Chapter 41: "El Superclásico: The Battlefield Ignites"

Time passed, and November 10 arrived.

[2029 Copa Sudamericana Semifinals! The Superclásico is set!]

[The first Superclásico of the season! Who will emerge victorious?]

With Boca Juniors on a rising streak and River Plate dominating the league with an unprecedented five consecutive titles since the 2024–25 season, even experts were hesitant to predict the winner of this monumental clash.

Two weeks before the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinal, Sebastián Lancellotti, Boca's coach, shocked everyone with a surprising decision during a team meeting.

"Fausto!"

"Yes, sir!"

"You'll start in Ernesto's place in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinals two weeks from now."

The reason for this decision was simple: to boost the confidence of a young player expected to anchor Boca Juniors' defensive line in the future.

"What's with that expression? Are you nervous?"

"No, sir! I'll make it happen!"

"I won't tell you not to feel pressured. The weight will always cling to you, trying to drag you down."

"Yes, sir."

"But don't let it crush you. This is the world you've chosen to live in."

Coach Lancellotti's words were filled with encouragement.

"I'll keep that in mind!"

"Good. That's the look I want to see! Just don't hit the bars the night before the match!"

---

November 24.

We were en route to River Plate's home stadium, El Monumental, on the team bus.

"Wow, the first half of the season is almost over."

"With 56 league games in total, we're about halfway through, right?"

The Argentine league schedule differed significantly from European leagues.

The league consisted of 56 matches, with 28 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, resulting in a grueling schedule.

Until 2022, the league had only 34 games, but with more clubs added, the calendar had become brutally packed.

"Pull the curtains, everyone."

Shortly after Ricardo Mesa spoke, the players obediently closed the bus curtains.

"Why are we pulling the curtains?" I asked Javier Casero, who was seated next to me.

"We're entering River Plate territory."

"And why does that matter?"

"You'll see soon enough. Just don't peek through the curtains."

I soon understood.

– Booooo!

As we entered the area around River Plate's stadium, jeers from their fans filled the air, reverberating through the bus.

"Wow."

"Is this your first time traveling on an away bus?"

"Yes."

"You're in for a thrilling experience."

Thud.

Right then, I heard something strike the bus.

"Get out of here!"

People outside hurled objects at the bus, undeterred even by police intervention. As we neared the stadium, their numbers grew.

The boos were deafening, and the flying objects increasingly threatened the bus.

"Relax. This is bulletproof glass. Our chairman made sure to invest in it."

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud noise startled everyone, making us duck instinctively.

"What the hell was that?"

"Was that a bomb?"

"Have they lost their minds?"

It wasn't a bomb but a massive rock.

"Get lost, Boca trash! El Monumental will be your grave!"

The culprits were swiftly detained by police, but Javier Casero took the opportunity to mock them by flipping the middle finger through the window.

"This is bulletproof glass, you idiots!"

...This guy, I realized, must enjoy this sort of chaos.

---

Despite the threats, we arrived safely at the stadium thanks to the police escort.

Before stepping off the bus, Coach Lancellotti stood at the exit and addressed the players.

"I trust you all know how to behave. Follow the security team and move inside quickly."

"Yes, sir!"

The players' faces were steely, like soldiers heading into a battlefield.

Outside, police cordoned off the entrance path as River Plate hooligans hurled abuse from beyond the barricades.

"Let's go."

The players disembarked in an orderly line, moving quickly toward the building under police protection, dodging flying objects such as water bottles and food.

While such behavior was strictly prohibited even in other intense derbies, it seemed like an unchanging tradition here.

This animosity dated back to the 20th century and persisted as if it were a sacred ritual.

Whenever the Superclásico occurred, police and even government officials worked tirelessly to minimize clashes.

"Please proceed inside quickly!"

As we moved, the insults from the hooligans became increasingly vile.

"Get back into your monkey cage!"

"An uncivilized Asian brat has come to find his grave!"

"Go back to your country!"

"Ook ook, eek eek!"

"Why don't you sell DVDs on the street?"

"Filthy mutts eating dog meat!"

The racial slurs were disgusting, even making the police frown.

Then, a hand rested on my shoulder.

...Ricardo?

"What, an Asian kid? You'll all be groveling before that kid when he cuts through your defense today!"

"You want me to rip your mouth open, Ricardo?!"

"Do it if you can! I'll chop off your hands before you even touch me! Come here!"

"Oh, I will! After today, you're retiring, you bastard!"

"Fine! Today, I'll make sure you retire!"

"Come on! Bring it on!"

Wait, I'm the one involved here, so why are they acting up?

Ricardo was eventually pulled inside by other players holding his arms, while I smiled at the jeering crowd and raised a single finger.

