Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Dolan, Paul, and Lorenzo
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Truth be told, I wasn't making up a story out of thin air.
Even during that away game last time, and again in this one, I kept spotting people squinting their eyes at me.
Since I'm the only Asian player on the pitch, it had to be directed at me.
In away games, you're pretty much bound to run into some racial discrimination.
It's not the club's fault—it's usually just a few idiots acting on their own. Nothing you can do about it.
These days, it doesn't really bother me anymore.
But football fans around the world seemed to take it way more seriously than I'd expected.
📰 Breaking News [If you're an Espanyol fan, you must protect our player from racial discrimination!] 💬 Comments — Fan1 That's right. We can't just let this incident slide. — Fan2 Si-eon is the most important player on our team right now. — Fan3 But we did the same thing during Si-eon's debut... — Fan4 Those guys were definitely pretending to be Espanyol fans. — Fan5 Hey, did you even watch the follow-up interview? — Fan6 ...He said Si-eon wasn't a true Espanyol player until after his debut. — Fan7 Regardless of our past, racial discrimination is wrong, right? — Fan8 Yeah, it is... — Fan9 Fight back anyway!!! 📰 Breaking News [FIFA Launches Investigation into Racially Discriminatory Acts Against Lee Si-eon in Copa del Rey Round of 16] 📰 Breaking News [Atlético Madrid to Swiftly Investigate, Ban Offenders from Stadiums, and Impose Fines] 📰 Breaking News [Anti-Racism Groups Strongly Criticize Atlético Madrid] In fact, actual acts of racial discrimination were confirmed, and the criticism aimed at me turned into sympathy.
"This is blowing up... heh."
"Si-eon! You cause another massive scandal, and what's so funny about it?!"
"What? Can't an Asian guy even laugh?"
"No... that's not it..."
For a while, I had full immunity from backlash—a solid situation.
I'd been worried that my goal or celebration might lead to a suspension, but thankfully, it was no longer a concern.
"Still, we haven't lost a single game since I joined. That's good, right?"
"...Yes. We're way busier cleaning up after your messes, but it's better than losing."
"Then I'll keep counting on you going forward."
"Sure..."
No matter how hard I am to handle, as long as I step on the pitch, I'm still guaranteeing 100% victory.
After brushing off Camila's nagging with that, I spent the rest of the day lounging in bed, drifting through the internet.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having capped off the match against Atlético Madrid with a win, the club's atmosphere was buzzing with positivity.
They were probably reliving the glory days of La Liga, even if just for a moment.
Since we'd played just yesterday, there was no team training today—just individual recovery routines tailored to our conditions.
"Hey, Si-eon."
"Yeah?"
The player approaching me was none other than Lorenzo Torres.
"Thanks for yesterday."
"For what?"
"...For trusting me with that pass."
"It wasn't about trusting you. You were in the best position."
...
Lorenzo had no comeback to that. He lingered for a moment before heading back to his own training.
Maintaining this level of distance with Lorenzo seems just right.
Unlike Dolan, who needs constant hand-holding, or Paul, who needs occasional stepping on to stay sharp, Lorenzo doesn't require that level of micromanagement.
He was the type of player who would've thrived right away if he'd just transferred to a normal team from the start.
Now that I'm normalizing Espanyol, there's no need for him to move.
The most reliable players on the team right now? Exactly three.
Central midfielder - Adam Dolan
Left center-back - Paul Hernandez
Left winger - Lorenzo Torres
They're all solid fundamentally, so they could fill in elsewhere if needed, but there's no reason to sacrifice their explosive potential in their natural positions.
So those spots are pretty much locked in.
The most urgent need is still in attack.
Our current #9 was out for the season last year with a meniscus injury.
I heard he'd be back before June, and with his strong recovery drive, it might even be sooner.
If we can hold out until then, the top priority becomes the right wing.
I need someone who can keep up with my tempo.
Lorenzo's ambidextrous, but he's spent his life on the left, so risking him on the right isn't ideal. Better to balance things out.
With two defenders needed to contain Lorenzo, he can wreak havoc on his own.
"Hey."
"...What."
"You're gonna pass well from now on, right?"
*Nod.*
"Not just to me, but to other players too?"
"..."
"Think about it. Having the pass option will make your individual breakthroughs way easier. You know that already."
"Yeah..."
"After that last game, you've realized something. I trust you'll handle it."
This guy's not like Dolan, who improves with coddling.
He needs to convince himself. Shouldn't take too long, though.
In the end, the right winger will have to be solved the way I'd planned from the start.
'Time to go.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With a solemn mindset, I arrived at the Espanyol manager's private office.
*Bang—*
"You're coming and going like it's nothing now."
"Got something urgent."
Despite me barging straight in, he remained perfectly composed.
"About Pedro Yong from our contract talks—you have to sign him this summer."
"Have to?"
"I know the contract wasn't binding, but I think I've proven myself by now."
"Your performances have exceeded expectations, that's true. But it's only three games."
"Showing potential should be enough. And it's all for the team's benefit—when you spot a good talent, you sign them right away, obviously."
"Can't argue with that. The club already sees him as a key target and is preparing contact."
Things were moving faster than expected.
"Really? He's essential if we want to win La Liga."
"Haha... aiming for the title right away?"
"Isn't that obvious? No matter the competition, the goal is always to win it."
"Great mindset... You're even influencing the other players positively. I'm grateful."
...
"I feel the same. Not many managers would listen to a single player like this."
"Haha... You're no ordinary player."
I'd achieved my goal, and with the atmosphere turning awkwardly warm, I decided to head out.
"Then I'll be going."
Martin Leo nodded with a relaxed smile.
The way he softly countered my aggression showed he was no ordinary manager.
Maintaining a good relationship like this will be a huge help.
A guy like him won't get pushed out of the manager's seat easily.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Espanyol squad had poured everything into the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Atlético Madrid, so they needed ample rest.
But there was a league match just three days later.
Round 26 opponent: Deportivo.
Surprisingly, a team with a La Liga title in their history.
They don't have the same squad anymore, but they're famous for pulling off miracles.
The result was 4-4.
We led 4-2 at halftime, but subbing out key starters for stamina management backfired.
Deportivo boasts insane attacking power, and we'd been focused purely on defense to contain them. But at the 15-minute mark of the second half, I got subbed too.
Deep down, I knew going out now would doom us, but there was nothing I could do at that point.
Sure enough, our right flank started opening up more, cracking the defensive line.
We conceded two quick goals to tie it at 4-4, and with the momentum shifted, we couldn't find a winner.
At least we didn't concede more—that was fortunate.
Dropping from three points to one felt unfair, but it beat zero.
We're now 4th in the league.
Our previous two league wins had bumped us up two spots.
Winning this one would've put us at 3rd, but with games in hand, it's not worrying.
Plus, you could call it bad luck.
If I'd stayed on, we might've prevented one goal, but my replacement didn't play terribly.
Guess this is why they're called miracle-makers.
The team mood stayed strong, and beyond our reliable trio, the starters' form kept improving daily.
That momentum led straight to two more league wins.
Round 27: Santander. 3-1 win.
Round 28: SD Eibar. 4-0 win.
Especially against SD Eibar, we hit 4-0 by the 15th minute of the second half, allowing mass rest for the starters.
Meaning we could prepare fully for the next big one.
Copa del Rey semifinals.
First leg battlefield: Espanyol's home turf.
Stage Front Stadium.