Chapter 40 : Seville

After dropping Johan and Danny off at home, Nico and Maria decided to take a walk around Barcelona. Maria, who had also grown up in the city, was just as familiar with its streets as Nico. The pair strolled through the vibrant neighborhoods, the sun gently setting as they wandered past the beautiful architecture and bustling cafes.

As they walked, they started talking about food—one of their favorite topics. Nico laughed when Maria mentioned her love for churros with chocolate, and he admitted that, although he hadn't eaten sweets in years, churros were definitely something he could eat all day long. Maria teased him a little, saying, "If only you'd let yourself enjoy some of the good things in life, you'd have a taste for everything."

They made their way toward the famous La Boqueria market, where the scent of fresh produce and street food filled the air. Maria was looking for something to eat, but Nico—being as disciplined as always—decided to keep walking, making her promise that they'd get some churros on the way back. 

As they passed a small café, Maria stopped and pulled out her phone. "Let's take a picture," she said, her eyes lighting up. Nico smiled, slightly flustered but happy, as Maria took a quick shot of them standing in front of a colorful mural. He was still getting used to the idea of being the subject of photos, but with Maria, it didn't feel so strange.

"You know," Maria said, as she snapped another picture, "this city has such a different feel when you see it from a local's perspective. It's like you've lived here forever."

Nico nodded, feeling the same way. "I miss this place. I miss the way it used to feel when I was just walking around here without worrying about anything."

Maria gave him a curious glance. "Do you ever miss your time at La Masia? I mean, you were a kid there—literally the crown jewel. But you had to leave, right?"

Nico sighed. "It wasn't easy, but I knew what I wanted. And I always thought La Masia taught me everything I needed to know. Now, everything feels a little more real. I'm playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world."

They continued their walk, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. It felt like just another normal day in Barcelona, and yet, both of them knew that there was so much more ahead of them. 

As the sun began to set, the golden light cast a beautiful glow over the streets of Barcelona. Maria smiled at Nico, "You're living your dream, Nico. And I'm glad I get to be a part of it, even in the smallest way."

Nico smiled back, his heart full. He was grateful for the city, his family, and, of course, Maria, who had always been there for him—even when things got complicated. As they continued walking, Nico knew that despite the challenges ahead, there was still much to look forward to.

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After spending a few days in Barcelona with his grandparents, Nico and Maria said their goodbyes to Johan and Danny at the airport. It had been a bittersweet visit, especially with the news about Johan's health, but it was also a reminder of how important family was to him. He had promised to return soon, but for now, it was time to go back to Manchester.

As they boarded the flight, Nico settled into his seat next to Maria. The plane was quieter than usual, and Nico couldn't help but reflect on everything that had happened in the past few weeks—his performances for Manchester City, the photo shoot, his newfound relationship with Maria, and now, the news about his grandfather. There was a lot on his plate, but he felt a sense of peace knowing that he had the support of those closest to him.

Maria, sitting next to him, noticed that he was deep in thought. She smiled softly, reaching over to nudge him. "You okay?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Nico looked at her, his emerald green eyes meeting hers, and nodded. "Yeah, just... thinking about everything. It's a lot, you know?"

Maria gave him a reassuring smile. "I know. But you're handling it all really well. You have your family, you have your teammates, and you have me. We'll get through it together."

Nico felt a warmth spread through him at her words. He was grateful for her support, and he didn't know how he would have managed everything without her by his side.

They spent the rest of the flight chatting, Maria telling Nico about her plans for the future and how she was excited to support him in whatever he did. It felt comforting to talk to her, especially after everything that had been going on in his life. As the plane descended toward Manchester, Nico felt a renewed sense of determination and strength. He was ready for whatever the future held.

When they finally landed and exited the plane, the cool Manchester air hit them, and they both smiled. They knew they had a long road ahead, but with each other's support, they could face whatever came their way.

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November 4, 2015 – MatchdayManchester City vs. SevillaVenue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

The atmosphere inside the Etihad was electric as the Manchester City fans filled the stadium, ready for another European night. City, coming off an incredible 3-1 victory over Norwich in the Premier League, had been in spectacular form, with Nico Cruyff's second Premier League hat-trick elevating his reputation to even greater heights. City were sitting at the top of their Champions League group, with three wins from three matches heading into tonight's game against Sevilla.

