My Girlfriend Wants Victory

---

**Russia.**

The country where Napoleon and Hitler held hands and crashed down together.

A nation that can proudly declare that its ruined economy, shattered by world sanctions, is just a part of its long-standing cultural tradition, claiming they had already wrecked their economy ages ago.

In the future, Russia’s image might sink due to its invasion of Ukraine.

But right now, during this time, it was known as the Bear Nation, filled with various memes.

Anyway, in such Russia…

“Hm. But where’s the bear? Don’t Russians ride bears around?”

I was adapting to my surroundings faster than I expected.

On the day my fellow Manchester United players were starting cold-weather training, I was wandering the streets without a care, thinking to myself.

‘It’s better than playing soccer in the middle of summer in Korea, right?’

This weather seemed just perfect for playing football.

At least I wouldn’t have to pour water on the grass with both hands just to take a free kick.

***

While Son Jinho was sightseeing in Saint Petersburg, his family started talking about Russia.

– Gyeouri: Hm.

– Cheolmo: Why the hm again?

– Gyeouri: People say Russia is so cold, so I checked the temperature, but it’s not as low as I thought.

– Cheolmo: Isn’t Siberia cold too?

– Gyeouri: Really?

– Cheolmo: Look it up on the internet.

– Cheolmo: By the way, Gyeouri, don’t you think you’re eating too much these days? You seem to have gained some weight.

– Gyeouri: Mom! Don’t lie, I didn’t gain any weight.

– Cheolmo: There’s a scale in the living room, why don’t you weigh yourself?

– Gyeouri: ….

– Gyeouri: Is the scale broken?

– Ho-woo: Hahaha

– Ho-woo: You look pretty in my eyes, it’s all good!

– Gyeouri: Dadㅠㅠ

– Ho-woo: But maybe losing a little wouldn’t hurt…?

– Gyeouri: (Crouched in a box, crying pig emoji.)

– Ho-woo: Hahaha

– Ho-woo: How about we work out together?

– Gyeouri: Hm.

– Gyeouri: Sure!

***

On the day of the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 match against FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.

As Manchester United players were bracing to face Zenit, they began to stretch more carefully to avoid injuries caused by the cold.

The Petrovsky Stadium, capable of holding around 20,000 spectators, was filled with silence.

[UEFA punishes Zenit with a no-fans match.]

This was because of a penalty due to racist remarks, resulting in a match to be played without any fans.

There were indeed some Manchester United fans who made the trip to Russia unaware of this.

Well, it is what it is. Since I’m in Russia, I can only do some sightseeing and then head back.

[‘Russia’s cold gnaws at Manchester United’s power!’ Sadio Mané is absent due to a cold.]

[The starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg Manchester United vs Zenit has been released. Son Jinho is a starter.]

[Alex Ferguson pulls out last season’s unbeaten championship formation.]

Anyway, with issues like long flights and climate, the players’ condition was at its worst when the referee’s whistle blew and the match kicked off.

***

[The match has started. The left red uniform is Manchester United, and the opposite side is the home team Zenit.]

[Yes, while there’s a difference in strength between the two teams, it’s notoriously difficult to play in Russia! Moreover, right before the match started, Sadio Mané caught a cold and missed the game! It seems it won’t be an easy match for Manchester United in various ways.]

Commentators and experts predicted a tough match for Manchester United.

[At least, it’s fortunate for Manchester United that the match will be played behind closed doors due to Zenit’s UEFA punishment, right?]

[Since Zenit has already been punished, there’s no need to say more, but racism must be eradicated as a part of humanity.]

[Yes. Just at the moment I was talking about it, Son Jinho is pressing Zenit hard right from the start!]

However, as soon as the match commenced, contrary to experts’ predictions, it tilted into a one-sided flow favoring Manchester United.

[Son Jinho, winning the ball with cooperative defense against İlkay Gündoğan, drives the ball forward!]

Son Jinho particularly showcased excellent condition, flying across the pitch.

“Son Jinho, I’m sending my spirit to you, demanding a pass now!!”

“Jinho, the little kid inside you is looking for me!”

As Son Jinho seized the ball and advanced, Ronaldo and Van Persie immediately demanded a pass.

[On the left is Ronaldo, on the right is Robin van Persie! What a happy moment for a midfielder to play alongside world-class finishers!]

Whether it was to either one, they could finish cleanly.

[Son Jinho shoots directly!!]

Son Jinho opted to finish it himself.

His long-range shot flew rapidly towards the goal.

