Romantic on the Field

31.

Nine times out of ten, if you were to pick the most disruptive competition in English football, the League Cup would be the one.

The reason is simple.

As of now, the prize money for winning the League Cup is only 200,000 pounds – about 300 million won in Korean currency.

For clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United, that’s roughly the equivalent of a key player’s weekly wage.

From the standpoint of a high-ranking club, there is no need to recklessly send out a starting player at the risk of injury in order to earn that money.

On the other hand, clubs in the 3rd and 4th divisions can earn much more admission revenue than usual if they meet Premier League clubs.

Sometimes, even a single game earns more than the entire season. That’s why it really goes before the power.

To sum up, the top clubs send their second team or youth players to the League Cup, while the bottom clubs send their main players.

It is a structure that inevitably causes many abnormalities.

In fact, in the 2014-15 season, Manchester United lost 0-4 to MK Dunns, who were in the 3rd division at the time, and in the 2030-31 season, Manchester City was knocked out by Mansfield, a 4th division team.

[ Stoke City writes a history of surprises in the League Cup ]

[Swansea, Leicester, Norwich, Brighton. The ‘Giant Killer’ that preys on top clubs]

[Now aiming for Arsenal. ]

[The key to Arsenal is ‘as expected’ Jamie Lee. ‘Key players selected by fans’ ]

Therefore, although it was a match between Stoke, a team in the 3rd and 4th divisions, and Arsenal, a strong player in the Premier tradition, there were many who secretly expected Stoke to win.

Of course, not many people were seriously predicting their victory. No, it would not be an exaggeration to say that there were almost none. It’s just that there are many people who want something interesting to happen in the soccer world.

“can win.”

‘Bet 777 Stadium’ home locker room.

Director Charlie said with a spleen look.

“I saw an article before entering the locker room.”

Then he took out his cell phone and started reading aloud.

“Charlie Adam said. Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez once strangled me. Arsenal will be strangled by Stoke City today. hahahahaha.”

A few players laughed along with Coach Charlie. Not everyone was laughing. It was because I was confused whether it was okay to laugh.

“It wasn’t really said, but I really liked it. Did you hear what the Arsenal captain said?”

“···Yep.”

“Jamie is only a third division leaguer, he said something like that. But this isn’t just a story about Jamie. It’s a statement that disrespects us all. Then what should I do?”

“…”

Director Charlie asked, looking around. However, no one has been quick to answer.

“Hook your neck.”

It was the freshman who opened his mouth in silence.

Pietro Mutombo, the protagonist who wiped the opposing striker off the field in the last League Cup quarter-final.

“Ha ha ha, yes. hit. Then, if you get tired of shit, there will be nothing better.”

“It strangles you and makes you excrete feces. All right.”

“Wait a minute, you really can’t beg. know?”

“Of course I know. Mutombo is not an idiot. Over 140 IQ.”

Jamie, who was listening to their conversation from the side, glanced at Mutombo with slightly surprised eyes. He’s tall, heavy, and has a high IQ.

“great. Now, I will give you the detailed tactics.”

uh? And I couldn’t help but be surprised by Director Charlie’s words one more time.

‘Charlie, detailed tactics?’

I’ve tried partial switching with Brian before, but this was the first time I’d said it like a declaration.

Read from noble mtl dot com

Let’s listen once. Jamie waited for Director Charlie’s next words with half expectation and half worry.

**

Rohan Wood.

Arsenal’s claim.

In the past, during his youth days, he did not receive attention due to ‘Brooke Norton Coffee’ or ‘Charlie Patino’, but after that, he worked hard and eventually took the lead position.

At this point, he is about to retire, but he has been playing as a starter in almost every game. It was literally a symbol of Arsenal and a player like a mental support.

‘It’s a mental support…’

Jamie has met a few players like Rohan in his previous life. Thanks to the fact that I moved between teams several times, I even played with such players a few times.

Their characteristics, to be precise, the three conditions to become the team’s mental pillars are as follows.

A player who sets an example for others both on and off the field.

A player devoted to fan service.

Above all, a great player.

With the exception of Francesco Totti, who sometimes showed a hot-tempered appearance on the field, most of the mental supporters met all three conditions above.

‘Was Rohan such a case?’

Jamie tried to remember, but couldn’t remember exactly.

Not surprisingly, by this time Jamie was in Dortmund and moved to Bayern Munich the following year.

That is, there was nothing to encounter.

‘Let’s see what kind of guy he is. It’s difficult if he’s just a nice guy.’

So when you have a bad temper, you feel guilty.

Judging from the pre-press conference, it doesn’t seem very likely, but for now, let’s watch while playing. With that thought in mind, Jamie went to his seat.

Today, his role in the first half is a false 9.

It means that an attacking midfielder rises to the position of a striker and performs multiple roles other than scoring.

‘Make the defense confused. Of course, if the opportunity arises, you can solve it yourself.’

That’s what Coach Charlie said in the locker room a moment ago. And it was also a very accurate description of the role of the false nine.

‘Maybe explain in advance.’

A few days ago, I was suddenly training for the striker position, so I wondered what he was doing, but it turned out that it was all for today’s game.

It would have been better if he had told me in advance during training, but it didn’t matter too much to Jamie if he didn’t. Because I often played the role of Pulse Nine in my previous life.

The real regret was something else.

Whether it’s a false nine or whatever, once you get the ball, you can do anything.

“Stop!”

“Come down!”

However, until nearly 20 minutes into the game, Jamie did not receive a single pass.

It wasn’t because his colleagues were bullying him… it was just that he was being pushed one-sidedly, so the ball seldom came to Jamie.

“Take it off!”

“Nice clearing!”

