Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

Chapter 61

61 – Daniel Laut

061

Any match might not seem crucial, but the upcoming Dortmund game was exceptionally significant for 1860 Munich. Perhaps more crucial than winning somehow was the idea of losing with a good performance.

Even for fans and officials who love 1860 Munich, it was hard to deny that the questions posed by the reporters in the pre-match interview encapsulated how the public perceived the team.

It was the perception of being a ‘lucky draw specialist.’

After a stormy three consecutive victories since the opening, 1860 Munich confidently held the top spot in the league table.

Although it was still early in the season, a team initially considered a relegation candidate was now leading the Bundesliga.

Yet, despite this, the public did not think of 1860 Munich as a strong team, believing that their success was just a result of fortunate matchups.

And to some extent, that was true.

In reality, 1860 Munich had faced teams like Werder Bremen, Mainz, and Kaiserslautern, all predicted to be weak teams. Even Werder Bremen, rated in the mid-table, was, strictly speaking, a mid to lower-tier team.

Given this situation, it wasn’t easy for 1860 Munich to shake off the image of being a lower-tier team, despite showcasing good performances.

People were inclined to believe in such absurdities, even if logically it made no sense.

For those people, the fact that 1860 Munich’s performance was comparable to top-tier teams did not matter much.

But what if 1860 Munich had defeated a top-tier team instead of a lower-tier one? What if the opponent were Bayern Munich, Leipzig, or a strong team like Dortmund?

Certainly not.

People would no longer see 1860 Munich as a team sparkling with luck. Instead, they would consider them a dark horse causing a stir this season.

Bitter as it was, that was the team’s name value, and that was the public’s perception.

Even if both teams were at the top, the other Munich would hear cheers like ‘It’s Munich, after all!’, while this Munich would only hear remarks like ‘They’re lucky.’

Hence, this Dortmund game was crucial for 1860 Munich.

Whether it would serve as a sample of briefly sniffing the air of the top tier due to easy draws, or become a storming team roaring against lower-tier oppression depended entirely on their own performance.

If they could secure a victory against Dortmund, a team that had demonstrated strength this season with three intense battles against Bundesliga powerhouses Leipzig, Schalke, and Bayern Munich, ending with one win, one draw, and one loss?

It would instantly prove the value of the 1860 Munich team.

However, a draw or even a defeat would be acceptable. Of course, winning was the best outcome, but even if they lost, displaying a good performance could change the public’s perception.

As long as they didn’t get overwhelmingly crushed, that is.

But that was from the team’s perspective.

For captain Daniel Laut, making his first appearance this season after overcoming injuries, the perspective was different.

“We must win, no matter what.”

—

Sometimes, people tend to equate certain players with the team.

As a player remains with the team for a long time, takes on significant roles, and displays affection and loyalty to the team, there is a tendency to grow stronger.

And 1860 Munich’s captain, Daniel Kraut, is a player who meets almost all of these conditions.

Although he was originally a youth player for the rival Bayern Munich, Daniel Kraut has been with 1860 Munich for over 10 years since making his professional debut. He has embraced the sense of belonging, played the role of captain for over 5 years, and even showed unwavering dedication during the times when the team dropped to the third division.

For fans of 1860 Munich, Daniel Kraut is an irresistible player, one they cannot help but love.

That’s why fans mistakenly believe that Daniel Kraut will be delighted with the team’s upward trajectory.

As if Daniel Kraut is inseparable from 1860 Munich, as if they share a destiny.

But that’s not the case.

Daniel Kraut never considered himself and the team to be part of a shared destiny, and he was not overly joyful about the team’s success.

The team he truly loves is the nearby Munich where he spent his youth, and the team he really wants to play for is also the nearby Munich.

This Munich?

He likes it. Despite being the rival of his beloved team, in reality, the difference in class is such that they treat the so-called rival differently. While one side passionately claims rivalry, the other side treats them like nobodies.

That’s why Daniel Kraut never disliked 1860 Munich from the beginning.

