Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 118

< Champions League >

2028/29 Season Champions League Participating Teams

◆Pot 1

– Real Madrid CF (La Liga, Previous Season Winner)

– Sevilla FC (La Liga, Previous Season Europa Winner)

– FC Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)

– Paris Saint-Germain FC (Ligue 1)

– Atlético Madrid (La Liga)

– Inter Milan (Serie A)

– Manchester City FC (Premier League)

– Sporting CP (Primeira Liga)

◆Pot 2

– Juventus FC (Serie A)

– Arsenal FC (Premier League)

– Villarreal CF (La Liga)

– Lille OSC (Ligue 1)

– Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)

– FC Barcelona (La Liga)

– Liverpool FC (Premier League)

– SL Benfica (Primeira Liga)

◆Pot 3

– FC Porto (Primeira Liga)

– AFC Ajax (Eredivisie)

– AC Milan (Serie A)

– West Ham United (Premier League)

– RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)

– FC Köln (Bundesliga)

– FC Zenit (Russian Premier League)

– Galatasaray SK (Süper Lig)

◆Pot 4

– SSC Napoli (Serie A)

– FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukrainian PL [Premier League])

– FC Dynamo Kyiv (Ukrainian PL [Premier League])

– Club Brugge KV (Belgian First Division A)

– BSC Young Boys (Swiss Super League)

– Olympiacos FC (Greek Super League)

– Malmö FF (Allsvenskan [Swedish top-tier league])

– KRC Genk (Belgian First Division A)

West Ham hoped for a relatively easy group, but in reality, West Ham was the most troublesome opponent for all teams.

In terms of team strength alone, West Ham belonged in Pot 2.

Because they were the second-place team in the Premier League.

Perhaps they should have been in Pot 1.

They competed evenly with Manchester City, one of the top teams in Europe, and even defeated them to win the FA Cup.

Above all, having Johan van, the best striker in Europe, was a huge advantage.

So, for such a team to be placed in Pot 3 due to their lack of European competition history until last season…

There was talk that the group West Ham was in would become the group of death.

Amidst this, the Champions League group stage draw began in Switzerland.

“The Pot 1 team for Group A is Real Madrid.”

“The Pot 1 team for Group C is Manchester City.”

“The Pot 1 team for Group E is Paris Saint-Germain.”

First, the Pot 1 teams were placed in each group, followed by the Pot 2 teams.

“The Pot 2 team for Group A is Juventus.”

“The Pot 2 team for Group E is Barcelona.”

By the time the Pot 2 teams were drawn, several groups that the Pot 3 teams didn’t want to be in were already apparent.

First of all, the groups to avoid at all costs were Group A and Group E.

Group A, with Real Madrid and Juventus.

And Group E, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

Group A was a given, and Group E was just as daunting in terms of club prestige.

It was hard to imagine these mega-clubs being eliminated in the group stage, so these two groups had to be avoided.

However, why do ominous premonitions always come true?

As the Pot 3 draw began, everyone hoped West Ham’s name wouldn’t be called.

Ironically, West Ham was picked.

“The Pot 3 team for Group E is West Ham United.”

Group E, which they wanted to avoid as much as Group A.

West Ham ended up in that Group E.

Schmidt, who was watching the draw, tried to maintain his composure on the outside, but inwardly, he could only sigh.

Paris and Barca?

Damn it.

This is making my head spin.

“The group stage draw is now complete.”

In any case, after the draw was over, the finalized group stage was as follows:

◆Group A

– Real Madrid CF

– Juventus FC

– FC Köln

– BSC Young Boys

◆Group B

– Sevilla FC

– Lille OSC

– AFC Ajax

– FC Dynamo Kyiv

◆Group C

– Manchester City FC

– Borussia Dortmund

– FC Zenit

– KRC Genk

◆Group D

– Atlético Madrid CF

– Arsenal FC

– RB Leipzig

– SSC Napoli

◆Group E

– Paris Saint-Germain FC

– FC Barcelona

– West Ham United

– Malmö FF

◆Group F

– FC Bayern Munich

– Villarreal CF

– FC Porto

– Club Brugge KV

◆Group G

– Inter Milan

– SL Benfica

– Galatasaray SK

– FC Shakhtar Donetsk

◆Group H

– Sporting CP

– Liverpool FC

– AC Milan

– Olympiacos FC

‘My head hurts…’

Schmidt rubbed his forehead as he looked at the completed groups.

