88 – Munich Derby
The season for Bayern Munich had come to an end.
Needless to say, it was a season of failure.
Despite the possibility of a Bundesliga title still lingering, it was of no comfort to Bayern Munich, a team that enters the league expecting a championship as a given, especially with the second half of the season underway.
Thus, when the starting forward, Heiner Rupert, labeled the last season, in which they secured the league championship, as a “failed season,” countless Bayern Munich fans supported his remarks.
The supporters of Bayern Munich were already dissatisfied with just the Meisterschale (championship trophy).
Even last season, where they secured the league title and reached the Champions League semi-finals, was deemed a failure by some, so the current situation of an uncertain exit from the Champions League round of 8 and even the league title being up in the air was far from satisfying.
Naturally, the thunderous roar of the disgruntled Bayern Munich fans pressured the club, and coach Jonas Hofmann was undoubtedly compelled to bring home at least the Meisterschale.
And now, in this 32nd round, a crucial match that was the last bastion.
Faced with the threat of conceding not just the noisy neighboring 1860 Munich’s victory but also the league title if they were to lose, Jonas Hofmann replayed the match footage several times.
“…It’s odd.”
Jonas Hofmann, replaying 1860 Munich’s match footage for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
Frustratedly reviewing the game, Jonas Hofmann, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing, played the footage once more.
However, no footage could resolve his doubts, and eventually, Jonas Hofmann gave up on understanding.
“I really can’t understand. Jo Jaeshin shows signs of growth… Why doesn’t Ju Jitae improve?”
If there’s one thing to unravel about the core players of 1860 Munich, particularly the two, it would have to be Ju Jitae, especially among them.
That’s why Jonas Hofmann, who delved into every aspect of both players, was faced with an incomprehensible outcome.
It was the inexplicable result of a promising player who showcased genius talent but showed no signs of progress.
“Come to think of it, it was odd from the start. Jo Jaeshin immediately made an impact after his debut, but he had that rookie freshness.”
The story of Ju Jitae and Jo Jaeshin was already well known; many were aware that the two had been together since childhood.
Same nationality, same upbringing, same club… They grew up side by side, debuted together, and both showed remarkable performances right from the start, but there was a crucial difference.
While Jo Jaeshin showcased his talents from the debut, he showed a certain rookie freshness, or to put it more bluntly, a lack of experience. And this kind of freshness tends to diminish as experience accumulates, as Jo Jaeshin indeed showed a significant change in performance over the past six months with more experience.
As experience accumulates, one tends to shed that rookie shell, evident in the clear change in performance compared to the beginning of the season, isn’t it?
But it wasn’t the case for Ju Jitae.
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“Sure. Joo Ji-tae was a complete player from the beginning. It wasn’t strange at all that he didn’t seem like a rookie.”
At first, he was simply considered a genius player, but now it turns out he wasn’t.
This cannot be explained by genius talent alone.
“How can a young player’s performance be so consistent between the early and late seasons?”
If he truly had genius talent, there would have been some kind of change.
It might not necessarily be a positive development. It could even be a negative direction, but regardless, young players tend to change on the pro stage, yet Joo Ji-tae remained unchanged.
Of course, there were slight changes in his playing style, but it was merely a stylistic change based on tactics. Joo Ji-tae himself consistently showcased a certain level of skill.
As if…
“He seems like a seasoned player who has already established his own playing style.”
After much contemplation, Jonas Hofmann came to a conclusion.
“It’s intriguing, but… we can’t just let him run wild.”
If the play of a rookie is raw and unrefined, then a veteran’s play is polished.
Experienced, with fewer fluctuations… but, at the same time, it’s inevitably patterned.
Jonas Hofmann decided to exploit that.
* * *
Daniel Laut, the captain of 1860 Munich, was watching his own image on the screen.
“When we got promoted, it felt like a dream. The Bundesliga has been my long-time dream, but I had quietly given up on it. So, when I played my first game in the Bundesliga, it was so exhilarating.”
Starting with his feelings about the promotion to the Bundesliga,
“The most memorable game of this season… Of course, it must be the match against Bayern Munich, right? As everyone knows, we all came from the Bayern Munich academy. Of course, my heart is here, in the ‘real’ Munich, but still, there’s something special about facing the club where I spent my youth. Moreover, Bayern Munich has been dominating the Bundesliga for a long time. It was definitely exciting to face the youth club against the strongest team.”
Up to the answer about the most memorable game.
But the most important part came next.
“However, above all, what remains most memorable is the victory. When we won against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. That must have been the greatest moment of my life. That… that was truly a miracle. Anyone who watched the game would empathize. We won! We beat Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena!!”
The video, which showed a very excited Daniel Laut, was interrupted by footage of the game where they won at the Allianz Arena in the first half of the season. Scenes of struggling but ultimately winning.
“But now, the greatest moment may change. If we beat Bayern Munich at our home ground, Grünwalder Stadion.”
Once again, the screen that illuminated Daniel Laut showed an interview with Bayern Munich’s coach Jonas Hofmann after the first-half game.
“Complacency? We didn’t underestimate them. We knew they were a tough opponent, so we prepared and played our best. It’s regrettable. It’s really a disappointing result, but… we will overcome this. Through this defeat, we will become stronger and come back. And we will achieve victory in the next encounter. That’s Munich for you.”
And the interview conducted before this game.
“All that’s left for us is the league. We are hungry. Hungry predators will fiercely and violently tear apart their opponents. We will win this game and once again become the masters of the Meister Schale.”
Known for his mildness and referred to as a ‘gentleman,’ the coach concluded with an unexpectedly bold declaration just as Daniel Laut’s stern face appeared for the last time.
[In Grünwalder Stadion, we will defeat Bayern Munich and raise the Meister Schale. We will create a miracle. In other words, once again.]
The screen darkens.
Only then does a restrained laughter emerge.
“Well, as expected from our captain.”
“Let’s create another miracle! Number 1, Daniel Raut!”
“….”
At the time of the interview, I was too overwhelmed with excitement and emotion to notice, but seeing it now, it feels quite cringe-worthy.
The players who mocked the fiercely charging captain Daniel Raut were gathered by Coach Wilhelm’s applause.
“All right, my warriors! Now is the time of destiny. In our home stadium, with the fervent support of the lion’s pack, we will crush Bayern Munich. It will be dangerous but exhilarating. Charge fiercely. Stand and fight fiercely! Not a single step back, courageously advance… and conquer. Meister Schale.”
Meister Schale.
Everyone swallows nervously at the word representing Bundesliga victory.
“Let’s go. To victory.”
1860 Munich: Bayern Munich
[1860 Munich 4–3–3]
FW: Jan Heinke / Cho Jaeshin / Stephan Buls
MF: Daniel Raut / Gunter Draxler / Rodel Ditz
DF: Berti Meyer / Joo Jitae / Helmut Fochs / Matthias
GK: Hans Zimmer
[Bayern Munich 4–1–2–3]
FW: Herbert Dieter / Heiner Rupert / Helmut Winter
CM: Edmund Lampl / Alexander Zverev
DM: Hasan Salihamadzic
DF: Giovanni Roter / Bisente Fonten / Stephan Lysaus / Jolt Faust
GK: João Euver
The second half of the Bundesliga… No, the match that will be the turning point for Bundesliga victory this season has begun.
If the home team 1860 Munich wins, the championship is confirmed, but if Bayern Munich wins, a slim hope for the championship remains alive.
After a long time, once again, the ‘Munich Derby’ that the whole of Germany is watching has returned.
