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***

30 minutes into the first half. Van Persie, who betrayed the alliance, left the field due to an injury.

It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury since he was helped off the field by medical staff rather than on a stretcher.

But it’s true I’m worried because Van Persie is as fragile as glass.

“Hmm. Isn’t it more accurate to say Van Persie is not just fragile, but glass itself?”

Honestly, I’d like to tell Totempak to cast another powerful spell for him.

Anyway, Danny Welbeck was substituted in for the injured Van Persie.

That guy can at least deliver one serving apart from scoring goals.

Ever since the addition of Ronaldo and me, Danny Welbeck had been relegated to the bench and was only getting sporadic playing time.

Now, he was preparing to go on loan in the upcoming winter transfer market, so there was a strong resolve in his eyes to perform in this match.

“Ah… I shouldn’t exert too much strength.”

I was a bit worried about Welbeck’s determination.

“Relax, Danny Welbeck, just pass to me.”

Well, it’s fine since Ronaldo’s around, right?

It may seem obvious, but Ronaldo has considerable influence at Manchester United right now.

He had connections with veterans like Ferdinand, Vidic, and Evra, earning him respect as a Ballon d’Or winner.

Young potential players at United, including Januzaj, were taking Ronaldo as their mentor.

Hmm.

Is it a coincidence that fundamental theories are popping up in my head?

“Freaking tutor teacher…?”

Well, it’s just a light joke.

Ronaldo might have caused several incidents, but he’s undeniably one of the best mentors.

Except for his incessant self-praise, of course.

I must say, I’m impressed by Ronaldo’s rigorous self-management.

Having been a midfielder who declared retirement in his mid-thirties, I knew exactly how hard it was to stay active at nearly 40.

That said, I don’t particularly wish to play into my forties like Ryan Giggs or Ronaldo.

Squeeeak─!

Anyway, the game resumed with a free kick for Manchester United.

Since the position was not suitable for a direct shot, Michael Carrick decided to pass it towards the penalty box, and Ronaldo and I, who both had an aerial advantage, aimed for headers inside the box.

Back in Dortmund, I had avoided physical contests on purpose due to my still-growing body.

But now, it’s been three years since the return.

Having become an adult, my physique has developed enough, so I was determined to actively compete for aerial balls.

“Don’t lose your man!”

“Focus!”

A fierce contest for position against an AC Milan defender unfolds.

The one trying to break through and the one trying to block.

In that process, a rough physical battle ensued.

“Siuuuuu─!”

Boom─!

Nigel de Jong stepped on Ronaldo’s foot, and with a cry of pain, Ronaldo hit De Jong’s back of the head.

I was wowed by the scene unfolding right before my eyes.

“Wow. Ronaldo is amazing.”

To witness Ronaldo this closely in person, as the younger brother from the past, was a moment that swelled my heart.

And it wasn’t just me who was moved by Ronaldo’s boldness.

“Gah…”

Nigel de Jong, hit by Ronaldo, also looked awed, trembling while holding his face.

“Even though he got hit on the head, it hurts his face… Ronaldo is just a traditional martial artist.”

The moment of witnessing the legendary Ronaldo was brief.

Squeeak─!

The referee handed Ronaldo a red card for retaliation, calling for his dismissal.

That was when I realized I had been cast out into the cold, harsh reality, stark naked.

“…What the hell, you’re getting sent off too!”

And the real problem is that Ronaldo’s dismissal doesn’t end with just this match.

Since he committed violence, UEFA will impose additional sanctions on Ronaldo, meaning that along with the injured Van Persie, I will be left to fill in both their gaps for a while.

Though Ronaldo is still eligible to play in the league, what’s important to me isn’t the league, but the Champions League.

Faced with the awful reality of having to lead a shattered squad, I fled from reality like someone who couldn’t get into art school and committed suicide.

“This is all a conspiracy by the Judeo-Bolsheviks!”

Thus began “My Struggles” in the Champions League.

***

The match continued.

With Ronaldo showcasing his Portuguese martial arts skills and sent off early, we found ourselves at a numerical disadvantage.

Clearly unfavorable for Manchester United, but surprisingly, the game was manageable.

As the rough play of the cautioned Nigel de Jong lessened, the movement of United’s players began to pick up.

Well… If this were the old AC Milan, the game would have ended the moment United went down to 10 men, but I must say that the current AC Milan squad isn’t any better than United.

Anyway.

40 minutes into the first half.

Michael Carrick, securing the ball from the back, sent a long pass to me on the left side.

I grabbed the ball steadily, glanced around to check my teammates’ positions.

After setting up a lob pass over the defender to Danny Welbeck moving into the penalty box, I sprinted towards the center.

In that instant, all the attention of the AC Milan defenders was drawn to Danny Welbeck.

