Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: vs Real Madrid -2
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Ronaldo was so flabbergasted in the moment Park Chan-hyuk stole his celebration that he didn't even feel angry.
And how could he? It was the first time in his life that an opposing team's manager had ever hijacked his celebration. Hell, it was the first time anyone had ever stolen his celebration, period.
He simply couldn't accept the reality that a manager existed who celebrated his own team's goal like this.
Humans tend to short-circuit when something unfolds beyond their expectations, and Ronaldo just blankly stared as the referee pulled out a card and issued a warning to Park Chan-hyuk.
Only after the match resumed a short while later did it hit him.
‘……My celebration?’
That was when Ronaldo realized his celebration had been taken from him.
He started to dislike the attention directed at him—and the Union Berlin manager who had snatched his celebration.
***
The instant we conceded, I stole the celebration and nodded as I glanced at Ronaldo's expression.
I'd successfully thrown Ronaldo off his game by hijacking his celebration.
‘Not a bad trade-off.’
Sure, I'd eaten a yellow from an old-school ref stuck in the past.
But knocking down the morale of the opposing team's ace with just one card? That was a pretty damn good deal.
On top of that, my celebration had lit a fire in our defenders' eyes, and judging by their expressions, this might actually be a net gain.
Players risk ejection with a yellow, but managers are a bit freer from that danger.
‘Managers don't even get cards that often to begin with.’
Anyway.
A moment later, the ref's whistle blew, and play resumed.
Against a half-stunned Real Madrid, Union Berlin launched an organized counterattack.
Thomas Maier passed to Luka Modrić and burst into space.
As Real Madrid's defensive midfielder moved to block Thomas Maier, it opened up a new gap—and Ángel Di María slipped into it.
Modrić's pass went to Di María.
Di María then backheeled it right back to Modrić.
The moment the ball shifted to Di María, Yannick Foite—positioned near the penalty box—found himself momentarily free of pressure from the defenders.
He locked eyes with Modrić and made his move.
And that's when the ball left Modrić's foot. A perfectly spun pass headed straight for Yannick Foite.
Modrić showcased his improved passing from last season.
Yannick Foite took a first touch toward goal and quickly scanned his surroundings.
“Puta Madre! Block him!!”
With all eyes on Yannick Foite...
His choice was...
Thud!
Not a shot—a pass.
A cutback toward the empty space behind the penalty box, and who stepped into it?
Whoosh!
None other than Gareth Bale.
Swish—!
The ball left Bale's foot and rippled the Real Madrid net.
The movements meshed together like perfect gears, and I was thrilled beyond words.
Truth be told, the most exhilarating moment for a manager isn't the goal, the win, or even the celebration.
Sure, the dopamine from celebrating is insane.
But it doesn't quite match the rush of seeing your envisioned tactics play out perfectly on the pitch.
‘This! This is...! I gotta run out there!’
Unable to contain the overflowing dopamine, I bolted toward the corner flag—only for...
“Boss, you've got a card.”
Daniel Teixeira grabbed me before I could. He'd recently started training in MMA and laid a perfect takedown on me.
I hit the grass hard.
Regrettably, Gareth Bale stole my celebration.
***
“Gooooooal!! Gareth Bale! Gareth Bale equalizes!!”
“Man, what a clean buildup! It was like a beautiful painting come to life!”
The moment Union Berlin equalized, the Korean broadcast team roared.
Not just because the goal was gorgeous, but because a Union Berlin loss would tank the ratings—and their bonuses along with it.
‘Please, Union Berlin, win this!’
As the broadcast crew sincerely rooted for Union Berlin's victory...
The chat exploded out of nowhere.
- ???
- What the hell are they doing?
- Don't be shocked. That's Union Berlin's manager and assistant coach.
- Players busting their asses while the staff's screwing around lololol
- Holy shit lmao
- Wtf they're turning the pitch into WWE?
- Daniel Teixeira's tackle is clean af lol
The broadcast camera had caught the Union Berlin bench antics.
“Damn, has Assistant Coach Daniel Teixeira been training in MMA? That takedown was textbook.”
The commentator, a grappling fan himself, couldn't help but blurt out his admiration.
***
Even after Gareth Bale's equalizer, the match at the Santiago Bernabéu between Real Madrid and Union Berlin raged on fiercely.
“Kaká's shot! But Dante blocks it with his face!!”
Yet the score remained 1-1 deep into the second half.
Thanks to both teams' defenders throwing their bodies on the line.
“Oh, Dante's down on the pitch! Medics are coming on, and Manager Park Chan-hyuk is prepping Azpilicueta!”
Dante, who'd taken a ball to the head, left the field, replaced by Azpilicueta.
Union Berlin's backline had been holding Real Madrid's attacks well so far, so the sudden sub risked disrupting the line.
But Park Chan-hyuk subbed him out decisively.
A player's health mattered more than the match outcome.
“Real Madrid's home fans giving Dante a standing ovation.”
“Dante put in a great shift against their forwards. Hope it's nothing serious.”
Real Madrid supporters showered the departing Dante with applause.
His tenacity had impressed even the Madridistas this game.
“Go get checked at the nearest university hospital first.”
Park Chan-hyuk checked on Dante outside the touchline and instructed Assistant Coach Daniel Teixeira. A shot to the head like that required caution.
With that, Park Chan-hyuk handed Dante off to Daniel Teixeira and refocused on the game.
The Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin match wasn't over yet.
***
“Oh! Union Berlin's dropping the line.”
“Yeah! Smart call. No need for them to push hard in an away leg!”
After Dante's exit, Union Berlin lowered their line and packed the defense. With the second leg at home, they opted against reckless attacks.
“It's been a while since we've seen Union Berlin sit back like this.”
“Right. Early last season, they leaned heavy on counters.”
“Yeah. Once Bundesliga sides acknowledged them as a top team, they switched tactics.”
Real Madrid hammered away desperately for a goal.
Union Berlin bolted the door shut and clung on grimly.
“Full time ends, and the fourth official lifts the board. Three minutes added on.”
Time flew by.
Regular time expired, and three minutes of stoppage were signaled.
Real Madrid mounted a final assault.
“And right as I speak, Real Madrid sets up one last attack! Ball to Xabi Alonso!”
Xabi Alonso, in possession, slowly surveyed the field.
What caught his eye amid Union Berlin's dogged defense and demoralized attackers? Cristiano Ronaldo, still hunting a goal to the end.
Seeing Ronaldo's burning eyes, Alonso fired a pass instantly.
Alonso's long ball found Ronaldo perfectly. Ronaldo chest-trapped it and unleashed an overhead kick without hesitation.
Union Berlin players closed in—he couldn't afford delay.
And moments later.
Swish—!
Ronaldo's overhead, struck cleanly with his instep, bulged the Union Berlin net.
“Mendallu, those cheater bastards suck.”
It was only natural for Park Chan-hyuk to let out a hollow laugh.