GOAT: All Football Talents Are Mine

181. Champions League round of 16 opponent (2)

February.

In the run-up to the Champions round of 16, bad news struck.

Usually, the risk of injury to players increases towards the end of the season, but in the end, the division occurred.

The main characters are Fernando Gago and Fabio Cannavaro.

Gago suffered a cruciate ligament injury, ending a four-month injury, and Cannavaro suffered a strained popliteal muscle and had to be hospitalized for four weeks.

In the end, Real Madrid's front office agreed to give up the King's Cup and focus on the league.

This is because the achievement of winning three consecutive La Liga titles was very desperate.

For that reason, in the King's Cup, mainly second-team players and backup members were sent to the quarterfinals, and in the end, they were eliminated with 1 draw and 1 loss to the strong Sevilla.

Instead, the league was okay.

Backup defender Garay and new member Lass Diarra strengthened the defense, allowing the midfielders and attackers to play the way they wanted.

The result as of February 22nd was 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

Barcelona and Real Madrid were still tied in points, but Real Madrid maintained first place according to the winner-take-all principle.

〈1〉 Real Madrid 18 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss, 59 wins, 58 points, 21 goals conceded

〈2〉 Barcelona 19 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses, 59 wins, 77 points, 18 goals conceded

〈3〉 Valencia 14 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses, 45 wins, 50 points, 35 goals conceded

〈 4〉 Sevilla 13 wins, 6 draws, 5 losses, 45 wins, 38 points, 26 conceded,

many changes have come to Hoyoung as well.

After weighing between Nike and Adidas, he eventually signed a large contract with Adidas.

The basic contract size is 2 million euros (approximately KRW 3.4 billion), and sponsorships worth 500,000 euros (KRW 850 million) will be paid annually, with an 'additional increase option' in case of advancing to the Champions League final or participating in the World Cup.

Considering that Hoyoung's previous contract was for 200,000 euros for two years, the figure was a five-fold increase.

Additionally, it was decided to participate in an Adidas advertisement as soon as the season ended, and a basic 500,000 euros (KRW 850 million) was guaranteed for one year only in the name of CF appearance fees.

This was an unprecedented big deal for a youth, and considering Hoyoung's recent value, it was not an unreasonable contract.

In addition, sponsorships for electronic products, sports drinks, and ice cream were coming in at random.

After El Clasico, his popularity was literally skyrocketing.

While these events occur one after another.

On the morning of Tuesday, February 24th, the most awaited moment came.

The first thing Hoyoung did as soon as he opened his eyes in the morning was talent management.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and stared into space.

[Advanced ball control (SSS-)]

[I crave agile off-the-ball movement (S+3)]

[It takes 80 days → 5 days to fully acquire talent. [You cannot covet other talents for 5 days.]

He finally succeeded in achieving 'sophisticated ball control (SSS-)' and then coveted Eto'o's talent.

But there was something else Hoyoung was waiting for.

[Advanced ball control (SSS-)]

[Among the talents you possess, all talents closely related to ball control can be combined into one.]

[List of talents that can be integrated with advanced ball control (SSS-)]

-Unrivaled ball Trapping (SS-)

– Phenomenal ball keeping (S+)

– Sophisticated first touch (A+3)

'It's like this.'

Hoyoung calmed down his excitement and went into the bathroom.

After washing my face in a minute, I came back and sat down at my desk.

I couldn't waste any more time in this exciting situation.

'First of all, the lowest talent.'

It was a moment to integrate from the elaborate first touch.

[Integrates talents closely related to advanced ball control (SSS-)]

[Attempts to integrate unrivaled ball trapping (SS-), phenomenal ball keeping (S+), and sophisticated first touch (A+3)]

[SS level or higher potential is required to combine into one talent.]

'Oh my.'

From this, I found out two things.

The fact is that integration is not done one by one, but all at once.

The fact is that potential above SS level is required.

'It feels like I'm breaking through a limit.'

And in order to go beyond the limit, there was a price to pay.

It seemed like a good opportunity would come soon.

Champions League.

From now on, the real star war was going to begin.

That morning.

Intensive training was conducted in preparation for the Champions League round of 16 match to be played at home the next day.

The opponent is EPL's Liverpool Football Club, led by Rafael Benitez.

It was an impregnable team with an experienced and smart defensive line, starting with Spanish goalkeeper Reina and Aurelio Skrtel Carragher Arbeloa.

"In addition, Xabi Alonso and Mascherano form a duo in midfield, showing off their strong midfield control."

Valdebebas Audiovisual Room.

Although this was something everyone knew, Schuster once again explained the members of Liverpool in detail.

Because it was such a strong team.

Liverpool's momentum was so strong that they are currently competing fiercely for the top spot with Manchester United and Chelsea in the English First Division League (EPL).

So today training to stop them was underway in Valdebebas.

In the afternoon, customized tactical training was conducted to attack Liverpool.