“Perfect except for scoring,” Danny Welbeck opted for a cutback instead of taking the shot himself.

“Stop that Asian!”

The AC Milan goalkeeper shouted in a panic, his face drained of color.

And I see a defender charging in with a stern expression to disrupt the shot.

“But it’s too late.”

Confirming the positions of the goalkeeper and defenders, I focused on the rolling ball, calmly bringing my foot up to make contact.

The low shot rolled through the defenders’ legs, heading for the corner of the net.

“Please just touch it─!!”

Christian Abbiati, the AC Milan goalkeeper, stretched out his arms with a desperate heart.

But the ball brushed past his fingertips, slicing through the goal.

“Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa─!!”

With the goal, cheers erupted from the Manchester United fans filling Old Trafford.

I turned my head to find Danny Welbeck, who recorded the assist.

Maybe it was because he had been struggling mentally after being reduced to a substitute?

“Come On!!!!!!”

Danny Welbeck dashed towards the corner flag, roaring towards the crowd right after the assist.

“Who the hell are you? Don’t step in front of Welbeck!”

I ran up to Danny Welbeck, grabbing his face and shouting.

***

[Gooooooooool─! Son Jinho!! Son Jinho’s shot finds the net against AC Milan!!]

ㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅ

Wow, that’s insane, LOL.

With Van Persie injured and Ronaldo sent off, I thought United was done for, but Son Jinho scored the opening goal, wow.

[Even though Van Persie is injured! Even with Cristiano Ronaldo’s dismissal, Manchester United still has the problem solver Son Jinho left!]

[Info) Son Jinho was a breadwinner during his Dortmund days.]

[Though it’s true Son Jinho shone overwhelmingly at Dortmund, let’s not downplay the other players too much.]

[Now look. The scoring scene is coming back. Here, Michael Carrick’s long pass goes to Son Jinho, who takes control of the ball and uses his right foot to deliver a precise lob pass to Danny Welbeck while moving into the center. Then Welbeck sends a return pass, and Son Jinho coolly finishes with his left foot. A shot like that to the far corner makes it impossible for the goalkeeper to move.]

[With the valuable first goal by Son Jinho, Manchester United takes the lead!!]

***

The first half ended with Manchester United’s opening goal, leading into the second half.

Milan’s manager, Massimiliano Allegri, put on Robinho, pulling off left-back Kevin Constant, to find an equalizer.

“Che cazzo! Don’t back off, attack!”

Massimiliano Allegri ordered his players from the touchline to pressure strongly.

[Ah! Cleverley gets stripped in a dangerous area! This is a chance for AC Milan!]

And not long after, AC Milan seized their chance.

[Muntari dashes forward quickly after taking the ball! Muntari! Muntari─!!!]

As Cleverley got stripped, Muntari took off.

[Whoa! So close! Muntari’s sudden long-range shot grazes just over the crossbar!!]

[Wow, that’s really close! It flew just a leaf’s distance away.]

Muntari’s sudden long-range shot missed scoring but raised AC Milan’s momentum.

[Here they come again, AC Milan!]

As the active offensive of AC Milan began pushing Manchester United back.

[Evra makes a clean tackle, stopping AC Milan’s attack!]

United’s vice-captain Patrick Evra cleared the ball and suddenly started shouting at the players.

“Don’t be scared, you bunch of cowards!”

“Glory! Glory! Man United!”

Responding first to Evra’s shout, which seemed unusually serious, was Danny Welbeck, who had regained confidence with his assist for Son Jinho’s opening goal.

[After a long time, Manchester United starts their offensive work! Son Jinho and Danny Welbeck are passing the ball while advancing!]

Charged by Danny Welbeck singing the team’s anthem, Manchester United launched an attack.

“Jinho! Return!”

Danny Welbeck, who had pushed up into the AC Milan half, passed to Son Jinho before immediately entering the penalty box.

Though Danny Welbeck’s pass had been treated hastily under defenders’ pressure, it didn’t consider the receiver at all.

Thud─.

Son Jinho smoothly took a soft first touch, gaining stable control of the ball, lifted it up, and passed it to Danny Welbeck.

[Son Jinho! Son Jinho’s pass goes to Danny Welbeck again!]

Son Jinho’s lob pass landed perfectly in front of Danny Welbeck, creating a golden opportunity.

[It’s a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper! Danny Welbeck!!]

In a tense moment.

Danny Welbeck calmly swung his foot at the ball flying toward him.

Fwosh─!

Danny Welbeck’s shot, aimed to seal the game, soared uselessly into the air.

“Wow. Was that guy also a Judeo-Bolshevik?”

With an open mind free of racial discrimination, Son Jinho was moved as he watched Danny Welbeck’s shot fly skyward.

***

 

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