normal.

No, my body is fine, but it doesn’t move the way I want it to, so maybe it’s a problem with my head. At least one of my brain and my neural network is definitely damaged.

If it’s a manifestation of a genetic disease, the latter is more likely… … Sigh, that’s it.

Snap, snap.

I drive away my miserable thoughts by hitting my cheeks, and focus my attention on my phone.

Under the desk out of sight of the coach.

It’s about secretly turning on Messenger and sending text messages.

[What are you doing?]

[……library.]

The answer will come back shortly.

[I’m listening to the tactical analysis. Do you know what Leipzig’s characteristics are?]

[I’m busy. I’m doing club activities.]

As expected of a model student, Sophie Hertz makes it clear with a firm comment that she wants him to stop sending her messages.

Does that mean we should stop?

I will tell you in detail what I heard from André Pollock.

Oh, why Sophie Hertz?

If I didn’t know Lisa Weiss, I would have readily joined in on my conversation, but that’s… …not fun.

[… … I don’t know much about soccer, but I feel like I’m learning something pretty important.]

[Yes, it is important.]

[Then shouldn’t we focus completely on that time?]

[So I’m texting you.]

[… … .]

Look at this.

When I slyly wrote a reply to a question, three or four dots in the middle of the message window appeared and disappeared repeatedly.

Looks like he’s having trouble deciding what to reply.

[I’m talking to you and I’m also organizing it in my head.]

[… … .]

It definitely has a teasing feel to it, so I quickly chuckle and raise my head. If I keep fiddling with my phone, I’ll get caught.

As it happened, the head coach was just getting to the point.

“In the league, numbers like 442 and 4231 were mainly mentioned, but analysts predict that three-back is also a possibility.”

“Then… is it typical of 352?”

“That’s right. They’re going to actively use Angelino and Klosterman, the two wingbacks. They’re going to try to put pressure on their defensive midfielders. At that time, Nkunku and Forsberg will narrow down to the center and focus on the half-spaces. You also have to keep in mind that the opposing midfielders are not afraid to shoot from long distances or make long passes. Julian.”

“Ja.”

“As a central defender, you need to take charge and give instructions to your teammates. Do you remember what we talked about before? About the defensive personnel arrangements?”

“Of course.”

It’s still in the defensive tactics part… …so there’s some room.

[I can’t seem to concentrate these days. What do you do when you can’t focus while studying?]

[… … Take a break.]

[What are you doing to rest?]

[Knitting.]

This is unexpected.

[Knitting? You? What kind of knitting?]

[……socks.]

[Do you mean you have a goal of making socks, or are you actually in the process of making the shape of socks? I’m just asking just in case.]

[You’re… … more than halfway done already? These are real socks.]

iced coffee.

I must confess, I had no idea that conversations with Sophie Hertz would be this interesting.

After all, it’s more thrilling to run away while hitting a hippopotamus’s butt than to play with a gentle sheep.

Yeah, well.

To be honest, it’s probably because my mind is half-crazy from stress, but whatever, isn’t a good thing a good thing?

[But what if there’s a test the next day? Then I can’t just be leisurely making socks.]

[Then… … I guess I’ll have to consider whether it’s more efficient to take a break or to endure and continue. If possible, I think I’ll choose the option that I won’t regret later.]

[hmm.]

[Why, what’s going on?]

Then suddenly, my fingers freeze at the message that comes back.

If I were to affirm it, I would feel like my pride would be hurt, and if I were to deny it… … I would feel like I was acting like a child.

Cook cook.

In times like this, the best way to dodge is to rely on the fingers flying in from the side.

“why?”

“Phone, Tina.”

“… … I’m taking notes. I have to write it down so I don’t forget.”

To Kingsley Ehijibu.

The winger who once took my place in Team Remperle (Tier 1 was naturally Skiri, Jonas, and Schmitz) tilts his head and looks over his desk.

There was a white notebook and pen lying there.

“Why are you doing it on the phone?”

“You know, I’m not feeling so good these days. The ball just won’t stick to my feet.”

“huh.”

“But that’s a ballpoint pen.”

“huh.”

“Don’t you understand? Ballpoint pen.”

“aha.”

“I see you understand now. If I handle that and it accidentally gets stuck to my hand, my leg will be upset and upset. What should I do? You’re five minutes away from a mess, and your fingers are just flashy. Your little finger, thumb, and index finger do a flip-flop? That’s not right. No, it’s not right.”

Unfortunately, one was convinced and one was not.

Taak-!

“evil!”

As Jeong Su-ri screamed in a burning sensation, the eyes of the players and coaches all gathered around her.

I turned around with a tear in my eye, and saw Mark Ut waving his palm around with a rotten smile on his face.

“Oh, sorry. I’m sorry. I interrupted. I’m really sorry.”

“mark…….”

“I’ll explain why later. For now, let’s continue.”

“… … Well, okay.”

Really?

Is that so?

He shoots a look of protest toward head coach Andre Pollock, who is a strict person in everything, but he does not budge.

I’m also trying my best in my own way.

I was just going to take a short break while knitting.

It was unfair.