Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Preseason -5
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***
The moment Son Hong-min's shot ripped into Bayern Munich's net.
'Huh?'
Thomas Tuchel felt a nagging unease and turned to look at Park Chan-hyuk.
As their eyes met, Tuchel widened his in a fierce glare, sending a warning. It was his way of saying he'd make him pay if he dared provoke him.
But Park Chan-hyuk ignored the warning and strode over, shouting in Korean.
"Grow some hair, baldy!"
Thomas Tuchel didn't know exactly what it meant, but he was certain it wasn't anything good.
He could tell from the way Park Chan-hyuk smirked at him.
'That's mockery.'
The bond they'd built spending time together told him so.
Thomas Tuchel immediately closed in and grabbed Park Chan-hyuk by the throat.
If Park Chan-hyuk didn't act wronged here, then it really was mockery.
'Even if it wasn't, who cares.'
It didn't matter if he was wrong.
Coming to the opposing bench after scoring was provocation enough.
Unfortunately for him, Thomas Tuchel's instincts were spot on.
Park Chan-hyuk didn't look the least bit aggrieved with his throat in his grip.
Realizing "Grow some hair, baldy!" was indeed a taunt, Thomas Tuchel's hand tightened.
"Guh... ack... sur... render...."
Park Chan-hyuk's unconditional surrender fell on deaf ears.
***
Meanwhile, at the same time.
[Goaaaal—! It's in! Son! Hong! Min! Son Hong-min has put Union Berlin ahead against Bayern Munich!!]
Korean soccer fans watching the Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin match were baffled.
- Why's Son Hong-min celebrating like that?
Son Hong-min had suddenly dashed to the corner flag for a ceremony.
- He scored.
- ??? When?
- Before Park Chan-hyuk provoked Tuchel?
- Oh. That's why he taunted ㅋㅋ I thought it came out of nowhere.
Park Chan-hyuk's provocation and Tuchel's response had overshadowed Son Hong-min's goal in everyone's memory.
- Park Chan-hyuk <<< This guy's stealing all the spotlight ㅋㅋㅋ
- Fr, yelling "Grow some hair, baldy!" right in Tuchel's face ㅇㅈㄹㅋㅋ
- Park Chan-hyuk's got some lungs on him ㅋㅋ
Perhaps anticipating the viewers' reactions, the broadcast replayed Son Hong-min's goal.
Only then did viewers start chatting about the goal.
- Kyaa ㅋㅋ Scoring on 'Munich' at 15 yrs old ㅅㅅㅅㅅ
- Hong-min, you're Korea's future.
- If he becomes national team manager, World Cup win ez?
- Olympic gold at least?
- Dreaming too big ㅎㅎ.
Soccer fans that day felt like Korea's golden era in soccer was just beginning.
***
Union Berlin's players on the pitch started gaining confidence.
They'd scored against Bayern Munich and, for the moment, were leading 'that' Munich side.
'What if we actually...'
'Win this?'
Some players began imagining victory over Bayern Munich.
The momentum was that good for Union Berlin.
[Union Berlin's intense pressing! They've stripped the ball from Toni Kroos!]
Their surging confidence breathed life into the stadium.
[Son Hong-min has the ball again! He's been quiet this match, shadowed by Philipp Lahm, but oh! He's through! He's fast! Son Hong-min!]
Son Hong-min actively tried breakthroughs down the flank despite Lahm's marking.
[Here it comes right away! A low, driven ground cross!]
Most attacks fizzled out, but he created a few dangerous chances.
[Roberto Lewandowski!!]
Son Hong-min's ground cross found Lewandowski.
Lewandowski controlled it and spun half a turn for a volley.
Clang—!
[Aaah—! The crossbar!]
Lewandowski's perfectly struck shot unfortunately cannoned off the bar.
Roberto Lewandowski clutched his head in frustration without realizing it.
After ricocheting down into the box, Mats Hummels cleared it far away.
Bayern Munich's players' pride stung at struggling against a second-division side.
The match naturally grew physical.
Lucio committed a rough foul on Yannick Foight breaking into space behind.
The ref blew immediately, called the foul, and gave Lucio a yellow with a stern warning.
Friendly matches rarely saw reds, so that tackle was basically a straight red.
"Hey! It's just a friendly!"
Union Berlin players approached Lucio with stone-cold faces to protest.
It was way too rough for a friendly.
The situation teetered on the edge—one wrong move and benches would clear.
Thankfully, Lucio admitted he went too far, raised his hands in apology.
Yannick Foight, the victim, calmed his fired-up teammates.
Moments later.
Yannick Foight's free kick was smothered by Oliver Kahn, ending the first half.
***
Halftime.
Union Berlin's locker room buzzed with positivity.
They were beating 'that' Bayern Munich.
Park the bus deep in the second half, and they might actually win.
But the players' faces didn't crave that kind of victory.
Whatever. Even a thrashing was fine.
Defensive morale might dip a bit, but it was a cheap price.
'Keep it up in the second half.'
The second half kicked off.
Unlike the somewhat disorganized first half, Bayern Munich looked organized now. Tuchel's halftime touch was evident.
Franck Ribéry took the ball and tore into Union Berlin's right flank mercilessly, cutting into the box for a shot.
For a split second, sensing a goal, a smile crept across the fierce Ribéry's face.
But Ribéry's shot didn't go in.
Thud—.
18-year-old starting keeper Manuel Schmidt made an animalistic reflex save.
He was raw on experience, with rough edges, but his reflexes fueled save after save.
Through this friendly, Manuel Schmidt was racking up experience against prime opposition like Bayern Munich.
***
The star of the match wasn't goalscorer Son Hong-min or saving machine Manuel Schmidt—it was Thomas Mayer.
His insane work rate in midfield disrupted Bayern's build-up relentlessly. Even past the 70th minute, Thomas Mayer pressed aggressively, breaking play. Astonishing stamina.
'Not bad.'
Thomas Tuchel eyed Thomas Mayer approvingly. If he weren't Bayern's manager, he'd have pursued a transfer.
'Too iffy to sign. Work rate's elite, but unfortunately lacking elsewhere.'
Sadly, Bayern's squad had no room for Thomas Mayer.
Even prospects like Toni Kroos and Mats Hummels needed loans for starts.
Park Chan-hyuk could be seen glaring at Toni Kroos.
In that moment, Thomas Tuchel pondered loaning to Union Berlin.
'Maybe send him to Union Berlin on loan.'
Recalling how Park Chan-hyuk fast-tracked prospects, it wasn't a bad option.
***
From the second half kickoff, momentum fully shifted to Bayern Munich.
Union Berlin's defense threw bodies everywhere to repel attacks.
But Bayern's relentless pressure punched holes in the wall.
Bayern Munich's shot split Manuel Schmidt and Union Berlin's net.
The equalizer came from Ballon d'Or snub Franck Ribéry.
Bayern then added two more against Union Berlin. Union Berlin countered on chances but hit Oliver Kahn's saves.
'Is that guy really 38? Why the hell retire?'
Still, holding Bayern to that was decent.
As the whistle blew, Thomas Tuchel walked toward Union Berlin's bench.
I smiled and preemptively fired at the approaching Tuchel.
"Ugh. Too bright—I can't open my eyes!"
"...You really want to die, huh?"
Ah. He came for a handshake. Thought he was coming to provoke again.