The UEFA Champions League.
Along with the World Cup, it is the most prestigious football tournament in the world. But while the World Cup is the greatest competition held every four years, many say the Champions League is where the highest level of football is actually played.
That's because the teams competing in the Champions League often surpass national teams in quality.
La Liga, the Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga.
If the domestic leagues are a test of consistent performance, then the Champions League is the ultimate stage to prove who's the best.
That's why it's called the "Battle of the Stars."
This tournament traces its origins back to the European Cup in 1955, which later became the UEFA Champions League in 1992.
The inaugural champions in 1955 were Real Madrid, and they also hold the record for the most titles.
Yet despite their legacy, Real had failed to lift the trophy since 2001.
In fact, they were knocked out last year in the Round of 16 after being thrashed by AS Roma.
That's why, for Real Madrid, the top priority has always been the Champions League.
And it's what the fans wanted more than anything else.
If they could win the Champions League, they were willing to let Barcelona win La Liga several times over.
That's why, without fail.
'We have to make a strong impression this tournament.'
Schuster renewed his commitment to chasing the Champions League trophy.
Their first opponent? FC BATE Borisov.
A powerhouse in Belarus' top league, but in truth, the weakest side in the group, and not one they had to worry too much about.
Moreover, it was a home match.
A match they were expected to win. If they didn't, the backlash would be brutal.
Still, Schuster rewatched BATE's games multiple times to prepare thoroughly.
'Their central defenders are fast on their feet but weak in aerial duels. It would be better to use van Nistelrooy as the target man up front. And in the second half, Ho-young… I'd like to try putting him in that position.'
Schuster jotted Ho-young's name onto the tactics board, completing the plan for the upcoming match.
Two days later, on September 16.
The group stage of the 2008–2009 UEFA Champions League kicked off.
It began with Group A, where Chelsea defeated French giants Bordeaux 3-0.
In Group B, Inter's Adriano bagged a brace, taking an early lead in the Golden Boot race, while in Group C, Barcelona secured a win thanks to goals from Messi and Eto'o.
There were no surprises.
The next day, matches for Groups E through H were scheduled.
Real Madrid players began intense training the day before the match.
And on the day of the game, articles dominated headlines across Madrid and South Korea alike.
> [What Ho-young could achieve if he plays in this match: Youngest Champions League appearance – Youngest goal – Youngest hat-trick…]
> [Every debut ends with a goal. Will Ho-young's magic work again this time?]
> [The key factor is stamina… Having played a match just three days ago, rotation seems necessary… Chances of him playing are low…]
└ This reporter clearly knows nothing about football. The opponent's a joke, of course he's gonna play. Trust me, order your chicken now, he's 100% coming on.
└ I don't think so. Ho-young's been playing too much lately. He sprinted nonstop in the last match too. First division is a different level physically than second division.
└ If Ho-young could match Ji-sung Park's stamina, he'd be an absolute monster.
└ Honestly though, hasn't Ho-young already surpassed Park Ji-sung?
└ Lol, did you not see him get destroyed by Mascherano in the Olympics? He's not ready for top-tier football yet.
└ That's a stretch. Let's not exaggerate. Park Ji-sung reached the World Cup semifinals and won both the EPL and Champions League. You can't compare the two.
└ I really want to watch the match ㅠㅠ I feel like Ho-young's gonna play but the kickoff time is brutalㅠㅠ
This year, after Ho-young was promoted to Real Madrid's first team, major Korean sports broadcasters jointly secured La Liga broadcast rights.
As a result, anyone in Korea could easily watch Real Madrid's home games on TV. However, the match was scheduled for 3:45 AM Korean time, which made it difficult to watch live.
Even so, countless fans were willing to stay up all night just to see the game.
The passion for overseas football that Park Ji-sung had ignited was now being carried forward by Ho-young.
And as night slowly fell in Madrid, around 10,000 fans gathered at the entrance of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
They had all come to witness Real Madrid's first Champions League group stage match.
Crowds spilled into the streets, kept in line by police, all waiting eagerly for the team's arrival.
And finally.
Two white horses galloped ahead, clearing the way as a white limousine-style team bus entered the parade road.
Surrounded by several police motorcycles and black horses guarding it tightly.
To someone unfamiliar with football, the spectacle might have looked like a royal procession.
"Madrid! Madrid! Madrid!"
"Let's win it all this year!"
With cheers erupting from men and women of all ages, the bus rolled forward.
About two minutes into the drive down the straight road, a turn appeared ahead, prompting the horses to charge forward with renewed energy.
Some fans got too excited and tried to break past the control lines, but the many police vehicles forming barricades prevented any incidents.
As the bus rounded the curve, even more fans waved flags and shouted.
"Wow…"
Ho-young, watching from inside the bus, couldn't take his eyes off the window.
It wasn't quite the same as the Numancia match three days ago, but the atmosphere was still electric.
No matter how many times he saw it, he just couldn't get used to it.
"Whoa…"
There was still plenty of time before kickoff, but his heart was already pounding.
'This is why people play football.'
The energy in the air was indescribable.
Ho-young was so overwhelmed he couldn't find words, until a low, soft voice whispered beside him.
"Hey, Woo."
"Oh, Pepe."
Pepe, 25 years old, extended a handshake after scratching his bald head.
Ho-young reached out, and the loud smack of their palms echoed through the bus.
A high five.
Pepe's usual, aggressive greeting.
"Be proud. You're already a Madridista. Don't get nervous over this. This is our everyday life."
Madridista.
A word that includes the players, staff, and supporters of Real Madrid.
