Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 100

< Episode 099 – Break >

Serbia, England’s opponent in the round of 16, was a team that played a very solid style of soccer.

With superior physical attributes compared to other Europeans, Serbia employed a counter-attack strategy based on long balls, supported by an impenetrable defense.

In short, Serbia was the type of team that thrived in cup competitions like the Euros.

In the knockout stage, the key is not necessarily winning, but avoiding defeat.

Serbia was a team that didn’t lose easily.

This was due to their strong defense and their ability to aggressively pressure opponents.

This was evident in the group stage as well.

Serbia advanced to the knockout stage by finishing second in Group A with 1 win and 2 draws.

They conceded only 1 goal in 3 games.

Serbia hadn’t experienced a single defeat.

Considering that Spain, one of the favorites to win, finished first in the same group, it was a noteworthy achievement.

It wasn’t without reason that Serbia was being called the dark horse of this tournament.

However, Serbia’s path to the quarterfinals wasn’t expected to be easy.

Their opponent in the round of 16 was England, who had displayed overwhelming power in Group B.

England’s performance during the group stage was so impressive that bookmakers adjusted their odds.

Before the tournament, France was favored, followed by Spain.

England was third.

However, England had now risen to first place.

Even though the difference was slight, the shift in odds reflected England’s formidable strength.

At the heart of it all was the striker who had dominated the Premier League the previous season.

“So, you don’t know any weaknesses of that guy?”

“Yeah. You should know him well, right?”

Martin Petrovic, the West Ham left-back, was troubled by his Serbia national team teammates’ questions.

Petrovic had been selected for the national team and was playing in the Euros thanks to his performance for West Ham this season.

Hmm. I don’t know.

His weakness?

No matter how much he thought about it, nothing came to mind.

Except for the lack of enthusiasm that everyone knew about.

A disadvantage of his that wasn’t widely known.

What could it be?

Petrovic pondered for a long time, then shrugged his shoulders.

“Well… actually, there’s one thing I’m hoping for.”

“What is it?”

“He might not be very interested in winning the Euros.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just what I said. His only goal is to win with his club. He’s a guy who has no interest in anything else.”

Petrovic’s teammates frowned and laughed, not understanding.

No interest in anything other than winning with his club?

When everyone looked puzzled, Petrovic elaborated, but they seemed even more confused.

“Is he crazy?”

“A soccer player who hates soccer. He’s the first person like that I’ve ever met.”

“Well, everyone skips training sometimes. But to hate soccer itself, he’s a funny guy.”

When he told them that he skipped training regularly at his club, the Serbian players looked like their competitive spirit had been ignited.

It was outrageous that a soccer player hated soccer, but it was even more outrageous that he considered the Euros, the most prestigious tournament in Europe, a meaningless competition.

Being a national team player is the greatest honor for a soccer player.

Representing your country.

That’s why you have to give your best even in a simple friendly match.

They didn’t want to lose to that arrogant guy who didn’t understand that.

“Anyway, after hearing that, I think we can handle him, right? Our compatibility is good.”

“We’re experts at dealing with guys like that.”

“Let’s show him what’s what.”

Of course, it would be a difficult game, but based on their characteristics, it seemed manageable.

Serbia, with its height and strength, was vulnerable against attackers who constantly exploited the space behind the defense with their speed.

On the other hand, they were merciless against attackers who tried to match them in strength or height.

Serbia’s defenders ‘suffocated’ those attackers.

The Serbian players planned to do the same to Johan in this round of 16 match.

“What were you guys talking about?”

A player returning to the locker room after his last training session interrupted them. Dusan Vlahovic, the striker from Juventus.

“We were talking about that guy the media keeps linking you to. We were discussing how to take him down.”

“Is that so?”

Vlahovic smiled as he wiped sweat with a towel.
Vlahovic was the top scorer in Serie A last season.

Because of this, the match between England and Serbia was also being billed as a clash between the top scorers.
The top scorer of the Premier League.

And the top scorer of Serie A.

A battle of pride.

“Don’t worry. There’s no way I’m going to lose.”

“Of course.”

The players laughed at Vlahovic’s confidence.

Within Serbia, Vlahovic’s status was absolute.

While Serbia was a great team, Vlahovic was the only one with skills approaching world-class.

Vlahovic was the pride of Serbia.

Also,

Vlahovic considered himself the pride of Serbia.
The representative of the national team.
The pride of Serbia, Juventus, and Serie A.

Because of this, Vlahovic viewed this round of 16 match as a battle of pride.

