Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

148 – Tiki-Taka

148

＜ 34/35 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Match 1 ＞

Barcelona: Juventus

Juventus Stadium

[Barcelona 4-1-2-3]

FW: Mark Guigu / Iker Rodriguez / Jose Marsa

CM: Pablo Lopez / Arnau Pradas

DM: Diego Almeida

DF: Alexis Olmedo / Joo Ji-tae / Max Moreno / Pau Berges

GK: Hector Port

[Juventus 3-5-1-1]

FW: Rodrigo Silvio

SS: Pietro Lorel

MF: Roberto Benetti / Romeu Olivo / Sergio Daviz / Carlo Montero / Paolo Tardelli

DF: Angelo Ferrara / Ciro Vigato / Antonio Caligaris

GK: Franco Botta

Expecting a difficult away game, Coach Jose formed a starting lineup with experienced veteran members. The only regret was that Madu Murcia was on the injured list due to a minor muscle problem.

Against the Italian team, which would likely focus on strong defense rather than rapid tempo and intense offense, Madu Murcia’s seasoned game management would have been more effective, despite being older and less physically capable than the young and strong Max Moreno.

However, it was impossible to field an injured player.

In the end, Coach Jose started Max Moreno instead of Madu Murcia, and Joo Ji-tae was a sufficient player to lead the young partner.

“Max, you might think the game is too easy. Be careful at that moment.”

“Don’t get too relaxed?”

“That’s obvious, and you need to be aware of the Italian team’s sneaky attacks.”

“Sneaky attacks?”

Most evaluations of the Italian team being difficult to play against are based on their unique sneaky plays, which include clever fouls and in-play tactics.

This is especially true when playing at home, where the referee is also human and can be influenced by the atmosphere. As a result, the criteria for fouls tend to become more lenient when one-sided support pours in.

Today’s match was expected to be a one-sided support game for the Italians, so we gave Max Moreno sufficient attention beforehand. Therefore, Joo Ji-tae was confident that they wouldn’t lose unless something unexpected happened.

“What’s the point of playing Juventus if we can’t even beat them? And with our main striker being Rodrigo Silva? This is a game we can’t afford to lose.”

It doesn’t matter what the Italians do outside, whether they’re united in their support or not. In the end, it’s the players who play the game.

No matter how intense the support is, it won’t affect Joo Ji-tae.

If they try to use Italy’s unique dirty play more aggressively to break our ankles, it might be a bit scary, but Joo Ji-tae is a player who has never been pushed around by fouls.

Moreover, the players Joo Ji-tae faces directly are the attackers.

Even if he had clashed with the Italian defender, a specialist in fouls, and had a good match, the attackers, who are relatively inexperienced in clever fouls, are not Joo Ji-tae’s opponents.

The attackers may try to commit fouls clumsily—of course, this is just from Joo Ji-tae’s perspective, and he doesn’t lack absolute foul skills—but if they do, they’ll only end up being toyed with by Joo Ji-tae… However, the early stages of the game went in a direction different from Joo Ji-tae’s expectations.

“Max, cover! Take care of the back… Max, what are you doing? Snap out of it!”

“Oh, ah! My ball—”

Joo Ji-tae wasn’t affected by the atmosphere of the stadium, and most of the Barcelona players who started the game were also not intimidated by the intense support, although they might have been slightly nervous.

After all, the Barcelona players are seasoned players who have been through El Clásico.

But Max Moreno, who was still young, was different.

Even when Joo Ji-tae gave him attention, and when he entered the stadium, the 20-year-old young player seemed okay, but as soon as the intense pressure poured in, he became intimidated and lost his mark.

And that led to a fatal consequence.

“Ref! Foul! Foul!”

“What are you doing? Follow through to the end!”

In desperation, Korean words slipped out, but it didn’t matter.

The intention was conveyed, but the ball had already left Rodrigo Silva’s foot. Hector Fort tried to intercept it with all his might, but the ball flew over him and into the net.

Joo Ji-tae looked up at the sky and sighed when Juventus scored the opening goal.

“I guess it’s not going to be an easy game.”

But it didn’t seem like they would lose.

