Chapter 107 – End of Season (2)

107

The DFB-Pokal, commonly referred to as the Pokal Cup, is run on a one-elimination basis.
The two halves last 90 minutes, and in the case of a draw, a 30-minute overtime period will be played, and if the score is tied, the final winner will be determined through a penalty shoot-out.

Since every game is a one-legged match, as with other single-legged games, surprises often occur, and even teams such as Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and Schalke, the traditional powerhouses, are eliminated in the early rounds.
In fact, in the 2021/2022 season, 4 teams, half of the teams advancing to the quarterfinals, are 2nd division teams.

Due to the wide range of participation from professional to amateur teams, matches between professional teams and amateur teams are often concluded.

According to the rules, if a professional team and an amateur team compete, the amateur team will qualify as the home team.
In the case of a match between professional teams, the team drawn first takes home team rights.

In accordance with these rules, the home team of the DFB-Pokal semi-final, which will be held on April 3 at 16:00 local time, is Frankfurt. It was held right at Deutsche Bank Park.

“Yes, this is Deutsche Bank Part, where the semi-finals of the Pokal Cup are held. Oh, the stadium is very full?”
“That’s right! It’s a fairly large stadium that can accommodate over 50,000 spectators, but it’s full of home fans right now. I don’t know if the viewers can hear it, but the chants are still playing.”
“I asked and they said it was called Im Herzen von Europa. They say it’s a cheering song before the player introductions… Ah, the moment I say it, the players are entering.”

The screen that used to illuminate the casters and commentators is converted into a stadium.
Players wearing their respective uniforms were being broadcast as they entered the stadium holding the hands of young children and player escorts.

“The starting lineup. Both teams came out with the same 4-3-3 formation.”
“That’s right. Frankfurt and Hamburg are both teams based on the 4-3-3.”
“Commentator Kim Hyeong-chan. If so, is there a point we should pay attention to?”

In response to the caster’s question, he quickly continued talking while looking at the data the commentator had prepared.

“In the case of the home team Frankfurt, I think we should pay attention to Hong Min-jun. As any viewer who has watched this team’s game knows, Frankfurt’s offense starts and ends at Hong Min-jun’s toes.”
“But there is a noticeable change. The player who served as a strong supporter of Hong Min-jun’s player has been changed to the bench.”
“Yes. Chicharo was in charge of carrying the ball in the midfield camp based on his unique agility, sense, and ability to release pressure. He created space while maximizing the team’s mobility and played a role in reducing the burden on Min-Jun Hong. He’s a good player, but he was lacking in the defensive part.”
“Ah~ Coach Franz Balder focused on defense rather than offense in this match, so that’s what you’re saying.”
“That’s right. It should be noted that the player who played in place of Chicharo was Rivaldo. Apparently, the opponent is Hamburg, a 1st division team, not the same 2nd division team, so we put in Rivaldo, who is more active and has good defense. I see it.”

While diligently explaining the Frankfurt lineup, a local broadcaster caught Hong Min-joon in a single shot. Face close-up.

“Wow~ Hong Min-jun is really handsome. I have over 10 years of overseas soccer broadcasting experience, and I’ve seen many players from Italy and France, countries that are famous for their handsomeness? It’s overwhelming, Hong Min-jun.”
“Yeah… I see. Certainly, this player’s skills are also skills, but he’s also famous for his looks, right?”

The chat window of the two broadcasters is plastered with ‘kkkk.

Haha
—This is steamed lol
ㄴIt’s a sincere commentary, so this is precious.
—But Hong Min-joon would do it…
ㄴㅅㅅ I came to watch soccer, but why do I feel embarrassed…
ㄴ Hong Min-joon ㄱㅅㄲ… Please, 3 cm long…
ㄴYes No, the picture taken during the game before showed all the outlines~ I’m at the level of a black type~
ㄴ Is this country, fuck!!
—ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The two boys next to me suddenly have a questionable squidhaha
ㄴAhahaha Mr. Hong Min-joon slaughters both males and females without discriminationhaha

The caster and commentator, who checked the chatting window that was rapidly rising, regained their senses and continued the process.

