Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 179

< Chapter 179 – Is the Sun Rising in the West? >

West Ham’s opponent for the 33rd league match was Leeds United, who were in 16th place this season.

West Ham had previously won 3-0 against Leeds in the 7th match of the season.

At that time, Johan was absent to rest.

In other words, Leeds wasn’t considered a very difficult opponent, especially since they had secured a significant win without Johan.

Therefore, many expected Johan to be absent from the Leeds game.

Johan had played in seven consecutive league games, and including the Champions League, he had participated in more than ten consecutive matches.

Therefore, the Leeds game seemed like an ideal opportunity for him to take a break.

However, coach Schmidt and Johan made a different decision.

Instead of letting Johan rest, they gave other players a break.

There were several reasons for this.

First, other players needed rest more urgently than Johan.

Like Johan, most of the starting players were also experiencing fatigue due to playing in league games and the Champions League in quick succession.

However, Johan was often substituted in the second half more frequently than other players, and he also had the opportunity to skip training sessions.

Other players didn’t have that luxury, so they were under more physical strain.

It’s only logical that those with the most urgent need would take a break first.

Also, Johan himself wanted to play the game.

While participating in formal training with his teammates had its own unique appeal, it wasn’t an experience he wished to repeat.

Let’s just say once in a lifetime was enough.

Johan, re-energized by that day’s experience, rediscovered his passion and decided to focus on the game.

Well, there aren’t many games left now.

He didn’t want to be left out.

It was definitely a possibility.

West Ham fans seemed to have received an unexpected gift.

Johan’s absence was anticipated, but his presence in the starting lineup was a pleasant surprise.

In any case, the fans who came to the stadium were thrilled to see Johan.

And Johan rewarded them with an even more exciting performance.

Gooooal-! League 61st goal! And the 88th goal of the season-!

With most of the starting players resting, there weren’t enough experienced players to support Johan.

But that didn’t matter much.

The opportunity to play alongside Johan was a rare privilege for the reserve players.

To these players, Johan was more of an idol than a close teammate.

They rarely had the chance to train together, and they seldom played together during games.

The only opportunity arose when other starters were resting and only Johan was in the lineup.

So everyone was filled with enthusiasm.

Everyone was actively seeking opportunities to assist Johan, running tirelessly to create more chances.

Wouldn’t it be a great story to tell in the future?

The experience of playing with a Ballon d’Or winner [an annual football award presented to the best male player].

If this continues, Leeds will be embroiled in the relegation battle until the end of the season.

Manchester United must be seething inside. They probably didn’t have high hopes for Leeds, but it’s frustrating that West Ham rotated their squad effectively and won easily.

Johan Ban, two goals and two assists in 79 minutes today. It’s fair to say he single-handedly led the attack.

Would it be an exaggeration to suggest that Johan sacrificed opportunities to score himself, prioritizing the reserve players who rarely get playing time due to the team’s circumstances?

Whether that’s true or not, Johan scored two goals and provided two assists, showcasing his generosity in sharing the spotlight with his teammates.

“Thank you! This goal is the highlight of my career!”

“I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to play, but I have no regrets even if I retire right now. Thank you!”

Drew Gilmore and Tammy Tiemans, who scored with Johan’s assists, were overjoyed.

What could be a better gift for them than this?

Simply becoming a player who received an assist from Johan Ban was more valuable than any career achievement.

“Hey, Johan. Have you matured? You’re even taking care of your teammates.”

“I suddenly thought of my brother.”

“Brother?”

After the game.

Johan nodded in response to Jamie’s words.

“My brother wanted to be a player, but he never got the chance, like those guys. So, I wanted to give them a gift.”

“Um. I see.”

Jamie patted Johan on the back and smiled.

Johan’s sentiment is admirable, but Jamie felt a strange sense of inadequacy.

They are also in the top 1 percent, or even more talented.

He wondered if Johan saw them as just unfortunate individuals who didn’t get a break.

Jamie himself transitioned to coaching early without ever making his Premier League debut.

‘Well.’

Well, in Johan’s eyes, who is considered the most talented player ever, that’s all there is to it.

Cool.

Cool.

…

West Ham, having won the Leeds game, achieved an extraordinary record of 31 wins and two draws through the 33rd match.

As a result, the magic number [the number of wins needed to secure the title] became two.

In this situation,

West Ham’s remaining schedule was as follows:

4.29 League 34R vs. Aston Villa (Away)

5.5 League 35R vs. Manchester City (Home)

5.11 League 36R vs. AFC Bournemouth (Away)

5.17 League 37R vs. Southampton (Away)

5.23 League 38R vs. Fulham (Away)

5.28 Champions League FINAL vs. Real Madrid (Neutral)

If they won the next game against Aston Villa, the magic number would become one.

If that happened, the game to confirm the league title would be on May 5th, at home against Manchester City.

Coincidentally, the schedule played out this way.

West Ham had the opportunity to secure the championship in their last home game of the season, against Manchester City.

In many ways, it couldn’t be a more fitting scenario.

Manchester City, who narrowly won the championship last season.

The opportunity to secure the championship at home against them.

An opportunity they wouldn’t want to miss.

To seize that opportunity, the first step was to beat Aston Villa.

The players who rested in the last match had all returned. Today, the West Ham players looked more determined than ever.

These were the players on the verge of achieving the historic feat of winning the Premier League for the first time since its inception. Everyone would become a part of history. With only two wins left to secure, everyone was incredibly determined.

