Rise of a Football God-Chapter 456: Prelude to the UEFA Champions League Final

Athletic Club scored the first goal of the game.

As early as the 13th minute, the FC Barcelona net shook and the hero of the sequence of play was the Spain International, Nico Williams.

It started with Alex Berenguer, the attacking midfielder who received the ball with his back to goal before passing it towards Inaki Williams. Inaki Williams pushed the ball forward once, blitzing past Gerard Martin with speed before crossing the ball towards his brother on the other side.

Bam!

With his first touch, a perfect one, Nico Williams brought the ball under control. Eric Garcia closed him down immediately.

But with his second touch, Nico Williams flicked the ball to his right, leaving Eric Garcia with an ankle breaker as the defender collapsed to the ground, leaving a hole in the FC Barcelona backline.

Another touch, then another, then…

BAM!

Nico Williams stance seemed like he was aiming at the far corner, but at the last moment, he shifted his stance, swinging to shoot towards the near corner.

Inaki Pena was rooted to one spot, watching as the ball entered his net.

"GOALLLL…!"

The Estadio de San Mames exploded.

Yes, the Athletic Club fans respected their visiting opponents who already won the La Liga title, but that didn't mean they wanted to lose.

Rather, they wanted to win, respect notwithstanding.

This was why they celebrated the goal passionately, suddenly infused with hope at a very real possibility of winning this game.

After that goal in the 13th minute, the game opened up.

FC Barcelona created some chances but in the first half, Athletic Club was the superior side as their dynamic attack cut Barcelona's defense open again and again till they struck again just before halftime.

In the 44th minute, Sannadi, their striker struck, fed by Inaki Williams as the striker pounced on the cross, heading it past Inaki Pena.

44 minutes, 2-0…

The Estadio de San Mames was a cauldron of noise already, but it died down just a minute later when Ansu Fati rolled back the years with a solo effort.

As soon as the game was restarted, Frankie De Jong received a pass, ran up the field with it a bit before feeding Ansu Fati who was on the left. As soon as the ball touched Fati's leg, he entered a state of ultra-instinct.

When the first defender came for the ball, he protected it with his leg, making De Marcos lose balance before nutmegging him.

With that, he bombed towards the 18-yard box.

The midfielder, Ruiz de Galarreta rushed in before going on a sliding tackle but fearlessly, Ansu Fati flicked the ball above him before also jumping. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

As he landed, another defender was already there, Vivian, who was already stretched towards the floating ball.

But Ansu Fati had other ideas.

Thud!

He landed, but he didn't just land.

While still in mid-air, the idea came and he executed it instinctively; caressing the ball with a delicate backheel touch to push it just beyond Vivian's leg.

The center defender didn't expect such ingenuity, and he froze, for a moment. That moment was all Ansu Fati needed.

Alvarez closed in.

But taking the ball with him, Fati wiggled through the 2 defenders, one aggressive and the other frozen. Suddenly, he was one on one with the goalkeeper.

Before the goalkeeper could react and rush out, he inclined his body to the left and curled his right leg around the ball, sending it towards the far corner.

The goalkeeper dived, getting a touch on it but it wasn't enough.

The ball kissed the far post before nestling into the net.

There was stunned silence at the San Mames for a few seconds, but then…

BOOM!

The traveling FC Barcelona fans exploded with joyful and exuberant celebration.

The first half came to an end 2-1 in Athletic's favor.

When the second half started, Hansi Flick made a few changes, introducing Lamine Yamal for Pau Victor, moving Ferran Torres to the striker position.

It didn't matter much because Athletic Club kept on dominating.

In the 60th minute, Nico Williams scored again, this time from a solo effort as he scored an absolute banger from outside the box into the top right corner.

FC Barcelona kept on trying but nothing tangible happened.

In the 72nd minute, Hansi Flick introduced Jules Kounde and Pedri, while in the 75th minute, he introduced Sam.

Without anyone saying, the Athletic Club players and their fans knew that they heavyweights were in and the atmosphere in the stadium changed with it.

Athletic Club changed their strategy, deciding to play a bit more defensive to protect their 3-1 lead but it didn't matter before Barcelona.

They tried their best, they persevered for 10 minutes, but just within 3 minutes, it all came unraveled.

In the 86th minute, Sam slipped a pass to Lamine Yamal who teased the Athletic defenders with his twinkle toes before setting Pedri who unleashed a smashing hit, sending it towards the top left corner with precision.

Then, in the 89th minute, an unlikely hero appeared, Gerard Martin.

Pedri raised the ball above the Athletic defense for the overlapping left back who powered it into the net with a close-range header.

In a blink, from 3-1, it was 3-3!

BOOM!

The away stands at the Estadio de San Mames exploded again.

The FC Barcelona fans weren't satisfied with just a draw though. They pushed their players to go for the winning goal, and the players on the pitch showed their eagerness within the last 3 minutes of additional time.

They could not do it though, Athletic Club defended for their lives.

And then…

FWEEEE!

The game came to an end.

Sam didn't score or assist this game but his impact was felt heavily after he entered the pitch, his imprint was all over the 2 goals scored after he entered the game. But for tonight, Gerard Martin won the man of the match award.

To them, this was a preparatory game.

The prelude to the UEFA Champions League final in Munich.