“Mutombo! great job!”

The fortunate thing is that transfer student Pietro Mutombo did not lead to a goal as the defense’s so-called ‘hard carry’.

‘He’s strong.’

Mutombo was paired up with Harry today.

Both played as halfbacks who could be called extreme defensive midfielders.

Two people with extraordinary physical conditions were guarding the penalty box, so it was very reassuring from the same side.

However, not conceding could be said to be the minimum necessary condition for victory. To win, you had to score a goal after all, and to do that, Jamie had to get the ball.

‘Let’s go pick up balls…’

In the end, Jamie came down with a sense of resignation.

The false nine is to go down further than the original striker position, but he came down almost to the front of the Stoke camp penalty box. Otherwise, I thought I would not be able to catch the ball.

‘come.’

Jamie caught the ball in the 30th minute of the first half.

Mutombo won the ball in the air, which Arsenal’s central midfielder picked up right in front of the penalty box.

And Jamie, who was waiting behind him, sneakily reached out and took the ball.

“It’s a counterattack!”

“Go up!”

The coaches shouted from the Stoke bench, and Jamie did.

‘uh?’

No, I was going to do that.

Beep-Iik.

It would be if Rohan Wood, Arsenal’s mental support, hadn’t cut it off with a rough foul just before crossing the half line.

Woo-woo. right-.

It was an obvious foul in an obvious counterattack chance.

Stoke home fans booed and the referee showed Rohan a yellow card.

‘Look at this bastard.’

Rohan, who received the card, went back to his seat without even raising Jamie who was lying down.

Jamie let out a big laugh and got himself up.

A little while ago, he wished Rohan wasn’t too nice. It was because it could be destroyed without guilt.

And now, Rohan gave the cause.

Beep.

The referee blew his whistle again and Mutombo passed to Harry who was nearby.

“Harry Harry, bring it yourself!”

Seeing this, Jamie shouted.

‘I couldn’t do it last time, so I have to allow it today.’

Harry wasn’t a dribbler. However, since his physical condition was good, he was a player who was good at breaking through the so-called ‘Udang Tang Tang’.

If you ignorantly push in with that size and unique outstanding stamina, you will be embarrassed in the position of defending.

‘great.’

Fortunately, Harry also knew his strengths.

When Jamie shouted, he crossed the half line as if he had been waiting.

If you have a teammate to carry the ball, you can do more. You can go directly into the penalty box and aim for a goal, or you can give another teammate a chance by dragging a defender.

“Hey.”

However, the opponent is Arsenal, a strong player in the Premier League tradition.

It didn’t look like Harry could get through them all alone.

Jamie raised his hand in a position where he thought this was enough.

The distance from the goalpost is about 30 meters. With this, I was able to shake off one defense and then shoot right away.

Harry, who was obedient, passed, and Jamie received the ball with his back to the post.

‘Well?’

And immediately recognized that there was Rohan behind his back.

I turned my head to check. Then Rohan bumped her body hard, probably thinking that Jamie would turn away.

‘How to do it.’

I was naturally worried.

Judging from what Rohan is doing now, it seemed like he could get a foul right away if he put his mind to it.

However, distance was a problem.

30 meters. Even if he got a free kick, it was a bit too far for a direct shot.

‘Should I just avoid it?’

No, it hurts my pride. Jamie made a quick decision and turned into a modified McGiddy turn.

“aaagh!”

As expected, Rohan stepped in wildly, and Jamie tripped over his right thigh and fell.

Beep. The referee blew his whistle as if it were natural and ran.

“Next is the card. Be careful.”

Unfortunately, 2% was not enough to induce him to leave.

well, i can’t help it Jamie sighed and put the ball down where the referee had marked with the spray.

Whoa.

Although the distance was far, the angle was good.

thump, thump.

[Oh, oh, oh. Stoke’s Romantic

In the meantime, Jamie’s personal cheering song was reaching its climax.

He lifted his head slightly and looked at the crowd.

Not every face could be seen in detail. However, the heat, passion, excitement, and hope they radiate have been conveyed.

yes. You’re here to cheer for this ridiculous game.

A match between a team from the 3rd and 4th divisions and a strong player in the Premier League tradition. You came to cheer for this unlikely game.

When the thought reached that point, my heart started beating.

It was not a realm of emotion.

thump, thump.

[Oh, oh, oh. Stoke’s Phantasy Star

It was an echo like the clouds of the feet of the audience now.

It was the excitement that the audience must be feeling right now.

It was the same expectation as them.

‘I’ll have to live up to expectations.’

Jamie reviewed the long-range goals he had scored in previous lives.

When I was playing in Germany, I once scored a goal from about 40 meters.

Compared to that, this level felt ‘in front of my nose’.

Jamie took one last deep breath and then took the run-up. Then, with momentary force, he kicked the bottom of the ball.

Per-billion.

A feeling came.

‘It was placed properly.’

As soon as the ball left his feet, Jamie quickly looked up and checked the trajectory of the ball.

The ball seemed to rise high in the middle, but then fell sharply right in front of the goalkeeper.

thump, thump. The beating heart stopped.

It wasn’t just the heartbeat that stopped.

half a second? Or 1 second? For that brief moment, Jamie felt as if the world had stopped.

The ball was passing under the goalkeeper’s armpit.

No sound was heard.

It was just complete silence.

[ eee-Yaaa! ]

What broke the silence was, of course, the audience.

thump, thump.

thump, thump, thump.

Soon after, the beating of the heart began to be heard again.

“crazy!”

“That bastard!”

After confirming that the goal had been scored, the Stoke players turned to Jamie in amazement.

Jamie smiled and started the goal celebration.