Inside the locker room, Pep Guardiola was speaking with intensity, preparing his team for the clash. His voice carried authority as he pointed to the tactical board behind him, mapping out how to break down Sevilla's defense.

"Sevilla are strong defensively, but their high press can leave gaps behind. We need to control the ball, make quick passes, and move without it to create space. They play a 4-3-3, so be prepared for their midfield battle," Guardiola explained, his focus on every player.

He turned to Nico. "Nico, they will try to force you wide, but use that to your advantage. Play through balls, look for those diagonal runs. If they give you space, make them pay."

Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Touré listened intently, nodding at Guardiola's words. He then pointed to the attack. "Aguero, you will be the focal point in the middle. We need to make sure the crosses from the wing are perfect. And the overlapping runs—Don't stop. We hit them fast."

Guardiola looked around at the players. "We have three wins in this group, but tonight, we can't take our foot off the pedal. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and remember—we play our game."

The players nodded and gathered their things. As the final instructions were given, there was a clear sense of focus in the air. The team knew the importance of this match—securing a fourth win would put them in a commanding position in the group.

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As the players walked out of the tunnel, the excitement inside the Etihad was palpable. The crowd roared with anticipation as Manchester City were set to face Sevilla in their fourth Champions League group-stage match. The team had already been impressive in the tournament, winning all three of their previous matches, with Nico Cruyff making a significant impact with three goals and four assists in those games.

Peter Drury, with his usual flair, began explaining the starting lineups over the loud cheers of the home crowd.

"Manchester City has been in stellar form so far in the Champions League, and they've brought their best squad tonight. Joe Hart is in goal, providing his usual rock-solid presence. The back four consists of Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, and Aleksandar Kolarov. In midfield, we have Fernandinho, Yaya Touré, and the ever-dangerous Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings. Up front, City will rely on Raheem Sterling, Sergio Agüero, and their teenage sensation Nico Cruyff, who's been absolutely on fire in the Champions League so far. Three goals, four assists—he's a player to watch, no doubt."

Martin Tyler added his thoughts: "City have been dominant in the group stages, and with young Nico Cruyff in such impressive form, they're looking to extend their perfect run. His performances so far have been exceptional, especially for a 15-year-old. He's been instrumental in their attack and will be crucial to their hopes tonight."

Peter continued, "And Sevilla, under Unai Emery, will look to break City's momentum. They've got a solid squad, and they'll need every ounce of their experience to challenge this high-flying Manchester City team. In goal for Sevilla is Sergio Rico, with a back four consisting of Mariano, Daniel Carriço, Nicolás Pareja, and Escudero. Midfield is anchored by N'Zonzi, Banega, and Vitolo, while up top, they'll rely on Gameiro, Iborra, and Juan Muñoz to create the chances."

The camera panned to Nico Cruyff as he was warming up on the sidelines. "There's the man," Peter said with excitement. "The youngest player to ever make such an impact in the Champions League, already with three goals and four assists. The world is watching him tonight, and this is his chance to show what he can do on the biggest stage."

As the players took their places for the match, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. "This is a huge night for City and for Nico Cruyff," Martin Tyler said. "With a perfect record in the group, they want to continue that momentum and secure top spot. Sevilla will give it their all, but City will be tough to break down."

With the stadium buzzing and the players ready, it was time for the match to begin, with all eyes on Nico Cruyff and his quest to add more Champions League magic to his already-impressive start to the season.

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The match began with Manchester City attacking relentlessly, with Nico Cruyff, Sergio Agüero, and Kevin De Bruyne combining effortlessly to create chances. The atmosphere in the Etihad was electric as City looked to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League group stage.

Peter Drury's voice filled the air: "Manchester City are off to a blistering start here! It's been all one-way traffic so far as they look to break down Sevilla's defense. Nico Cruyff is everywhere—his quick feet and vision are already causing problems for Sevilla. We've seen him in the past few games creating, assisting, and finishing with such maturity for a 15-year-old."

Martin Tyler added: "And look at that movement from Aguero! He's been sharp off the ball, trying to latch on to the passes from Kevin De Bruyne and Nico. City are playing with such fluidity tonight—something you'd expect from a team in top form."

In the 8th minute, Kevin De Bruyne made a clever run into the midfield, threading a perfect through ball to Nico, who skillfully flicked the ball past Sevilla's defense. Nico Cruyff, showing great composure, fired a shot from the edge of the box, but Sergio Rico, Sevilla's goalkeeper, dived well to his right and made a fantastic save.

