LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 235
At the same time.
In the FC Bayern Munich’s coaching room, Jupp Heynckes was watching the draw broadcast.
[Bayern Munich faces Manchester United.]
As Manchester United was decided as the semifinal opponent, he fell deep into thought.
[Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said, “FC Barcelona? We’re ready for whoever the Italian champion is.”]
It was a relief to avoid the currently powerful FC Barcelona.
‘Although their attacking power is weaker than last season, the team’s balance and stability have improved.’
Manchester United, also challenging for the treble like Barcelona, was not to be underestimated.
[Can Bayern Munich break Jinho’s curse?]
However, the bigger issue was the fact that Bayern Munich, under his command, had never beaten Son Jinho.
Glancing at the mountain of video materials piled up in one corner of the room, Jupp Heynckes quietly murmured the name of the video’s protagonist.
‘Jinho Son…’
A bitter rivalry that began with the DFB Supercup.
In the league, the cup, and the Champions League, Son Jinho’s Dortmund had always blocked Bayern Munich’s path.
Among all the matches the two teams had played, the 12/13 Champions League final was a game where Son Jinho’s prowess was clearly visible.
Closing his eyes, Jupp Heynckes slowly recalled that match.
Having delayed his retirement due to the regret of missing out on the Big Ear trophy right in front of him, he still vividly remembered the circumstances of that time.
As the first half came to a close, Dortmund players were gradually losing stamina, and the flow of the game began to tilt towards FC Bayern Munich.
Jupp Heynckes sensed a victory for Bayern Munich.
And indeed, Bayern Munich began threatening Dortmund’s goal with a series of shots, which could have led to a score soon after.
If not for Son Jinho’s wondergoal that exploded just as the atmosphere swung towards Bayern Munich.
Had Son Jinho not scored the opening goal, wouldn’t Bayern Munich have claimed the Big Ear that year?
If that were the case, by now he would have been living a leisurely retirement life back in his hometown holding all the honor and glory.
It was just a hypothetical thought, but having replayed that match hundreds of times to analyze it, Jupp Heynckes believed his thoughts were valid.
With that thought, Jupp Heynckes opened his eyes.
The eyes of the old man who had his honorable retirement stolen began to burn with determination.
“…This time it’s different.”
For the past four years, Jupp Heynckes had thoroughly analyzed Son Jinho’s past games, and he was confident that this time they could win.
Yet, contrary to his expectations of victory, the players were demoralized by the media’s disruptions.
Slumps and jinxes often stem from the smallest things.
Among football players, there were those who received warnings in their attempts to maintain routines, indicating the significant weight of mental aspects on performance.
[Jupp Heynckes asks the press to refrain from destabilizing the team. “I have consistently analyzed Jinho’s play over the past four years. We are fully capable of countering him…”]
Jupp Heynckes requested restraint from the media that was shaking the team.
[FC Bayern’s Jupp Heynckes, “Jinho? He won’t be able to do anything against Bayern Munich.”]
However, what he didn’t anticipate was that his interview would be transformed into provocative remarks by the infamous English press.
***
That evening, after returning home from tactical training.
[FC Bayern’s Jupp Heynckes, “Jinho? He won’t be able to do anything against Bayern Munich.”]
[Jupp Heynckes, “Weaknesses of Jinho identified.”]
Faced with the sudden inflammatory interview, I searched for the original of Jupp Heynckes’s interview.
It was clear that the article had been written in a completely different nuance.
“Honestly, reporters from every era tend to make their articles too sensational.”
Of course, there are journalists who value honesty and facts, but in a capitalist society, they are gradually losing their place and disappearing.
It’s a little surprising, but isn’t the ability to grab attention with titles a new quality fitting for 21st-century journalists?
In that sense, Gyeouri had already demonstrated the traits of an excellent reporter.
She had been pulling wide aggro in online communities as if it were a daily routine.
“Ugh… I want to get into the football community and draw aggro.”
Well, at least it’s fortunate that she’s trying to refrain from excessive community engagement since her second pregnancy.
‘I don’t know what kind of thinking it is to engage in prenatal education with Manchester United match highlight videos and cheers…’
Still, isn’t it better than using internet communities for prenatal education?
– Gyeouri: Whoa, Mom, did you see this?
– Cheolmo: What?
– Gyeouri: Chelsea is ranked 5th in the league lololololol!
