Sanchez's Unexpected Resurgence – A Heartfelt Victory
Even as the first half ended with the score still locked at 0-0 thanks to my goalkeeping, the situation was far from ideal.
We were a team that had finished in the mid-table of the Premier League, the world’s greatest football league, during the previous season. Our opponent this time, though a strong side from the Championship (second division), represented a clear gap in quality compared to our league.
Yet if I hadn’t made those crucial saves, Manchester City might have conceded earlier.
As I stepped into the locker room, my eyes immediately landed on Sanchez, who stood out like the obvious culprit.
He sat in a corner, head bowed, his face etched with profound gloom.
His restless play throughout the first half had clearly disrupted the entire team’s flow, and he knew it better than anyone.
“Sanchez.”
The coach’s voice called out to him.
“Yes…”
“Do you want to come off the field?”
“…”
Sanchez’s silence filled the locker room.
His shoulders sagged even further, and he seemed unable to lift his head.
“…I don’t want to go off.”
“Right now you’re interfering with our tactics. My system requires constant passing in both directions, but because of you we can’t use the left side. Still, you don’t want to come off?”
The coach’s sharp question followed immediately.
“Th-that’s… but…”
“Yeah, I know your situation. I heard about your grandmother being rushed to the hospital right before the game started.”
Ah, so that was it.
No matter how timid Sanchez was, I had expected a promising player who had just survived an assault from another league to have stronger mental fortitude.
But if his grandmother had collapsed suddenly before kick-off, the whole matter made perfect sense.
If my own mother had been taken to the hospital out of nowhere right before a match, I wouldn’t have been able to focus either.
Concentrating fully on a game when family health is on the line is no easy task for anyone.
“However, you know the good news too—your grandmother’s condition isn’t as serious as it seemed. The doctor said it was just a temporary dizzy spell from a fall, and the tests showed no major issues. She’s resting now and watching this match on TV.”
At the coach’s words, Sanchez slowly raised his head.
Tears glistened in his eyes.
“I’m sorry for burdening my family with only my grandmother… even though it’s not a big illness… I was just so worried.”
“Yeah, that’s why you wanted to show your best face to your grandmother watching on TV. But what is this? You’re not playing your best strength—football—while your mind is elsewhere.”
The coach’s voice softened.
“So here’s the question: do you want to come off here and go to the hospital, or do you want to focus on the match, fully unleash your abilities, and win the game before walking into the hospital with your head held high?”
The coach’s question offered Sanchez a choice while simultaneously expressing trust in his potential.
Sanchez’s gaze shifted.
The gloom on his face vanished, replaced by a determined expression.
“I’ll try.”
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
The coach smiled.
“Your grandmother is probably sitting up in her hospital bed waiting for her grandson’s performance. Showing her a proud face is the best gift you can give her right now.”
As I walked out onto the pitch, I approached Sanchez.
“Sanchez.”
“Eh? Oh, Tae-woo. Sorry about the first half—because of me. You must have been exhausted.”
“No, it’s fine… mistakes happen.”
Ha, I really don’t fit this kind of guy.
Even as I muttered to myself, I continued.
“Even if a mistake sends the ball my way, I can still save it. Don’t worry—do whatever you want.”
Sanchez looked at me blankly for a moment before giving a gentle smile.
“Tae-woo, you don’t seem like that at all. You’re unexpectedly kind. Thank you.”
Don’t seem like what? What kind of image do I have?
Who else besides a man like me—blessed with both charisma and both talent and looks—would ever think otherwise?
* * *
Sanchez, now completely focused on football, displayed a change so dramatic it was almost unbelievable. The man from the first half seemed like a completely different person.
[Sanchez is back! Is this the same player from the first half? Completely different!]
[Whoa! Sanchez’s pass timing is perfect! Sharp pass to the left side!!]
His passes were as precise as laser beams, leaving defenders no choice but to stare in awe.
[Incredible! Sanchez is demanding the ball again. The moment he receives it, he drills a one-touch pass straight through the center!]
The crowd erupted in cheers.
“Wooow!!”
Sanchez’s movements were unpredictable, his passes like living art.
[This is exactly Tiki-Taka! Manchester City is delivering breathtaking passing football centered around Sanchez!]
Short, rapid passes followed. Sanchez conducted the team’s rhythm like a maestro.
[I can’t believe it! Sanchez’s heel pass! He completely dismantled the defense!]
[It feels exactly like watching prime-time Tiki-Taka from Barcelona. It’s too beautiful!]
[Watch, he never keeps the ball long. Receive, pass, pass again! Sanchez’s one-touch play is dominating the pitch!]
Sanchez had reached an extraordinary level of focus.
He felt truly sorry for his teammates who had suffered tremendously in the first half because of him.
His mistakes had led to far too many shots on target from the opposition, yet he was deeply grateful to me for stopping them all.
And then there was the conversation I had given him right before the second half began…
His first impression of me wasn’t that cold after all.
