< The Fantasy Lineup >
It was a shocking result.
At least, for Juventus fans.
In the 14th minute of the second half, the score became 3-0.
In the 27th minute, Juventus managed to score a goal thanks to Vlahović, rekindling a glimmer of hope.
However, that goal was hardly comforting.
Because in the 31st minute of the second half, Capello scored his third goal.
“Wowwwww-!”
“Crazy!”
This time, the assist was also by Johan.
It was an incredible through pass.
A perfect through pass that drew the defenders’ attention with a dribble that seemed to penetrate the center, then slipped the ball through the defense.
Capello gratefully received it and succeeded in completing his hat trick.
“…”
After completing the hat trick.
Capello deliberately ran towards the away supporters’ section to celebrate.
A celebration with both hands cupped to his ears.
A celebration telling them to shout louder.
Of course, Juventus fans responded with harsh curses, and Capello felt pleasure listening to those curses.
Their curses were nothing more than flattering praise to him.
“Hey. It seems like Johan is better at passing than Capello.”
“I know, right. That’s cheating.”
“Actually, isn’t he better at defending than us too?”
“Maybe.”
West Ham players were more amazed by Johan’s assist trick (assist + hat trick) than Capello’s hat trick.
All three assists were works of art.
No matter who was in Capello’s position, even a random kid from the neighborhood could have scored.
That’s how perfectly he set up the passes.
Indeed, the best player is the one who excels.
They were just grateful that Johan was in the striker position.
If he were in another position, they would have all lost their starting spots.
Anyway, with Capello’s goal, it was 4-1.
The first leg between West Ham and Juventus ended like that.
*
“We won!”
“Really, amazing. I never thought we’d win like this…”
“At this rate, we don’t have to worry about the second leg!”
“Well, that statement sounds a bit ominous. Anyway, you’re right. I really didn’t expect Johan to solve it like that.”
“Johan is originally good at passing. He likes it more too.”
Even after the game ended, Rohan and Ban Seok-ho couldn’t leave their seats for a long time.
No, all the Hammers [West Ham fans] remained in their seats, savoring the afterglow of the victory.
Of course, the Champions League knockout stage is played over two legs.
Even if they won the first leg, they haven’t advanced to the quarterfinals yet.
There are many cases where the first leg is won big at home, but the second leg away is reversed.
But somehow, the Hammers didn’t think that would be their story.
Therefore, the Hammers enjoyed today’s victory to the fullest.
Which meant.
-Requesting additional personnel at Gate 23!
-Requesting escort support for away fans exiting! Gate 24!
The security personnel at the stadium had to sweat to ensure the safety of the exiting Juventus fans.
*
“Really, it’s absurd.”
“Why are you grumbling as you come? Did the reporter ask you a weird question?”
West Ham’s dressing room was in a festive mood after the great victory.
Capello, who had returned from the MOM [Man of the Match] interview, came in grumbling.
Today’s game had gone exactly as he had hoped, so what was he dissatisfied with?
“The dirty system that only gives MOM to those who score goals.”
“What are you talking about? He’s complaining even when he gets it.”
“The ignorant masses don’t understand the beauty of passing.”
“So, you’re saying Johan should have been the MOM today, is that what you mean?”
“…You fools. I’m saying I should have received it more often usually.”
It wouldn’t have been strange if either Johan or Capello had received the MOM award today.
Capello was honestly very happy.
Today’s game was one where he had gritted his teeth to show his true worth.
In that game, he recorded a hat trick and stood at the forefront of destroying Juventus.
And he was even selected as MOM.
It couldn’t be better.
However, there was a slightly unsettling aspect.
To be honest, the most beautiful play today was not by him but by Johan.
Because the passes Johan showed today were close to the ideal passes that Capello usually pursued.
He wasn’t the one who created the three goals, it was Johan.
He was just the last person to kick the ball.
The MOM of today’s game should have gone to Johan.
“Congratulations, man. You really showed them today.”
“Yeah, Capello. You definitely showed them. That you chose West Ham over Juve was the best choice.”
“The Juve guys must be sick to their stomachs. They’ll regret not bringing you in.”
Well, anyway, feeling good is good.
Capello’s shoulders lift at his teammates’ compliments.
In this respect, Capello also has a simple side.
He has a bit of an arrogant side, thinking he’s the only one in the world, but if you praise him and boost his morale, he really does well.
Perhaps, Capello will definitely show even better play in the second leg.
“I’ll be honest. My MOM is you, Johan.”
Gordon whispered into Johan’s ear.
Certainly, it was no exaggeration to say that Johan had more than half the credit for today’s great victory.
He confused all of Juventus’s defense and created goals with amazing passes.
Each of Johan’s movements made Juventus feel troubled.
Gordon thought that Johan might be upset about not receiving the MOM award.
But,
Johan didn’t care at all.
Rather, he was excited.
“Not doing interviews is this good.”
“…I guess. It must have been tiring to do interviews every game.”
Every time he played a game, he was always bothered by the MOM interviews.
Today, thanks to Capello, he’s comfortable.
Not only that.
Since he made a hat trick as promised, he will be happy to open his locker every week when he comes to work.
“Hehe…”
It seemed like it was the first time he was looking forward to next week so much.
*
◆West Ham United 4 : 1 Juventus
◆Bayern Munich 3 : 1 AFC Ajax
◆Manchester City 2 : 2 Paris Saint-Germain
◆Real Madrid 4 : 2 Borussia Dortmund
Four games played in the first week of the round of 16.