– Chairman Hwang: (Arsenal climbing to 4th after defeating 2nd place Manchester City .jpg)
– Chairman Hwang: Never challenge science again…
Anyway, while Gyeouri was venting her withdrawal symptoms from the community in the group chat.
“Hmm… Menu…”
While Haeun, tired from playing with Dad, started sleep-talking, I gently patted her head, thinking that at least when she slept, she was an angel.
***
– Cheolmo: Jinho, come eat.
– Ho-woo: Yes, I’m coming now.
– Gyeouri: Mom, what about me?
– Cheolmo: You can make it yourself.
– Gyeouri: Whoa… Who’s mom after all?
– Cheolmo: Your mom and Haeun’s grandmother.
– Gyeouri: So, that means you’re my mom?
– Cheolmo: Who are you?
– Gyeouri: (Crying teddy bear con.)
– Chairman Hwang: (Han Gyeouri’s school record. jpg)
– Chairman Hwang: I heard you were a calm and nice kid at school; what kind of mask are you wearing to go to school?
– Father-in-law: Just, it’s because there are too many people…
– Ho-woo: lololol typical basement warrior lololol!
– Gyeouri: Hey, Son Jinho.
– Gyeouri: What does that mean?
– Ho-woo: (Shoulder shrugging teddy bear con with a sneer.)
– Chairman Hwang: Wow, now Jinho is starting to tease Gyeouri.
– Cheolmo: Honestly, Gyeouri does have a good impact.
– Gyeouri: ᕙ(╬ಠิ益ಠิ)ง
– Cheolmo: Gyeouri, don’t send emoticons that look like you.
– Cheolmo: You scared me.
***
The Premier League match against Everton.
In a situation where Manchester United had already secured the league title, Alex Ferguson decided to implement a rotation.
It wouldn’t be good if he got injured by recklessly playing just a week before the match against Bayern Munich.
“It is my destiny to be the top scorer this season, without a doubt.”
“A little child inside me is saying, get on the field. And grab that top scorer title.”
However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, who were rivals in the top scorer race, wanted to play, showing courage by requesting a meeting with the old man after training.
“…Jinho, do you have something to say to me?”
“No. I just came to watch those two get wrecked.”
“Then, get out.”
“Yes Sir!”
Of course, that day, in Manchester United’s coaching room, the red-faced Alex Ferguson descended.
“SIUUUUUUUUUUU─!”
“ROOOOOOOOO─!”
The sound of beastly roars echoed through the coach’s room.
‘That bastard Ronaldo… he usually has an incredible sense of danger, but why is he acting like this today?’
Kicked out of the coach’s room, peeking through a crack in the door, I gazed at the soul-draining Ronaldo and suddenly fell into thought.
‘Has he been consumed by greed?’
Anyway, that day the old man lightly suppressed the riot between Ronaldo and Van Persie.
The rotated Manchester United succeeded in defeating Everton with a score of 1-0 just two days later.
***
[Manchester United, implementing rotation, secures a 1-0 victory against Everton.]
[Rio Ferdinand, despite a long-awaited starting appearance, contributes to Manchester United’s clean sheet.]
[Heading to Bayern Munich’s home ground, Allianz Arena, for the Champions League semifinals first leg.]
***
May 5th.
The Champions League semifinals first leg match between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
“FC Bayern, Stern des Südens, du wirst niemals untergehn! (FC Bayern, star of the south, you will never fall!)”
As the magnificent cheers of Bayern Munich’s fans echoed across the field, the referee blew the whistle to start the match.
Manchester United attempted a strong forward press.
In an attempt to evade the pressure from United, Manuel Neuer passed to Jerome Boateng, who made a mistake.
[Oh no! The pass is too short!!]
The epitome of a sweeper-keeper, Manuel Neuer quickly vacated the goal and succeeded in clearing the ball before Robin van Persie.
However, unfortunately, the ball he cleared hit the back of Son Jinho, who was returning from the defensive line, and ricocheted.
The ball headed straight for Bayern Munich’s goal, shaking the net.
In disbelief at such a ridiculous goal conceded, a cold silence fell over Bayern Munich’s home ground, Allianz Arena.
“HOOUUUUUU─!”
In the midst of a sudden mishap, Son Jinho, caught in a daze, was about to unleash the celestial horse sealed deep in his being as he celebrated.
“Hehe. Scheiße (Shit.)”
Jupp Heynckes, laughing uproariously, was caught on the broadcast camera.