Even though they were eliminated from the King's Cup, the atmosphere at the training ground was extremely good.

This is because after defeating Barcelona, we had confidence that we could win against any opponent.

However, Schuster, who took full responsibility, had a different position.

He was nervous ahead of the Champions League round of 16.

'After all, the first opponent was Liverpool.'

Liverpool.

I don't know what will happen in the future, but for now, it is a big club that is in its prime.

To be honest, Liverpool's power was one level below that of Barcelona, Inter, and Manchester United, who are said to be the favorites.

However, their defense was so excellent that they are currently undefeated with 14 wins and 10 draws in the English First Division League (EPL).

It was scary up to this point, but it was even more amazing from above.

'We have to block the line from Gerrard to Torres.'

From Gerrard in the second line to Torres in the first line, no corner was easy.

It was very unfortunate to leave a weak team like Villarreal or Sporting behind and face a strong team like Liverpool.

Just like El Clásico, very thorough preparation was required.

So a few days ago.

They had analyzed Liverpool's strength and devised a countermeasure.

Of course, Woo Ho-young's opinion was also included there.

But things changed after yesterday.

That was why I called Woo Ho-young into the director's office this afternoon.

"The reason I called you was because of the match between Liverpool and Manchester City that took place just two days ago."

Liverpool performed very well in the match against Manchester City two days ago.

It was a game where Liverpool put a lot of pressure on Manchester City, making Robinho useless, and I felt like I had to show it to Hoyoung.

Schuster continued.

"So, I'd like to ask what you think."

Currently, the core of Real Madrid is Woo Ho-young.

It is a super crack that goes to the front, leads the attack, and fights directly to produce results.

At the same time, he has the aspect of a control tower and commander who can improve the team's organizational power and deploy prepared tactics in the game.

He more than filled the void left by Robinho and was also scheduled to take the place Zidane would leave.

The numerous talents he possessed made it possible.

Therefore, I planned to actively reflect the thoughts of Hoyoung, the person involved.

It may seem strange for Schuster, who has nearly 40 years of experience, to ask Hoyoung for advice, but he did not feel embarrassed.

'Experience or age don't matter.'

Because the professional world was all about skill.

The degree to which Schuster currently trusts Hoyoung Woo was beyond imagination.

"Let's watch the video first."

Hoyoung opened his mouth after watching all the videos analyzed by the technical team.

"After scoring the first goal, they change their lineup and use extreme defensive counterattack tactics. "We operate with at least two defensive lines and put systematic pressure on Robinho at each level."

"They're saying they're going to make it impossible to play soccer at all. "We became more compact and solid than when we played against Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo."

"It's Operation Water Ghost."

"So, rather than having you as a striker up front, I plan to place you in the second line or midfield to play the role of a playmaker. "What do you think?"

"I think it's okay."

After answering like that, Hoyoung fell into thought for a moment.

'0809's Liverpool…'

Hoyoung smiled vaguely.

'It's a team that no soccer fan can recognize.'

Isn't this a time called Liverpool's heyday?

I was looking forward to it because it seemed like it would be a pretty thrilling match.

And above all.

'I'm curious about Gerrard's talent.'

Personally, I was more curious about Gerrard than Torres, perhaps because the talent of the strikers was already acquired.

Hoyoung opened his mouth.

"I think it would be best for me to play as an attacking midfielder and take on the role of a facilitator. Otherwise, I think one good way would be to follow Raoul and solve the game. And again."

The really important thing started from there.

"I think Liverpool is a team with a very good balance between offense and defense. Especially defense. No matter how powerful the team was on offense, they collapsed in front of their defense. It is very dangerous to play into their hands."

"Then we have to lure the opponent out of the water."

"I think the same thing."

I remember the incident where Liverpool, who seemed insurmountable, fell to Hiddink's Chelsea.

That game remained in Hoyoung's mind.

'Like Hiddink's magic, we must play our own game while taking full advantage of Liverpool's weaknesses.'

There was no clear customized strategy like in El Clásico.

However, he clearly knew what his opponent's weaknesses were.

If there was a place to win, it was there.

Liverpool's players arrived in Madrid the next morning.

The airport was crowded with quite a few Liverpool fans.

This is because expectations for the Champions League were greater than ever.

And the same goes for Madrid fans.

Before the night got dark, countless fans poured into the streets and waited for Real Madrid to arrive.

Although they had repeatedly fallen in the round of 16 and quarterfinals of the Champions League in recent years, they still had a desperate desire to win the title.

No, what they hoped for was Real Madrid reaching at least the semifinals.

Championship?

I didn't want that anymore.

And as the day grew dark, numerous people let out enthusiastic shouts.

Waaaaaaaaa!

A large white bus filled with Real Madrid's players arrived.

'Today is the best.'

Hoyoung felt that today was the best parade he had ever seen.

A heat that I can't get enough of.

It was the first time since El Clásico that my heart felt this warm.

I wanted to quickly go out to the stadium and run wild.