Shocking Debut Match (3)
Shocking Debut Match (3)
099
The start at the new club was fresh.
Even though I was still on loan, albeit with a permanent transfer option, the club provided a house with pretty decent conditions, and the entire squad, including the captain and vice-captain, welcomed me without any barriers.
In particular, the kind-looking old man who was the manager liked me so much that I wondered if we had some sort of past connection.
"Nice to meet you, welcome! I am the manager, Franz Valder!"
The interpreter translated it as 'Manager', but old man Franz clearly referred to himself as a 'Manager'.
'Unexpectedly, this old man seems to have quite a lot of power.'
England traditionally calls a manager a 'Manager'. On the other hand, other European countries generally call them a 'Head Coach', 'Technician', or 'Trainer'.
The former, 'Manager', implies someone who manages, exercising broad authority over the squad's operations, tactics, and training, as well as the recruitment, release, and contracts of players and coaching staff, whereas the latter only handles the first team's tactics, training, and matches.
To give an easy example, it's convenient to think of Manchester United's Alex Ferguson or Arsenal's Arsène Wenger.
They are the general managers who hold immense power and oversee the entire operation of the club.
On the other hand, in Spain, Germany, Italy, etc., there existed positions like Technical Director or General Manager that acted as a link between the management and the coaching staff.
While they took charge of the overall operation of the club, the manager was granted limited authority, only handling the team's tactics, training, and match operations.
As we moved toward modern football, tasks became specialized and segmented, and naturally, 'Head Coach' type managers with divided duties increased rather than 'Manager' types who held all the power.
I knew that 'Managers' were rare, especially in the German football world which has a thorough system... but to think this kind-looking old man is a Manager.
"Do you know how much I've been waiting for you? You will be the best signing of my career!"
Hmm... I don't know what this manager saw in me to like me this much.
Still, one thing is certain,
"That is correct. I will make my signing the best choice you've ever made, Manager-nim."
That my signing will be a masterstroke.
The manager laughed heartily after hearing the interpreter's words.
I left the unpacking to Oh Ha-rin and Yoon Da-ye and joined the training immediately.
'...Will I get scolded when I go home?'
But I hadn't touched a ball in so long that I was itching to play; how could I resist?
I thought it would be poor since it's the second division, but the facility condition was surprisingly decent. Well... it's lacking compared to Barcelona, but that's a world-class prestigious club, after all.
"Hey, rookie! We're doing 3-on-3, join in!"
A simple 3-on-3 passing drill.
No wonder they were smiling mischievously; the players, who seemed to be training normally at first, all rushed at me the moment I caught the ball.
In an instant, I was surrounded by 5 people.
It wouldn't have been strange to lose the ball right there. Flustered, I moved my body instinctively, dodging the feet extending from all directions.
The ball moving minutely here and there in a narrow space.
As my concentration reached its peak, the time that had been flowing slowly like slow motion ended, and I stopped my body while exhaling a rough breath.
For some reason, everyone was looking at me with their mouths wide open.
"...What on earth did I just see?"
"How did you do that just now? You broke through the pressure of 5 people."
Even the manager and coaches were staring with wide eyes, so I answered.
"I just did it and it worked?"
"......."
"......."
It's the truth.
I felt it while training.
As expected, with my skills, I can chew up and spit out the 2. Bundesliga.
【Technique】
[Individual Skill 75] [Dribbling 70] [Trapping 75] [Short Pass 55] [Long Pass 50] [Shooting 45] [Free Kick 42] [Header 38] [Tackle 32]
【Mental】
[Vision 55] [Anticipation 50] [Judgment 65] [Concentration 56] [Off the Ball 60] [Marking 45] [Composure 52] [Leadership 40] [Teamwork 44]
【Physical】
[Speed 65] [Acceleration 65] [Balance 65] [Agility 65] [Reaction Speed 79] [Power 61] [Jump 49] [Stamina 59] [Recovery 68]
【Hidden】
[Genius 48] [Charm 95] [Intelligence 50]
【Height 182.7cm｜72kg】
【Available Points 0P】
My highest technique-related stats are in the 70s, and the core stats for play have also entered the 60s.
It's not that there aren't any disappointing stats, but this level of stats should be enough.
