Deep-set nasolabial folds that made him look unpleasant, and neatly combed white hair.
Matching his stubborn-looking appearance, he possessed a fiery temper. He was Javier Aguirre, the man who had been managing Atletico Madrid for three years now.
Known for his strictness, he treated reporters with the same unchanging attitude.
"Move aside. I already answered everything yesterday at Camp Nou."
"This is Marca. I couldn't make it to Camp Nou yesterday because there was a match in Madrid."
"Then I have nothing in particular to say to you."
Without even glancing at the Marca reporter, who was known to be close to Real Madrid, he headed straight into the training facility.
Only journalists accredited as Atletico Madrid-friendly were allowed to conduct a brief interview.
"I'll keep it short before going inside. Let's start with this reporter."
A female journalist stepped forward and raised her microphone.
"Atletico suffered a painful 5-2 defeat against Barcelona in Round 6 at Camp Nou yesterday. That Barcelona is being described as having their worst season in years."
"No, I disagree. Barcelona was stronger than ever. They may have struggled early in the season, but the current Barcelona is returning to where they belong. They are showing new football. Other teams will realize it soon enough."
He was not making excuses for the loss.
He was simply stating, without concealment, that Barcelona had been strong.
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona had taken only the strengths from former manager Rijkaard's tactics, eliminated the weaknesses, and were steadily building a more complete system.
That was exactly what Aguirre had felt during the match.
This time, a young male reporter asked a question.
"To make matters worse, your next opponent is Real Madrid, who are on a six-match winning streak in the league. Even though it's a home match, it must still be a heavy burden."
Facing Barcelona and then Real Madrid in back-to-back rounds was a nightmare schedule, not just for Atletico, but for any team.
Aguirre let out his trademark scoffing chuckle.
"It is a burden, but I'm not particularly afraid. Atletico Madrid has a duty to defeat them."
The confidence he displayed was overwhelming.
The reporter followed up.
"Fernando Alonso, your tactical analyst, was spotted at the Bernabeu last night. Did he gain anything?"
"…Ahem. We still have thirteen days left. We will prepare thoroughly and put on a good performance."
He did not answer clearly whether there had been any tangible gains.
The reason was simple. The report Fernando Alonso brought back after watching Real Madrid last night contained no clear solution.
The key points of the first tactical analysis report, summarized into eighteen A4 pages, were as follows.
[... Real Madrid's tactical patterns differ significantly from last season's 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 built around Robinho as the key player.
This season, they have used three different starting formations across seven matches, averaging 3.85 major tactical changes per game. It can be described as a player-oriented tactical system.
Approximately 70 percent of their tactics are based on Raul and Zidane, while the remaining 30 percent utilize Ho-young's versatility.
Most shots occur in chaotic situations inside the box, where both scoring probability and shots on target are at their highest.
Simulation results show that for every 2 percent increase in possession, the win rate rises by approximately 1.4 percent, Pattern A. This effect is maximized when Zidane and Ho-young are on the pitch together.
In conclusion, to overcome this, we must prioritize midfield control as the hot zone, while eliminating as many destabilizing factors and elements that disrupt match flow as possible.
First, individual analysis has been conducted on key players likely to feature in the next match, and this has been uploaded to the Manzanares ATM player-only web page.
As for the rest...]
In this era of rapidly advancing science, data analysis was a crucial component of team strength.
No matter how much you talk about numbers, if you do not score goals, it means nothing. Still, analysis increased the probability of scoring.
If it could raise the win rate by even 1 percent, then the strategy team had to dissect the opponent's players and tactics thoroughly, even if it meant working themselves to exhaustion.
However, this report offered no decisive answer.
In short, it boiled down to one thing.
You have to be perfect to win.
Aguirre felt the weight pressing down on his shoulders.
Losing to Barcelona a hundred times was one thing, but losing to Real Madrid was absolutely unacceptable for Atletico Madrid.
The pressure was immense.
"Haah… what a brutal stretch."
Steel his resolve, he entered the facility.
The place Aguirre headed to was not the pitch, but the audiovisual room.
The coaching staff and players were already seated, and exhaustion was written all over their faces.
They had fought a grueling 5-2 battle against Barcelona just the night before.
If the next opponent had not been Real Madrid, he would have given them at least two days of rest.
But circumstances did not allow that.
There were still thirteen days until the Real Madrid match, but with six training sessions planned, they could not afford to relax.
Outdoor training could be lightened, but indoor sessions had to begin immediately.
"Today will just be a brief presentation. Review the additional materials online at home. Understood?"
"Yes."
No one welcomed the news, but no one openly complained either.
They all wanted to defeat their eternal rivals, Real Madrid.
"Alright, focus. Before the briefing, you'll watch a video summarizing Real Madrid's seven matches this season, categorized by situation. First, two chance-creation routes built from Zidane's deep build-up."
At Aguirre's signal, the analysis footage prepared by the strategy team began to play.
It showed a goal from the match between Numancia and Real Madrid, highlighting the link-up play between Zidane, Ho-young, and Raul.
The next clip was from the match against FC BATE Borisov.
Zidane's deep build-up, Ho-young's advanced playmaking, and Van der Vaart's second-line pressing combined into a flawless goal.
"This is ridiculous…"
"One mountain after another."
