Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Fear of Desperation - 2
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I had expected it, but I never saw this coming.
They're calling me up to join the starting lineup group's training.
Was I really that good?
Well, I definitely wasn't bad.
I moved around actively to stand out as much as possible, and I even scored two goals.
But I never thought I'd be called up this quickly.
When was the last time I trained with the starting lineup?
It feels like it's been months.
My heart is pounding.
"Hoo."
I calm my racing heart and head over to the adjacent training pitch.
Under normal circumstances, this situation would have been incredibly intimidating, but given the situation, my excitement is even greater.
Is this my chance?
"Uh, Coach."
"Ah, right. Ji-an."
I approach our U17 team's coach, Toni, and he greets me with an awkward smile.
We've never had a long conversation, so our relationship is a bit awkward.
Actually, that's true for everyone on the team.
The coach put his hand on my shoulder and spoke.
"Sorry for calling you up suddenly."
"It's no problem."
"Play for the team without the vests. You'll be at the Second Forward position."
"Yes."
"There's nothing special. Just play how you want. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Wait for a moment."
Maybe he was conscious of my Italian level, as the coach gave me his instructions in a tone that seemed to take care with his pronunciation.
It's the same role, nothing different.
But the starting lineup is clearly different from the bench group.
A few of those kids have even participated in first-team training before.
So I can't take this lightly.
"Forward!"
"Man on! Turn inside!"
I wait on the touchline for a moment, observing the starting lineup's practice match.
As I do, I run through the scenario in my head.
If I'm the Second Forward for the team without the vests...
Number 13. What was that guy's name again?
Ah, right. Gino.
If I were to take Gino's spot...
I simulate in my head how I would play if I were him.
First, I need to consider why I'm being put in instead of Gino.
I need to figure out the coach's intention for taking Gino out and putting me in.
To do that, I first need to compare Gino and myself.
Gino... from what I remember, he's a similar type of player to me. He's not physically superior, but he's good at dribbling, passing, and making runs.
Of course, just because our styles are similar doesn't mean Gino isn't an upgrade over me.
That's probably why Gino is with the starters and I'm on the bench.
Anyway, in that case, there's nothing particularly difficult about this.
If you're swapping out similar types of players, there's only one reason.
Stamina issues.
I'm basically just a replacement battery for Gino.
So I just need to perform Gino's role exactly as it is.
Nothing difficult.
However... there's one thing that bothers me.
And that is, Gino is struggling.
The pressure on Gino is quite intense.
Even when he doesn't have the ball, a man-marker is stuck to him, and the moment the ball goes to Gino, two or more players instantly swarm him.
Winning a contest in that situation can't be easy, so Gino's turnovers were increasing.
As a result, the frequency of passes going to Gino was decreasing.
If I were in that situation... first, I'd try to find a way by using the pitch a bit wider.
Meaning, I'd have to drag the marker around with me.
Having a dedicated marker means that, from the defense's perspective, they're using up one player.
If Gino isn't just staying in his spot but is instead making movements to the flanks or dropping down to the midfield.
The marker would also have to leave his position, creating a gap in that spot.
By creating cracks in the defense like that, we might be able to break this flow... that's my thought for now.
But Gino must have a different idea, as I don't see him making any such movements.
He probably thinks he can shake off the marker with his individual skill.
There's no way Gino wouldn't know something that I do.
"Ji-an, you ready?"
"Ah, yes."
"Gino's physical condition doesn't seem to be very good. That's why we're giving him a rest, so you don't need to feel pressured."
"Ah... yes."
"Just play how you want to."
"Understood."
The coach said that, then cupped his hands around his mouth and called for Gino.
At the call, Gino walked out slowly, and I ran past him toward my spot.
As I ran, I suddenly realized just how nervous I was.
Thinking about it, this is just a practice game for the starting lineup kids.
Yet here I am, seriously analyzing it all by myself as if it were a real match.
For some reason, that made me feel pathetic.
But, whatever.
The fact is, this moment is a huge opportunity for me.
It's fine if I get a little too serious.
It's better than being utterly humiliated in front of Ji-woo.
BOOOOOM-!
The game restarts with the opponent's goal kick.
I start to jog lightly, believing in the power of desperation.
*
What I need right now is a play that exceeds my abilities. The field I'm standing on isn't some mini-game with the bench group. This is a practice match with the starting lineup, for crying out loud.
