Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: UEFA Super Cup -2
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***
“What...? What’s he doing?”
While the Atlético Madrid players were bewildered by their manager’s sudden outburst, the Union Berlin players looked unfazed, as if it were nothing new.
“Chan-hyuk flu?”
“Ahh... A ghost is haunting Europe. The ghost of Chan-hyuk flu...”
It was something they’d experienced countless times already.
“Get the defensive line sorted properly!”
“We’ve still got plenty of time! Take it slow! No need to rush!”
In any case, regardless of the Atlético Madrid manager’s freakout, the match continued, and Union Berlin quickly reorganized their defensive line before launching a counterattack.
“Thiago Silva with a great tackle punishing the charging forward!”
As Thiago Silva cleanly stripped Diego Forlán of the ball with a tackle, Union Berlin’s counter began.
“Union Berlin switches to attack in a flash!”
“Man, Union Berlin’s transition speed is seriously fast.”
“That’s right. Their transition from defense to attack is top-class in Europe.”
Thiago Silva attempted a long pass to Ángel Di María cutting in from the flank, and the ball flew precisely toward him.
“Ángel Di María takes the ball! He uses his speed to shake off Álvaro Domínguez!”
“He cuts inside and shoots!”
Ángel Di María, starting on the right wing, broke through Atlético Madrid’s left back and immediately curled inside for a shot.
Ángel Di María’s perfectly curled strike headed toward the Atlético Madrid goal.
Union Berlin fans sensing a goal rose from their seats, ready to erupt in cheers.
Whoosh!
But Ángel Di María’s shot...
Thud.
“David de Gea! A fantastic save from David de Gea!!”
It was stopped by Atlético Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea’s brilliant save.
“Puta Madre. He saved that?”
Ángel Di María couldn’t help but curse under his breath.
It had been a perfectly struck shot, only to be denied by the keeper.
“Union Berlin keeps pouring on the pressure!”
“Yannick Foote bursting into the space behind! He shoots!! Oh!! David de Gea with another great save!”
“Ah! If he’s saving shots like that, what’s an attacker supposed to do!”
“Looks like it’s the keeper’s day. Makes it tough for the forwards to score!”
Union Berlin continued their onslaught even after Ángel Di María’s shot, but Atlético Madrid’s solid defensive organization blocked them every time.
“The first half is coming to an end. Union Berlin pushed hard after conceding first but couldn’t break through Atlético Madrid’s defensive wall.”
Moments later, the referee’s whistle blew, and the first half ended with Union Berlin trailing Atlético Madrid 1-0.
***
“You all did great!”
I clapped as I entered the locker room.
The players sat down the moment I walked in, staring intently at me.
Even without me saying a word, they were ready to hear the second-half tactics.
‘They really hate losing that much.’
The Union Berlin players’ faces burned with competitive fire.
You could tell just by looking—they’d die before losing this match.
‘Good. This is what a team looks like.’
Seeing their expressions, a smile crept onto my face without me realizing.
If they’d been laughing and chatting despite trailing, I might’ve snapped and wondered, ‘Is this even a team?’
Well, sometimes that competitive drive spills over in weird ways and stirs up controversy.
But having it was still better than not.
You couldn’t create winning desire in a player who didn’t have it, but you could channel the desire they already possessed in the direction you wanted.
In my personal view, a manager’s role was to guide players’ competitive fire so it burned in the right way.
‘Hmm. Like a teacher of sorts.’
Anyway, I quickly replayed the first half in my head.
The scoreline had us behind, but the game flow had been overwhelmingly in Union Berlin’s favor.
Compared to last season, our attacking output hadn’t changed much. We’d just been a bit unlucky with goals.
‘Who knew the young prospect keeper would go berserk like this.’
Atlético Madrid’s goalkeeper David de Gea was having an absolute monster of a game today.
Kevin De Bruyne, starting as an attacking midfielder, hadn’t fully adapted to the team yet.
And not just Kevin—the other players hadn’t adapted to his playstyle either.
“Kevin, your passes are so strong!”
This wasn’t a joke; it came up during training discussions.
Players naturally chatting about each other’s styles was normal. No matter how much tactics covered for it, they were the ones playing.
Those exchanges often made the team better.
‘As long as it doesn’t get too heated, no big issue.’
Fortunately, Union Berlin’s finishers weren’t Sterling or Jesus but Yannick, Robert Lewandowski, and Son Heung-min, all known for their clinical finishing.
Anyway, halftime ended, and the second half kicked off.
Union Berlin scored shortly after the restart.
“Yes! That’s it!!”
It was Robert Lewandowski deflecting Kevin De Bruyne’s viciously spinning cross into the net.
***
“Gooooaaal! Robert Lewandowski! Robert Lewandowski evens it up!”
“Wow, Kevin De Bruyne’s pass there was just perfect!”
With the equalizer from Robert Lewandowski, Union Berlin seized complete control and hammered Atlético Madrid relentlessly.
└ Who said Union Berlin was in for a tough season?
└ Park Chan-hyuk <<< Just trust this guy lol
└ Park Chan-hyuk, is he a god? Park Chan-hyuk, is he a god? Park Chan-hyuk, is he a god? Park Chan-hyuk, is he a god?
Viewers watching the match marveled at Union Berlin’s performance.
Before the season, sports media had raised concerns over key departures, and even Union Berlin fans had felt uneasy amid the constant media barrage.
But once the season started, Union Berlin’s strength was as potent as ever.
└ Wow;; He’s killing it. Better than Kagawa? Nah?
└ Potential seems higher, but Kagawa’s still better right now?
└ Kagawa scores too.
└ Nah, but watching this kid, his finishing looks solid too.
Especially huge was replacing Shinji Kagawa, who’d moved to Manchester United, with Kevin De Bruyne.
Beyond mere replacement, De Bruyne’s creative passes added variety to Union Berlin’s attacks, which had relied too heavily on Luka Modrić before.
On days when Modrić wasn’t at his best, the play had felt stagnant—but now it was completely different.
In any case, Union Berlin’s onslaught continued, and Ángel Di María, who’d torn up Atlético Madrid’s left flank, finally got his goal.
They took a 2-1 lead.
And as Ángel Di María scored, Park Chan-hyuk tried to rush toward the corner flag but was sadly grabbed by assistant coach Daniel Teixeira.
“Let go! We need revenge!”
“Boss, calm down. Revenge is just empty.”
***
[Union Berlin stuns Atlético Madrid 2-1 in comeback win!]
Union Berlin pulled off a thrilling reversal against Atlético Madrid to claim their first-ever Super Cup title in club history.
[Park Chan-hyuk magic strikes again!]
[Park Chan-hyuk, need world-class players? Make your own!]
The rookies shone brightly in this match against Atlético Madrid, and the media raced to praise Park Chan-hyuk’s eye for talent.
Kevin De Bruyne assisted Robert Lewandowski’s goal.
Mohamed Salah, subbing in late for Ángel Di María, didn’t score but showed glimpses of his potential.
[Union Berlin wins UEFA Super Cup!]
Union Berlin fans reveled in the joy of victory once more.
Soon after, the season opener against Dortmund arrived, and Union Berlin lost 1-0 on the road.
[Klopp in post-match interview: “Chan-hyuk’s picks were insane.”]
That day.
“Klopp’s gone soft...?”
Park Chan-hyuk couldn’t shake the strange feeling.