63 – The Hidden Secret Weapon
063
Before the match in 1860 Munich, coach Wilhelm von Rodebäck faced a crucial decision.
He had to decide when to deploy the prepared “secret weapon” – in the first half or the second.
Even for a player with excellent stamina like Alan Walker, sprinting continuously throughout the full time was an impossible task.
But if he distributed his stamina for a full-time appearance, there was no need to field Alan Walker.
To implement the prepared strategy, he had to choose between the first or second half. Wilhelm, considering Dortmund’s peak fitness and focus, opted for the second half over the first.
Truth be told, it wasn’t a choice that sat well with him.
As a coach with a strong ego, interference in his tactics by others was quite unpleasant for him. Despite media criticism urging him to reduce aggressiveness, he stubbornly stuck to his attacking principles. It wasn’t just for show – his strong determination was rooted in his dislike of outside interference.
Of course, modifying tactics based on the advice of coaches or analysts was acceptable to some extent. Wilhelm wasn’t stubborn to the point of rejecting input.
However, allowing players, especially a debutant barely out of the academy, to dictate advice on tactics was nothing short of a grave insult to Wilhelm.
Regardless of his relatively young age, he held an old-school coaching mentality.
But when the player in question had proven himself a “genius” within just a month, some discomfort had to be tolerated. At least, it was worth serious consideration.
“Position Alan Walker as the left full-back…”
Ju Ji-tae’s suggestion was to deploy Alan Walker as the left defender.
Originally a promising prospect for the team, Walker had become more of a burden lately. While he excelled in activity and aggression as a midfielder, his limited toolkit was undeniable. His basic skills were not poor, but they were insufficient, and he lacked the ability to read passing lanes despite decent passing skills.
Above all, Walker lacked the judgment needed for the crucial role of balancing offense and defense in Wilhelm’s tactics. Even if he was a good player, he wasn’t a football intellect.
If this were a second-tier league, he might have been tried as a starting midfielder. However, for the Bundesliga, he was at best a rotation player, not someone to be relied on regularly.
And now, playing him as a full-back?
If the basis for this judgment was simply his good fitness and quick feet, it was an overly simplistic idea.
No, it was downright foolish.
Considering the tactical importance of full-backs in modern football and the required skills for the position, deploying such a mediocre player as a full-back was tantamount to abandoning a crucial aspect of modern football.
But Wilhelm, the acknowledged genius Ju Ji-tae, wouldn’t have thought so simplistically.
As Wilhelm pondered the chessboard of tactics in front of him, the revelation came after the magnets on the tactical board had been scattered for quite some time.
“Ah, I see!”
Aligning Alan Walker’s exceptional out-front skills with what Ju Ji-tae emphasized as strengths – precise out-front passing and quick crosses – the answer finally became clear.
While previously considering a player’s strengths as somewhat burdensome, the idea of combining them in this way was a revelation.
“Dominating the backline with the excellent off-the-ball movement of Jan Heinke, the swift Jo, anchoring it with the stable passer Daniel, and linking up with Eurek Lörberk of Dortmund – all while catching the opponent off guard with accurate long passes. The intention was to deliver a powerful blow by swiftly crossing from the out-front when the opponent least expected it!”
Even a coach had to meticulously think through the combinations. What about the opposing team? That remained to be seen.
Perhaps he couldn’t even imagine it.
Of course, he harbored a slight anxiety, as innovation didn’t always guarantee success—
“Goal!! It’s a goal!!!”
As Jo Jaeshin’s header exploded following Alan Walker’s cross, Villum leaped up eagerly ahead of everyone else.
“Coach!!!”
As if to say, “When did I ever doubt Alan Walker?” Villum warmly embraced Alan Walker, who recorded a splendid assist in his rare appearance, realizing once again the greatness of a genius as the game resumed.
“It’s frightening. Is this how a genius sees the world? Joo Jitae… he’s an incredible guy.”
* * *
“Hmm… Coach Villum seems to be striking gold.”
To think of scoring using that stamina monster Alan Walker.
Indeed, coaching isn’t just anyone’s job.
Joo Jitae, who had only thought of solidifying the left flank using the crazily fast Alan Walker, honestly admired the coach.
After filling Daniel Rout’s lack of mobility with Alan Walker and planning to join the attack himself… if this happened, wouldn’t his impressive defense throughout the first half be overshadowed?
Alan Walker, who finally made a remarkable appearance, well… it wouldn’t hurt for him to receive the spotlight for once, but the thought of stealing the spotlight from Jo Jaeshin already made his stomach itch.