* * *

“Goooal! In the 9th minute of the first half, Juventus scores a fantastic opening goal!”

“Romeu Olivo passes to Sergio Dáviz, and Sergio Dáviz connects the ball to Rodrigo Silva, who makes a precise pass to create the opening goal.”

The replay of the opening goal scene was shown, and the commentators’ voices became busy.

“Ah, Sergio Dáviz and Rodrigo Silva’s good combination stood out, but basically, Max Moreno’s reaction was slow.”

“He momentarily lost Rodrigo Silva, who was moving backwards. Still, it’s okay. If you look at this scene, you’ll see Joo Ji-tae pointing with his finger. If he had quickly followed up here, he could have earned some backup time… It’s a regrettable moment for Max Moreno.”

“The last moment of Rodrigo Silva’s shot was also very calm.”

“Huh? Joo Ji-tae is making a gesture to Max Moreno, saying something. What do you think he’s saying?”

The game resumed with Barcelona’s kickoff.

Despite having made a mistake that led to a goal, Max Moreno, who seemed to be in high spirits, showed a different, more energetic play.

In particular, one thing to note is—

“Max Moreno is going up high! How far will this player go?”

“Max Moreno is playing like a midfielder! It’s an impressive advance, but… Is Barcelona okay? There’s only Joo Ji-tae left in the back.”

Max Moreno is playing like a midfielder.

From the start, Max Moreno, who had excellent passing skills, began to play an active role as a great passer against Juventus, who were not aggressive in their pressure. As a result, Juventus coach Giuseppe Pochcho was forced to make a decision.

“Max Moreno’s performance is more prominent than expected. We can’t just let him be from Juventus’ perspective.”

“Giuseppe Pochcho instructs Pietro Lorel to apply pressure. This means that in Barcelona’s camp, only Joo Ji-tae and Rodrigo Silva will be left…”

“Juzitae, exchange the ball comfortably without any obstacles. Rodrigo Silvio alone can’t block both the goalkeeper and Juzitae.”

Giuseppe Pochettino’s choice was a defensive response.

Since they had already scored the opening goal and didn’t need to hurry, it was better to put pressure on Pietro Lorel at the 1.5-line rather than disrupting the defensive block by bringing up a midfielder.

However, this was what Juzitae had expected and was aiming for.

“Hmm? Juzitae, aren’t you going too high up? The distance from the goalkeeper has increased a lot… Even if Rodrigo Silvio is alone, it’s a bit dangerous, isn’t it?”

“Juzitae, pass it to Max Moreno. Pietro Lorel will put pressure on, and Max Moreno will return it to Juzitae— Whoa! When did Juzitae get here?! Keep advancing!!”

As Pietro Lorel moved to put pressure, Max Moreno quickly filled the empty space and sent the ball back to Juzitae, and in the moment when the position switched, Juzitae started to sprint.

“Juzitae is sprinting!”

“But the Juventus players are calm! They’ve formed a solid defensive block, haven’t they? Juzitae, don’t try to break through the front line… Pass it to Diego Almeida!”

“Diego Almeida passes it to Pablo Lopez with one touch! Pablo Lopez! Iker Rodriguez comes down to receive it and passes it to Arnau Pradas!”

“What a beautiful pass play is unfolding! Whoa!? Juzitae has somehow infiltrated this far?! Juzitae is receiving the ball in front of the penalty box!!”

“The Juventus players are sprinting!!”

“Ah! Juzitae, with a direct pass into the penalty box— Jose Marsa! Jose Marsa! Shoot— no, pass— Juzitae! Juzitae is shooting!! Goal!!”

The end of the dazzling pass play that unfolded across the ground was Juzitae’s goal.

“Barcelona!! Barcelona is showing an incredible pass play at the Juventus Stadium!!”

“This is it! This is Barcelona!! It’s a fantastic combination that brings back memories of the past when Messi and Pep Guardiola led the team!!”

“Wow… Juzitae, jogging around the Juventus Stadium while looking at the stands.”

“This is a huge impact. The defensive block that Juventus boasts has been neutralized in an instant. Barcelona’s pass play has overwhelmed them.”