Vs Manchester City -1
The day before the third match of Champions League Group D between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
In accordance with UEFA rules, Dortmund conducted an adaptation training session at Manchester City's home ground, Etihad Stadium, starting in the evening.
"The grass is longer than I thought."
"Gonna have to put a bit more power into my passes."
Grass length varied depending on the manager's tactical preferences, so adaptation training for the players was essential to ensure a fair match.
After finishing adaptation training, the Dortmund players headed back to their hotel, chatting about tomorrow's game.
"By the way, those Man City bastards have insane physiques."
"Who? Yaya Touré?"
"Nah, all of them."
Mario Götze, recovered from injury, chimed in on the conversation between Kevin Grosskreutz and Son Jinho.
"Honestly, shouldn't soccer be divided by weight classes?"
"It's not like martial arts; splitting by weight classes would kill the fun."
Kevin Grosskreutz and Mario Götze continued their banter. Son Jinho quietly listened to the two of them.
"What if some crazy guy starts punching people inside the stadium?"
"The ref just sends him off."
"What if he fouls without getting caught?"
"How do you punch someone without getting caught? Why not just say you brainwashed the ref with a hypnosis app?"
"If you have a hypnosis app, wouldn't it be a waste to use it on the ref?"
"Then what would you use it for?"
"...World domination?"
Son Jinho let out a soft chuckle at Mario Götze's pubescent-boy-like response. World domination? He's still just a kid. So young.
The warm smile of veteran midfielder Son Jinho turned toward Mario Götze, who made a sullen face.
"...Jino, that look on your face is kinda creepy. What would you do if you got a hypnosis app?"
Son Jinho stroked his chin at Mario Götze's question.
Hmm. Dinner... no, lifetime Ferguson?
After returning to the hotel, I messaged Jisung hyung.
Last season, despite being in normal condition, Jisung hyung missed five straight games.
Back then, he was so tormented by stress that he turned to drinking.
As a fellow soccer player, I could somewhat understand Jisung hyung's feelings. For a footballer, there's nothing more painful than not being able to play.
And as Korea's soccer hero Park Ji-sung, missing games and disappointing fans must have been an even bigger burden.
And the result in the original history was a transfer to QPR.
But this time was different.
Man United's top brass and Ferguson wanted him to stay, talking about me and helping me adapt.
After much deliberation, Jisung hyung accepted Man United's offer.
Hesitating at first, Jisung hyung suddenly got serious.
As I started the sudden worship, Jisung hyung, embarrassed, smoothly changed the subject.
The conversation with Jisung hyung wrapped up, and I sat there blankly for a while.
Come to think of it, why did I want to become a soccer player?
Ah.
Right.
As a kid, I naturally got into soccer following Han Gyeowol watching games at our house, and I grew my dream of becoming a player to impress her.
And seeing Jisung hyung at Manchester United made me want to play in Europe too.
A sudden thought, but...
If I transfer to Manchester United, inheriting Jisung hyung's number wouldn't be bad.
Number 13 wasn't symbolically iconic in soccer, but it held special meaning for Korean fans and me.
Anyway, that night.
I chatted with Gyeowol about old times for a while before falling asleep.
The next day.
As game time approached, Dortmund moved to Manchester City's home, Etihad Stadium.
Near the stadium, Manchester City fans in sky-blue uniforms were visible.
I thought about Man City's owner, Mansour.
Unlike the fans' initial worries about his takeover, Mansour proved to be an ideal owner, elevating City to the top of European football.
Well, there were controversies along the way... but at least he was far better than Glazer, who was obsessed with sucking money out of the club.
And personally, I thought embedding elites throughout the organization was brilliant.
That's how they earned praise for having Europe's best club internal systems.
Later, Jim Ratcliffe, who would become Man United's owner, even said:
Man City's soccer operations and internal systems weren't built overnight, and his noisy neighbors had much to teach. Spot on.
In my view, Man United was an absolute monarchy worshiping King Ferguson.
This system synergized and grew rapidly with exceptional talents like Ferguson and David Gill, but collapsed with anyone lesser.
Moyes, Van Gaal, and Ed Woodward proved that in the Dark Ages.
That's why I'm trying to delay Ferguson's retirement. Like how Joseon history might've changed if King Munjo lived 10 more years—postponing Ferguson's exit changes everything. Of course, I'm reasonable; I won't ask for 10. Just 5 years. 5 more as manager. Unlike Joseon where Sejo wrecked the system, Man U's case is different, so post-Ferguson it'll likely head back to Dark Ages. But win the Big Ear in 5 years, then... weekly wage of 770 million, happy football? Sure.