Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 171



Only Krnovel

Episode 171: There are no weak animals

All I know about Belgium is that it is famous for its waffles. I learned that it suffered during World War II, being caught between Germany and France, but I had never been there, so I knew nothing else.

Is it any different because it’s soccer?

Although it has an official name, ‘Jupiler Pro League’, like the Bundesliga, I didn’t know about its unique style.

‘The Belgian league is characterized by technical and physical collisions, that is, a style of play that utilizes physicality. It doesn’t necessarily mean just physical contact. It is very tactical and actively utilizes individual tactics, especially on the flanks.’

‘side?’

‘Yes. There are a lot of wingers who want to advance to the top league. There is a significant difference in level across the league, but it means that the top teams in Belgium can do well in the Bundesliga. Even more so in a one-off match.’

Analyst Hannes Dold sees it this way:

When we actually collided in the stadium, I could feel it on my skin.

The opposing team’s tactics were 433. As expected, they chose a defensive counterattack method, switching to 442 in defensive situations and sitting deep, but in offensive situations… … they were much more active than expected.

Thud, thud!

First of all, the tempo is fast.

From the back line of the opposing team to both flanks of our own team, they pushed forward with just a couple of passes and put a lot of pressure on Cologne’s high defensive line.

In addition, the unique asymmetric tactics added to the confusion of the defense.

“Get your position, get your position! You’re leaning too far to the left!!”

The one who shouted was Marvin Schwabe, the team’s goalkeeper.

As Brugge’s right-wing striker Skou Olsen dribbled up from the second line, central midfielder Kasper Nielsen approached very closely, following striker Zutgla. As a result, the team’s defense moved to the left, and the warning sounded.

But it was too late.

Phew!

As the striker is enduring the pressure of the defenders along with the winger running along the sideline, the ball heads towards the feet of the central midfielder who approaches from behind, and soon flies to the other side of the field with a sound like something popping.

A clean change of attack direction.

The subsequent developments are also excellent.

As left-wing attacker Kamal Sowa completely killed the power of the ball with just one touch, it soon led to a one-on-one with Benno Schmitz on the edge of the box.

Ah, Whibus.

It makes no sense that our right central defender is shifted to the left. But if that were to happen in reality, the current situation would result.

Unreasonable fight. Beno Schmitz may be a great kicker, but he is not a great defender, especially when it comes to speed.

Tick, tick, tick-tock!

Three short touches of the ball followed by one long touch for a decisive throw. That was enough for No. 19 Kamal Sowwa to rumble through his own half.

From the movement of the feet and knee joints, thigh muscles, and waist that holds the center of the upper body, to the arms, the entire body was full of elasticity, and after kicking the ball in a straight line, they competed in speed.

Then, the friendly winger makes a decision like a veteran.

If you want to block it by force, it should be a free kick from at least 19-20 meters away, and in the worst case, a penalty kick with a red card. You reluctantly open the way and wait for the next step.

If you think back to his form in the practice match, you would think he would try to make a sliding tackle in time to connect a cross to the center.

This time again, the opponent’s play went beyond expectations.

Kwuk!

Anyone can tell by the way his right foot stamps the grass. Direct shooting. Instead of vaguely timing his shot, he shoots as soon as he gets close to the ball.

The angle is at most 30 degrees? Or less.

“That?”

The left corner of the box. Because he hit it again, it was closer to the goal line than the goal, so not only Beno Schmitz but also I, who was watching from afar, let out a word of bewilderment. The problem is… … Marvin Schwabe also had the same thought.

okay.

I’m talking about our team’s goalkeeper.

Clang, clang!

The price of carelessness is severe. A shot that is buried deep in the grass is aimed between the goalkeeper’s legs, and although the person trying to react as quickly as possible, it ends up hitting the back of his calf and deflecting.

[Wowaaaaaaaaa-!!]

“……under.”

And so, we gave up the first goal.

