When the Whistle Blows, We Are Opponents

"Come on, Liverpool...!!"

Amid a unified shout, the door to the away dressing room was pushed open, and Chen Anno was the first to emerge.

The all-black away kit, with silver club and sponsor logos, looked especially sharp.

Walking down the familiar tunnel, Chen Anno did not slow down in the slightest, nor did his face show any unnecessary expression.

Just as he had when walking through the away-team tunnels of stadiums across Europe.

His teammates followed behind him.

Henderson, Milner, Robertson, Van Dijk, Mane, Coutinho...

Every one of them was brimming with fighting spirit.

Though Chen Anno was not the captain, no one stepped ahead of him.

At the other end of the tunnel, Atletico Madrid's players were already waiting.

Red-and-white striped shirts, colors that could not have been more familiar.

Gabi stood at the front of the line, adjusting his captain's armband with a somewhat stern expression.

Behind him stood Godin, Koke, Saul, Griezmann...

Chen Anno could name every face. They had all fought side by side in the same dressing room.

The two sides locked eyes.

The air instantly seemed to freeze, taut with tension.

Then Griezmann suddenly poked his head out from the line and gave Chen Anno the middle finger.

Chen Anno froze for a moment, then rolled his eyes.

Griezmann was the first to crack, bursting into laughter.

The moment he laughed, every Atletico Madrid player joined in.

Even Gabi, who had been keeping a straight face, lowered his head, his shoulders shaking.

Koke covered his mouth with one hand, while Saul laughed so hard he leaned against Godin.

Even the ever-serious Jan Oblak could not stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.

Chen Anno shook his head and stepped forward.

He shook Gabi's hand first. "Captain, long time no see."

Gabi gripped