Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

81 – Sprint

081

1860 Munich’s second half began with good news.

“Next, very happy news for 1860 Munich fans? The fate of the two rising stars from Korea, who have shown remarkable performances this season, has been confirmed. Despite numerous transfer rumors, the conclusion is that they will stay.”

For Europeans who live and die for football, especially Germans known for having the highest average attendance, the break without games was a boring period.

At this time, broadcasts delved into Bundesliga news and conducted previews for the second half.

The preview for 1860 Munich, which has been receiving the most attention lately, was a very hot topic.

“With this, 1860 Munich can take a breath. Didn’t Coach Willem state that there wouldn’t be reinforcements through the winter transfer market? The only remaining task was to keep the squad, and they succeeded in preventing any leakage of strength by confirming the stay of the two players with the most question marks.”

After the news about Munich, the analysis and preview of the team naturally began.

“Coach Willem is known for being offensive. Although there were doubts about whether he would continue to be aggressive in the Bundesliga as he did in the 2nd division, yes, he paid more attention to defense than last year, but still showed an offensive style.”

“Despite the level difference in the league, the success of operating an attacking game can be attributed to the role of this player.”

The commentator, who exchanged prepared scripts, displayed a screen prepared in advance.

On the screen depicting the field, Jo Jae-sin’s face appeared at the forefront, followed by Ju Ji-tae’s face at the back.

“Sorry to the 1860 Munich players, but when watching the game, these two players are all I see. Especially here. This player.”

An enlarged face, emphasized.

It was Joo Ji-tae.

“Born in Korea, a 187cm 80kg center-back at the age of 18. Despite making his debut this season, he has shown an impressive performance. Enjoys aggressive defense, and with remarkable anticipation, judgment, and overwhelming physical abilities, he displays formidable defensive power.”

For a while, the commentator praised Joo Ji-tae passionately.

“In simple terms, an exceptional defender.”

“What’s even more surprising is that this outstanding defender is also skilled in build-up. If you’ve watched this team’s games, you’ll know that the offensive patterns initiated by Joo Ji-tae are very impressive. Especially the sharp passes and transitions are always awe-inspiring.”

After the analysis of Joo Ji-tae, Cho Jae-shin, and some other key players playing regularly, the commentator anticipated the second half.

“1860 Munich has been doing exceptionally well so far. Very impressive. But in the second half… well. Of course, judging by the games so far, it doesn’t seem easy to collapse easily, but… the offensive patterns are too obvious and monotonous. Except for Joo Ji-tae, mistakes in defense are quite frequent.”

“Is it difficult even with the amazing goal-scorer Cho Jae-shin and Joo Ji-tae?”

“It is. Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin have shown excellent performance at the age of 18, but they can’t change the team by themselves. Joo and Cho are no longer unknown players to Bundesliga teams. All teams will now be well-prepared. That’s why Coach Wilhelm needs to prepare for a more stable game operation in the second half. And he’s probably doing that. Maybe… um, yes. Like placing Cho Jae-shin on the wing, or assigning cover duties to Joo Ji-tae.”

The commentator’s predictions were similar to the expectations of many Bundesliga fans and officials waiting for the second half.

Therefore, in the first game of the second half, in the 18th round of the league, when the match between 1860 Munich and Schalke 04 started, many people were surprised.

“What the…? Are they attacking more aggressively than before?”

“Wilhelm is obsessed with this attack! How high is he raising the line! They might get caught in the back with this.”

Contrary to the prediction that they would play more stably for the league ranking, the team displayed a more heated attack and raised the reins of the offense.

“He entrusted the 3-back to the center-back?”

Having strengthened the build-up system centered around Joo Ji-tae, who had led the team’s back build-up until now, he specialized the role of a playmaker in the back to the center-back.

“This is not a regista. In the first half, it was like Xabi Alonso, and now it’s Fabregas?”

Although Joo Ji-tae occasionally dribbled directly or scored goals with powerful shots, in the first half, he focused on playing that stably possessed the ball in the back and formed the attacking route.

It was an excellent play that utilized outstanding passing and pressure-relieving abilities, but there were limits.

After many teams failed to directly press Joo Ji-tae, realizing that direct pressure did not work, they switched to containment, and its efficiency dropped sharply.

