Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 176

< The Magic Number >

2028/29 Champions League Semifinal Aggregate Scores

◆ Villarreal CF 1 : 4 Real Madrid CF

◆ West Ham Utd 5 : 1 AT Madrid

-Real Madrid defeats Villarreal 2-0 in the second leg, advancing to the final… Aiming for back-to-back titles

-West Ham defeats AT Madrid, advancing to their first-ever Champions League final… Aiming for their first title

The 2028/29 season Champions League final matchup is set.

Defending champions, Real Madrid.

The team with the Ballon d’Or winner, West Ham.

Both teams are currently leading in La Liga and the Premier League, respectively, making this a clash between the two leagues.

In many ways, this is a match that will draw a lot of attention.

-Real’s experience vs. West Ham’s miracle… The variable is the difference in experience in the final

-Contrasting reactions from both teams’ fans to the news of reaching the final… Real fans are ‘calm’, West Ham fans are ‘excited’

-Real legend Ronaldo is confident in Real’s victory… “The Champions League is Real’s, I’ve never been a runner-up with Real.”

-Many experts predict a 50/50 chance… Real’s experience cannot be ignored, but West Ham has Johan

-A clash of the strongest teams, what do bookmakers predict? ‘Real Madrid with a slight advantage’

As the final matchup was set, many related articles poured out.

Many people made enjoyable predictions about who would win.

The predictions were almost equal, at 50/50.

Real fans and La Liga fans and experts predicted Real’s victory.

West Ham fans, Premier League fans, and experts predicted West Ham’s victory.

Both teams are showing extreme dominance in their respective leagues, so it’s a natural result.

Bookmakers, using the approach of ‘who to bet on,’ had similar opinions.

However, Real had a slight advantage.

Real’s victory was at 2.14.

West Ham’s victory was at 2.56.

A draw was at 3.11.

The odds between win, draw, and loss were so close that it would be a very boring bet for bookmakers.

Their predictions were not much different from those of fans and experts.

Anyway.

Predictions at this point may not mean much.

The gap between the semifinals and the final is quite long.

Anything can happen in between.

A player who performed well in the semifinals may be injured and unable to play, or suddenly lose form.

Or the overall atmosphere of the team may decline.

But anyway.

It wouldn’t be strange for either team to become the champion.

Both teams deserve to be champions, and that’s why this final is sure to be an interesting match.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“Thanks for the congratulations, but…”

West Ham’s manager’s office.

Manager Schmidt frowned at the many congratulatory messages he had received.

Everyone sent messages congratulating him on reaching the Champions League final.

There were also many messages encouraging him that they would win the league and the Champions League.

It’s a very grateful thing.

It’s very grateful, but Manager Schmidt shook his head.

Congratulations are to be received after everything is over.

If you receive congratulations in advance, you will unknowingly feel a sense of satisfaction.

That was something to be wary of.

Of course, this team deserved to be congratulated enough for what they had done so far.

Undefeated in the league until the 30th round.

Reaching the Champions League final with players who are making their first appearance.

Even if the journey stops here, they deserve applause and congratulations from everyone.

But there is still a long way to go.

They can go further.

That’s why now is not the time to receive congratulations.

“It’s tough.”

Manager Schmidt sighed, leaning back on the sofa.

After reaching the final, everyone around him said, ‘It must be nice.’

Some close acquaintances said that he had only played in small clubs and had become a big shot in his old age, and that he must be very proud.

But, honestly, not at all.

Even if he wanted to feel proud, the burden took up all the space in his heart, leaving no room to feel it.

In the past, Manager Schmidt thought so too.

Looking at the managers roaring after confirming their Champions League final appearance, he wondered how happy they must be.

He was happy at that moment.

But the joy is only temporary.

During the long time to prepare for the final, he has to fight and overcome the burden that weighs on his shoulders.

He couldn’t sleep properly yesterday.

He kept having the same nightmare.

A nightmare in which he ruined the game in the Champions League final due to one misjudgment and gave the victory to Real.

Although it was a dream, the feeling he felt in that dream was really terrible.

The feeling of watching the players who had been frustrated and shed tears because of him.

He never wanted to feel that feeling in reality.

He didn’t want to see his disciples, who had been with him until now and had followed him, this insignificant old man, with their lives, frustrated.

The result is not something that can be obtained just by wanting it.

At least there should be no regrets left.

That’s why he’s just preparing as hard as he can.

“…I need to move a bit.”

Manager Schmidt got up from the sofa because his head was throbbing.

The only way to get rid of these *japnyum* [雜念; idle thoughts/worries] is to focus on what needs to be done right now.

Manager Schmidt left the manager’s office and headed to the training ground.

The players who had come to work early were warming up at the training ground.

“Hello, Manager.”

“Huh? Manager, you’re here early. I guess you lose your morning sleep when you get old.”

“Then what is Nathan, a mountain god?”

The players greet each other happily, as always.

The atmosphere at the training ground is always good.

It’s gotten even better since reaching the final.

Everyone is full of energy and seems to have a stronger sense of purpose.

Maybe they’re pretending to be okay to overcome the burden.

These guys can’t be without burden.

“Jamie.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“Start gathering them.”

“Yes.”

As I said, the best way to get rid of *japnyum* is to focus on something.

So, that means I’m going to work them hard today too.

“Gather around-! Training starts!”

“Yes!”

*

“Hey.”

“?”

“It seems like the time has come.”

“?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You saw it. This body’s class. Now, come on.”

“Come on for what.”

“Why, are you afraid?”

It’s been quiet lately, but it’s starting again.

Johan shook his head because of Capello, who was asking for a free kick match.

It was a disaster that Capello succeeded in a free kick after Johan was substituted out in the last game.

It was a picturesque free kick.

