Chapter 31 : Toying.....

September 15, 2015. The Etihad Stadium was electric, a sea of sky blue as Manchester City prepared to face Juventus in their opening Champions League match. The floodlights illuminated the pitch, casting a brilliant glow over the players warming up. The energy in the stadium was palpable, a mixture of anticipation and excitement as the fans roared in support of their team. 

As the players lined up in the tunnel, the commentators began their discussion, their voices filled with enthusiasm. 

"History is being made today," Peter Drury announced. "At just 15 years old, Nico Cruyff is making his Champions League debut. A generational talent, he's been Manchester City's standout player in the Premier League so far. But the question remains—can he replicate that form on the biggest stage in European football?" 

His co-commentator, Jim Beglin, nodded in agreement. "It's one thing to dominate domestically, but the Champions League is an entirely different beast. The pressure, the quality of opposition—it's a test like no other. And tonight, he's up against Juventus, one of the most experienced teams in the competition. This will be a real challenge for the young man." 

As the teams emerged from the tunnel, the atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium reached its peak. The roar of the crowd filled the night air, anticipation buzzing through the stands.

Peter Drury's voice carried over the broadcast, filled with excitement. "And now, let's take a look at the starting lineups for both sides, starting with Manchester City. In goal, as always, is the reliable Joe Hart.

The back four consists of Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, and Aleksandar Kolarov. In midfield, Yaya Touré will be pulling the strings alongside Fernandinho, while Kevin De Bruyne operates just ahead of them. On the wings, Raheem Sterling and David Silva will provide the creativity, and leading the line—Sergio Agüero."

Jim Beglin picked up where he left off, analyzing the opposition. "As for Juventus, they're fielding a formidable lineup. Gianluigi Buffon stands between the posts, a legend of the game. Their three-man defense features Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini—an absolute fortress.

In midfield, Paul Pogba, Sami Khedira, and Claudio Marchisio provide strength and technical ability, while Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro offer width. And up front, Álvaro Morata partners Mario Mandzukic in attack."

Peter Drury then added, "And of course, the big story tonight—Nico Cruyff. The 15-year-old wonderkid gets the nod in a massive game, playing alongside De Bruyne and Silva in that advanced role. He's been a revelation in the Premier League, but this is a whole new level."

Jim Beglin chuckled. "No doubt about it. Pep Guardiola must have serious faith in the boy, and rightly so. But against a side as experienced as Juventus, this will be the ultimate test."

As the players took their positions, Nico closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying his breath. He could feel the weight of expectation, but he embraced it. This was what he had been waiting for.

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The match kicked off at an electrifying pace, with both teams showing no hesitation in going forward. Juventus, with their experience and quality, looked comfortable in possession, while Manchester City aimed to impose their usual fluid attacking play.

Paul Pogba was the heartbeat of Juventus' midfield, gliding past challenges with his signature elegance. Every time he touched the ball, it seemed like something could happen. He combined well with Marchisio and Hernanes, shifting the ball quickly and looking to release Morata and Mandzukic up front.

On the other side, Nico was proving why he was City's midfield maestro, despite being only 15 years old. His vision and passing were on full display as he dictated the tempo. Every time he had the ball, Juventus' defense looked uneasy. He was threading incisive passes between the lines, bypassing Juve's compact shape with unnerving ease.

In the 7th minute, De Bruyne picked up a pass from Nico and drove forward. He exchanged a quick one-two with Agüero, creating space just outside the box. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful strike toward the top corner, but Buffon, the legendary shot-stopper, reacted with cat-like reflexes, tipping it over the bar. The Etihad roared in appreciation, but City knew they had to be more clinical.

Juventus responded almost immediately. Bonucci sent a long ball over the top, perfectly weighted for Morata. The Spaniard controlled it beautifully, taking on Mangala one-on-one. With a quick drop of the shoulder, he cut inside and fired a low, driven shot toward the near post, but Joe Hart was alert, diving quickly to smother the attempt.

