Chapter 71
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: A Fitting End to the 00/01 Season
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Blackburn crushed Ipswich Town 2-0 at home in their final match.
With the game wrapped up, the entire squad came out onto the pitch to greet the over 30,000 fans in the stands.
"Whew... What a bittersweet season."
I quietly descended the stairs and strode out onto the field.
"Mr. Lee!"
Heinkes approached and extended his hand.
"I'm ashamed. We fought desperately for the league title, but..."
"For our first year, this is more than fine. We snagged the Charity Shield, and the UEFA Cup is still up for grabs."
League runners-up, FA Cup semifinalists, EFL Cup fifth round. That was our tally.
Man United finished with 90 points, allowing Ferguson to claim his three-peat. We ended with 83 points in second.
Third place went to Arsenal with 70 points—a huge gap—and that rounded out the three Champions League spots EPL awarded.
What came next?
Liverpool chased hard to the end but settled for fourth with 68 points, while those Leeds bastards took fifth with 65, missing out on the Champions League.
Still, they made it to the UCL quarterfinals this season, so they'll scrape by on that prize money. But no more Champions League dreams after this.
Even if it expands to four spots, Leeds is done for... forever.
"Mr. Lee."
"Kevin, you worked hard this season too. Not quite like last year, but you showed plenty of class."
This season, 17 goals in 34 league games, 24 goals across 48 total matches. He delivered as our main striker.
"Luis."
"Mr. Lee, did I earn my keep this season?"
"We've got to win the UEFA Cup."
"I want that too. Aside from the '97 Cup Winners' Cup, I haven't won any international trophies."
Luis Figo.
This season, we pulled off the deal of the century at 60 million euros, and in his first year at Blackburn, he notched 7 goals and 13 assists in 36 league games.
Topping Beckham's 12 assists and Henry's 10, he's the Premier League assist king this season.
Roberto Baggio, at 33 years old, came to the EPL and delivered 11 goals and 6 assists in the league, plus a hat-trick in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals—20 years' worth of highlights.
James Beattie hit 10 league goals, Shaun Wright-Phillips managed 2 goals and 3 assists in 25 games, and Yoo Sung-chul played over 20 matches, solidifying our rotation.
Then there were the promising youngsters like Parker, Barry, Bridge, Taylor, and all growing fast. Brad Friedel claimed the starting keeper spot in the league and performed solidly.
Third year—third year, we take the league title for sure. If not, then...
UEFA Cup Final: Daeyang Group's Masterpiece Event Led by Korea!
UEFA Cup Final to Crown Europe's Best: Will Yoo Sung-chul Start?
First Korean Player Match Since Cha Beom-gon's 1988 Leverkusen UEFA Cup Win!
Back home, the media was in a frenzy.
They hyped the UEFA Cup like it was the World Cup. Daeyang-related stocks skyrocketed, and we'd secured plenty of scoreboard ads, so fans worldwide would see Daeyang Global's name on match day.
Korean TV broadcasts, not to mention the internet, buzzed daily with World Cup prep mixed in with UEFA Cup final coverage.
"Yes, the hot European cup competition lately. Back in the day, Coach Cha Beom-gon won it twice during his playing career. What's the name of this tournament Yoo Sung-chul is in?"
Will Yoo Sung-chul make the final?
Kenna or Holan looks likely to start.
Damn, you serious? Holan maybe, but Kenna loses to Yoo Sung-chul.
Hiddink's going to watch too. Hope Yoo Sung-chul does well.
But can they beat Liverpool? Michael Owen's no joke.
Owen's not even worth the dirt under Baggio's toenails.
What era's Baggio? '94 World Cup eagle shot?
Whoa, this guy's never seen Baggio's quarterfinal hat-trick.
Internet reactions were like that, and HQ calls came in frequently.
"Dae-hyun, we did special discounts at Daeyang Department Store and Daeyang Mart like you said. Sports gear's on the first floor. But is this really okay?"
"It's fine. It's working."
"No, I mean, if we lose, then..."
"We'll win. Just Yoo Sung-chul playing gets us halfway there."
The UEFA Cup final opponent was set: Liverpool.
In the original history this year, Liverpool would sweep the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Cup for a mini-treble.
They'd even beaten Barcelona, but we'd faced Liverpool plenty of times.
And this time, I was confident we'd win.
Suddenly, the line grew noisy, and the voice changed.
"Hello? Dae-hyun?"
"Dad!"
"How's it gone since you got to England? The Kyungkuk University director's niece."
"Haven't seen her since..."
"...Not your type?"
"No, no, it's not that. Just no occasion to meet!"
"They say they're pushing from their side. Give me some updates. You both love soccer, you're in England, neighborhoods close by?"
The call ended after that chat.
"Whew."
As I opened my drawer for a smoke, I spotted soccer tickets inside.
Special seats from UEFA—I'd handed them out to friends and soccer folks, but two remained.
"...Should I ask her to come?"
But no recent contact.
Guess I'd have to head to Preston and track down her school.
"Let's grab some food first."
I had plenty to discuss with Mario Romano anyway—expanding the restaurant business.
Especially entering Korea with retort pouches and opening an Italian spot at the soon-to-open Daeyang Hotel.
Mario Romano's place was quiet on a weekday afternoon.
Just one table occupied: a group that looked like college girls.
"Last time we were here, we saw Baggio and Gattuso."
"For real? We gotta come more often."
"Heard the owner here's big in soccer circles. Players drop by for Blackburn away games."
"Then for Man..."
A familiar voice. I eavesdropped just in case.
"...!?"
"Oh."
There, amid British college girls devouring Italian pasta and pizza, was Alice Kim.
"Uh, over there..."
"You came all the way from Preston?"
"Heard this place is famous."
"I invested in it. That's why."
Her friends buzzed around her.
"Order whatever you want, eat as much as you like. It's all on the house."
I slipped to the counter, called Mario, and handed over my card.
"Hey, Signore Lee. Fell for one of 'em?"
"Met her in Korea. Arranged fiancée."
"Why didn't you say so sooner? She comes every two weeks or so."
Mario laughed heartily, refused my card, and promised free meals for that table.
"Um, excuse me!"
Alice rushed over, tomato sauce still on her mouth.
"Y-you didn't have to pay. Thank you."
She spoke in Korean, baffling Mario.
I seized the moment and offered her the UEFA Cup final ticket.
"UEFA Cup final ticket. Wanna go together?"
"...Sorry, I've got a really urgent class that day."
"Ah, okay then."
Awkward.
Alice bowed repeatedly, apologizing.
'...Plus, German away games are traumatic...'
"Hm?"
'Why'd they get wrecked so bad by Bayern Munich...'
She mumbled something inaudible.
Then she perked up and approached.
"Dae-hyun, if you beat Liverpool there, I'll go on a date with you."
"Oh!"
"Beat Liverpool for sure. Can't stand them calling a few 'Mickey Mouse trophies' a treble."
"You really hate Liverpool, huh?"
"A lot."
"Yeah, me too."
She grabbed my hand tight, nodding with sparkling eyes.
"Win it. The UEFA Cup goes to Blackburn, not Liverpool!"
"Of course. Blackburn takes the trophy."
One more reason to win the UEFA Cup final.