Chapter 154 – Mezzala (2)

154

RB Leipzig Leipzig.
It is a football club based in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, and was born in 2009 when beverage manufacturer Red Bull acquired SSV Markranstädt, which was in the 5th division at the time.

Anyway, the history of the predecessor, Markranstedt, was refounded in 2009, so it is a young club that is only slightly over 20 years old, but its growth has surpassed that of leading clubs, so to date, Munich, the absolute powerhouse of the Bundesliga. It is considered as one of the few opponents.

Compared to Frankfurt, which has a history of more than 100 years, they are truly great-grandfathers and great-grandsons, ancestors and newborns… In the soccer world, grades are not proportional to history.

When Frankfurt went back and forth between the first and second divisions for promotion and relegation, Leipzig won the Bundesliga title and went on a winning streak.

Compared to the teams with a long history, there is only one background that Leipzig, who can be called a baby girl, could show such rapid growth. Starting with Chelsea, Man City, and PSG, as other emerging clubs that have risen rapidly, it is a time-honored means.

It was just money.

Under the strong support of the parent company Red Bull, they received a lot of criticism for circumventing the Bundesliga’s unique local rule of 50+1 with all kinds of expedients, but anyway, the power of money is so strong that they have risen to become a strong team representing the Bundesliga, so the results alone can be said to be successful. There must be

Of course, I made many Bundesliga fans who hate the appearance of prodigies into anti, but isn’t that the time when they catch up if they do well?
Instead, it is supported by the eastern part of Germany as a counterweight, because it belonged to the communist bloc until the 1990s, and after German reunification, the strong team is almost the only one in the dry eastern part of the country.

Now Leipzig, along with Dortmund, have become the only team in the Bundesliga that can compete head-to-head with Munich.
In recent years, Munich, Dortmund, and Leipzig have shared the championship side by side (of course, although the ratio of one side is very high), forming the top 3 that dominates the Bundesliga.

Frankfurt?
Where will you compare the promotion team, which has just entered the first division after having performed well in the second division? … It should be common sense, but Frankfurt this season has been scary.

A truly dokkaebi team that knocks down even Munich in the first game of the season, causing a sensation, and at the same time losing to a lower-ranking team out of the blue.

“However, after the injury to the core of the midfield, we showed the limits of the small market by winning three consecutive losses. So don’t be afraid today! Avenge the loss in the first half.”

In the 19/20 season, after Julian Nagelsmann, a young coach who just turned 30, Groki Büsen, who was appointed as the second coach in Leipzig’s history in his early 30s, swung his fists passionately.

Although younger than the oldest, the brilliant tactician who led Leipzig to league runners-up last year was as passionate a man as he was young.

“The key to victory is how effectively you block the opponent’s key man. Back number 8, Minjun Hong! We need to stop this Korean from going wild. Even in the midst of losing streak, the scoring continued, all from the tip of one player to the ball delivery to the goal. It’s this guy. But don’t worry. No matter how good a striker is, if the ball is not distributed, he will become helpless. Raise the line to receive the ball as low as possible, and press aggressively!”
“Director.”
“As we practiced in the last tactical training, two players are constantly pressing and backing up, and the surrounding players are ready to go out on cover at any time! The opponent’s center forward is dull and slow, so don’t worry about it, and the Italian on the other side is inexperienced in cut-in play, so it’s enough to keep him from posting crosses!!”
“Me, Director.”
“This player! If we stop Frankfurt’s 8, it’s our win!”
“Director!!”
“Uh? Uh, yes Is it snack time already?”

Wiesen, who was thumping the tactics board with his fist and spewing out passionate words, put on a dazed expression at the call of the man who had come for coaching training. In response to the rumored reaction of being a geek, the man sighed and handed over his paper.

“… You ate a snack 10 minutes ago, and the opposing starting lineup came out to deliver.”
“Oh yeah! Where to look If it was Franz Walder, with the same list… Yes?”

The goalkeeper, who was chewing on a banana, asked, seeing the coach holding the paper and blinking.

“Is that guy number 8 coming out as a goalkeeper?”
“No.”

Wahaha said to the smiling athletes.

“He’s coming out as a central midfielder.”

* * *

“A face I know here, a face I know there, a face I know at the end… It was very upsetting.”

Victor Showwell grumbled as he gulped down his Coke.
Cassie Rockbella asked her senior, politely ignoring the sight of the cola that had not been spilled and landed gently on the head of the man in the front seat.

“Unexpectedly, you have very wide feet, senior. Everyone knows everyone here and there.”
“Of course! Scouting requires wide feet. Don’t you know Human Resources?”
“They’re not human resources, they’re creditors. Be honest. How much did you borrow from them?”
“Ugh! What debt!”

