Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 219



Only Krnovel

Episode 219: Form is crazy

‘Is he crazy…?’

I had to control my facial expression because I was so shocked and at the same time laughed at Kim Jun-young’s bombshell remark.

Who would have thought that there was someone worse than me right under my nose?

The reporters’ wish was for low-level trash talk before the game, because that would create a buzz and increase people’s interest.

I realized their intentions and only spoke as much as they wanted. I didn’t want to speak too harshly for no reason. They are my national teammates and I meet them regularly.

But this guy Kim Jun-young… … .

“Oh, I almost said, haha~”

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … Ahahaha. Right~?”

The atmosphere was strange, so I tried to act witty while sweating profusely, but the atmosphere had already gone astray.

‘How are you going to see Gyuseok hyung later? Hey… .’

I also go hard when I have to, but I do it depending on the situation. At least that means I don’t target my national teammates.

After finishing the interview, which I had no idea how it would end, I took Kim Jun-young away and gave him some advice.

“Junyoung. That was too strong.”

“…ah.”

Kim Jun-young is restless with anxiety.

I would have said something more if he had been more confident, but seeing him look anxious made me feel a little sorry but also cute, so I patted Kim Jun-young on the shoulder.

“But it was okay. You can do this next time too. Instead, let’s not do this to our seniors and juniors. Koreans living in foreign countries should help each other and live together.”

“Was it a bit harsh?”

“Well, to use a metaphor, it was like your opponent hit you on the back of the head with the palm of his hand, and you tried to fight back by hitting him with a chair.”

“ah….”

But it will be noisy for a while. He said that if he had done better than me, he would have gone to Manchester United. If you just listen to the wording, it sounds like a refreshing statement.

Since then, I have been telling you the timing of your speech. It was obvious advice like, “Don’t rush in like a madman, and decide after seeing what the other person is saying.”

* * *

MCH Arena.

A stadium with a capacity of less than 10,000 people, located in Herning, Denmark.

‘Wow. The stadium is really small.’

It was a humble stadium that could not be compared to the stadiums of Manchester United or other Premier League clubs.

It was the same even back in the Hannover days. It was rude to compare it to Hannover, and it was noticeably small compared to other stadiums in the Bundesliga 2nd division.

‘Is this… the Danish league?’

Europe is at the center of world football. If there is a periphery to the center, it would probably be Denmark.

There was nothing I didn’t understand.

This city has a population of only 50,000 people. Even in the metropolitan area, it is a small city with a population of less than 90,000. It is actually more surprising that a city like this has a stadium that can accommodate 10,000 people.

‘The fact that there is a stadium of this caliber even in a rural area like this speaks volumes about the status of soccer in Europe.’

With a population of 50,000, it was the most rural village in South Korea. It was probably similar to Changnyeong, which I visited during my time at Suyang High School.

“let’s go!”

And entering the stadium.

After a brief ceremony before the game, the players gathered together and took time to shake hands.

I shook hands with each player, and the moment came when I shook hands with Cho Kyu-seok. Cho Kyu-seok smiled as he shook my hand. I smiled back.

And when shaking hands with Kim Jun-young… … .

[You little shit?]

A statement inferred from the wink and the shape of the lips. However, it was not serious, and Jo Gyu-seok also had a smiling face as if he found Kim Jun-young’s statement ridiculous.

‘It’s fortunate that Gyu-seok hyung has a good personality.’

If I had been a little more serious or narrow-minded, I would have been in trouble. Fortunately, I am.

And then both teams returned to their respective camps and waited for the whistle to start the game, and the referee looked down at his watch and blew the whistle.

Beep!

The game begins with a kickoff.

As expected, the weight class difference between the two teams was clear.

Manchester United may be the setting sun, but they are still the sun that is high in the sky, and Midtjylland… … .

‘You’re working hard.’

You worked hard to get to the Europa League.

About 5 minutes passed like that.

After a brief reconnaissance, Mitwillan slowly advanced his line.

They say even a dog eats half of what it sees in its own front yard, so how dare you?

And Midtjylland’s aggressive play worked surprisingly well in the early part of the first half.

A cross flying in from the side.

Just ahead, the two Manchester United centre-backs and the two Midtjylland attackers jump with all their might to score a header.

And in the process, Jo Gyu-seok lies down, holding his head.

‘Oh my, why is this guy like this?’

