Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: 08/09 Preseason -3
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A few days after Park Chan-hyuk held the Burning Event.
The match between Union Berlin and Oseong Red Wings took place at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
"Let's grab a big win and head home!"
"Jaaaaaaa!"
Union Berlin's players were fired up even before kickoff.
Oseong Red Wings had handed them a loss just two years ago.
Back when Union Berlin was still in the third division.
To the Union Berlin players, this was a revenge match of sorts.
[Yes, just two years ago, Union Berlin was a third-division side, and now they're back in the Bundesliga, Germany's top flight!]
[Hearing that really drives home how rapidly Union Berlin has risen. The squad looks quite different from back then, but there are still a few holdovers.]
Only Marcus Mattheke and Yannick Foight remained from that game, along with a handful on the bench and Daniel Teixeira, now a coach.
But that was plenty to inspire Union Berlin's newcomers.
The new Union Berlin players hadn't let their guard down upon hearing they'd lost to Oseong Red Wings in the past.
They hadn't forgotten that Union Berlin had been in the third division just two years prior.
Rising straight from the fourth division to the top flight was unprecedented.
[Here we go! Kickoff in the Oseong Red Wings vs. Union Berlin match. Union Berlin kicks off!]
With the referee's whistle, the game was underway.
[Whoa? Union Berlin goes long right from the start?]
Roberto Lewandowski took Yannick Foight's pass at kickoff and booted it straight toward the front touchline.
A tactic Luis Enrique would later use at PSG.
*First come, first served.*
"Copy-ninja" Hatake Park Chan-hyuk had no regrets.
Not using every tactic in your arsenal was half-assing it, and in the sports world, that was the real shame.
[Union Berlin's intense press! Oseong Red Wings look rattled!]
[I've never even heard of a tactic like this!]
Moments later.
Oseong Red Wings lost possession to Union Berlin's organized, precise pressing.
[Luka Modrić wins the ball!]
Luka Modrić glanced up at Yannick Foight surging toward the penalty area as he stole it.
[Luka Modrić looks for Yannick Foight!]
Modrić's through ball found Foight.
[Yannick Foight into the box! He shoots!]
He calmly slotted it past the diving keeper.
[GOOOAAAL! Yannick Foight scores the opener just one minute in!!]
[Park Chan-hyuk's innovative tactic meets Yannick Foight's clinical finish! Union Berlin takes a one-goal lead!!]
***
……Was it always this easy?
Yannick Foight tilted his head after his opener.
Facing Oseong Red Wings again felt surreal.
Just two years ago, they'd loomed like a mountain.
Back then, they'd felt like an impenetrable wall.
But now, Union Berlin was crushing them.
In the past, Union Berlin players had gazed at the pro Oseong Red Wings pros with envy.
Now, it was the Oseong players looking at Yannick Foight that way.
*We've grown so much.*
Yannick Foight felt the club's changed stature sink in.
As someone who'd shared Union Berlin's history, he got nostalgic.
"Nice goal."
"Oh. Luka. That pass was perfect."
Luka Modrić approached to congratulate him.
Yannick Foight clicked well with the newcomer.
Diligent in training, no off-field issues.
Always kind to staff, and he didn't hesitate to give teammates tough love for better performances.
*Chan-hyuk said the goal this season is Champions League qualification…?*
Yannick Foight thought it seemed possible.
*Champions League…*
The words made Yannick's heart race.
***
Right from kickoff, Union Berlin hammered Oseong Red Wings.
And we grabbed an early goal.
"Waaaaaah!"
Union Berlin fans erupted at the score.
Unlike our last Korea trip, plenty of Union Berlin supporters filled the stands today.
I remembered most fans back then showering us with boos.
*…Yeah, but I did provoke them that time.*
Anyway, I stood, waved thanks, then refocused on the pitch.
Oseong Red Wings' manager looked flustered by Union Berlin's wild tactic.
This was only possible because Union Berlin trusted their high press.
I'd drilled the exact pressing triggers into the players, and they executed flawlessly.
Oseong Red Wings restarted from the kickoff, but soon Union Berlin stole it back.
"Go!"
Union Berlin's backline held just Thiago Silva and Ivan Petrović.
Cafu started as right wing-back, aiding the attack.
Even with age slowing him, his crosses stayed lethal.
Perfect against a sitting defense.
"Come down!!"
That said, Oseong Red Wings weren't total pushovers.
They threatened on the counter against Union Berlin.
As we lost the ball in buildup, their break surged.
But Union Berlin's last line was Thiago Silva.
Thiago Silva snuffed out the counter coolly.
"Thiago!"
He blocked it and launched long forward.
This time, Roberto Lewandowski rattled the net.
*…The squad quality gap is huge.*
The final score might spark "star power" talk, but nah. You need a 3-4 goal edge for that excuse. A blowout like this? No one dares say it.
Better to crush Korean coaches' excuses altogether—leave them speechless.
Leading 2-0 early in the first half loosened Union Berlin's killer instinct.
Eyes softening.
"Don't forget! Double bonuses!"
I clapped from the touchline, firing them up. The edge returned to their gazes.
Yannick Foight, the "baby daddy," stood out.
With his due date nearing, he needed the cash.
I approached a camera, making the "watching?" gesture with two fingers over my eyes.
A message to pre-game trash-talkers.
Korean sports folks often downplay overseas Koreans.
Many think they could've starred but for bad timing.
*Sure, some might've, objectively.*
Most? No.
I get pride in your skills and league, but don't trash others.
Anyway, as I taunted the camera.
Union Berlin struck again.
Yannick Foight this time.
I clapped in place for the celebration.
PTSD from sliding on my knees last Korea trip and getting hurt.
"Uuuuuh! Park Chan-hyuk, do a celebration!"
No celly from me, and boos rained down.
They'd raged at my celly two years ago. Weird.
"Ho~! Hou!"
"Egging them on," I ran to the corner flag.
"Park Chan-hyuk, you bastard!!"
"You provoking us?!"
Now boos turned to curses.
*…What do they want?*
Which beat am I supposed to dance to?
***
[Union Berlin keeps pressing. Luka Modrić steals it! Pushes to Roberto Lewandowski! Lewy lays it off, back to Luka Modrić!!!]
[GOOOAAAL! Luka Modrić bags his Union Berlin debut goal.]
[It's 4-0! 4-0!!!! What is happening! Union Berlin is strong! So strong!! Dominating a Korean league champion!]
[That goal seals it…. Oh! Oseong Red Wings fans are in tears.]
[Unbelievable! Is this top-flight Europe? How big is the gap with the K League?]
[Korea's soccer community needs to reflect! For Korean soccer's growth, study European football now!]
***
Halftime in Union Berlin vs. Oseong Red Wings.
Union Berlin added two more for a 6-0 first-half rout.
Oseong Red Wings trudged to the locker room, mentally shattered.
Union Berlin's players seemed pleased.
I declared to my softened squad.
"I'm still hungry."
*……Want some?*
Yannick offered his pre-halftime banana.
*What? Racism?*
I took it with a awkward look.