23: The Next Big Test- I

Barcelona B's victory over Las Palmas was a pivotal moment in their season, but it also marked the beginning of an even more challenging stretch of matches. The team was riding high on confidence, but Coach Garcia knew better than to let them become complacent. There were still plenty of games to play, and the toughest tests were yet to come.

The next opponent on the schedule was RCD Espanyol B, their city rivals and one of the top teams in the Segunda División B. The rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol was fierce at every level, and this match promised to be a true test of Barcelona B's mettle. Not only would it be a battle for three points, but it was also a matter of pride.

In the days leading up to the match, the atmosphere at the Joan Gamper training ground was focused but intense. The players knew the importance of the upcoming fixture, and there was a collective determination to continue their winning streak. Training sessions were sharp and purposeful, with Garcia emphasizing tactical discipline and mental toughness.

Liam felt the weight of the upcoming match. The derby against Espanyol B wasn't just another game; it was a chance to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the division. He knew that this match would require them to be at their absolute best.

During one of the tactical sessions, Garcia gathered the team around a whiteboard in the dressing room. The coach had studied Espanyol B's style of play in great detail, and he wanted to ensure his players were fully prepared.

"Espanyol B is a team that thrives on pressing and counterattacking," Garcia explained, using a marker to draw out their typical formations. "They're quick in transition, and they like to overload the wings. We need to be smart in how we defend, but also brave in how we attack."

He looked around at his players, making sure he had their full attention. "This is going to be a battle. We need to be disciplined, but we also need to take our chances when they come. Remember, this is a derby. They'll come at us hard, but we have to stay composed."

Liam nodded along with the rest of the team. He understood the coach's message clearly. Espanyol B would be a tough opponent, but if they stuck to their game plan, they had every chance of coming out on top.

Game Day

The day of the match arrived, and there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The derby against Espanyol B was always one of the highlights of the season, and fans from both sides had been looking forward to it for weeks. The Mini Estadi was expected to be packed to the brim, with supporters eager to see their team claim bragging rights over their city rivals.

As Liam arrived at the stadium, he could feel the energy buzzing around him. The streets leading to the ground were lined with fans, waving flags and chanting songs, creating a sea of blue and red. The noise level was already high, and it would only get louder as kick-off approached.

In the dressing room, the tension was palpable. The players went through their pre-match routines with a seriousness that matched the occasion. There was no need for extra motivation—everyone knew what was at stake. For many of the younger players, this was their first taste of a real derby, and the pressure was immense.

As they sat in the dressing room, waiting for the final instructions, Garcia stood before them with a calm but determined expression. He didn't need to say much—the team was ready, and they knew what they had to do.

"This is our city," Garcia said simply. "Let's go out there and show them who it belongs to."

The players responded with a unified nod. The time for talk was over. Now, it was about action.

The atmosphere inside the Mini Estadi was electric as the teams took to the pitch. The stands were a sea of colors, with Barcelona B's supporters making their presence felt with a wall of noise. The Espanyol B fans, confined to a section of the stadium, were just as loud, their chants echoing across the field.

As the referee blew the whistle to start the match, it was clear that both teams were fired up. The opening minutes were frenetic, with challenges flying in from all directions. Neither side was willing to give an inch, and the intensity of the contest was evident in every tackle and every pass.

Espanyol B, true to their style, pressed high up the pitch, trying to force mistakes from Barcelona B's defenders. Liam, playing in his usual central midfield role, found himself constantly harried by Espanyol's midfielders, who were determined to disrupt his rhythm. But Liam was up to the task, using his quick feet and sharp mind to evade their pressure and keep the ball moving.

The first real chance of the match came in the 12th minute. Espanyol B's winger managed to break free down the right flank and sent a dangerous cross into the box. For a moment, it looked like their striker would get on the end of it, but Barcelona B's goalkeeper was alert, diving low to punch the ball clear.

The close call served as a wake-up call for Barcelona B, and they responded with a swift counterattack. Liam received the ball just inside his own half and immediately looked up, spotting Gabriel making a run down the left. Liam threaded a perfectly weighted pass into Gabriel's path, and the forward sprinted towards the box.

Gabriel cut inside, beating his marker, and unleashed a powerful shot aimed at the far post. The Espanyol goalkeeper reacted quickly, diving to his right and just managing to tip the ball around the post. It was a brilliant save, but it also showed that Barcelona B was capable of breaking down Espanyol's defense.

The match continued at a furious pace, with both teams trading blows. Espanyol B's pressing game was relentless, but Barcelona B was finding ways to bypass it, using quick one-touch passing and intelligent movement off the ball. Liam was at the heart of it all, orchestrating the play and linking up with his teammates to create openings.

In the 25th minute, Barcelona B came close again. A well-worked move down the right saw the ball played into Oscar, who had found space just outside the box. Oscar took a touch and then curled a shot towards the top corner, but once again, the Espanyol goalkeeper was equal to it, tipping the ball over the bar.

The near-miss only heightened the tension in the stadium. Both sets of fans were on edge, knowing that the first goal could prove crucial in such a tightly contested match. The players could feel it too, and the intensity on the pitch only increased as the first half wore on.

As the clock ticked towards halftime, the match remained deadlocked. Barcelona B had been the more dangerous side, but they had yet to find a way past Espanyol's stubborn defense. It was clear that it would take something special to break the deadlock.

And that something special came in the 40th minute.

After another spell of possession in Espanyol's half, the ball found its way to Liam in the center of the pitch. He was about 30 yards from goal, with two defenders closing in on him. But instead of trying to dribble past them, Liam took a quick glance at the goal and decided to go for it.

He struck the ball with the outside of his right foot, sending it curling towards the top left corner. The shot had power, but it was the swerve that caught everyone by surprise, including the goalkeeper. The ball dipped and curled, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot as it flew into the net.

For a moment, there was stunned silence in the stadium as everyone processed what had just happened. Then, the Barcelona B fans erupted into cheers, their roars of celebration filling the night air. Liam had done it—he had broken the deadlock with a moment of pure brilliance.

His teammates rushed to him, their faces filled with admiration and excitement. Garcia, on the touchline, allowed himself a small smile, knowing that they had just taken a crucial step towards victory.

Liam, surrounded by his teammates, felt a surge of emotion. Scoring in a derby was always special, but doing it in such a dramatic fashion made it even sweeter. He knew that there was still a long way to go in the match, but for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment.

The halftime whistle blew shortly after, with Barcelona B taking a 1-0 lead into the break. In the dressing room, there was a mixture of relief and determination. They knew they were in a good position, but also that Espanyol B would come out fighting in the second half.

Garcia wasted no time in addressing the team. "Great goal, Liam," he began, acknowledging the young midfielder's strike. "But we can't afford to let up. Espanyol will throw everything at us in the second half, and we need to be ready. Keep playing our game, stay compact defensively, and hit them on the counter when the opportunity arises."

The players nodded in agreement, fully aware that the job was far from done. They had the lead, but they needed to be smart and disciplined to see it through.

As the second half kicked off, it was clear that Espanyol B had no intention of going down without a fight. They came out with renewed energy, pressing even higher up the pitch and committing more men forward. Barcelona B found themselves under intense pressure, with Espanyol's attacks coming in waves.