Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 101

< Episode 100 – Break Through >

Spain 1-1, draw.

Croatia 0-0, draw.

Austria 2-0, victory.

These were Serbia’s results and scores in Group A of the group stage.

Serbia, who conceded only one goal in three games, or 270 minutes.

Moreover, that one goal was conceded to the formidable Spanish team, which scored a total of seven goals against Croatia and Austria. After that game, the media’s reaction was, ‘Even Spain was blocked by Serbia’s defense and only managed to score one goal.’

Just looking at this, you can see that Serbia isn’t called the ‘Iron Wall’ for nothing.

But that Serbia conceded the first goal in just 9 minutes, and that too after their defense was completely torn apart.

The shock was considerable, as expected.

“···”

“···”

With bewildered faces, the Serbian defenders stared at the ball rolling around in the goal.

They looked like they couldn’t understand why it was in there.

No, just moments ago…

The opponent chose a long pass.

A long pass that connected from the back line to the front line in one go.

From their perspective, it was the easiest opportunity to handle, a freebie.

But, they conceded a goal.

This was a scene that didn’t even happen during training.

To lose an aerial ball to just one attacker, allow a dribble breakthrough, and get completely breached?

Of course, no team is immune to conceding goals.

No matter how perfect a defense a team boasts, they can’t keep a clean sheet in every game.

However, a scene like this, where everything collapses against one attacker, was a rare sight for Serbia.

So, the shock was even greater.

Except for just one player.

“It’s okay, it’s okay! It can’t be helped! Let’s start again!”

Only Petrovic maintained his composure, comforting his teammates.

It was a shocking scene for the other players, but it was nothing new for Petrovic.

It wasn’t the first or second time he’d seen Johan score like that.

Rather, it felt almost expected.

Therefore, Petrovic was able to maintain his composure.

Well, this situation wasn’t ideal, though.

“Nice!”

“Damn, we were the ones who suffered that, but it’s exhilarating to see it from an ally’s perspective.”

“Great! Beat up the European guys as much as you tormented us!”

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from the England stands.

Fans who always appear at international competitions, shirtless and with their bodies painted with the England flag, waved their uniforms, celebrating the first goal.

A goal that completely twisted all of Serbia’s game plans in an instant.

“···”

And, Dusan Vlahovic’s face hardened as he watched Johan’s goal.

Serbia’s defenders had improved a lot thanks to Vlahovic, but perhaps Vlahovic was the one who benefited the most.

Serbia’s defenders were also the best training partners.

For Vlahovic, training was even more difficult than the actual game.

Therefore, Vlahovic knew.

The goal Johan just scored.

How absurd it was.

He had never scored such a goal himself.

Not even in training.

But, to create a solo goal against defenders who were fully focused in such an important tournament game.

Crack-

Vlahovic clenched his teeth.

The Premier League’s top scorer had shown something, so if he didn’t show something quickly…

His pride would be deeply damaged.

The moment impatience took hold in Vlahovic’s mind.

*

In league games, all teams aim for 3 points.

But the knockout stage is different.

You can advance to the next round as long as you draw.

In extra time, when everyone’s stamina is exhausted, accidents can happen regardless of objective strength.

If the game goes to a penalty shootout without a winner even in extra time, a team ranked 200th in the FIFA rankings can beat the 1st ranked team.

That’s how unpredictable penalty shootouts are.

Today’s Serbia was no different.

They could be satisfied enough even if they only achieved a draw in regular time.

They were confident that they could advance to the next round if they just got there.

Therefore, even if they conceded a goal, there seemed to be no reason to abandon their defensive stance and become aggressive.

There was plenty of time left.

The score difference was only 1 point.

Also, England’s defense was less solid compared to their attack.

However, contrary to expectations, Serbia began to raise their line little by little after conceding the goal.

It must have been a big shock.

The English striker, Johan Van.

The moment the Serbian players clashed with this monster, who was much more monstrous than they had expected, they realized that it would be difficult to play the game according to their prepared plan.

Even if they played defensively until the end as usual, they were not confident that they could maintain this 1-point difference.

This was the same Serbia that had held out 0-1 until the end against Spain, and eventually scored a late equalizer to draw.

Of course,

Vlahovic was at the center of it.

“Hey! Hey-!! Come on up!”

Even though there were no special instructions from the bench, Vlahovic gestured to his teammates, urging them to move aggressively.

Thanks to that, the flow of the game from the 10th to the 20th minute of the first half…

Serbia took the lead.

Vlahovic’s shot! But it becomes a mis-hit shot. Haha. It seems like he put too much power into the shot.>

It looks like fire is coming out of his eyes. It seems like he needs to take some power out.>

Johan scored a goal, so he must have thought he had to make one himself.>

However, if you get too caught up in that thought, it may not be easier.>

Vlahovic, who had taken several shots, slammed the ground nervously when his shots missed the goal in succession.

“Why are you hitting the innocent ground?”

“Vlaho-Bitch Season 1 Earth Assault!”

“Love nature! Vlahovic out!”

The English fans laughed and teased Vlahovic.

It’s clear that Vlahovic is in a hurry.

A slightly different look than usual.

Vlahovic’s left-foot accuracy is among the best in Europe, but today his aim seems off.

They seem to have prepared well for dealing with the situation. They are thoroughly wary of Vlahovic’s left foot.

His right foot is definitely one of Vlahovic’s few weaknesses.

Indeed, Vlahovic has a significant difference in ability between his dominant and weak foot.

