Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 220



Only Krnovel

Episode 220 Dependent Personality Disorder

Second half, 80 minutes.

Coach Giovanni replaced Kim Jun-young, who had been running like crazy throughout the game and was now out of stamina, with Bayer, and changed his tactics from pursuing offense to defensive.

Appropriate player substitutions, tactical changes, etc. combined to give Midtjylland a chance to score, but no goal was scored.

We haven’t scored in 80 minutes, so do you think we’ll score a goal in 10 more minutes? Especially since Gyu-seok hasn’t been substituted yet…

And then 5 more minutes later, in the 85th minute of the second half.

Cho Kyu-seok was also replaced, but the timing was too late, and the introduction of a new striker did not bring about any significant change in Midtjylland’s attacking power.

So.

Beep— beep— beep!

The referee’s whistle to end the game.

The game ended like this.

Kim Jun-young’s multiple goals gave Manchester United the win and three points, successfully completing their away game against Midtjylland.

First of all, they have won two out of six games, so they are off to a very good start. If they win just one more game, they will be practically out of the group stage.

I encouraged my fellow players who played with dedication and also greeted the Midtjylland players, saying they had worked hard.

“Kim. Can I exchange uniforms?”

“Oh, then. Can you come to our locker room later? I’ll change it for you then.”

“Yeah. I’ll definitely go.”

I promised to exchange jerseys with any player whose name I don’t know. In fact, I’ve collected quite a few jerseys like this.

‘If I move later, should I make a uniform room?’

Why, even in war movies, when snipers kill enemy soldiers, don’t they take things like dog tags as trophies? That’s what the uniform meant to me.

A trophy for the players who couldn’t surpass me and gave in. Get one today too.

And today’s POTM was the share of Kim Jun-young, who was substituted. It was well deserved. He was a striker who scored multiple goals, and even if he was not necessarily an attacking point, he greatly contributed to Manchester United’s performance with his dedicated activity.

I watched Kim Jun-young’s interview from a distance for a moment. Kim Jun-young seemed very bewildered by his first POTM selection since transferring to Manchester United.

“Kim’s appearance today was met with a lot of reactions as a surprise appointment. And Kim has made a name for himself in the Red Devils by scoring two goals in today’s game. Kim has strong competition from Hoilun and Bayer. I would like to hear your thoughts on today’s game and what you think about the competition for the starting position going forward.”

Hmm. That’s a very difficult question for Kim Jun-young, who is not good at English, to answer. Did you understand everything?

… It must have been a difficult question, as Kim Jun-young opened his mouth with a stern expression.

“First of all, I would like to thank coach Giovanni for believing in me. Also, I did not come here to sit on the bench. This is where the best players are, and I came here to become the best.”

His pronunciation and accent were very Korean, and his speech was awkward and slow, but there was no problem understanding his meaning.

I watched with pleasure.

The reporters also looked at Junyoung’s awkward English with a warm smile.

“Your English is really good. You speak it fluently even though you haven’t been in England for very long.”

“Popomontsu.”

“… Ahahahaha!”

And there was also a question about the Korean Derby.

“It looks like you won the Korean match against Jo. Do you have anything to say to Jo?”

“Um… … I made a playful remark about Cho Kyu-seok before the game, but now that I think about it, I think it was a bit harsh. I did it because we were close―”

To summarize what Kim Jun-young said, it was a ‘controversial prank’.

It wasn’t an actual controversy, but it was a statement that could have prevented any potential controversy over character.

Also, regarding the fact that Jo Gyu-seok missed several opportunities today, he gave an answer that was not appropriate for his age, saying that life is like that.

After that we left the mixed zone, where I also had to be interviewed.

I was also asked a question about Cho Kyu-seok, and I was wondering how to answer, but I thought it would be better to do it jokingly, so I answered with a big smile on my face.

“Most attackers usually do that when they stand in front of me. It’s not just Gyu-seok’s problem.”

“Ah. So, Kim Min-woo did well?”

“Right… right?”

It’s embarrassing to say it myself, but it’s true, right?

* * *

After the game against Midtjylland, we returned to Manchester and started training again.

The most boring time has arrived.

But today I felt like I was being left out of that boring time.

“Here? Is this the right place, Kim?”

“Yes, there. It’s fine when I walk, but when I run, it hurts like a stabbing pain.”

During my training, I kept feeling pain in my shins, so I asked the medical team for a diagnosis, and the medical team examined my body in a serious and solemn atmosphere.

I really hate going to the hospital, but in this case, I had no choice.

The medical team in the clubhouse, after conducting several tests, had me go to the hospital for a detailed examination, and the results confirmed that I had a stress fracture.

“It’s fortunate that it was discovered early. It can be cured naturally. If you take a few days off from training and rest, you’ll be fine.”