Well, the draw wasn’t good.

But you never know until you play the game.

If we prepare thoroughly, we can beat them.

It just sucks that we have to take the thorny path instead of an easier one.

…

“Wow, this is ridiculous.”

“We have the worst luck.”

“We should have been in Group B…”

The day after the draw, the players who gathered at the training ground sighed and complained.

It was their first Champions League, and they were so excited they couldn’t sleep, but the group turned out to be the worst.

Paris Saint-Germain.

The absolute number one in Ligue 1 [French League].

A star-studded team backed by Middle Eastern capital.

Last season, they clinched the league title early in the 33rd round, showcasing their formidable power.

In particular, this team’s strength lies in its attack.

They were a very difficult team in terms of matchups.

The bigger problem was Barcelona.

They are currently being hailed as the second golden generation.

The golden generation led by Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta in the past.

The current Barcelona is strong enough to be evaluated as capable of challenging the achievements of that golden generation.

Certainly, Barcelona had a slight slump in the early 2020s.

But now, the young players who gained experience from that time are all reaching their peak.

The easiest opponent is Malmö.

But it won’t mean much.

In the end, to advance to the knockout stage, they have to beat Paris and Barca.

“The schedule is a mess too.”

“The first game is against Barcelona.”

“Then it’s Paris. Haha!”

“Is that funny? Is that funny to you?”

“Do you think I’m laughing because it’s funny? I’m laughing, but I’m not really laughing.”

A bleak group draw in many ways.

The future looks bleak.

“Putting everything else aside, we can rely on Johan, though.”

“The problem is that Johan doesn’t care much.”

“Honestly, if Johan gives it his all, we can beat Paris? Barca? We can beat them all.”

“But he’s only focused on winning the league.”

“Haa… is there anything we can do?”

In fact, the biggest problem is Johan, even more than the draw.

Whether the opponent is Paris or Barca, we can trust and go with Johan if he’s there.

But Johan doesn’t have much motivation for the Champions League.

In this situation, there’s nothing to rely on.

“What can we do? We have to believe in ourselves.”

“Yeah. Well, it’s not a pretty sight to rely only on the youngest member.”

“We have Bellamy and Capello too. These guys are well-known in Europe.”

“Hmph. Are you finally recognizing my true worth?”

It seemed unavoidable.

They had no choice but to trust the other teammates.

Even if Johan isn’t serious, the current team isn’t one that will collapse easily.

They had won two consecutive league games without Johan in the last two games.

Even though those opponents were promoted teams, they might have drawn or lost if it were last season.

But the team’s size has grown, and the current West Ham is not the West Ham of the past.

If they go all out, they might be able to defeat the giants.

Well, of course, it would be even better if Johan gave it his all…

“Hoo…”

“Let’s do it. Somehow.”

As the players were preparing for training with not-so-bright expressions.

“Oh, Johan. You’re here.”

Johan came to the training ground.

Johan tilted his head, seeing the expressions on his older teammates’ faces.

“Did you get scolded again?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Did you get scolded by the coach again? The atmosphere is heavy.”

“What do you usually think of us? Scolded? No. We’re just feeling a bit lost.”

“The Champions League draw was yesterday. The group isn’t good. That’s why.”

“The group isn’t good?”

The teammates explained the draw results to Johan.

Only two teams from one group can advance to the knockout stage, but two of the strongest teams in Europe are in the same group.

They have to beat those two teams to go up, so it’s a bleak situation.

