7 vs. 7 Red and White Match.
The practice field had been divided with a boundary line, creating a pitch about one-third the size of a standard field.
Because of the smaller space, the players were closer to each other, and the pace of the game was far faster than a normal match.
Thwack!
In the confined space, the timing for applying pressure sped up, leading to frequent collisions.
"Take it easy, guys, easy!"
Despite the calls for restraint, not a single player actually held back.
With precise passing and powerful shots, both teams relentlessly targeted each other's goals.
The staff watched the constantly running players with hawk-like attention, analyzing their movements.
"Christian seems to be favoring his left foot, likely because he's still conscious of his ankle injury."
"Leandro doesn't seem to struggle with light passes, but he still looks unstable when dealing with stronger ones."
"Ezequiel has improved his ball control under high-pressure situations compared to last season. If Marcos isn't in good condition, he could be a viable card for us."
The data analysts focused on player heat maps, the doctors monitored old injuries, and the coaches evaluated whether weaknesses from the previous season had been addressed.
---
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After an intense back-and-forth battle, the first half ended in a 0-0 draw. Sebastián Lancellotta gestured to Yoo Jiwoo, who was sitting on the bench.
"Yoo, go warm up in the zone."
"Yes, sir."
As Yoo Jiwoo joined the warm-up zone and began his stretches, the staff's attention shifted toward him.
"Huh? Look, it's Yoo."
The young player, who had been gaining attention for his phenomenal stats in the youth league, attracted all eyes. Enrique Botto's gaze, like everyone else's, also fell on Yoo Jiwoo.
"Looks like he's bulked up a bit."
He quickly noticed the change.
"He's 176 cm now. He's put on muscle too, so his physicality isn't bad."
The young player's physique had grown noticeably since the first time Botto saw him.
"Is it because he's still young and growing?"
"Yes, according to the medical team, he's projected to reach the mid-180s when he's fully grown."
Since coming to Argentina, Yoo Jiwoo had grown 4 cm in the past 10 months. On top of that, his dedication to strength training to adapt to the physical league had added noticeable muscle to his frame.
As Yoo Jiwoo continued stretching, Ángel Molina approached with a drink in hand.
"That kid? Is that Boca's little prince?"
"Yep."
"He looks smaller than I expected."
Molina's first impression of Yoo Jiwoo was simply that of a "small player."
"Keep watching. Before long, you'll be partnering up with him."
"Well, if Rodrigo brought him here and even the general manager is raving about him, I'll look forward to it."
---
Five minutes into the second half.
Tweet!
When the ball went out of bounds, coach Sebastián Lancellotta signaled to the warm-up zone.
"Carlos, come off. Yoo, you're going in!"
---
"He's finally going in."
"That's the player Coach Sebastián has been raving about, right?"
"I heard he practically lives at the training center?"
Yoo Jiwoo's name was well-known within the club, as he had earned recognition from the cold, merit-driven Sebastián Lancellotta and Enrique Botto.
The crowd murmured as they watched Yoo Jiwoo, wearing his red training bib, prepare to enter the field.
"Yoo."
Sebastián Lancellotta stopped him briefly before he went in.
"Yes, coach."
"I don't have any special instructions. Just do everything you're capable of."
"Understood."
Yoo Jiwoo took a deep breath before stepping in. He high-fived Carlos as they crossed paths, then walked onto the field.
This was his first internal Red and White match since joining the first-team training. Though not an official match, this was an opportunity to play alongside the first-team players, and his heart raced with excitement.
---
Step. Step.
Javier Casero, the captain of the Red team, approached him.
"You're playing right wing forward, right?"
"Yes."
"Since you're out here, don't hold back. Play your best."
"Got it."
The game resumed.
The White team, centered around Marcos Mous and Julián Martínez, orchestrated the play.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Even in tight spaces, the two midfielders executed fast, precise passes, showing why they were the pride of Boca's midfield line.
"Julián! Watch out!"
The moment Marcos Mous sent the ball forward, one player reacted instantly.
Swish!
It was Yoo Jiwoo.
With the smaller field, he only had to run a short distance to close in on the ball. Calmly timing his approach, he suddenly lunged forward, intercepting the pass.
"Press him!"
Javier Casero, who retrieved the loose ball from Yoo Jiwoo's block, smirked slightly.
'Quick instincts. He knows exactly what to do.'
After the tackle, Yoo Jiwoo immediately sprang up and sprinted into open space.
Thud!
Casero sent a low ground pass slicing through the line.
Yoo Jiwoo simply extended his foot to redirect the ball, threading it through the legs of the pressing defender, Semino.
'No way I'm losing to a rookie!'
Semino reached out to grab Yoo Jiwoo as he darted past, but Yoo Jiwoo shrugged him off with explosive speed, leaving him behind.
The crowd erupted in awe.
"Don't just stand there! Defend! No special treatment for rookies!"
The White team's defense, led by Ernesto Guerra, quickly reorganized.
Guerra carefully observed Yoo Jiwoo's movements.
'He's decisive and fearless in his play.'
Youth players often struggle to show their true potential when practicing with professional players, feeling intimidated.
However, the player in front of them was different.
Rather than getting nervous, he displayed a determination to win through his play.
3 meters.
1 meter.
