Hey everyone!
There's currently a campaign running for this fanfic here on Webnovel!
If you're enjoying the story, please take a moment to leave a review. Just scroll down to the review section and share your thoughts—it really helps the novel gain more visibility.
For every review received, I'll release 1 extra chapter as a reward.
Let's push this together! 🚀
...
On the Champions League stage, true desperation can ignite extraordinary energy. That's the hidden potential of a quarterfinal team.
Juventus had been humiliated 0–2 at home in the first leg, and their starting center back Chiellini was suspended for the return leg after a red card.
Everyone believed Allegri's Juventus were finished. Yet at the pre-match press conference, Allegri appeared calm—almost serene—with unmistakable confidence.
"We know exactly what we're about to face. And we have absolute confidence in securing a place in the Champions League semifinals."
"We'll fight with everything we have at Anfield."
"We haven't given up. From top to bottom, everyone at Juventus has made that clear to me."
Juventus arrived fully prepared. They chartered a cargo plane and rolled into Liverpool with three buses.
One carried the players.
One transported the club's most advanced data-analysis systems and recovery equipment.
The third was packed with physiotherapists and massage therapists, ready to keep the players in peak condition at all times.
Anfield's tens of thousands of tickets were completely sold out. Online sales vanished in just ten minutes. Everyone was waiting for the decisive battle.
At Liverpool's pre-match press conference, Klopp was equally confident.
Without question, the initiative was in Liverpool's hands.
"I believe we control our own destiny—that's exactly what I wanted."
"We'll go toe-to-toe with Juventus at home, and we have absolute confidence in reaching the semifinals."
Both sides submitted their starting lineups about two hours before kickoff. Allegri opted for a 4-3-3, abandoning the 4-4-2 from the first leg—clearly signaling a more aggressive approach.
Young center back Rugani was handed a starting role.
At 6 p.m. European time, live broadcasts began simultaneously.
On ESPN's coverage, Jon Champion and Jim Beglin introduced the starting lineups.
"Good evening, everyone—what a night we have ahead of us!"
"The 2017–18 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg is about to kick off at Anfield!"
"Premier League leaders Liverpool take on Serie A leaders Juventus!"
"The team with the higher aggregate score moves on to the semifinals!"
Jim Beglin took the lineup sheet.
"Allegri's selection is clearly attack-minded. Juventus aren't sitting back—they're ready to trade blows at Anfield."
"Goalkeeper: Buffon."
"Defenders: Sandro, Rugani, Barzagli, Cuadrado."
"Midfielders: Khedira, Pjaniic, Matuidi."
"Forwards: Dybala, HiguaĂn, Douglas Costa."
"Dybala, the Magician, looks set to operate off the left, supplying HiguaĂn. Douglas Costa will play a similar role on the right."
Jon Champion followed with Liverpool's lineup.
"For Liverpool: Mignolet in goal."
"Defenders: Robertson, Lovren, Matip, Arnold."
"Midfield: Henderson, Lucas, Leo Lin."
"Up front: Mané on the left, Salah on the right, Firmino through the middle."
"The MLSF quartet starts once again!"
...
In the tunnel, both teams stood ready. French referee Turpin led the players out onto the pitch.
Leo Lin walked at the back of the line. Young in appearance, but unmistakably commanding, he clapped and shouted to his teammates.
"Stay sharp!"
"Stick to the tactics!"
The moment they stepped onto the field, Anfield exploded.
Tens of thousands of Liverpool fans ignited red smoke. Even the coaching staff on the touchline could smell the acrid haze.
Across the stand, a massive Grim Reaper banner slowly unfurled—scythe raised, glaring menacingly at the Juventus players.
If Juventus felt tension, Liverpool felt pure adrenaline.
The roar of the home crowd was like a shot of energy straight into their veins.
Moments later—
The match kicked off.
"Whistle!"
Liverpool surged forward immediately.
An ultra-high press combined with constant off-the-ball movement. Dynamic triangles formed instantly. Liverpool unleashed their most lethal weapon from the opening seconds.
Juventus dropped deep. This was the fiercest adversity they had faced all season.
The suffocating pressure of Anfield bore down on them.
Ninth minute.
"Liverpool breaking through the middle—quick, vertical short passing!"
"Henderson into Leo Lin—he drags it back, turns past Khedira!"
"A curling switch toward the right—Salah!"
"Salah cuts inside—shoots!"
"Saved by Buffon! Liverpool strike early!"
The crowd erupted, every Liverpool fan on their feet.
They could already see the semifinals within reach.
Moments later, a corner.
Mané swung it toward the near post. Firmino rose high and flicked a looping header toward the far corner.
"Clang!"
The ball smashed against the crossbar.
Anfield's woodwork had just become Juventus' best friend.
"So close!"
"That was inches away!"
"But at this rate, Liverpool's goal feels inevitable!"
"They're maximizing their home advantage—positive, aggressive, and playing superbly!"
The match continued, and Liverpool dictated everything.
Wave after wave of attacks crashed against Juventus' back line.
Leo Lin was especially active, unleashing multiple long-range efforts that left Juventus defenders grimacing.
"Barzagli has already thrown his body in front of two Leo Lin shots inside twenty minutes!"
"And judging by that expression, he's definitely feeling it."
27th minute.
Juventus fought to maintain defensive elasticity, but the game had become a siege.
"Live stats show Liverpool with 61% possession. Seven shots, four on target, one clear chance. Juventus haven't managed a single attempt."
Just as the commentators praised Liverpool's dominance, Lucas' long pass was intercepted by Khedira.
Leo Lin reached out, trying to pull him back and stop the counter.
But before going down, Khedira managed to poke the ball left.
Dybala controlled it in stride—one touch, then a clever nutmeg past Arnold.
HiguaĂn surged forward. Douglas Costa ghosted toward the back post.
In just two seconds, Juventus exploded into life.
Three-on-three.
Lovren rushed to close down Dybala's shot.
But with a subtle flick of the ankle, Dybala disguised a perfectly weighted cutback across goal to HiguaĂn.
HiguaĂn stepped onto it—
Strike.
Bang.
Net.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (60 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.