Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: UEFA Super Cup -1
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***
Atlético Madrid manager Kike Flores had thoroughly analyzed Park Chan-hyuk's tactics ahead of the match against Union Berlin. Union Berlin, winners of last season's Champions League, was no team to take lightly.
'Huh... Is there really a team like this in the world?'
Kike Flores, pondering his tactics, decided to take a break and watch Union Berlin's documentary to clear his head.
Guten's content platform had now fully established itself worldwide.
To someone from the future, the video quality was quite poor due to hardware limitations, with frequent buffering during playback. But those who had embraced Guten cheered at the mere fact that they could engage in various activities even on the move.
It was simply a difference in experience. These people hadn't yet experienced the superior future environment firsthand, so they didn't know any better.
And most people, recalling the rapid early development of the computer and semiconductor industries, expected smartphone hardware to improve quickly as well.
In reality, since the advent of smartphones, wireless network technology and the like were advancing rapidly. And in pace with hardware improvements, the quality of Guten's OTT platform service was gradually getting better.
In any case, the Union Berlin documentary released through Guten's OTT platform had caused a huge stir in European soccer circles.
It was classified as must-watch viewing for soccer managers, coaches, or anyone aspiring to work in soccer.
Until now, there had been almost no documentaries featuring a single club as the protagonist like Union Berlin's.
There was Ajax's documentary film 'Ajax: Hark the Herald Angel Sings' and Manchester City's upcoming 'Blue Moon Rising', but those were released as movies, so much content had been cut due to runtime limitations.
However, Union Berlin's documentary was released as a TV series, delving more meticulously into the club's internal affairs.
It exposed raw details never shown before, including the team atmosphere right after defeats, transfer market and financial issues, and the process of resolving conflicts with fans causing chaos on the Union Berlin homepage.
As a result, those aspiring to enter the soccer world began to nurture their dreams while watching Union Berlin's documentary.
On the other hand, those already in the soccer world worked to understand Union Berlin's systems. There were many innovative attempts, befitting the eldest son of a 'family' leading a world-class IT company.
However, what caught the eye of Atlético Madrid manager Kike Flores was none other than Union Berlin's history.
'Is this really the story of one man's life?'
Kike Flores marveled as he looked back on the path Union Berlin had taken.
Union Berlin had grown rapidly since their lower league days.
They hadn't suffered a single failure, securing back-to-back league titles and the Champions League trophy.
And the astonishing fact was that Union Berlin's growth rate showed no signs of slowing even now.
Union Berlin academy prospects were currently thriving in various clubs.
Seeing Union Berlin alumni shining across different teams, Park Chan-hyuk's eye for talent was nothing short of miraculous.
For reference, right after the documentary aired, those who doubted Park Chan-hyuk's eye for talent had completely vanished.
- And even if a player's current skill level is a bit lacking, if they show just a spark of brilliance, he develops them quickly. The boss is the best manager I've ever worked with.
Kike Flores nodded as he watched the scouter team leader's interview.
Though many hadn't believed it at first, Kike Flores had no choice but to trust the scouter team leader. The sincerity and respect in his eyes were unmistakable.
'No wonder promising talents flock to Union Berlin.'
It wasn't for nothing that prospects favored Union Berlin. There was a manager who quickly grasped players' strengths and weaknesses, built tactics flexibly around their advantages, and developed them accordingly.
[Union Berlin Documentary Tops Guten OTT Global Charts.]
[Union Berlin Documentary 'Iron and Blood (Blood and Sweat)', The Most Successful Sports Documentary in History?]
In any event, Union Berlin's documentary shocked soccer insiders. It showed how the arrival of one man completely transformed a lower league team like Union Berlin.
Moreover, Union Berlin hadn't relied on oil money like Manchester City or Chelsea. A manager still in his twenties had joined as assistant coach in the lower leagues with nothing but himself, reformed the team's structure, and elevated it.
'Übermensch...'
