Chapter 73
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 73
Chapter Title Group of Death
Newcastle United, having crushed Burnley, shot up from 14th to 9th in the standings in one fell swoop.
Burnley, on the other hand, got thoroughly thrashed by Newcastle and tumbled down to 17th, signaling from the outset a long, grueling relegation battle.
While Newcastle had endured a brief crisis before clawing their way up, the team atop the Premier League was none other than Chelsea.
With four wins and a draw for 13 points, Chelsea led the pack, closely pursued by Arsenal on 10 points after four wins and a loss.
Leicester City, who always started strong every season, sat in third on the same points as Arsenal.
Below them, the rankings were a chaotic mess where a single match could shuffle everything.
Excluding the bottom feeders, every team was backed by solid finances and competitiveness, making it impossible to predict the final standings until seasons end.
Amid all this, what awaited Newcastle United was the Champions League.
Though there was plenty of talk about rule changes every season, the Champions League hadnt deviated much from its format a decade or so agoaside from allowing five substitutes.
Well, to be precise, theyd tinkered with it a few times, saw it didnt work, and reverted.
Anyway, Newcastle, starting from the group stage, had been drawn into Group B alongside Barcelona, Milan, and LASK Linz.
It was the one and only group of death this season, featuring two top teams from major leagues.
Newcastles first opponent Barcelona.
Though theyd endured prolonged financial woes and lost much of their former glory, they were still one of the two teams in La Liga capable of standing up to dominant Real Madrid.
No matter how much Newcastle had bolstered their squad this season, they werent a team to take lightly.
That said, they werent an unbeatable foe like they had been a decade or so ago, either.
On paper, it actually seemed winnable.
The kind of team that made you think, We might just pull this off.
How the hell did Barca end up like this?
Over dinner, as we chatted about the Champions League group draw, Dad remarked.
Ive heard of Barca too. Wasnt that the team you talked about a lot when you were young?
Yeah. Back when Messi was playing, they were invincible. With those three idiots.
Three idiots?
Back in my day, they called it RealBarcaMunichthe three strongest teams in the world.
Now its RealPSGMunich.
Real, Paris, Munich.
What about Man City?
No Champions League title, so no.
Man City was a weird one.
A team that won the Premier League like clockworka league where even Real Madrid couldnt guarantee victoryyet they choked every time in the Champions League.
Oh, and this season, they were bombing in the league too.
Man City sat at 12th. A team that wouldve breezed to first in the old days, now languishing that low.
Newcastle had tongues wagging, but Man City had even more chatter.
Anyway.
Im heading to Spain.
Spain, huh.
First time since that youth stint at Real Madrid?
Man, now I want Spanish food.
Oxtail stew and mussels.
What does Barcelona have?
Ah, probably no time to eat.
Speaking of which, son, doesnt this Champions League debut make you the youngest ever?
Probably?
I couldnt recall who held it, but yeah, likely.
Becoming a pro at a young age was impressive enough, but the real feat was shattering every youngestever record.
What records could I break against Barcelona?
Not that itd be easy.
They werent pushovers.
After dinner, I played with Gyeoul.
Gaeul was studying, and Yeoreum, being a heavy sleeper, turned in early.
This was our pure, undivided timeme and the little guy.
Lately, Gyeoul had gotten into drawing.
At eight by Korean age, he was pretty good for his years.
A baby? Why a baby?
Yeah, this is Bomi.
Bomi was the youngest yet to be born, still in Moms belly.
Not sure if it was planned, but she was due in warm springtime.
Her name drew from the one missing season among us siblingsspring. Wed called her by her pet name from the start, and somehow Bomi stuck, so thats what wed name her.
Hope Bomi comes out soon.
That excited about a new sibling?
Yeah. Being the baby sucks.
Sometimes being the baby had perks, but the baby himself didnt see it that way.
Yeah, hope Bomi comes soon, bro.
Yeah! When Bomi comes, Ill be good to her! Not like big bro!
Age gaps meant I never fought with Gaeul, and her calm nature kept clashes with Yeoreum at bay, but Yeoreum and Gyeoul bickered plenty as they grew.
Similar personalities?
Or were they the classic sibling duo everyone talks about.
Be nice to Yeoreum too. If you keep sassing and fighting, Bomill copy you and sass you back.
Really?
Yeah. Probably?
Nah, Bomis sweet, she wont.
How do you know if an unborn kids sweet or not?
She could be a total rascal, name notwithstanding.
Just like Gyeoul.
Winter sounds cool and frosty, right?
Nothing says Bomi cant be the opposite.
Bro, when you going to Spain?
Day after tomorrow.
Hng... What if I miss you?
