87 – The Final Hurdle
087
Even after the verbose and tumultuous tactical meeting, Cho Jae-shin still had a bewildered expression.
“Wow… I really can’t get used to this.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, you know. We’ve been here for over nine months, and I thought I was getting used to the local language since I understand it fairly well now. But seeing the coach scolding us in front of all the players, it feels dizzying. Is this right?”
“Just take it easy. Haven’t you ever seen a coach scolding before? Why is everyone making a fuss?”
At Ju Ji-tae’s casual words, Cho Jae-shin stared at his friend’s face with a puzzled look.
“Why? Why do you look at it like that?”
“No, just… I suddenly felt like my face was thick.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“I had gotten so used to it that I forgot… Your life is like a straight path without detours, isn’t it?”
At the unexpected remark from his friend, Ju Ji-tae furrowed his brow.
“Did you pick up something weird? What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Honestly, put your hand on your chest and think about it. Ever seen someone challenging the coach like that?”
“…??”
“Look at this shameless guy pretending not to know. Dude, do you not remember your high school days? The guy who used to play midfield perfectly suddenly decided to be a center back like he’s taken some kind of potion, and challenged the coach.”
“…Embarrassing past.”
“Don’t act like it’s vague! It’s barely been two years!”
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For the first time in a while, Ju Ji-tae hesitated, and Jo Jae-shin raised his voice.
“And in Germany, it’s another story. The youngest one keeps saying, ‘It’s better to do it like this with the coach,’ or ‘It’s better to do it like that.’ Do you know how awkward and nervous it is for me to watch? Seriously, this guy was a complete mess.”
In response to Jo Jae-shin’s rant, Ju Ji-tae raised his voice with a resentful expression.
“Hey! That’s how it is in Europe!”
“What kind of nonsense is this? Criticizing the coach in front of everyone?”
“At least it’s a bit less in Germany. Latin teams are even worse. Spain and France are a complete chaos. The German side is a bit better, that’s all.”
From his experiences playing in the Netherlands, Spain, England, and Germany, Ju Ji-tae shouted,
“No, whether you’re Latin or whatever, you’re just crazy.”
Jo Jae-shin responded with a snort.
“And how do you know that Spain and France are worse? Have you played in La Liga or Ligue 1? Your European experience is barely a year. If you look closely, you’ve only survived by your mouth.”
“…You don’t have to experience that.”
“Tsk tsk. Bastard.”
Ju Ji-tae sealed his lips.
Damn bastard. Let’s see if you’ll help next time.
* * *
The 25th round was quite a tough match.
It was more about issues with teammates than the opponents playing well.
“Oh!? Open chance! Jo Jae-shin takes a good opportunity! Jo Jae-shin shoots—no, he passes! He accurately spotted Jan Heinkel behind him! But it was a bit short. Too bad. Still, it was a good attempt.”
“It has to go in, it has to go in! Jo Jae-shin holds the ball, hesitates… Oh, the defense sets up as he hesitates to keep the speed. The tempo is unusually slow today.”
“Ah~ Something keeps going slightly off… Today, despite the seemingly well-coordinated attack line, there’s a subtle discord in the team’s play.”
“Jo Jaeshin, why are you saving your shots like this? You need to shoot!”
The biggest issue was that after the complaints from Yan Heinke and Stefan Buls, Jo Jaeshin began to be aware of their gaze.
Well, unless you’re an exceptionally self-centered and selfish person, you’d notice when a player sacrificing himself for the team expresses dissatisfaction.
However, Jo Jaeshin, with a level-headedness that could rival a thick-skinned turtle, was different.
“Hey, idiot! Do you think they’ll feel better that way? Just swing your leg and shoot freely! That’s what helps!”
Unable to endure Ju Jitae’s scolding any longer, Jo Jaeshin’s movements finally revived. Yet, Jo Jaeshin, who couldn’t match Ju Jitae’s level of facial fortitude, continued to occasionally show signs of consciousness of the two even after that.
It frustrated Ju Jitae, but what can you do about someone who, despite outwardly resembling Ju Jitae in every way, is surprisingly naive inside? Even though he had many women pursuing him since the first season, he didn’t start dating until he reached the end of his active career.
No matter how much he played the model student, even if it was hypocrisy, if the original wasn’t like this, he wouldn’t have become a national hero in the first season.
