Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: vs Borussia Dortmund II - 2
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***
The match between Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund II is unfolding at Dortmund II's home stadium.
The passion of the Dortmund fans is truly impressive.
Even for the reserve team, the fans are cheering with fervor.
'Is it because the first team's league form has been poor?'
Currently, Borussia Dortmund is not a powerhouse. Like Union Berlin, they are a team shaking under financial crisis.
Being called Bayern Munich's rival in the Bundesliga is a thing of the future.
Right now, they are nothing more or less than a club on the verge of collapse due to financial woes.
In the original history, Dortmund revives after Jürgen Klopp joins.
After Klopp leaves, they appoint Thomas Tuchel.
Dortmund finds its own identity after passing through these two geniuses.
That's when it earns the name of a Dortmund that excels at developing players. Both Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel had their own expertise in nurturing talent.
In particular, Thomas Tuchel held youth-related positions at Stuttgart and later Augsburg. Hidden behind his personality, it's a fact most don't know, but he was a youth specialist.
'Come to think of it, Tuchel was in charge of youth at Augsburg.'
These days, Tuchel is known to the world as a tactically brilliant manager, but his ability to develop youth players was just as outstanding as his tactical skills.
'And he's kinder to the youngsters than you might think.'
In fact, when I studied abroad at Stuttgart, the one who took the best care of me was Thomas Tuchel.
Unlike the other youth coaches who were overly friendly, Tuchel treated me a bit coolly, but he was the one who provided the most substantial help when I was struggling.
'...A tsundere, maybe?'
That's one reason I follow Thomas Tuchel now.
If Thomas Tuchel were truly an irredeemable bastard, I would've left long ago.
Sure, it scares me when he loses his temper and charges at the board members.
'But there's a certain thrill to it.'
Watching from the side, there's this exhilarating rush that clears the chest.
Anyway, Union Berlin's overall youth system has also passed through Thomas Tuchel's hands.
For a club the size of Union Berlin, it means they've established a fairly systematic youth setup.
That's also why Union Berlin's youngsters are growing so quickly.
'Well, it's partly because I instructed them to focus training on rapidly improving players whose potential I can see.'
"Focus, you bastards!"
"Hey! Sebastian, you too—time to move up to the first team, you idiot!"
Anyway, at this point in time, Dortmund's youth team isn't particularly strong.
'Nuri Sahin has already moved up to the first team, huh.'
In fact, there are no players on the Dortmund reserve team that I recognize.
The potential of the players on the Dortmund reserves is mostly set at three or four stars.
You might ask if that's not enough, but.
One thing to note: it's potential, not current ability.
Considering the age group of the current reserve players, I don't see much value in signing them.
And while German players might feel reverse discriminated against.
'If it's the same four stars, go with the Asian player.'
From the club's perspective, it's inevitable.
That's how you sell jerseys in Asia.
It's not much different from how handsome white players get the spotlight in MLB. In a capitalist society, sports move by market logic too.
'Above all, I put effort into making the Korean site, so Koreans need to use it.'
***
The match between Union Berlin and the Dortmund reserves followed Union Berlin's typical pattern.
[Is it because it's a game after the break? Union Berlin, who showed overwhelming dominance early in the season, is back!]
[Yes, before the break, the players seemed a bit fatigued.]
Union Berlin dominated in skill, stamina, and tactics across the board.
[Marcus Matike has the ball, looking around to check his teammates' positions.]
[By the way, this player has grown so much it's hard to believe he's the same one from last year.]
[Indeed. His ball possession looks extremely stable right now, doesn't it?]
[Ah! Just as I mention it—Dortmund's Sebastian Tyralla tries to steal it, but no chance! Marcus Matike shrugs off the pressure lightly and sprays a forward pass.]
Marcus Matike's pass goes through Thomas Maier to Yannik Feight, who was infiltrating the space behind.
[Great one-touch pass from Thomas Maier—straight to Yannik Feight!]
"Offside! Offside!"
The center-back urgently raises his hand toward the linesman, but the linesman firmly shakes his head. In reality, at the moment the pass was made, Yannik Feight was inside the defensive line.
[The linesman got it spot on. Perfect onside position!]
Meanwhile, Yannik Feight enters the penalty box with the ball.
He checks the goalkeeper rushing out desperately, then slowly swings his right foot.
Not a shot, but a cutback to a teammate.
[Daniel Teixeira!!!]
And charging toward the ball is Daniel Teixeira, who announced his retirement at the end of this season.
The moment Daniel Teixeira's shot ripples the net.
"Texas! Texas! Texas!"
The affectionate cheers from Union Berlin fans echo through the stadium.
***
Union Berlin took the lead with Daniel Teixeira's goal.
Daniel Teixeira hasn't directly told the squad about his retirement.
But everyone in the squad already has a rough idea of his plans for next season.
And it's not just the squad. The fans also sense that this season will be Daniel Teixeira's last.
His playing time has been decreasing bit by bit.
After all, with his age, recovery takes longer inevitably.
Overwhelmed by the fans' chants for him, Daniel Teixeira quietly begins to sob.
Even the Dortmund fans, in this moment, hold back their jeers and applaud quietly.
I can't know what emotions he's feeling as a third-rate player myself.
But someday, when I retire as a manager, I want to have a retirement ceremony bathed in love from the home fans.
'Like Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.'
As I get sentimental, Thomas Tuchel's mutter reaches my ears.
"I can't understand why he's acting like he'll never see someone again just because he's joining as a coach at Union Berlin after this season."
"...."
I quietly let out a sigh.
Tuchel, is that what you feel watching that?
***
Meanwhile, at that time.
The four Korean exchange students watch the match together in the dorm provided by Union Berlin.
As soccer exchange students, they can't play in semi-pro games.
Anyway, one by one, Union Berlin prospects start gathering at their dorm. The dorm for Korean exchange students has become a secret hangout for Union Berlin's youth.
"The match started?"
"Yeah. Hurry up and come."
Among the prospects gathered at the Korean exchange students' dorm are Leon Han and Manuel Schmidt.
"Hyungnims, hello."
"Leon, come on in."
"Hey, who taught Leon that? 'Hyungnim' when he's not even in Korea."
"Why not? Leon's half Korean blood."
"Wow, Kim Hyun-seong, are you saying our Leon, born in Germany, isn't Korean?"
"No, if he was born in Germany, he's German. Why would he be Korean?"
"Am I not Korean, hyungnim? My heart hurts."
"No, Leon, that's not what I meant...."
The dorm near Union Berlin's training ground quickly turns lively. The prospects gathered here bond over various topics.
"By the way, Schmidt, you seem like you're about to go up to the first team. Don't forget us when you make it first."
"It's not just getting called up—it's competing and securing a starting spot that's the issue."
"You guys will be up soon too."
"We haven't even gotten contract offers yet...."
The Korean exchange students gloom over instantly. The pressure of possibly returning to Korea in a year without a contract offer weighs on them.
Park Chan-hyuk had already decided in his mind to offer them contracts. But he hasn't told the exchange students.
Worried they might slack off if they knew.
"...Sigh, guess I'll go train more."
"Me too."
"Hey, let's go together."
"...I wanted to rest today."
"Shut up and come on, Kim Hyun-seong."
"Kim Hyun-seong that guy's such a slacker."
In reality, the exchange students are giving their all to earn contract offers.
Sometimes competing, sometimes cooperating, they burn their youth at Union Berlin.
***
[Union Berlin crushes Dortmund away.]
[Daniel Teixeira named MOM right after the final whistle.]
[Union Berlin's 'Texas' Daniel Teixeira announces retirement: "This season will probably be my last."]