Chapter 255 – Advice (1)

255

『Only the boat that is certain of victory is the confidence of the coach!』
『Newcastle’s Lauren Botman confident of rebounding in the second half』
『”We win this time!” What is the basis for that?』

The first game after the break, against Chelsea.
Coach Botman’s eloquence at the media day one day before the match drew a lot of attention.

“Lauren Bortman has an image like that, unlike a young director, right? Everyone knows. That old image.”
Haha, I know, I know. He is a director known for being cautious and not funny. Sorry Newcastle fans, but to be honest Bottman’s tactics and interviewing skills aren’t too distinctive. It’s just an expected stable tactic and always similar, unobtrusive answers.”
“Director Botman showed a quite different look this time. He gave away a win notice against Chelsea, right? I think it’s the first time I’ve ever had an unexpected interview with Bottman.”
“At this point, I wonder what strategy he would have prepared against Chelsea. Looking forward to what Botman’s trump card will be in the match against Chelsea, we select Chelsea and Newcastle as the game to watch before the opening of the second half.”

An unprecedented victory declaration by coach Botman, who has only given decent interviews.
The wide-area provocation, which was cast at the official EPL interview, was selected as the ‘Most Notable Game’ in the EPL official preview broadcast ahead of the opening of the second half and became a successful provocation.

Of course, even if it wasn’t for the aggro of the boat, it would have attracted a lot of attention like a big match between the 3rd and 4th places in the league.

The match between the two teams that made such headlines—

“Hong Min-jun! This time, Minjun Hong catches the ball. Hong Min-joon, who is reeling from Gustav’s rough defense, but manages to connect the pass at the end!”
“That’s great, that player. Despite being under check from Gustav, who is famous for his strength, he protects the ball and even serves as a starting point.”
“But again, the attacking opportunity is for Chelsea. Newcastle and Hong Min-joon’s performance are consistently pushed aside.”

Manager Botman’s boast was being made colorless by Chelsea’s initiative.

“Chelsea under Federico, who won a sweaty 3-2 victory over Newcastle in the first half, came back stronger. What’s interesting is the new containment method for Hong Min-joon, right?”
“It’s similar to the last match, but different, with Mbaba as the dedicated marksman.”

The last Chelsea game, which struggled with Mbaba’s defense based on excellent physical abilities comparable to Hong Min-jun.

However, in the second half, Chelsea, who was swung around by Hong Min-joon, who rapidly raised the gear, and conceded two goals, managed to win a 3-2 victory. This time, Chelsea showed a slightly modified defensive strategy.

“Carl Gustaf, who played as a defensive midfielder, marks Hong Min-joon with a tough competition, and Mbaba covers the cover. Perhaps because of this, it is Hong Min-joon who especially cares about breaking through today.”

Unlike the last game where Mbaba was in charge of 1:1, a Swedish giant fighting dog was added.
Hong Min-jun was unable to even dare to break through the dribble as Mbaba, who held the reins, put Gustav in front and kept him in check from behind.

“Ah~ Even the best dribbler in the EPL is not good enough for Mbaba and Gustaf.”
“No matter how hard Minjun Hong is, it is difficult to shake off the mark of two people. Besides, if those two are players like Mbaba and Gustaf.”

Soccer is a sport in which 11 players, 10 players per team, excluding the goalkeeper, play together.
If 2 out of 10 people mark one, they will inevitably be outnumbered.

Given the importance of ‘numbers’ in modern football, of course Newcastle should lead the game, but

“The resourcefulness of coach Federico shines. I stabbed Newcastle right to the core. Yes. In the end, Newcastle’s destination is Hong Min-jun, and the player who leads it is Jose Gaya.”
“Even though it is a simple but obvious pattern, no team has successfully stopped Newcastle so far, but coach Federico has completely penetrated Newcastle’s pattern. Just look at it I change the player arrangement as if I had read in advance how Newcastle’s pass play would go.”

In the battle of numbers, Chelsea were dominating.

As the saying goes, soccer is a manager’s play, and it is not possible to win in a numbers battle simply by ignorantly putting a lot of players into offense or defense.

It is physically impossible for 11 players to cover a wide ground without gaps, so the key to strategy is how many players can be put into a specific position through selection and concentration, and how many players are put in.

