116. Pre-Season -2
“The weather is crap, but the pitch is good.”
“Yeah. It’s not bad. Does the grass like this kind of weather or something?”
“It’s all money, what do you expect? The money these guys spend on grass could be more than our annual salaries.”
The day before the match against Manchester United.
While returning to our lodgings after finishing training at the facility booked by the club, the senior players couldn’t stop praising the training ground pitch.
Well, the grass was certainly good.
Our home stadium’s pitch was good enough to surprise me when I first stepped on it, but this place felt even better than that.
And this wasn’t even a stadium—just a training ground.
Whether it was because of the weather or the money, just like the seniors said.
Either way, on well-maintained grass, ground passes in particular zipped along smoothly, and I committed that and other bits of information to memory as I pulled out a few sheets of paper.
They were the tactical analysis sheets we’d received during yesterday’s video analysis session in the hotel seminar room.
It was quite a distance back to the hotel, so I planned to read them on the way.
...
Well, hearing the name “tactical analysis sheet” makes it sound like it contains some truly elite information, but that’s not really the case.
It’s just a few tactical patterns the opponent frequently uses, plus a few lines of information on their players. That’s all.
Since it’s that simple, I usually memorize all the information on the opposing players—especially the ones I’ll clash with often.
For now, I decided to read over a few select players’ information one more time.
NO. 23 Luke Shaw
- Left-back, Center-back (Left-footed)
- 185cm / 80kg
- Solid physicality, has speed, excellent man-marking and line-reading, tends to lead the build-up and makes high underlapping runs.
- In attack, it’s best to target the opposite flank; in defense, strong pressing to prevent him from turning is necessary.
First, this player.
Next to the name Luke Shaw, I’d marked a red star.
Because it was one of the names that came up most during video analysis.
He’s a defender, but it’s said he’s not simply good at defense—he’s the player who initiates the build-up.
As written, he’s a player who needs to be pressed hard.
I stored the information in my head and moved to the next star.
NO. 5 Harry Maguire
- Center-back (Right-footed)
- 194cm / 100kg
- A style that overpowers strikers with physicality, lacking in close control and speed, prone to mistakes so bold 1v1 attempts are recommended.
Hmm, this one had a blue star.
I’d used a different color because it gives a slightly different feeling from the star above.
If Luke Shaw’s star means “someone to watch out for”... this star means “someone to target.”
The manager had said that if the situation arises, try a 1v1 unconditionally.
He said there would probably be a lot of interesting scenes.
But he also told us to absolutely avoid physical duels or contests for the ball.
Hmm.
194cm and 100kg... that’s a frame I’d want to avoid even if I were told to clash with him.
Anyway, next is... a two-star player.
NO. 8 Bruno Fernandes
- Attacking midfielder (Right-footed)
- 179cm / 70kg
- Possesses good passing and kicking ability, so space in front of the box must not be conceded; a playmaker, but with a wide range of movement that causes marking confusion; has a hot-tempered streak, so exercise caution, but he should also be needled in moderation.
The manager had said this player is Man United’s ace and the core of their attack.
That’s why I’d put one more star.
Personally, there’s a lot I’m curious about regarding this player.
To think he’s a player who serves as the ace even at a world-class big club where only real geniuses gather.
That means he’s a genius among geniuses, and from my standpoint, there’s naturally a great deal I can’t help but be curious about.
What kind of talent does a player like this have to stand out even among world-class geniuses?
How do those who were born different prepare for matches, what do they think when they play, and with what mindset do they approach the game...
There are so many things I’m genuinely curious about.
Well, there are more than one or two things I’d like to ask him directly if I could, but I don’t have the kind of personality to strike up conversations with strangers without hesitation, like Jiwoo.
I want to see him up close with my own eyes, and if there’s anything I can learn, I want to learn it.
...
My vision was starting to blur, so I decided to stop looking over the analysis sheets here.
Then I took out my phone and saw a mountain of messages.
Unsurprisingly, they were messages from Jiwoo.
Jiwoo: You have a game tomorrow, right?
Jiwoo: I think I’ve become a total football nut because of you
Jiwoo: Why am I so excited? Ugh, the off-season was so long...
Jiwoo: Don’t slack off just because your noona isn’t there
Jiwoo: I’m watching live, so do well!!
Jiwoo: I heard Man U or whatever is a good team
Jiwoo: But still, you know you can’t lose to kids who eat bland food, right?
Jiwoo: Show them who the real genius is!!!!
...Hmm.
If being able to feel noisy through text messages is a skill, then Jiwoo truly is gifted.
On one hand, it was a fascinating phenomenon that my ears felt hot just reading the words; on the other, I felt like I could hear Jiwoo’s voice, which made me want to go home quickly.
...
It’s only been two days since I left Florence.
I don’t know why it feels so long.
It even feels a bit like the early days of my time studying in Italy.
Anyway, since Jiwoo said she’s going to watch the match, I’m sorry to the manager... but it seems impossible to hold back and take it easy.
To begin with, who am I to hold back against a world-class team?
Even going all out won’t be enough.
Me: Man U is a good team
Me: But not tomorrow
If you’re going to do it... you have to do it right.
...
July 12, 2022.
Manchester, North West England.
Though Manchester is notorious for weather where it rains three times a day, today the weather was unusually sunny.
At 2 PM on a weekend, the city was enveloped in that unique atmosphere that is both leisurely and vibrant.