Moreover, he played for the team for more than 10 years since making his professional debut. There’s a way to grow fond of a team you initially disliked. In that sense, he also likes 1860 Munich.

However, if we really compare and choose a team he likes and prefers more, it’s still the other Munich.

Nevertheless, the reason he plays for 1860 Munich is practical.

Skill.

Because his skills are lacking.

He expressed unwavering love when the team was relegated to the third division?

Of course, isn’t that natural? In that situation, who among the players would say something like, “Although we were relegated now, we will overcome and soon be promoted again!” Any sane person would not make derogatory remarks about the team in that situation.

If at that time Daniel Kraut had truly believed in his skills and had the confidence to move to a 1st or 2nd division team, who knows? However, at that time, he was in a situation where he couldn’t even win the starting position in the main lineup of 1860 Munich, which had been relegated to the third division.

When relegated to the third division, Daniel Kraut was actually happy. He thought the competition for the starting position would become easier. He even considered gaining experience in the third division and then moving to a 1st or 2nd division team.

The reason he played for 1860 Munich for over 10 years, the reason he served as captain for over 5 years, was simply that it was a club where he could play. He was diligent and did his best as a professional.

But fans were not interested in such circumstances. They judged based on what they saw.

Daniel Kraut, in a professional manner, lived up to the fans’ expectations.

Imitating the captain that fans desired, he miraculously achieved the dream stage of the 1st division. However, just as the season was about to start, he ended up fracturing his toe.

Fortunately, it was not a major injury, so he eagerly awaited the day of his return. However, during that time, the team, which he thought would struggle in the relegation zone, was soaring.

Even though he lacked confidence.

Seeing a team without its captain doing well… It was definitely not a source of joy for Daniel Kraut.

For him, his individual performance was more important than the team’s success.

Therefore, the return match was anticipated with more anxiety and restlessness than joy.

The debut match and the comeback match after an injury, the moment Daniel Rout had dreamt of, was now.

Despite facing Dortmund as the opponent, defeat was out of the question.

Even if it were to happen, the unsettling thought unexpectedly crept in: ‘Isn’t it better to have no captaincy? It enhances the team’s performance, doesn’t it?’

Suppressing the sudden and uneasy thoughts, Daniel Rout glanced at his teammates.

As the moment before the game approached, everyone was looking at the returning captain after a long time.

“Well, let’s go out slowly.”

Waiting for the referee’s whistle, in the brief moment of anticipation, Daniel Rout, torn between the excitement of finally debuting in the long-awaited Bundesliga and the burden of the absolute need to win,—

“Captain!”

Realized the start of the game a beat late.

“…!”

The match began with the kick-off from the home team, Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund attacked fiercely from the start, as if there were no preliminaries, and Daniel Rout, who belatedly regained his composure, could only watch the ball passing by his side in a daze.

‘Trouble!’

At that moment, what brushed Daniel Rout’s mind was not only the despair of ruining the dream debut but also the self-blame for losing focus at this crucial moment.

Just the embarrassment of apologizing to the fans.

However, Daniel Rout’s despair didn’t last long.

Shwaaak—!

“…Captain.”

“I’m fine! I blocked it! Everyone, focus!”

As if anticipating this situation, Ji Jitae moved faster than others, precisely intercepting the pass aimed at Dortmund’s striker, Marc Schmitt.

It was a super play that saved the team from a dangerous moment where they could have conceded an open chance from the beginning of the game, but Ji Jitae paid no attention to his own play.

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He just quickly got up, demanding his teammates’ effort.

Daniel Rout helplessly watched as Ji Jitae approached with that determined expression.

“I’m sorry. I got distracted for a moment because it’s been a while since the comeback match. I promise there won’t be such incidents again—”

“Captain.”

“I’ll promise.”

“Captain!”

“…Huh?”

“Get yourself together and open your ears.”

A different voice blended into the echo ringing in Myeongman’s ears.

[Daniel!!]

[Rout!!]