The New Year Starts with El Clasico (4)
Angela clenched her fist as the roar of the full house echoed.
'Good, as long as it goes like this.'
Real Madrid's new defensive tactic initially took her aback, but in the end, Ha-neul was Ha-neul. His ability to create space and score no matter what was a fantastic display that could be called the world's best football player.
Moreover, Valentina, who was selected for defense, was also showing good form, so Angela's mood was about to take off.
Ryu Ha-neul, Camila, and Valentina were the players she had been watching since she was their youth coach. At first, she had other two in mind to take care of her friend's son Ha-neul, but Angela soon realized the potential of the two, and she had expected that this day would come.
So, she endured the fans' criticism that she didn't spend money in the transfer market. To Angela, these players who had been active at La Masia since they were young and perfectly understood Barcelona's philosophy, if they just grow, they would be perfect players for Barcelona.
That's why Camila and Valentina returned such a wonderful performance on the stage of El Clasico, trusting her.
'And the other two too...'
Angela glanced at Yuri and Bruna sitting on the bench. Although they were still on the bench, Angela believed that these two would eventually play as starters for Barcelona, like Albaria and Eloya who took the winger position as La Masia graduates.
Although they were still unripe fruits, Angela didn't doubt that these two players would become the pillars of Barcelona someday.
One day, these guys would dominate the European stage.
With that thought, a smile naturally formed on Angela's lips.
But Angela didn't realize yet that it was too early to enjoy such thoughts.
Real Madrid was a strong team, the greatest in football history (though Barcelona fans wouldn't admit it). They were too strong to relax after leading by one goal in the first half.
And in the situation of trailing 1:0, they immediately showed that power.
The next commentary is about Clemence.
Haha, Ryu Ha-neul and Camila players are hugging. Really, Barcelona's gem players, right?
Yes. Players who will lead the football world in the future.
Lucy! Tackle Narcis!
To Hoberda and one-two! And the ball back to Lucy! Avoiding Valentina's tackle!
Marisol's nonstop shot! Marisol immediately!! Scores!!! 42nd minute of the first half! Real Madrid scores the equalizer! If Barcelona has Ryu Ha-neul, Real Madrid has Marisol! Score 1:1!
Cr, if you score, I'll score too. The scoring competition between Ryu Ha-neul and Marisol is getting more intense? Watching football of such players live is really a blessing. Of course, Lucy's breakthrough was good, but if Marisol had hesitated a little, Maximilena would have run forward and the shooting angle would have narrowed, but she scored with a half-step faster shot in a difficult situation.
The saying "a banquet without food" is said, but today's match doesn't seem to apply, right?
Yes. The offensive and defensive exchanges between the two teams are so intense, right? Now, as the first half is almost over. The score is 1:1, but it's really fun.
Marisol's nonstop shot pierced Barcelona's goal net. The shot that was stuck in a position that no goalkeeper could block, no matter what, Angela's expression hardened, which she had imagined hopeful just a few minutes ago.
Of course, Angela didn't get the goal because she imagined it, but somehow she felt guilty as if it was her fault.
"It's okay! It's okay! Let's finish the first half first."
But the only thing the coach could do was raise her voice. The remaining first half was at most 5 minutes. It was an ambiguous time to change something, so Angela shouted to keep going like this.
And she looked at Valentina's expression, who provided the opportunity for the concession by failing the tackle.
As expected, her expression was hardened.
Valentina had played without a single mistake so far, controlling the game, but this one mistake led to a goal. It was too harsh on the young player.
In fact, today Valentina had shown a performance equivalent to the first half MVP in defense. Due to Real Madrid's new tactic, more attacks were allowed than usual, but every time Valentina showed good defense and interrupted the opponent's rhythm.
Originally, the goal just conceded was also a mistake caused by left-back Narcis being peeled by Lucy.
Knowing that fact, Valentina's hardened expression was even more pitiful.
But that's football. No matter how old you are, it's just an excuse on the ground.
'For now, I have to comfort Valentina as soon as the first half ends.'
Beep! Beep! Beep!
So, 5 minutes passed and the first half ended. As soon as the first half ended, Angela put her hand on Valentina's shoulder coming out of the field and spat out words like a machine gun.
"Tina, well done. Forget the mistake. Your play today was more than expected. Please do the same in the second half."
"...Yes."
Valentina's answer seemed a bit weak, but Angela knew that talking more at such times would backfire, so after patting Valentina's shoulder, she headed to the locker room.
Now, it was time to think of a way to win.
And Angela had one hidden knife.
Swoosh...
As soon as entering the locker room, the sound of water came. After a few minutes, the players came to the locker room to loosen their muscles with cold water.
'Ha-neul?'
To explain the second half tactics, Ha-neul had to come, but at this time, it was so pitiful that Ha-neul was showering alone somewhere else. Of course, she had no intention of making the female players shower together.
"I'm here."
And Ha-neul arrived. Normally, she would have joked with Ha-neul a few times, but there was no time now, so Angela immediately started explaining the tactics on the board.
"Sit down. I'll explain the second half right away. The opponent has narrowed the gap and is pushing the line. That means they are using a lot of stamina. No matter how much Real Madrid guys, as humans, they can't avoid it. What we aim for is exactly that moment."
Angela's gaze, after finishing her words, quietly turned to Yuri who was listening to the story. The hidden knife that Angela thought could pierce the Real Madrid was Yuri.
