The Fans' Championship Festival: Manchester City's Perfect Victory
The crowd around Etihad Stadium was packed tighter than ever, with fans spilling onto the streets like a living sea of red. Even the narrow gaps between buildings and the edges of sidewalks were filled to the brim. Early morning had turned into a frenzy of energy, voices rising high above the din.
"Hey, don't push like that!"
"I set up my tent last night and waited my turn! No cutting in!"
The excited shouts from the fans mixed together in a chaotic roar, and even small arguments broke out here and there among the throngs.
The stadium's stands were full, yet the steps leading up to the upper levels were crammed with people standing and watching the match. This wasn't just any game. Manchester City had prepared something special after eight long years without a Premier League title: an 11-versus-11 match between the players themselves, held right at their home ground.
There was one huge twist, though.
Normally, forwards would play in defense and goal, defenders would switch to attack, and goalkeepers would step up as strikers. Today it was the famous Position Change Match.
"Hmmm... how many goals do I need to make Guerrero collapse?"
Far off in the corner, wearing goalie gloves but still playing like a forward, was Guerrero. He looked a bit awkward, but he kept shooting.
"Maybe ten goals... that should do it."
Normally the event match would be played gently, but just before kickoff, Guerrero's taunt had changed his mind completely.
"Tae-woo, no matter how good you are, playing as a forward is super tough. Goalkeepers? Well, I can manage that too. I'm a natural genius, after all~"
Now the gloves were off. Today he would show him the real meaning of talent.
"You were the one who started this challenge."
With a smug grin, he positioned himself in front of the goal. The special guest commentator, the famous comedian Mike Bennett, raised his voice and the match began in earnest.
Manchester City fans, thank you for joining today's special event match. I am your special commentator, Mike Bennett!
"Kyaaaaah!"
His signature exaggerated voice and playful tone made the crowd erupt in laughter and cheers.
"Aigo~ The reaction is so great that I'm getting even more excited! When the club first asked me to commentate, I said, 'Eh? I'm a comedian, you know?' But this is such a fun match! There's no choice—I have to do my best! Everyone, let's laugh properly today! Yes~!"
"Wahaha!"
"Now, let's introduce our proud Red Team players!"
Because it was a fan-service match, the massive LED board at the stadium lit up one by one with the players' faces and names.
"The Red Team's savior! Premier League top scorer and Player of the Month! The star of the incredible performance, Guerrero!"
"Waaaaaaaah!"
On the screen, Guerrero struck a pose and launched into his famous celebration dance, a move now famous enough that many fans were copying it in the stands.
"Oh my! Guerrero, can you teach me that dance too? I want to use it in my comedy shows! Hahaha! Everyone's copying him! Are you going to open a dance school next?"
"This dance is awesome, not just funny!"
"Aigo, sorry~ Guerrero! It's really great, right?"
"Yes~!"
'I was wondering why they picked a comedian instead of a serious commentator... but with this lively style, it really suits a fan event.'
"Now, let's introduce the second player! Our romantic left-back! The captain of the team! Good personality and great skills—perfect in every way! Mathias!"
"Mathias! Stick with us till the end!"
"I love you, Mathias! Our daughter can marry you anytime! Just come!"
From every section of the crowd, passionate cheers and marriage proposals poured in. Especially from parents of daughters, the enthusiasm was off the charts. With his handsome face and good personality, he was basically the perfect husband candidate—except for the fact that he was already married.
"Wow! As expected from the captain! His popularity is amazing. Mathias, I’m getting flustered from all these proposals. Oh, look, an old lady on the third floor is holding a proposal sign! This must be the charm that spans generations! Hahaha!"
Mathias smiled shyly and made heart shapes with both hands.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"Oh my, that reaction was unexpected! A heart instead of O... wait, hold on! Wasn't Mathias already married?"
"Hahaha!"
Mathias waved his hand nervously while pointing at his wedding ring, and the crowd burst into even louder laughter.