Most players reacted similarly after watching the footage.
This match might end up being tougher than facing Barcelona.
Those seeing Ho-young's play for the first time were particularly astonished.
"He's just a kid, how does he play so shrewdly? Look at him dictating the attack there."
"I'd only heard he was breaking youngest-ever records, but I didn't think he was this good. I've never seen a prospect like this."
"He reminds me of Messi's debut season."
They already knew how good players like Raul, Zidane, and Carlos were, but they had not expected Ho-young to be at this level.
"This is my first time watching Real Madrid this season, but they look even better than last year. Ho-young could start for most mid-table teams without question."
"Yeah. The others support him well, sure, but… wait, is that all?"
"There's more."
It did not end there.
Just when it seemed over, new clips kept playing, and Ho-young kept appearing.
On screen, Ho-young formed triangles with various players, Raul, Robben, Higuain, Malouda, Van der Vaart, Zidane, Guti, Van Nistelrooy.
It was a tactic that faithfully followed football's fundamental principle that perfect triangles lead to victory.
Aguirre finally spoke.
"Our top priority is breaking these triangles. Whether it's Raul, Robben, or Ho-young, we must disrupt the triangles that connect to the final third to have a chance."
"Hm… that makes sense."
"This is a lot tougher than expected."
The clearly edited footage, enhanced with modern technology, heightened the players' sense of urgency.
Yet one man watched with confidence.
'I can stop this.'
It was Gregory Coupet, the 35-year-old French veteran goalkeeper who had joined Atletico Madrid this season.
He had missed the Barcelona match due to a minor injury, but was expected to fully recover within ten days.
That meant he would be able to play against Real Madrid.
And Aguirre trusted his ability.
After all, Coupet had previously stopped Real Madrid's attack almost single-handedly at his former club.
'No problem this time either.'
He intended to showcase the full extent of a world-class goalkeeper's skill.
The match kicked off at 8 p.m. on October 19.
The venue was Atletico Madrid's home ground, Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Five minutes before kickoff, inside the tunnel.
The players of both teams engaged in a silent battle of nerves, with police and referees standing between them.
In one corner stood an Asian boy.
Ho-young had earned a spot in the starting lineup.
His eyes darted around restlessly.
Standing nearby was a player whose presence alone made mouths drop open.
A Uruguayan elite striker with long blond hair neatly tied back with a headband.
Ho-young's eyes sparkled as he looked at him.
[Diego Forlan: Cannon Shooter Mid-Range Shot (U), Astonishing Finishing (S+3), Unshakable Composure (S+2), Two-Beat-Faster Shot Release (S), Proficient with Both Feet (A+3), Razor-Sharp Decision Making (A+3)]
(More…)
(You may acquire one talent if conditions are met.)
(S-rank or higher requires hidden conditions.)
(Condition 1: Play at least 60 minutes in this match)
(Condition 2: Score with a mid-range shot)
(Condition 3: Record 3 or more shots on target)
(Condition 4: Record 2 or more attacking points)
(Condition 5: Earn points from the match)
(Hidden condition unlocked if one or more talents are acquired)
(Special Condition, Derby Madrileno: Win the match)
(If the Derby Madrileno condition is met, you may additionally acquire Diego Forlan's potential.)
The Uruguayan cannon shooter, Diego Forlan.
If Roberto Carlos was a maniacally powerful left-footed shooter, Forlan was a cannon shooter with equally strong feet.
Power, accuracy, and timing, all were exceptional.
'Today, it's mid-range.'
It was a perfect opportunity to upgrade his existing mid-range shooting talent.
He wanted to get onto the pitch as soon as possible and unleash everything he had prepared.
But perhaps because it was his first major derby, time in the tunnel felt unusually long.
Even breathing made his palms sweat with tension.
Then the stadium announcer's voice echoed, and the referee and both teams stepped onto the pitch together.
Unlike the Bernabeu, where players walked upward from an underground tunnel, Vicente Calderon was designed so they walked downward.
The moment Ho-young stepped onto the pitch.
"Atleti, Atleti, Atletico de Madrid!"
It felt like a marching song that made you want to dance.
With Atletico Madrid's official anthem roaring, the match began.
And then.
Ho-young's burning competitive spirit erupted just seven minutes after kickoff.
[Ho-young with a sudden mid-range shoooot!]
There was no elaborate buildup.
He received a simple ground pass, noticed the shooting lane open slightly, and struck without hesitation.
It was sudden and powerful.
However, the distance was a bit long, and with no run-up, the power was slightly less than intended.
Thud.
[A brilliant save by Gregory Coupet, throwing his body across! This truly is a clash between spear and shield!]
[As expected of Coupet. The shot was sharp, but he is not a goalkeeper who easily concedes from long range. Just look at that expressionless face. It says, that was nothing.]
As the commentator said, Coupet's face was expressionless.
But inside, it was different.
'…Why is it so heavy?'
Even from that distance, the shot carried tremendous power.
From nearly 30 meters, that was no ordinary strike.
It reminded him vividly of the day he had blocked Roberto Carlos's shots.
'It feels faster than what was written in the player report…'
As that thought crossed his mind, Ho-young's back entered his field of vision.
His gaze was soon drawn to those thick, solid thighs.
For some reason, he felt a bad premonition about this match.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)