Johan tilted his head even after hearing the explanation.

“What’s the worry?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you worried when I’m here?”

“No, well, you’re not interested in the Champions League, are you?”

“I am now. I’m interested.”

At Johan’s words, all the teammates’ eyes widened.

“Just tell me. What do you want?”

“Why, will you listen if I tell you?”

“Yes. I’ll listen. What is it? The championship?”

The players burst into laughter at Johan’s overly confident attitude.

It’s an embarrassing level of confidence.

Just tell him.

It’s as if he can win the Champions League if he puts his mind to it.

But since it’s Johan saying it, it strangely felt trustworthy.

The Champions League isn’t just any dog’s name, but it felt like Johan could do it.

“Okay. Then, make us win the championship.”

“I will.”

“Great. Promised?”

“Yes.”

The players burst into laughter.

However, it’s not just a ridiculous laugh.

Strangely, they felt encouraged.

They don’t know why, but just the fact that Johan has the will is a huge boost.

They felt like they had a reliable guide, even though they were feeling lost until just now.

Right, with Johan here, what’s the problem with Paris or Barca?

They can win.

They’ll give it a try.

“Great! Johan promised, so let’s do it!”

“We’ll crush Barcelona!”

“Let’s go up as the top of the group!”

Suddenly, the West Ham training ground began to come alive.

…

September 2, 2028.

West Ham had a league game against Leicester City in the 3rd round.

In this game, the best eleven [starting lineup] was activated for the first time since the Community Shield game.

This was to raise the players’ sense of the game ahead of the game against Barcelona.

If West Ham was missing key players, the game against Leicester City would have been quite difficult.

However, West Ham, with its complete lineup, overwhelmed Leicester City.

In fact, it was uncertain what Johan’s condition would be.

He had been resting for quite a while, and he hadn’t been training much during his break.

However, Johan’s performance in the Leicester City game showed that there was no need to worry.

Johan gets better the more he rests.

Above all, ironically, it was more difficult for Johan to rest without playing in the game.

Because he couldn’t score any attack points [goals or assists] without playing in the game, he had to keep coming to training.

Johan unleashed all that frustration against Leicester City.

Johan recorded a hat trick and was replaced by Kane in the 72nd minute.

West Ham won 3-1 thanks to Johan’s 3 goals, continuing their 3-game winning streak after the opening.

They were able to prepare for the Barcelona game in a good mood.

*

September 6, 2028, London Stadium.

“It’s my first time at this stadium.”

“Champions League in a place like this. It doesn’t fit.”

The Barcelona players, who arrived at the stadium and looked around the ground, raised one corner of their mouths.

A stadium that doesn’t fit the Champions League.

Of course, they are not talking about the stadium’s facilities or size.

The home team here doesn’t fit with the Champions League.

All the team’s players are like that, but the Barcelona players have a particularly high level of loyalty and pride in the club.

The reason is that most of the players are from the youth academy.

Barcelona Youth, La Masia [Barcelona’s youth academy].

La Masia, which means ‘farm,’ is probably the most prestigious youth academy in Europe.

Just looking at the faces of the players from La Masia, everyone has to nod.

Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas, Jordi Alba, Thiago Alcântara, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández.

And Lionel Messi.

World-class players are everywhere, players who have dominated an era are abundant, and even La Masia, which has produced the best player of all time.

It is natural that their pride is great.

The Barcelona players from La Masia who arrived at the London Stadium today were the same.

The Barcelona players also knew that West Ham’s youth academy is a relatively famous place in England.

Frankly, it wasn’t even worth a snort.

Today, they came to the London Stadium with the intention of showing them properly what ‘real’ is.

The majesty of La Masia.

“Let’s show them our football.”

“It’s a rare opportunity, so I hope everyone enjoys it, island friends.”

The Barcelona players finished their simple warm-up and grass adaptation and headed to the locker room with smug faces to prepare for the game.