Sanchez recalled the feeling he had gotten when he first saw Tae-woo at training.
Wow, he’s so handsome. But he seems so hard to approach.
It was undeniably the kind of beauty that transcended race, yet the sharp lines of his face made it difficult for someone with Sanchez’s personality to get close.
Tae-woo had never been the type to approach first either.
But now,
the once cold Tae-woo was offering him warm words.
He never makes a mistake.
[Beautiful! Mathias, Manchester City’s romantic captain, threads a pass to Sanchez as he dashes past a lone defender!]
Sanchez’s eyes sparkled.
[Sanchez, ah! The moment the ball arrives, he sends a long one-touch pass to Guerrero!]
Before the captain’s pass even arrived, Sanchez had already spotted Guerrero charging toward the goal.
The instant the ball touched his foot, he applied a precisely calculated spin for a long, elegant pass.
He then sprinted with everything he had toward the goal for any second-ball situation.
[Guerrero’s header!! No—saved to the side!]
Sanchez’s eyes widened.
He gave it to me?
He clearly could have scored.
Looking at Guerrero with a stunned expression, he saw the striker grinning and slamming home a thunderous volley.
No way…
Sanchez’s chest burned with emotion.
Guerrero’s warm consideration touched his heart.
Thank you. Really, thank you.
He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
He had to repay the trust of his teammates, show his grandmother, and prove himself to everyone who believed in him.
Taking a deep breath, Sanchez gathered every ounce of strength in his body.
And with perfect timing, he twisted his body and unleashed a powerful volley shot.
-[2] HP
The ball brushed the goalkeeper’s fingertips but still hammered the net.
-[2] HP
[GOOOOOOAL!!!!!! What an unbelievable goal! Sanchez has done it!]
The stadium shook.
From the stands, cheers rained down, and the teammates rushed to Sanchez like madmen.
Perfect Revival!
📍 Location: Manchester City Pitch
🎁 Reward: Team Unity +2
Ah, I scored.
It wasn’t an official debut goal because it was a pre-season match, but he had scored his first goal while his grandmother watched.
Sanchez’s chest swelled with pride.
“Hey~ friend, don’t stand there slack-jawed—go quickly and give your grandmother a victory dance as a gift!”
At Guerrero’s shout, Sanchez snapped back to reality and rushed toward the camera.
Smiling brightly at the camera, he said,
“My grandmother’s grandson did it.”
* * *
After Sanchez’s goal, Guerrero scored two more, and Manchester City secured a 3-0 victory.
The moment the match ended, Sanchez hurriedly changed and headed straight to the hospital.
Panting heavily, he reached the reception desk and gasped for breath after the rapid sprint.
“Huff… huff…”
The reception nurse looked at him with wide eyes.
“Ah, are you Sanchez player?”
Sanchez nodded and managed to speak.
“Y-yes… correct. My grandmother… I want to know the room number.”
“Fifth floor, room 503. You can take the elevator.”
“Thank you.”
Sanchez headed for the elevator.
“Ding”
The doors opened. He rushed out into the corridor, checked the room numbers, and hurried forward.
“501… 502…”
Finally, he stopped in front of room 503.
Standing before the door, Sanchez took a deep breath once more.
His hand slowly reached for the handle.
“Grandma, grandson is here.”
Sanchez quietly opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was filled with the sight of his grandmother watching TV, smiling.
On the screen, the match highlight was still playing, explaining what had just happened.
[A breathtaking match, everyone! Manchester City’s transformation was truly dramatic. In the first half, they seemed awkward trying to adapt to the new tactics, but in the second half they transformed as if by magic. Dominated by extraordinary passing play, Sanchez’s magnificent volley set the scoring tone, and Guerrero’s consecutive goals sealed a 3-0 clean-sheet win that fans will never forget. Sanchez not only scored but also assisted two more goals with his creative passing, delivering an outstanding performance.]
[Sanchez’s timing was impeccable too. The moment he stepped on, the TV began praising him…]
A proud smile filled his grandmother’s face.
“Our puppy is here.”
Sanchez’s suppressed emotions burst forth; his eyes reddened and his throat tightened.
“Hic… Grandma…”
He couldn’t speak anymore and rushed to his grandmother.
Kneeling beside the bed, he took her hand tightly.
“Grandma, please don’t be in pain.”
His grandmother gently stroked his head and smiled.
“Then I get to watch my puppy play. You worked so hard today.”
Sanchez looked up at his grandmother.
From her warm eyes and gentle smile, he always received comfort and strength.
The joy and relief he felt now was greater than the victory on the pitch.
“Thank you, Grandma. I’ll train even harder so you can be proud of me.”
His grandmother held his hand even tighter.
The love and trust flowing between them was so deep and strong that no words could describe it.
In the quiet hospital room, her warm conversation with her grandson echoed softly alongside the match highlights still playing on the TV.