It can’t happen.
“Captain. This time, I’ll go up too. I’ll leave the back to you.”
At Joo Jitae’s offensive declaration, Daniel Rout wiped away the flowing sweat with a grin.
“Well then. Leave the back to me.”
Joo Jitae admired the determination filling his angular face.
Indeed, a captain. A man to be trusted.
“…Huh?”
“Sorry. I have no face.”
They conceded a goal.
From Noble mtl dot com
* * *
Like a boyhood comic protagonist, Captain Daniel Rout, who had been performing heroically against Dortmund, was substituted in the 70th minute of the second half.
To be fair, it was a lot of unjust conceding, considering there were many issues with Alan Walker.
One of the most significant changes in modern football tactics compared to the past is the utilization of ‘full-backs.’
Full-backs are no longer just responsible for ‘side defense’; they play a crucial role in opening up attacking channels. However, as they are still ‘side defenders,’ defense remains equally important.
In the end, the position of a full-back means being proficient in both attack and defense.
Of course, in the nature of modern football, this applies to other positions as well, but fullbacks, being defenders, needed an exceptional balance in both offense and defense. Alan Walker was a player with great judgment, and if he had been as good as that in midfield, he would have made a significant impact. Naturally, Alan Walker lacked the judgment of when to go up and when to come down.
The answer was simple.
When the opponent attacks, defend; when your team has the ball, go up.
In other words, it was an unreasonable demand, pushing even the most physically fit players to their limits, let alone playing the full 90 minutes, they couldn’t even endure the first half.
Moreover, lacking the ability to make judgments on his own, there were gaps in both attack and defense, and Daniel Routt played the role of filling those gaps, as the team’s captain.
In a situation where Daniel Routt, already lacking in mobility, had to cover the left defensive side in a high-tempo game, it was only natural that things would fall apart, leading to conceding a goal while missing Mark Schmidt.
[1860 Munich]
IN: Richard Jenkinson
OUT: Daniel Routt
Immediately after conceding the goal, seeing the substitution sign coming up, Daniel Routt smiled bitterly.
“Is this the end, after all? I’m sorry, everyone.”
“Captain…”
“I’m sorry, Captain. Because of me…”
Only now did Alan Walker realize that the space he gave up had become an opportunity for the opposing team to score, and he seemed on the verge of tears.
“It’s okay. We haven’t lost yet.”
While calmly removing the captain’s armband, Daniel Routt, scanning his teammates, stopped.
“Even though I’m leaving the field, I entrust it to you. Captain.”
Ju Ji-tae, who was standing there with a dumbfounded look, was suddenly stunned by the captain’s armband that filled his arm.
“Captain? What is this…? I’m not a captain candidate.”
Even Matthias, the vice-captain, and Gunter Draxler, the third captain, handed over the captain’s armband to the youngest member on the field?
And to an Asian promising player who had just been transferred?
However, Daniel Routt, with a determined gaze, only gave a solid response.
“Captain. I entrust the team to you.”
“…”
With a meaningless and imposing line, Ju Ji-tae left the field, leaving a perplexed smile.
‘This is a big problem.’
There was no need to look back at the bewildered expression of the coach and teammates.
Given the intuition honed through all sorts of gossip and personal attacks, it seemed that warning bells were already ringing incessantly… It seemed like big trouble.
Joo Ji-tae, with eyes closed as if in deep contemplation, grasped onto a slender thread of hope.
“…Damn.”
“Hey~ Joo Ji’s made it big. Earned all the badges of honor in Bundesliga. Must be the German touch, even his appearance is sharp.”
“Jae-shin.”
“What?”
“…Save me.”
“What is there to save? Who killed you?”
Jo Jae-shin’s expression subtly changed, almost like a face emoticon saying ‘ㅋ.’
“I might cause a riot if I lose, unlike winning.”
“Do you want to win?”
“Yeah, damn right.”
“Kid, your brother’s got your back.”
“As expected, only friends matter. I’m counting on you, bastard.”
“Just trust your brother. I’ll score a hat-trick for you.”
* * *
Beep, beep, beep—!
[The fiery match has concluded!! Victory goes to Munich 1860 with a goal scored in the final moments of the second half!!]
1860 Munich 2 : 1 Borussia Dortmund
52 Jo Jae-shin 69 Mark Schmidt
89 Joo Ji-tae
“What? Just trust your brother?”
“…Sorry.”