The match was already living up to its billing—fast, aggressive, and unpredictable. Both sides were showing their intent, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable night of Champions League football.

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The 9th minute saw Juventus comfortably controlling possession, passing the ball around their midfield with confidence. Paul Pogba, who had been one of the most influential players so far, looked up and attempted a pass to Marchisio. But for the first time in the game, his execution was slightly off. The ball lacked precision, rolling just a bit too loosely.

Before he could react, Nico was already there. He pounced on it like a predator sensing weakness. With a sharp first touch, he accelerated forward, instantly shifting gears. Marchisio rushed in, desperate to recover, but Nico was ready. Just as the Italian lunged to challenge, Nico executed a flawless Cruyff Turn, spinning his body around the ball and leaving Marchisio reaching for air.

With open space ahead, Nico lifted his head. Agüero was making a darting run behind the Juventus defense. Without hesitation, Nico threaded a perfectly weighted through ball, dissecting the backline like a scalpel through flesh. The pass was pinpoint, rolling into Agüero's stride beyond Bonucci and Chiellini.

Agüero charged forward, his quick feet dancing over the ball as he entered the box. The Juventus defenders closed in rapidly, trying to smother him. Buffon was ready, positioning himself for the shot. But just when everyone expected Agüero to fire, he instead faked, causing Buffon to shift slightly. In that split second, Agüero flicked his heel back, sending a disguised pass behind him—straight to the onrushing Nico.

Nico had read it like a book. As the ball rolled towards him outside the box, he stepped forward, adjusted his body, and struck it first-time with his right foot. The crisp sound of the strike echoed around the stadium.

The ball rocketed through the air, bending beautifully. Buffon, a giant among goalkeepers, reacted instantly. He sprang to his right, stretching his frame as far as possible. But it wasn't enough. The ball curled wickedly, sailing past his outstretched fingertips and slamming into the top right corner of the net.

The Etihad exploded. Fans leapt from their seats, their roars shaking the very foundations of the stadium. On the pitch, Nico stood frozen for half a second, processing the moment, before sprinting towards the corner flag, arms pointing to the sky.

Peter Drury's voice boomed through the commentary box, filled with admiration and awe. "Oh, take a bow, Nico Cruyff! A moment of sheer brilliance! The 15-year-old wonderkid has arrived on the grandest stage of them all!"

Jim Beglin, his co-commentator, was just as stunned. "That's something special, Peter. The confidence, the technique… He's just a kid, but he's playing like a superstar! Remember the name—this boy is destined for greatness!"

On the pitch, Nico's teammates swarmed him, patting his back, ruffling his hair, celebrating the sheer magic they had just witnessed. The young prodigy took a deep breath, looking around at the electric atmosphere.

The Champions League debut of Nico Cruyff had just begun, and already, he was making history.

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The match continued at a furious pace, with Juventus determined to find an equalizer before the break. Their midfield, led by Pogba, was orchestrating attack after attack, trying to break down City's defensive line. The Etihad crowd was roaring, urging their team to hold firm as the first half neared its end.

In the 44th minute, Pogba found himself with space just outside the box. With a quick glance at the goal, he unleashed a powerful long-range strike, hoping to beat Joe Hart. But the English goalkeeper read it well. He moved quickly, catching the ball with ease before immediately scanning the field for an opportunity. He saw Nico wide on the left, already making a move.

Without hesitation, Hart launched a precise kick towards him. Nico watched the ball descend, and just as Marchisio closed in, he took his first touch delicately, flicking the ball past the midfielder. It was perfect—smooth and controlled. In an instant, he was off, accelerating down the wing with frightening speed.

Barzagli, Juventus' experienced defender, sprinted after him, desperate to close the gap. The veteran was quick, but Nico was quicker. Sensing Barzagli lunging in, Nico suddenly slowed down slightly, forcing the defender to anticipate a change of direction.