Strangely, players whose dominant foot is the left tend to have this tendency, and Vlahovic greatly favors his left foot.

The English defenders were well aware of his tendencies and were dealing with them effectively.

Having a strong dominant foot is, of course, an advantage.

It’s an even greater advantage if it’s the left foot, which is rarer than right-footed players.

However, if the reliance on it becomes too great, it can become a definite weakness.

Today, Vlahovic’s weakness was quite apparent.

Perhaps it’s because he’s too eager to prove himself.

In contrast, Johan’s true worth began to shine even more.

Jack Price’s pass connects to Johan! Johan gets the ball on the right side of the box! He dribbles in!

Thanks to the widened defensive gaps in Serbia’s formation, Johan was given a bit more space, creating an opportunity.

Johan, in a one-on-one situation against the opposing center back on the right side of the box.

Given the location, and the fact that Johan scored his first goal with his left foot,

the defense had no choice but to be more wary of a left-footed shot.

But who is Johan?

A true ambidextrous player who can take free kicks with both his left and right feet.

Johan, seeing that the opposing defense’s weight was leaning to the left,

Swish-!

Feinted once, seemingly to completely break down the defense, then dashed to the right.

He’s past him! Another chance!

Johan makes the defender stumble and succeeds in breaking through.

Of course, by doing so, the angle of the shot was narrowed, which is true.

Usually, he would have driven further in to attempt a cutback [a pass back towards the center of the field from near the goal line].

However, even in that position, Johan saw an opening.

That was enough.

Thwack-!

Seeing the keeper coming out to narrow the angle, he took a right-footed shot as is.

The shot went low, aiming for the keeper’s most vulnerable spot.

Whoosh-

The shot, skimming the grass, was aimed between the keeper’s legs.

The keeper, realizing the intent, quickly squeezed his legs together, but the shot was too fast.

Thud-!

Gooooal-! England’s second goal explodes! 24 minutes into the first half! It’s Johan again!

First time participating in the Euros, in today’s first tournament match! This player is scoring his second goal!

Wow, the Premier League’s top scorer is one step ahead!

There was no intention to do so, but it couldn’t help but look that way.

Johan’s second goal was as if he was teaching Vlahovic a lesson.

Saying that a striker should be able to shoot from any angle, with any foot.

“Damn it! I should have blocked that!”

Johan’s second goal completely shattered Vlahovic’s pride.

*

The round of 16 match between England and Serbia could be seen as having its victory decided at three turning points.

The first and second were Johan’s goals, and the third was around the 8th minute of the second half.

Vlahovic’s accumulated warnings led to his ejection.

Oh! The referee pulls out a yellow card! This means Vlahovic has two warnings!

It was a careless foul born out of impatience. It’s rare for a striker to be ejected due to accumulated warnings, Vlahovic. He lost his composure.

His own plays weren’t working out, and in the meantime, Johan was shining.

It couldn’t help but be a frustrating game for Vlahovic.

But, that shouldn’t have happened.

Vlahovic, who had been uncomfortable throughout the game, had to leave the pitch due to two aggressive fouls, and Serbia, who was already behind, lost the power to turn the game around.

It was the moment when Serbia, who had been considered the strongest dark horse in this tournament, had to pack their bags to return home.

Yes, the game is over! The score is 3-0! England defeats Serbia more easily than expected and advances to the quarterfinals!

England has achieved a very encouraging result. In fact, I thought there was a good chance that this match against Serbia would go to extra time, but they finished it cleanly in 90 minutes.

After the game.

As the players from both teams shook hands,

Petrovic approached Johan, shaking his head.

“You’re as good as they say, you.”

“Sorry.”

“You rascal. If you’re sorry, take it easy on us.”

“That’s why I didn’t go near your side often.”

“…Thanks. But, I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you run so hard?”

Petrovic asked with a sigh.

Before the game, the only thing Petrovic had expected was Johan’s motivation issue.

However, today Johan showed the same drive as he did in the league.

Johan shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m trying to become a noble.”

“…Huh?”

“A noble. A noble. I heard you can become a noble if you win.”

“……”

Petrovic was dumbfounded by Johan’s completely unexpected answer.

“Well… I understand. I’ll cheer for you.”

*I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about.*

*Anyway, if there’s even one reason for this guy to win, then England’s chances of winning this tournament are very high*, Petrovic thought.

ㆍㆍㆍ

-[EURO2028] All Quarterfinal Matches Confirmed! England’s Quarterfinal Opponent is Germany as Expected!

-[EURO2028] Germany, England’s Quarterfinal Opponent, Who is the Most Wary Target? It’s Florian Stauter After All

England’s quarterfinal opponent, after defeating Serbia and advancing to the round of 16, was determined to be Germany.

Eternal title contender, Germany.

Although they didn’t have as splendid a lineup in this tournament as they did when they won the World Cup in the past, Germany, centered around Munich’s ace Florian Stauter, was still a formidable opponent.

As the match between the two teams was confirmed, the one who wanted Germany’s victory more than anyone else would have been West Ham’s manager, Schmidt, who is German.

It would be a good thing if Germany won, and above all, it would be the best thing if Johan finished the tournament quickly and returned to the team.

Therefore, before the game, Schmidt called Johan.

He told him not to get hurt under any circumstances, to take it easy, and to return to the team.

However,

the answer he heard over the receiver was quite despairing.

-I’m sorry. Manager.

Schmidt wanted to see Germany win.

Also, he wanted to see Johan’s face soon.

But,

It didn’t seem easy.