Chapter 10: Copa Del Ray Semi Final
Breakfast was over. It consisted of a simple omelette. At Barcelona, Dinner was more important than the meal before a match.
It contained of pasta, rice, fish, and white meat. Now that we were done, most of us spoke to each other. Especially about the upcoming match. Unlike what one would expect, the atmosphere was rather chill.
Lewandoski patted my back, "Do not worry, Storm. The key is to not be nervous and act on instinct."
I nodded. "I am not nervous." I truly was not. At one point I think I got tired of being nervous. Now I am filled with excitement, I can not wait for this match to begin and get over.
This may be the first time I get to play professionally.
He looked at the clock, a smile crept onto his face. Xavi burst into the room with a kick of the door. "Let's go, guys, to the locker room! Get ready!"
Upon reaching, we changed into our respective jerseys. The locker room was mostly quiet with few jokes, after changing into our home kit.
We moved out of the dressing room, to the tunnel where we had to wait. Since I was a substitute I sat on the bench with the other benchwarmers.
While I was not on the field, this was not bad. In my life, I had never been to a proper football stadium to watch a match much less from such good seats.
From the tunnel, slowly the two teams emerged out. The eleven of each team as the captains went to the referee's side for the toss.
I could look at Luca Modric, Benzema, Vinicius Jr... a rising goat of the new era. Fuck! This is exciting! When can I go on the field?!
I turned around to look at Xavi who was observing the opposing team with a notepad in his hand. As if he noticed my gaze, he turned around at smiled at me.
Scratching my neck a little, I could not help but smile back. After all the person I am most grateful toward is him. He is the reason why I managed to come to Europe and join a professional football team.
So hence whenever he sends me in, it is alright. I will trust his decision as he trusts me to make Barcelona great again.
With that, I looked back at the field. It seems Madrid won and chose to start. We chose the side.
Soon after waves of cheering erupted in the stadium as the fans erupted in a jovial madness. They cheered madly for their team.
The referee blew his whistle. The match began.
Madrid started attacking immediately, they were eager to score on us as soon as possible. Modric passed to Militao who passed ahead to Marc Casadó.
Gavi rushed to take the ball but Casadó instantly passed it to Vinicius. The dark-skinned male galloped similarly to a stallion as he showed off his Brazilian curves as he dribbled past two players and skilfully made a beautiful pass to Benzema only to get intercepted by Araujo to send it forward.
Busquets skillfully received the ball. From there he tried to maneuver through the opponent's defense and pass it to Raphina.
This was a diversion tactic! It was always part of the plan! To stimulate Madrid's defense and pass to the hidden spot.
Raphinha's tried a shot but ut blocked by the goalkeeper, one of the greatest to ever exist. Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois then held on to the ball, looking for a good opportunity to shoot. He found none so he passed it to Eder Militao who swiftly passed it to Tchouameni.
He took one step at a time and passed it to Benzema. The striker had to move quickly to evade the defender, he did so and easily shot. The ball flew hard and fast before hitting the goalpost.
The goalkeeper, Ter Stegen. Another one of the greatest picked up the ball and threw it toward Kounde the Barcelona centre-back.
However, right at that moment Valverde intercepted and shot the ball toward the goal. Ter Stegen swiftly dived saving the ball, the rebound traveled right at Benezema's feet as he tapped it inside the goal.
*SHWFFFF!*
The satisfying sound of the net could be heard along with the huge roar of the stadium. The Real Madrid fans went absolutely bonkers. Expected since they had been losing every other El Classico with a score of zero, with some of the losses being due to own goals.
Benzema slid across the grass as he did a celebration. His teammates lunged at him right after.
"A GREAT GOAL BY BENZEMA! WHAT STEPS!! THOSE STRIDES! Simply amazing!! As expected from him! Right in the 20th minute of the game!! Absolute class of a player! Beautiful!"
I laughed inwardly at how crazy those commentators were but felt sad for my team at the same moment.
After the goal, Barca started the game. Busquets passed to Gavi who passed to Lewandoski who tried for a long shot but missed due to being blocked.
However! Right at that moment! There was a beautiful opportunity for a goal that Ansu Fati missed.
The opportunity came when the rebound ball landed onto his feet in front of the goal where it was a clear site.
However, Fati tried to chip the ball to flex and it went overhead the goal post. This is the kind of mistake that is simply unforgivable. It was right in clear sight and we desperately needed a goal to equalize.
Ansu Fati held his head in disbelief. No one comforted him but walked away in a brooding silence.
Courtois started the game with a goal kick that soared in midair before landing on the feet of Modric.
The Croatian skillfully maneuvered the ball as he rushed toward the goal, he chopped it in front of the approaching Balde, passing it to Tchouameni who immediately passed it back to Modric.
Modric faked a pass to Benzema and actually passed it to Valverde. The defenders, Kounde were on vigilance while Araujo rushed toward Valverde.
However, right at that moment, Valverde faked a pass to Benzema and actually passed it to Modric who this time passed the ball to Benzema in real-time instead of faking a pass.
The religious striker received the ball flexibly before shooting it with great strength.
*SHWFFF*
Before the keeper could reach, the ball dove into the left pocket.
"IT IS A GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!"
"REAL MADRID IS AT 2-0"
The next 10 minutes were passing and failed attempts to shoot and soon the game stopped. Half-Time was here.
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