“Um… … Then what about the next game?”

“Of course I should leave.”

“Giovanni would hate that.”

The medical team staff member who caught my mumbling spoke with a serious expression.

“That’s none of your business, Kim. You need to focus on your healing. I know you want to play, but remember, people aren’t machines. Proper rest is essential even for a professional career.”

“Yeah… I didn’t mean to complain.”

Excluded from training.

Although he didn’t show it because he was training for the first time in a long time, he was very happy inside. Happiness is relative, and there is nothing happier than sucking honey while others roll around in the blazing sun.

“Hey. Look at the heat. It’s melting. It’s melting.”

While receiving a massage, I watched my colleagues training from a distance. The coaches clapped their hands and wanted the players to move faster and more nimbly, and the players followed suit, running around the training course like crazy.

‘I understand why players turn into pigs at the end of the season.’

Isn’t it like eating this and that as a kind of compensation?

Of course, I’ve been there too.

I was stuffing my body with all sorts of delicious food and ended up gaining nearly 3kg. The status window warned me that my stats might drop if I continued to gain weight, so I suddenly came to my senses.

While I was blankly watching the players training, Coach Giovanni was holding his head with a dark expression.

With the starting goalkeeper ruled out of training due to a stress fracture and not being able to play in the next match, it was a painful decision for a manager who places the utmost importance on results.

“Fuck. Should we lighten the training intensity for the goalkeepers? No, at least for Kim… .”

The only good thing is that it was discovered early. If it had been discovered late and the situation had been more serious, I can’t help but sweat a little bit just imagining how much longer I would have been out.

“So, you’re only missing one game?”

“We will have to wait and see how things go, but considering Kim’s recovery speed, he could play in the next game.”

“So you’re not sure.”

“Yes. If things don’t go well, I’ll miss two games, if not, I’ll miss one game.”

“Damn. I don’t know about West Ham, but he absolutely has to play against Tottenham….”

The match schedule was not good.

West Ham could somehow get by without Kim, but the next game was Tottenham, and the game after that was Chelsea.

“Coach. Since Onana is here, how about actively using a sub-goalkeeper in less important games for the sake of Kim’s physical condition?”

“Okay, then go out.”

I wanted to tell him to get out of here and stop messing around, but Giovanni sent the medical team staff away with some nice words.

I would have liked to have used a third-option keeper instead of Andre Onana, but if I really did that, I wouldn’t be able to keep my word.

Mourinho’s 24-game unbeaten streak continues. And new history is made.

Giovanni wasn’t the type of person to be obsessed with such things, but with a goalkeeper like Kim in his hands, he started to get greedy.

After Fergie, or after the founding of Manchester United.

I wanted to be evaluated as inferior to any other director.

After signing Kim and watching him for nearly five games, Giovanni was confident it could be done.

However, I also realized that in order to do that, it would ultimately require just as much care.

‘I used to hate coaches who depend on their players more than anyone else, but now my position has completely changed.’

A manager who relies on his players does not improve.

Clubs that rely on players have ups and downs in their games depending on the players’ condition.

“It actually turned out well.”

In fact, up until now, Man U’s games have been dominated by Kim’s influence.

When Kim was away, the manager’s tactics and tendencies had a great influence on the game, but now under Kim’s influence, they have been greatly reduced.

Rather, this was an opportunity to show the world that Manchester United can do well even without Kim.

“Yes. If you think differently, a crisis can become an opportunity.”

Even now, some critics are criticizing Giovanni’s tactics for losing their color and turning into just Kim Hae-joo tactics.

I’ll have to make sure that story sinks in for this West Ham game.

‘For now… I guess I have to use Onana.’

Although their relationship is still not good after the last feud, they have to put aside their personal feelings for the sake of the team’s victory.

And when Kim comes back, we’ll have to throw him back on the bench.

* * *

I looked down at the stadium from the stands.

Actually, the seats weren’t that high, but the view was much better than from the bench.

“How long has it been since I last watched a game from the stands…?”

“I’m jealous, bro. I want to watch you from the bench.”

The one watching the game with his mouth hanging open from the side was Kim Jun-young.

I asked in bewilderment.

“But you scored multiple goals in the last game, so why is it a proposition?”

*Proposition (excluding list)

“I don’t know. I thought I would be loyal last time, but I changed my mind. I really don’t understand that guy.”

I clicked my tongue.

Well, Park Ji-Sung also carried the team in the Champions League tournament and was left out of the final roster, so this might be a little too much.

By the way, if you are going to die like this during a league match, what would it be like to be going down in the Champions League final?

Suddenly, when I thought about senior Park Ji-Sung’s feelings, only one emotion came to mind.

‘I really wanted to kill you.’

Have you ever wanted to put a lock on your glasses?

