Chapter 122
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 122
Chapter Title PSG Strikes Back
Newcastle, having scored two goals on the counter, had no intention of letting up.
They were a team more accustomed to attack than defense from the start.
They pressed PSG ferociously.
Unlike the first goal, PSG was badly shaken after conceding the second.
It was because theyd allowed the counter so easily.
It stemmed from complacency, but the key was that the snowball effect was rolling perfectly.
Newcastle gained confidence and momentum, pressing even harder than theyd imagined, and PSG got swept up in it.
PSG decided to drop their lines and slow the tempo until Newcastles momentum cooled, reorganizing in the meantime.
Newcastle tried to bite into PSGs lifeline somehow, but with PSG committing fully to defense, it wasnt easy to break through.
That went for Taeyang too.
No, even more so.
From some point on, every time he got the ball, PSG players moved with sharp precision.
As if theyd rehearsed it.
In truth, against the monster Yoon Taeyangwho could shake off two or three defenders without issue, creating space and chances for his teammatesPSG had prepared to discard their pride, just as theyd said.
Theyd called it pridediscarding soccer, but no one thought itd go that faruntil they let Taeyang score two easy goals, at which point they started executing their plan to the letter.
Their tactic was simple, yet not entirely so.
It was a bruteforce strategy drop even the forwards line to isolate Yoon Taeyang completely and eliminate space.
Simple and straightforward, but not easy for another reasonlook at their attacking line.
Every one of them was a former Ballon dOr winner, with transfer fees in the hundreds of billions of won and weekly wages nearing a billion.
For such players to go defensive because of a mere 17yearold? Not an easy pill to swallow.
The old PSG attacking line that once dominated wouldve never allowed it.
That showed just how dedicated PSGs forwards were to the team now.
Even for Taeyang, breakthroughs via individual skill in tight spaces werent easy.
Even if he broke through, it took too much time.
Normally, hed pass to create space or assist, but with PSG dropping every line on purpose, it wasnt simple for him either.
No, before thateven getting the ball to Taeyang was the issue he couldnt do anything.
And with no further goals from either side after those two, the first half comes to an end.
PSG, stung by Newcastles counters, switched to defense to blunt their momentum and steady the ship.
PSG were late to swallow their pride, but once they did, they really let it all go and gritted their teeth to contain us.
It got tough toward the end of the half.
But wed already scored two.
Two away goals in the Champions League? Thats huge.
Taeyang, banana here.
I ate the banana Illnyu handed me and thought it over.
But would those two worry PSG?
Their attack line had produced 92 goals in Ligue 1 last season and combined for 28 in the Champions League.
Get complacent here, and those monsterswho could rack up over 100 goals in a seasoncould devour us.
I looked at the players.
PSG aint shit.
They underestimated us bad.
If its like this, round two should be even easier.
Think well finally make the semis?
These guys...
Every one of them was starting to take PSG lightly and get complacent.
The tension from before kickoff was gone.
Guess Im not the only one feeling it.
Oy! Did the match end already? You all acting like weve won.
The players turned to the manager as he entered the locker room.
Our kindly Artelli was looking at them with a rare stern face.
Weve got a twogoal lead with the second half still ahead. And the opponents are PSG. Stay focused till the end, lads.
The players straightened their expressions at his words.
They were trying to refocus, but that wouldnt happen easily.
Think about ittheyre all young guys in their twenties.
They live for soccer, simple as that, chasing the ball and money.
No way that excitement dies quick.
Still, couldnt underestimate Artellis influencethe man whod turned Newcastle into contenders in one season.
The players would try their utmost to heed their brilliant manager.
And so the second half began.
PSG, having dulled our momentum somewhat, came out guns blazing from the start to seize it for themselves.
The difference? Theyd prepared for counters this time.
Actually, it seemed they didnt even need to.
Commander Kassama, directing his two powerful knightsGradinaru and Chiligiriswas showing a completely different look from the first half.
He was utilizing the two up front or dropping back to Jude and Maelle as needed, playing absolute nomistakes soccer.
But ten minutes into the half passed without a goal.
Our defensive line was blocking shots with sheer desperation.
The defenders, loose from tension earlier, had changed completely after Artellis wordsand with chills running down their spines at every attacking momentnow faced PSG with hardened faces and full focus.
Good, glad theyre shaking off the complacency now.
In the midst of it, Murici barely won the ball and pushed forward.
Menendez passed to Gomez, who tried to link to me.
But it didnt connect in the end.
Theyre prepared for real.