And it wasn’t just for 1 or 2 years, but for nearly 15 years, he played the role of a model student. It doesn’t make sense.
Moreover, it was a globally recognized soccer star that Korea, no, the whole world was paying attention to. If it was just acting, he probably would have been exposed by the paparazzi halfway through.
In the end, after Yan Heinke scored with a pass as Ju Jitae had dictated, Ju Jitae nodded in approval as he watched Jo Jaeshin return to action as if the burden on his mind had been lifted.
“Ah, damn it. You really know how to choose your friends.”
The briefly faltering 1860 Munich began to advance vigorously once again.
“In Round 25, 1860 Munich wins again! The momentum continues.”
“After breaking a long scoring drought, Yan Heinke finally scores! Until when will Stefan Buls’ goal drought last?”
Starting from Round 25,
“Crossing the 8th Division frontier toward victory! 1860 Munich’s triumph!”
“Noticeably increased conceding rate, but the scoring power has far surpassed that.”
“The endless charge towards victory! 1860 Munich wins again! But the next opponent is Dortmund!”
They continued their winning streak, decorating Rounds 26, 27, and 28 with victories.
Since the Leipzig match, where they faced relatively lower-ranking opponents, 1860 Munich encountered a formidable enemy in Round 29.
The opponent was the traditional powerhouse, Borussia Dortmund, of the Bundesliga.
It was not an opponent that could be easily guaranteed victory, and indeed, Munich had to swallow the bitter pill of defeat.
“After breaking a long goal drought! Stefan Buls finally scores in 9 games! But the team falls into the abyss of defeat.”
“Despite Ju Jitae’s brilliant performance, Munich cannot smile. Crying in extra time due to a PK.”
Stefan Buls, who had been keenly aware of Jo Jaeshin’s scrutiny, finally scored his 5th goal of the season in a challenging match against Dortmund after 9 games, but the result was a disappointing defeat.
And this was also good news amid the fierce pursuit by their competitors.
“Washing away the aftermath of Champions League and Pokal elimination, Bayern Munich begins a formidable sprint.”
“The giant of the Bundesliga, showcasing a perfect performance of 19 goals and 2 goals conceded in 5 games.”
“Two Munichs in an endless race towards victory! Who will be the one laughing in the end?”
As Bayern Munich, recovering from the shock of Champions League and DFB-Pokal eliminations, fiercely chased, Leipzig, a team that thrives on adversity, once again showcased a magnificent performance.
In the relentless pursuit of Bayern Munich, who were roaring with momentum, Leipzig, with a penchant for stirring the ashes, executed a murderous tackle.
“Astonishment! Bayern Munich faces a shocking defeat at the Red Bull Arena!”
“Busy Bayern Munich, tripping over in Leipzig!”
“The point difference between the 1st-placed 1860 Munich and 2nd-placed Bayern Munich is back to 5 points.”
After narrowing the gap to 2 points following the defeat to Dortmund, 1860 Munich and Bayern Munich widened the points difference to 5 once again. Despite the significant margin, both teams, fueled by an intense rivalry, concluded the remaining matches with resounding victories.
“In the 27th round, 1860 Munich bombarded Greuther Fürth with a 5-0 emphatic win!”
“Trials for SpVgg Greuther Fürth! Following Munich, it’s Bayern Munich again, delivering a crushing 9-0 victory in the 28th round!”
“Displaying a stable performance, 1860 Munich secured victory in the 29th round! Is the possibility of winning within reach?”
“The 30th round, Bayern Munich’s solo performance! Sailing through with six players from the Best 11!”
“Both Munich teams clinched simultaneous 3-0 victories in the 31st round!”
They embarked on a winning streak, bombarding the Bundesliga competitively. With only three matches remaining in the league, the point difference between 1st-placed 1860 Munich and 2nd-placed Bayern Munich remained at 5 points.
And now, the impending 32nd round.
Finally, the showdown that could determine the recipient of the championship trophy arrived.
“Unveiling the fate of Meister Schale! 32nd round, 1860 Munich vs. Bayern Munich!”
“A monumental match symbolizing this Bundesliga season! Is it the new Munich or the old Munich?”
“Can the tale be completed? Deciding the ultimate winner who laughs last.”
“Can the valiant lions lift the Meister Schale at their home ground, Grünwalder Stadion?”
“Checking the performance of both teams with data! What do the experts, fans, and AI predict?”
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