Chapter 141
Chapter 141
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: vs Manchester United -3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
“Hello, soccer fans across the nation! This is Iron and Blood Stadium, where Union Berlin will face Manchester United in the second group stage match of the Champions League!”
The Champions League group stage second match between Manchester United and Union Berlin was underway.
Korean soccer fans, despite the awkward 2:30 a.m. kickoff time, began logging into Guten to watch the game.
The launch of smartphones had changed everything.
People could now consume content anytime, anywhere.
And riding that massive smartphone wave was none other than Guten.
It had surged ahead wildly, powered by the regressor’s knowledge of the future.
└ Guten honestly sucks, but I can’t not watch—upvote lol
└ Ugh, we used to get Champs League for free before, damn it
└ Haha, Park Chan-hyuk that bastard is a business genius
└ Didn’t you see the comment above?
└ But he’s good at it lol
└ How do you not pay for this?
└ Argh lol, I was holding out, but Guten’s in-app ads have gotta be illegal right lol
Of course, soccer fans unleashed a torrent of criticism over the sudden paywall, but Guten’s Park Jung-ah couldn’t care less.
“But we made money, right?”
“Why do you get to play the bad guy and I take all the hate?”
“Oppa, that’s why I gave you extra shares.”
After all, the one getting flamed by Korean soccer fans wasn’t her—it was her brother.
For the record, Park Chan-hyuk was catching heat because he held the largest stake in Guten and was its most publicly famous figure.
“First up, Manchester United’s starting lineup in a 4-4-2 formation. With Edwin van der Sar out injured, Tomasz Kuszczak will be in goal.”
Anyway, the players from both teams began emerging from the tunnel into the stadium, and the broadcast team started announcing the lineups.
“Yeah, Manchester United players have been dropping like flies with injuries since the start of the season. Let’s hope for a clean game today with no more.”
“Indeed. Continuing with the lineup! Back four: Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, O’Shea. Midfield: Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Valencia. Up top: Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney make the sheet.”
“Yes, unfortunately, Park Ji-sung won’t start. But he’s on the bench, so hopes for a Korean derby are still alive.”
Manchester United’s starting lineup announcement wrapped up.
Next came Union Berlin’s.
“Now, Union Berlin’s starters. Manager Park Chan-hyuk is unleashing a 3-5-2 against Manchester United.”
“Yes. That’s a declaration they won’t back down—they’re playing attacking soccer even against United.”
“Exactly. You can feel the youthful fire from this young Union Berlin side. Keeper is Manuel Schmidt again, same as last match.”
“The guy who’s been drawing love calls from big clubs with his animalistic reflexes since that Bayern Munich game.”
“Back three: Dante, Thiago Silva, Virgil van Dijk.”
“Korean fans might think the starter battles are fiercest up front with Son Heung-min, Angel Di Maria, and Gareth Bale, but the defense is just as cutthroat. Just look at last game—Aspilicueta started over van Dijk.”
“Son Heung-min, Thomas Meyer, Shinji Kagawa, Luka Modric, and Gareth Bale on the right wing. Up top: Roberto Lewandowski and Yannick Foite. Bench includes Luka Schneider, Angel Di Maria, Lee Sung-jae, the Bender brothers, Aspilicueta, Karl Rap goalkeeper, and more.”
As the lineups were read out, the players warmed up lightly, milling about before kickoff.
Yannick Foite and Wayne Rooney headed to the referee.
“Who’s picking?”
“We’re home, so let United choose.”
“Hmm? I’m good at this stuff.”
The coin toss decided first kick.
“What? We lost the toss? The captain picked it himself?”
“...No.”
“Tch. Guess it can’t be helped.”
The match kicked off with Manchester United’s first touch.
***
Union Berlin hit Manchester United with intense high pressing right from the start.
United’s players had heard the warnings from their manager and thought they were prepared, but there was a world of difference between watching video and feeling it firsthand.
“Fuck like this!”
Anderson lost the ball to pressure from Thomas Meyer and Shinji Kagawa.
Union Berlin transitioned instantly into a counter.
‘Can’t get it to Luka.’
Spotting the United players marking Luka Modric, Thomas Meyer didn’t pass to him as usual—instead, he took the attack on himself.
He wasn’t as free-flowing with passes as Modric, sure.
But as a former winger, Thomas Meyer had a decent boot on him.
‘Aren’t they underestimating me a bit?’
Thomas Meyer’s through ball headed toward Gareth Bale.
It was a bit rough around the edges, but not so bad that Bale couldn’t take it.
Gareth Bale took the through ball from Thomas Meyer and charged into United’s back line.
‘No way—these guys are so damn fast?’
Evra, tasked with stopping Union Berlin’s counter, had a simple thought.
Union Berlin’s three fastest attackers—Gareth Bale, Yannick Foite, Son Heung-min—were sprinting into the space behind.
United’s defenders scrambled back, but Union already had numbers in their box.
Gareth Bale eyed the defenders’ positions and whipped in a left-footed cutback cross, threading it between the keeper and defense.
Van der Sar, United’s regular keeper, might have claimed it comfortably.
Unfortunately, he was sidelined injured.
“Gareth Bale’s cross to Yannick Foite!!”
The cross sliced perfectly between keeper and defenders to Yannick Foite.
Union Berlin’s home fans rose unconsciously from their seats.
With a golden chance so early in the first half, they watched breathlessly.
Thwack—!
But was it Rio Ferdinand’s clever block just before the shot?
“Ah... damn it!”
Yannick Foite’s balance gave out, and the shot sailed over.
He clutched his head, gutted by the miss.
Union Berlin fans let out sighs of regret.
“...You, what are you doing there?”
“Hm. Was just passing by for a celebration. Too bad it didn’t go in. Goodbye.”
Park Chan-hyuk quietly retreated from in front of Alex Ferguson. The old man was so stunned by the unprecedented scene that he couldn’t even get angry.
It was beyond ridiculous.
“...Wow. He really is crazy.”
Park Ji-sung, watching from the bench, could only chuckle in disbelief.
‘Wow. He comes back alive from that?’
Union Berlin players, used to their manager’s antics, just shook their heads.
***
The Union Berlin vs. Manchester United match pressed on.
Around the 20th minute of the intense back-and-forth first half.
Michael Owen grabbed his thigh and collapsed.
“Ah, Michael Owen’s down injured.”
“Hamstring?”
Meanwhile, Park Chan-hyuk’s face twisted at Owen’s injury.
“Hmm? Manager Park Chan-hyuk looks pained too.”
- Why’s Park Chan-hyuk grimacing?
- Ahh... that’s what they call ‘empathy.’
Only someone who’d suffered the same injury could truly understand Owen’s agony.
Manchester United subbed in Berbatov for the injured Owen.
***
Alex Ferguson eyed Union Berlin’s fans with intrigue.
The way they backed their young manager was impressive.
He planned to invite Park Chan-hyuk to dinner after the game and float the idea of succeeding him at United.
But the moment he stepped into Iron and Blood Stadium.
He sensed his plan would be tough.
‘It won’t be easy.’
Park Chan-hyuk had already fully conquered one club.
A manager like him cared less about salary or prestige—he wanted authority. He’d pick the head of a snake over the tail of a dragon.
Anyway.
The early flow belonged to Union Berlin.
They kept hammering Manchester United.
Ferguson didn’t like seeing his players shell-shocked by the onslaught.
They’d prepared for this in advance, after all.
‘Gonna have to rip into Giggs in the locker room first.’
Ferguson’s face reddened as he watched, his gum-chewing picking up speed.