Chapter 41 : Late winner

In the CBS Sports Post-Match Analysis, the team discussed Manchester City's dominant 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League.

Kate started the segment, giving an overview of the match. "It was another professional performance from Manchester City. They controlled the game throughout, keeping Sevilla at bay. The first goal came from a set-piece, Kompany heading in a well-delivered corner from Nico Cruyff, and the second came from a moment of brilliance from Nico himself. He weaved past a couple of defenders and curled the ball beautifully past Sergio Rico to double the lead. City have now solidified their position at the top of Group D."

Micah Richards agreed, "It was another day at the office for City. The team is clicking, and you can see the chemistry between players like De Bruyne, Aguero, and of course, Nico. He continues to be the focal point of their attack."

Kate then shifted gears, bringing up Nico Cruyff's incredible individual performances this season. "And now, let's talk about Nico Cruyff. In 13 matches so far this season, he's scored 19 goals and registered 16 assists. Out of those, 9 goals and 11 assists have come in the Premier League, where he's currently both the top scorer and top assister. In the Champions League, he has 4 goals and 5 assists, making him the top assister in the competition as well. At just 15 years old, that's absolutely unheard of!"

Jamie Carragher was in awe of the stats, "It's incredible to think he's still so young. He's not just playing in these top competitions, he's dominating them. It's one thing to get into the first team, but to perform like this week in and week out at 15 is mind-blowing."

Thierry Henry, smiling with admiration, added, "We've all seen him play, and you can see the maturity in his game already. But these stats really put it into perspective. Most players are just finding their feet at that age, and here's Nico, already running games for Manchester City in the biggest competitions."

Micah laughed and said, "Yeah, it's unreal. We might be witnessing the birth of a future legend. The way he moves, the way he finishes—there's no question he's the future of football."

Kate nodded, wrapping up the segment. "It's clear that Nico Cruyff is on a trajectory that few, if any, have seen before. He's certainly the frontrunner for the Golden Boy award this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if we're talking about him winning the Ballon d'Or in a few years."

__________

November 21, 2015 – Matchday

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

The atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium was electric as Manchester City prepared for their Premier League clash against Liverpool. The City faithful were in full voice, eager to see their undefeated team extend their lead at the top of the table. Nico Cruyff, the 15-year-old sensation, had been at the center of City's rise, contributing heavily with goals and assists, including a stellar performance in the previous match against Aston Villa.

In the locker room, Pep Guardiola stood at the front, his gaze fixed on his players, as he outlined the tactical approach for the match. A tactical board behind him displayed positions and movement patterns, with clear instructions for each player.

"Liverpool are going to press us hard," Pep said, pointing at the board. "They'll come at us from the first minute, especially in the midfield, with Henderson and Can pushing high. We need to be aware of their counter-attacks, but most importantly, control possession and dictate the tempo."

He turned to Nico, his young star, who had been nothing short of spectacular since his arrival at the club. "Nico, Liverpool's defense is vulnerable when they're pressed. They'll leave gaps when they push forward. Use your movement to pull their defenders wide, and don't hesitate to cut inside or make diagonal runs. If you get the ball in the right space, you'll have chances."

The rest of the team listened intently as Pep continued to discuss how to exploit Liverpool's high defensive line, highlighting the importance of quick passing and breaking their press. "Our attacking play has been fluid, but we need to stay calm under pressure. This is the kind of game where composure wins."

With the plan set, the players stood up and began their warm-ups. 

_________

As the players emerged from the tunnel, the crowd erupted into cheers at the Etihad Stadium, filling the air with anticipation. Manchester City was ready for their Premier League clash against Liverpool, with Nico Cruyff set to start once again, continuing his stellar form.

In the commentary booth, Peter Drury and Martin Tyler began their analysis of the starting line-ups, adding to the excitement.

Peter Drury began, "Here we are at the Etihad, where Manchester City are looking to continue their unbeaten run. They've been in sensational form, led by their young prodigy, Nico Cruyff. At just 15, he's already made a huge impact, with 19 goals and 16 assists this season. He starts on the right wing today, with De Bruyne and Agüero leading the attack."

Martin Tyler followed, "That's right, Peter. The story of this season has been Nico's incredible rise. He's been involved in more goals than any player on this team, and at such a young age, it's a rare thing to witness. Today, Pep Guardiola will rely on him to unlock this Liverpool defense, which has been shaky at times this season."

