Bernd Schuster's technical team had spent the past three months analyzing Barcelona's tactics down to the finest detail.
While it was impossible to monitor every team in the first division, Barcelona was an exception.
They examined the flow and attacking routes in every match, seeking out weaknesses in their defense.
That was where El Clásico would begin.
No matter how innovative or brilliant a tactic is, there is always a countermeasure eventually.
There is no such thing as a perfect tactic.
And the same must be true for Barcelona's almost cartoonish style of football. It had to have flaws.
The technical team had already proposed a few countermeasures, and after running simulations, they had gotten reasonably acceptable results.
Only minor tweaks to the existing tactics would be needed.
But that alone wouldn't be enough.
Even with a counter-strategy, if the players couldn't execute it perfectly in an actual match, it would be meaningless.
They had to replicate on the field what had only been simulated on a computer if they were to stand a chance against Barcelona.
That was how complete Barcelona's tactics were.
At least, that was how Schuster saw it.
So he agonized over it.
How could they maximize efficiency? Were there weaknesses he had missed? Was there still something lacking?
He spent days and nights obsessed, researching relentlessly.
El Clásico was that important.
Especially this year, its significance was even greater.
With both teams fighting for 3 points in the league standings, a loss was unacceptable.
The realistic goal was a draw.
Taking points from Camp Nou, Barcelona's fortress, was incredibly difficult.
And then, out of nowhere, unexpected help arrived.
From Ho-young.
"You say you know their football?"
"I noticed a few things while watching their matches."
"You want to share that with me?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. Conversations like this are always welcome."
In the past few days, Schuster had spoken with Raúl, Zidane, Cannavaro, Salgado, and Guti for their thoughts.
But Ho-young was the first to approach him voluntarily.
That alone made Schuster more inclined to listen, and he gestured for Ho-young to sit.
"Relax. I want to hear what you have to say."
"No problem. But I'm not sure if my thoughts will be useful."
"They will be. You were a big help in the Numancia match. And what we need now is more perspectives and broader insights."
"Understood."
Without hesitation, Ho-young began to speak.
"Before anything, we need to consider Guardiola's football philosophy. When you watch his football, what do you feel, Coach?"
"Haha. Football philosophy, huh... Pep plays suffocating yet smooth football. His perfectionism really comes through."
"I agree. He tries to give meaning to every action. We need to understand that. He seems to have a very unique worldview of his own. Could I first see the strategy proposed by the technical team?"
"No problem."
Schuster opened a simulation video on his laptop.
"Pep's Barcelona increases possession through precise and quick passing. So we're planning to focus on that in training. We'll try to dominate possession and avoid giving it up."
"That won't work."
"Hm?"
"I don't think we should focus on possession."
Ho-young continued without delay.
"Guardiola's football isn't just about possession. It's a highly disciplined attacking system."
"You're referring to tiki-taka?"
"Yes. But Guardiola's tiki-taka is different from traditional styles. The tactics we're facing are based on passing, movement, positioning, and pressing. It's a 'fluid system' in my view. Can we watch a Barcelona match video?"
From that moment, Ho-young launched into a detailed explanation.
After nearly two hours of discussion, Schuster sat in stunned silence.
He didn't speak for a while, as if struck speechless.
When he finally did, it was after his thoughts had settled.
"You're right... I was so fixated on possession that I missed the essence. The technical team briefly touched on it, but we focused too much on passing for the sake of possession. I can't believe we overlooked that... It feels like I've been hit over the head with a hammer."
The time spent talking with Ho-young had been a string of revelations.
Watching Barcelona's match footage alongside Ho-young's insights, everything began to make sense.
"It feels like we've discovered another breakthrough. Though I'm not sure this is a perfect solution."
"We won't know until we try."
Identifying the enemy's essence didn't guarantee victory.
Barcelona had the kind of strength that remained unshakable, even when fully understood.
"But still... at least in theory, it seems doable. But how did you figure this out?"
"I studied by watching his matches. And I've been thinking about this since last year, when we faced Guardiola's Barcelona B team."
"Amazing. You're a genius."
"Haha... thank you."
Ho-young answered awkwardly.
He couldn't exactly say it was because he had read Guardiola's autobiography, which would only be written years into the future.
Even before his regression, Ho-young had been deeply interested in football, and he loved reading biographies of football figures.
He had read many, but the one that left the strongest impression was Guardiola's autobiography.
It gave a detailed look into his football philosophy and tactical approach.
Though he couldn't remember everything, he vaguely recalled how Guardiola had prepared for El Clásico and what tactics he used during the treble-winning 2008–09 season.
He had read it multiple times.
Know the enemy and know yourself, and you'll never lose a hundred battles.
Tiki-taka, the core of Guardiola's tactics.
Ho-young knew of several counter-strategies that could be used against it.
One prime example was gegenpressing.
But with the current Real Madrid squad, that wasn't feasible.
"Right now, the team lacks the stamina. And building that kind of organizational structure takes time."
So the only option was to develop a strategy that best fit the current team.
Even if knowing the future didn't guarantee a win over Barcelona, it could still help.