It's wishful thinking to think I can take Gino's spot and secure a starting position, but at the very least, I need to show that I can replace Gino's role in an emergency.
That way, I might be able to at least sit on the bench.
To do that, instead of being greedy for things I can't do, I need to focus on what I can.
PAAANG-
PAAANG-!
Our team is circulating the ball in the back.
The opponent's defense is positioned with tight spacing, so it's not easy to find an angle for a forward pass.
As a result, only sideways and backward passes are being made.
From the outside, this scene must look boring, but the perspective from the inside is different.
This is when the fiercest battle of wits is taking place.
Especially for someone like me.
The fact that we can't move forward from the back isn't necessarily just a problem with the backline players.
In fact, there's a higher chance that the problem lies with the second-line players who are supposed to receive the forward pass.
They have to be in a position to receive the pass for the backline to even consider giving them a forward pass.
Therefore, if I can't find a way through, this situation will inevitably become stagnant.
And on top of that, I'm the newcomer.
If there's a problem with the second-line players' movements, is it more likely to be a problem with the original starters, or a problem with me, the newcomer?
Obviously, it's the second one.
Even if it's not true, it's an easy assumption to make.
In short, every time a sideways or backward pass is made, I'm the one who gets the most anxious.
I have to find the correct position, even a second sooner, and stand there.
It can't be a position that's just 'close' to correct.
As a bench player, I have to choose only the correct answers.
The one fortunate thing is that I had already solved a lot of the problem in my head while watching the game from the outside.
First, the start of the solution is to drag this marker who's stuck to me and open up space.
TATATAT-!
I boldly abandon the forward area and drop down to the midfield. As I do, I glance back and see the marker following me.
He hesitated for a moment, probably thinking, 'I have to man-mark this guy instead of Gino?'
I ignore it and keep dropping down, finding a spot between our midfielders.
Alright, I've drawn one defender down with me, so I've created a space on the opponent's side.
Now someone needs to exploit that space...
"Space! Make a run!"
As expected of the starting lineup kids.
Without me even having to say it, I saw one of the midfielders next to me make a run forward.
Now it's a puzzle-matching game from here.
I can't leave the guy running toward the empty space, so someone else has to move.
This creates another empty space where that 'someone' was originally standing, and another teammate will fill that spot.
This chain of movements continues, and eventually, a gap is bound to appear.
But the important thing isn't predicting that a gap will appear, but predicting where that gap will be.
TATATAT-!
I, too, keep moving while constantly scanning my surroundings. At the same time, I'm running a simulation in my head by moving the pieces around.
As I run the simulation... I finally finish my calculations.
TATATAT-!
I run toward the left half-space.
If my calculations are correct, the space on the left will eventually open up for a free play.
And for the ball to be put into that space, it has to go through the left midfield.
That's why I'm running to the left.
If my calculations aren't wrong, the ball will come here.
Did I choose the correct answer?
PAAAAANG-!
It's coming.
The ball is coming.
Finally, a forward pass was made, and that pass was heading toward me.
For now, I got the answer right.
But it's too early to be happy.
I'm just a stepping stone at best.
I still have a duty to pass the ball quickly and accurately to the final target.
With the ball coming toward me, meaning I was facing our own goal, I...
BOOOOOM-!
...struck the ball without stopping it.
A pass aimed at the left flank.
Since I've finished my calculations anyway, and the marker is still chasing me from behind.
I had no time to hold onto the ball and cut it back.
SHWOOOO-
My pass stretches out to the left.
I don't even have time to admire my pass as I start running again.
My mission isn't over just because I made the pass.
I'm a forward, after all. I have to keep making runs toward the box until the very end.
However, since I'm not strong in the air, I need to run to a position where I can receive a cutback.
"Hoo, hoo!"
I exhale forcefully, grit my teeth, and run.
Actually, my feet weren't moving the way I wanted them to.
This trash stamina is a problem, and on top of that, I feel dizzy from using my brain so much in such a short time.
But I could keep running.
First of all,
PAAANG-!
the pass I sent reached its target perfectly and created a wide-open chance, which gave me strength.
And above all... the fear that all the lies I told Ji-woo might be exposed if I stop here made my legs move.
Man.
Lies are so scary.