It’s a pity that Johan is on the same team.

But what can I do?

If both kick well, the one who kicks better should kick.

“So, let’s go. This is not the body of the past.”

“No.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Don’t bother me.”

“Okay. This body is not interested in a guy who is trembling with fear.”

“…Set it up.”

Smirk.

Capello smiled and nodded.

No matter how annoying he is, he can’t stand being scared.

“You’ll get hurt if you think about a year ago.”

“I wonder.”

“I’m already having fun. I can already see your empty expression later.”

“Reverse.”

Capello smiled confidently and set up training walls and prepared the balls.

It’s a re-challenge after a year.

I’ve worked hard during that time.

Even when his teammates ridiculed him for practicing free kicks so much even though he wasn’t a free kicker, he didn’t care and focused on practicing free kicks every day.

Only to beat this guy.

That time is now.

Today, I will definitely beat him and confidently step onto the Champions League final stage as a kicker and put in a beautiful free kick.

“Go first.”

“Are you okay? You’ll be intimidated.”

“You have a lot of worries.”

“I’m going.”

The rules are the same as a year ago.

5 times from the left, 5 times from the right.

The one who puts in more wins.

From the right position, Capello started his attempt first.

*Bbeoeoeoeoeoeong-!*

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

“Got it.”

*Bbeoeoeoeoeoeong-!*

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

“Easy.”

Capello starts succeeding in free kicks one after another.

At first glance, the kick has become much sharper than a year ago.

It seems like he’s been preparing thoroughly.

However, Johan just stares at it indifferently.

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

“All clear. Five out of five.”

“Did you bribe the goalkeeper? Why can’t you stop it.”

“Because it was perfect. Now, kick.”

“Hoo.”

Capello smiled *manjokseureopge* [satisfactorily], handing the ball to Johan.

He succeeded in all 5 attempts.

Johan may not remember, but Capello succeeded in 4 out of 5 last time.

He’s grown.

On the other hand,

*Bbeoeoeoeoeoeong-!*

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

“…Lucky.”

“Is that so.”

Johan hasn’t grown at all.

5 out of 5.

The same number as a year ago.

How can there be no development like this.

“Hoo.”

This time, he moved to the left.

Last year, this left side was the problem.

Since Capello’s main foot is his left foot, this position, which is good for handling with his right foot, was bound to be tricky.

But, it’ll be different now.

I’ll show you that I can put the ball in from anywhere, even with my left foot.

*Bbeoeoeoeoeoeong-!*

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

“That’s right! …na.”

This time, he succeeded in 4 out of 5.

Capello clenched his fist and tried to be happy, but stopped, realizing it.

I almost rejoiced in a unsightly way.

“Were you about to shout just now?”

“Shut up and kick.”

“I think that’s right.”

“Your tongue is long. Are you scared?”

“…”

He pretends to be relaxed on the outside, but Capello secretly bites his nails from behind as Johan prepares to kick.

He succeeded in 9 out of 10.

This is really an impossible success rate.

It went in much better than when I practiced.

No matter how many times I kick again, I can’t kick better than this.

‘Even if it’s this guy, it’ll be difficult.’

Last year, Johan succeeded in 8.

Of course, it was 8 times out of 8 kicks.

Anyway, if I had kicked two more times then, I might have failed both of them.

I can win.

Even if it’s Johan, he’ll be a little nervous now, right?

Is it possible to kick 10 and put in all 10?

“I’m going.”

*Bbeoeoeoeoeoeong-!*

*Syuuuuuuuuuung-*

*Cheolssak-!*

M… is it possible?

“Good work.”

“Wait, wait a minute…”

Johan succeeded in all five remaining attempts again.

10 out of 10.

Capello, who couldn’t accept this result, looked for excuses, but there was no such thing.

Johan left without regret, and Capello couldn’t accept his fate.

‘Why did the sky give birth to me…!’

Why did the sky give birth to two geniuses in one era!

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

“Capello.”

“…”

Manager Schmidt approached Capello, who was frustrated.

Manager Schmidt had been secretly watching from afar since the beginning.

Manager Schmidt patted Capello on the shoulder.

“Don’t be too frustrated.”

“Wh, who’s frustrated…”

“The important thing is not who wins or loses, but that your skills have improved, isn’t it?”

“…Old man.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll show you. The *moseup* [ 모습; figure/image] of me beating that guy someday.”

“Hehe.”

Manager Schmidt shrugged his shoulders.

Well.

Will that happen?

“I’ll cheer you on too. But, there won’t be much time.”

“…Tsk.”

Capello bit his lip.

He knows what Manager Schmidt means.

If he wins the league this season, there will be no more opportunities to have a free kick match with Johan in the future.

No, maybe today is the last day?

Come to think of it, he asked me to *butjago* [붙자고; a slang term for ‘let’s fight/compete’] several times before.

I never did it then, but today he did it surprisingly willingly.

What is it.

Why is my heart *singseungsaengseung* [싱숭생숭; feeling unsettled/fluttery].

“Don’t worry, Capello. If there’s a free kick opportunity during the final, I’ll let you kick it once with my authority.”

“…Really.”

“Why would I lie? You’re the future of our team.”

“…!”

To Manager Schmidt’s words, he pretends to be indifferent on the outside.

Capello was inwardly moved.

The future of the team.

As expected, this old man is a *yangban* [양반; nobleman/gentleman; here, someone of high character] who has come this far with his insight.

“Ah, but you have to be winning by 3-0 or more.”

“…Yes?”

“If it’s tight, Johan has to kick it.”

“…”

Oh, *ssi* [씨; a mild curse word, like ‘damn’].

I was happy for nothing.

3-0 in the final against Real?

How can that situation come about?

This is just telling me not to kick.

Capello pouted.