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On the day of the Champions League semi-final second leg, Robert Lewandowski woke up one minute before his alarm rang. He immediately began his stretching routine to check his condition.

This was the routine Son Jinho had recommended when Lewandowski was in a slump. At first, it felt somewhat tedious, but now it had become a habit; he felt uneasy if he didn’t stretch.

“Oh. My body feels light!”

After finishing his stretches, Lewandowski nodded. He felt good, both physically and mentally. Perhaps due to his consistent stretching, his muscle flexibility was improving, and he was in the best condition he had been in all season.

“Make sure to do well today.”

“Yes. I’ll be back.”

After having a simple breakfast with Anna, whom he promised to marry once the season ended, Lewandowski headed to the Brakel Training Center.

Then he spotted a youthful Asian boy with a mature expression observing the surrounding players.

“Jinho!”

Though only in his second year as a pro and still a prospect, Son Jinho had quickly become an essential player for Dortmund with undeniable skill. He displayed more the savvy of a veteran midfielder than the spark of a young talent—yet perhaps due to the aura he carried, Lewandowski didn’t find it odd.

Well. It was a unique first meeting, to say the least.

Thinking back to his first encounter with Son Jinho, Lewandowski remembered how Jinho was an unremarkable prospect, aside from his skin color, but Lewandowski distinctly recalled that initial meeting.

After all, what kind of prospect watches senior players train and makes a face that says, “Ah, that’s not how football is played”?

A few veteran players had looked at the audacious young prospect with a mix of surprise and amusement, but they didn’t scold him too harshly, thinking he was just inexperienced.

After all, if they reprimanded a young Asian player, it might have turned into a racial issue.

“I’m feeling good today, so pass me the ball.”

Regardless, Lewandowski approached Son Jinho, who seemed eager to offer him tips, and conveyed that he was in good condition. Hearing this, Jinho replied with a somewhat reluctant expression.

“You always say you’re in good shape and then ruin my assists.”

At Son Jinho’s words, Lewandowski lost his momentary wit. He had pleaded for passes even on days he wasn’t feeling great, and indeed, he had blown those assists.

“No, this time I’m serious.”

While Lewandowski was busy trying to convince Son Jinho just how good he felt—

Game time was fast approaching, and the Dortmund players boarded the club bus at Brakel Training Center to head to the stadium.

***

“When you walk through a storm!”

Dortmund fans could hardly contain their excitement as they entered Signal Iduna Park. Today would determine which team would advance to the Champions League finals.

After securing a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu, it was a favorable situation for Dortmund.

“You’ll never walk alone!!”

Fans were hoping for Dortmund’s progression to the Champions League final, already chanting their songs until their voices strained before the match even started.

Perhaps thanks to the fervent support from the fans?

[Dortmund players are displaying light movements overall from the get-go.]

Dortmund dominated the game from the start, launching an attack against Real Madrid.

[This season, Dortmund has been incredible at home! It seems that this will not be an easy game for Real Madrid!]

Among the Dortmund players showcasing agile movements, Lewandowski was the standout.

Claiming to feel great, Lewandowski began to unleash his energy, fueled by the fiery support from the Dortmund crowd.

[As it turns out, Son Jinho has just received the ball from the side! He spots Lewandowski making a run into the penalty box!!]

As soon as Son Jinho got his hands on the ball, he timed his pass to perfection, breaking through Real Madrid’s offside line and darting into the penalty box.

He believed that if it was Son Jinho, he would surely deliver a pass towards him without hesitation, and thus he plunged into Real Madrid’s penalty area without a second thought.

Despite the pressure from Sergio Ramos, who stepped in as a center-back for Pepe, Lewandowski maintained his focus.

Just then, Son Jinho’s lob pass soared over Raphael Varane, heading right towards him.

Thud.

Lewandowski forcefully shook off Ramos’ grip on his jersey, received Son Jinho’s lob pass with his chest, and executed a sensational turning shot.

Boom─!

The moment Lewandowski’s turning shot pierced the net of Real Madrid.

Wobble!

“Jaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!”

“Borussia! Borussia!”

Dortmund fans raised their arms high and roared in approval.

“See? I told you, I’m really feeling great today!”

Transitioning smoothly from his shooting motion, Lewandowski pointed at Son Jinho with a bright smile, prompting a light chuckle from Jinho.

