Chapter 269 – Enduring Beauty (4)

269

Coin toss result The match started with our first axis.
Waiting for the referee’s whistle, it is quite strange to see the colleagues standing in their respective seats.

I did my best to prepare for today’s game, but the absolute lack of time was unavoidable, and the unavoidable part was that the three-back tactic instead of the familiar four-back tactic was like a new suit that had not been tamed.

It is unknown how much my colleagues will move as much as they practice in real battle, but one thing is certain.

‘The outcome of this match was entirely up to me.’

Just before preparing for the match against Real Madrid, the manager called me and asked me a random question.

“Can you score more goals against Madrid?”
“Sure.”
“Can you be sure?”
“I am confident.”

Answering with confidence, this time,

“Think carefully and answer. It’s the Champions League final and nothing else. Whether you win or lose, do you have the confidence to bear the consequences?”

Take responsibility for the outcome.
I don’t think I’m going to say it’s all my fault if I lose.

What… It doesn’t matter though.
The director is not such a person, and even if he were, who would respond to the director’s words?

Even if you ask any soccer fan passing by, everyone admits that Newcastle’s success is due to my carry, but if you talk like that, you’ll only get a backlash.

I’m not going to lie, my influence at Newcastle right now is unrivaled.
To such an extent that if the manager had a power game with me he would fly straight away.

“Of course.”
“You can shoulder the responsibility of defeat alone? That accusation?”
“I will be honest. I don’t care at all what other people say. Whether criticizing or swearing, I just go my own way. That is Hong Min-joon.”

Kya~ The comment is jirogo michigo let it go~
So cool, me.

I’m drunk on my own mulberry

“Anyway, don’t you care about your articles? Aren’t you smirking at all the articles praising him?”
“… It just meant I didn’t care about the bad things.”
“Oops. You should heed the harsh words. You can’t get drunk on nice words and pick and choose public opinion.”
“Ah, yes. Yes. Yes.”

Write.

“Oh. Look at my mind It’s not different, the reason I asked this question is that you want to gamble only on your skills in the next game. The slightest chance of winning is… It’s just your sparkling talent.”

Yes, talent.
The reason we came out with three bags in the first place was for me.

What tactic are you talking about…

Beep, beep!
The game started with the referee’s whistle.

Sakum Shakki, who played with me as a two-top player, pushed the ball and delivered it to the back with one touch.
What took over was Luke, who was at the center of the three-back.

Originally a 3rd midfielder, Luke is a player who is in charge of the team build-up along with Jose Gaya and has a good knowledge of passing, especially long passes.

The concept of our three-back today is La Salida Lavolpiana, also known as La Volpiana, which became famous when senior Ki Sung-yong took on a role in the national team… A modified version of .

Luke, who is in charge of the last build-up, sits between the main center backs.
At the same time, the center bag is wide open on both sides while replacing the side defense, the left and right wingbacks come inside and are located in the half space, and Jose Gaya, the center of another build-up, stands side by side with Luke and forms two control towers.

At this time, the goalkeeper and the two midfielders form a pass path, naturally creating a pentagonal position.
The pentagonal position in the center provides a variety of passing paths for the two playmakers, and even if Real Madrid’s forward pressure is stronger than expected, the centre-back on the flanks is the last option.

Real Madrid players may have their own pressure players, but with such a surprise formation, and even a completely unexpected tactic, it will take time for even the Real Madrid players to designate a marksman again.

Even if individual skills were lacking, it was a strategy that if it was a rear build-up based on this much numerical superiority, it could withstand the strong front pressure of Real Madrid.

In the last game, we had to lose helplessly without even trying to build up a build-up down to Real Madrid’s strong forward pressure.

In fact, the real Madrid’s two full-backs were blown away by our unexpected tactics.

When we mark the center bag located on the side, the full-back, who is a defender, goes into the opponent’s center-back line and presses it, so the back is empty.

