Friendly Match Against the Olympic National Team (4)
Friendly Match Against the Olympic National Team (4)
038
Halftime after the first half ended, I reviewed the first half in the [Locker Room].
'It was good at first. I was playing exactly how I wanted. But why did it get so difficult after the midway point?'
There was definitely nothing different.
The [Marking] man who had been annoyingly tailing me disappeared, probably realizing it was useless. It wasn't like the national team's organization had improved, nor were there any player substitutions. Yet, strangely, the game wasn't flowing.
'This is like...'
Right. The feeling from that one time when Yoon-hyeok-seonbae sat out for stamina management.
Suddenly, Han So-young's words came to mind.
'Movement!'
That's it.
It's similar to the difference between having Yoon-hyeok-seonbae there or not!
But Yoon-hyeok-seonbae is a starter in this match too, so why...?
"Wow. The [National Team Coach] is scary. Putting a [Marking] man on me, too."
Yoon-hyeok-seonbae muttered as he shook his head.
'A [Marking] man? Not on me, but on Yoon-hyeok-seonbae...?'
Instinctively, I realized that was the key.
The problem was that I didn't know why.
'Ah, shit. Am I really a blockhead?'
No matter how much I grabbed my head and agonized over it, I couldn't figure it out.
I racked my brain while listening to the [Coach] explain the second-half tactics, but if you don't know, you don't know.
As we stepped onto the field for the start of the second half, I asked Yoon-hyeok-seonbae.
"Seonbae. They didn't put a [Marking] man on me but put one on you, so why is the game harder?"
"Ah. Um... It's complicated to explain. The game is starting, so I'll explain it after."
Ah, shit. This is a bust.
While I was pouting, a lightning-bolt idea struck me.
【Technical】 【Mental】 【Physical】
[Individual Skill] 070 ｜[Vision] 046 ｜[Speed] 067
[Dribbling] 068 ｜[Anticipation] 044 ｜[Acceleration] 068
[Trapping] 067 ｜[Judgment] 060(▲11)｜[Balance] 065
[Short Pass] 048 ｜[Concentration] 056 ｜[Agility] 065
[Long Pass] 041 ｜[Off the Ball] 057(▲10)｜[Reaction Speed] 079
[Shooting] 045 ｜[Marking] 041(▲3) ｜[Power] 054
[Free Kick] 042 ｜[Composure] 052 ｜[Jump] 046
[Header] 038 ｜[Leadership] 040 ｜[Stamina] 053
[Tackle] 032 ｜[Teamwork] 039 ｜[Recovery] 065
【Hidden】
[Genius] 048 ｜ [Charm] 095 ｜ [Intelligence] 028
【Height 175cm｜63kg】
【Possessed Points】 0P
It hurts to spend the 24 blood-like [Points] I'd saved up, but it can't be helped.
'...Huh?'
What the fuck.
It's obvious that if a [Marking] man is attached to Yoon-hyeok-seonbae, I'd have a hard time... Why didn't I know something this simple?
Am I really an idiot...?
After the game, I felt a sense of regret while shaking hands with the [U23 National Team] players.
If we had done just a little better, we could have won.
The final score was 2:2.
In the second half, thanks to Yoon-hyeok-seonbae, who fought hard even with a [Marking] man on him, and my performance with improved [Vision] (space understanding), we scored an additional goal, but that was it.
Having 'opened my eyes' and feeling like I could see the game in a new light, I ran excitedly until my [Stamina] was depleted and was subbed out in the 30th minute of the second half. Yoon-hyeok-seonbae, who had risen to become our team's core player, was subbed out even earlier than me, so the team lost its momentum and conceded two goals in a row, leaving us with no choice but to accept a disappointing draw.
Well, even though it was a friendly match against the [U23 National Team], there were regular matches left, and other players needed to play too.
"Number 13, Number 15."
"Yes?"
"Come here for a second."
A middle-aged man who looked familiar despite it being my first time seeing him whispered with the [Coach] and then called me and Yoon-hyeok-seonbae over.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Han Ji-hoon, the chief coach of the [U23 National Team]."
Ah~ So this guy is So-young-ssi's dad.
"The [National Team Coach] says he has something to discuss, do you have some time?"
"Of course!"
Even if I didn't, I'd have to make time!
Following So-young-ssi's father, who smiled as if he expected that answer, we were guided to the room where the [National Team Coach] was waiting.
"In modern football, positions are no longer a matter of roles."
"...Yes?"
What is this guy talking about out of the blue?
Standing in front of the tactical board, the [National Team Coach] stared silently at the magnets and continued without preamble.
"Forwards, midfielders, defenders. These are just positions based on roles. But not anymore. In modern football, you have to view positions not as roles, but from the perspective of 'a player's location on the pitch.' Understand?"
"For example, [Falso nueve] or [Falso lateral]."
