Chapter 63: Maenggu, Let’s Play~ (3)

The referee’s whistle finally blew, and the match began with Manchester United’s kick-off.

‘This time it’s a 4-2-3-1.’

Manager Raul Cruz was famous for his unique tactical management.

Unlike managers who varied within the framework of one tactic,

He employed completely different tactical systems depending on the opponent.

This is where his true value was revealed.

He had used five different formations in the current season alone.

What was even more surprising was that every time the tactics changed, the players adapted so naturally, as if they had only ever trained with that tactic.

‘Even without Yoo Heesung, if they can always use a counter-tactic tailored to the opponent, their win rate is bound to be high.’

‘And the players have mastered it perfectly.’

It’s a story that would be criticized even if written in a novel.

The reason managers stick to one or two tactical frameworks instead of using various tactics is simple.

It takes an immense amount of time to master even one tactic.

So, it’s practically impossible to change it every time after seeing the opponent’s tactics and have the players learn their respective roles in the short time before a match.

‘How can a team with the protagonist lose?’

Even now, that’s how it looked.

Manager Raul Cruz chose a 4-2-3-1 to counter our tactics.

It was a clear intention to check our relentless passing play.

The 4-2-3-1 has many advantages.

But its biggest strength is that it has five central midfielders.

This allows them to effectively block the opponent’s attacks.

Especially the two defensive midfielders, who can protect the defensive line while also blocking the opponent’s attacks.

Making central attacks almost impossible.

‘But our manager is quite outstanding too.’

He had anticipated at least this kind of situation, no matter what tactics the opponent came out with.

If Manchester United were to block the center.

We would switch to a flank attack.

That’s why we had prepared for flank breakthroughs and cross plays using the speed of our wingers with tremendous effort in training before the match.

Because the more Manchester United strengthened their central midfield, the more vulnerable their flanks would become.

Football is, after all, a game of numerical balance.

And in the beginning, we thought things were going our way.

But as the match went on, the situation became stranger.

“What, why is the line so high?”

Manchester United’s line was pushed up high overall.

The reason we switched to a flank attack was to exploit the 4-2-3-1’s weakness to fast counter-attacks.

Especially when many players are pushed forward on offense, defense is not easy.

But now, Manchester United, instead of compensating for their weakness.

Pushed their line up to the extreme, further highlighting their weakness, but in turn, maximizing their attack.

“Are they not afraid of counter-attacks?”

There is no goalkeeper with a better save rate than me right now.

But I never expected them to use such an extreme tactic against me…

‘This will be interesting.’

[Garrocho’s signature high-speed dribble! He breaks through Manchester City’s formation!]

[Manchester United is really going for it today. I never expected Manager Raul Cruz to use such a fiery attacking tactic, City must have been caught off guard.]

[But it’s still 0-0, right?]

[Yes, the tactic Manchester United is using now is vulnerable to counter-attacks. But they’ve pushed their line up even higher, making that weakness even more apparent. And Jeong Taewoo is continuously attempting counter-attacks with incredible saves, but for some reason, the counters aren’t connecting properly. What kind of magic is he casting?]

[Hahaha, it’s a very confusing situation. For Manchester United, they’re pouring in shots but can’t score, and for Manchester City, they have a perfect counter-attack situation but can’t break through, so both sides must be frustrated.]

“That’s really amazing…”

As a goalkeeper, I could take in the entire field with my vision, so I was certain.

The tactic Manchester United was using now was not just a reckless attack.

But a perfectly systematized plan.

To be honest, when they pushed their line up, I was confident of our victory.

But to block it this perfectly.

I don’t know how many situational instructions he’s giving to each defender.

But the movements of the defenders, which change every moment, are marvelous even to my eyes.

Sometimes they push the line up to the extreme.

And then in an instant, they form a new defensive line with the midfielders, like a living organism.

“Heh… this is why they say football is a manager’s game. What kind of magic did he cast?”

Of course, if Manchester United’s manager, Raul Cruz, heard this, he would be furious.

“After all this, why isn’t the ball going in!”

Fortunately, there was someone in his room, passionately speaking his mind.

***

“Uh… uh… f*ck, no, what are you doing!”

Gamst’s sharp shout shook the broadcast.

-Extreme rage on

-Wow, but now I know for sure that Jeong Taewoo is really good.

