Starting With Real Madrid

When UEFA Secretary General David Taylor pulled Zenit St. Petersburg from the third pot, the atmosphere inside the venue and even in Gao Shen's office as he and the coaching staff watched on television was suffocating.

Zenit St. Petersburg, the reigning Europa League champions, was arguably the strongest team in the third pot. With their high European coefficient points, second only to Marseille, and a squad featuring Russian superstar Andrei Arshavin, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Not only was Zenit as strong as many second-tier or even top-tier teams, but traveling to Russia during the Champions League group stage brought its own challenges. Facing Zenit meant dealing with harsh conditions, especially in late autumn when temperatures in St. Petersburg could already drop below freezing. Drawing them was akin to drawing a nightmare.

Gao Shen, Zidane, Carlo, and the other staff exchanged uneasy glances.

Of course, everyone hoped Zenit would end up in the group with Inter Milan, AC Milan, or Roma, but they also knew that avoiding such a dangerous opponent wasn't guaranteed.

Even if Zenit were avoided, the remaining third-tier options included formidable teams like Marseille, the 1993 Champions League winners, and Bordeaux, Ligue 1 runners-up last season. Both teams were no weaker than Lyon and presented their own dangers.

There truly were no weak teams in the Champions League, a reality that was becoming all too clear.

…

Once Zenit St. Petersburg was drawn, Roma's technical director, Bruno Conti, took the stage to continue the draw.

Representing Rome, which would host the Champions League final this season, Conti stirred the small balls left in the bowl for the third-tier teams.

In recent years, the Champions League draw had faced accusations of being rigged, so UEFA went to great lengths to demonstrate its transparency. The live broadcast camera zoomed in on Conti's hand as he reached into the bowl, carefully unscrewed one of the capsules, and unfolded the note inside.

When Conti flipped the paper to reveal the letter "H," a collective gasp echoed through the venue.

Gao Shen let out a low chuckle, equal parts bemused and resigned.

Group H, which already contained Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, had just been joined by Zenit St. Petersburg.

Real Madrid, with their illustrious history as the most decorated club in the Champions League, and Bayern Munich, perennial German champions, were shadows of their former selves but still giants of European football. Zenit's inclusion in this group solidified it as the "Group of Death."

"Group of death," Zidane muttered with a wry smile.

The group was shaping up to be absolutely brutal.

Adding to the difficulty was the scheduling. Away games in Russia during October or November would be grueling for any team. While much of Europe would still be experiencing mild autumn weather, temperatures in St. Petersburg would already be hovering around freezing or below.

Traveling to such conditions wasn't just physically demanding; it was mentally exhausting as well.

But such was the nature of the Champions League: every away match brought its own set of challenges.

…

As the draw progressed, more third-tier teams were placed into their respective groups, and yet another potential death group emerged.

Group D, led by Liverpool, added PSV Eindhoven from the second pot and Marseille from the third. With three strong teams, it was shaping up to be another minefield.

For Napoli, there were only a few groups left where they could be placed, but it didn't matter. Whether they landed in Liverpool's group or Real Madrid's, both options were daunting.

Between the five remaining groups, Napoli's fate was sealed. The only question was whether it would be "death" or "super death."

"I've never been lucky when it comes to draws," Gao Shen admitted with a self-deprecating smile. "I don't even buy lottery tickets because I've never won anything."

He shrugged as if accepting his fate. "So, don't blame me if we end up in a group none of you want."

The room chuckled, though it was a nervous laughter.

There was little comfort in their situation. For a team like Napoli, every potential draw was going to be difficult. The best-case scenario was landing in a group that was "just" a death group rather than an outright nightmare.

…

After a brief pause for the awards ceremony, the draw resumed.

The commentators took the opportunity to reflect on the emerging groups.

Group H was already being dubbed the toughest group in the draw. With Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Zenit St. Petersburg, it was a gauntlet even before the fourth-tier team was added.

"Back in the 2002–2003 season, Bayern Munich found themselves in what many consider the toughest Champions League group of all time," one commentator noted. "AC Milan, Lens, and Deportivo La Coruna made up the rest of the group. AC Milan advanced and went on to win the Champions League, while Deportivo stunned everyone by coming second."

"Bayern? They finished dead last with only two points, marking the beginning of their decline after their 2001 Champions League triumph."

That period marked a rough stretch for Bayern, but Gao Shen was keenly aware that the German club had spent the last few years rebuilding. Their signings of Ribery and Luca Toni showed intent, and their squad was quietly becoming one of Europe's best again.

Bayern's approach to management stood in stark contrast to clubs like Inter Milan or even Real Madrid. While teams like Inter poured money into instant fixes, Bayern took a more measured approach. They chose to endure several years of stagnation to develop their infrastructure and strategy, biding their time until they could make a calculated resurgence.

Now, that resurgence was taking shape. Ribery and, in the future, Robben, were cost-effective signings that would serve as the cornerstones for Bayern's dominance in the years to come.

It was this strategic foresight that made Bayern's board one of the best in world football.

…

Gao Shen had plenty of thoughts swirling in his mind as the award ceremony wrapped up and the fourth pot draw began.

This was the moment everyone had been waiting for. Napoli was in the fourth pot, and the draw would determine their group.

Nerves were palpable. Zidane and Carlo both looked visibly tense.

Everyone knew Napoli was destined for a tough group. Still, there was a flicker of hope, maybe they'd get lucky.

Human nature clings to optimism, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Gao Shen, however, had already accepted the inevitable. He wasn't one to rely on luck or fate to determine his path. If Napoli landed in a tough group, so be it. If it was the toughest group imaginable, they'd just have to fight their way through.

The first team drawn from the fourth pot was Atletico Madrid.

Their fate? Group D, alongside Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, and Marseille—a group already shaping up to be another brutal contest.

Shakhtar Donetsk went to Barcelona's group. Dynamo Kyiv joined Arsenal.

Finally, it was Napoli's turn.

David Taylor reached into the bowl and pulled out the capsule containing Napoli's name. The entire room seemed to hold its breath.

The draw was handed over to Bruno Conti, who had only two groups left to choose from.

One option was Group E, which featured Manchester United, Villarreal, and Celtic. A difficult group, but manageable.

The other option? Group H: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Zenit St. Petersburg, the very definition of a super death group.

Conti, seemingly aware of the stakes, took his time stirring the two remaining capsules.

Eventually, he pulled one out, unscrewed it, and unfolded the note inside.

For a moment, his expression faltered. Then, with a resigned smile, he revealed the note to the cameras.

The letter read: H.

"Fuck!" Zidane shouted, leaping to his feet.

The coaching staff groaned audibly.

Manchester United's group would have been hard, but it was nothing compared to the gauntlet that was Group H.

Real Madrid. Bayern Munich. Zenit St. Petersburg. And now, Napoli.

This wasn't just a death group; it was a super death group.

Gao Shen, however, felt oddly calm.

He'd never had much luck, and this was no different. But instead of frustration, he found himself already strategizing.

The moment the draw was finalized, his mind raced through scenarios: how to prepare for Real Madrid, how to nullify Bayern's strengths, and how to handle the hostile conditions of an away match in St. Petersburg.

***

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