It is a tactic based on numerical superiority, but the pressure of Real’s attackers and midfielders is clearly threatening, creating a precarious situation, but each time, Luke and Jose Gaya, located in the two control towers, appropriately use the center back and goalkeeper located on the side, I used to go through crises.

Fortunately, the build-up itself is not collapsing like in the first game, so the tactical change seems to work… Even so, it seems that the fundamental difference in the players’ ability to struggle is unavoidable.

If you give it time like this, despite the numerical advantage, it will collapse from the rear build-up like the first game.

‘Thank god. There will be a decision before then.’

By the time Real Madrid players are getting used to our build-up.
When the opponent’s pressure gradually becomes more effective, and Luke and Jose Gaya manage to keep possession.

The moment the ball hit Luke’s feet, his eyes met.
Finally.

“Go!!”

With a shout, the ball shot by Newcastle’s best long passer rises high.

The two Real Madrid players quickly catch up as soon as they begin to sprint to the side, twisting sharply before the ball leaves Luke’s feet.

But the ball didn’t go this way.
A ball falling towards Sakum Shakhi, which is positioned exactly on the half line.

Sakum Shakki and Real’s centre-back, who had been marking him, soared into the air almost simultaneously.
Even Real’s center back, who is taller than 184cm Sakum Sakki, couldn’t beat the African physical monster, or maybe it was thanks to preoccupying the spot where the ball would land through countless practice sessions.

“Red!!”

The moment the two monsters jumped, I turned my body in the opposite direction like lightning, and the ball fell in the direction I was going.

“… !!”

One step… No, there was a player who blocked it with his shoulder half a step ahead.

Alex Tillian.
Real Madrid captain and best centre-back in the world.

Now in his mid-thirties, despite his physical abilities being inferior to those of his prime, the guy who responded promptly with his excellent judgment was occupying the seat before me.

‘No, why is this man so different!?’

I realized it with just one shoulder fight.
You can’t win by competition.

He’s in his mid-thirties, he’s nabal, and it’s possible for a monster like Sakum Shakki to fight and win against a centre-back.

‘Aside?’

It’s hard too.
No matter how fast I was, I didn’t have enough time to bypass the opponent while the ball was falling. Besides, Alex Tillian is still lacking compared to his prime, but he is still a semi-professional center back.

Wasting a few opportunities in this game so futile, and that because of my lack of ability?
It can’t be.

He gritted his teeth and shrugged his shoulders.
The moment Alex Tilly Ang steps out in the slow time, the moment his balance is disturbed, I give strength to his shoulders.

“… !!”

It’s a success.
The guy with a surprised expression was able to preoccupy the seat thanks to his staggering… It was too late to turn around.

In the slowed down time, I think while looking at the slowly falling ball.

‘Back pass?’

No.
Sakum Shakhi is far. The first thing to do is to be surrounded by opponents.

I’m confident in protecting the ball even when surrounded, but… If time drags on, the opponent’s defense will eventually come back. And the real players who noticed our strategy won’t do it again.

There are several more prepared strategies, but if you get stuck like this from the beginning…

‘No. How much did I say!! First half… We need to score at least 2 goals in the first half to tie the game!’

But how?
This bizarre ability slows down time, but it cannot stop it.

A ball that descends slowly, slowly, but constantly.
In a frustrating situation, the body starts to move on its own.

Naturally, with his back to Alex Tillianheheaded for the falling ball, and jumped up with all his might, taking advantage of Tillian’s body.

Through the overturned vision, I see Tillian with a shocked face.

‘Okay. You look like that too.’

The body, which had been moving steadily while thinking about leisurely thoughts, kicks the ball straight out of the air.
The ball that was descending rises into the air once more.

The moment when the goalkeeper, who had been stepping backwards with an urgent expression, lost his balance and slumped to the ground.

Silence, followed by a huge shout.
Goal.
It was the opening goal.