After the Red Team lineup, the Blue Team players were introduced.
"Now the Blue Team! First up, our maestro! Sanchez... oh, hold on a second. Staff? This goal looks way too big! Is this real?"
Sanchez scratched his cheek awkwardly and laughed.
"Now, the last player. Honestly, I was thinking how to introduce this guy... um... ah! A man who's handsomer than Mike Bennett! A man more popular with women than Mike Bennett! And... surprise! A goalkeeper who even ranks on the scoring list!"
"Tae-woo! Tae-woo! Tae-woo!"
"Oh my, what’s going on? Before my introduction was even over... the reaction is already this hot! Our Jung Tae-woo really is special! Everyone, cheer louder!"
"Tae-woo! Tae-woo! Tae-woo!"
"The goalkeeper who dribbles better than forwards is stepping into the attack position! The Jung Tae-woo you’ve been waiting for!"
I waved at the LED screen showing my own face, smiling brightly.
'Since it's a fan-service match, everyone needs to have fun.'
I remembered Guerrero’s earlier provocation and felt a bit embarrassed. Hearing the fans’ passionate cheers, I realized I had been acting like a kid for nothing. Today I would focus only on pure football and enjoying it with the fans.
Castillo received the pass and confidently shot, but the ball sailed high over the goal and into the stands.
"Hahaha!"
"No way... Castillo! Were you aiming for a passing plane? Or did you dislike the new stadium lights? Hahaha!"
Castillo smiled awkwardly and raised both hands in apology to the fans. The crowd laughed even harder at his pure, innocent reaction.
'I should score at least one goal and let everyone enjoy it.'
While playing with a pass-first style to keep the fun going, I kept smiling. But whenever I looked at Guerrero grinning at me, Guerrero’s taunting words from earlier came rushing back.
'No, today is for the fans.'
I told myself this over and over, but every time I saw him, my mind kept drifting back.
Even with a clear penalty-box chance to shoot, I passed to the young player next to me. The fan-service match had brought in both first-team and youth players, giving the young talents a chance to play in front of fans. Their faces in the stands were filled with excitement.
But right after a young player lost the ball to a defender and a counterattack started, Guerrero slipped up beside me.
"Haha, Tae-woo. Attack really is different, huh? Pressure is intense, right? Well... I guess I’m pretty good at goalkeeping?"
'I’ll have to show him I’m not that weak.'
I had no intention of openly sabotaging, but I did need to knock that cocky energy down a notch. The moment the pass came from Castillo, I lifted the ball with my toe and slipped it through two defenders.
"Ooh!"
"Jung Tae-woo is showing us something now!"
I scooped it past the third defender and took the shot.
"Thud!"
"Waaah!"
The ball flew toward the goal but slammed into Guerrero’s belly after he transformed into a goalkeeper. He dramatically twisted and collapsed.
"Haha, looks like the natural talent Guerrero is great at goalkeeping."
"Hey, is Guerrero okay? Huh? Again?"
On the second try, the ball struck Guerrero’s knee.
"Waaah!"
"The goalkeeper is really good!"
The third shot hit his shin. The fourth, his bottom. Guerrero reacted with exaggerated slapstick comedy flair, and the crowd laughed along, treating it all as a show.
"Aigo, Guerrero’s acting is amazing! When you retire, we should do a comedy stage together!"
But unlike the crowd’s assumption, the real Guerrero was genuinely upset.
'This isn’t acting...!'
On the last shot, the ball bounced back and fell in front of the young player.
"Shoot!"
The young player calmly rolled it into the corner.
"Wow! The goal finally came! Perfect assist from Jung Tae-woo... I guess! Hahaha!"
I walked over to the fallen Guerrero and whispered in his ear.
"Want to say what you said earlier one more time?"
Seeing his face turn pale, I knew he was finally able to enjoy the match without stress.
'Hah... all my stress is gone now.'