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Of course, it didn’t mean leaving Joo Ji-tae free. It just meant lowering the intensity of the pressure to restrict him from freely passing.

But even this was enough to suppress Munich’s attack.

Even an excellent passer would find it difficult to exert his strength when the route is limited. It wasn’t just a matter of passing well. After all, both the giver and receiver of the pass are important.

When there’s no one to pass to, and no space to pass to, what’s the use of passing well?

The teams facing Munich now, instead of directly pressing Joo Ji-tae, focused on limiting the pass routes and erasing space. Even though Joo Ji-tae’s passing skills were undoubtedly astonishing, the decrease in offensive power compared to before was inevitable.

Wilhelm’s solution to this was simple.

In a way, it could be considered too simple.

“Hmm…? Going all the way up? Is it okay for a center-back to be involved in the attack like this?”

If the pressure is decreasing, then just pull up even more!

“Isn’t this going up too much? Even if he’s a center-back, acting like a midfielder…”

“It’s too risky if they snatch it. We know Joo Ji-tae’s skills, but isn’t this pushing it too far?”

Joo Ji-tae’s play seemed like he was provoking the opponent.

We’ve come up this far, and you’re not pressuring? Then here? Up to this point?

If the opponent can’t handle it and comes to press—

“Huh!? Bayern’s movement!”

While Joo Ji-tae keeps the ball or breaks the press, Bayern players exploit the empty spaces.

In the spatial theory of modern football, the play that removes the opponent’s pressure nullifies one player’s space possession, and the Bayern players in an extreme ‘total attack’ formation, involving many in the attack, were apt at utilizing those spaces.

“Joo Ji-tae receives the ball. I don’t know how many players can make you anticipate every time they get the ball. It’s impressive for a young player of just 18, and you wouldn’t have expected this from a defender… truly remarkable.”

The commentator’s admiration bursts out as Joo Ji-tae, once again carrying the ball up, breaks the pressure and quickly connects a counter-pass to Jo Jae-shin.

The reaction of the Schalke players was immediate too.

Allowing the sudden and unexpected pass to be received but not beyond that.

Unable to quickly react to the Schalke defenders pressing, Jo Jae-shin couldn’t turn his body and, facing backward, if he caught the ball, it would limit his threatening play.

If he does well, he passes to a penetrating teammate, mostly ending in a back pass. In the worst case, he might lose the ball while trying to turn too quickly.

However, all 1860 Munich players penetrating had markers attached to them.

The remaining options were either a stable but tempo-slowing back pass or risking losing the ball while trying to forcefully turn.

Jo Jae-shin chose none of them.

Not passing to a teammate, not making a back pass, not attempting to break the pressure forcefully.

He simply let the ball drop to his chest and—

“Huh…!? Sh-shoot!! Jo Jae-shin shooting!! In this world!!”

“He traps the ball with his chest and creates a goal with an overhead kick!! The most spectacular goal scene of the season!!”

Connecting it directly with a shot and scoring.

‘A prideful lion starting the second half with a joyful victory.’

‘Munich returns even stronger! Celebrating a goal festival!’

‘Perfect performances by Joo Ji-tae, Jo Jae-shin! Main actors of the dominant victory against Schalke! Who is the MOM?’

The match against Schalke 04 ended with a 4:1 victory.

Since then, Munich continued its upward trajectory in 1860.

From the 19th round to the 21st round.

A streak of four victories after the start of the second half.

While Bayern Munich briefly stumbled in their relentless schedule, the league table fluctuated.

1860 Munich reclaimed the top spot, pushing Bayern Munich to second place with a one-point difference, and behind them, Dortmund and Leipzig trailed with a considerable gap in points.

“1860 Munich, once again securing the top spot with a victory even in the 21st round!”

“The ‘resurgence of Leicester City,’ 1860 Munich! Will they really clinch the title?”

“Joo Ji-tae, Cho Jae-shin’s Royal Road potential! What challenges lie ahead?”

As the possibility of 1860 Munich’s victory cautiously emerged, the first obstacle appeared.

“Munich faces Leipzig, the only team they haven’t defeated in the league.”

“A transformed Munich! Rematch with Leipzig!”

In the 22nd round of the league, a rematch awaited Munich against Leipzig, a busy team currently positioned fourth.