Semifinal Qualification: Barcelona's 4-2 Victory Over Manchester United
“Did you fall on purpose?”
“To some extent. Sorry, senior.”
“Haa... You made me a complete villain.”
“I told you they were tough.”
“...Still, not that bad.”
“Is that so? You didn't get blackmailed with murder, right?”
“...”
“...You did, right? Sorry. But you know I had no choice, right?”
“...Be careful. If it happens to someone else besides me, you might really get hurt.”
“Hey, senior wouldn't hurt me.”
“Tsk. Still, the second leg won't be easy. See you in Korea later. Or if you come to England, contact me.”
“Yes, senior.”
Those guys are really tough. Or are they girls? It hadn't even been two hours since the match ended, and they were already terrorizing Kang Yeon-ji's SNS.
After being sent off in such a big match, it was only natural that the team would suffer if they lost 3:0, so I checked the status, but it was fortunate that the phone call confirmed Kang Yeon-ji's condition didn't look serious.
Yeah, even if she's young, there's no way she'd be broken by just that much.
Well, just in case, I planned to definitely give AS. If I thrash them 3:0 or more in the second leg at home, the fans' anger towards Kang Yeon-ji would decrease.
“Anyone there?”
After hanging up the phone, Valentina next to me spoke up.
“National team senior.”
“Ah. That, centerback?”
“Yeah.”
“Seriously, you're a real troublemaker to the national team senior.”
“If someone saw it, they'd think I was doing a Hollywood action line.”
“I’ve watched you for years, how could I not notice? It was obvious you did it on purpose.”
“...Was it obvious?”
“Do it one more time. I'll break your leg first.”
Hmm... Seeing Valentina slightly angry, it seemed she was worried I might get hurt.
“...Thanks to you, it was easy.”
After all, I had calculated it to some extent, so it wasn't particularly dangerous. Actually, was Kang Yeon-ji who almost got stepped on more dangerous? But if I continued this story, Valentina would get angry saying it's nonsense, so I kept quiet.
“Sigh...”
“What? Why is the mood like this?”
While Valentina sighed, Camila, who had packed all her bags and come down to the lobby, chimed in.
“That tackle earlier. It was dangerous, so I told you.”
“Right. Ha-neul! Why didn't you dodge it? You dodge perfectly in training! Playing that dangerously is a disadvantage, right? If you get injured and are out there.”
Hearing Valentina's words, Camila seemed to remember something she forgot and started shooting at me like a machine gun. She had been holding back earlier because it might interfere with the match.
“Th-that's why with the warning accumulation, if sent off, you can play more easily...”
“We don't need that, right? It's not like facing Real Madrid. No, even if facing Real Madrid, that wouldn't be good. If it was Josephin, that girl, you'd have lost a ankle? You really won't give passes anymore if you keep playing like that?”
“Yes, sorry.”
Seeing me bow my head and send an apologetic gesture, Camila with arms crossed nodded with a 'Of course' expression. That sight was quite cute, and I wanted to stroke her hair, but if I did, Camila would really get angry, so I held back my hand.
“So, who is it? Camila? Valentina?”
And between us talking, Lucia, who had packed her bags and come down to the lobby like Camila, blurted out something out of the blue.
“What kind of nonsense is that, Lucia?”
“Who’s your girlfriend. Camila or Valentina?”
Correct that. Out of the blue nonsense. Seriously, this auntie....
“Idiot. That's not it.”
“Not it!”
Lucia launched a wide attack on all three at once, and Ha-neul and Camila responded first. But since Valentina didn't react at all, the most intense one, I turned to her.
“......”
Valentina was glaring at Lucia with murderous eyes.
“Valentina? ...I'm the captain too.”
“...I know.”
...But I didn't want to hear about my girlfriend in such eyes, but since we were almost like siblings, it wasn't that I didn't understand why Valentina reacted that way.
“Tsk, I can't joke with you. Haha, it was fun last year teasing Ha-neul, but where did these guys come from.”
“It's good. Thanks to you, I won't have to worry about retirement.”
“Yeah, retirement. I have to.”
It was a joke thrown as usual, but Lucia's expression became quite serious. Did I say something wrong? While I was worrying about that, Lucia looked at me seriously with serious eyes and opened her mouth.
“But before I retire, let's fill up five Champions Leagues. Can you do that, Ha-neul?”
If it was usual, Lucia would have playfully called me 'Sir Ryu.' but when calling by name, she said it seriously. As if she would retire right away if she won five titles.
Considering Lucia's skill, she could have played a season or so as a candidate, but thinking about Lucia's personality, she probably would retire right after this season's Champions League win.
Lucia had a quite cool personality. Instead of fussing with juniors and competing for starting spot, she was the type to choose to leave when clapping.
“Of course. But then you might retire right away this season, is that okay?”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Lucia patted my shoulder. In that sight, Camila, who was an ardent local fan of Barcelona and had been hit by Lucia's low jokes before coming to the first team, looked at Lucia with eyes as if she was moved.
The sight of Camila's eyes moved as if seeing a scene from history gave me a slight chill, so I brushed off Lucia's hand and opened my mouth.
“Lucia, it doesn't suit you.”
“Hmph. Hmph. Seriously, these guys are gone. The captain has spoken, but what are you still preparing? Guys! Hurry up and go home!”
And with my words, Lucia shouted from the lobby. Since there were other guests in this hotel, it was a bit embarrassing, but what can I do?
I appropriately distanced myself from Lucia.
Yeah, I have to win the Champions League once.
Of course, I didn't intend to break the promise with Lucia just because I stepped back a bit.
And besides that, since the league win was actually difficult, it seemed I had to at least win the Champions League to have face with the football players from my previous life. After all, in that world I was the world's best football player, but here if I couldn't win either the league or the Champions, it would be embarrassing.
Manchester United was out of the picture, so now only the semifinals and final remain.
'First, let's set up senior Yeon-ji. If I give her 3 goals at home too, that would be fine?'
……… ………
“...Then see you in the next match. Until now caster………. ”
Barcelona's aggregate score 7:2, beating Man U and advancing to semifinals!
……Barcelona advancing to the semifinals, all the Champions League semifinal teams are decided.
Meanwhile, the biggest upset in this 8th round was Juventus, the league leader of Serie A, defeating Real Madrid in the 8th round and advancing to the semifinals. Real Madrid, who had achieved three consecutive Champions League championships until last season, was seen as a strong contender in this tournament as well…….
Also, in other venues, Liverpool beat Porto in the match, Manchester City beat Tottenham in the match…….
Meanwhile, according to the 8th round draw results, Juventus vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Barcelona will play matches, and depending on the result, EPL clashes will…….
In this semifinals, Serie A 1 team from Italy, 1 team from Spanish La Liga, 2 teams from English Premier League will succeed in advancing, and many football fans' interest will be on which league will produce the final entry team…….