Most of the games ended with results similar to expectations, but the result of the game between West Ham and Juventus surprised many people.
In fact, it wasn’t that there weren’t experts who predicted that West Ham would win.
The moves that West Ham and Johan have shown so far were records that couldn’t be called ‘upsets’ to the extent of beating Juventus.
Still, winning 4-1 was definitely surprising.
Because Juventus is such a strong defensive team.
To score 4 goals against such Juventus.
This was shocking not only to Juventus fans but also to Serie A fans.
Whether they were friendly to Juventus or had animosity.
There were no Serie A fans who could deny that Juventus is currently the strongest team in Serie A.
Because there was no team in Serie A that could pour 4 goals against Juventus.
In addition, it was also surprising that Johan recorded 3 assists.
It was a different kind of play than before.
Johan’s play, which gave the feeling that this kind of play was also possible, was a fresh shock.
Thanks to this, not only Juventus, who have the second leg left.
The teams that have to meet West Ham in the future had no choice but to suffer even more.
Now, they have to worry not only about Johan near the goal but also about Johan making plays.
Anyway, with this defeat, Juventus had no choice but to greatly damage their pride.
And Capello couldn’t hold back his laughter.
└It was the worst game. What kind of tactics is it to give up 3 goals to Capello while only paying attention to Johan?
└We shouldn’t have lost Capello to West Ham
└Being undefeated in the league is even more embarrassing. We’re just frogs in a well [ignorant and narrow-minded]
└Coach Beneta said that West Ham is a team that only has Capello’s pass and Johan’s finish. We should cut this bastard off right away
└I don’t see an answer for the second leg either. Capello showed that he can also score goals, and Johan showed that his passes are also the best in the world. But what did we show?
└We showed that we’re only bullies in Serie A
└We have to bring Capello back for next season. This season is already ruined.
Honestly, he still wasn’t satisfied.
Although the hat trick changed the Juventus fans’ opinion of him, they were still talking more about Johan’s greatness.
They haven’t been hit enough yet.
It was fortunate that there was one more game left in the second leg.
He’ll show them more clearly then.
“Hey, Capello.”
“?”
“Let’s ask honestly.”
“What are you talking about.”
“What did you do to Johan?”
“What do you mean, what did I do.”
“Hey, I know everything. During halftime, you two were whispering like thieves. What kind of scheme did you make?”
Buckley approached Capello, who was sitting in the dressing room looking at his phone, and asked.
Capello feigned ignorance.
“What scheme. We were just talking about tactics on how to move. A meeting between aces.”
“Stop lying. I know that Johan isn’t the type to talk like that. Then why did he only pass to you in the second half?”
“It’s just that you can’t smell goals like this body. It’s only natural to pass to this body because this body’s off-the-ball movement was better.”
“What are you saying. I was also in a position where I could score if you just passed it to me. Hurry up and tell me. What did you do? Did you buy him donuts or something?”
“…!”
Capello, who was caught off guard, got annoyed and left his seat.
“Hey! Let’s live together!”
“Train instead of doing useless things, you country bumpkin! Do you think this body would use his head like you!”
“Wow, what a stingy guy. Fine, I’ll just ask Johan when he comes.” Buckley sighed.
Hmm.
Well, Capello isn’t the type to suck up to others.
Buckley then stroked his chin and tilted his head.
“Donuts? Come to think of it, this might be good? Yes, I like it. I’ll be the main character in the next game. You’re all dead. Haha!”
Buckley smiled triumphantly.
*
“…”
Capello quietly moves his steps after confirming that no one is in the dressing room.
Today is the 4th day since the Juventus game ended.
In other words, it’s the day Johan comes to work.
Capello, who decided to become a donut supplier for Johan in exchange for the hat trick.
He came to work early in the morning to put donuts in his locker without being noticed by anyone.
Like a thief who came to rob the dressing room, Capello secretly took out a donut box from his bag and opened Johan’s locker.
But.
“What?”
Capello frowned.
Because there was already a box in Johan’s locker that was the same as the one he had bought.
“Huh?”
Capello takes out the box.
But, there is a note attached to the box.
To. Johan
I suddenly thought of you on my way to work, so I bought it.
No, actually, it wasn’t sudden.
I always think of you.
You like sweets. I know all of your tastes. Because I like you the most in our team. It might be annoying to come to work, but I hope this gift will be a little joy for you.
From. Jacob Buckley, the biggest fan and teammate of the world’s best player, Johan.
“…This bastard.”
Capello frowns.
Did this bastard find out the secret?
“…”
Capello looks around one more time, then,
“I’m sorry, but please give way until the Juventus game.”
He takes the note, puts it in his pocket, and closes the locker door.
Sorry, Buckley.
But you have to keep the order.
I was the first to line up.
“Ugh, so refreshing.”
“…!”
Capello quickly returned to his locker at the sound of someone entering the dressing room.
It was none other than Buckley who entered the dressing room.
Buckley, who found Capello, opened his eyes wide and checked the time.
“What. Why did you come so early?”
“…None of your business.”
“It’s not a part-time job, it’s a full-time job, man. Lulululu.”
Buckley makes a silly noise and hums as he prepares for training.
‘…Hehe.’
Capello smiles inwardly as he looks at such Buckley.