Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Copa del Rey Semifinal First Leg
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The Copa del Rey semifinals are played once at each team's home stadium.
Our semifinal opponent is Valencia CF.
Nicknamed the Bat Legion.
Of course, they don't have the same prestige as Atlético Madrid, whom we faced in the quarterfinals, but they're still no pushover.
At this point, having reached the Copa del Rey semifinals, there are no easy opponents left.
Especially Valencia's center forward, Umar Sadiq, who stands at an imposing 192cm tall.
Valencia relies heavily on aerial duels exploiting Sadiq's height as their main source of goals.
Sadiq currently ranks third in La Liga scoring with 13 goals.
On the flip side, they're seen as a team weak in defense compared to their attack, so this could turn into a high-scoring affair.
Since the first leg is at our home stadium, we need to secure a solid win here to make the away second leg easier.
Even at home, losing or drawing the first leg would make the away second leg a nightmare.
That said, even if we win the first leg at home, the opponents will come fully prepared at their home stadium for the return, so it won't be easy.
To smooth out the schedule ahead, we probably need to build at least a two-goal lead.
📰 Breaking News [Today's Copa del Rey Espanyol vs Valencia Squad Announced] 💬 Comments — Anonymous Lee Si-eon starting confirmed ㅅㅅ — Fan1 Need to win big today to make it easy — Fan2 Let's go! — Fan3 Oh? Pablo Ramon is in the squad too? — Newbie Who's that? — Insider The right back signed alongside Lee Si-eon in the winter transfer window — Fan4 ? They signed two right backs? — Fan5 Ramon can play center back too, no way they're benching Si-eon, right? — Optimist No way, we're in the semis, they'd never give up on the Copa del Rey — Gamer Oh, it's finally starting. Chicken, cola, chicken muk three-set ready. — Reply ㄱㅈㅇ~ "Alright, Copa del Rey semifinal first leg. The match unfolding at Espanyol's home. Yes, kickoff."
"One key point in this game is Lee Si-eon's position, right?"
— Shocked Why is that guy over there??? — Huh ? — WTF Ah, what the hell??? "Yes, that's right~ Lee Si-eon is starting today as Adam Dolan's partner in central midfield."
"Yes~ That spot has been filled by the newly signed Pablo Ramon."
"Of course, based on Lee Si-eon's performances so far, we can say he possesses all the abilities required for a midfielder. But actually standing there is a whole different story."
"That's true. As far as I know, Lee Si-eon has played exclusively as a right fullback from his youth days without any position changes."
Every soccer fan watching the match was skeptical about Lee Si-eon's sudden position switch.
The reason I decided to play central midfielder specifically for this match was to secure a big scoreline.
In other words, defense is important of course, but we need to score at least two goals first.
Currently, Espanyol's most potent attacking route is through Lorenzo Torres.
To bolster that side and reduce my own defensive burden, I pushed for a position change in this game.
In that sense, the signing of Pablo Ramon alongside me was perfectly timed.
He can't completely fill my shoes, of course, but he's got the skill to not be a liability.
Plus, I'm the one who syncs best with Adam Dolan.
At the same time, he's the teammate who can keep up with my play the most.
I considered going full attacking midfielder, but that risks a heavy loss, making the second leg tough to recover from, so I settled on central midfielder as a compromise.
Manager Martin Leo had apparently considered it too and approved without hesitation.
Going forward, position changes with solid reasoning should be feasible.
"Si-eon, let's do this!"
As a result, Adam Dolan seemed thrilled.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The match kicked off with Valencia having the first possession.
Up to the 10th minute of the first half, both teams probed each other cautiously with no major incidents.
"We need to score before halftime to seize the momentum."
Since it's our home game at Stage Front Stadium, the sooner we score, the easier the match will be.
A pass error from the opponents put the ball in our possession, and it went to Adam Dolan, who had gone out of play.
"Dolan, time to rely on me a bit less."
"Huh?"
"Passing to me isn't a bad choice, of course, but there were moments where clearly better options existed."
I placed a hand on Dolan's shoulder briefly to deliver my final words, then returned to the pitch.
📰 Dolan I picked up the ball for the throw-in and paused to think. 'Trusting and using me doesn't mean always passing to me. It means exploiting my good positioning. And if I'm in a good spot, the opponents know it too.' That's what Si-eon told me as he came over. He said I'd get it right away. Our link-up play has always been perfect so far. Whenever I spotted space, Si-eon was there without fail, and whenever I thought I had time, the ball came to me reliably. ... I don't fully get it yet, but since he said I would, I'll keep playing. I threw the ball back for stable possession. Receiving the return, I immediately looked for Si-eon, dropping back slightly to open space, and passed to him. "As expected..." With other players, the fine movements are lacking, and pass lanes often don't open. But with Si-eon, no such worries. And Si-eon's strengths go beyond that—he's strong on the ball too. In an instant, he shook off the midfield press and nudged the ball into the space ahead where I was running. "Hup..." Spotting the defender closing fast, I stretched my leg to shield and control the ball. Confirming Si-eon arriving behind, I adjusted the pass strength for him to shoot and laid it off. "Ah!..." The defender I'd shielded off predicted the pass, abandoned the challenge, and intercepted. "Huff... huff..." We barely stopped the quick counter, but it was the most dangerous moment of the game so far. 'A pass miss from me, of all people...' I'd laid off a quality pass perfectly timed for Si-eon's run and shot. No mistakes on my end. The defender just read it and made a bold play that paid off spectacularly. ... 'So the opponents saw this route too...' "Ah!" Si-eon's words: opponents can see good positions too. And using me doesn't mean always passing to me. I should've understood it literally, but why did it take experiencing it firsthand? "Si-eon! Once more!!" Si-eon changed positions for the team's win, so it's time for me to change too. A prime shooting chance was snuffed out before it could even be attempted.
Regrettable, but credit to the defender that time.
Still, the stadium's energy surged from that attack, and I could feel the Valencia players shrinking back.
'Another chance will come.'
"Whoa!!!!!"
Before I could swallow my disappointment, Dolan won the cleared ball and lofted a beauty into the space ahead where Lorenzo was sprinting.
Lorenzo settled it with a first touch inside and immediately eyed a 1v1.
But the Valencia center back recovered faster than expected, preventing a clear goal chance.
That's when Dolan looped around behind Lorenzo, instantly giving him options: pass or inside cut.
And Lorenzo was no longer a player who stubbornly dribbled solo.
He kept the ball's path alive, and Dolan charged into the penalty area.
"Dolan!!"
I dropped back slightly for a cutback and called for him.
Dolan spotted me and set his stance.
"Block the pass lane!!"
The keeper yelled at the defender, bracing for a straight shot.
"Huh?"
A defender dove to cut the pass path, letting out a sharp cry.
Dolan faked the pass with his sole, turned, and went 1v1 with the keeper.
Close to the post, but tricky angle—high difficulty.
"Dolan!!"
Meanwhile, Lorenzo had ghosted to the goalmouth, calling for it.
BAM!-
...
"Whoa!!!!!"
The stadium erupted.
Dolan chose the near post top corner.
A razor-thin gap, keeper in position—but his reaction lagged, unsure of the path. Even if touched, the shot's power ripped the net.
"Si-eon!!"
"Urk."
Dolan sprinted to me post-goal, jumping into my arms.
I never expected him to absorb that advice so thoroughly, so quickly.
A goal crafted by Adam Dolan's individual brilliance.
First half, 30th minute—we lead 1-0.