At Old Trafford, the home stadium of Manchester United, the warm sunlight was dyeing the green pitch golden.
“I think this is always the most exciting time.”
“It’s the start of the year. Got scolded for having nothing to do for two months.”
“It’s finally starting. Good, good. This year is the real deal, so let’s do this properly!”
A new beginning is always exciting.
For European football fans, the opening of the pre-season is a time to wake from a long slumber, a day that signals the start of the year.
The Man United fans who had come to Old Trafford today were likewise filled with excitement and anticipation.
Although last season, United had gone through an eventful year including the mid-season sacking of their manager and the arrest of a key player (yes, that arrest).
With the former manager who had driven fans up the wall with his frustrating tactics gone, and trendy tactician Erik ten Hag appointed, expectations for a new team were at a peak.
Fans’ anticipation for this pre-season was higher than ever.
However, the reason fans looked particularly excited today might not be solely because of that.
There was one more reason.
That being... from around the middle of last season until recently, a young player who had caused a stir not only in Italy but even here in England was scheduled to appear at Old Trafford today.
“Is the starting lineup out? Is he in it?”
“Yeah. He’s starting.”
“Ooh, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
Ordinary fans, of course, check their own team’s starting lineup first, not the opponent’s.
This is especially true for pre-season matches; most fans aren’t even interested in the opposing team’s lineup.
But today was different.
Many fans checked the opponent’s lineup, Fiorentina’s, first.
To check whether a player who was currently the hottest name in Europe was in the lineup.
“Let’s see what he’s got. No matter how small the league, if he tore it apart at age 16, he should show at least a few flashes of brilliance.”
Now that it was confirmed he was in the starting lineup, everyone was rubbing their hands in anticipation.
In fact, given European culture where most people support only their local team rather than loving football itself, there aren’t many fans who are well-versed in foreign league players.
Even hardcore fans who go to the stadium every week are mostly uninterested in who was the Bundesliga top scorer last season or who won the Serie A scoring title.
However, the story was different when it came to this Fiorentina prodigy.
Even casual fans who occasionally visit the stadium for outings knew his name.
Of course, it was a record nearly impossible to find precedent for: at age 16, and at that in a mid-table club like Fiorentina, winning both the scoring title and the assist title simultaneously.
On top of that, even before the transfer window opened, rumors had been circulating constantly that Manager ten Hag wanted him badly.
The 16-year-old, now just turned 17, Serie A top scorer belonging to Fiorentina was a famous figure even here across the sea at Old Trafford, a subject of fans’ curiosity and expectations.
“I’m curious to see how much he can show.”
“If he shows even a hint of promise, I wish we’d sign him right away.”
“Well, I wonder if there’s room. He seems to overlap in style with Bruno.”
“He’s only 17 now. It’s good to bring him in and develop him.”
For these various reasons, the faces of the fans sitting in the stands were brimming with anticipation.
“Ah, they’re coming out.”
The away team, Fiorentina players, emerged from the tunnel and began to appear on the pitch.
*
“Alright. Let’s stop here and go in.”
“Let’s head in—”
When my body was suitably warmed up, at the captain’s order I fired one last shot at the goal and headed for the tunnel.
My condition was good, and the sensation of new boots meeting well-maintained grass was refreshing, but...
It was a warmup that felt quite nerve-wracking after a long time.
And for good reason—first of all, the stands were too close.
Our home stadium is somewhat like that too, but here it was so close you could see the spectators’ faces even from the center of the pitch.
Moreover, somehow most of the spectators were staring holes into me... which made me unnecessarily self-conscious even though it was just a warmup.
Well, of course, it might just be my imagination... but seeing how gasps erupted multiple times only during my turn when we took turns doing shooting drills, it might not be so strange to think so.
...
...See?
It’s like that even now.
When I briefly turned my head while heading toward the tunnel, every spectator sitting in the nearby stands was looking at me.
Just what is with them?
Feeling an inexplicable pressure, I headed for the locker room.
“Whoa, there are a lot of fans here.”
“Why am I so nervous for a pre-season match?”
“Don’t chicken out, you guys.”
When we returned to the locker room, everyone was unusually talkative.
The seniors looked quite nervous as well.
“How does it feel? It’s just the same old pitch, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Right. Nothing to be nervous about. There’s no one better than you.”
I nodded to the captain, who had his arm around my shoulder.
After all, it was my first match abroad, the stadium was huge, there were many spectators, and the opponent was a famous club, so it was true that I was nervous.
However, I planned to leave all those emotions right here in the locker room.
We came here as the Coppa Italia champions, and I came to face an English team as the Serie A top scorer.
I don’t want to show a nervous appearance.
Inside the locker room, I am nothing but a kid who is unfamiliar with everything and nervous on his first away trip abroad, but the moment I step out of the locker room, I must throw that kid away.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Let’s go turn ’em over!”
Soon, the time came, and I followed the seniors who were shouting loudly and clapping out of the locker room.
Then, after lining up alongside the opposing team’s players in the narrow corridor.
At the entrance signal, I moved my steps toward the exit where bright light was pouring out.
Soon, the surroundings brightened instantly, and the moment deafening cheers and applause swirled in my ears...
I puffed out my shoulders proudly and held my head high, stepping onto the stadium grass as the Serie A top scorer.
The gaze that had felt burdensome until just moments ago now felt different.