“Hamburg. I see quite a few unfamiliar players in the Hamburg starting list.”
“Hamburg, plagued by injuries, had no choice. We already have seven players on the injury list.”
“Ah ~ seven players is serious. Hamburg, which reaped good results in the first half, is in a situation where injuries are constantly appearing in the second half.”
“Yes, that’s right. However, our player Yoon Hyuk struggled alone in the collapsed midfield of Hamburg and established himself as an ace. Already, people say that he is the core of the team.”
“How about Minjun Hong?”
Haha, what a player. Isn’t he already the core?”
“To see two Korean leaguers become key players in their respective teams. Wouldn’t it be great to be happy?”

While the casters and commentators were working hard on the relay broadcast, Manager Choi Hyun-bae’s eyes turned to the ratings graph.

A straight line drawn steadily upward.

‘Done!!’

Female viewers who were drawn to Haechuk fans who were thirsty for the performance of overseas fans and Hong Min-jun, who is famous for his handsomeness, and handsome Yoon-hyeok. On top of that, there are even light fans who have flowed in through the ignorant amount of advertisements.

Choi Hyun-bae rubbed his wet palms on his pants.
He can do it himself as far as attracting viewers. It is his role to create a composition that can arouse her interest, give a story, and pour in advertisements.

However, it is up to the players, not themselves, whether the influx of viewers will end as a one-time event or will remain steady. Now his role is over. The rest is up to the players.

‘So please make a great match!!’

Choi Hyun-bae, who held his hands tightly together, prayed.
Two teams… No, I hope the two Korean players will direct a great match.

* * *

Upon entering, I briefly exchanged greetings with senior Yoon Hyuk.
When she transferred to Barcelona, ​​she thought that only her flower path would unfold… What was put in front of me was not a flower road, but a fireworks road.

Others think that the timing of Kiku was just after the transfer, so he was unlucky… Well, actually, it’s because I carelessly put a point on my height.

I can’t make excuses because I brought it on myself, but it’s rational. How can a person live rationally?
Emotionally it’s a bit unpleasant. No matter how much they recruited them out of necessity, they canceled them in less than half a year. If I had waited just a little bit more, if I had waited for only 6 months instead of 2-3 years, I would have shown a different side of myself.

In some sense, it is rather comfortable.
Because Barcelona showed cool business. In this way, I can move according to my profit and loss without a sense of debt.

That’s how I was unlucky in the eyes of others, but in reality, I was walking on the fireworks road because of my foolishness, while senior Yoon Hyuk was walking on the flower road.

Contrary to the expectation that there would be difficulties in competing for the starting position after moving to Hamburg, which is in the middle of the Bundesliga with strong powers, competitors are suffering from injuries, and senior Yoon Hyuk, who played at the opportunity obtained in that way, melted into the team with unexpectedly outstanding performance.

Both luck and skill matched, and senior Yoon Hyuk successfully landed in the Bundesliga.
Well… Now that I think about it, in reality, senior Yoon Hyuk is Hojin University’s best output. It’s because Yoon Hyuk, who plays in the first division, shows more things right now than me, who plays in the second division of Barcelona.

So, I am more motivated.
Senior Yoon Hyuk is someone I personally like, and I am close with him… Still, a win is a win. When I said hello, senior Yoon Hyuk also had hot eyes. I don’t think today’s match will be easy.

‘I hope senior Yoon Hyuk doesn’t stick with me as my marksman.’

That senior, his technique isn’t great, but his soccer intelligence is the best among Korean players I know.

As he stepped onto the pitch, he reflexively scanned the stands.
Perhaps because it was the semi-finals, the stadium buzzed with fervent chants from more home fans than usual.

But now, what catches my eye is not tens of thousands of home fans, but just two… Not 4 people.
Oh Harin and Yoon Daye, who occupied both sides of their parents.

It was easy to find the parents who sat in the vvip reserved seat thanks to the consideration of the club.
I said hello before the game, but it feels strange to see my parents in the stands right before the game starts.

As a child, even when I was in middle school, when I was in the middle of hearing geniuses, it was natural for my parents to come to watch the game.
He was active at university, at the Olympics, and in Frankfurt, but how long has it been since he played properly in front of his parents?

One year, not two years… The last was three years ago.

‘… I have to do well.’

It’s been a while since I played in front of my parents, I can’t spoil it.

Beep!
The match started with the whistle of the referee.