Chapter 6

6. Pre-Debut (1)

"Hmm... It seems the situation has grown bigger than I thought."

After the pre-match interview ended, the articles were quickly uploaded. While it's normal for articles to be uploaded immediately after the interview, the problem was...

The interview articles were uploaded in an overly sensational manner.

"No matter how sensational it is to write daily...!"

Isn't this going too far?

This is why I can't quit smoking.

Back when I was in Mainz, the coach was a heavy smoker, and I ended up smoking with him a few times, which led to where I am now. Well, even the great Cruyff was a heavy smoker, so it's not a big deal.

Ding!

Whoosh!

"Hmm... If we lose tomorrow's match, it'll end in a complete disaster, won't it?"

It won't just end in a disaster. There will be all sorts of ridicule, and the front office will be in chaos.

I puffed on my cigarette and clicked on the comment section of the articles.

- Of course it's different from Europe. Haha, are these clickbait articles?

- Even though he's not the official coach but just a caretaker, what's with his attitude? He needs to be taken down a notch, really.

- Thinking about Kim Hahoon's playing days, I think he could say such things. The catch is that his career as a player was short.

- Is that you, Kim Hahoon? Just focus on preparing for the match, hahaha. You'll get hammered, hahaha.

- Many people remember Kim Hahoon for the impact he made when he debuted, but many coaches have praised his intelligence and tactical understanding. So, he's better than the previous coach, Jung In-woo, right?

- Yeah, but he's still an inexperienced coach. He's the one who got Mainz relegated and fled back to Korea, right?

- Hahaha, does the K League look like a joke to you? Just look at Jung Juyong's career; Kim Hahoon can't even compare, hahaha.

- Hahaha, do you think the UEFA Pro license is a joke, hahaha?

- Haha, if your career is so great, why are you coaching a second-tier team, hahaha?

"Wow... I feel dizzy even after reading just a few."

I decided to stop checking the comments one by one, as I felt my mental state wouldn't survive if I continued. It seems that the spicy comments in Korea are evolving more and more with each passing year. When I was in Europe, it wasn't this bad...

Anyway.

"Since the preparations are all done... The only thing left is the players' condition for tomorrow, right?"

Please, let them play as planned without any issues.

Please.

* * *

Waaaaa—!

The players and coaching staff of both teams started to enter through the gates, and Hahoon and Gyeongbuk's coach, Jung Juyong, shook hands.

"I look forward to learning from you."

As if to show that the previous day's interview content was just for show, Hahoon smiled and greeted him, and Coach Jung Juyong, who knew the journalists were trying to stir things up, also smiled and returned the greeting.

"Hehe. It's a new experience to face a young and strategic opponent. I hope to learn from you as well."

After a brief exchange with Coach Jung Juyong, Hahoon stood by the Seoul bench and began to check Gyeongbuk's lineup.

'4-4-2... '

Unlike Seoul, which came out in a 3-4-2-1 formation, Gyeongbuk came out in a standard 4-4-2. In modern football, where formations can change frequently during the match, the formation itself isn't very significant, but it can give an idea of how the game will be managed. Hahoon was paying close attention.

'The wingers are more like classic wingers than inside forwards.'

According to the analysis of Gyeongbuk's lineup, the players on both wings, Baek Jun-hyuk and Woo Byung-sun, were more like classic wingers who run along the touchline rather than inside forwards who cut inside.

"What are they aiming for...?"

They wouldn't just place classic wingers because they have a two-striker formation. Hahoon thought deeply. There must be another strategy.

"Well, we'll see when we clash."

Beep!

Gyeongbuk, the away team, took the first kick.

Gyeongbuk started by passing the ball short to open up attacking routes, and Seoul responded with strong pressure from the start.

The Seoul players' changed approach impressed the commentators, and the Gyeongbuk players on the field couldn't hide their surprise.

"Tch...! This is different from the analysis video!"

Baek Jun-hyuk, forced to pass the ball back by Franco's intense pressure, clicked his tongue. The Seoul play shown by the club was not like this. To change so much in less than a week...

While the Gyeongbuk players and commentators were surprised, Hahoon's expression in front of the bench was not good. In fact, it was quite distorted.

'Messy.'

In Hahoon's tactics, the players needed to adjust their line spacing and positioning carefully when applying high pressure. Otherwise, they might face a counter-attack.

However, Hahoon had only been in charge for less than a week. It was natural that the players' movements wouldn't be perfect, and the gaps that resulted were clearly visible to Hahoon.

