─Hello, viewers. This is the Allianz Stadium. I'm commentator Mariano, and with me is Nicola...
Wednesday.
After finishing training and returning home, I sit in front of the television.
Inside the television screen, Juventus's home stadium is visible.
The Juventus match is about to begin.
The reason I had deliberately sat down in front of the television to watch a Juventus match was because this was quite an interesting game.
─The players from both teams are entering the field. The Juventus players in their Bianconeri kits, and the Villarreal players in their yellow kits are making their appearance.
I can see the familiar faces of the Juventus players, but on the opposite side, there are unfamiliar kits and unfamiliar players.
A team with an unfamiliar name too, Villarreal CF, is Juventus's opponent today.
As you can tell just by looking at the opponent, this is not a Serie A league match.
─Let's start by looking at the starting lineups for both teams. First, Juventus! Wojciech Szczesny in goal, in the back three Danilo, Matthijs de Ligt, Daniele Rugani. In midfield...
─Next, the starting lineup for Villarreal, who are currently 8th in La Liga this season. Geronimo Rulli in goal, in the back four Serge Aurier, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Pervis Estupinan...
Each time the players' faces appear on screen, it feels like tension is piercing through the screen.
Everyone has such grave expressions that I end up feeling tense for no reason.
Then, the music that somehow makes your chest swell just by hearing it rings out, heightening the atmosphere to its peak.
─Yes! The Champions League Round of 16 second leg! The match between Juventus and Villarreal has begun!
This match was neither Serie A nor the Coppa Italia—it was a Champions League match.
Champions League.
It is one of the European competitions where teams from various European leagues face off, and among them, it is said to be the highest club competition boasting the greatest prestige.
This season, our team's goal was exactly to qualify for this Champions League.
I only vaguely know how prestigious this competition is.
Maybe Dad or the uncle next door knows better than me. There is still much I don't know about the history of European football and such.
But living with my seniors, I could feel it through them.
How important this competition is, that is.
For one thing, they said that just by qualifying for the Champions League, we'd be taking planes to all our away matches, so our team's financial situation would improve.
They also said we could expect more fans and good players to come in.
Above all, some seniors had said that simply playing in a Champions League match was a dream.
Senior Bonaventura had said such words.
He said even just one match would be fine; he wanted to step onto the Champions League stage before he died.
He said that was his dream as a player.
Since all my seniors were running toward the goal of Champions League qualification, I couldn't help but make that my goal as well.
So that's why I'm watching this match now, as a sort of preview.
─Juventus, who drew 1-1 away in the first leg, are indeed in an advantageous position. However, if they fail to score the opening goal early, it may be difficult to predict the direction of the game.
─Because Villarreal is a team with solid defense and a strong counterattack.
I'm watching the match feeling like I'm studying, but I feel a bit strange.
Somehow, without knowing why, it's because I had been watching the match while slightly cheering for Juventus.
Me, cheering for Juventus.
Even I think it's something impossible.
The team that always loses no matter who they play—that's Juventus. The very name makes me frown.
Then why do I want Juventus to win... no, it's not that I want them to win exactly.
Why do I feel like I want them to show good performance?
Because Vlahovic is playing?
Hmm...
That might be part of it.
But I think there's a bigger reason than that.
Whether I admit it or not, Juventus is a strong team in Serie A.
Although they are currently stuck in 5th place and lost to us 'twice.'
Anyway, it's true that they are the team with the most Serie A titles.
Juventus is essentially the team representing our league.
As the representative of Italy's Serie A, they are facing off against a team from Spain's La Liga.
Therefore, how should I put it.
Pride? It was a matter of pride.
The pride of Serie A.
So isn't it that I don't want to see them lose?
If the Serie A representative fails to show a strong performance, our team playing in that same Serie A becomes nothing special too.
Well... to be more honest.
You could say I want to confirm that I am not a frog in a well.
Of course I know.
The world is wide, and outside Italy there are incredibly strong teams and countless talents everywhere.
That's why I'm scared.
The Juventus I knew was a strong team, one we had caught after a fierce battle...
It's scary that even such a Juventus might be nothing special when they go outside.
Because then ultimately, the frog in the well would be me.
─Vlahovic, shoot! But straight at the goalkeeper! Pau Torres reducing the shooting angle was effective right there!
─Juventus is racking up shots on target one by one, but Villarreal's defense is solid. At a glance it may look like a one-sided match, but this is Villarreal's plan, you see?
The moment Vlahovic's shot was blocked, I almost let out a sigh without realizing it, but barely held it in.
Well, no matter what, I can't genuinely root for Juventus.
However, it was true that as the match continued 0-0, I grew more anxious.
It was even more so because Vlahovic, who had been so threatening against us, was unable to show much strength.
─The first half ends 0-0 like this. Looking at ball possession and shot count, Juventus definitely dominated the first half. But I think Villarreal is the one smiling.
After a frustrating match, the first half ends 0-0.
While advertisements play for a moment, I pick up my phone and start looking up the team called Villarreal.
Villarreal CF. Their nickname is the Yellow Submarine.
They finished 7th in La Liga last season, and are currently 8th this season.
Originally in La Liga, up to 4th place can qualify for the Champions League, but Villarreal won a competition called the Europa League last season and snatched a qualification ticket.
