Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Champions League -2
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[Union Berlin's first match is an away game at PFC CSKA Moscow.]
[Union Berlin heads off to hellish Russia for their first match.]
Union Berlin's historic first Champions League opponent was PFC CSKA Moscow.
And since it was an away game as their opener, it was only natural to feel the tension.
‘Of all places, Russia away.’
Russia away was objectively one of the tougher trips.
The cold was bad enough, but the overlooked issue was the sheer distance.
The flight time was so long it made you think, ‘Isn’t Russia basically Asia?’
At least CSKA Moscow was based in Russia’s capital, Moscow—if it had been any other team, it would’ve been a disaster.
‘...Come to think of it, Turkey away isn’t much better.’
This time, they’d decided to borrow Guten’s charter plane.
Still, it looked like they needed to buy a club charter plane ASAP.
Champions League away distances were one thing, but safety couldn’t be ignored.
There were way too many racists among Eastern bloc soccer fans, so safety measures were essential.
Was it because their economies tanked from that massive Soviet social experiment?
They had a strong tendency to cling to outdated relics like racism.
‘That’s why the old folks say a full barn breeds generosity.’
And Germany was no different.
Most East German regions and teams from there had turned racist.
But oddly enough, Union Berlin stood out.
Even back then, it felt like a club drawing diverse crowds to cheer.
‘Well... now Guten’s creating jobs and changing everything.’
Anyway.
Before the Champions League Russia trip, I headed to where the Union Berlin youth teams were playing to check on their status.
I often dropped by like this to watch their training or matches.
Having the manager show up in person boosted the kids’ morale.
“Manager, you’re here.”
“Yeah, hi. Pretend I’m not here and carry on.”
The coaches looked uncomfortable with the surprise visit from the boss, but there was no helping it.
The Union Berlin youth teams currently had a lot of players of color.
Asians, not blacks.
It was still too soon to claim German soccer was free of racism.
Just a few years ago, super prospect youth player Leon Han had been kicked out of his club over it.
Union Berlin had me as manager and heavy Asian investment, so racism was milder than elsewhere, but steady attention was still needed.
What I was doing now was like a health checkup.
Preventing any potential issues in advance.
Anyway, when I showed up at the Union Berlin youth stadium (inside the training ground), the crowd’s eyes turned to me instantly.
I acknowledged the attention appropriately as I headed to the stands.
Thanks to the first team doing well, even youth matches drew a decent crowd.
‘Well... youth games are free, so older fans often come to kill time.’
Anyway.
As I reached the stands, the elders nearby started talking to me.
“Leon’s gonna kill it out there!”
“Sir, Leon’s only 14.”
“That’s what makes it even better!”
Interest in me faded quickly.
“I like George more than Leon, though.”
“Right? Goals are the flower of soccer.”
“Tch. Don’t you know how crucial midfielders are?”
They started chatting among themselves.
“Man, those two are the real deal.”
Diehard fans even knew the youth players’ names.
Leon Han and George Won were pretty famous even among casual Union Berlin fans.
The two were dominating the youth league.
It was natural for fans to have high expectations.
At one point, Leon Han’s jersey sales even matched the first-team players.
‘Damn looks bias’
Passing through puberty, Leon Han had developed that handsome mixed-race look.
It was surreal seeing the snot-nosed kid from before grow up like this.
‘It’s fine. I’ve got the Code goddess—no, Lotte, no, Charl.’
Tonight, I was really missing Charl.
‘Maybe ask her to grab dinner.’
Anyway.
The Union Berlin youth match took place.
Union Berlin won thanks to Leon Han and George Won’s heroics.
***
After the match ended and the crowd cleared out.
“Manager!”
The Union Berlin youth players ran straight to me.
We saw each other so often there was no awkwardness.
From the kids’ reactions, I felt more like a neighborhood big bro than the club manager.
I didn’t scold them as long as they didn’t cross lines.
This kind of bond would be valuable in the future.
‘Besides, if they’re tight with the manager, it’s hard to jump ship.’
Some kids occasionally climbed all over me, though.
A stern look fixed that.
Anyway.
I nodded as I checked the prospects’ stats.
“Keep it up, and you might see each other at first-team training soon.”
They’d all trained diligently, showing rapid growth. My words sparked excitement on their faces.
***
Union Berlin headed to Moscow for their Champions League away match.
Fans turned out at the airport to see off the historic first Champions League squad.
The players’ expressions hardened with resolve under the send-off.
You could see their determination to win no matter what.
‘They’re getting too tense.’
I lightened the mood with a joke.
“If we lose today, you’re swimming back across the Baltic.”
Too much tension wasn’t good.
But soon after, an incident occurred.
A colored foreign student in Russia was attacked by skinheads.
Russian police insisted there’d be no safety issues for the players.
But Union Berlin had to review the squad list for safety.
‘Sigh. This... could be useful.’
And in that moment, the little devil inside me started screaming.
***
A pre-match interview was held ahead of the Champions League game.
Soccer world had to pay attention: first Asian manager in Champions League history.
More reporters showed up than expected.
- You’ll be the first in club history—and first Asian manager—to play a Champions League match. Any difficulties in preparations?
I pulled out my prepared response to the reporter’s question.
“Well, the security concerns in Russia after that colored-targeted terror attack a few days ago are the issue. I didn’t realize Russia’s public safety was this unstable. Anyway, due to Russia’s security problems, Son Hong-min, Lee Sung-jae, and Dante won’t be on the squad list.”
I voiced concerns about Russian security and revealed the starting lineup.
The flustered reporter followed up.
- ...Isn’t that basically announcing your starting lineup? No issues playing with it public?
“What’s three Champions League points compared to player safety? Union Berlin fans will understand my choice.”
Other reporters, dazedly typing, perked up.
“Manager!”
“Hey, you asked earlier! Skip me this time!”
“Manager, are players only excluded from the starting lineup?”
They frantically raised hands.
The reporters smelled a scoop.
“No. They won’t be on the squad at all, and players whose safety is at risk will leave Russia today. Anyway, that’s it for the interview. Need to review tactics—we’ve still gotta give it our all to win.”
And as my final words landed.
The reporters’ typing sped up.
[Shock! Union Berlin Manager Park Chan-hyuk Reveals Starting Lineup in Interview—Why?]
[Union Berlin Manager Park Chan-hyuk: “Russia’s Security Is Concerning.”]
[Russia Situation More Serious Than Thought? Union Berlin Manager Park Chan-hyuk.]
[Citizens Blast Foreign Ministry: “Why Is Russia Still a Safe Travel Destination?”]
A manager revealing the lineup in a pre-match interview was unprecedented.
With the skinhead incident tied in, massive coverage was inevitable.
Anyway.
After I trashed Russia’s reputation in the official interview, furious police launched a full investigation.
Meaning they finally cracked down hard on skinheads.
‘Truth is, I planned to start Angel anyway.’
The moment Park Chan-hyuk flipped Russia upside down with his tongue.