141. New Leap (3)
August 30.
The intensity of today's team match was higher than usual.
This was to maintain a sense of the game as the season approaches.
Because there were a few transferees, team chemistry was lacking, but this was a problem that would be resolved with time.
However, shortly after joining the first team training, Hoyoung felt that the team atmosphere was more distracted than expected.
It seemed like it was because players from all over the world were gathered together, unlike Castile, which was full of Spaniards.
The team's forces were largely divided into three groups: Central and South America/Spain/Netherlands.
In fact, during the time of coach Capello, there were almost no conflicts between factions due to tight player discipline, but after coach Schuster, who had relatively less control, took office, the factions were slightly divided as they pursued autonomous soccer.
However, it was never the case that a faction arose.
The training was generally conducted in a bright atmosphere.
First of all, that was how Hoyoung felt.
"iced coffee!!"
The Boxes game, in which the two were locked in a circle and passed back and forth, was in full swing, and a voice of lamentation came from the group that Hoyoung was in.
It was the scream of a Dutch player who gave up after not being able to get the ball for 10 minutes.
Although he is only 176cm tall, he has a sturdy physique.
Short blonde hair and good looks.
But a very husky voice that doesn't suit him.
His name is Rafael Van der Vaart.
The 25-year-old was a Dutch attacking midfielder who transferred from Germany's Hamburg SV to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
In other words, the new recruit ceremony went on for a long time, but Van der Vaart ended up crying when he couldn't get the ball away even once.
"It's been almost a month since I came here. How long do I have to be the first batsman and a tagger?"
"hey. Originally, new recruits were supposed to last for a month. "So did I."
Van der Vaart pursed his lips as Cannavaro, who has been at Real Madrid for four years, nailed it.
"This isn't fair."
"Anyway, I guess the Dutch are egalitarian. "Why don't you ask for Dutch pay for your weekly pay as well?"
"ha ha ha!"
The players burst into laughter at Ramos's joking words.
As Dutch people, this could have been off-putting humor, but everyone, including Robben and van Nistelrooy, laughed it off cheerfully.
Van der Vaart finally burst out laughing and pointed his chin at Hoyoung, who was suddenly standing still.
"If you think about it that way, isn't Young the newest guy?"
"No, Mr. Raffie. "Why are you suddenly tripping and falling again?"
Hoyoung, who had just barely gotten rid of his rookie tag, knew very well how tiresome it was to be the first tagger in Boxes every day.
I feel like my energy is running out.
Hoyoung, who didn't want to go back to that situation, shook his head.
Then Roberto Carlos, who was next to me, asked.
"Woo, how long have you been in Madrid?"
"It's my fourth year."
"haha. Did you see it? Rafi, you are the youngest here."
"eww!"
"If you can't get the ball, you won't be able to pass in real life."
"Hahaha."
In this way, the players were able to gradually build harmony in a friendly atmosphere.
There was a lot of noise surrounding Robinho's transfer, including rumors of discord and factions, but most players were not swayed by such things and respected the club's decision.
However, there was one player who had a particularly bitter look on his face.
A man with a stocky physique and a bald head as his trademark.
It was Pepe, a central defender from Portugal.
'Rovinho…'
He, who had a close relationship with Robinho, was one of the players who felt very sorry for this incident.
However, there was absolutely no opposition to the club's decision.
He has also always supported manager Bernd Schuster and believes leaving Real Madrid would be best for both Robinho and the club.
but.
'I miss you, my friend.'
How could I easily forget him after so many years of partying all night together at the club?
I will never forget the exciting nights I spent with him.
These days, my heart feels empty.
'Robinho…'
Maybe that's why.
I was starting to feel a bit of animosity toward Woo Ho-young, who had caused Robinho to leave.
What a handsome guy he is.
No, I knew he was good, but I had doubts about whether his skills would be effective in the first division.
Will he be able to fill Robinho's vacancy?
For this reason, Pepe still needed time to accept Hoyoung Woo as a full teammate.
'Please do well. 'I think I'll be really angry if I don't.'
I meant it.
Otherwise, there will definitely be a big crisis for the team.
The 2008-2009 season of La Liga opened on the evening of Saturday, August 30th.
Real Madrid's first match was scheduled to be held the next day, on the 31st, and the opponent was La Liga's emerging powerhouse Deportivo.
As a mid-tier team that ranked 9th last season, it was a very suitable opponent for a successful first round.
The only problem is that it is a long expedition.
The venue of the decisive match was Deportivo's home stadium, Estadio Riazor, located in Galicia, 6 hours away from Madrid.
The players had to travel by plane.
Sunday evening, August 31st.
As expected, as it was a first-round game, all 34,000 seats were sold out several weeks in advance, and today the stadium was crowded with people two hours before the game started.
Deportivo fans couldn't contain their excitement, especially since their first opponent was Real Madrid.
The excitement was evident in the press conference room before the game started.
Director Schuster faced numerous reporters with a slightly nervous expression.
This is because this position has always been a heavy one.
And as expected, most of the reporters' questions were focused on Robinho.