If Gyeongbuk were not a newly promoted team but a top-tier team aiming for promotion, they would have exploited those gaps immediately.

A fierce midfield battle continued for a few minutes.

The tense standoff didn't last long.

Whoosh!

Thud!

Shin Young-jun, who was in the right position, intercepted a pass from Gyeongbuk to Choi Bo-sung just below the halfway line. From there, Hahoon shouted to the players on the field.

"Let's go!"

Whoosh!

As Shin Young-jun took the ball, Jung Chang-hoon, playing as the right wing-back, started to overlap at high speed.

Jung Chang-hoon's overlapping timing was perfect, and Franco moved from the right flank to the center, with central midfielder Gil Jeong-hyun advancing quickly to support Shin Young-jun.

"Move faster! What are you doing?"

The situation developed quickly, and Coach Jung Juyong shouted at the Gyeongbuk players, but it was already too late.

There were five Gyeongbuk players in the final third.

And six Seoul players.

Even when the number of attackers and defenders is equal, the attackers have the advantage. With one more attacker, the situation was overwhelmingly in Seoul's favor.

Thud!

Shin Young-jun didn't force the ball and passed it to Jung Chang-hoon, who was running along the touchline. Franco was positioned to receive the ball from Jung Chang-hoon.

Triangle.

The formation that modern coaches emphasize for forward passes appeared in Seoul's attacking area.

Whoosh!

"Ah...!"

To stop Seoul's fast attack, Gyeongbuk's left full-back, Kim Jong-won, stepped up boldly, but Jung Chang-hoon had no intention of breaking through forcefully.

'Gyeongbuk's left full-back is impulsive. If the ball goes to you, he'll run to kick it away. Don't force it; connect with Franco.'

What Hahoon told Jung Chang-hoon during the training the day before.

'What? It's exactly as the coach said!'

As the situation unfolded as Hahoon had described, Jung Chang-hoon felt a thrill and swung his foot.

Thud!

Seeing Franco catch the ball in the half-space, the remaining Gyeongbuk defenders gritted their teeth. Due to Kim Jong-won's hasty move, there were only three defenders left in the defensive line. And five Seoul players were approaching the penalty box.

"Damn! Why did that kid rush out without thinking...!"

Gyeongbuk's center-back, Kang Ryuk, found himself in a difficult position. Besides Jeong Sang-gi, who was already in the penalty box, there were three more Seoul players who could create a threatening situation. Whether he moved to block Franco or stayed, it was a dangerous situation.

"Damn! Junsu, take care of that kid!"

Kang Ryuk, frowning at the unwanted situation, ran to block Franco.

However.

Thud! Whoosh! Thud!

Franco Tramontana.

The Italian striker that Seoul possessed had the ability to easily beat a defender in a dangerous area.

"Wow! What a great dribble! Boss! Franco showed us what he's capable of!"

While the commentator was excited, Hahoon quietly watched the game, a slight smile on his face.

'What a valuable gift I've received! I have.'

Hahoon was once again reminded of the insight he gained from his left eye. During the preparation for this 9th round, two players had come into Hahoon's insight. One of them, Franco, was making a great chance.

'The characteristic that was flashing was Franco's... and...'

The other player who came into Hahoon's insight was preparing to score a goal.

Whoosh!

Thud!

As Franco's pass went through Moon Ji-won's legs, there was...

'The kid's characteristic is a goal-getter. This opportunity will definitely result in a goal.'

Jeong Sang-gi, with a sly smile, received Franco's pass without much effort and redirected it towards the goal.

Thud!

Whizz!

The sudden action was too quick for Gyeongbuk's goalkeeper, Ju Shin-young, to react, and that moment was enough to change the outcome.

Thud!

Waaaaa!

Jeong Sang-gi, hearing the cheers of the home supporters, performed an uppercut celebration and smiled brightly.

"Go, go! Thanks, Franco!"

"Jung, nice shot!"

The young player's goal in his professional debut boosted Seoul's morale significantly. After all, in the previous 8 league matches, Seoul had never scored the first goal and had either drawn or lost without scoring.

Jeong Sang-gi! Jeong Sang-gi!

Franco! Franco!

Ohhh! Seoul United!

The supporters' cheers and encouragement grew louder, and Hahoon, watching the game, couldn't stop smiling.

"Boss, the players are doing a great job."

"You're right, Coach. The players are playing exactly according to the pattern!"

"Ah, don't get too excited yet. Our game... is just beginning."