He couldn’t afford to lose.

If he did, it would be a devastating blow.

But that wouldn’t happen.

Serbia was a team that didn’t lose easily.

No matter who the opponent was.

“Let’s show them what we’re made of. That we’re a team that doesn’t lose easily to anyone.”

“Good. Let’s prove our strength by shutting down that Johan or whatever his name is.”

“That’s right. Compared to our Vlahovic, that guy is nothing.”

The Serbian players were brimming with confidence.

They clearly had high standards for strikers, likely because Vlahovic was the best among them.

However.

“…”

Only Petrovic remained silent.

Johan was an irreplaceable teammate.

However, the moment they faced each other wearing different uniforms, even if it was Johan, he was just an opponent.

Because of this, Petrovic also shared the desire to block him and advance to the quarterfinals.

But Petrovic definitely thought that stopping him wouldn’t be as easy as his teammates believed.

…

June 25, 2028, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.

Along with the commentator’s words, the broadcast screen showed both players warming up on the pitch.

Johan and Vlahovic.

At this point, both were strikers in the top five in Europe.

The match between them was a must-see.

Objectively, England had the upper hand in terms of overall strength.

However, that could make the game less pressured for Vlahovic.

Serbia would sit back, and England would push forward.

In the process, Johan would inevitably be given limited space, while Vlahovic would have more room to operate.

Would Johan be able to overcome this and break through Serbia’s Iron Wall?

The round of 16 match between England and Serbia has begun.

*

The flow of the first half was as expected.

England took possession, and Serbia defended deep.

Serbia’s defense was indeed solid.

First, the size of the players themselves was so imposing that it felt like there were no gaps just by standing close together.

Besides,

Serbia wasn’t afraid of physical play, as the referee blew his whistle several times in the opening minutes.

“Ouch, damn it.”

The English players winced as they got up after being on the receiving end of a body check.

Of course, they also played in the Premier League, which is known for its physicality.

However, when the Serbian players approached, they instinctively braced themselves, likely due to their sheer size.

The average height of this Serbian national team was 187.6 centimeters [approximately 6 feet 1.9 inches].

It was the tallest among all participating countries.

Almost all players had physiques close to that of human weapons, so even English players had to be careful.

And,

That’s what Serbia wanted.

If it’s a team that only defends, you can take your time.

But Serbia has Vlahovic.

0-0 is a dangerous scoreline.

To win today’s game, England needed a quick first goal above all else.

However, England was struggling to advance due to Serbia’s physical play.

Eventually,

It seemed like England had only one option.

Bbeoeoeoeoeong-!

England’s center back, Jude Harrison, launched a long ball towards the front.

As mentioned, Serbia’s height was among the best in Europe.

Therefore, playing long balls against Serbia wasn’t ideal.

‘It’s a chance.’

Watching the high-flying ball, the Serbian defenders instinctively thought that a chance had arrived.

They had trained countless times for this scenario.

Pressuring the opponent with tough play to prevent short passes, forcing a long ball.

Winning the ball here meant an immediate counterattack.

At the end of that counterattack was Vlahovic.

The Serbian defenders felt that their skills had improved significantly thanks to Vlahovic.

He was the best training partner any team could have.

Competing with him was difficult even for Serbia’s tall defenders.

Because of this, they felt that actual games were easier than training.

‘I don’t know how good you are, but so what? Do you think you’re better than Vlahovic?’

The Serbian defenders charged towards Johan, intending to give this arrogant guy a lesson.

And,

Taat-!

The moment the defenders and Johan jumped for the ball and collided.

“…Cough!?”

It was the Serbian defenders whose faces contorted in pain.

What they felt at that moment was something more intense than they experienced with Vlahovic.

Serbia’s defense was strong in the air but weak against speed.

Until now, Serbia had managed to mask that weakness with its strengths.

However, when that strength was neutralized, the weakness became glaringly obvious.

Tatatat-!

Johan sprinted towards the box.

Time seemed to slow down.

Compared to Johan, the Serbian defenders seemed to be moving in slow motion.

Johan turned all of Serbia’s defenders into scarecrows with just his speed.

Bbeoeoeoeoeong-!

Shuuuuuuuuung-

Cheolseok-!

The powerful left-footed shot he unleashed at the end of his dribbling run turned even the goalkeeper into a scarecrow.

Only 1 goal conceded in 3 group stage matches.

It was the moment when Serbia, the Iron Wall, conceded a goal in just 9 minutes against Johan.