Then, with a swift, devastating movement, he cut inside. Barzagli tried to adjust, but his momentum betrayed him—his feet tangled, and he crashed to the ground helplessly. The crowd gasped as Nico surged forward, leaving him behind.

Now, only one man stood in his way—Gianluigi Buffon. The legendary goalkeeper stepped forward, widening his stance, trying to make himself as big as possible.

Nico kept his eyes locked on him. He had seen this scenario a thousand times in his past life. The way Buffon moved, the way his body leaned—it was all too familiar.

As Buffon lunged forward, expecting a power shot, Nico calmly lifted the ball with a delicate chip. It floated over Buffon's outstretched hands, sailing gracefully through the air before nestling into the back of the net.

Peter Drury's voice rose with pure exhilaration. "Oh, that is just outrageous! Nico Cruyff—15 years of age—has just humiliated one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time! Ice in his veins, magic in his feet!"

Jim Beglin let out a laugh of disbelief. "That's audacious, Peter! The composure, the confidence… He made Buffon look like an amateur! What a goal, what a player!"

The Etihad erupted in pandemonium. The City players sprinted towards Nico, some with their hands on their heads in pure shock. The crowd roared his name, their new hero delivering on the biggest stage.

Nico simply turned and walked toward the corner flag, arms spread slightly, a small smirk on his face. This was his moment. This was his night.

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As the referee blew the whistle for halftime, the Etihad buzzed with energy. The scoreboard read Manchester City 2-0 Juventus, and the fans could hardly believe what they were witnessing.

Nico Cruyff, at just 15 years old, had dominated the first half on his Champions League debut. His first goal had been a thunderbolt, and his second? A moment of pure class that left even the most seasoned football fans speechless.

As the players walked off the pitch towards the tunnel, the cameras captured the expressions on their faces. Juventus looked frustrated—Pogba shaking his head, Buffon wearing a wry smile as if acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the goal he had just conceded. On the other side, Manchester City's players were patting Nico on the back, some still trying to process what they had just seen.

In the stands, City fans were buzzing with excitement, their voices filling the air.

One older fan, wearing a retro City jersey, leaned toward his friend. "I've been coming to the Etihad for years, and I don't think I've ever seen a 15-year-old boss a game like this. The kid's special, mate. Proper special."

A younger fan, barely in his twenties, was still shaking his head. "The way he took that second goal? Barzagli is a World Cup winner, and he left him on the floor like it was nothing. And Buffon… Buffon, of all people, chipped like that? He's different, man. He's different."

Further up, a father turned to his son, who was wearing a fresh 'Nico 14' jersey.

"You're watching history, lad. Years from now, people will talk about this game. And you'll be able to say you were here when Nico Cruyff announced himself to the world."

The boy, barely 10, nodded with wide eyes. "He's my favorite player already, Dad."

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As the second half kicked off, Manchester City adjusted their approach, adopting a more defensive stance while looking for opportunities on the counterattack. Guardiola's instructions were clear—absorb the pressure, stay compact, and strike when the chance came.

Juventus, desperate to find a way back into the game, increased their intensity. Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio controlled possession, moving the ball swiftly from side to side, searching for gaps in City's defense. Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro pushed higher, delivering dangerous crosses into the box.

Despite the pressure, City's defense held firm. Vincent Kompany and Nicolás Otamendi marshaled the backline with authority, winning aerial duels and blocking shots. Meanwhile, Joe Hart remained alert, confidently catching crosses and parrying any attempts on goal.

Juventus created several promising chances. In the 56th minute, Pogba found himself in space just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but Joe Hart read it well, diving to his left to make the save. Minutes later, Álvaro Morata found a pocket of space between the defenders and tried to guide a header into the far post, only to see it sail inches wide.

Mario Mandzukic, usually clinical in front of goal, had a frustrating night. In the 68th minute, he received a low cross from Cuadrado but mishit his shot, sending it well over the bar. Juventus were creating chances, but they simply couldn't find the finishing touch.

Then, in the 78th minute, Manchester City struck again.