One man asked.
"There has been a lot of talk about Robinho's transfer. Regarding this, Chairman Perez said, 'I sent it to you because you whined so much,' is it true?"
"Do you have any questions about whether it is true or not? Isn't Chairman Perez that kind of person? "There's no need for me to say anything."
"ha ha ha."
"But if you really want to hear my answer… let me say this. Robinho wanted to move for reasons that had nothing to do with football, which is what we want. Of course, whether it's money or the spotlight, it's the player's preference, so it's not for me to argue."
"Then will there be no problem with Robinho's absence? "There are quite a few fans who are concerned about the lack of explosive offensive power."
The expected questions followed.
Schuster also gave a prepared answer.
"I have already expressed my opinion on this matter several times through interviews. We already have world-class wingers on our team who can replace Robinho. Zidane and Guti are holding firm, while Robben and Saviola Callejon will fill Robinho's void. And there is a young star named Woo Ho-young."
"Thank you for those kind words."
The reporters' hands were busy.
It seems that Schuster's meaning was conveyed well.
But in fact, his true feelings were different.
It was thought that Robinho's absence would be inevitable and that there was currently no player in Real Madrid who could perfectly replace him.
This is because, regardless of skill level, there was no player who fit the team colors better than Robinho.
Nevertheless, I was in favor of Robinho's transfer because it was right to cut out the painful flesh.
Seup.
As soon as Schuster regained his appetite, he was immediately flooded with requests for questions.
"Still, it's the opening game, so I'll be taking questions about the game. "The person wearing glasses over there."
"This is reporter Bosque from Madrid's AS newspaper. Let me ask you just one question. Will the record for youngest player in La Liga be broken today?"
It was a question about the possibility of Woo Ho-young participating.
Schuster responded cautiously.
"He is currently undergoing conditioning. If not today, we will soon see a historic moment. "Look forward to seeing him at his best."
At that time, the away team locker room.
Ahead of the game, the players were relieving their tension in their own way.
While there were people who did all kinds of tricks with the ball, there were people who talked in a serious tone about where they were going to have an after-party after today.
There were also players who exchanged trivial jokes, such as talking about the model they slept with last night.
Meanwhile.
There was someone who was spending time in an unusual way, holding onto a locker in the corner inside.
Woo Ho-young.
"Inhale."
He was sitting upright on a chair like a Buddha, breathing with his eyes closed.
It was a personal know-how to relieve tension.
'I'm shaking.'
As always, I am nervous about my first experience.
Moreover, my nervousness doubled because it was the first division and La Liga, the stage that many soccer players around the world dream of.
Of course, there was no guarantee that he would be able to play in today's game, but Hoyoung was confident that he could play.
Even though he hasn't fully improved his condition yet, he has shown quite good performance in recent training.
'I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid!'
"Inhale!"
It was a moment when I was calming down the tension through repeated deep breathing.
"What is he doing? Is it a fish? "I'm announcing the lineup, so come on over."
"haha! fish! "The director is looking for you!"
"Hook?"
A happy voice calling out to Hoyoung.
Coach Schuster had already entered the locker room and was waving a piece of paper with the starting list written on it.
With a pounding heart, Hoyoung ran one step at a time and joined the gap between the players.
The laughter disappeared and a serious atmosphere settled in the locker room.
With everyone's eyes and ears focused.
Schuster opened his mouth.
"Casillas Carlos Pepe Cannavaro Ramos Mamado Sneijder Zidane Raul van Nistelrooy Robben. "Get ready for the tryouts."
This is the starting lineup of 11 players.
Hoyoung's name was not there.
There wasn't much disappointment because I had already expected it.
It would be rare for a coach to select a young player with no first-division experience in the very important first round.
What was important was what happened next.
"The next sub members are Dudek Salgado Marcelo, Higuain Raphael and Woo Ho-young. That's it."
'done!'
What was hoped for has come true.
If things continued like this, there was a high possibility that he would play as a substitute.
'It's possible if the game goes well in the first half.'
Hoyoung clenched his fists.
The players who were not selected swallowed their disappointment and made plans for the next game, while the players who were on the roster began preparing for the game in earnest.
And in between.
Coach Schuster summoned captain Raul separately.
"The atmosphere is so excited right now. "Prepare the players well so they don't let down their guard, go to the prepared starting formation, and if the opponent comes out with three backs, we will go to Plan B until the 30th minute of the first half, so clearly communicate that."
"yes."
"And if nothing happens, I will send out new players in the second half, so I will take charge of coordinating the attack until the end. In particular, Woo Ho-young's first stage is in the first division, so if he plays, watch over him carefully so that he doesn't make any mistakes."
"Of course."
After Schuster left the locker room, Raul called the players together and went to the briefing.
There was no team slogan that made people cringe like 'For the King!'
They talked only about winning.
The only goal is to win.
"¡Vamos!"
"¡Vamos!"
The conversation ended with a shout of fighting and saying, "Let's go and win."
The great first step in challenging for a third consecutive league title was scheduled to begin shortly.
Hoyoung made up his mind.
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