Yuri is the fastest player in Barcelona right now. And she boasts speed that ranks in the top five in La Liga.
"Their back spaces are currently open. Currently, they are blocking back space penetration with faster mobility than us, but when the opponent's stamina is exhausted, I will immediately send in Yuri. Albaria, Eloya."
"Yes, Coach."
"Exhaust the opponent's fullbacks' stamina as much as possible. Let Yuri run wild. And at that time, replace the more exhausted player among the two of you. Yuri."
"Yes, Coach."
"Will you be able to?"
To Angela's question "Can you?", Yuri nodded her head and opened her mouth.
"Of course. Coach."
Yuri answered confidently with her mouth, but she felt her legs trembling on their own. And at that moment, a cold touch was felt on her thigh. The person who can reach out from this side is only one.
"Don't be scared, Yuri."
Ha-neul, who placed his hand on her thigh, muttered in Korean, which the other players couldn't understand. For a moment, thinking it's reassuring, seeing the hand cold, she thinks it's a pity that even in this winter, she showered with cold water.
'Hah... Come to your senses. Kang Yu-ri. It's not the time to be thinking such things.'
What she wants even while showering with cold water even in this cold winter is the team's victory. It was not the time to feel sorry for such a sight.
That's why Yuri tried to remove Ha-neul's hand touching her thigh flesh. Because if the hand kept coming here, she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the game.
"...Ha-neul, I'm really okay."
Taking the gap while Angela was giving tactics to other players, she spoke softly.
"Ah..., sorry. Because it's warm, I unconsciously..."
With her own words, Ha-neul showed an awkward expression. The moment she saw that appearance, she wanted to put her hand, the warmest part of her body, into Ha-neul's shirt to warm it up, but Yuri barely closed her mouth.
This was just an excuse for herself. It wasn't because her thigh flesh was warm, but she knew it was to calm her tense self.
"...Good. Then, let's go as explained in the second half. And we will make substitutions when we judge that the guys are tired. Then, let's do well in the second half. Let's go!"
With Angela's last words, they left the locker room.
[Now, the first El Clasico of this season. The second half starts.]
10 minutes, 20 minutes passed.
"Yuri, get ready."
Following Angela's instruction, she loosened her body. And at the point where about 15 minutes remained until the end of the game. Still maintaining the score of 1:1, Angela pulled out the knife.
[Ah, Barcelona is making two substitutions? Camila and Albaria are out. The incoming players are Lorenza and Kang Yu-ri.]
It seems they substituted Lorenza, who can replace Camila, because Camila's tired appearance was seen. And since Lorenza has better defensive power than Camila. Moreover, Albaria also showed a lot of stamina loss while attempting breakthroughs throughout the second half? I think substituting fast-running Kang Yu-ri is a good idea.
"Here? Yuri. I'll do it as usual. As usual. Run as much as you want."
As soon as entering the field, Ha-neul spoke. Because of the sunlight behind, perhaps? Ha-neul's sweaty appearance was so dazzling that the chest that was trembling because of the big stage of El Clasico started to tremble for another meaning.
The feeling of head being hazy.
But even in such a situation, one thought didn't leave Yuri's head.
Just the thought of not disappointing Ha-neul.
So, as soon as Yuri was substituted into the field, she started running. Thinking that Ha-neul's pass would come anytime. So, one, two, the more sprints continued, the opponent's fullback's breath became rough.
The pass hadn't come yet, but as always, believing that the pass would come at the most fatal timing, Yuri kept running.
And, around 89th minute of the second half.
The awaited pass ran over her head into the opponent's back space. As always, the pass that had to be run at top speed to catch. Yuri gritted her teeth and ran towards the ball in front.
[Ah! Ryu Ha-neul's pass! And! Kang Yu-ri runs! Kang Yu-ri! Kang Yu-ri! Amazing speed! Catches the ball!]
Now in front was only the opponent's goalpost. And Yuri knew from her experience. When Ha-neul sends such passes, if you shoot, you can score immediately in that position.
So, Yuri shot towards the opponent's goalpost trusting Ha-neul.
[Kang Yu-ri's !!! It's in! 89th minute of the second half! Barcelona scores the winning goal towards victory! The Korean duo did it! Maybe this goal will be the decisive goal!]
- Waaaaaaa!!!
The stadium roared with the home fans' cheers. But Yuri didn't hear such cheers.
"Yuri!!"
The only voice she heard was Ha-neul's voice calling her name loudly and running towards her. Yuri ran towards Ha-neul as is. And hugged Ha-neul tightly.
Her heart was pounding as if it would burst. That pounding was, of course, not just because she ran. Because of the too violently pounding heart, she was worried if this sound would be heard by Ha-neul. And on the other hand, she thought if it was heard, it would be good.
"...Hey, it hurts. Why are you hugging so tight?"
Ha-neul's mumbling voice was heard because she hugged so tightly, but Yuri didn't release the arm holding Ha-neul. Praying that this moment would last forever.
But since she couldn't, when she released the arm,
"You were that happy? Anyway, don't say bench warmers can't do it. Anyway, congratulations on the winning goal. You know you just have to defend it now?"
Ha-neul's playful voice came. And the sight of Ha-neul laughing playfully.
If she becomes the starter, can she feel this feeling every day?
'Ah, I want to be the starter soon.'
Albaria and Eloya were both towering players, but she thought she wanted to be the starter soon.
[......This way, the first El Clasico of this season ends 2:1!]
So, until the game ended, Yuri's heart kept pounding.