La Liga title... they've never won it even once.
"...Hmm."
My head tilts.
It's funny that I dare evaluate them, but anyway, looking at their record alone, they aren't exactly a team you can call a powerhouse.
Compared to Juventus, who have won Serie A dozens of times.
Yet, the fact that such a team is playing an equal match against Juventus... comes as quite a shock to me.
If only Villarreal were a team that frequently won La Liga and appeared in the Champions League as if it were a meal, I might understand.
Villarreal, appearing equal to Juventus, was merely an ordinary mid-table team within La Liga.
Then just how well do teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona—the ones that immediately come to mind when you say 'La Liga'—play?
If Juventus faced those teams... wouldn't they lose without being able to do anything?
There was nothing scarier to me than that.
BANG-!
"Uwah!"
Because of the front door suddenly bursting open, I made a strange sound without realizing it.
Then Jiu, who entered after opening the door, looks at me strangely.
"What. Why are you so startled."
"Uh... it's nothing. You're here."
"Yeah! Ahh, I'm tired. Did you have a good training?"
"Yeah."
Jiu trudged over and naturally sat beside me, and while I was listening to how Jiu spent today,
the second half begins on the television screen.
"What, you were watching soccer? Huh? Juventus? Why are you watching their match?"
"Ah... that. It's just, it's kind of an important match."
"Important match? What's important about it?"
At Jiu's question, I scratch my head and explain. That it's called the Champions League, that our team's goal is to participate in the next tournament, and that's why I'm watching.
Whether Jiu understood or not, Jiu nodded vigorously and said,
"So, it's a tournament where they gather only the good teams and pick the very best among them."
"Yeah. That's right."
"That, season thing? If we do well this season, Fiorentina goes there next season too?"
"Yeah."
When I nod, Jiu shrugs.
"Then this season is invalid."
"...Invalid?"
"What's the point of them fighting among themselves while leaving out our soccer genius. That's why it's invalid."
"Hmm..."
"Right?"
"Y... yeah..."
I smile awkwardly at Jiu's words and nod.
I'm truly grateful that Jiu believes I'm a genius so firmly, but hearing it as someone who knows the truth is incredibly embarrassing. It stings too.
"Whatever, they have to lose. They absolutely have to lose. As long as I'm watching, they have to lose."
"Y-yeah."
I watch the match while appropriately agreeing with Jiu, who is pouring curses on Juventus.
Uh... Jiu.
You're not wrong but... if Juventus loses, I...
"Oh! Oh! He fell! Isn't that a foul? It's a foul right? It is a foul! I knew they couldn't play clean! It's a penalty kick, right?"
"Uh... you're right..."
"What are you doing! Be happy quick!"
"Waaah..."
Ignoring my feelings, the foul committed by Juventus on TV is recognized as a penalty kick.
Because Jiu grabs my arm and shakes it wildly, I flap around like a balloon doll and pretend to be happy.
"Goal! It went in! Nice!"
"Nice..."
The ensuing penalty kick neatly tore through Juventus's net.
...The match is getting stranger.
This shouldn't be happening...
"Wow! Wah! Another one went in! Jackpot!"
Finally, a few minutes later, Villarreal's additional goal went in too.
With one cross coming in from the flank, the defense completely collapsed, and a Villarreal attacker lightly pushed it in.
Juventus, the Serie A representative... was collapsing to mid-table Villarreal of La Liga.
And that wasn't even the end.
─Ah, another penalty kick is awarded. This is the moment Juventus's elimination is virtually decided.
─Villarreal is showing the embodiment of pragmatic football. With this, following Inter and AC Milan who were eliminated earlier, Juventus too will taste the bitter cup of elimination.
Just before the match ended, Juventus conceded a second penalty kick, making the score 0-3.
─Serie A, annihilated.
The fact that Juventus, classified as a strong team within Serie A, was merely ordinary on the European stage had unfolded before my eyes.
So while Jiu was jumping up and down beside me in joy, I couldn't do the same.
Europe is vast, and Serie A is not the best among them.
That means if I end up playing there... I'll have to fight against teams on a higher level.
Can I really play the genius there like I do now?
Against the real monsters of Europe who make even Juventus look like nothing...
"All the Italian teams were eliminated? Sigh, that's why I said they shouldn't go out without our real genius. Hey, this won't do. Our Jian has to show them."
"..."
"You'll show them, right? That the real genius is someone else!"
"...Of course."
I nod at Jiu's words.
Well... it's true that I'm suddenly scared.
If I fight against real monsters, Jiu might find out that I was a frog in a well.
Everything might be exposed.
But... on the other hand, I'm also curious.
Am I really a frog in a well?
Maybe I'm just inside the well, but not a frog?
Actually, I'm the most curious. How far my genius act will work...
"I'll show them."
I muttered while nodding.
Though I am scared, the desire to check how far I can go is greater than that.
"Just trust me."
"Dad said to trust men who say 'just trust me' the least."
"..."
It was amazing that I felt this way.
But clearly, I feel like I want to face stronger opponents.
I can honestly say this to myself too.
Somehow, I even think it might be fun.
I too found this side of myself quite amazing.