"Exactly!"
At Yoon-hyeok-seonbae's answer, the [National Team Coach] slammed the tactical board.
"The core of my team is this: Possess, go straight, and score goals!"
"Ten Hag?"
"Exactly!! Ball possession shouldn't happen in the back, but in the [Final Third]! Meaningless [Build-up] is unnecessary!"
What the...
As I watched in bewilderment, the [National Team Coach], who hit it off with Yoon-hyeok-seonbae, frantically moved the magnets on the tactical board.
"This is our team's position at the start."
The magnet positions for the [4-4-2 Formation], which didn't look like anything special.
The [National Team Coach] narrowed the gap between the center-backs, pushed them to the left, and placed one of the two midfielders into the empty space on the right.
"A football match consists of 4 phases and 4 elements. The 4 phases are attacking, defending, transition from attack to defense, and transition from defense to attack. The 4 elements are the ball, space, the opponent, and teammates. A player must consider these 4 phases and 4 elements to find the optimal location, that is, the optimal position! This is [Juego de Posicion], the core of positional play. And essential for this is a triangle with the ball possessor as the vertex!!"
A midfielder goes between the two center-backs, and the remaining midfielder fills the empty spot.
Two triangles naturally form.
"It's exactly this shape."
"It's [La Salida La Volpiana]."
"[La Salida La Volpiana]! Through this, we can neutralize the opponent's [Cover shadow] (a play that blocks passing lanes) while they are pressing forward, and gain a numerical advantage."
And frantically manipulating the magnets, he creates another shape.
"The shape during an attack is like this! If both fullbacks advance high, the wingers can utilize both half-spaces! The two wingers create space through vertical movement! At the same time, if we lose possession, this allows us to regain possession through fierce counter-pressing, or limit passing lanes to the flanks to buy defensive time."
I know this. Simply put, it's [Gegenpressing].
"Following the philosophy of Total Football, we utilize an extra center-back to dominate the midfield area. The left defender often advances to create a numerical advantage."
The [National Team Coach] moved the right defender up and drew a round circle in the wide space.
"And here. This player right here! The midfielder who enters the right side of the defensive line is important. This midfielder moves based on their own judgment. Depending on this player's movement, the fullback comes inside or advances, and the winger also spreads wide or cuts inside, and finally, it takes this shape."
"1-2-3-4?"
My head spins at the magnets formed on the tactical board.
Wow~ This magnet-sticking game is really fun.
"You said your name was Yoon-hyeok?"
Looking at Yoon-hyeok-seonbae, the [National Team Coach] tapped the magnet inside the yellow box.
"This position requires a player with quick and accurate [Judgment]. Can you do it?"
"Of course."
An answer without a moment's hesitation.
The [National Team Coach] smiled faintly and asked back.
"If you make a wrong judgment, it can become the cause of conceding a goal. It's a defender's role where one mistake is more fatal than ten successes. On top of that, you need [Press Resistance] ability to draw the opponent in and then spread it to the wide space on the left, as well as [Build-up] ability. This is a midfielder's role. And finally, you also need the [Judgment] to move between defense and midfield appropriately at the right time. Are you still confident?"
"Yes. Just leave it to me."
"...Good!"
The [National Team Coach]'s satisfied gaze turned to me this time.
A sharp gaze, as if he were going to analyze me thoroughly.
"There are 3 types of [Superiority]. Numerical superiority, technical superiority, and positional superiority. I can bring numerical superiority through positioning. Also, through a series of tactical movements, I can draw the opponent's defense to one side and create an [Overload To Isolate] situation. However, even if I create all these conditions, it's useless without technical superiority."
[Overload To Isolate] is a tactic that puts many players on one flank to lure the opponent's defenders to crowd into one space, and intentionally isolates one player on the opposite flank to create a 1v1 situation with an opposing defender.
Simply put, it's a tactic with the purpose of putting many players on one flank to intentionally isolate one player on the opposite side, creating a 1v1 confrontation with an opposing defender or inducing the creation of wide space.
This is exactly the main tactic of our team, Hojin University.
Placing a bunch of players on the right flank to crowd the opposing team, and securing as much space as possible for me on the left.
Since this was the main tactic of the teams I belonged to throughout my school days, even I, who am weak in tactical movement, knew it well.
"Hong Min-jun. I originally had no intention of picking you. My team suits players who think fast rather than players who are fast, and you weren't that. At least until the first half."
The moment I heard the [National Team Coach]'s words, what I felt was relief. Relief that I had used my [Points] properly, if nothing else.
"In the first half, you were a machine. Just hitting the ball and running when it came to you. But you were different in the second half. I don't know what the trigger was, but your movement changed in an instant... You're still lacking, but I'll have expectations for your rapidly growing potential."
"Then?"
"Both of you, prepare for the Olympic finals."