Based on my experience so far, I think around 50 is enough to just get by in the K-League, and around 60 is enough to play in Europe.
Although I haven't played in the K-League, having grown up in the Korean football scene, considering the skills of high school league players who went straight to the K-League, or the skills of players I faced in the University League and the performance they show in the K-League, it's roughly around 50 in stats.
Of course, there will be a big difference depending on the player's position or style.
If it's a technical player, the stats related to that would be close to or exceed 60, and if it's a defender, the technique-related stats might be lower.
The European players I faced at the Olympics, or the ones I trained with even if I didn't play much, and the European players I felt while watching La Liga in person, are roughly around 60~70.
This will be more accurate.
Since my main stats are in the 60~70 range, comparing them to me gives an estimate quickly.
Generally, if the stats needed for play are around 60, you can just get by playing in the first team.
Well, there's a difference in squad quality depending on the club, so at Barcelona, it would be a rotation at best, but anyway, it's enough quality to play in Europe.
If it's around 70, it seems to be a stat that corresponds to a starter even at a big club.
And 80 is... I predict that players classified as world-class are around this level, right?
The opportunity to test this prediction of mine came quickly.
Ten days after joining the team, I was selected to start in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16 match, which can be called Germany's FA Cup.
Eintracht Frankfurt's home stadium, Deutsche Bank Park, in Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany.
DFB-Pokal Round of 16, Frankfurt VS Bochum.
For today's match, over 30,000 home fans flocked to Frankfurt's home stadium, Deutsche Bank Park, which can accommodate a whopping 51,500 people.
"They say the officially counted crowd for today's match is over 40,000. Are you nervous, rookie?"
Captain Alexander Meier was a man with an angular face and short hair.
He was a man with an image that would be perfect for a soldier, specifically a non-commissioned officer, in a Hollywood movie, and he possessed the appearance of a boring, serious man that immediately comes to mind when you think of a German.
However, his personality was the exact opposite; he was quite sly.
Because he was teasing me mischievously today as well, seeing me ahead of my debut match.
I made an absurd expression while listening to the words the interpreter translated, and he chuckled and patted my back as if he had expected that.
"It's okay, friend. We'll support you firmly from behind, so go ahead and go wild."
"......."
This is ridiculous.
Even if I was half-released, I am someone who played in the Barcelona first team.
40,000 spectators?
I've played in front of 100,000 spectators at Camp Nou, the world's largest football-specific stadium.
After the player introductions ended and my face was shown on the big screen, the home fans reacted enthusiastically.
The sound of singing voices raised high.
"It's our chant, 'Schwarz-weiß wie Schnee'. This is why I look forward to home games."
Sch... what?
They say it's the official chant, but the name is really difficult.
Hmm... is it because I'm standing on the pitch after a long time?
Or is it because it's been a while since I heard the fans' cheers?
My condition feels exceptionally good today.
And that was revealed in the 4th minute of the first half, the moment the Bochum players left me free as if they were looking down on me.
"Goal!! Oh my god, no way! Hong Min-jun scores a goal easily!"
I dodged the opposing defender who rashly extended his foot to mark me, as I was playing as a left forward in the 4-3-3 formation, and ran straight ahead.
After dodging the opposing players who were urgently blocking my path one by one, I entered the penalty box.
Pa-ang!
A shot that curved sharply from outside the box and dug into the corner of the goal.
"Opening goal! Hong Min-jun records a debut goal in his debut match!!"
At the stadium announcer's shout, the home fans sing the chant in unison.
The Torhymne played when scoring in a home game. I couldn't help but burst into a big smile at the home fans' chant, which is an adaptation of Austrian composer Franz von Suppé's 'Light Cavalry Overture'.
"Did you see that!! This is my skill!!"
This sight of over ten thousand people cheering and singing the chant in time with my goal... perhaps because the pent-up frustration I'd accumulated was significant, I roared like a beast the moment I scored and ran across the pitch.
The time was only the 5th minute of the first half.
The Bochum players with their heads down look like delicious prey.
Match Result
Frankfurt 5 : 1 Bochum
Hong Min-jun (4, 22, 46, 49) Caio (68) / Edinyak (76)