A New Wind Blows
Espanyol was sailing smoothly, contrary to the concerns about the new technique. They sat atop the league with six wins and one draw, and had advanced in the Copa del Rey after defeating a fourth-division side. Yet David, the assistant coach, was filled with worry. Well, at least we’re winning, so that’s something…
The source of his concern was Ha Sunmoon. Not because the young fullback was underperforming—quite the opposite. David had come to realize just how indispensable Sunmoon had become; without him, the team simply didn’t function the same way.
“Two assists against Malaga. One against Oviedo. One against Lugo…”
Sunmoon’s numbers kept piling up. The team kept winning because of them, but David had no idea how to replace that production if the Korean ever went down. The need for him had been laid bare in the one match they drew—the very game Sunmoon had missed. Against Logroñés, the bottom side everyone expected to be relegated, Abelardo Fernández had made the casual decision to rest his star fullback. The result was a frustrating stalemate at home.
The manager’s tactics aren’t producing dominance…
Still, there was little David could do. He wasn’t a manager of Abelardo’s caliber and lacked the authority to impose a clear direction. His only real advantage was his rapport with the Espanyol players. At least he knew his own limitations.
Why is this so difficult? We’re the better side on paper. We can’t keep relying on one player like this…
A new wind was blowing through Espanyol—one the club itself had yet to fully recognize. Fortunately, few other La Liga 2 sides had caught that same breeze.
Early in the season, Gomez had been extremely anxious. He had feared Sunmoon would claim the starting right-back spot, but that worry proved unfounded. Against stronger opponents, the team still needed Sunmoon’s whip-like crosses, which only his left foot could deliver. So in the biggest matches, both Sunmoon and Gomez started. Once Sunmoon shifted back to left-back for the more important fixtures, Ian was spared from being dropped entirely.
Yet when Ian finally got his chance in the starting lineup, it backfired. In the draw against Logroñés, his inclusion contributed to Espanyol’s first stalemate of the campaign.
“Don’t take it too hard,” Gomez told him. “That match just wasn’t going our way. Even after I came on for you, we couldn’t break them down.”
The two players, both carrying a touch of uncertainty about their abilities, quickly bonded. Full-back was an ambiguous position; the truly gifted players usually played further forward, so the ones who ended up there often had one glaring weakness or another. Still, teams couldn’t afford to discard them—good full-backs were snapped up by bigger clubs the moment they showed consistency. Espanyol had already received offers for their previous standout full-backs, Villalba and Pedrosa, but both youth products had chosen to stay after reasonable negotiations.
“And it’s lucky Sunmoon is back focusing on left-back,” Gomez added.
“Yeah. It feels like the starting and backup roles have settled again. What do we need to do to hold on to our spots?”
“Well, my level is closer to backup too… The only way we survive is by offering better value than our wages suggest. We have to look like players the team can’t afford to drop—players who can dominate even in the second division.”
In that shared understanding, the two found common ground. Gomez, the established right-back, pushed himself to reach true starter quality while pulling the struggling Ian along with him.
“Let’s take a look at the current La Liga standings. Joining us today are former Real Madrid legend Valdez and La Liga specialist reporter Jimenez.”
Spain’s popular football program was dissecting the ongoing season.
“The campaign has taken a surprising turn, hasn’t it?” the host said.
“It has. We thought La Liga was heading toward a two-horse race again, but Simeone has taken control once more. What do you two make of this development?”
The new force in La Liga was Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone.
“I don’t think it will last,” Valdez, a Barcelona alumnus, declared.
“Could you explain why?”
“What Simeone is doing is basically old-school, outdated football. The kind of thing Mourinho would love. A 4-4-2 built entirely on defensive organization. What era does he think we’re in?”
Valdez’s voice carried the skepticism of someone raised on possession and passing.
“This isn’t how elite teams win. Real Madrid and Barcelona will overtake them soon enough.”
The host nodded, finding the assessment reasonable.
“What about you, Jimenez?”
“It’s an interesting take. I actually think Simeone’s approach has real potential. It looks like defensive football for weaker sides, but within La Liga it’s remarkably efficient.”
“Efficient?”
“According to data from Company A, this style produces dangerous results against possession-dominant teams. Unless you’re Barcelona playing at an extremely high level, breaking them down is genuinely difficult.”
“And what does that imply?”
“Most La Liga sides are still trying to imitate Barcelona’s style. Against Atlético Madrid, that approach simply doesn’t work.”
[What are you watching so intently?]
“Trying to find a better path forward.”
[You’re already doing well, though.]
“Come on now—you’re the one who told me to aim higher. Besides… there’s a bit of pride on the line too.”
Both Sunmoon and Harrison had noticed how Abelardo was using him. As the team struggled, the manager increasingly deployed Sunmoon at left-back, cutting back his minutes on the right. Abelardo clearly believed Sunmoon’s destructive power was greater from the left.
[Nothing we can do about it… We’ll just have to develop your right-sided game.]
“That’s why I’m trying to watch more.”
Harrison checked what Sunmoon was studying.
[Manchester City again?]
Sunmoon had started watching City matches regularly, partly because of his encounter with Pep Guardiola. He focused especially on João Cancelo and Kevin De Bruyne.
[Which player are you looking at?]
“Cancelo right now. His style feels strangely similar to mine, but it’s also… impressive.”
[Is that a compliment?]
“Of course it is. Watch how he glides past the opposing winger during build-up and then surges forward. —Cancelo! An unbelievable pass! Striiing! A perfect finish to seal the game!”
“Whoa…”
Sunmoon was stunned by the pass.
[Wow, that was something else. He struck it with the outside of his foot—how did he even make that pass?]
That’s it!
Sunmoon’s eyes lit up as he studied Cancelo’s out-front pass. Cancelo was right-footed, playing as an inverted left-back, yet he had mastered delivering devastating crosses with his stronger foot. Sunmoon had already sensed that his left-footed crosses were becoming predictable; adding a right-footed option from the left-back position would be a massive upgrade.
[You’re planning to try that, aren’t you? Your eyes are sparkling.]
“Yes! Exactly! Look at the trajectory—the defenders have no idea where it’s landing. It looks more dangerous than the crosses I usually hit.”
[Hmm…]
Harrison watched Sunmoon with a complicated expression. It was a high-difficulty cross—an out-front delivery struck with the right foot from the left-back position.
The flight path is bizarre. Only world-class players would have a realistic chance of meeting it… But at Espanyol? Would Tomás even be able to get on the end of something like that? And the technique required… Sunmoon is talented, but can he really pull it off?
After the match, Sunmoon replayed the clip several times, attempting to mimic the movement before finally collapsing onto his bed.
[Huh? You’re going to sleep already?]
“I want to rest up so I can try it tomorrow.”
[Try what?]
“What I just saw. I’ve got the feeling for it. I need to get to the training ground first thing and practice!”
[Hah… honestly…]
Harrison found Sunmoon’s enthusiasm absurd, but decided to leave him be. He had considered voicing his doubts, yet he couldn’t bring himself to crush the boy’s hopeful expression.
“Nngh…”
Once Harrison had gone off to stargaze, Sunmoon tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually he sat up and began massaging his knees and ankles.
“Ugh… I really need to be sharp tomorrow. Why do my knees and ankles feel so off?”