PSG was thoroughly cutting off balls to me.
Gomez anticipated the through ball, sprinted, then stopped and dropped back into defense.
In that instant, PSG players were marking me mantoman to prevent it.
Frustrating.
Cant do shit without the ball.
At least our refocused players were holding PSG off well?
Time dragged on like that until the 32nd minute of the second half.
Sub signal came.
Isel Edward, with his endless stamina, came on for me.
Yeah, with Chelsea in three days, subbing for stamina management makes sense.
I sat on the bench to thunderous applause from the Toon Army whod come all the way to Paris.
Then, Rossia more defensive playerreplaced Menendez.
With little time left, the plan was to lock it down and take the tie to the second leg.
Good work, Taeyang.
I draped my jacket over my shoulders at the managers greeting and watched the pitch.
Felt an ominous vibe out there.
PSG changed after I went off.
Tempo sped up, midfield press intensified.
With their mental energy no longer tied to marking me, PSGs attack was terrifying.
Five minutes after my sub.
In just five minutes, Chiligiris scored, lighting the comeback fuse.
They planned it.
I heard Artelli beside me.
Yeah, they did.
After eating two counter goals from me, PSG switched to isolating mewhile banking on me coming off.
Why?
Our next opponents are Chelsea.
Knowing its a key match against title rivalsjust three days awayPSG figured a star or two like me would sit, and prepped accordingly.
Meanwhile, our weary defenders struggled against PSGs fresher legs.
To make matters worse, PSG subbed off defensive Maelle for another forward.
Even as a bench guy behind their two monster strikers, this attacker was starter quality for any Premier League big club.
With an allout attacking lineup, PSG pressed harder, and Chiligiris added another to tie it at 22 as the whistle blew.
A draw.
Honestly, not a bad result.
Second legs at our home.
If anything, it favors us.
But judging by PSGs showing today, plenty to prepare for.
Problem is, next ups Chelsea.
Busy enough with them, now PSG prep too?
Could already picture our gaffer in his office, puffing cigars like a raccoon den.
Guess I need to prep my own way too.
Seeing PSGs plan for me, if I dont, Ill be trussed up doing nothing.
Ah, but thats the managers headache ultimately.
Anyway, time to head back.
One more time I really hate Paris.
Champions League Quarterfinal 1st Leg Newcastle United Grabs Away Draw at PSG!
Counterattacking Newcastle, Yoon Taeyangs Stunning Brace.
14 Champions League Goals This Season! Yoon Taeyang Levels with Messis SingleSeason Record at 6th.
Newcastle Without Yoon Taeyang Exposes Weakness.
Newcastles Reality OverReliant on 17YearOld Boy. Is It Sustainable?
PSGs Yoon Taeyang Countermeasures After Two Early GoalsWill It Give Other Teams a Blueprint?
PSG Soccer Pride Discarded, As Manager Said.
After the PSGNewcastle match, articles flooded in.
Top story Newcastle snatching an away draw at PSG.
PSGs fiveseason Champions League home winning streak? Snapped.
For a team vowing to ditch pride, it was an embarrassment.
But many grew skeptical of the second leg.
Impressive counters aside, Newcastle looked shaky as hell.
Even against the unbelievable monster Yoon Taeyangwhod struggled most since Chelseait was his toughest outing.
Not that Taeyang underperformed PSGs isolation tactic worked brilliantly.
Premier League managers watching got massive inspiration.
A blueprint to stop the boy bombing the league.
Hiss Jonathan was first.
Despite past media flops and egg on his face, he boldly told reporters
Learned a ton from the PSG game. Well unveil an upgraded, databacked Yoon Taeyang lockdown.
People mocked Hiss Jonathan.
Lmao hes gonna get smoked again kekeke
Jonathans mouth is the problem
Guy cant shut up, classic American
Mouth running, now just wait for Taeyang to run it kekeke
Still, fewest goals vs Chelsea no?
Struggled yeah
Yoon Taeyang vs Chelsea 3 games, 4 goals 3 assists... struggled?????
4 goals in 3 and its a struggle bs lmao
Never even hattricked so yeah struggle kekeke
Records say so, but yeah he got buried sometimes vs them.
Only Chelsea really contains Taeyang kekeke till he breaks through anyway
Still hyped tho kekeke PSG gave inspo
PSG top class to pull that off
Chelseas CBs are higher class than PSG
Fr real on that
Of course, some anticipated Hiss Jonathans boasts.
Chelsea boasted the leagues best defense, after all.