Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

186 – Karma

186

In the past, until the 89-90 season, each league had a distinct image.

England was known for its fast and intense long-ball football, while Spain was known for its technical football centered around organized passing.

Of course, not all teams fit this image.

There were teams in England that pursued a more delicate style of football, and teams in Spain that used rough and intense long-ball football.

However, an image isn’t created for no reason, and such teams were extremely rare.

If playing football that fits the league image is considered old-fashioned, then what is modern football?

It’s globalization.

Globalization isn’t just limited to politics and economy; football has also become globalized, and each league’s characteristics are becoming increasingly blurred and ambiguous.

It’s the 2030s now.

Can anyone confidently say that an English team plays rough football, and a Spanish team plays technical football?

In the past, each team had distinct characteristics, but modern football is becoming more and more similar, losing its unique features.

And Italy is no exception.

Italy, famous for its defensive tactics and emphasis on not conceding goals, is also changing with the times. The country that values winning with a clean sheet over scoring multiple goals is now seeing more and more teams adopting various playing styles.

This is undoubtedly a shift towards modern football, but the Italian people, proud of their traditions, are not easily swayed by change.

The Italian national team still maintains the spirit of “Catenaccio,” even if they occasionally adopt possession football or attacking football depending on the coach’s style.

Until now, the true ideal of the Italian people remains Catenaccio.

And the players who embody the spirit of Catenaccio are the core members of the current Italian Olympic team.

“Let’s go! Let’s crush them so they can’t even look us in the eye!!”

“U! U! U!”

The players chant in unison, led by team captain Jacomo Immobile.

Jo Jae-shin, watching from the side, whispers with a disapproving expression.

“Is that okay? They look like a bunch of criminals.”

“Actually, most of them are from the slums. Most of them are from southern Italy.”

“Southern Italy? Why southern Italy?”

“…Because southern Italy is known for being poor compared to the wealthy north, and players from those areas tend to be rough and cunning.”

“Really?”

“…Yeah, that’s right. Most of them—”

Joo Ji-tae, who was about to say something, stops himself.

Someone seems to be…

“It’s like they’re not siblings or something.”

Joo Ji-tae quickly shakes off the strange feeling.

“Anyway, they’re not Italy’s first team, but 1.5 or 2nd team. Just remember they’re really rough.”

“What are we going to do? Should we be careful?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

“Oh~ Juu~ji~ You’re so cool~”

Jo Jae-shin cheers quietly, but suddenly becomes serious.

“But how?”

“Just watch. I’ll take care of it within 10-15 minutes of the first half.”

* * *

The Korean commentators are worried as they prepare for the game.

“Italy is originally rough, but these guys are a bit too much. Is this okay?”

“If they’re just rough, that’s fine, but these guys are really sly. Some of them commit fouls openly, and some do it cunningly… These guys are exactly like that. They don’t play football, they just practice fouling.”

Everyone cracks a wry smile at Kim Jong-pal’s lament.

Although Italy has achieved the feat of reaching the finals in this Olympics, they have also been mired in controversy in every game.

Especially in the quarterfinals against Germany, the Hollywood-style action PK and the subsequent targeting of non-players sparked numerous controversies even after the game ended, but in Italy, it was praised as “true Italian-style defensive football” to the point of being ridiculous.

The commentators’ concerns became a reality as soon as the game started.

[Korea vs. Italy, Italy vs. Korea in the Olympic men’s soccer final! The game starts with Korea’s kick-off.]

[Jeong Hyeong-tae is passing the ball to Jo Jae-sin. It seems there’s been a change in the Korean players’ positions today?]

[That’s right. Jo Jae-sin, who has been playing as a central striker, has moved to the side, and Jeong Hyeong-tae, with his excellent passing skills, has been brought in. This is Jeong Hyeong-tae’s first start since the group stage.]

[Jo Jae-sin takes the ball and stops for a moment. The Korean national team is on the rise. Davide Sirigu blocks the way. Jo Jae-sin is overlapping with Go Jae-seok – Ah! What’s this? This is a foul!!]

A foul occurred just one minute into the game.

It was clearly an intentional tackle.

[The referee blows the whistle! Yes, this should be a card – wait, what’s this? The atmosphere is ending with a verbal warning.]

[Oh no, this isn’t good. The referee’s tendency today isn’t in our favor. This should be called strictly.]

In football, fouls and warnings are greatly influenced by the referee’s discretion.

Compared to the rough game, the referee may be lenient, but in a relatively ordinary game, they may react sensitively.

It’s similar to baseball’s umpire.

Each umpire has a different strike zone, and a good catcher must be able to “read” the umpire’s calls.

Baseball is a game of pitching, but ultimately, the umpire decides whether it’s a ball or a strike.

No matter how accurate the pitch, if the umpire calls it a ball, it’s a ball. Even if there’s controversy later, the game’s judgment won’t change.

Football is similar.

Although VAR has improved things, ultimately, the referee’s discretion decides whether to adopt VAR. Once the referee makes a call, it’s final. Even if it’s later revealed to be an incorrect call, the game’s result won’t change.

