Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 137

< Episode 136 – Harder to Quit Than Soda >

Capello is a man of his word.

If he sets his mind to it, he can even quit his beloved soda, which he practically lived on, overnight.

Capello felt a sense of crisis, thinking he might not make it through the winter while juggling league games and Champions League schedules.

He especially felt it during the game against Liverpool.

A heavy feeling, like his whole body was soaked in cotton.

When his legs wouldn’t move and he couldn’t pass as he wanted, Capello knew he needed to take better care of his condition.

Feeling that need, Capello immediately stopped drinking soda from that day on.

It was quite difficult.

Soda had always been by his side, like an inseparable best friend since childhood.

Capello had given up many things for soccer, but he couldn’t quit soda.

Saying goodbye to such a friend wasn’t easy.

But Capello did it, and the effects were becoming increasingly noticeable.

‘My body feels lighter.’

Two weeks since parting ways with soda.

It’s only been two weeks, but his body definitely feels lighter.

Both when he wakes up in the morning and now, on the field.

‘Today is the day.’

Capello thought he could be the star of today’s game within the first five minutes of the first half.

Unlike the Brentford game, Johan is here, but still.

He feels confident today.

He’s going to beat Johan, get MOM [Man of the Match], and get rid of that ridiculous ‘Yo-Up-Ca-King’ nonsense.

The game is also favoring Capello.

A structure where Capello needs to take as many touches as possible and dictate the game.

If Arsenal starts to take control in the midfield, West Ham will inevitably become quite disorganized.

They need to prevent that and make the game West Ham’s tempo, and Capello is the one who can do that.

It was a situation where Capello couldn’t help but be caught on camera,

and Capello was playing that way.

Federico Cierny plays the same role as Capello in Arsenal.

Last season, Inter finished as Serie A runner-up, following Juventus.

Cierny transferred to Arsenal after showing outstanding performance, being evaluated as one-third of Inter’s strength.

Even after the transfer, he continued that form and quickly became a key player in Arsenal’s midfield.

Capello knew Cierny well.

He had played against Inter, where Cierny belonged, many times when he was playing for Fiorentina.

Fiorentina, during Capello’s time, had a particularly good win rate whenever they met Inter.

That’s because Capello always overwhelmed Cierny in individual performance.

Today, their natural enemy relationship continues.

Thanks to Capello’s performance, West Ham started to dictate the flow of the game well in the early stages.

*

Having taken the initiative in the game, it seems like it’s time for an opening goal.

West Ham got a chance.

A counterattack situation that started from the right.

Capello dribbles the ball himself and quickly charges into Arsenal’s territory.

At the same time, Capello looks ahead.

‘There are three options.’

Three paths to pass to were visible to Capello.

The first is Bailey on the left.

Bailey was running wide along the sideline, heading towards the space behind.

If he could thread a pass between the opposing full-back and center-back in line with that movement, he could create a big chance.

The pass difficulty is high, but if successful, the expected value of scoring would also be high.

The second is Barkley on the right.

Barkley was running straight towards the corner flag.

A movement aiming for a cross.

The pass difficulty is low, but it’s not very appealing.

Because it’s not very satisfying to just be the starting point when he could get an assist.

The last remaining option is Johan in the center.

Johan seems to just want a pass to his feet, standing firmly in front of the box with his back to the defense.

The pass difficulty is the lowest.

He’s shielding the defense well, and since he’s standing still, there’s no difficulty in giving the pass itself.

However, it is the option with the highest expected value of scoring.

Although he is receiving the strongest defensive pressure compared to the other two, it’s Johan.

If the pass is accurately connected, he will somehow create an effective shot.

The choice among these three is up to Capello.

The first to be excluded from Capello’s perspective was Barkley.

Sorry to him, but the other two options are much more attractive.

Therefore, Barkley is excluded.

Then the remaining are Johan and Bailey.

In fact, he would have given it to Johan without much thought usually.

Aside from everything else, it’s the easiest and most certain method.

However, Capello doesn’t want to do that right now for some reason.

‘That guy is soda.’

To Capello, Johan was like soda.

Not good for the body, but too exhilarating and easy to get addicted to.

The assists he easily accumulated thanks to Johan were very sweet, but there were also downsides.

Without him even knowing it, he was gradually getting used to making only easy passes.

Because the expected value of scoring is higher by easily giving it to Johan than trying a risky pass.

There’s no reason to try a difficult pass.

