Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

Chapter 58

58 – Buzz

058

Originally, Joo Jitae and Jo Jaeshin were highly touted prospects.

For most of the ‘FC Korea’ who only care about the senior national team matches, this may be an unknown fact, but these two players have passed through almost every age group national team.

In other words, they were entangled in the strings of football officials from a young age.

But this is in Korea, and when you turn your gaze to the world, it’s a different story.

From the perspective of European football officials who still treat Asia as the outskirts of the football world, Joo Jitae and Jo Jaeshin were nothing more than unexpected rising stars.

Despite showcasing sensational performances in the U-20 World Cup at the age of 17, winning the ‘Youngest’ Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, it was nothing more than a slight nod for conservative officials.

Of course, it’s not to ignore the achievement of being the youngest Golden Ball and Golden Shoe winner.

Even conservative… rather, to be honest, even those who discriminate against or dislike Asia do not deny Joo Jitae and Jo Jaeshin’s talent. It cannot be denied. Their performances were outstanding enough for that.

However, looking at it negatively, evaluation can be endlessly negative as well.

The performance in the U-20 World Cup is noteworthy, but strictly speaking, wasn’t the last U-20 World Cup a tournament where most top prospects were absent?

In a positive light, one could say it was a stroke of luck and good timing; in a negative light, it could be seen as a burglary of vacant houses.

In reality, the highly acclaimed prospects like Fernando Alvarez, Gabriel Alison, and Luis Navarro from the current Europe didn’t participate.

Nevertheless, despite being recognized as outstanding prospects, they attracted the attention of numerous clubs, but many people lost interest when they chose 1860 Munich after rejecting offers from prestigious clubs.

“Tsk tsk. Greed got the best of them. I understand the eagerness to play as soon as possible, but the choice of the team was not the right move.”

Football insiders thought this choice stemmed from a desire for playing time. The idea was that if you joined a weaker team, competition for a starting position would be easier, allowing for quicker access to the field.

However, in their view, choosing a league’s weakest team, and not just any, but the absolute weakest, was a fatal mistake. It was a short-sighted perspective driven by the urgency to play immediately.

Sure, you might secure playing opportunities early on, but if there’s nothing to learn, it’s not worth it.

No, it’s better not to learn than to develop habits from playing with a weak team. If defensive play, blocking the opponent’s attacks rather than creating and leading the game, becomes habitual, even a talented player can become ordinary.

It was at that time when interest in these two players waned.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the season opener.

“Shocking debut!”

A shocking debut shook Europe.

These 18-year-old players who had just set foot in the professional world achieved a debut goal, debut assist, and debut MOM (Man of the Match) in their debut game!

And it wasn’t just luck or a sudden wave that led to this.

“Overwhelmed by two boys from Asia, Bundesliga!!”

They showcased sensational performances, recording goals, assists, and MOM at the end of it all.

Only a month ago, they were just 17-year-olds, mere amateurs from Asia.

In the Bundesliga!!

Not only did Ju Ji-tae, who received MOM with 1 goal and 1 assist, and Cho Jae-shin, who scored 2 goals, gain attention, but also questions arose:

“How did 1860 Munich manage to acquire two treasures from Asia?”

“Supporters Union Changes Stance: ‘We support Boardjin’s acquisition policy.'”

“Detailed Attack Tactics Displayed by Willem in the Opening Game.”

From the lack of objectively favorable conditions for 1860 Munich to outperforming numerous other clubs and acquiring these two players, the interest shifted to why and what groundbreaking conditions were offered. Supporters, who had initiated a boycott after just one game, changed their stance and issued a statement of support for Boardjin. There were even analyses of Willem’s tactical nuances.

The aftermath of 1860 Munich, initially considered a strong candidate for relegation, dismantling the mid-tier powerhouse Werder Bremen, attracted considerable attention.

“Willem, who has been criticized for being overly aggressive… undoubtedly, the game showcased an equally persistent attention to detail in attacking as in his relentless focus on attacking. Look at this. When this Korean center-back starts dribbling, it signals an orchestrated movement of players streaming forward. Undoubtedly, the first goal is the result of detailed attacking tactics.”