I just feel that way.

Back to the game.

The goalkeeper who played in my place was, of course, Andre Onana.

Although Onana had secretly attacked the director, it was in fact no different from publicly attacking him, and the animosity between the two had not yet been resolved.

But, as a professional, Onana doesn’t slacken off and does her best.

“Kim. Can you sign it?”

“Ah. Yes. Give me a pen.”

This is a VIP seat, but since it is a seat that is viewed together with the general audience, such requests are received occasionally.

I thought he was a reseller because his face looked familiar, but he just signed an autograph and took pictures with other people.

“Excuse me, do I need it?”

“Huh? Oh, you’re okay.”

Then, Kim Jun-young becomes even more depressed than before.

‘This kid?’

I intervened appropriately.

“Wait a minute. Let’s take a picture with this one too. Otherwise, I won’t take a picture.”

“Oh, no, brother. I don’t really want to go that far to film it… .”

“Really? Then I don’t want to take a picture either. Hehe. Go.”

In the end, Kim Jun-young also took a picture with them and signed an autograph. Since Kim Jun-young said that if he didn’t do it, I wouldn’t do it either, the fans had no choice but to take pictures with Kim Jun-young and get his autograph…

“Oh, brother. I’m really fine.”

“Hey, you little punk. Cover your mouth and speak.”

“Huh? Hehehe.”

He really can’t lie. Even though it wasn’t a spontaneous request from fans, Kim Jun-young was smiling. He really has a good personality…

“Kim. I really enjoyed your last game. Multi-goal! If you do that, you’ll definitely be able to win the competition. As the saying goes, this is where the best players are. Right?”

“sure.”

Fans also remember Kim Jun-young’s interview and leave compliments.

I feel so warm.

And then I focused on the game again.

The game went differently than expected.

I still thought Man U was stronger than West Ham, but at the level of the Premier League, it seems that the performance of the game depends on the condition of the day rather than the skills of the players, and the tactics used against them.

in result.

“You fucking idiot! You can’t stop that!”

“Oh, rather than entrust the goal to that tall guy, why don’t you give it to Charles III? That old man can block it better!”

The fans’ passionate comments, even mentioning their own king, seem to make them quite angry.

‘West Ham’s first goal. Hmm.’

It’s something I couldn’t even imagine when I was a goalkeeper.

Is it because Onana hasn’t played in a long time? It seemed like she could block it, but it was a bit disappointing.

And then the game resumes again.

A fan passing by recognized me and asked me.

“Kim! Is your injury serious? You won’t be able to play in the next game either?”

“I’m not sure about that. I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, yeah… Please come back quickly. Oh, I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate when I see that kid standing in goalie.”

“Ahaha… .”

And a shocking second goal.

This time too, it could have been stopped easily.

Although the defender’s view was blocked, the shot wasn’t so fast that he couldn’t react.

However, Onana only flinched her upper body and did not throw her body, and the shot went straight through the net.

It was such an easy goal that I instantly thought, “Is this kid going to be lazy?”

“Hey you son of a bitch!”

“Where’s the spear! I’ll take this monkey’s bone marrow and—”

Bloody curses.

They don’t even hesitate to make racist remarks.

I watched the game with feelings of pity and compassion, then glanced at the back of Giovanni’s head.

After looking at the desolate back of his head for a while, he smiled faintly.

‘Is it hard without me?’

You’ve sucked in a lot of honey so far, so you should feel some stress for at least one game.

.

.

And the first half ended.

It was a pretty listless game.

The score is 0:2.

As the first half ended like this, the ground was filled with sighs from Manchester United fans.

Since I was in a propositional situation, I didn’t have to go into the locker room, but I was curious about the atmosphere inside, so I went in for a peek.

Then… … .

Crunch!

The sound of something flying. And,

“Oh, you fucking punk! You ruined the first half of the game! Do you understand? You’re worse than Kim’s punk!”

“What did you say, Director? What did you just say? Isn’t that racist?”

The atmosphere is grim.

I carefully closed the door I had opened, and then secretly went back the way I had come.

“Puhhhhh.”

Ah, I shouldn’t laugh.

It was clearly a serious matter.

If a big club like Manchester United loses one of their starting players and concedes two goals in the first half, it is clearly a serious matter…

‘Why do I keep laughing?’

In fact, the match was quite tight.

It really was.

However, the game was just boring because we gave up goals so easily.

But if Giovanni is considered a great coach, wouldn’t he be able to somehow resolve this situation?

I smiled and returned to my original seat.

“Hmm? Are you doing well, hyung?”

“Huh? No? No. What good things. I’m so sad right now.”

“…Huh? Doesn’t that look like a sad face?”

“If you’re too sad, you won’t even be able to cry.”

“… … Uh, um. Okay.”