First of all, since the ball was missing, I looked in that direction.

Luke Shaw’s chest trap turned out to be a loose ball and it appeared he would pass it to Midtjylland’s right wing.

And that too inside the penalty box.

‘Is it dangerous?’

I bent down and prepared to block.

and…….

‘Oh, shit, mistake.’

I was able to block the shot with my right hand, but I couldn’t catch it. It was a dangerous trajectory. If I was not careful, the ball I blocked could have ended up in the goal.

… … and the ball bounced off Jo Gyu-seok’s back, who was lying down. Fortunately.

The situation was over, and I looked at Jo Gyu-seok in disbelief. Jo Gyu-seok also looked embarrassed, perhaps thinking that he had missed the goal opportunity because of him.

“Thank you, brother.”

“uh?”

“As expected, Koreans help each other and live together.”

I reached out my hand. Jo Gyu-seok looked flustered, but he grabbed my hand and stood up. It was the first time in my life that I had an opposing attacker block my attack.

.

.

Manchester United weren’t the only ones suffering either.

A plausible attacking strategy followed, and Garnazzo, who was engaging in a psychological battle with an opposing player near the penalty box, saw Mainu running towards him and passed the ball to him.

Mainu ran and hit him coolly.

It was a shot that narrowly missed the goal, but it was a decent attack.

‘hmm….’

And then, as if in a give-and-take, Midwillan attacks.

By Man U standards it was again the right flank.

‘Why can’t I come to my senses?’

The side that Wan-Bissaka was in charge of was constantly being robbed. It was not at all a level that could be pushed aside by a team as big as Midtjylland, but Wan-Bissaka was in a disappointing form.

The Midtjylland winger, who had completely broken through the flank, sent a ground pass(!) into the penalty box, and the other attacker in the middle cleverly moved his foot away, sending the ball all the way to the center of the box.

‘wait for a sec!’

Jo Gyu-seok’s solo chance. I was surprised and prepared, and Baran and Lisandra were a few steps behind Jo Gyu-seok.

And Jo Gyu-seok’s shot―!

‘Huh?’

A shot that goes wide of the goal.

It wasn’t so threatening that it didn’t even create a trajectory. It looked like it had hit the wrong foot.

Jo Gyu-seok fell down as if he was being bounced and lay down in front of me.

I looked at the back of Jo Gyu-seok’s head and thought.

‘By the way, doesn’t this guy take off his underwear?’

He was wearing something like a hood on his head. I was grateful that he had been helping me since last time, but I also felt a little sorry for him.

‘Mitjylland’s process, development, everything is good, but the results keep getting worse.’

It was clear who was at the center of the result.

He lay down in front of the goal and blocked the shot. This time, if he had just placed his foot properly, he would have made a very threatening shot, but his foot got twisted and he made a huge explosion shot…

‘Junyoung, you were right.’

If Gyuseok hyung had done well, he would have gone to Man U. I admit it.

* * *

‘It’s worth doing!’

I feel like Midtjylland are a much more worthwhile opponent than Newcastle, who we met in the last 32 of the EFL Cup.

Above all… … .

“Wow. Brother Gyu-seok.”

If Kim Jun-young was impressed by Kim Min-woo’s saves in the last match against Newcastle, he was impressed by Jo Kyu-seok’s finishing ability in this match.

In the first half, Midtjylland pushed Manchester United with better performance than expected, but each time, they were unable to make a single effective shot due to Cho Kyu-seok’s finishing ability.

Just from what I saw, he was lying down in front of the goal to block a shot, his steps were twisted in a 1-on-1 chance to send a shot flying into the air, and he made an incredible pass that cut through the defenders and went to a strange place to send it out of the goal line… Thinking about it like this, Gyu-seok hyung’s form was crazy.

‘How did you become a starter?’

Common sense tells you that if you do that every game, you’ll be fired right away. Or is it just that you’re not hitting the target today?

And again, Midtjylland’s chance to attack.

Jo Gyu-seok dribbled outside the penalty box and kicked the ball toward the goal.

“Wow. Gyuseok hyung… .”

The shot rolled wide of the goal.

If the nutritious developments only touched the tips of Gyuseok’s feet, it would turn out like that.

‘If only I had that chance just once…’

I would have shown you something.

Manchester United also had several attacking opportunities, but Kim Jun-young was unable to touch the ball each time.

