89 – Prelude to Battle
089
As the lineup was announced, cheers and jeers intersected within the pub.
[Here is the home team lineup. Up front, leading the charge back to the center, we have Jo Jaeshin, flanked by Jan Heinkel and Stephan Buls. Following— and at the center, the young lion leading Munich’s upward trajectory this season, Ju Ji-tae.]
The introduction of the home team’s lineup was met with fervent cheers,
[And now, the away team Bayern Munich. Headed by ‘The Second Levandowski,’ Heiner Rupert, who scored a total of 48 goals last season, propelling the team to league victory and the Champions League semifinals. Joining him are Herbert Dieter and Helmut Vinter. Behind Bayern’s famed attacking trio, we have Edmund Lampl—]
While the away team, Bayern Munich’s introduction, was met with aggressive jeers.
Florian, the devoted supporter of TSV 1860 Munich and the owner of the pub, looked proudly at the empty streets outside, a stark contrast to the bustling usual Munich, exaggerating the emptiness in anticipation of the game.
Contrary to the empty streets, the pub was packed to the brim, and Florian couldn’t help but reminisce about the old days, tales he had heard from his grandfather.
Back in the days when Munich was silent during the legendary ‘Munich Derby’ between 1860 Munich and Bayern Munich, during the era when the team shone.
“Grandpa’s words were true. Munich really quieted down because of the game.”
Watching the revived Munich Derby, Florian was satisfied with his choice.
The large TVs installed in the pub for the returning fans of 1860 Munich were doing their job well, showing the vibrant faces of Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jaeshin on the screen.
Next to Florian’s contented smile, Samsung and LG logos were shining brightly.
[Both teams have experienced setbacks recently, but they quickly recovered and are showing fierce momentum again.]
[Both Munich teams are on an impressive upward trajectory, but it seems Bayern Munich has the upper hand recently. Whether it’s scoring goals or defending, their overall performance is more impressive.]
[Personally, I would like to give the advantage to Bayern Munich. Both teams are attacking, but except for Jo Jaeshin, 1860 Munich surprisingly lacks weight in the attacking line compared to Bayern Munich’s famed attacking trio.]
As the analysts discussed the recent form and performance of both teams, the pub erupted with jeers when they emphasized Bayern Munich’s dominance.
[But we’ll have to watch until the end to know the result. The home team occasionally has a player who decides the game with extraordinary performance, don’t they?]
[Ju Ji-tae, yes. Whether the victory or defeat of this game depends heavily on Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jaeshin. The performance of 1860 Munich tends to be influenced by the condition of these two players. Especially, whether Ju Ji-tae can once again stop Bayern Munich’s formidable attacking line and provide offensive support beyond defense will be crucial.]
However, the pub’s commotion settled as the conclusion focused on Ju Ji-tae.
And rightfully so—
“Yeah! We have Ju!”
“Why did they put those idiots as commentators? Still can’t believe in Ju Ji-tae, really, they’re idiots!”
“If it’s Ju, I can even offer my daughter!”
“I can offer my wife too!”
“Oh, come on. If you offer your chubby and generous wife, Ju might run away, you fool!”
“Stay calm, everyone. Has Joo Ji-tae ever let us down? Remember, he’s the Miracle Boy from Korea, always exceeding our expectations, especially in big games!”
“Yeah, Joo Ji-tae has never disappointed us.”
To them, Joo Ji-tae was already a figure of faith.
[The referee checks the time. Soon—right now, fate unfolds as the game begins!]
With the caster’s proclamation, cheers erupted.
“Go!”
“Crush them!”
Perhaps a game that could determine the owner of Meister Chale, with everyone’s expectant gaze focused on the TVs scattered throughout.
However,
[Bayern’s attack is intensifying!]
The game didn’t unfold as easily as anticipated.
[Heiner Rupert’s one-touch pass! Helmut Vinter! A long pass to the opposite side—again, Heiner Rupert! Wow! Is there anyone behind this player? This time, precisely connecting with Herbert Dieter, who penetrates with another one-touch pass! Herbert Dieter! Joo Ji-tae is rushing in—counter with a rapid shot! It went in—no, it didn’t. Side net! It was close!]
The pub, initially filled with astonishment, fell silent.
Fortunately, it went into the side net, but it was a perilous moment.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Florian raised his voice.
“It’s okay. It’s still early in the game!”
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“Yeah, let’s trust Wilhelm!”
They tried to boost their spirits, but the situation continued to unfold unfavorably.