As a result, he felt like his passing ability was deteriorating little by little.

It was like his claws and teeth were becoming dull because he was living comfortably in the zoo, just receiving food.

‘I need to quit. At least I need to reduce it.’

Just like soda, he needs to stop relying on Johan.

That’s why, after all.

It’s definitely not because he’s afraid of losing MOM to him.

Whoosh-!

In the end, Capello’s pass heads to the left.

In any case, that choice was a good choice, and Capello’s pass was accurate as if measured with a ruler.

The pass that passed through the opponent’s defense headed into the box and accurately connected to Bailey, who was turning back.

A 1-on-1 chance with the keeper created with one pass.

However,

A disappointing scene came out here.

Bailey’s finishing left something to be desired.

The shot that went straight to the keeper.

Capello ended up with a constipated expression.

‘My perfect assist…’

Ugh, to miss that.

His throat is blocked.

He wants a cool soda.

*

As West Ham’s big chance was wasted, the atmosphere shifted to Arsenal.

Whoosh-

Whoosh-!

Arsenal is preparing to counterattack by gradually increasing possession with quick one-touch passes.

Because there are so many players who are good at one-touch passes, West Ham’s pressure doesn’t work easily.

Arsenal’s passes rotate quickly, with no one taking more than 3 touches.

If they take the pass timing that quickly, pass mistakes are likely to occur, but Arsenal players were skilled.

They were already used to that tempo.

On the other hand, that tempo was unfamiliar to West Ham.

Arsenal’s passing play that makes the commentators into rapid-fire rappers.

From the pass that starts the attack to the decisive final pass.

Arsenal’s attack, which unfolded so quickly that all passes were made within two touches,

Surprisingly quickly shook West Ham’s net.

Gunners cheering and Arsenal players rejoicing.

Coach Schmidt bit his lip.

This is what’s scary.

Just when you think you’ve taken control, Arsenal’s attack is so fast that the defenders look like scarecrows if you lose it once.

Arsenal this season is definitely different.

Not just the hype that Gunners are talking about, but for real.

“Tsk.”

It can’t be helped.

First of all, they needed an equalizer as quickly as possible.

*

With Arsenal’s goal, the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium is heightened.

As if the players have gained momentum, Arsenal is starting to be more aggressive.

Until a few years ago, taking the opening goal against West Ham wasn’t such a happy thing, but now it’s something to be happy about.

Because catching West Ham has already become like catching a big fish.

Except for Manchester City’s 1 win, no team among the Big 6 has caught West Ham since last season.

Arsenal seemed to feel that the opportunity to catch that big fish was now, and raised the momentum.

Certainly, 1-0 is a score that is difficult to be satisfied with.

As long as West Ham has Johan, even 3-0 is an uneasy score.

Arsenal is quickly aiming for an additional goal.

But, conversely, that was an opportunity for West Ham.

West Ham seizes a counterattack opportunity due to Arsenal’s pass mistake.

And, the same situation as 10 minutes ago unfolded again.

The same situation where Capello chose Bailey, but it was wasted due to Bailey’s disappointing finish.

The only difference is that Bailey and Barkley have switched, so the left and right are reversed.

Whatever the left and right, Barkley is out of Capello’s sight first this time as well.

Then, should he trust Bailey once again.

“…”

But, the scene from before flickers before Capello’s eyes.

Bailey’s shot straight to the keeper that made his throat blocked.

‘Damn it.’

He needs it.

A cool soda.

Capello, who even quit real soda overnight, can’t stand this.

The soda called Johan, that is.

Whoosh-!

Capello’s pass heads to the center.

A pass that connects to Johan.

Johan, who received the ball with his back to the defense,

Created distance from the defense with a ‘back-heel flick’ and quickly turned around.

And,

Pow-!

After shaking off the defense with a *la croqueta* [a dribbling move] so fast it leaves an afterimage, he charges into the box,

Buh-buh-buh-BOOOM-!

He fired a right-footed shot towards the left corner of the goal.

That shot,

Swooooooosh-

Thud-!

Accurately stuck in the corner of the goal net.

Watching Johan’s goal that exploded exhilaratingly,

Capello felt like his blocked chest was bursting open.

Ah, fuck.

This is ecstasy.

He can quit soda, but he can’t quit this.

He has become a body that can’t live without Yo-Coca-Cola that is so refreshing that it feels like his throat is tearing.