It was Pepe's way of fully acknowledging Ho-young as one of their own.
Ho-young nodded firmly and responded with another strong high five.
"Got it."
"That's the spirit. Let's sweep through Europe."
And finally.
Screech—
The team bus came to a stop at the players' entrance, and the door slowly opened.
The bright lights of the parking lot spilled in through the opening.
The first to step off was Real Madrid's shining star, Raúl González.
At that moment, a roar erupted that seemed to shake the city.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
"Captain! Captain! Captain!"
Thunderous chants echoed through the streets as Raúl descended from the bus.
Reporters with massive cameras slung over their shoulders swarmed in like flies.
But in accordance with protocol, they kept a respectful distance from the players.
Raúl kissed his ring and walked into the entrance amid overwhelming cheers.
One by one, Zidane, Guti, van Nistelrooy, Robben, Salgado, and others followed.
Then came Ho-young, stepping down from the bus.
At that moment.
"Woo! Woo! Woo!"
Thunderous cheers.
Despite only playing one match, the fans' response was overwhelming.
Unlike the previous Numancia match, where he had received only light applause, this time many fans were chanting his name.
Adrenaline surged through Ho-young's body, raising goosebumps on his arms.
He wanted to repay the passionate support.
Clenching his fist, he tapped his left chest twice in front of the cameras and walked through the entrance.
"Welcome, Ho-young. Best of luck today."
"Thank you."
Ho-young returned the security guard's greeting and descended the stairs toward the underground.
Soon, the battle of the stars would begin.
At exactly 8:45 PM.
As both teams emerged from the tunnel, a giant banner unfurled at the center circle, and the Champions League anthem echoed through the stadium.
The "Ligue des Champions."
A hymn beloved by football fans across Europe.
As the sacred, grand music and lyrics filled the air, Ho-young, sitting on the bench, felt chills run through his entire body.
He hadn't made the starting lineup, but even that moment moved him deeply.
'I'll definitely debut today.'
His body still felt a bit stiff, but he was confident he could handle at least 45 minutes.
More than anything, there was one desperate reason he wanted to play.
Out on the pitch, warming up, was one man.
The player with the thickest thighs on the team.
The dependable veteran who anchored both attack and defense.
[Roberto Carlos]
[Possessed Talents: Cannon Shooter of the Left Foot (T), Spinning Kick of the Cannon Shooter (U), Peerless Overlapping (SS-), Explosive Kicking Power (S+3), Fantastic Cross (S+), (More...)]
(If conditions are met, one talent can be acquired.)
(A portion of the sensation can be absorbed when acquiring a T-grade talent. However, you must be over 18 years old to obtain it.)
(Talents of S-grade or higher require hidden conditions to be fulfilled.)
(Condition 1: Train together for 600 minutes)
(Condition 2: Play together during the U.S. World Tour)
(Condition 3: Record an attacking point together in a Champions League match)
(Condition 4: Score a goal via direct free kick in La Liga)
(Hidden Condition: Unlocks upon acquiring at least one of his talents)
'Almost there.'
Conditions 1 and 2 were already completed.
Today was the perfect chance to clear Condition 3, the most difficult of them all.
Of course, it required the team to secure a convincing win.
'His power may have dropped a bit due to age, but his Explosive Kicking Power is still S+3.'
Spinning Kick of the Cannon Shooter and Explosive Kicking Power.
Talents Ho-young had always wanted.
They would significantly enhance his mid-range shots and free-kick ability.
Whistle—
The match began shortly after.
[And we're underway. Real Madrid, playing from left to right, have taken the kickoff. Close to 60,000 fans are cheering them on tonight. Let's see if they can live up to expectations.]
[Real Madrid are in Group H this season alongside Juventus, Zenit St. Petersburg, and FC BATE Borisov. It's considered the third toughest group among the eight. Zenit could be a surprising dark horse, so Madrid must start strong and take all three points today.]
Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Malouda on the left wing, Saviola on the right.
And in the center, van Nistelrooy stood firmly as the striker.
Schuster would've liked to start Ho-young, but he couldn't ignore the issue of stamina.
Maybe he was fine now, but fatigue builds up over time. One or two months of accumulation could explode all at once.
And once that happened, it would be too late to fix.
Especially for a young player like Ho-young, pushing him too hard too soon could ruin everything.
Ho-young had endured grueling schedules in Brazil, which helped, but for now, the priority was to manage his condition and peak by February.
For the Champions League knockout stages.
Still, if things went well today, Schuster planned to sub him in during the second half.
There was something he definitely wanted to try.
Fortunately, the match went smoothly.
So smoothly it almost felt boring.
After a 3,500 km trip from Belarus, BATE Borisov's players were sluggish from the start.
The match tilted one way quickly, and Real Madrid led 2-0 by halftime.
Inside the home team's locker room, the air was thick with sweat, and the starters who had made the great start wore bright expressions.
But the substitutes looked a little tense.
Because of one thing Schuster had said upon entering.
"I'll be making several changes in the second half."
Which meant substitutions were coming.
As everyone's attention focused, Schuster stood in the center of the locker room and announced.
"Rafael. You'll replace Sneijder."
"Understood."
And then, he continued.
"Woo, get ready."
It was time. He was going in.
But Schuster's tone seemed unusual.
His mustache twitched, as if he were about to reveal something significant.
"I'm giving you an interesting role."
"An interesting role?"
"You're going up top. Malouda, van der Vaart, Zidane, Carlos, and Ramos will all be supporting you from behind."
A one-top striker.
(To be continued.)
Should I reduce the bonus amount to 100 PS just for this week? 🤔