There was nothing I could do because the situation and development were ambiguous.

Still, Kim Jun-young waited patiently.

The opportunity will come someday.

Wasn’t it the same in Newcastle?

And just like in the Newcastle game, just before the first half ended.

Man U had a chance to counterattack.

Junyoung received the ball from Kim Minwoo and passed it to Garnacho on the side, who then passed it back to Junyoung.

‘Give it to the captain!’

Kim Jun-young jumped slightly to pass the ball to him. Bruno Fernandes was right next to him.

As soon as Bruno received it, he flicked it back to me as I slipped through the Midtjylland defenders, and in an instant I broke through the defense and entered the penalty box, calmly aiming for the goal.

‘right!’

He kicked hard with his right foot towards the near post. It was a decisive blow, but the goalkeeper raised his hand to block the shot.

But he didn’t give up until the end. The ball was blocked by his hand, but the goalkeeper couldn’t catch it, and the ball bounced and landed between the goalkeeper and Kim Jun-young.

‘please!’

I fell towards the ball as if the goalkeeper was catching it, and my feet were aiming for the ball.

And the feet were faster.

The next shot flew towards the near post again and pierced the goal. The netting rippled slightly as the ball hit it.

“Eww!”

It was a goal.

Both the plot and the outcome were excellent.

Kim Jun-young ran to the crowd and roared, even though he knew there were hardly any Manchester United fans there.

“This is it!”

One chance.

He made it a goal without missing a beat.

I hate to say this, but if it was Gyuseok hyung, I would have been so shocked that I missed him. Hehe.

‘Maybe he did Hollywood action because he was scared of shooting?’

I almost didn’t say that. It’s just my true feelings anyway!

“Good job Kim!”

Captain Bruno Fernandes, who connected us, climbed on my shoulders and cheered me on. Garnazzo also ran over and encouraged me, saying I did well.

‘Hoylun? Bayer? Get ready. I’m in the Manchester United attack!’

Coach Giovanni will probably have to think hard about who to start and who to reserve!

* * *

The second half continues.

Giovanni De Luca watched the situation closely. The score was now 1:0.

Midtjylland seemed to have used up all their energy in the first half and continued to be pushed back in the second half, while Manchester, which had the upper hand in the midfield battle and the battle for control, continued to have attacking opportunities.

And every time that happens… … .

“Not bad.”

Forward Kim stood out.

The most noticeable thing is determination.

Once you hit it, it flies towards the goal. If it weren’t for the goalkeeper’s save, these shots would definitely go straight into the goal.

‘The captain asked me to only watch for 60 minutes.’

…Should I just keep using it?

Kim’s momentum was better than expected to replace him. In this match, his movements were not inferior to Hoilun or Bayer’s.

I guess I’ll have to wait and see until the activity level decreases.

Because I don’t know anymore.

And then Manchester United’s attack continues.

Kim Jun-young clashes with the opposing defenders near the penalty box, then kicks the ball to Garnazzo on the wing.

The Garnacho side was completely empty.

Garnazzo passes the ball back into the box, but the ball bounces off the shin of a Midtjylland defender.

And then the ball bounced out and was picked up by volante Nicolo Rovella who crossed it again.

Crash!

The striker converted a cross into a header and turned it into a goal. The stadium became quiet, with only a few away fans making noise.

Giovanni watched it and chuckled.

‘Dude, you really can do it.’

The striker was Kim.

He hit the ball into the middle of the goal, but the goalkeeper failed to respond properly.

Multi-goal in international competition.

It was an incredible feat for an eighteen-year-old, and one with only three options.

‘The reporters will become quiet.’

Striker Kim, who is trying to die with the players. Giovanni is determined not to substitute Kim until he is completely out of shape.

.

.

After some time, Midtjylland has an opportunity to attack.

The opposing attacking midfielder struck from outside the box, and goalkeeper Kim made a save but was unable to make a catch.

And then, the opposing attacker, Jo Gyu-seok, quickly runs over and receives it.

A decisive scoring opportunity.

Jo Gyu-seok’s shot went over the goal.

“… … What the hell has that kid been doing all this time?”

Giovanni looked at Jo Gyu-seok in disbelief, who missed his chance every time.

If they keep doing that, why don’t they replace the manager? Is there a weakness?

Director Mitjylland, who had been secretly watching, was on the verge of losing his breath… .