“No way. You actually meant it when you said you were feeling good.”

***

[What a beautiful pass and an even more beautiful finish. Roberto Lewandowski and Jinho! They’re putting on a fantastic show again today!]

[Indeed. And with this assist, Son’s chances of winning the assist king title have dramatically increased. In fact, it’s virtually confirmed, considering Zlatan Ibrahimovic was eliminated in the quarterfinals.]

[That’s right! Contrary to the anticipated second-year jinx before the season, Jinho has been performing fantastically so far. If Dortmund wins the Champions League, could he lift the Ballon d’Or as the youngest player ever?]

[Hmm… To win the Ballon d’Or, Son would have to overcome many obstacles. But perhaps that’s why it makes us want to cheer for him even more.]

The broadcast director subtly cautioned the commentator, who was hinting at racial issues, and the crew nodded to the warning and quickly changed the subject. Racial discrimination was indeed a sensitive topic in Europe, with many African and Middle Eastern immigrants.

[That’s right. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are no easy feats to surpass. Nonetheless, Dortmund gains an upper hand with Lewandowski’s wonder goal!]

***

With Lewandowski’s wonder goal, Dortmund had taken the lead 1-0.

In fact, from the moment the match began, I never thought we would lose. After all, this was our home ground, Signal Iduna Park.

Yet, I couldn’t help but be astonished at Lewandowski’s wonder goal—the moment it happened at the start of the game.

With a clean chest trap followed by a precise finish, it was indeed a glimpse of his potential to touch the divine in the future.

“Lewandowski’s performance, years past the twilight of his playing career, was undeniably impressive; it brought to mind the meme that his vision flows backward.”

Suddenly, I thought about how if Lewandowski had met a great coach like Alex Ferguson back in his younger days or Pep Guardiola for Messi, how different might things have been?

Good players always surface eventually, but wouldn’t they grow even faster if they’re under good mentorship during their most formative years?

Reflecting on the current players from Geumsun High School making their mark in the Korean professional league, excluding me, you could tell.

To be honest, it’s hard to see Gi-hyung’s coaching skills as capable…

– It’s me?!?!

Well, still, he was a nice guy.

Anyway, starting with Lewandowski’s wonder goal, we continued to press Real Madrid hard.

***

Boosted by their first goal, Dortmund ramped up their pressure on Real Madrid even more.

That said, Real Madrid certainly wasn’t just going to sit there and take the hits.

Just before halftime, a counterattack from Real Madrid ensued.

Starting with intense pressure from Dortmund, Mesut Özil found himself in a tight spot.

However, as halftime drew near, the focus of the Dortmund players began to waver, allowing pressure on Özil to loosen momentarily, and he seized that opportunity to slip in a threatening killer pass that chilled Dortmund to the bone.

In a bid to avoid offside, Cristiano Ronaldo made a slight diagonal run into Dortmund’s backline just as Özil’s pass reached him.

To block Ronaldo’s terrifying off-the-ball movement, Roman Weidenfeller rushed out, leaving the goal wide open.

Yet, with his signature sideways dribble, Ronaldo easily maneuvered past Roman Weidenfeller.

“Are you watching, Son Jinho? The star of today’s match is me!”

Following that, Ronaldo unleashed a shot.

As he sensed a goal coming, he smiled.

However, just as soon as he kicked, the shot struck a suddenly appearing leg, deflecting it off the goal line.

Surprised by the unexpected tackle, Ronaldo paused briefly.

“Hostia! Puta Madre!”

After confirming who had blocked his shot, Ronaldo spared no compliments.

“Phew─. Hey, no need for that kind of language.”

It was Son Jinho who had blocked Ronaldo’s shot. Playing as a central midfielder, Son had sensed the loosening pressure on Mesut Özil and immediately rushed back to the defensive line, successfully intercepting the shot at the last moment.

Only after confirming that Ronaldo’s shot had veered off the goal line did Son Jinho breathe a sigh of relief.

“Jinho! Great job! You’re better than our stupid defense!”

Roman Weidenfeller approached Son Jinho, offering high praise and lifting him up.

Thanks to Son Jinho’s efforts just before halftime, Dortmund managed to survive a moment of crisis when they nearly ceded momentum to Real Madrid.

 

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