158. Battle of spear and shield (3)
Atletico Madrid.
Abbreviated as ATM or AT Madrid, they have long been one of the top five teams in La Liga.
Of course, they cannot match Real Madrid and Barcelona above them, but they can be said to be a powerhouse in La Liga, not inferior to Valencia, Athletic, and Sevilla.
In particular, it was a team with clear strengths in developing strikers, and the representative players who went through the youth team were 'Raul González' and 'Fernando Torres'.
And in 2007.
After transferring Fernando Torres to Liverpool for 20 million pounds, they brought in Diego Forlan to fill the void and achieved the good result of advancing to the Champions League.
But a problem arose in an unexpected place.
It was this season.
Their self-proclaimed title of 'La Liga's Top 3' was so dismal that their performance was so dismal that they were already recording their worst record of '2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses'.
This was because their defense was so poor compared to their powerful offense.
In particular, because the starting defenders were too old, they often allowed goals even against weak teams in the last minute of the first half or beyond the 70th minute of the second half.
However, it was not possible to bring in young players because most of them lacked experience and skills.
That has been a chronic problem for AT Madrid, and the problem has been especially maximized when playing against strong teams.
That was why they gave up 5 goals to Barcelona in the last game.
[Now that the first 30 minutes have passed, the activity of AT Madrid's defense has decreased noticeably.]
[On the other hand, Raul and Woo Ho-young, who are in charge of Real Madrid's attack, are becoming more active. It looks like they are trying to burn off their stamina at the end of the first half. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of moves they'll show. Let's take a look.]
Pass success rate, pass success number, ball touch share, etc.
Real Madrid were increasing those numbers.
This happened because Zidane was given more and more space as Paulo Assuncsa and John Heitinha began to lose stamina.
The score was only 1-0.
Even AT Madrid could never feel at ease.
Every time Real Madrid got the ball, the home fans interrupted them by booing and saying, "Puta Madrid!" But as time went by, that became nothing.
[Woo Ho-young is making threatening movements. He seems to be gradually adapting to the stage.]
[That's right. Perhaps because it was the first local derby since being promoted to the first division, he didn't seem nervous, but he looks much better now.] With
Zidane pushing from the back and Raul leading from the front, there was nothing to be afraid of.
I literally feel like I have gained a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses.
As Hoyoung's movements became more vivid, the voices of the commentators also became louder.
[Woo Ho-young turns away Paulo Assunsang, gives the pass to Raul and runs inside the box.]
[Raul's lob pass that immediately followed was a bit long. Goalkeeper Gregory Coupet was already out.]
[Unfortunately, it didn't result in a shot, but it was a good opportunity.]
[And AT Madrid's counterattack immediately followed. The ball falls at Aguero's feet!]
AT Madrid also did not sit still.
We focused on defense, but counterattacked whenever the opportunity arose and made the most of the opportunity.
However, Aguero's shot was blocked by Casillas' punching, so the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity failed.
[Aguero's shot unfortunately misses.]
[I'm looking forward to seeing which of the two prospects representing both teams will score first.]
[That's right. This can also be said to be a highlight of today's game. Aren't these two currently tied in La Liga's scoring record?]
The Warring States Period.
This season, La Liga was fierce from the beginning.
In particular, Woo Ho-young and Aguero, who represent promising strikers, competed to score goals, arousing the interest of soccer fans.
People unanimously said that these two are the only prospects who can compete with Messi this season.
Woo Ho-young, the person involved, also had the same thought.
'Of course, Argentine players are the best.'
From Hoyoung's perspective, Sergio Aguero's talent was so outstanding that he put his mouth to rest.
It was not for nothing that he was evaluated as having the same talent as Brazilian legend Romario.
'It's the highest of any 20-year-old I've ever seen.'
While Boyan's talent, considered to be the best prospect of all time, was focused on 'growth potential', Aguero had both skill and growth potential.
However, due to the condition of 'winning the home game', all conditions could not be satisfied in today's game.
'But all other conditions can be satisfied.'
To do that, he needs to score more goals than Aguero.
At that moment, Hoyoung's eyes were sharply bent.
There was a sharp edge in the eyes.
The off-the-ball movement has become sharper over time.
And that was in the 39th minute of the first half.
