First Half

In the midfield, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The Barcelona players moved as if in a dream—a series of swift, interlocking passes that blended seamlessly into one another. Hugo Serrano collected a pass with a gentle touch and looked upward, his eyes briefly meeting those of a City midfielder before orchestrating a diagonal exchange that sent the ball racing along the flanks. The play was intricate, almost balletic, as players from both teams were drawn into the rhythm, each movement a testament to countless hours of practice and an unspoken desire to control the game.