Chapter 299 – A PIECE OF CAKE (3)
299
I knew the effect of the perk was better than expected, but I had to go to the next game before I could feel the effect.
In the FA Cup round of 64, the opponent was Liverpool.
2 years… No, until last year, it could be said that it was a scary opponent that could not be caught off guard, but now?
One season’s sluggishness can be dismissed as a brief or temporary sluggishness, but if it continues for the second year, it can never be called temporary.
Liverpool were obviously in a swamp of sluggishness.
The swamp of sluggishness that began to sink in last season continued this year and has been struggling without getting out of it yet, so Liverpool’s current league ranking is only 5th.
In a league with 20 teams, the excellent performance of being in the top 25% was a terrible ranking that would not be strange to call it sluggish for a team with the status of ‘Liverpool’.
At least, if the results in the Champions League are good, they will make up for it, but to make matters worse.
Last year, Liverpool failed to even qualify for the Champions League, so Liverpool, who went to Europa, was continuing a precarious victory with unstable performance.
Just two years ago, the collapse of the famous family, which had been competing to win the title in the league and the Champions League, against teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid, brought countless handshake requests.
Why did it taste so bad?
Why did Liverpool, which was doing well, break down?
Like hyenas on carrion, Liverpool were thoroughly dug up by rival clubs and journalists looking for weaknesses.
There were some breakaways in the squad, but the quality of the main members is still strong, and it would not be strange to call them champions.
The coaching staff are also known for their competence, and didn’t they bring in a new coach this year to refresh the atmosphere?
Obviously, before the start of the season, new Liverpool manager Stephen Nathan Brynner was confident of Liverpool’s revival, but he couldn’t save the team from sluggishness.
At least one thing left for him now… Just the tenacity to win at least one cup.
With a team of Liverpool’s stature, it was only natural that they had to deliver, and they were all focused on winning the FA Cup, even if it had a chance—
“Liverpool players… My body is heavy. I am helpless.”
“Ah, we have to win this match. The second half starts and there are no wins.”
This game wasn’t too bad.
The Liverpool players who run the game with the unfortunate relay of the commentators gasp for breath with a difficult expression.
“Damn it, damn it! If it wasn’t for the damn Nations Cup…!!”
The Nations Cup is an African continental football competition held every two years.
Liverpool, which had an exceptionally large number of players of African nationality, had players with high name value as a strong team, and of course most of the players were on the national team list.
Thanks to this, the stamina of the main players who returned after being selected for the Nations Cup is divided.
As the depth has already thinned due to the change in the owner’s policy, and the Nations Cup overlaps while only the starting pitcher is running around, can there be any stamina left?
Despite the bad luck, Stefan Nathan Brynner, who was doing his best to manage the team, gave instructions enthusiastically to his players,
“Huh!? Stop! Stop that! How many times have you told me not to give you room to move comfortably— uh… Phew…?”
The moment the marks of the overworked players loosened, Hong Min-jun’s lightning-like shooting burst out.
The ball barely passed through the head of the center back who was pushing into his face his and hit the goal post.
“Uh… Is this an own goal?”
At the same time as the murmur of the commentary, the liberated smile of Stefan Nathan Brynner shines.
『Newcastle 3 consecutive victories as soon as the second half started!』
『Newcastle decorated with a wonderful victory in 3 consecutive matches in 7 days』
『Liverpool endless sluggishness! Stefan Nathan Brynner, hard rumors after half a year in office
The next game that followed.
Waiting for Newcastle was Manchester City again.
* * *
2038.01.15. Friday.
League Cup semi-final second leg Etihad Stadium.
“Yes, this is the Etihad Stadium, the second leg of the League Cup semi-final between Newcastle and Manchester City. In the pre-interview yesterday, there was a fierce battle of nerves between Hong Min-joon and Manchester City coach Gaspard, right?”
“That’s right. Didn’t Hong Min-jun say ‘A PIECE OF CAKE’, or ‘lay down and eat rice cake’ in Korean after winning the first game? Coach Gaspar, who was conscious of this, left an interview comparing it to this before today’s game.”
Director Gaspar, who is so excited that his shiny bald head turns red in the light of the data video, appears.
[Man City is never an easy opponent… I’ll show Hong Min-jun that it’s like a vegetable cake that’s hard to even eat, let alone a slice!!]
“Haha, vegetable cake. That’s an interesting analogy.”
