Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Munich in the South, Berlin in the North -4
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***
The match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin had clearly tilted in Union Berlin's favor after Virgil van Dijk's comeback goal. Union Berlin had no intention of letting the momentum slip away easily.
"Don't slow the tempo! Keep pushing them!"
Park Chan-hyuk was passionately directing the players from the touchline.
Union Berlin's players followed his instructions without a shred of doubt.
Their boss always led the team to victory. He might have a bit of a playful side, but when it came to winning, he was always dead serious.
"Union Berlin's intense high press! These players don't seem to tire at all!"
In any case, Union Berlin kept up the relentless pressure on Bayern Munich, hounding the Munich players without mercy.
"Dem Morgengrauen entgegen, ziehn wir gegen den Wind.
(Toward the dawn, we march against the wind.)"
Union Berlin fans sang their chants without pause, fueling the players to squeeze out every last drop of energy.
The graffiti symbolizing Union Berlin's devotion, the fans' songs, and the red flames turning the stadium crimson created a bizarre atmosphere unique to Union Berlin.
The broadcast team watching this felt an inexplicable emotion.
"It's easy to see why teams who've faced Union Berlin say their home ground is the true grave of away teams."
That was the moment the phrase "grave of away teams" officially left the commentators' mouths.
And shortly after.
"What a goaaaaaal!! Roberto Lewandowski! Roberto Lewandowski nails the dagger into Bayern Munich's net!!"
"A fantastic long-range strike slices precisely into the upper corner."
"Oh my goodness! What a technical shot."
With Roberto Lewandowski's dagger goal, the match between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich came to an end.
***
Union Berlin defeated Bayern Munich at home, securing back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
They lifted the Meisterschale at their home stadium, Iron and Blood Stadium.
Berlin naturally erupted into festival mode.
Not just Union Berlin fans, but the city's residents were buzzing over Union Berlin's second straight league win.
After all, Bundesliga champions had mostly come from the west or south in the past.
But Park Chan-hyuk asked the fans to hold back on the celebrations as much as possible so the players wouldn't get swept up in the hype.
The Champions League still awaited Union Berlin.
The club even postponed the victory parade until after the Champions League.
Union Berlin fans were a bit disappointed they couldn't party yet.
Still, they strongly supported Park Chan-hyuk's decision.
A few drunken soccer fans exchanging punches happened here and there.
But that was trivial in European soccer.
***
[Union Berlin Beats Bayern Munich for Back-to-Back Bundesliga Titles!]
[Union Berlin Storm Sweeps Bundesliga! Who Can Stop Them?]
['Polish Bomber' Roberto Lewandowski Scores Stunning Multi-Goal Game to Lead Team to Victory.]
['Roberto Lewandowski's Hometown Club' Znicz Pruszków Leaps to Liga 1 Powerhouse as Sister Club to Union Berlin.]
[Union Berlin Postpones Victory Parade Until After Champions League Final.]
[Park Chan-hyuk in League Title Interview: "I'm Still Hungry."]
└ Gus Chan-hyuk lol
└ Haha, who would've thought a manager like this would come out of Korea.
└ Youngest Champions League Finalist, youngest Bundesliga winner lol
└ At this point, isn't he a real bullfrog?
└ You mean ecosystem destroyer?
└ Yeah, that lol
[Union Berlin at 24 wins, 6 draws, 2 losses—Challenging Record Points Total?]
[Current record holder Bayern Munich. High chance Union Berlin breaks it...]
└ Lmao just 1 point off, they're breaking it.
└ If they don't, it'll be criminal, right? Lololol
***
Time flew by even after Union Berlin lifted the Meisterschale.
Bundesliga Round 33: Union Berlin vs. Hamburger SV at Hamburg's home ground.
"Bundesliga Round 33! Union Berlin, who lifted the Meisterschale back-to-back, faces Hamburger SV here at HSH Nordbank Arena, Hamburg's home stadium. Can Union Berlin grab the win today and claim the all-time points record…!"
Even on Hamburg's home turf, Union Berlin dominated from start to finish.
"Huh…? And right as I say that, Luka Modrić's pass goes to Roberto Lewandowski!"
Thwack!
Luka Modrić's pass flew toward him, and Roberto Lewandowski—the Bundesliga top scorer contender—sprinted onto the dropping ball into space, lost in thought.
His life had changed dramatically since joining Union Berlin.
The penniless young man from Poland had become Poland's soccer hero.
"Waaaaaaaaaah─!"
The roar from the crowd hit him, goosebumps rising on his skin.
All eyes in the stadium were on him.
From the away section, Union Berlin's chants began to echo.
Considering this was Hamburg's home ground, the fans were belting it out at the top of their lungs.
Union Berlin fans' passion was always red-hot. And they supported him no matter if he shone or struggled.
"Roberto Lewandowski!! Fußballgott!"
His full name followed by Fußballgott.
The German for "soccer god" rang out.
Union Berlin fans always instilled confidence, insisting their players were the best.
Tap.
Lewandowski calmly took a first touch amid the cheers, leaving them behind. Modrić's passes, always considerate of the receiver, were incredible as ever.
'The boss… how does he scout and gather players like this?'
His admiration soon turned to Park Chan-hyuk.
Most of the players on the pitch were what you'd call world-class.
The opinions dismissing last season's title as luck flipped completely after the Champions League final run and back-to-back league wins. Union Berlin players' values skyrocketed.
The European soccer world was feverish to sign them, and evaluations of Park Chan-hyuk—who'd bought low—shot up fast.
Anyway, Lewandowski shook off the defender blocking him and slipped a pass to Yannik Foight penetrating the penalty box.
Lewandowski's pass created a one-on-one chance between Yannik Foight and the Hamburger SV keeper.
In a spot where he could've greedily shot, Yannik Foight chose a return pass. A smile crept onto Lewandowski's face unbidden.
Every soccer player, especially strikers, craved the spotlight. But Union Berlin's captain Yannik Foight had grinned and given him the ball.
'This team is really something else.'
Lewandowski calmly poked home the rolling ball.
His shot ripped into Hamburger SV's net.
He jogged slowly to the corner flag. He'd spotted the assistant coach holding back the boss who was about to sprint out.
"Levy! The top scorer's yours!"
Yannik Foight came running with his usual bright smile.
"Nah, it's ours."
Roberto Lewandowski corrected him.
It was heartfelt—top scorer wouldn't be possible without his teammates.
Looking at his teammates rushing over to celebrate, Lewandowski thought.
He didn't want to leave this place.
Unless it was Bayern Munich, his dream club, and even that…
With Union Berlin and Munich now rivals, a move there would be tough.
So, deep down, Roberto Lewandowski decided to stay with Union Berlin.
"Yannik, so when are we doing that TikTok together?"
"Oh. That doesn't really suit me."
And above all, filming TikToks with the Guten release was fun too.