The opportunity was obtained when the AT Madrid defense's movements slowed down considerably.
Zidane's rear build-up, which was quietly suffocating the enemy line, provided Hoyoung with a decisive opportunity.
Paat pat.
[Raul receives Zidane's short pass with his back to the defense.]
[Raul's short pass to Woo Ho-young!]
Zidane Raul Woo Ho-young.
A triangular formation of three people demonstrated terrifying power.
In an instant, Raul received a pass from the midfield and gave the ball to Hoyoung, who gently punched the ball into the back space.
ran at the same time.
[Raul penetrates into the front right back space and receives a pass. Central defender Luis Perea is trying to fight with his speed!]
[Oh, it looks difficult like this. Should we just try to break through!]
Tuk.
Raul's choice was a lob through pass, not a breakthrough.
The ball was kicked slightly to the front left and landed directly at Hoyoung's feet.
It was that moment.
"Push it away!"
"Cut it, cut it!"
The defenders around him screamed and rushed at him like water buffaloes.
But Hoyoung was no longer there.
Taaagh!
[Ahhh! A long dribble that stretches out in an instant! Woo Ho-young is going to hit it!]
The stadium became quiet as if water had been poured on the audience at the sight of Woo Ho-young jumping out like a bullet.
It was such a difference in quickness that even the people watching felt helpless.
To put it exaggeratedly, it is a battle between the hare and the tortoise.
Moreover, the difference in acceleration was even more severe, and Hoyoung had already reached the penalty area.
But then Hoyoung's face suddenly hardened.
"!"
The sight of Gregory Coupe, already halfway out, caught my eye.
As if he had anticipated Hoyoung's infiltration, he rushed forward half a beat quickly and reduced the shooting angle.
Truly a veteran.
In addition, he was prepared to launch his body with the intention of hitting a mid-range shot.
'You get hit once, you don't get hit twice.'
The striker who suffered frustration in front of him was one truck.
He was a world-class goalkeeper who had experience facing numerous world-class players such as Eto'o Henry, Rivaldo, Raul van Nistelrooy and Messi.
Although he was physically weak due to a chronic wrist injury, his ability to judge situations, predict, and read the flow of the game were excellent.
In particular, his ability to come out of the box and save shots was truly a work of art.
He had the confidence that he could stop it.
But that was then.
Hoyoung hit a mid-range shot from 17 meters away from the goal.
"…!"
It was a quick, half-beat shot that took away the timing.
However, Coupe, who had already anticipated this, jumped forward and stretched out his hand as if he had been waiting.
There was not a single hesitation.
however.
What was important was not the fast beat.
Pfft!
A loud roar that made you think the ball had exploded.
"…?!"
The speed was too fast.
To make matters worse, due to the proper spin, the coupe's expected angle ended up slightly deviating.
It is difficult to make such a calculated shot in such a short moment.
In tense situations where players are competing back and forth, your mind usually goes blank.
Because of this, it is difficult for even the most talented strikers to relax.
However, for Hoyoung, this was not calculation but instinct.
It's your ability, not something you can calculate but can do.
Hoyoung succeeded calmly.
It was a fast and precise kick that rendered the coupe's prediction and experience useless.
At that time, a heavy silence fell as if time had stopped.
Pow!
"Wow."
The power was strong.
Even though it was strong, it was too strong.
The ball was slightly caught between his fingertips, but it wasn't enough to impede the ball's path.
And the ball went straight into the blind spot on the right side of the goal.
Crash!
"Waaaaaaaa!"
"Ooooooooo!"
Madridistas screaming at the top of their lungs at Woo Ho-young's equalizer.
On the other hand, the coupe looked devastated.
"Damn it…"
To make matters worse, I ended up straining my wrist while trying to block the shot.
It was as if a crack had appeared in a castle gate that had been tightly locked.
At that time, unexpected news came to Hoyoung.
[Cannonball-like mid-distance shot (A+3)↑]
'That's right.'
As time passed, everything was slowly getting better.
In particular, my shooting sense improved.
It was thanks to the success in bringing Cha Boom's thigh back just yesterday.
'This is a scam.'
Should I really say that I feel like I am becoming an animal?
It felt like I was accepting newspaper articles.
