Become A Football Legend-Chapter 286: We’re Off (Midnight87)

The moment Lukas spotted them, Joanna waved first. João immediately joined in, raising both arms dramatically over his head as if trying to make himself impossible to miss. Ruben jumped up and down excitedly beside the glass.

Lukas couldn’t help smiling.

He lifted his hand and waved back.

From that distance he couldn’t hear them, but he could imagine exactly what João was probably shouting.

He returned to the warm-up circle with the rest of the team, bouncing lightly on his toes while the fitness coach directed the next drill. Every movement felt slightly sharper than usual, his body alert and restless under the stadium lights.

He forced himself to slow down.

"Breathe."

"Focus."

The ball arrived at his feet and he tapped it forward, passing it quickly to the next player in the drill before jogging into position again.

Around him the stadium continued roaring, the atmosphere growing louder with every passing minute as kickoff approached.

Lukas rolled his shoulders and looked briefly toward the opposite half of the field where Tottenham players were beginning their own warm-up routine.

Then he lowered his head again.

"Just another match."

He repeated the thought over and over in his mind like a quiet mantra, trying to hypnotize himself into believing it.

But somewhere deep inside, beneath the calm routine and controlled breathing, he knew the truth. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This was the biggest game he had ever played.

* * *

The roar inside San Mamés had only grown louder.

The warm-ups were finishing now. Players jogged toward the tunnel in small clusters, the final cones and spare balls being cleared from the pitch by stadium staff. The floodlights above burned brilliantly against the Bilbao night sky, casting a brilliant white glow over the perfectly trimmed grass.

In the stands, fifty thousand supporters were already on their feet.

Scarves raised.

Flags waving.

Songs colliding from opposite ends of the stadium like crashing waves.

The Frankfurt end had become a wall of black and red, thousands of arms bouncing in unison as drums pounded somewhere deep inside the crowd. Across the stadium, Tottenham supporters answered with their own thunderous chants, white shirts glowing beneath the lights.

Above it all, the broadcast signal went live.

Two voices rose over the stadium atmosphere.

"Well, good evening from Bilbao, and welcome to what promises to be a spectacular night of European football."

The voice belonged to Darren Fletcher, seated high in the commentary gantry overlooking the pitch. Beside him sat former Tottenham star and Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale, leaning forward slightly as he looked down at the incredible scene unfolding below them.

"This," Fletcher continued, his voice carrying the excitement of the moment, "is the UEFA Europa League Final, coming to you live from the magnificent San Mamés Stadium. Fifty thousand fans packed into this arena tonight, millions watching around the world, and after a long and dramatic campaign we have arrived at the final night."

Bale smiled slightly as he glanced across the sea of supporters.

"You can feel it already," he said. "You can feel the energy in this stadium. Finals always carry something special, but tonight? This place is absolutely bouncing."

Fletcher nodded.

"And the stakes could not be higher. On one side tonight, Tottenham Hotspur, looking to cap Ange Postecoglou’s second season with a European trophy. This is a must-win game for Spurs. It will be their first major trophy in 17 years and the only way to remedy the horrible league campaign they’ve had. On the other side, Eintracht Frankfurt, a club with history in this competition, recent winners, returning to the final once again."

The camera panned across the Frankfurt section where supporters were jumping together, arms linked over each other’s shoulders.

"And for Frankfurt," Fletcher added, "this season has been defined by one extraordinary young player."

Bale chuckled.

"I think everyone watching knows who that is."

"Lukas Brandt," Fletcher said simply.

"Sixteen years old," Bale replied, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. "Sixteen... and already one of the most talked-about players in European football."

The camera cut to the tunnel where both teams were now lining up behind the refereeing crew.

"But before kickoff," Fletcher said, "let’s take a look at the starting lineups for both teams tonight."

A broadcast graphic appeared on screen.

"First, Tottenham Hotspur."

Fletcher glanced at the team sheet.

"Ange Postecoglou sticks with his familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal tonight, the Italian international Guglielmo Vicario, who has been excellent throughout this competition."

Bale nodded.

"He’s been really consistent this season."

"In defense," Fletcher continued, "a back four of Pedro Porro at right-back, Cristian Romero, the captain tonight, partnered by the rapid Micky van de Ven in central defense, and Destiny Udogie at left-back."

The camera cut briefly to the Tottenham players standing near the halfway line.

"In midfield," Fletcher said, "the double pivot of Rodrigo Bentancur alongside Yves Bissouma, two players who will be crucial in controlling possession tonight."

Bale leaned slightly toward the microphone.

"That’s where Spurs will try to dominate the game."

"Further forward," Fletcher continued, "three attacking midfielders. On the right side, the Welsh international Brennan Johnson, who has been a constant threat in this tournament."

Bale smiled slightly at the mention of his countryman.

"Through the middle tonight," Fletcher said, "Pape Matar Sarr."

"And on the left side," he added, "Richarlison, with a notable absence tonight."

Bale raised his eyebrows.

"Yes," Fletcher continued. "Heung-Min Son begins on the bench for Tottenham in this final."

"That’s a bold decision," Bale said quietly.

"And leading the line tonight for Spurs," Fletcher concluded, "the English striker Dominic Solanke."

The camera panned across the Tottenham players as they bounced lightly on their toes waiting for kickoff.

"Now for Eintracht Frankfurt," Fletcher continued.

The Frankfurt supporters roared again as the graphic changed.

"Toppmöller sets his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation tonight."

"In goal," Fletcher said, "the experienced captain Kevin Trapp, who of course lifted this very trophy with Frankfurt back in 2022."

Bale nodded.

"He knows exactly what nights like this feel like."

"In front of him," Fletcher continued, "a three-man defense of Arthur Theate, Robin Koch, and Tuta’s successor role now filled by Collins."

The broadcast camera showed the defensive line waiting near the center circle.

"Across midfield," Fletcher said, "the wing-backs Nathaniel Brown and Rasmus Kristensen, providing width on both sides."

"And in the center of midfield," he continued, "Ellyes Skhiri alongside Hugo Larsson."

"That midfield battle," Bale added, "could decide a lot tonight."

Fletcher nodded before continuing.

"Then we come to Frankfurt’s attacking line."

"Behind the striker tonight are two attacking midfielders."

"On one side, Ansgar Knauff."

"And alongside him," Fletcher said, his voice rising slightly,

"...the young man everyone is talking about."

The camera zoomed in on Lukas standing calmly among the Frankfurt players.

"Lukas, just sixteen years old, starting tonight as one of the attacking number tens."

Bale shook his head again.

"Incredible," he said quietly. "Sixteen years old in a European final."

"And leading the line for Frankfurt tonight," Fletcher finished, "the French striker Hugo Ekitike, who has been in tremendous form throughout the knockout rounds."

The referee now walked toward the center circle.

Both teams took their positions.

The stadium noise rose again like thunder rolling across the stands.

"Everything is ready here in Bilbao," Fletcher said.

"Two clubs. One trophy."

Bale leaned forward slightly as he looked down at the players standing ready for kickoff.

"And in just a few seconds," he said,

"the Europa League Final will begin."

The players were set as the whistle went and Sarr took the kick-off.

A/N: Thanks to Midnight87 for sponsoring this Chapter with a dragon. I appreciate.

You too can sponsor bonus Chapter(s) with gifts (Yes I’m begging. Help me.)

Love y’all

-Writ