Like Leeds United, Aston Villa wasn’t considered a particularly difficult opponent.

However, accidents often happen when you become complacent.

Problems arise when you think you’ve already succeeded.

Coach Schmidt emphasized to the players that they had to win today’s game not to secure the championship in the Man City game, but simply because there was a game today.

It’s not just another game.

Today is just one game, the same as the Man City game next week, just a game worth three points, and just one win needed to win the championship.

So they had to give their best effort in the same way, and the players were prepared for that.

Therefore, accidents often happen when you become careless.

West Ham didn’t let their guard down, so no accident occurred.

Gooooal-! Johan’s decisive goal-! Seals the victory for today’s game!

Game over! West Ham wins 3-0 against Aston Villa! Now the magic number is only one! West Ham is just one game away from winning the championship!

West Ham defeated Aston Villa 3-0.

And reduced the magic number to one.

In the end, the game with everything at stake would be held at the London Stadium.

…

The reason Manchester United’s front office appointed coach Jeroen Hauer was because coach Hauer possessed the so-called ‘lone wolf’ mentality.

The stubbornness to push forward with his own beliefs, regardless of external opinions.

It was coach Hauer who embodied that quality, leading to his arrival in the Premier League to spearhead Manchester United’s transformation.

The Manchester United front office even wanted Hauer to reform the team according to his own convictions, even if they faced resistance.

But…

They didn’t anticipate such a drastic measure.

“I heard you had a meeting with coach Ernesto.”

“Yes.”

“Can I ask the reason for the meeting?”

“We collaborated and discussed strategies to defeat West Ham.”

“…Coach.”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe that makes sense?”

“Yes. I believe it makes sense.”

Manchester United CEO Darren Arnold was stunned.

The rumors circulating were true.

Is it even conceivable for a Manchester United manager to assist Manchester City, of all teams?

“You’re aware of the points difference between Manchester City and us.”

“It’s a four-point difference. An insurmountable gap.”

“You never know. If Manchester City defeats West Ham, it could narrow the gap to one point.”

“We simply have to win as well.”

“No, let’s assume that’s the case. How can you justify assisting Manchester City? As a Manchester United manager.”

Coach Hauer responded as if he didn’t understand Darren Arnold’s concern.

“We need to prevent West Ham from winning the championship. That’s the only way we have a chance, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“If Manchester City doesn’t win, the championship race is over this season, regardless of our efforts. But if Manchester City wins, we have a chance, however slim.”

Currently, West Ham has three lifelines [referring to the number of games they can lose and still win the title].

They can maintain the top spot even if they lose three of the remaining four games.

However, due to Johan’s prolific scoring record, they are significantly behind in goal difference even if they have the same points.

Therefore, it was safe to assume that the destination of the championship trophy had already been decided.

However, that doesn’t mean they can afford to be complacent.

Even with a 0.01 percent chance, they have to try something unless the possibility is completely zero.

Among West Ham’s remaining opponents, Manchester City was the most likely to defeat them.

If Manchester City wins against West Ham, anything could happen.

West Ham, having missed a golden opportunity, might start to falter.

It would be difficult to expect them to lose to Bournemouth, Southampton, and Fulham afterward, but at least they could anticipate the possibility of consecutive draws.

“Am I wrong?”

“…No.”

Darren Arnold couldn’t argue.

Everything he said was correct.

Except for the relationship between Manchester United and Manchester City.

That’s the core issue.

“So… well, did you come up with any good ideas?”

At Arnold’s question, coach Hauer sighed deeply.

“Are you familiar with the story of the teenage girl who lifted a 1.5-ton truck to save her father who was trapped underneath?”

“…I believe I’ve heard similar stories.”

“It seems that when people are desperate, they are capable of extraordinary feats.”

Coach Hauer smiled.

Manchester City’s coach, Jose Ernesto, is a master of the current era.

No, he is a person who can fully ascend to the ranks of masters regardless of the era.

Coach Ernesto and Coach Hauer put their heads together and engaged in a heated discussion.

With a profound sense of desperation.

So, wouldn’t something remarkable have emerged?

He didn’t know if that was the answer yet.

“I apologize for questioning you as if I were blaming you earlier. After hearing your explanation, I realized that you had everything planned. I sensed your dedication to our team. You haven’t given up on the possibility of winning.”

Arnold apologized.

It’s been a season since Coach Hauer joined the team.

In a short period, he felt that Coach Hauer had completely embraced Manchester United as his own team.

That’s why he would attempt to prevent West Ham from winning the championship by engaging in secret talks with the Manchester City manager.

However, Coach Hauer shrugged.

“Actually, it doesn’t matter whether Manchester United or Manchester City wins. As long as it’s not West Ham. I can’t bear the thought of Johan retiring at the peak of his career. That would be a dereliction of duty. He has to become the greatest of all time.”

“…Yes?”

Arnold frowned.

In fact, Coach Hauer’s primary objective wasn’t to secure the championship for Manchester United, but simply to thwart West Ham’s championship aspirations.

Even if Manchester City was in second place, Coach Hauer would have approached Coach Ernesto.

It didn’t matter who won the championship; for Coach Hauer, the only thing that mattered was that Johan failed to retire.

“I’ll stop him… I should look forward to it.”

If the two coaches, considered the best in the Premier League, collaborate, can they stop Johan?

He didn’t know.

However, it had to be possible for Coach Hauer.