Chapter 121
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 121
Chapter Title Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes is an old stadium.
While most European clubs with over a century of history have all built new stadiums, PSG still plays its games here.
Of course, they repair and remodel it every year, but there were bound to be limits.
Youd think that with their powerhouse owner who bought the team with massive funds, theyd tear this place down and build a new stadium, but they couldnt. This stadium didnt belong to PSGit was owned by the city of Paris.
What, just buy it with money?
Theyd thought of that.
But it wasnt for sale, so how could they buy it?
Theyd been scouting new land to build a stadium, but finding a plot big enough in Paris for that wasnt easy.
Fortunately, that issue had been mostly resolved, and they were set to build a new stadium soon. Still, the stadium hosting Newcastle United was this one Parc des Princes.
Even this rundown place didnt sit well with Taeyang.
This thing looks shiny on the outside, but its completely rotten inside... tch!
When he thought of New St. James Park, it was amazing that expensive players had no complaints about this dump.
Even the touchscreen tactical boards that everyone had these days were nowhere to be found.
They couldnt install them because of electrical issues. It was inconvenient for the home team, but the away team had to bring their own gear too.
But Yoon Taeyang was the only one who cared about that.
Most players were too tense to notice.
Whats with everyone? Why do you all look like youre at a funeral?
True to form, Silva shuffled into the locker room in his slippers and scanned the players.
All eyes turned to Silva.
What, you scared before the game even starts?
Silva studied their faces.
Aside from Mendendez, whod been a starter at Real Madrid, and Serie A top scorer Ilinyu, everyone seemed nervous.
Oh, except Yoon Taeyang.
Was the kid fearless because he was young, or did he just see PSG as nothing special?
No need to be scared, you lot. Theyre just guys rolling a ball on two feet like us.
Oh, not exactly like us, huh.
Their average market value is way higher than ours, though.
At that, Taeyang, who had a banana in his mouth, spoke up.
You know, Ive been thinkingwhy didnt we buy expensive players?
Its not that we didnt. We couldnt. Thanks to those bastards at Manchester City.
Theyd aimed to build from the ground up rather than splashing cash and causing chaos, but it wasnt as easy as planned.
Newcastle had once considered buying bigname players too.
Even if it meant bending the rules.
But after Manchester City got hit with FFP sanctions, the Premier League started scrutinizing clubs hardcore, so they couldnt just buy pricey stars willynilly.
Its bullshit. City gets a slap on the wrist, and everyone else after gets relegated on the spot with all that monitoring.
How does Paris get away with buying guys like that without getting caught?
Who knows.
It was a real mystery.
Maybe they lobbied behind the scenes.
Silva muttered that under his breath, then glanced at the other players.
Well, our time to spend will come. Think anyone not playing big games like today will end up on the release list?
A few players flinched.
The weakhearted ones reacted to that.
On the flip side, play well, and youll get a contract extension, right? With a pay bump?
Damn, this kid Taeyang had killer timing.
As Silva nodded in agreement with Taeyangs perfectly timed jab
Of course it will.
Artelli entered the locker room.
I get it if youre tense and scared because the opponent is too strong.
Artelli stroked his beard as he spoke.
Why the tension and fear? Its because youre afraid of losing. No need to worry at all. Even if we lose, just play your game. How many players out of all those millions get to play in the Champions League quarterfinals?
It was a stage for roughly 100 elite players.
This is already an honor. So even if we lose, give it your all without regrets. Youll regret not trying your best more than the loss itself.
The coachs words left a lingering impact.
Some had regretted it before, and for others, the fear of that regret outweighed defeat now.
Coach Artelli looked at Taeyang.
Amid the thoughtful silence, Taeyang munched his banana with a bored expression.
Our little prince, MI SOL, was as steady as ever.
Look at that grumpy, teenageboy scowl.
Hed put on another insane show with that face today.
The Champions League quarterfinal first leg! Its game day for Paris SaintGermain vs. Newcastle United.
Newcastle are in the quarters for the first time in four seasons. They defied predictions by knocking out Bayern Munich in the round of 16, and many expect them to upset again.
But its no easy task. Its PSG. Theyre seen as absolute powerhouses in the Champions League.
More than that, this team doesnt get complacent. Their coach gave a cryptic prematch interview about setting pride aside and just playing soccer.
PSG setting aside their pride? Sounds ominous even hearing it.