“At Coach Gaspar’s words, Minjun Hong gave a very witty answer, right?”
Video played next.
Hong Min-joon, who appeared with a radiant appearance rather than director Gaspar’s shiny scalp, said calmly.
[There are rice cakes in Korea, but it’s about vegetable cakes… Do you know RICE CAKE? Because this is very sweet. It is a traditional food.]
[What? What, what is that?]
[Korean Soul Food!]
[… ] Vegetable cake is a traditional food? What kind of food… ]
Hong Min-jun confidently shouted at Director Gaspar, who had a stupid expression on his face.
[I’ll show you how I eat two in one bite. Just wait.]
“Haha… Oh yeah… He is also a free player, our Hong Min-jun.”
“Yes, what… Right It is very free-spirited and honest. Yes.”
“…….”
“…….”
The relay members, at a loss for what to say, exchanged glances because they were awkward, and quickly proceeded with the relay.
“Yes, I will inform you of the starting lineup.”
“Newcastle. Goalkeeper E Yomund—”
The final game of a three-game series against Newcastle.
For Man City, who has already suffered three consecutive losses this season, including the first half and second half, it is a League Cup championship with a low status, and it is a shame, and he had to win at least once.
If they lose even today, they have a record of 4 losses in 4 matches against Newcastle this season, and since they will not meet again until next year, they will not even have a chance to take revenge.
Both coach Gaspar and the Manchester City players gnashed their teeth and entered the pitch with a determined heart—
‘Ugh. I feel a sense of déjà vu.’
Coach Gaspar, who was watching the tenacious expressions of the players on the field, suddenly overlapped the previous game.
‘Come to think of it, I think I went out with the same feeling and appearance as this last match against Newcastle… No, not this time.’
In preparation for this match, we even made a major tactical change, but there is no way the result will be the same as then!
… What is this mind that is still anxious?
Coach Gaspar lamented as he wiped the sweat from his bald head before the start of the game.
‘Damn it… Damn Newcastle… Because of Asian dogs, what is this… Still win this time. You can win can win… There must be… ? Please… !!’
However, the sky is indifferent.
The prayers of the devout Christian Gaspar did not reach the sky,
“Shock! Man City Hong Min-jun allowed a hat-trick and Newcastle lost 4 times in a row!”
『The reason why you get smaller when you meet Newcastle!』
『Man City and Hong Min-joon are the opposites of evil?』
“‘Manchester Killer’ Hong Min-joon! After United, killing City! 』
『Good Bye, City! Entomb, City!』
This time too, they failed to stop Hong Min-joon from running amok and gave up a hat-trick, sinking and losing 3:1.
Coach Gaspar, who appeared at the interview site after the game, pours sweat from the bare heads of the men… Shed tears
“Heh… All this… It’s my fault. It’s just my fault for lacking, nothing wrong with the players… Ugh… Big…”
『(Official) Termination of contract under mutual agreement with Manchester City manager Gaspar』
「—Manchester City announced the termination of the contract under mutual agreement through the official website.
Coach Gaspar, who was appointed to Man City the year before last, started his managerial career at Getafe CF—
.
.
Coach Gaspar said he was sorry for leaving Manchester City’s great history and suggested temporarily retiring from football, saying he would stay with his family until he overcomes the mental shock —”
The next day,
『(Breaking News) Liverpool manager Stephen Nathan Brynner sacking after half a year!!』
“Following Manchester City, Liverpool manager Stephen Nathan Brynner has left the team.
Stephen Nathan Brynner—
.
.
Stefan Nathan Brynner, who arrived at Liverpool with high expectations, ambitiously announced a club reform, but had to leave midway due to poor performance—
.
.
The club announced that it would call up second-team coach Dimitri Twitzen as a temporary substitute—”
“… What?”
What the hell is this… ?
Man City manager resigns due to mutual termination, Liverpool manager sacked?
Well… Is it because of me?
… Well, I can’t help it
Even though it was an enemy, it was a good Hogu… No, the score vending machine… No no, good director… I don’t know if it is, but anyway, I wish you only good things in the future. Of course, if you meet me as an enemy, there will be only misfortune.
Passing the headline, wishing the two directors good health—
『Hong Min-joon, an aging planner? Players and coaches who retired or were sacking after meeting him!』
A curious article appeared.
… What is this again
“Minjun! Now we have to get out of the arena!”
Well.
All that remains is to finish the match against Chelsea.