...Unlike his name, the kid oozed charm.
I stroked my adorable third siblings head.
Time for brushing teeth and bed, princess.
Ew, tickles!
Camp Nou.
The name meant new ground in Catalan, and it was the worlds largest stadium by capacity.
Though theyd lost their old prestige and gone over a decade without a title, the stands were still packed with Culers cheektocheek.
Save for the smattering of Toon fans in the away end, nearly 100,000 Culers belting out chants were enough to intimidate any player.
Whoa, gives me chills.
Warming up, Saviola stared at the stands with a stiff face.
Nearly 100,000 fans staring us downenough to rattle anyone. You know Barca havent won in 13 years, yet the crowds never thin?
Stop right there. Chalret, you talk too much.
Me, too much? Im just sharing useful info.
Not useful, and I dont wanna know. Shut it. Thats why Taeyang dodges you on sight.
Taeyangs never dodged me.
What world did this guy live in?
Not noticing Taeyang popping in earbuds at the sight of him.
Talky and clueless.
Shaking his head, Saviola glanced at Taeyang.
He was trading passes with Mateo Silva, making his rare start today, looking utterly relaxed.
Hows a kid younger than me so chill?
Were all geniuses like that?
When do I get to start alongside him?
The 16yearold punk was already the teams ace, while he warmed the benchpathetic.
Still, sitting on the bench for Champions League? That was something.
With no easy starters, it was an honor.
Jealous, though.
Taeyang was starting today too.
Champions League group stage, Group B! Barcelona versus Newcastle United is about to kick off.
Todays lineups. First, Barcelona.
FW Cortes Sergeyev Bandi
MF Coca Ugarte Pedri
DF Valde Garcia Enzo Lopez
GK Bartolomeu
Now, Newcastle.
FW Illinyu Yoon Taeyang Silva
MF Boxol Menendez Gomez
DF Bandia Zenas Arnold Sanchez
GK Ricella
Newcastles positioning looks a bit different.
From this, Yoon Taeyang seems set to play a slightly deeper role. More like a 4312 than their usual 433.
Taeyang stood at the tunnel entrance, ready for the pitch.
Ahead of him, number 77 Mateo Silva bent and straightened his knees, checking his condition.
Hey, stay still, old man.
Huh?
You keep bending back, its hitting me.
Oh? Sorry.
Even as he said it, Silva deliberately stuck his foot back, tapping Taeyangs shin guard.
Ow, for real?
Sheesh, gramps.
Heh heh, kid, not nervous?
Taeyang shrugged.
Man, my Champions League debut, I was so shook I nearly pissed myself. Guess where my first opponent was?
How should I know?
Copenhagen.
Wow...
Copenhagen was a Danish Superliga powerhouse, but way too lowtier to sweat.
Taeyang shot him a pitying look, but Silva didnt care.
Back then, it was just the Champions League hype freaking me out. I was 24? Damn, youre way younger than that and stonecold. Heart made of steel?
Dunno.
Oh yeah, your debut today breaks the youngest appearance record, right?
Probably.
Heh heh, know who holds it now?
Taeyang shook his head, so Silva eyed the Barcelona players and whispered.
Ansu Fati.
Oh.
Ansu Fati, now 32, was Barcelona legend material.
Age had dulled his edge, but he was indispensable.
Wonder what Ansu thinks seeing you.
Dunno. Maybe flashbacks to his youth?
Probably. Oh, and he holds the youngest goal record too.
Really?
Silva grinned slyly.
Guys proud of his Champions League youngest records, but ones already bustedand if you score today, itll be fireworks.
Taeyang narrowed his eyes at the chuckling Silva.
Dunno about Ansus reaction, but this old mans grinning like an idiot in front of me.
Huh? That gramps has a nasty streak. But kinda relatable? Heh heh.
Wait, you got beef with Ansu Fati?
Silvas face hardened as he shook his head.
Me? Nah, why? No, man.
Tch... Fine. Anyway, lets go. Heading out.
At Taeyangs words, Silva turned toward the exit.
Truth was, Silva harbored a grudge against Ansu Fati.
Buried under Haaland and Mbappés monster status, but Ansu had been worldclass in his era.
Long ago against Barcelona, Silva had felt the raw wall of talent staring down Ansu.
Haaland back then seemed untouchable, but Ansuhe thought maybe doableuntil that performance shocked him senseless.
The moment he lunged with a sliding tackle to stop him.
Ansu dodging with a smirk, gliding awayhe couldnt forget it.
Newcastle hadnt beaten Barcelona since.
But.
Todays different.
In this revenge match of sorts, he had a friend towering even higher than that insurmountable wall.