Yes. Before kickoff, lets check the lineups. PSG, who are dropping pride, vs. Newcastle, who beat the favorites.
PSG
FW GradinaruChiligiris
MF Kassama
JudeMaelle
DF MendesAlonsoWalmorDaliwal
GK Donnarumma
Newcastle
FW LedelriIlinyuYoon Taeyang
MF BoxolMenendezGomez
DF LindemanMurishiArnoldSanchez
GK Ricella
Both teams fielded their core players.
PSG had no nonnational team starters by position.
The scariest part was their attacking trio Gradinaru, Chiligiris, and Kassama forming an inverted triangle.
All three had won a Ballon dOr.
After Mbappé and Haalands peaks, it was a freeforall every year, with six different winners. And three of them were on one team.
PSG fans called it the strongest attack since Messi, Mbappé, and Neymar played togethersome even said the best ever, factoring in Messis twilight years.
With unlimited potential, it was a huge burden for Newcastles stilldeveloping defense.
As if aware, Newcastle dropped deep like a turtle shell right after kickoff, defending compactly as PSG advanced the ball.
It was the best approach against a superior team, especially away.
PSG slowly ramps up the tempo, working the ball forward. Their midfield trio exchanges passes, creating space for the forwards.
As PSGs midfield three passed around while assessing, Daliwal surged down the flank. Maelle passed to him.
Daliwal took off at his signature blistering speed.
Lindeman, whod dropped to add numbers in midfield, was too late to block, so Newcastle prioritized packing the defense.
With Newcastle crowded centrally, Daliwal judged a cross too tough and drove inside.
A rare PSG youth product, hed started as a winger or wingforward.
Once in the senior team, PSG deemed him lacking as a winger and converted him to fullback, where he claimed a starting spot.
Even pushed out by stars, his footwork wasnt dismissible.
He could fool the guy in frontLindemanat least once or twice.
Like right now.
Oh! Daliwal beats Lindeman! Newcastles two centerbacks adjust, Murishi tracking Daliwal... Oh! Daliwal slips into the gap first!
Chiligiris! Shoooooot!
Ricella holds it!
Chiligiris, that shot was too straight!
Newcastle counter!
Ricella, with time on the ball, punted forward immediately.
Players from both sides raced toward the long ball.
Closest were Ledelri, Ilinyu, and PSGs Walmor.
Ilinyu jumped highest.
He nodded it down, Ledelri beat Walmor to it and advanced, then slipped it sideways seeing Alonso.
Taeyang latched onto Ledelris pass and rifled a direct shot at goal.
The penaltyboxline strike curved perfectly into the top corner.
Goal! Its a goal! Newcastles sharp counter!
Newcastle counters are lethal. Even PSG gets caught!
Wait, Yoon Taeyang?
Something rare happened.
Taeyang, whod usually just strolled to halfway with the ball and a deadpan face, clenched his fist after scoring.
Haha, a celebration?
Scoring against PSG must mean something special to Yoon Taeyang.
After a small fist pump, Taeyang walked back to halfway like nothing happened.
Kickoff followed soon after.
PSG stay calm despite conceding. Building patiently.
A goal hurt pride, but score more and it evens out.
PSG wouldnt crumble over one or two.
To flip the script, their midfield worked possession.
Thats when
Menendez!!
Menendez, whod dropped to mark Kassama, had pushed forward and intercepted a pass to him.
He lashed an instant pass.
The laserlike ball sliced through players and reached Taeyangs feet in a flash.
Taeyang took it in front of Mendes and Alonso, trying to thread between them.
Mendes immediately blocked his path, but Taeyang nutmegged him with La Croqueta.
Alonso then closed tight, killing space and lunging for the ball.
Taeyang pulled it back to evade, using Alonso as a pivot to spin away.
Past two in a flash, goal in sight.
Taeyang unleashed without hesitation.
The keeper couldnt react to the grassclipping speed, and it sailed in.
Waaaaaa!
Shattering expectations, Newcastle led 20. Thunderous roars erupted from the away end.
Huh, weirdly easy?
Taeyang felt wary despite the simple goals.
PSG wouldnt sit idle after two.
He yelled at his teammates, already celebrating like theyd won.
I scored those, not you! Dont get cocky! Stay focused, you idiots! No complacency!
The opponent was PSG.
Monsters who could equalize or overturn anytime.
Taeyang reminded themand himself.