In just 6 minutes of the first half.

* * *

Could an early goal have woken up Cologne?

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Club Brugge continued to attack in their own way, riding on the cheers of the home crowd, while we were unable to play our own game.

So, in the middle of the first half, there are quite a few issues worth pointing out.

“Come up! Come up! You’re going too low!”

First, the defensive line went beyond the center line and approached the box. It was so bad that I, as a striker, had to shout.

Of course I understand. It must be burdensome. If Cologne pursues possession-oriented football with a focus on the center, the opponent is thoroughly pushing counterattacks with a focus on the sides. It must have been detrimental to the two wing defenders, Jonas and Schmitz, to have to go up high in attack situations.

Because of the psychological burden, I get pushed, pushed, and pushed again, and before I know it, I get closer to the goal.

“Rempel!”

“I know. I made a mistake earlier. I’ll move more.”

“The left side needs to be narrowed down too!”

And the second problem is… … it falls behind in absolute activity level.

Since our team is not running as much as the opposing team, the passing lanes are blocked and there is no room to safely pass from the back. Mark Utt’s presence alone is not enough, so he has to urge the attackers on the left and right wings.

shit.

This is what a soccer game is like.

Does Club Brugge have the physical strength of an iron man? No, it’s just a tactical choice.

Clearly, the opposing coach ordered them to go strong early on. Even if they gave up the initiative in the game, they could take the atmosphere into their own hands.

To my chagrin, it worked. If you don’t get results, it’s over-pacing, but once you do get results, it becomes a ‘reasonable investment’.

So what can I do?

“I have to solve it based on myself.”

“… … I want to say something, but I have no choice but to agree. No one is normal right now.”

Within, Mark Ut’s answer is not heard and he immediately moves to a different location.

Due to several issues, the gap between the defense and the mid-offensive line has widened, and the numerical disadvantage in the offensive line has continued to occur… … so we have no choice but to somehow develop it through individual ability.

When the defensive momentum dies down, the sharpness of the offense also disappears, and conversely, when the offense becomes sharp, defense also becomes easier.

* * *

First half extra time.

Sargis Adamian, one of Cologne’s most attacking players, wipes the sweat from his forehead.

A thick beard framed his face along the curves, some of it extending down to his neck, adding to his masculine charm. His thick eyebrows and prominent nose bridge also added strength to his strong-looking impression.

But above that, the brown shining eyes do not show the usual will.

It’s a tough game.

The defenders pressed him hard because of his natural physique, and the referee didn’t blow the whistle often, so he just threw it around a few times without meaning to.

The score was still 0-1, trailing by one point.

“Phew.”

On the other hand, the suffering was not entirely his, so sighs and a thud came from all directions.

Another shot that hits the goalpost.

My heart sinks but I am not surprised as Club Brugge’s attackers swept through our own half like fish in water.

In reality, despite all these difficulties, the economic indicators are half and half.

Cologne had the lead in possession and their opponents had the most shots, but that didn’t mean that either side had complete control.

[Wow-]

The reason is that the team’s ace ran up to the left side of the center line under the boos of the home fans.

Wheeeeeek!

The ball, kicked long by central defender Huibers, soared as high as the second tier of the stands, and soon fell down the left sideline.

With no players around to ask for help, it’s entirely up to Sung Ha-neul whether he can keep the ball or not.

width-

Determined to burn off some of his energy in the first half, the boy runs as if he is going to go outside the sideline, then extends his right foot, completely dissipating the power he has put into the ball.

A high-quality ball touch that doesn’t bounce back even after landing on the grass from the instep.

From the start of the game until the end of extra time in the first half, the opponent’s defense was so strong that a fight broke out between the midfielder who approached from behind.

Tick, chin.

Sung Ha-neul checks the distance between the two sides through the feeling of their arms touching once or twice, and then turns his body in an instant. Not to break through, but to face the defender and then jump out.

Shudder.

