2:15 PM.
Before the game started, Coach Carlos reviewed the tactics with the head coach.
"If Gremio comes up with man-to-man defense tactics, we will go to plan B."
Plan B that Carlos has prepared is a 4-3-1-2 formation.
This is a tactic that Italian great coach Ancelotti used to maximize Zinedi Zidane's play while he was at Juventus a few years ago.
The basic was the diamond formation, a modification of 4-4-2, which was a system that neutralized the opponent's man-to-man defense system by placing a playmaker in the attacking midfielder.
That's how important the role of the attacking midfielder is.
"I instructed Woo Ho-young to take an active mid-range shot, so Gremio will switch to man-to-man defense. Then change to plan B at that time."
"Woo Ho-young as an attacking midfielder and Oscar as a central midfielder?"
Carlos nodded.
In other words, it was a tactic of throwing bait, forcibly modifying the opponent's tactics, and then countering.
Therefore, the roles of Woo Ho-young and Oscar were very important.
"These guys will do well."
Thinking back on the past month of training, Carlos had no doubt that this would be the case.
"Then let's clean up and leave."
"yes."
It was the moment I took my tactical notebook and was about to leave the locker room.
"It came just right."
"Captain?"
The person who came unannounced was Director Victor.
"Are you here to watch the game?"
"There's that too. "It's the opening game, right?"
The reason Victor visited was to watch the U15 and U17 matches and encourage the players as it was the opening match.
Victor continued.
"Oh. And don't be late and attend Morumbi Stadium tomorrow."
"You mean the opening game?"
Sunday, May 2nd.
The national league opening match was scheduled to be held tomorrow at Sao Paulo FC's home stadium, Morumbi Stadium.
The U15 and U17 leagues started today, but the first-team league was scheduled to start tomorrow, Sunday, for the sake of success.
"okay. You must attend. "We may have valuable guests coming from Milan."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"The customer wants to see you."
"Ah… I see what you mean. All right. "Let's do that."
Carlos answered in the affirmative.
But Victor's words did not end there.
"And make sure to win today's game~ The players will receive a sweet reward."
The old man, like Hanryang, smiled his characteristic mischievous smile.
The sky above the ground was sunny.
The temperature is 19 degrees.
'It's just right.'
It was the perfect day for a debut match.
It's the perfect day to go for a run and then have a beer.
However, Hoyoung, who was still a long way from adulthood, planned to celebrate the victory with a refreshing goal feast instead of a cold beer.
'Let's give it a try.'
I made a promise and thought over the tactics that would be used today.
'He told me to make the opponent flinch with a mid-range shot.'
That was Hoyoung's role and the key to this game.
The key that will open the door to victory.
Hoyoung quickly observed the opposing players.
'There are no special players.'
A player named Luan Vieira was a key member of Gremio, but he was unable to play today due to injury.
No matter how much I looked, there were only players who ranged from bright to gifted, and I couldn't find any particularly desirable talents.
'It's a pity that Luan isn't there. At least he must have had B-level talent.'
If there is anything worth coveting, it is the 'formal volley kick (C+)' possessed by the opposing striker.
Although the grade was low, it was a talent that was secretly attractive.
The conditions were also simple.
[Enrique Eduardo]
Talent
-Soccer gifted (B-)
-Fast legs with motors (B)
-Positive volley kick (C+) -Decent
heading (C)
-Rhythmic flexibility (C-)
(One option if the conditions are met) You can covet talent.)
(Condition 1: Tackle 2 times)
(Condition 2: Score)
'Don't feel pressured and just do what you trained.'
Hoyoung turned his head and looked at the boy behind him.
Today's partner and helper.
Oscar was giving off a confident look, as if he was confident.
Seeing that, Hoyoung had a good feeling.
I think I can have a good debut match.
Beep!
Soon the game started.
"Turn back!"
5 minutes in the first half.
Sao Paulo took the lead with a turtle-like slow tempo.
Eleven players stuck to their respective positions and performed their roles within the assigned range.
Since I had been training just by eating, I could do this much with my eyes closed.
If he felt the opponent's resistance was getting stronger, he would throw a long ball to break the pressure.
Since Sao Paulo had the physical superiority, gaining air superiority was a piece of cake.
The game went as easily as expected.
but.
'The flow is strong.'
In particular, the offensive development during the counterattack stage was so amazing that it was eye-popping.
At least the passing and dribbling had to be precise and sharp for the attack to work.
Should we call it more professional soccer?
Moreover, the tempo of the counterattack was much faster than that of U13.
There was a month-long adjustment period, but it seemed like it would take some time to get used to the actual situation.
still.
'It's much more fun than U13.'
It was dynamic and creative.
If U13 is a practice stage, this is a rehearsal stage.
The overall skills of the players were high.
Regardless of whether he was talented or not, his skills were outstanding and his level was high due to his age.
That made Hoyoung's heart flutter.
And one more thing.
'I said I had to adapt to the league's style but incorporate my skills into the league colors.'
I went into the game thinking back on coach Carlos' words.
First half.
Gremio played swamp soccer.
Swamp soccer is a style of play that constantly harasses opposing players through intentional rough play.
If the opposing team is equally rough, fouls will naturally increase and the tempo of the game will slow down.
It was a type of anti-football where, if you were lucky, you could be sent off depending on the opposing player.
