23 – Sucker
023
The first round of the U-20 World Cup is conducted as a group stage.
Four teams grouped together play each other once, and the top 1st and 2nd places advance directly to the round of 16. Among the 3rd-place teams in the groups, the top 4 teams with the highest points, goal difference, and goals scored also qualify for the round of 16.
To advance to the round of 16 without relying on luck, the minimum requirement is to finish 2nd in the group.
“With matches against South Korea, Germany, and Ghana ahead.”
Given the tight schedule of the World Cup with many matches in a short period and the need for appropriate allocation of resources for a team aiming for victory, going all out in every match is an attitude suited for weaker teams.
For a strong team aiming for victory, it’s also a skill to distinguish which matches to give their all and which ones to conserve energy for.
Therefore, for Argentina’s coach, Rodrigo, who aimed for victory, it was necessary to differentiate the three group stage matches.
Matches that needed full effort and those that didn’t.
“Germany… Germany is strong. I can’t guarantee a win.”
Germany, which showcased flawless gameplay with no weaknesses, as if they hadn’t won the Euros by luck, is a tough team even for Argentina. They are considered the top contender for the 1st place in the group.
“Africa has always been a game-changer. Ghana has many variables.”
In youth tournaments, Asia and Africa often demonstrate their strength.
In Asia’s case, it’s because they thoroughly prepare as a team.
Even though they are youth players, they operate with the same precision and organization as adults, focusing solely on tactical preparation for victory.
This approach works well for achieving immediate results. The opponents encourage individual freedom of play, which inevitably leads to more mistakes.
However, it’s different on the adult stage.
Organized and team movements can be learned even as adults, but challenging and creative play must be ingrained in the body during childhood.
In the end, the Asian team focused on immediate results at the expense of sacrificing the future. That’s why they can stand out at the youth level.
However, Africa is different.
What causes a stir in the youth competition in Africa is simply because the birth registration is lax. A lax birth registration means many players are lying about their age.
In other words, adults are playing in the kids’ competition.
No wonder they perform well.
No matter how strong Argentina is, they are still players under 20.
If they face physically mature and experienced ‘adults,’ who knows what kind of twist might occur.
“Ghana’s kids will definitely have players lying about their age again. The question is how many of them are lying… It’s hard to predict.”
They aim for the top spot in the group, but in the worst case, securing a place in the round of 16, even if it’s second or third in the group, is a priority. In the group stage, even if a team performs poorly, there are many cases where they improve and win the tournament.
That’s why Argentina coach Rodrigo De Alvarez wanted a victory in the first game against Korea.
Korea seemed more manageable than unpredictable Germany, and Ghana, with many variables.
At least one victory must be secured.
“We are the best. We are Copa winners and the best team in this tournament. Friends, do you think second place in the group suits us?”
“Absolutely not!”
From Noble mtl dot com
Argentina is the best team in the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In the FIFA U-20 World Cup, they are rated higher than Germany or Spain, and even their rivals Brazil.
Why?
It’s simple. They have the most victories in the tournament’s history.
The record of the most victories in history and an astonishing six victories out of seven tournaments from 1995 to 2007.
“What about third place? Fourth place?”
“Uh—”
Looking at the players jeering, Rodrigo nodded.
You can’t guarantee first place when facing a strong opponent like Germany.
But a coach always has to instill confidence.
“Okay. Second or third, fourth place is not suitable for us. We are La Albiceleste. The best and strongest team in this tournament! We only aim for first place! And only victory suits us!!”
Bang!
At the passionate shout of Coach Rodrigo, the players stomped their feet in unison.
Thump, thump, thump.
“Let’s go! Let’s show everyone who we are, the strongest team in this tournament! Let’s crush Korea with all our might! We are La Albiceleste!”
“La Albiceleste!”
* * *
Although Argentina won the last Copa, officially known as the CONMEBOL Youth Football Championship, the objective evaluation of this generation was remarkably low.
Both in terms of player quality and performance, the football powerhouse ‘Argentina’ was unbelievably mediocre.
To the extent that this generation was considered the worst in Argentine history.
Naturally, with no expectations for the Copa, they unexpectedly clinched victory.
Certainly, the Argentine U-20 national team, which displayed a dismal performance until just before the tournament, managed to win out of nowhere.
Similar to Greece’s unexpected triumph in Euro 2004, Argentina’s victory in the last Copa was an unpredicted twist.
Therefore, despite participating in the World Cup as the reputed strongest team in South America, they were humiliated by being assigned to Pot 3 due to their previous poor tournament results.