And that moment is literally given as a ‘moment’.

The moment he turned to the left, he touched the ball again with his right foot before the opposing player could react. He pushed the ball a couple of steps away along the left sideline.

“Where-”

Just as he was about to follow me and push my shoulder in, he slammed on the brakes.

After 45 minutes of the first half, the boy has finished the stage of examining and adapting to the stadium environment, so he steps with his left foot to prevent slipping. On the other hand, the opposing defender was in a hurry, so he slipped with his right foot and his body center of gravity shook greatly.

‘Should we go for the center?’

Sargis Adamian’s prediction was wrong again.

Just a little bit more, just a little bit more.

After giving the opposing defender time to regain his balance, he draws a trajectory parallel to the sideline while his center of gravity is leaning forward… … swish. He scrapes the top of the ball with the sole of his right foot and puts it between his opponent’s legs.

After that, if you go outside the line, the race ends.

However, there was no need to go back outside.

The defender, who had completely lost his balance due to two tricks, tried to forcefully chase after the ball, but ended up slipping all the way to his opposite foot and falling in place.

Sargis Adamian was inwardly impressed by this.

You can jump like that too.

It’s so great to have such a young kid and such a player at that level as a teammate.

“Hanul, come inside!!”

Then, suddenly, Mark Ut’s shout snaps him back to his senses. He should have made a move to dig into the box a long time ago… … He made a mistake.

As I watched Sung Ha-neul’s performance, which really ignited the engine from the middle of the first half, I naturally lost my mind.

That’s understandable, because right now he’s carrying three opposing players.

Perhaps because he grew bigger and stronger during his break, the boy competes in a similar but different way to last year.

To reduce sudden braking and acceleration, and to be more delicate and flexible, while at the same time being able to pass the ball at any time, he put aside compact football for a moment and mixed his aggressiveness with his footwork, pushing all the way from the sideline to the left side of the box.

and.

After forming a three-sided encirclement with the opposing wing defenders, central defenders, and midfielders, he extends his leg. Just before the collision, he avoids the ball by scraping it with the sole of his left foot, and then kicks it shallowly with the top of his foot.

The height is only about ankle-high.

But once you shift control to your right foot, you’re presented with a new choice.

With all the pass paths to the ground blocked, he tipped the ball up onto his toes and passed it to Mark Ut, who charged towards the left of the goal.

Boom! Boom!!

[Ahhhhh!]

Although the determined shot hit the upper left corner of the goal and bounced out of the goal line, it was clear who was responsible for keeping the first half tight.

Beep!

Moments later, as the referee blows the whistle to signal the end of the first half, Sargis Adamian approaches the boy and apologizes for his mistake just now.

“Sorry.”

“… … Huh? What?”

“I made a mistake in my positioning during the last chance. I should have taken the center from a position behind Uth, but because I started late, everything went wrong.”

He is now twenty-nine years old.

As he had a considerable amount of experience as a player, it was not difficult for him to admit his own mistakes, and fortunately, his opponent also had the distribution befitting an ace.

“What am I saying? Don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s just Rempelina’s job.”

“Hahaha, is that so?”

“Yeah. Besides, I said it myself before the game started. If you have a hard time, give it to me. If you have to take responsibility, I’ll take it. It’s all my fault.”

It’s great that it conveys a strength that doesn’t match its age…

The score is one point behind, but it doesn’t feel like we’ll lose.

Of course, there were colleagues who tried to correct his little misunderstanding.

“That’s not it.”

“hmm?”

“Our little one is not that kind of human being. He is closer to an animal.”

“what…….”

“No, that’s not true. Do you understand? Just know that.”

“… … ?”

Were you upset because you didn’t score a goal just before?

Adamian downgrades Mark Ut’s rating.

The second half is likely to unfold in a similar manner, so it won’t be enough to continue praising and encouraging Cologne’s young ace.

It seemed like he wasn’t worth his age.