Chapter 92 – Slump (2)

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The pre-season is a very important time for soccer players.
A season in soccer is not 1-2 months, but a long time of 10 months. Rather than short-lived explosive power like sprinting, soccer requires constant activity like a marathon.

And for this, it is necessary to prepare the body for the harsh schedule before the season, and this is the role of the pre-season. In addition, the training in the pre-season is bound to be more severe than the season, as you have to work with players with a different composition through transfers and releases and master tactics.

José Matheus, who took the helm of Barcelona this season, was lost in thought as he looked over the squad sweating hard in training.

Last season, Barcelona won the league, La Liga, and the cup, the Copa del Rey.
It has dominated the domestic competition by lifting two championship cups.

An ordinary club would have been enthusiastic about a great performance, but Barcelona was not an ordinary club.
Because we only reached the round of 16 in the most important European competition, the Champions League.

Jose Matheus took the reins after the former head coach resigned (actually, it was no different from a hardship) due to poor results in the round of 16 in the Champions League despite domestic success.

Obviously, his biggest concern is winning the Champions League. Or it was kind of like that.
And in order to win the war of the stars, where the strongest players from each European league gather, the best players must demonstrate their best abilities…

“Hmm.”

Matheus’ eyes were colored with displeasure as he watched one player.

“What do you not like?”

With a sigh full of disapproval, head coach Fernando Sans tilted his head.
Despite the sluggish performance of last year’s Champions League, Barcelona dominated the country.

The Champions League, like a short-distance race that requires explosive power, sometimes changes as the advancing team is covered with just two home and away games. It was only a problem because it was Barcelona, ​​but the players of Barcelona were still luxurious.

“That player. Was it Hong?”
“That’s what Hong Min-joon said.”

Sans’ gaze turned to the only Asian in the squad.
As he is the only Asian among the white and South American players, it is difficult not to stand out.

‘Well… Isn’t that also With that look, it will definitely catch the eye regardless of race.’

By his standards, he’s so pretty that it’s close to dislike if you have to decide whether he likes or dislikes.

‘It would be much better if I grew a beard.’

Of course, unlike the subjective evaluation of him with strong macho tendencies at the age of over 50, the media praises him as an oriental prince.

“Don’t you like that player?”
“Of course!”

At Sans’ question, Matheus affirmed.

“The player I asked the board is not that kind of kid. We say Barcelona. A great club to win all competitions! But using a spot on a roster with only 25 spots for a kid like that and guaranteeing a league start? I don’t know what the hell the board is thinking! Do you really have any intention of winning the Champions League!”

Sans laughed bitterly at the reaction that was more violent than expected.

“Calm down, Director. You’re a kid, but you’re a player who comes to mind as Jorge’s rival, right? Besides, he scored 5 pure field goals against us Spain at the Olympics. Your skills will definitely be there. Guaranteed selection… This season is only five games, so as long as we have a good schedule, it should be fine.”
“Does it mean that you are confident in your skills even after seeing that?”

Sans’ gaze turned to the Asian who was working hard on training.

“Um… It seems that the movement of the body was better in the video analysis.”

Well done.
It is a look that can be evaluated as good enough.

But if you ask me if that’s up to Barcelona’s standards… It was ambiguous.

“It’s strange. It seems that the timing is slightly off… Are you out of balance?”
“This is why I said that Asians should not be recruited. If it was the Brazilian I asked for, I wouldn’t have shown such a funny side.”

At the director’s remark, Sans looked around for a moment.
It could sound like a racist remark, so it would be a big deal if it leaked out. And in fact, manager Jose Matheus was a person who often made racist remarks during his active career.

Sans seemed to be breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Isn’t that what players who return from vacation do? Maybe it’s because I’ve gained weight or I’m out of shape. The basic movement is excellent, so after fine adjustments, you should be able to show the performance you expect. Furthermore… It’s a rumor from above, but it’s already said that the Asian market is not unusual. Sponsorship inquiries… “

The director tutted and clicked his tongue.

“I won’t be bothered with finances for a while.”

* * *

I felt it while training.
The body is not normal.

Trapping the ball, dribbling, passing, shooting… Full-body workouts that utilize all parts of the body.
It is not simply that the ankle strength is good, the thigh muscles are strong, and the body is flexible, but only when these are harmonized, proper skills emerge.

In that sense, I was feeling fucked in real time.

‘The feeling… It has subtly changed.’

No, it’s not just the senses.
Even the movement of the body is strange.

The upper body painting is delayed by half a beat, and the passing and shooting are slightly bent in strange directions.
It’s a very minor change in a way, but it’s a creature called a soccer player that makes play difficult with just that minor change.

Is that why?
The soft trapping that I usually see goes somewhere, and I can’t even predict the subtle trapping that seems clunky and soft.