The distance quickly closed.
Ernesto calmly observed Yujiwoo's actions.
'He's pushing forward with his right foot.'
Thud.
'His speed is fast.'
Thud.
'When will he make his move?'
A player with great individual skills, Ernesto considered every possible outcome.
He wasn't going to let a rookie beat him.
Since this player would one day take responsibility for Boca, Ernesto was determined to handle him thoroughly.
'…Now!'
Ernesto made a tackle, having studied Yujiwoo's dribbling pattern.
Swish!
He thought he had timed it perfectly, but Yujiwoo stopped the ball with his sole.
'This kid.'
With a drag back using his trailing foot, Yujiwoo then made a no-look heel pass to the onrushing Javier Casero.
'…He saw all of that? Does this kid have eyes in the back of his head?'
Thud!
Javier Casero's sharp shot rattled the net of the white team's goal.
"You're good!"
"You beat Ernesto! Not bad!"
After Yujiwoo made the assist, the first-team players congratulated him more than they did Javier, who had scored the goal.
"That's completely outplayed."
Ernesto stood, watching the ball that had entered the net, recalling how Yujiwoo had moved earlier.
He had attempted a tackle at the perfect timing when Yujiwoo was about to push the ball forward, but Yujiwoo had stopped it with quick thinking.
'It was an instinctive decision…'
In just one play, Yujiwoo had shown professional-level awareness.
"Ernesto, you really got outplayed."
"Ugh."
"You're frustrated, huh?"
"Extremely. It's been a while since I've seen someone like him."
Everyone who saw the play had the same thought.
Yujiwoo was going to be Boca's treasure.
---
Only 20 minutes left.
The white team had to score within that time.
"This side!"
As soon as Yujiwoo moved into the center to receive the ball, Ernesto's pressure came from behind.
Boom!
It felt like a giant stone was pressing down on him.
Yujiwoo missed his chance to turn and had to return the ball.
"Kid, don't get too cocky. I'm not letting you through."
Ernesto pointed to where Sevastiano Lancelar was watching intently.
"I have pride too, so I'll call the last one a service. You won't get through this time."
After that, Ernesto tightly marked Yujiwoo.
He pushed him off the ball, chasing him persistently to prevent any chances.
Thud!
After a rough dribble, Yujiwoo fell after clashing with Ernesto. Ernesto offered a hand.
"Are you okay?"
"…Yes."
Yujiwoo took his hand and stood up.
"Remember, real matches are rougher than this."
"…Thank you."
Ernesto showed professional-level defending.
"…Isn't that a bit too much?"
To an outsider, it might have seemed a little too intense.
However, Yujiwoo gritted his teeth.
Now that he was here, he didn't want to leave empty-handed.
Blocked by Ernesto's defense again, Yujiwoo thought of another way.
'If there's no path, I'll create one.'
It was a simple thought, but he acted on it immediately.
Using his burst of speed, he escaped Ernesto's defensive zone and touched the ball in an open space, spinning around.
'Huh?'
But at that moment.
Swish!
A precise tackle coming in just under his feet.
"Damn, how fast are you? I'm dying trying to catch up."
The tackle was by Ernesto.
Though slower than Yujiwoo, his judgment was outstanding.
He predicted when Yujiwoo would move and blocked his path with perfect timing.
Boom!
A counterattack from the white team resulted in a goal, tying the game.
"Fun, right?"
Ernesto reached out his hand, and Yujiwoo took it, smiling slightly.
"Yes."
"Oh, what a nice smile."
.
.
.
With only moments left before the game ended, Yujiwoo moved to the center instead of staying on the wing.
"Javier!"
After receiving the pass from Javier Casero, Yujiwoo tried to turn but collided with Ernesto from behind.
Thud!
The collision was so strong that even Ernesto was surprised.
However, there was no whistle, as it wasn't a foul.
As he was about to fall, Yujiwoo didn't give up on the ball.
'I'm still in range.'
Determined not to give up, he kept his eyes on possible passing options.
'...!'
His next move was instinctive.
As he lost his balance and fell backward, he attempted a pass.
The ball flew through the air in an arc like a rainbow.
It gently dropped in front of Javier Casero, who was charging forward, as if magnetically pulled.
No one had expected this play.
Thud.
Javier Casero received the ball and scored.
Beep!
The whistle blew, signaling the end of the game.
With the red team winning 2-1, the players rushed to Yujiwoo, who had fallen, and celebrated around him.
"This crazy guy!"
"Are you really a rookie?"
"That pass to Javier at the end? In that situation?"
"Waaahhh!"
Ernesto, watching from the side, let out a surprised laugh.
'How many rookies would make that kind of judgment in that situation?'
Deep down, he had the feeling that this player would continue to be seen in the first team. He walked over to Ricardo Mesa, who was drinking water.
"…I guess we need to be sharp if we don't want to get eaten by that rookie."
"It's really hitting me now."
"What's that?"
"What it means to make a generational change."
The first-team players all looked at Yujiwoo with a new sense of respect.
The most noticeable change was in Sevastiano Lancelar.
Yujiwoo's refusal to be intimidated and his assist at the end were chillingly impressive.
His determination not to give up on the ball in any situation.
Sevastiano recalled his earlier thoughts.
"I need to meet with the director."