Vincent Kompany, seeing an opportunity, launched a long ball from the edge of his own box. Nico Cruyff positioned himself near the halfway line, watching the ball's trajectory. With a graceful first touch, he controlled it effortlessly, keeping it close to his feet as he surveyed the field.

As soon as he brought the ball down, he raised his left hand, signaling David Silva to make a run. The Spaniard instantly reacted, darting forward into the empty space behind the Juventus defense.

Without hesitation, Nico played a pass that seemed almost unreal. The ball curled along the grass, perfectly weighted, bending around the entire Juventus backline. It slipped through the smallest of gaps, bypassing both Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci as if they weren't even there.

Silva, now in a one-on-one with Buffon, remained calm under pressure. As the legendary goalkeeper rushed forward to close the angle, Silva took a composed touch before slotting the ball past him into the bottom right corner.

As David Silva's shot rolled into the net, the stadium roared, and Peter Drury's voice echoed with excitement.

Peter Drury: "Oh, that is simply magnificent! A pass carved from pure artistry, a finish of ice-cold composure! Nico Cruyff—how does he see these passes? How does he execute them with such perfection? And David Silva, as cool as you like, sends it past Buffon. Manchester City are tearing apart the Italian champions!"

Jim Beglin, equally impressed, responded with admiration.

Jim Beglin: "That's just world-class vision from Nico. The way he controlled the ball, lifted his head, and found Silva with such precision—it's unreal. You can't defend against a pass like that. It's pure genius!"

Peter Drury continued as the replays played on the big screens.

Peter Drury: "Look at this pass again! It's curved like a work of art, slipping through Juventus' defensive wall as if it were never there. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the vision of a superstar in the making!"

As Silva wheeled away in celebration, pointing at Nico in acknowledgment, the cameras zoomed in on the 15-year-old prodigy. His face remained calm, composed, as if this was just another routine moment for him. The Etihad faithful chanted his name, fully aware that they were witnessing history in the making.

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Pep Guardiola sat at the press conference table, his usual serious expression softened by a hint of satisfaction. The reporters fired questions rapidly, eager to hear his thoughts after Manchester City's emphatic 3-0 victory over Juventus.

A journalist from Sky Sports was the first to ask, "Pep, a dominant performance against the Italian champions. What are your thoughts on the team's display tonight?"

Guardiola leaned slightly forward and spoke with his signature calmness. "I think the team played very well. Juventus is a strong team, one of the best in Europe, so winning like this is not easy. We defended well, stayed compact, and took our chances when they came. Overall, I'm very proud of the team."

Another reporter quickly followed up, "Tonight, Nico Cruyff became the youngest player to ever play in the Champions League, the youngest to ever score, the youngest to ever assist—all in the same match. How do you rate his performance?"

Pep smiled slightly before responding. "What can I say? He is special. To play like that at 15 years old, against a team like Juventus, it's not normal. These are not records that get broken every day. But we must remember, he is still young, he still has a lot to learn. We will protect him, let him grow at his own pace. But yes, today he showed the world a little bit of his magic."

A journalist from La Gazzetta dello Sport spoke next. "Juventus dominated possession in the second half, but your team still controlled the match. Was this part of your tactical plan?"

Guardiola nodded. "Yes, we expected them to push after halftime. They have players like Pogba, Cuadrado, and Dybala who can change the game in an instant. We adjusted by staying compact and hitting them on the counterattack. And of course, when you have players like Nico, Silva, and Aguero, you know you can hurt teams in transition."

Then came the final question, this time from BBC Sport. "Nico now has six goals and six assists in his first five games for City. Do you think he is already among the best young talents in the world?"

Guardiola chuckled, shaking his head. "It is too early to say. He has talent, no doubt. He works hard, he listens, and he plays with no fear. But football is not just about five games, it's about consistency over years. He has a bright future, but let's not put too much pressure on him. Let him enjoy his football."

With that, Pep thanked the press and left the room, knowing full well that the world was now watching Nico Cruyff.