Peter Drury exclaimed, "What a save from Rico! That was a fantastic shot from Nico Cruyff, but the Sevilla goalkeeper is proving his worth early on here."

The match continued with Man City dominating possession, controlling the tempo, and creating chance after chance. Nico, with his trademark dribbling, kept pushing forward, getting involved in almost every attacking move. He played a key role in linking up with Agüero and De Bruyne, with each of them getting chances to test the Sevilla defense.

As the minutes ticked by, Sevilla began to sit deeper, hoping to catch City on the counter. But the hosts were relentless in their pursuit of an opening goal, and with the trio of Cruyff, Agüero, and De Bruyne, they continued to look dangerous.

Martin Tyler noted, "City are playing with such confidence. They've been the dominant force so far, and it's only a matter of time before they break the deadlock. The combination play between Nico and De Bruyne is simply stunning."

In the 18th minute, De Bruyne found space on the right and whipped a low cross into the box. Agüero, with his impeccable movement, made a near-post run and flicked it on to Nico, who was ready to capitalize. But before Nico could make contact, Sergio Rico came off his line and smothered the ball, denying City a great opportunity.

The relentless attacking play from City continued, and it was clear from the start that Sevilla had their work cut out for them.

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In the 27th minute, the deadlock was broken. Manchester City won a corner after Kevin De Bruyne's long-range shot was saved by Sergio Rico, the Sevilla goalkeeper. Nico Cruyff stepped up to take the corner, and with precision, he floated the ball into the box. Vincent Kompany rose above the defenders and powered a header past Rico, putting City 1-0 up. The Etihad erupted with cheers as City's captain delivered another crucial goal.

Peter Drury commented, "City take the lead! A fantastic corner from Nico Cruyff, and what a header from Kompany! The Belgian rises above everyone and buries it into the back of the net. It's 1-0 to City, and they look on course to continue their dominant performance!"

Just two minutes later, in the 29th minute, Nico Cruyff once again was at the heart of City's attacking play. After receiving a brilliant long pass from Sergio Agüero down the right wing, Nico accelerated, leaving Mariano in his wake. With his trademark quick feet, he cut inside, leaving Pareja for dead. Nico, now with the goal in his sights, curled the ball beautifully with his left foot, sending it past the outstretched hands of Sergio Rico and into the bottom corner.

Martin Tyler marveled at the goal, "Nico Cruyff does it again! What a goal! A brilliant pass from Aguero, and Nico's pace and composure are just too much for Sevilla's defense. He cuts inside like Robben and curls it perfectly past Rico—City are two up, and they're showing just why they're the team to beat in this group!"

The City fans were in full voice, celebrating the beautiful piece of individual skill from the 15-year-old sensation. As the players regrouped and restarted the game, it was clear that Nico had been in sublime form, playing with the maturity and confidence of a seasoned professional.

Peter Drury continued, "This kid is something special. Just 15 years old, and he's already a star in the making. His performances are why City are cruising at the top of the group. I wouldn't be surprised if we see more magic from him tonight."

With the score now 2-0, Manchester City were firmly in control, and Sevilla were left with little time to regroup as they struggled to contain the attacking power of Cruyff, Agüero, and De Bruyne. The early dominance had been rewarded with two well-crafted goals.

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The match ended 2-0 in favor of Manchester City, with Nico Cruyff playing a pivotal role in both goals. City's dominance was evident from the start, and despite Sevilla's efforts, they couldn't break down Guardiola's disciplined side. The result further cemented Manchester City's position at the top of Group D in the Champions League, remaining undefeated in all competitions.

Peter Drury summed it up: "A professional performance from City tonight! They've won 2-0, and it was a masterclass in attacking football. Cruyff with a goal and an assist—he's truly emerging as one of the brightest young talents in world football. Man City remain perfect, sitting comfortably at the top of Group D."

Martin Tyler added, "A fantastic night for City. Two goals, both from quality attacking play. Kompany's header was a fine way to break the deadlock, and Cruyff's brilliance in the 29th minute sealed the deal. This team is firing on all cylinders. Their position at the top of the group is well-deserved, and they continue to march on in style."

As the final whistle blew, the players celebrated another important victory. The City fans were ecstatic, while the Sevilla players trudged off the pitch, knowing they had been outclassed on the night.

For Nico Cruyff, this was just another display of his potential, as he continued to show why he's the hottest young talent in European football.