Therefore, it is very effective for players who are hot-tempered or mentally weak, but as expected, Oscar was already angry to the core.
"Oscar! "Don't play with them!"
exclaimed Breno, the team's captain and center back.
He was 15 years old and his skills were in the mid to upper tier of the league, but he was not at a level where he could receive offers from the European stage.
However, he was the spiritual leader of Sao Paulo FC U15 with his soccer sense and skill that was unusual for a youth.
Therefore, I always felt a sense of pressure and great responsibility whenever I played a game, especially in an important match like today's opening game.
But not anymore.
'Because there is Hoyoung in the first line. If there is a lot of pressure coming to the front line, just keep breaking the flow with long balls. Because his heading skills are trustworthy.'
Brenu trusted Hoyoung.
Although he was a boy who had only joined the team for less than a month, I knew that he was actually a more dignified and thoughtful player than anyone else.
If Brenu was the pillar of the team, Hoyoung was like a chandelier that brightened the team.
'A team can survive like this with just one person.'
The core of the strategy that helps the offense develop smoothly by taking charge of the backbone of the attack in the first line and playmaking in the second line.
That was Hoyoung.
'What a monster. It was by no means idle for the club leadership to want to win.'
Last year, Sao Paulo U15 finished fourth in the national league, but this year they had a good chance of winning.
The journey towards that will begin today.
Right now at this moment.
Percussion!
When Breno distributed the ball to midfield, the three midfielders opened up space.
The intention was to secure various attack routes by dispersing the pressure of the opponent.
And the opponent was caught.
"Oscar!"
fault.
Thanks to this, Oscar had some free time and came down to catch the ball.
Oscar's eyes turned forward.
'Fernando.'
Right striker Fernando was busy moving and harassing the opponent's defense.
However, there was no way to give an infiltration pass.
'Then…'
As soon as I turned my gaze to the left, Woo Ho-young's movement caught my eye.
Hoyoung gave a signal.
Please swipe slightly to the right.
'The space is narrow…'
But Oscar followed the signal and gave the pass.
I trusted Hoyoung because I could see confidence in his expression, and since his space penetration was by no means at the level of U15, I gave him a slight push to the right without any doubt.
It was right then.
Hoyoung took out his secret weapon.
"…?!"
As soon as Hoyoung got the ball to his feet, he tapped the ball for a long time and ran.
Originally, it would have been a ball that could have been easily cut by a defender.
But Hoyoung's feet were faster than them.
Although it was only one tempo, it created a huge gap.
'It's pierced!'
Hoyoung took off the two players with wide strides and looked straight ahead.
For a moment, a small gap was left open.
The distance to the goal is about 30 meters.
It was only a short moment, but Hoyoung had already taken a step.
It was right after that that I stretched out my right foot.
'I went in.'
This feeling passes through the top of my foot.
It was a certainty.
In baseball terms, it's the feeling a batter gets when he hits a home run.
The same was true in soccer.
A well-hit shot is bound to convey an exhilarating sensation to your toes.
Now was that moment.
As if imitating cannon shooter Diego Forlan's surprise mid-range shot.
Cough!
I hit the shot refreshingly, as if washing away the congestion.
It was neither the defender nor the goalkeeper who reacted to it.
There was only a net that was shaking violently.
Crash!
"Oooooh!"
A shout rang out behind me.
The Sao Paulo players cheered enthusiastically in celebration of Hoyoung's first league goal of the season.
"Ugh!"
Exciting moment!
Hoyoung closed his eyes tightly and clenched his fists.
First goal in the league, debut goal, 30-meter goal.
There was no need for any rhetoric.
There is only one thing that makes Hoyoung happier than anything else.
'It works in U15 as well.'
His skills are also applicable here.
The traces of the efforts made so far were clearly visible.
"Uuuuuu!"
Hoyoung skipped the ceremony and instead ran to Carlos.
It was an expression of gratitude for believing in him and bringing him this far.
But the joy didn't stop there.
"…!!"
[Heavy mid-range shot that penetrates the gap (B-)↑]
His talent has grown.
But it was an unprecedented talent.
Never had it.
'That means…'
I immediately checked the talent status.
[Woo Ho-young]
Talents
-Soccer genius (A)
-Midfield commander's versatility (U)
-Chaminator's hitting and running (U)
-Fast legs as fast as a Lamborghini (A+2)
-Outstanding space penetration (A+)
-Strong body (B+2)
-Ball cutting in an instant (B+)
-Widely open growth plate (B+)
-Heavy mid-range shot that penetrates the gap (B-)
-Rhythmic flexibility (C+3)
-Quite flashy footwork (C+3) )
-Healthman's solid muscles (C+3)
-Decent heading (C+3)
-Quite sharp 2-on-1 pass (C+3)
-Stylish free kick (C+3)
-Knife-like ball distribution (C+ 2)
– Decent ball blocking (C+2)
– Delicate ball touch sense (C+2)
– Quick change of direction (C+2)
– Quite quick snap dribbling (C+)
The fairly heavy mid-distance shot (C+3) has disappeared. .
Instead, there is only a heavy mid-range shot (B-) that penetrates the gap.
Yes.
It was my first promotion through pure effort.
'Then all the remaining C-levels are like this?'
I didn't know, but I felt like something interesting was going to happen in the future.
My heart couldn't calm down.
.
.
.
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