“You have to consider him a very talented player. No matter how much training he went through, displaying such a performance in a debut is not an easy feat. If you review the game, you’ll see that Munich’s attacks all start from this player’s feet. Surprisingly, the player with the most touches, the most passes, and the most forward passes in the game is this young center-back.”

Of course, the atmosphere of praise cannot be formed with just one match.

Certainly, the performances of the two players showcased in their professional debut were outstanding, but the opposing team would analyze those displays and come prepared, making the future even more crucial.

However,

“In the 2nd round against Mainz, Ju Ji-tae once again presents a splendid performance! In today’s game, all of Munich’s attacks are starting from this player’s footsteps!”

“Jo Jae-shin! It’s Jo Jae-shin again!! The goal scorer from Korea records consecutive goals in two matches! Immediately creating a shooting angle with a momentary upper body feint upon receiving the ball, producing goals with precise impacts. Truly a beautiful goal!!”

In the second match against Mainz 05, Ju Ji-tae demonstrated impeccable defensive skills and backline build-up, while Jo Jae-shin, after scoring an opening goal, secured a multi-goal performance and was named the Man of the Match.

“The newly promoted teams clash in the third round. These two teams faced each other several times last year… Back then, Kaiserlautern had many victories, didn’t they?”

“But we’ll have to see how it goes this year. While Munich, predicted as the top candidate for relegation, has a smooth start with two consecutive wins, Kaiserlautern, expected to be second in the relegation rankings, is showing a shaky start with two losses.”

“As both are considered top candidates for relegation, this is an important match for both teams.”

In the third match, a showdown between promoted teams, Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin displayed remarkable performances.

“Unbelievable! What is happening! Kaiserlautern is completely falling apart!!”

“Ah… we can’t give up so easily. Despite being helplessly penetrated by Ju Ji-tae’s fantastic ball control, Kaiserlautern must not give up.”

“Today, it seems like Ju Ji-tae is spending more time in the Kaiserlautern camp than in the Munich camp. Most of his ball touches are happening around the half-line.”

The game ended with a record-breaking 6:0 victory for 1860 Munich.

Kaiserlautern, previously considered evenly matched, utterly collapsed.

“Another goal added in the Kaiserlautern match! A ‘defensive’ center-back with 2 goals and 1 assist in 3 matches!”

“Surpassing Stefan Buls, who scored 2 goals, Ju Ji-tae is once again selected as the Man of the Match! 2 Man of the Match awards in 3 matches!”

“Fantastic heel pass! Jo Jae-shin, who recorded an assist, continues his streak of offensive points in 3 consecutive matches!”

The first and second can be attributed to luck.

But the third? Can even the third be attributed to luck?

After the third round, the two suddenly rose to prominence as the most promising young talents in the Bundesliga.

As attention poured in, the topic of interest became as rare as a rising star’s sudden injury.

Amidst the overwhelming attention, an interview request came from Europe’s top tabloid newspaper, Bild, alongside the UK’s ‘The Sun’, forming the leading duo of yellow press beyond Germany.

“Tsk. Why Bild? And why separate interviews?”

Ju Ji-tae had a nonchalant expression.

“Why Bild? Well, it is one of the leading newspapers in Europe, right?”

“It is. It forms the twin peaks of tabloids along with The Sun.”

“Oh… Should we decline the interview then?”

“Let it be. If we decline after saying yes, who knows what kind of trouble they’ll stir up. Besides, the club has approved it, and we can’t reject it at our own discretion.”

Ju Ji-tae threw a joke towards Jo Jae-shin, who was worried about the term “tabloid.”

“Hey, damn it. The opponent is a legendary tabloid newspaper. The image of Korea changes with every word we say. Remember that. We are the faces representing Korea.”

“Representing Korea… Got it.”

Watching Jo Jaesin immersed in serious contemplation with a hardened expression, Ju Jitae, who had been muttering quietly, commented,

“What is this…? Kimchi power…?”

『Ask the bonehead from Korea! The secret of Koreans? Kimchi! Kimchi power strikes Germany!』

Shocked, he looked at the headline with his and Jo Jaesin’s faces plastered on the Bild Zeitung.

“What the hell… What did Jo Jaesin say to have such a headline go out across all of Germany…”

* * *

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(Photo: 『Kimchi Power Strikes Germany!』)

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