[Switching the pass to the side with Hasan Salihamaqi. Very good. Turning back, Giovanni Rotter is precisely marked!]
[Giovanni Rotter evades Matthias while sticking closely! Matthias trying to catch up again! Here, he shouldn’t lag behind! Oh, but this time, Giovanni Rotter wins! Simply sidestepping—Matthias’s tackle! A determined defense by Matthias!]
The team’s vice-captain, Matthias, made a determined tackle, but it was clear to everyone who held the upper hand.
[Matthias showed a tenacious defense, but there’s no one to catch the ball that came out. Oh, it’s dangerous! The front is open! Alexander Zverev’s open chance! Shooting—Joo Ji-tae, once again, Joo Ji-tae!! The ball touched Joo Ji-tae’s foot, going out of the line, averting the crisis.]
[Where did this player suddenly come from?! Wow, he rushed from a far distance in an instant! He started when Matthias tackled! Really fast. Not only is he fast, but his judgment is amazingly quick!]
Captain Daniel Rout is trying to hold his own, but with the rest of the defense unable to focus, it’s only Joo Ji-tae who can block the holes in 1860 Munich.
Cheers erupted at Joo Ji-tae’s tackle, but it was short-lived.
[Oh… are they repeatedly losing in the second ball contests right now? The biggest problem is that they can’t keep up with the tempo. Just now, they were too busy chasing the tempo and couldn’t prepare for the second ball. There’s no room for the team to breathe.]
[Joo Ji-tae is constantly giving instructions, but… Bayern Munich, relentlessly shaking left and right, is raising the tempo. 1860 Munich can’t keep up at all.]
Consecutive attacks from Bayern Munich are plunging the pub into an intense atmosphere. How long has it been since they witnessed such a one-sided game?
The match against Bayern Munich in the first half of the season wasn’t this intense.
For the first time this season, at the age of thirteen, Florian was reminded of the overwhelming image of the club as it used to be. The familiar, always frantic and shabby defensive stance of the past.
“The pre-game declaration by Bayern Munich’s coach, Jonas Hoffman, about ensuring a victory wasn’t just empty words. This team being so outplayed feels like a first.”
“After the first-half defeat and the Leipzig game loss, they claimed to have adjusted, but their performance is truly terrifying.”
Although Bayern Munich showed a disgraceful image this season, the power of a big club representing Germany and a world-renowned institution doesn’t easily crumble.
“Coach Wilhelm gestures in frustration… 1860 Munich is pulling themselves up. The home team’s counterattack!”
“Oh, a break in Kwonter’s pass! It’s dangerous!”
“Heiner Rupert – Zhu Jitai aggressively intercepts… Oh, the referee blows the whistle. Zhu Jitai’s foul.”
“No card, it seems. Heiner Rupert is actively appealing to the referee. Asking for a card, perhaps? Zhu Jitai stands his ground.”
Just as the situation seemed to be calming down, the camera caught something.
Coincidentally, it captured the intense stare-down between Zhu Jitai and Heiner Rupert.
The tension palpable between the two, standing as if rooted in their positions, transmitted even through the camera lens.
“The tension is incredibly palpable, isn’t it?”
“Oh? It looks like they’re exchanging words… Judging by their lips, it seems like they’re showing respect to each other, right?”
“Player Zhu Jitai, even though Rupert turned his head, keeps on saying something. What could it be? Truly intriguing.”
The commentators eagerly filling the airwaves, aligning with the camera’s intent to capture the enduring showdown between the two players.
And in response, the viewers chiming in, raising their voices.
“Respect? Who knows! Zhu is probably hurling curses heatedly!”
“…Even if that’s true, it doesn’t seem that way. Zhu and Heiner Rupert have an age gap of more than 10 years.”
“Right. Zhu is Asian. And Asians are always polite, especially to their elders.”
But no one knew.
That Zhu Jitai and Heiner Rupert were actually hurling insults at each other.
“@$!^%#%#@!@#”
“What’s this guy saying? Hey, understand and speak in German.”
“!@#!$#%!#$”
“Oh, damn. It’s been a while since I’ve gone all in. What the hell. This f*****r just—”
It was the moment when a mix of Brazilian accent with Spanish dialect and a spicy Korean collided.
“!@#!$”
“Hah. This is getting too much. You wanna end up as a loser like the first half?”
“Hah, don’t show off. It was just luck back then.”
“This guy starts speaking German at times like this. Showoff? Luck? Show me for real?”
Of course, the winner was Ju Ji-tae.