"If I can even increase our chances by 1 percent."
That was enough.
That was all Ho-young could do.
The rest had to be proven on the pitch.
Schuster spoke.
"Alright. I'll talk it over with the technical team."
"Yes. Then I'll take my leave."
After Ho-young stepped outside, Schuster stroked his mustache and sank deep into thought.
December 10.
Around 50,000 fans filled Santiago Bernabéu.
It was the sixth group stage match of the Champions League, against Zenit.
What made it particularly interesting was that it featured a showdown between Korean players.
Real Madrid, already secured as group leaders, had Ho-young. Zenit, already eliminated, had Ki Dong-jin and Lee Ho-sung.
[It's surprising enough to have one, but we have three Korean players on the pitch at the Bernabéu. Doesn't this speak volumes about the rise of Asian football?]
[It does. Especially Korea, where many players have gone abroad since the 2002 World Cup. Ho-young also mentioned in an interview that the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup inspired him.]
[Indeed. We're looking forward to seeing how the match unfolds.]
Real Madrid completely dominated possession.
Zenit's players, having traveled all the way from Russia, were already in poor condition. With their elimination confirmed, they lacked motivation.
It was clear from their starting lineup, which featured mostly second-team players in preparation for the league.
Real Madrid also fielded mostly second-team players, but Schuster deployed several tactics he hadn't shown before.
Because he knew Barcelona's analysts were likely watching this match.
In other words, a smokescreen for El Clásico.
[Real Madrid is increasing possession today, controlling the game entirely. Zenit can't respond at all.]
[Lee Ho-sung tries to win the ball, but Ho-young calmly shields it.]
Placed as an attacking midfielder, Ho-young was tasked with conserving energy and playing the role of a 'classic playmaker.'
He maintained possession for long periods, slowly suffocating the opponent with a slow tempo.
[He reminds us of Riquelme, who left Villarreal this season. Aside from that, the team is in great form. Excellent performance and chemistry.]
[Absolutely. Once Real Madrid secured possession, they committed to a methodical build-up. Could this be a tactic for El Clásico in three days?]
[Could be. After all, Barcelona is famous for their possession-based football.]
The commentators failed to pick up on Schuster's intentions.
But one thing they got right was that the team chemistry was excellent.
Tébar, Callejón, and Marcos Alonso, who had played with Ho-young in Castilla for a year, followed his lead in the build-up, completely overwhelming Zenit.
A decisive chance came just 15 minutes into the first half.
[Ho-young with a brilliant chest trap to bring down the ball, then a one-touch pass aimed at Callejón up front!]
[Goal! Callejón scores! Ho-young's direct pass landed perfectly on Callejón's foot!]
[Ho-young clearly knows how to play football without moving. But was his ball trapping always this clean? Thanks to that, the one-touch pass was crisp and precise.]
It was Zidane's ball-trapping talent.
Like handling soft tofu, he could receive the ball and quickly link it to the next action with flawless control.
Whether it was his chest, shin, thigh, or foot, he could control the ball from any area.
With further development, he would be able to control the drop point, speed, and direction of the ball with ease, allowing for immediate follow-up actions.
That would enable him to shoot within 0.5 seconds of receiving a pass.
Like Dennis Bergkamp, the god of first touch.
'One day, I'll reach that level too.'
Believing in himself, Ho-young controlled the ball.
The more he did, the more Real's possession rose, leading to a goal fest.
2-0.
3-0.
4-0.
The goals kept coming, and Ho-young's performance, including 3 assists, was broadcast across the globe.
Korean fans watching the match live were stunned.
[Wait, there are really three Koreans on the field right now, right? Where are the other two? Where are Ki Dong-jin and Lee Ho-sung?ㅠㅠ]
└Crazy. It's their first Champions League match, and they can't even touch the ball. I feel bad for them. Real Madrid already has over 80% possession.
└Think they'll play possession football against Barça too?
└Who knows, but WooHoHo-young is amazing. I think I'm falling for him.
└Ho-young lol. Doesn't matter if they're seniors, he just smacks them down. Probably arrogant off the pitch too.
└Why are you bringing up seniority here? Look at Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo. It's war when they meet. That's what being a professional is, you idiot lol.
Even after Ho-young was subbed off in the second half, Real Madrid continued to dominate.
By the end of the match, the scoreboard showed 6-0.
With 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16 as group leaders.
There was no news more welcome for Ho-young.
[Your current talent capacity is full. Awaiting talents: Perfectly Balanced Ambidexterity (12 days), Explosive Kicking Power (6 days).]
[Please select a talent to preemptively acquire in 18 days.]
-Miraculous Stamina (S+3)
-Devastating Mid-Range Shot (S+3)
(More...)
Nedvěd's talent.
Ho-young's choice was stamina, naturally.
As his body continued to develop, it would eventually synergize to grant him truly miraculous stamina by the end of his growth phase.
After the match, as he passed through the photo line, interview requests came pouring in.
Ho-young chose Marca for a post-match interview.
At the end, he was asked this:
"El Clásico is in three days. Are you confident?"
Ho-young responded, short and firm.
"I'll show you on the pitch."
(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.)