And Federico’s tactics were overwhelming Newcastle.

“Newcastle’s attack from the left. James carrying the ball up. Oh, and again, surrounded by Chelsea players. Every time the ball is there, the Chelsea players have more of a numerical advantage.”
“I feel it every time, but coach Federico is a coach with a knack for overloading. It is no coincidence that there are more Chelsea players than Newcastle wherever the ball goes.”

Wherever Newcastle’s attack went, there were Chelsea players, and when Chelsea attacked, the Newcastle half felt empty.

If you look down at the ground from above, you can see the Chelsea players in blue uniforms moving organically, moving to one side in an instant and then spreading out in an instant.

And the end led to a goal.
The first goal and the second goal.

It was a series of goals that set the key to victory, which would not be difficult for anyone who has watched soccer to guess the outcome of this match.

As expected by most who watched the game, by the end of the first half, Chelsea had a two-goal lead.

“I don’t know what Director Botman believed and assured. Newcastle will have a hard time in this game. It’s early, but I think we can predict the outcome of the game.”
“No, no.”

However, the commentary had a different idea.

“I don’t know yet.”
“Oh, of course it is. In the world of winning, you don’t know until it’s over—”
“I don’t mean that, I really don’t know. Isn’t Hong Min-joon’s strange magic usually unleashed in situations like this?”
“Ah!”
“It’s fair. It seems to me that the situation is similar to the first half. Even the score.”

* * *

Before Lorenzo Federico joined Chelsea, Lorenzo knew Min-Jun Hong even when Hong Min-Jun’s move to Newcastle had not yet been confirmed.
He is a good player with good speed and technique.

His growth was rather noteworthy, but his skills were not astonishing.
In the soccer world, there are always talented players who shine in any era, and among them, sometimes there are outstanding talents who represent the times.

In the eyes of Lorenzo, Hong Min-joon is a player with brilliant talent, but he was not a player who would represent the times.
However, Lorenzo was also surprised by the growth Hong Min-jun showed after entering Newcastle.

From the explosive speed, excellent agility, body balance, technique and determination to compete for the top of the world.
In a short period of time after the World Cup, Hong Min-joon has transformed into a player who can represent the era.

However, when he first faced Newcastle led by Hong Min-jun, Lorenzo was confident of victory.
Hong Min-joon’s growth was amazing, but he was still a player with clear limits and clear weaknesses, and in fact, didn’t it happen as expected until the first half?

And even Lorenzo was dumbfounded by Hong Min-jun’s magical evolution that began in the second half.
What the heck is that How could a player of this level achieve this level of improvement so quickly?

From then on, to Lorenzo, Hong Min-joon became an ‘expected surprise’ player.
Like the legendary players who were active in his youth.
Like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Totti, Iniesta and Messi.

How fun would it be to have a player like that on the team?
What role do you take on… Following the instinct of a tactician, Lorenzo, who was contemplating how to use Hong Min-jun, also found a weakness like an instinct.

‘It’s unfortunate, but Hong Min-joon is at his peak this year. The more he is analyzed, the less active he is.’

So far, the analysis has been destroyed with the strange growth, but that is now the limit.
Hong Min-joon can never be the best if he doesn’t realize his own weaknesses.

Like now.
After the first half, Lorenzo Federico, who was smiling contentedly as he watched his players return, had a sudden idea.

‘Wait. A feeling of deja vu… Come to think of it, it’s the same as last time. Hopefully this time in the second half… Heh, that can’t be.’

Lorenzo Federico’s eyes widened as he prepared for the second half while trying to shake off the strangely creeping anxiety.

“In addition… !?”

* * *

“Minjoon. Victory in this match is up to you. Go out and show everyone. Your passing skills!”

Right before the game, I nodded my head shyly when I saw the coach hold me and speak passionately.

The interview just went out, why is the tension so high these days?
Was my status change that showed me growing in real time was that serious?

Anyway, in order to win the league with hopes left, winning this game is essential, so of course I went into the game with a pledge to win.

As expected, I hope that you will create good opportunities in succession despite the opponent’s checks, which are not easy.

‘… What? Something’s strange.’

It was only after the second goal was scored that I realized what was wrong.