Let go,

“… Not too long ago. Around 3000 euros?”

He laughs shamelessly.
Cathy Rock Bella swallowed her sigh.

“Then when will you pay me back?”
“How much is that! It’s not even 500 euros. I’ll pay you back soon, soon!”

On the subject of borrowing money here and there, he managed to remember the money he borrowed from him, and even the exact amount, so he must be thankful.

It’s already been 2 months since I just said that I will pay it back, so I’m going to do it now.
It’s a rant that I don’t believe in, but I don’t think a person who gets a salary of 100 million won’t take away ‘only’ 500 euros. … Maybe.

Who would believe that this shabby man is the famous scout Victor Showwell, who even has the nickname ‘jewel digger’?

“Sheesh. You’re already so famous It’s been a long time since I’ve been looking for a hidden gem, damn hyena bastards. How dare you cross my jewelry?”

Cathy, who pulled out a 13-inch laptop and put it on her lap, couldn’t stand it and shouted again.

“Senior. Can’t I use my laptop now? Or even a pad or tablet pc. Someone writes scouting reports by hand these days.”
“Noisy. I don’t believe in electronics.”
“Then please write properly. Who do you think is the one who interprets the monstrous letters of your seniors and turns them into reports according to the format? And if you’re going to draw a graph, make it a little more consistent! The stats change every time!!”

As the nagging finally escalated into shouting, Victor subtly added strength to his fingers holding the ballpoint pen.

‘Well… ‘

But still the ugly writing.
I can’t help this. Cathy sighed once more as she finished her self-justification and watched her shake her head from the side.

‘Will our club be okay as it is?’

Wow!
By the time the two finished scouting preparations according to their own style, the crowd cheered in unison.

“The lineup is up. Let’s see… Yes?”
“Why. It’s the same.”
“Different. Position 8 is… It is the center.”

Victor murmured as he looked at the signboard displaying the lineup.

“Center… It’s central Is it possible? Ballkeeping passed. He has the technique to not lose the ball even in the middle of high pressure. He is also good at decompressing. But what about the poor competitive ability, the almost non-existent air supply, and the ballhog temperament? … Interesting.”

Cassie nodded her head as she watched the maniac constantly muttering to herself and scribbling something unknown whether it was an alphabet or an alien language on an old notebook.

‘Yes. I do not know.’

Still, Cathy, who did not listen to her senior’s murmur, mixed her own thoughts with it and made up a scouting report to send to the club. It was clear that seniors would dismiss her as pretty trash, but… If anything, it’s better to look good.

The players come out to the ground to warm up, and exchange the ball lightly.
Observing the situation and trying to guess the players’ condition, the full crowd starts singing chants according to the announcer’s introduction of the players in the hall.

‘It’s already been an hour.’

Looking to the side, the senior, who had been muttering nonstop for an hour and lost himself in his own world, finally came to his senses.

“You know what?”
“Yes? Me?”
“A prospect is a lottery. An unscratched lottery ticket.”
“Are you talking to me, senior?”
“People buy lottery tickets in anticipation of winning first place. But how many of them will win first prize? Everyone knows the truth. That there is little chance of winning. Even so, buying a lottery ticket is the hope and anticipation that you will win.”
“What are you really saying?”
“The lottery ticket price… So hope. People are paying the price they hoped for. The lottery ticket for promising is the same. You never know who will win out of so many promising players in the world. It’s just scratching at a lottery ticket that seems more likely to win.”

Talking to myself again
This wasn’t the first time or two, Cassie turned her gaze to the arena in a sullen tone.

The game just started.
The senior and the player she should observe today, an Asian with back number 8, skillfully turned her cheeks.

‘Wow, your face is shining. The real thing is much more handsome.’

Cathy, who was watching her play one by one like a scout while admiring her face without hesitation, kept one ear open toward her senior like a skilled office worker.

So it was.
What did not miss the senior’s meaningful words?

“But why? I feel like winning the first prize in this lottery is certain.”
‘Lottery ticket… Shall I buy a lottery ticket?’

It wasn’t long before Cassie’s thick lips began to part as she watched the game with a sudden thought.

The number 8, which lightly brushed aside the opposing players clinging to each other as if it were annoying, sends a long pass to the other side, then digs into the half space with great speed.

As soon as he catches the ball again, he neutralizes the pressure with an elegant turn, advances to the front of the final defensive line with a 2:1 pass to the striker, and then the ball, which is lightly taken out between the legs of the defender who is blocking the front, rolls around and jumps up with a gasp. Reach to

“Wow… “

It was then that the muttering of the senior came to Cathy’s ears, who was admiring her graceful yet elegant play.

“It’s a win.”

It was soon drowned out by the loud shouts.