Media Is Trash
The media is trash!
“Good!” Pep Guardiola wore a satisfied expression after Manchester City scored early against Wycombe. He then sat back down as if to watch the rest of the match in comfort, reaching for a water bottle.
They really do link up well with the Brazilian players.
Seeing how naturally Ha Sunmoon meshed with Jesus, Pep Guardiola began to think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to mix in more Brazilian players whenever Sunmoon started. The partnership between the two looked promising.
Sunmoon isn’t a natural number nine, but he understands Jesus’s movement well. His time in Brazil is clearly paying off here. The real question is whether the two of them can do the same against stronger sides…
Pep Guardiola ran several simulations in his head, but he couldn’t quite picture their combination consistently breaking down top-team defenses. While he was musing on these thoughts and watching the game at ease, another goal went in.
— Phil Foden scores! His run into the half-space pays off. This time the move was created from the left. Sterling, Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne combined to stretch the left side, and Foden slipped into the gap to fire home. Once Manchester City go 2-0 up against a League One side, it’s almost impossible to come back. Against a League Two team, the result was effectively decided.
The only slim hope for Wycombe lay in the fact that City’s backline consisted of academy players who might not be as disciplined with their challenges. But the Manchester City youngsters, who had been dominant in PL2, showed no signs of being rattled by a League Two side.
Time ticked by until the referee’s whistle signaled the end of the first half. Manchester City and Wycombe Wanderers players slowly made their way through the tunnel toward the dressing rooms.
Inside the dressing room, Pep Guardiola was waiting with visible enthusiasm.
“Excellent first half.”
[Just the usual praise.]
“Burns, Esbrand, Mbete, Lavia, and you too, Riley — it’s good to see you academy lads making the most of your opportunities.”
Pep Guardiola’s words were sincere. The squad’s fatigue was still high after reaching the Champions League final the previous season. On top of that, several players had picked up injuries against Manchester United, and most of the remaining squad had been called up for international duty during the break, burning through what little energy they had left. That was why Pep had made the unusual decision to field academy players in defense and at defensive midfield today.
While City fans had been surprised by the call, the biggest shock had actually been felt by the senior players themselves.
“We’ve got a comfortable lead, so in the second half I’ll be resting the players who’ve just returned from international duty. They won’t feature in the next match either, so I’d like the rest of you to play as much as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
[Hmm… still at that level. But playing more minutes isn’t a bad thing. At least he’s come back in good condition.]
“Right, let’s get back out there.”
The players headed back onto the pitch for the second half. Manchester City made several changes. Kevin De Bruyne, still carrying some fatigue and a minor knock, was replaced by Fernandinho, while Foden made way for Gündogan. The shape shifted into a more defensive 4-2-3-1.
[This formation’s new too. Think you can handle it?]
At Harrison’s question, Ha Sunmoon nodded.
[Yeah. Your job doesn’t change much. Just do what you’ve been doing and hold the line. Focus now!]
The referee’s whistle blew. Ha Sunmoon sharpened his concentration.
* * *
The final score was 3-0 to Manchester City. The second half had been comfortable, with City controlling the game and securing the win. But the articles that appeared afterward were strange.
“What is this?”
Ha Sunmoon, resting in his hotel room, stared at the article in disbelief. He had been in a good mood after the win and the praise, but the tone of the piece soured everything.
[Ignore the media. They’re always like that. And it looks like The Guardian has a particular grudge against Manchester City. Just forget about them and focus on what you need to do.]
“Still… it’s a bit annoying.”
[Why? Do you want recognition from the press that badly?]
“Well… yeah. What kind of outlet would call Ronaldo or Messi average players? They wouldn’t dare.”
[Come on. That’s the Spanish press. Our proud English media just writes whatever sells. Don’t let them get to you. Just do your job.]
“Got it. But… is that really a bad thing?”
[What is?]
“Using academy players against lower-league teams.”
‘Agh… this is exactly why I didn’t want him reading the papers… He’s actually bothered by it.’
[It depends how you look at it. Honestly, I think your manager is right. When I was playing, we still put out strong sides against lower-league teams. Of course, we’d sometimes throw in one or two academy lads, but…]
“Really?”
[Yeah! We used to take those games seriously too. Every cup competition matters. But these days, with player fatigue so high, it makes more sense not to risk the stars in lower-value ties. That’s why the trend has shifted. Both approaches have their reasons — you can’t really criticize either.]
“Then why are they so determined to twist it into criticism?”
[Because they’re bastards. They know the full story, yet they still do this. They’re just stirring trouble because they don’t like him. Us old fans agree with Pep Guardiola. An old newspaper should know better.]
“Ah…”
But Ha Sunmoon’s article browsing wasn’t over yet.
“Hmm…”
[See? Even here they’re saying you should’ve been left out so an academy player could play. They still see you as an outsider. Local papers are always like that. They can’t help but favor the youth players over you.]
“Still, it’s not like Espanyol where I came through the academy, so I guess it can’t be helped.”
[Even so, I wish the local paper would get behind you… Maybe if you keep performing, they’ll come around. You’re doing more than enough. Just keep that mindset.]
“Hmm…”
Another article caught his eye.
“Wow. They really publish anything.”
[That’s why I told you not to read them. They go extra hard if you’re not English.]
“They really hate it, huh. It wasn’t this bad in Spain.”
[Nothing you can do about it.]
Thump. Thump.
Reading the articles stirred something in Ha Sunmoon.
“I guess…”
[Guess what?]
“Hoo… I just have to play well. So these people can see me properly.”
[Oh?]
“I’ll play so well that even The Guardian, Sky Sports, and the Manchester Evening won’t have anything to say. They keep claiming I’m just here for Asian marketing… I’ll shut them up with my performances.”
Harrison was pleased with Sunmoon’s resolve.
[Good. Let’s go with that. Then training—]
“Aigoo! It’s already late. I need to sleep!”
The moment training was mentioned, Ha Sunmoon rushed off to bed.
[It’s only 8 p.m.?]
“I’m going to sleep now.”