Perhaps that's why there were side effects.
It felt as if my two thighs had an ego, and sometimes I felt a force that I couldn't control.
It was difficult to control it with only B-level body balance talent.
In a way, it was natural.
It was like putting a jet engine on a supercar.
'good. Let's try it one more time.'
That opportunity came not long after the game resumed.
[Zidane's long pass to the space behind the halfway line takes advantage of the defensive line's rise! Woo Ho-young attempts to penetrate space!]
The offside trap was useless.
Hoyoung, who shattered the enemy's defensive line by infiltrating the gap, focused on the ball falling to the ground.
'A little more.'
and.
Percussion!
Hoyoung succeeded in catching it cleanly with his chest.
[Woo Ho-young! We push forward without hesitation like a bulldozer!]
[Woo woo woo! Keep running! We are running towards the goal without hesitation!]
The run that started from the halfway line did not stop.
Luis Perea, known for his quick feet, tried to stick until the end, but it was no use.
Hoyoung Woo was too fast.
He ran mercilessly as if everyone was telling him not to be a bother and got out of the way, widening the gap.
Technology is technology, but the physical difference was extreme.
AT Madrid made a mistake by raising the line too high while trying to attack just before the end of the first half.
Hoyoung did not miss the opportunity.
The defenders were all taken away without giving them a chance to stick together.
It was like playing soccer alone in another world.
"What the fuck! "What is that!"
"Isn't that guy a drug addict?!"
Black man's muscles, Cha Boom's thighs, Eto'o's elasticity, Monica's body balance, storm dribbling, etc… A work created by many talents.
It was a terrible hybrid for AT Madrid.
"Fall! "Please fall!!"
Everyone was hoping Hoyoung would make a mistake, but the situation they hoped for did not happen.
The only thing I could trust was the coupe.
This time he didn't come out of the box.
Because something happened just a few minutes ago.
In other words, psychological warfare.
Instead, he focused all his attention on Hoyoung's movements and followed them with his eyes until the end.
I was determined to block it inside the box.
"Whoop."
We fought back with the determination that we would never concede any more goals.
About 1 second after that.
Woo Ho-young, who entered the box, instantly dribbled and veered sharply to the right.
Then I took a shooting stance with my right foot.
It was clear that he wanted to aim for the empty space on the right side of the goal.
Assuming that, the coupe tilted its center of gravity to the left.
Since it reacted this quickly, I thought it would be possible to stop it.
however.
"…?!"
Woo Ho-young, who was in a shooting stance, stopped the motion as if he was playing a game, then calmly broke the ball with his heel and suddenly changed direction to the left.
Nonsense.
That thought lingered in Coupe's mind.
Controlling your body and changing direction while running at that kind of speed?
Does this make sense?
[Woo Ho-young's Cruyff turn! In an instant, the opposing space opens wide!]
That made sense.
Although it was beyond common sense, Hoyoung changed direction with a Cruyff turn and hit an inside shot toward an empty goal.
There was nothing the coupe could do as it had already lost its sense of balance.
If it were Casillas, whose reaction speed was said to have reached godlike levels, he might have been able to stop it, but he was just an aging veteran.
Crash!
The faces of the two contrasted immediately after the net was shaken.
One laughed and one cried.
[Gooooooooooo! Woo Ho-young's second goal! I'm crazy!]
[Oh my god. What is this?…How can he be so calm in front of the goal?]
As expected, the 'perfect composure' that Ronaldo had longed for was flawless.
Coupe showed an expression of bewilderment at Woo Ho-young's multiple goals that sank AT Madrid.
"her?"
Coupe, who allowed a goal, looked back on the previous situation and could not understand it.
I just blinked my eyes and stared at Woo Ho-young's back from afar.
'Is it a person?'
Funny enough, I had this really absurd thought.
A lump of tender chicken meat appeared on my forearm.
The most impressive moment in his soccer career was against Brazil's Ronaldo, but it seemed like that moment would change today.
This was serious.
However, Hoyoung seemed to be still not satisfied and immediately returned to the halfway line without a ceremony.
'Today's ceremony is after the hat trick.'
Youngest hat trick.
If we achieve that in a rivalry match, wouldn't we be able to show the greatest impact?
His challenge is not over yet.