What could have been a mere happening gained attention again right after the group draw.
The South American winner, Argentina, was placed in Pot 3 due to their disappointing results, joining Pot 1’s European winner Germany and Pot 2’s Asian winner Korea in a group – a so-called death group created by the Snow Ball.
Even being assigned to Pot 3 after winning the Copa was embarrassing, but to be eliminated from the death group that resulted from it?
That was more than a simple elimination.
Truly, a truly, truly humiliating elimination.
Therefore, Argentine forward Rodrigo Silvio was determined to decorate this match with a victory.
To break free from the mockery of being an ‘unworthy champion’ and erase the evaluation of being the ‘worst generation in history.’
“To advance as the top of the group and defeat Brazil.”
Above all, to once again defeat Brazil, who mocked them as ‘unworthy guys who won by luck’ after losing in the Copa final.
For that, they had to go beyond—
“That guy… His name was Joo Ji, right? I have to beat that number 18.”
Beyond the formidable Korean defender, known as the backbone of their defense, number 18.
Rodrigo recalled the information that the coaching staff had analyzed about him.
“He’s undoubtedly an aggressive defender. Enjoys proactive defending rather than waiting, and surprisingly good at ball control and passing for a defender.”
Not an unfamiliar type.
A style of defender encountered quite frequently in South America.
With a confident smile, Rodrigo eagerly awaited the start of the game.
Whether it resonated in Asia or not, it didn’t matter to him.
The referee, who had been staring at the cold watch on his wrist, finally blows the whistle.
The match that began with Argentina’s kickoff.
Rodrigo pushes the ball and strides confidently into the Korean territory.
‘They used to face us with a back four, and now they come at us with a back three? Moreover, the backline is so empty, a back three without a ball-winner. They really underestimated us.’
Conventionally, deploying five defenders in a back three, with three center-backs and two wing-backs, is considered a defensive tactic compared to the usual four defenders in a back four.
However, this is an overly simplistic view.
On the contrary, a back three with only three center-backs can be much more offensive than deploying four defenders in a back four.
What matters is not the formation but the actual tactical movements on the field.
And Korea, against Argentina, attempted an offensive back three.
With attacking wing-backs on both sides and no defensive midfielder in the center, it’s a highly aggressive tactical approach.
Thus, Rodrigo could confidently exploit the space in the middle of the Korean field.
‘Alright, just as expected. Diego and Javier open up the flanks, leaving the center exposed.’
Amidst the chaos of Korean players being drawn towards the dummy runs of his teammates, Rodrigo quickly found the gap and penetrated the defense.
As players executed a series of movements, the ball, oscillating widely in a U-shape between Korea’s flanks, moved towards the focal point of Argentina’s buildup, the ace in midfield, Albio.
Looking at the ball heading towards Albio, Rodrigo quickly scanned his surroundings.
Right—no one. Left—good. Enough distance.
The only player who could press him was—
‘Number 18, mark him!’
The center-back, the core of Korea’s defense, number 18.
Rodrigo flashed a confident smile, raising his hand. Albio’s leg swung, and the ball fiercely shot forward.
‘For today, I’ve watched your highlight reel dozens of times, and the analysis videos hundreds of times. It’s unfortunate, Asian. Entering the tournament with dreams inflated by the media’s hype and meeting me in the first game…’
That’s when Rodrigo noticed.
‘…are you laughing?’
The Korean player was subtly smiling at him.
* * *
‘Rodrigo? Rodrigo Silvio?’
At first, it seemed like a familiar name.
A name heard somewhere before.
“This guy is Argentina’s forward Rodrigo Silvio, whom you should be marking.”
And when the coach showed the video.
Joo Ji-tae burst into laughter.
“Ah, it was him?”
“Hmm? What’s up? Is Hodrigu funny?”
In response to the puzzled director’s words, Ju Ji-tae could confidently answer.
“Of course. He’s incredibly amusing.”
“What’s so funny, man?”
“His name is Hodrigu, Hodrigu.”
“…So what?”
Well, Hodrigu, that guy had faced him enough during his time in the Bundesliga to get sick of it.
The nickname the Korean media had given him at that time was—
“Don’t worry, coach. I have complete confidence in blocking this fool.”
That’s right, a fool.
Whenever Ju Ji-tae met him, he turned into a fool, thanks to the ‘Ju Ji-tae Exclusive Legendary Elixir,’ Hodrigu Silvio.