The referee’s tendency is a crucial factor in determining the game’s direction, and the Italian players sensed it from the early stages of the game.

“This is our chance to take them down completely.”

And so, the dirty and rough play began.

England may be rough, but Italy’s roughness is of a different kind. It’s not just aggressive competition and intense tempo, but the kind of roughness that comes from being a team of winners.

[Our players must not get excited! They mustn’t get caught up! This is what Italy wants!]

The commentators raised their voices, but it was hard to remain calm.

When players who never back down are clashing with each other, it’s difficult not to get excited.

Why do people say that maintaining a calm mind in a game raises the win rate by 10%? In reality, it’s hard to keep a level head amidst the intense keyboard battles and numerous pings.

Moreover, this isn’t just a simple game; it’s a game that determines one’s entire career!

When the opponent is rough and dirty, there are two possible reactions.

Either you get excited and fight back roughly or you become timid and passive.

Korea clearly had to choose the former…

“Just wait a bit.”

The players, who had been furious and red-faced, suddenly calmed down like obedient lambs at Joo Ji-tae’s words, leaving the Italian players looking at each other in confusion.

“What did that guy just say? Did he curse in Korean?”

“It doesn’t matter if it was a curse or not. Whatever it was, it worked. At least he’s got a firm grip on the locker room.”

“Who knows? The Ballon d’Or is nothing. Even if I win it, I’ll just be a pitiful young lamb who gets trampled on the ground.”

The game, which had been stopped four times due to fouls in just nine minutes, resumed again.

This time, the ball was in the possession of Korea’s captain, Joo Ji-tae, who is considered to be 50% of the team’s power – no, more than that.

At first, he cautiously built up the play from the back, watching out for Italy’s rough play, but as the game wasn’t going well, he started to show off his unique dribbling skills.

Joo Ji-tae has been on the European stage for four years now.

Italy’s players had already anticipated this pattern and began to throw themselves at Joo Ji-tae.

[Joo Ji-tae, Joo Ji-tae is taking the ball forward!]

[Oh, this isn’t good. Even if it’s Joo Ji-tae, it’s impossible to break through everyone in this state. Even if he’s confident in his dribbling, the chances of a turnover are high, and what’s more, the Italian players are rough. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks and get hurt!]

It was when Kim Jong-pal’s voice was raised.

An Italian player was charging towards Joo Ji-tae, who was dribbling, with a shoulder tackle. The player was about to collide with Joo Ji-tae, but—

[Wow! Joo Ji-tae, is this a scene from ballet or bullfighting?! He’s using his turn to get away from his opponent!]

Joo Ji-tae’s fantastic Marseille turn left the Italian player bewildered, and he simply passed by.

However, Italy’s defense was still solid.

[You showed an amazing performance, but the defense is stacked up in front of you! That’s why I keep saying that this dribbling is meaningless— Wait, what!?]

Joo Ji-tae’s appearance, charging towards the defense, looked reckless at first glance, but—

[Oh wow! Joo Ji-tae! He’s been tackled, but he’s still managing to keep the ball and— he’s going to shoot again!!]

It seemed like he was going to get away from the tackle, but the Italian player tripped him up at the last second, and Joo Ji-tae stumbled. However, he quickly regained his balance and shot the ball again.

[Joo Ji-tae! Joo Ji-tae! Joo Ji-taeee!!]

Despite being pushed around, stumbling, and almost falling, Joo Ji-tae continued to dribble, and the one who finally stopped him was Italy’s captain, Giacomo Immobile.

Giacomo, who had clearly committed a foul, smiled wryly and spat on the ground before backing away.

The national team players rushed over.

“Ji-tae, are you okay? Why don’t you just fall down?”

“Yeah, why are you being so stubborn?”

“Just fall down moderately! Hollywood action is bad, but it’s necessary sometimes!”

However, Joo Ji-tae’s face, as he got up, was calm.

“You guys. My style is different, my style. I deliberately let them tackle me, deliberately.”

“…What?”

“Now… it’s the 13th minute of the first half? Perfect timing. Wait and see. I’ll send one guy flying.”

The game, which had been interrupted by a foul, resumed, and the Italian players’ expressions gradually darkened.

[Giacomo is protesting to the referee. Is that not a foul? The gesture looks unfair… Clearly, it’s an ambiguous situation, but… Giacomo, you’ve accumulated too much karma! You’ve received several yellow card warnings.]

[The yellow card is out— Ah, what is Giacomo doing?! He’s strongly protesting! Red card!! The referee has given Giacomo Immobile a red card at the 24th minute of the first half!!]

A smile hung on Joo Ji-tae’s lips as he watched from afar.

“Kid, at this point, it’s before the news breaks, so you’re immune to your parents’ scolding.”

This is what it means to be a repeater.

It means knowing the opponent’s weakness ‘only I know’ and being able to take advantage of it.

This is like what happened in the World Cup, where Italy’s defender Materazzi provoked France’s Zidane with a comment about his sister, leading to a red card.

“I’ll take revenge for my sister!”

Of course, he has no relationship with Zidane.