Turin,
July 15, 2006.
10:00 AM.
In a luxury penthouse overlooking the Po River in central Turin, the aroma of Italian coffee mingled with the faint scent of cigar smoke.
Leonardo 'Leo' Rossi stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, the steam from the coffee in his hand quickly condensing into white mist against the cold air.
He had a tall, upright build, standing about 1.85 meters tall, and wore a custom dark leisure suit from a top Italian brand that outlined the lean, fit physique of someone who exercised year-round.
His face was handsome with sharp features, and his deep black eyes were currently fixed on the data stream on his tablet—the complex shareholding structure and balance sheet of Juventus Club.
Six years ago, he had returned as a regressor, beginning this long wait and strategic layout.
He knew clearly that the summer of 2006 was a critical turning point in the global landscape of technology and football: the decline of Serie A, the rise of big-money football in the Premier League and La Liga, and the eve of the explosion of data analysis in football.
Utilizing his advantage of foresight, he had completed his primitive accumulation of capital in Silicon Valley and Asian stock markets.
Eight hundred million euros in liquid capital was just the tip of the iceberg he had prepared for this moment.
His true confidence lay in the early equity he had strategically placed in tech companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla; that was the financial guarantee for his future empire.
"Sir, here is the final asset report you requested, as well as the legal risk assessment," Katerina Vespucci's voice came from behind him.
She placed a thick report on the table. Katerina, this shrewd and capable private legal advisor, was also a top M&A lawyer in Turin who managed Leonardo's assets.
She wore a sharp, deep blue professional suit, well-tailored yet unable to hide her proud curves, with her blonde hair meticulously tied back in a bun.
In her azure eyes, however, there was a hint of anxiety that was hard to conceal.
"Is the fund flow confirmed?" Leonardo turned and asked.
"Everything is confirmed." Katerina stepped closer and said seriously, "The eight hundred million euros are all locked in a trust account in Turin, ready for use at any time."
"But Mr. Rossi, I must remind you again that the risk of acquiring Juventus lies not only in the funds but also in the politics and public opinion of Italian football."
"The court's verdict has just been delivered: relegation to serie b and stripping of the titles. The initial penalty is a desperate 17-point deduction."
"This means we will be acquiring a club with negative assets, whose brand value faces a massive crisis in the short term, and we face a difficult legal appeal battle."
Leonardo rossi was not intimidated by Katerina's warning; instead, he showed a confident smile.
"Katerina, you've overlooked the most core point: Juventus is the foundation of Italian football and a symbol of European football."
Leonardo said with certainty.
"You only see the current chaos and the quagmire of serie b; you only see the heavy penalty of -17 points."
"What I see is the heritage of a century-old powerhouse, the loyalty of the city of Turin, the future of their youth academy system, and assets that are severely undervalued by the market."
He stood up, walked to a large map of Serie A, and pointed his long finger at the location of Turin.
"This is the timing I've been waiting for. Right now, everyone is panic-selling, and players are leaving; this exactly proves that the assets are severely undervalued."
"What I want to do is not just patch things up, but tear it down and start over, building a new European dynasty capable of rivaling the future La Liga and Premier League."
Leonardo began to issue specific instructions: "First, immediately contact the temporary management committee and the representative lawyers of the Agnelli Family. Clearly convey my intention to acquire: a full buyout, I want 100% control."
"Tell them my bargaining chips are cash premium and speed, as well as a sum of money sufficient to pay for the top legal team to fight for a reduced sentence for Juventus at the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
"I require the acquisition intent and legal framework for the Agnelli Family's controlling stake to be completed by the end of July, and the core squad to be stabilized, otherwise I will turn to other targets."
"Second, besides Juventus, continue to monitor the movements of AC Milan and Inter Milan, especially whether they are trying to take advantage of our chaos to recruit players, and their interest in rising stars like Ribéry and Agüero. This information will be our leverage for pressure and counterattacks in negotiations."
"Third, immediately launch a global headhunting process to find a new management team. I need to compare the resumes of Secco and Marotta, but the focus should be on young talent under the age of 45 like Marco Ricci, who is proficient in data analysis, understands the international transfer market, and is under 45. I need a manager who can execute my advanced tactical concepts, not an old-school Serie A manager who sticks to conventions."
Katerina quickly recorded these instructions, her azure eyes flashing with a complex light.
"I understand. I will initiate the process as quickly as possible and request a detailed list of debts from them, as well as a legal litigation risk assessment for the next five years." Katerina closed her tablet, her tone returning to calm.
"Also," Leonardo called out to her, his tone suddenly becoming a bit more relaxed, "continue to monitor those tech companies I had you invest in, especially Google, Apple, and Tesla, and ensure they are being funded according to our predetermined plan. They are the financial guarantee for our future dynasty."
Katerina nodded; she knew that this was the true core of Leonardo's wealth empire.
"Mr. Rossi, if you have no other instructions, I will head to the club headquarters immediately. I expect the first informal meeting will take place within 48 hours."
"Go ahead." Leonardo walked to the coat rack and took down his jacket.
"However, before you get busy, I must invite you again. Dinner tonight? I promise, this time it won't be hospital food, but the most authentic Piedmont cuisine in Turin. I know a very secluded little bistro that specializes in truffles; the taste is exquisite."
Holding her briefcase, Katerina stepped back slightly, her azure eyes carrying a hint of cold vigilance: "Mr. Rossi, please maintain our employer-employee relationship. I am only responsible for your asset management and legal affairs. If you need social interaction, I can arrange a public relations team from Turin for you."
"Well, it seems my charm still needs a little time to be proven." Leonardo shrugged helplessly.
But the confidence in his eyes never wavered.
Conquering this woman might be several degrees harder than acquiring Juventus.
But he was not discouraged, because he believed that when the Juve dynasty he built with his own hands rose, everything would fall into place.
Leonardo Rossi walked out of the apartment, the Turin sunshine spilling over him.