“No, he’s f*cking around. How can you not score that!”

He slammed his mouse and yelled.

Rationally, he knew.

It wasn’t that the Manchester United players were bad, but that the wall named Jeong Taewoo was enormous.

But as this situation repeated itself 1, 2, 10 times, his reason as a BJ had long since flown away.

In the end, he had no choice but to take it out on the Manchester United players.

‘Because I can’t curse at Jeong Taewoo.’

-No, but in terms of possession and shots on target, Manchester United is dominant, but they can’t score 

“Ugh, seriously! No, it’s okay for the attackers to make mistakes! But if they score just once, just once, I’ll praise them!”

He shot up and began to demonstrate a funny kicking motion.

“Hey! Alex Peter, hit a long-range shot so hard he can’t even react! Or…”

Then his chubby body began to sway from side to side.

“Or Garrocho! Hey! Dribble past the goalkeeper like this and score! Why can’t you play like that today!”

-Look at his cheek fat jiggle 

-No, but didn’t he keep doing that? Jeong Taewoo just blocked it all.

-I agree 

“Hoo~”

With a resigned sigh, Gamst slumped back into his chair.

“Ah, I get it. Okay, I get it.”

– What do you get?

-You get why Manchester United is losing, right?

[Gamdeong-i has donated 20,000 won.]

“Ah, that troll…”

Gamst’s eyes widened.

“This time, what…”

A video began to play on the screen.

[The Man U haters are trembling ah ah~ ah~ this is fun, the weekend is great!]

“Uh… uh…”

Gamst’s face turned red.

It was a video of himself, wearing a Manchester United jersey, singing the “Man U Hater Song” with a ridiculous face, as if to provoke them.

[Gamdeong-i has donated 1,000 won.]

So are you having fun?

-Wow, Gamdeong-i is a real psycho 

-Gamst’s mentality is going to break today 

-The tables have turned 

It was a video he had made to tease the trolls, but now it had become a dagger aimed at himself.

‘I am a professional streamer… a professional streamer…’

He repeated it countless times in his mind.

He suppressed his anger with immense patience and said what he was about to say.

“Hoo… everyone, I’m sorry, but this is Manchester United’s strategy.”

-What kind of strategy? If they do that two more times, they’ll get relegated.

-Doesn’t it smell like pork belly somewhere? Ah, it’s the smell from Gamst hyung’s face. He must be so pissed off he turned into pork belly ㅋㅋ

“Think about it. The thrill you get when you finally achieve something after trying and not giving up on something very difficult… they’re definitely doing this to feel that.”

A forced hope was evident in Gamst’s voice.

-No, what does that even mean?

-Hyung, your love for Manchester United is really amazing.

“So if they keep shooting like this…”

Before he could finish his words, another roar erupted from the stadium.

Alex Turner’s fantastic long-range shot grazed Jeong Taewoo’s fingertips and went past the goalpost.

“Ah…”

-I wonder how much of a thrill they’re trying to feel by not scoring…

-If they score, won’t they collapse from the intense thrill? 

-Scoring against Jeong Taewoo is like a drug. That’s why they can’t do it.

-Where do I report drugs?

-112?

Gamst hung his head and then slowly lifted it again.

On the screen, Jeong Taewoo was high-fiving his teammates.

“Ha… seriously, today Jeong Taewoo is…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence and bit his lip.

If this match was against a different team and not a clash between City and Manchester United.

He would have showered Jeong Taewoo with immense praise.

But he was not in the mood for that at all right now.

-Gamst hyung is so burned out he can’t even praise Jeong Taewoo 

-He’s feeling the thrill, please wait.

In the final moments of the first half.

Manchester United’s attack began again.

Garrocho received a pass from Alex Turner and rushed towards the goal.

It was a chance that seemed destined to be a goal.

Old Trafford held its breath, and Gamst also held his breath in front of his monitor.

But Jeong Taewoo once again rushed out at the perfect timing and parried the ball.

Peeeeeek-

“Ugh!”

As the first half ended, Gamst exploded with pent-up anger and shoved his face into the camera.

“Jeong Taewoo, you’re good at football… you f*cking bastard!”

His voice was filled with anger and frustration at the reality he didn’t want to accept.

-Gamst finally exploded.