Those interested in philosophy and history who watched the documentary unconsciously recalled the word.
They finally understood why Union Berlin fans were so fanatical about Park Chan-hyuk.
That day.
Kike Flores forgot about devising tactics and just kept watching the Union Berlin documentary.
“Dem Morgengrauen entgegen, ziehn wir gegen den Wind.
(Toward the dawn, we march against the wind.)”
And in the scene where they lifted the Champions League trophy, the supporters' chant erupted.
Before he knew it, he had become a fan of Union Berlin and Park Chan-hyuk.
And a few days later.
On the day of the UEFA Super Cup match between Atlético Madrid and Union Berlin.
Kike Flores stared intently at Park Chan-hyuk as he entered the stadium. He had unwittingly revealed his fanboy heart.
But Park Chan-hyuk avoided Kike Flores's gaze.
'......He's not gay, is he?'
It was burdensome to be stared at with such intense eyes.
***
The UEFA Super Cup match between Europa League winners Atlético Madrid and Champions League winners Union Berlin took place at Stade Louis II, AS Monaco's home ground.
Many soccer fans flocked to the stadium.
“Waaaaaah!”
“I came from Korea to watch this match!”
Union Berlin's local fans couldn't attend in large numbers due to work, but instead, Asian tourists had come to cheer for Union Berlin.
For reference, Union Berlin's fanbase was growing rapidly, fueled by the Champions League win and the documentary release. It transcended regions and nationalities, giving Union Berlin a global fanbase.
'As expected, nothing gathers fans faster than winning.'
Well, that's obvious. Unless you're a masochist who enjoys supporting a team in turmoil or getting attached during a slump, people's instinct is to root for strong teams.
'In that sense, my condolences to future Manchester United fans who will suffer.'
Well, at least fans starting to support United now have it better.
They've at least tasted the peak with Alex Ferguson.
'Or maybe remembering this era makes it even more painful.'
Well... Even if you get attached at the peak, endure it, and someday the rescue team will come.
'......They will come, right?'
Anyway, I looked at the Atlético Madrid players, my opponents for today.
There were many familiar faces on the current Atlético Madrid squad. David de Gea, Diego Godín, Forlán, and other big names from the past and future were everywhere.
'Come to think of it, at the end of this season, Forlán and David de Gea left, and they brought in Falcao and Courtois. Atlético Madrid's scouting team is impressive too.'
I let out a sigh of admiration.
'That said, there's no one on Atlético Madrid I particularly want to bring in.'
My eyes lingered on Filipe Luís and Diego Godín, at least.
Compared to their saturated attack line, defensive resources were a bit lacking.
However, since both players had just transferred to Atlético Madrid this summer transfer window, they probably wouldn't let them go easily.
Oh, for reference, it was lacking compared to the attack, but not critically short on defenders. We had Virgil van Dijk, Dante, Thiago Silva, Yuto Nakamoto, Azpilicueta, and others.
'Come to think of it, Theo Hernández and Lucas Hernández were in Atlético Madrid's youth team, right?'
Well, bringing those two was a distant future prospect. They were still too young. Aiming for 4-5 years from now would be appropriate.
Anyway, with the referee's whistle, the UEFA Super Cup match began.
Union Berlin pressed Atlético Madrid fiercely from the kickoff.
Regrettably, the first goal came from Atlético Madrid's Diego Forlán.
It stemmed from a clean counterattack starting from Diego Godín's toe.
“Hoooouuuuuuu!!”
And at that moment, the "Hoo" chant echoed through the stadium.
Daniel Teixeira's gaze turned to me in that instant.
“It wasn't me.”
I protested my innocence. This time, it really wasn't me.
Atlético Madrid's manager had run to the corner flag and stolen my celebration.
“......Fuck, what the hell?”
“Should I teach Atlético Madrid's assistant coach how to restrain the manager?”
For reference, that day 'we' stared at the Atlético Madrid manager celebrating at the corner flag, unable to hide our bewilderment.