‘I think this is really fucked up. Why are you like this?’

You don’t even have to think deeply.
‘Cause I’m tall

As your height grows, your limbs, torso and leg length will naturally change.
In addition, the center of gravity also goes up.

What’s more, it’s a growing pain or a pain that gets worse….
The subtle sensations and pain are still tolerable, but if they get worse… ?

“Mr. Minjun. The coach is calling.”

The interpreter who was waiting nearby looked at me and spoke cautiously.
The bad mood was evident on his face.

I struggled to control my expression and approached with a smile. A skinny middle-aged man, who had been appointed as the director this time, looked at me and said something.

The interpreter translated it right away.

“Are you asking if I’m feeling unwell?”

How is it?
It’s true that I’m not in good shape, but it’s because of growing pains, so there’s no guarantee that I’ll get better. Worst case, it just gets worse.

“…Not particularly bad.”
“Hmm.”

After hearing the interpreter’s words, the director looked at them with an unpleasant gaze, then sighed and shook his head.
… What the fuck

* * *

『(Photo) Hong Min-joon in his first training』
『(Photo) Fans welcoming Olympic top scorer』

『The next stage for Hong Min-jun, who conquered the Olympics, is La Liga!』
“This player was at the center of the Olympic soccer team’s promotion that no one expected. This is the story of Hong Min-jun (20. Barcelona). Rising star Hong Min-joon, who appeared like a comet and led the underdog Korean national team to the final stage, transferred to Barcelona, ​​the two major mountain ranges of La Liga, after countless transfer rumors.

Hong Min-joon, who shook off courtship from numerous prestigious clubs and settled in Barcelona. How would you rate him for participating in his pre-season training and getting in sync with his new teammates?

Barcelona manager José Matheus praised Hong Min-jun, saying, “Hong Min-jun is the owner of fantastic talent,” But avoided a definite answer, saying, “However, it takes time to adapt to another league, and a stage with a completely different culture.”

His teammate and vice-captain Hugo Sanchez (28) praised him as an “Excellent dribbler” And expressed his anticipation for his debut.

On the 13th, Barcelona will play their first match of the season against third division team Gymnastic de Tarragona. I am looking forward to seeing if Hong Min-jun will be able to play as a starter.”

The Spanish media as well as Korea did not hide their expectations for the Olympic top scorer.
A promising prospect recruited after competing against prominent teams in the EPL, Serie A, and Bundesliga, including his fateful rival, Real Madrid.

Isn’t that a player who is called a rival of Jorge Garcia, Spain’s best prospect, who chose to go to Real Madrid despite Barcelona aiming for that?

Barcelona supporters expected the newcomer to outperform Jorge, while Real supporters hoped that the arrogant Asian who dared to reject Blancos’ offer and head to Barcelona would be scolded for trying to match Jorge.

In other words, the Spaniards are also showing unprecedented interest in Hong Min-joon.
However, it was not possible to see Hong Min-joon playing in Barcelona’s first match of the season on September 13, a pre-season friendly match.

Consistently participating in training and being included in the 1st division main team in their own Cheongbaekjeon was caught, raising expectations for his debut match, but Hong Min-joon sat on the bench with a stiff face and just watched Barcelona crush the 3rd division mercilessly.

After the game, coach Matheus interviewed, “Hong Min-jun is working hard to adapt, but he is not ready yet.” Although he spent his first friendly match on the bench, people’s expectations for Hong did not cool.

16 September, the second friendly match day.
The opponent is, of course, the 3rd division Elche CF.

There was a game just 3 days ago, so I will rotate. Besides, isn’t the opponent a weak tier 3 league?
Even in the press, the starting list was announced in an atmosphere where it was almost certain that this match would be Hong Min-jun’s debut match.

This time, Hong Min-jun started with the bench.
People were puzzled, but the game was consistently held in Barcelona’s dominance, and at the start of the second half Hong Min-jun began to warm up.

As expectations for the prospect’s debut match grew, in the 31st minute of the second half, Hong Min-joon’s number 23 finally appeared on the billboard.

“Do as you train.”

As Hong Min-joon prepares for the replacement, the tactical coach did not give any specific instructions. Hong Min-joon nodded his head at the interpreter’s words to do as he did.

And in the thrilling moment of stepping on the grass of Camp Nou for the first time, the person concerned was only feeling awkward, not thrilled.

‘Ruined. He’s been sluggish in training, so I thought his debut would be delayed.’

He would rather have his debut delayed.
In just 15 days, he has already grown 3 cm. Now that his height has grown rapidly and his body has completely lost his balance, he did not have the confidence to perform properly in La Liga, let alone the college league.

However, he can’t be bruised in the yard that has already stepped on the pitch, whether he is or not.
Hong Min-joon gritted his teeth and ran towards the ball.