Just when Son Jinho sensed a goal was coming and raised both hands, Zenit’s center-back, Ezequiel Garay, who had shined in the Argentina national team during the 2014 Brazil World Cup, successfully blocked the shot with his body.

[Oh… that looks painful.]

***

With Ezequiel Garay’s sacrifice, the match remained balanced at 0-0.

[Zenit extends it wide!]

Zenit aimed to attack Manchester United’s flanks with a quick counter after avoiding the solid midfield of Son Jinho – Sami Khedira – İlkay Gündoğan – Michael Carrick.

[Virgil van Dijk quickly chases and blocks the counter!]

Last season, he joined and solidified Manchester United’s defense, turning it into a formidable line, proving yet again to be a wall.

As Zenit’s attack was thwarted, it was now Manchester United’s counterattack.

[Van Dijk to Michael Carrick!]

Virgil van Dijk’s pass reached Michael Carrick, who then passed it to Son Jinho, the attacking midfielder.

With a smooth first touch, Son Jinho successfully turned his body towards Zenit’s side.

In front of Son Jinho emerged three choices again.

He chose Cristiano Ronaldo this time.

Ronaldo, receiving the pass, flashed a bright smile and attempted a shot.

[Roooonaldoooooo─!!]

But perhaps because of the cold, he hadn’t warmed up properly?

[Ah!!! Ronaldo’s shot flies into the air!!!]

In a golden opportunity, Ronaldo’s shot soared into the air.

“…Why can’t you score when I pass you the ball!”

And at that moment, Son Jinho couldn’t help but scream like an angry echo.

***

After Ronaldo’s shot soared into the air, Manchester United’s attacks continued.

Hulk, the player of Zenit, rushed in to apply pressure, and I attempted a nutmeg between Hulk’s legs.

The moment Hulk was breached by me, thinking it would be dangerous to let it go, he grabbed my shirt from behind.

I lost my balance and fell due to the frozen grass.

Even as the referee declared a foul by Zenit, I silently closed my eyes and remained on the ground for a moment.

The abyssal specter, which had gradually been sealed within my chest, was trying to awaken again.

Anyway, unless the referee firmly showed Hulk a yellow card…

The entire world might have witnessed a peculiarity in the sport of football during the Champions League.

***

The match continues with Manchester United’s free kick.

Since it was too far to go for a direct shot, Son Jinho decided to send a signal to set up for a pass near the penalty box.

Swoosh─!

As Son Jinho signaled to the referee that he was ready for the free kick, the referee nodded and blew the whistle.

The sound of the whistle echoed in his ears as Son Jinho trotted toward the free kick.

As Son Jinho ran, fierce battles ensued for a better position.

“I’m the rotten one, vibrating!”

“Hm, it’s your wife’s; it seems pretty toxic.”

The players engaged in trash talk as if it were small talk, lightening the awkward atmosphere.

Son Jinho calmly set the ball towards the penalty box.

The ball made precise contact with Ronaldo’s forehead.

“SIUUUUUUUU─!!”

And finally, he succeeded in shaking the net of Zenit.

***

The match continued.

In the 20th minute of the second half.

[Whoa! Van Dijk’s pass miss!]

[Hulk is charging ahead!]

Zenit succeeded in taking a threatening shot as they capitalized on Manchester United’s lapse in concentration due to the cold.

[David De Gea!]

If it weren’t for David De Gea’s save, that situation would have turned into a goal.

Alex Ferguson and Son Jinho ordered the team to press Zenit harder.

In a match played without fans.

The instructions from coach Alex Ferguson were clearly conveyed to the players.

Son Jinho, appointed as the battlefield commander of Manchester United, began to issue instructions and direct the game.

Not long after, Son Jinho took a long-range shot from an excellent position.

Going towards a direction the keeper couldn’t save, Son Jinho’s shot was perfect.

Just as Son Jinho sensed another goal coming and raised both hands again, someone familiar in a red uniform appeared in his view.

Boom─!

Son Jinho’s shot ricocheted off Cristiano Ronaldo’s head and shook the net while sliding past the bewildered keeper.

“Hm. The pass was too strong.”

And Son Jinho heard Ronaldo’s self-talk, which he wouldn’t have heard if it weren’t for the no-fans match.

In a situation where the goal was snatched away by Ronaldo.

Despite Ronaldo’s audacious words, instead of feeling angry, Son Jinho was more curious.

‘Wow… Doesn’t it hurt?’

An exotic feeling toward Ronaldo took precedence.