"Thanks for the passionate support. Here's a little something in return."

As a person from a country of courtesy, it would be rude not to express my gratitude.

"Raaahhhhhhhh!"

Wow, my polite gesture must have impressed them deeply.

Well then, how about the other hand?

Snap.

"Kill that guy!"

I might get penalized after the match for taunting the crowd, but who cares?

As long as I feel relieved, that's all that matters.

---

The Copa Sudamericana semifinals are played over two legs: home and away.

The first match was to be held at River Plate's home stadium, putting Boca Juniors at a slight disadvantage as the away team.

El Superclásico.

Footsteps poured into El Monumental to witness the world's most intense derby match.

The stands were filled with a cloud of spectators, and apart from the section allocated for Boca Juniors supporters, the entire stadium was drenched in River Plate's white.

"Cheering in enemy territory! This feels oddly exhilarating!"

In the Boca Juniors' supporter section were Yoo Jiwoo's family members and acquaintances, all wearing his jersey.

Alicia's family, accustomed to this atmosphere, leisurely sipped drinks to recharge their energy.

"Let's just hope there's no fighting."

"How was it last year?"

"Last year... Oh! During the early December game in the first half of the season, Boca Juniors lost, and a River Plate fan snuck into Boca's area at night to graffiti the streets with the word 'bichos' (vermin). He got caught by a gang and ended up being beaten with bats before being taken to the hospital."

"Oh dear…"

"So after the match, stick together and head straight for the supporter bus. Got it?"

The club had arranged separate buses for supporters.

Especially when traveling to rival territory like River Plate's area, they even hired security guards to ensure the supporters' safety.

While chatting, an altercation erupted near the Boca supporter section, just across from the River Plate fans.

Though the police stood in between to prevent a direct clash, there was no stopping the pre-match growling.

Time passed, and the scoreboard lit up with player introductions.

"Number 1, goalkeeper Claudio Almada!"

— Boo!

"Number 22, defender Fausto Barco!"

— Boo!

The away team, Boca Juniors, faced deafening boos during every introduction. But the loudest of all was reserved for one player.

"Number 30, right-wing forward, Jiwoo Yoo!"

— BOOOOOOOOOOO!

When Yoo Jiwoo's name was announced, the crowd erupted.

The young prince of Boca Juniors, breaking records in every match, was a thorn in River Plate fans' sides.

Desperate to shake him before the match, they jeered so loudly it seemed their voices would give out.

As the players lined up in the tunnel, ready to step onto the pitch, Ricardo Mesa leaned over and asked Jiwoo casually:

"That's some heavy booing. What do you think?"

"Still, it'll be fun, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"There's nothing more thrilling than shutting up people who are booing you."

"That's the spirit. You've got the perfect mentality to survive in a place like this."

Ricardo looked at Jiwoo with a slightly surprised expression and ruffled his hair.

"Confident you'll win?"

"Of course."

Without hesitation, Jiwoo's response made Ricardo grin. He glanced sideways.

"Oh, look at them glaring at you. You're in for some rough treatment today. Hahaha."

Despite the sharp stares from the opposing side, Jiwoo remained indifferent.

When the referee led the way, both teams followed in line onto the field.

Even in the tunnel, the electrifying atmosphere was palpable.

The tension was enough to make anyone swallow hard.

In the world's most ferocious and heated derby, victory meant becoming a hero, while defeat would make you a villain.

As the players stepped onto the battlefield, the stadium erupted.

— WAAAAAAAHHHH!

The noise was so intense it felt like the earth was quaking.

"Beyond South America, this is the greatest derby in the world! El Superclásico begins with an unparalleled fervor from both clubs' supporters!"

"Which club will triumph in the Copa Sudamericana semifinals to reach the finals?"

Although the Copa Sudamericana was considered a tier below the Copa Libertadores, winning or losing didn't matter as much—unless the opponent was your archrival.

In that case, even selling your soul was worth it for victory.

"Don't lose to Boca!"

"You can lose to anyone, but not them!"

"Show them that River is the true owner of the league!"

After stretching briefly in position, Jiwoo scanned the field. The energy from River Plate's supporters could be felt on his skin.

Boom!

Flares exploded across the stands.

Flares were a common sight in the Argentine league.

Here, they were almost a standard feature.

The red flames of the flares grew brighter, transforming El Monumental into a battlefield.

— Boca! Boca! Boca!

— River! River! River!

With chants from both clubs filling the air.

Whistle!

"The Copa Sudamericana semifinals begin! Who will emerge victorious in the season's first El Superclásico?"

Amid intense anticipation, the season's first El Superclásico was underway.