Peter Drury continued, "As for Liverpool, they come to the Etihad with a strong lineup. Mane, Firmino, and Coutinho will be the attacking trio, and they'll look to break down City's defense with their pace and creativity. Klopp's team has been dangerous on the counter, and City's defense will have to stay sharp."

Martin Tyler added, "The midfield battle will be crucial, with Fernandinho and Yaya Touré anchoring the midfield for City, trying to control the pace and nullify Liverpool's press. The game is set up to be a thrilling contest, and with Nico in form, anything could happen."

The camera then panned to the teams lined up, ready to kick off, as the tension in the stadium grew. The players took their positions, with the first whistle about to blow. The stage was set for another memorable encounter.

__________

The match kicked off with intensity, as both Manchester City and Liverpool looked to seize control early on. The atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium was electric, the crowd urging their teams forward as the players quickly settled into a fast-paced rhythm.

Manchester City dominated possession, playing their trademark quick-passing game. Nico Cruyff, as always, was a constant threat on the right wing. In the 5th minute, he received a perfectly timed pass from De Bruyne just outside the box. With a sudden burst of pace, he cut inside past Clyne, but his low shot was well blocked by Mignolet, the Liverpool keeper, who stood firm. The ball was cleared out by Lovren, denying Agüero of a potential follow-up.

Liverpool responded with quick counter-attacks, trying to exploit City's high defensive line. In the 9th minute, Firmino played a clever ball through to Mane, who had slipped behind Otamendi. He raced toward goal, but Joe Hart came out quickly, diving at his feet to clear the ball just before Mane could get a shot off. The Etihad fans breathed a sigh of relief as the tension mounted.

By the 12th minute, Liverpool's pressure started to show, and Coutinho found himself in a good position 20 yards out. His shot, curling towards the top right corner, was met with a stunning save from Hart, who leapt to his left to tip the ball wide. The crowd cheered as City regained possession.

At the 16th minute, Yaya Touré delivered a strong tackle to win the ball back in midfield, starting a quick counter. De Bruyne played a quick ball to Cruyff, who raced down the wing again. He cut inside Milner, and this time, his shot was blocked by Lovren's last-ditch effort, the ball sailing over the bar for a corner. City's dominance in possession continued, but Liverpool's defense was resolute.

The next few minutes saw some frantic clearances from both sides. Sagna got his head to a high ball, clearing it away from Mane, while Kompany made a crucial clearance in the 20th minute, blocking a dangerous cross from Coutinho that was headed toward Firmino.

As the match progressed, both teams exchanged blows, but neither side could break the deadlock just yet. The midfield battle between Fernandinho, Touré, and Henderson was a fierce one, with hard tackles flying in from both sides. Sterling, in the 27th minute, looked to capitalize on a loose ball in Liverpool's box, but his shot was blocked by Matip, who did well to recover after a mistimed clearance by Mignolet.

The match had all the makings of a thrilling encounter, with both teams having their moments, but the scoreline remained 0-0 as the first half continued.

___________

The first half ended with the score still level at 0-0, as both Manchester City and Liverpool had plenty of chances but couldn't convert them into goals.

Manchester City had dominated possession, but Liverpool's defense, led by Lovren and Matip, had stood firm. Mignolet, though tested multiple times, had kept his goal intact with some crucial saves, while Joe Hart was equally solid at the other end, ensuring that Firmino, Mane, and Coutinho's efforts were kept at bay.

In the 42nd minute, Cruyff sent a dangerous cross into the box, but Agüero's header was saved by Mignolet, who dived low to his right. Just moments later, Coutinho curled a free kick over the wall, only to see it fly just wide of Hart's left post. The tempo of the game had picked up in the final minutes of the first half, with both teams throwing everything at each other.

As the players walked off the field, they were greeted by cheers and jeers from the crowd. The Etihad crowd was on the edge of their seats, anxious for the second half.

In the Manchester City locker room, Pep Guardiola gathered his players around, giving them tactical instructions for the next 45 minutes. He told them to keep pressing high, especially on the wings, and emphasized that they needed to be more clinical in front of goal. His message was clear: "We need to be more ruthless in the second half. We've created chances, but we need to finish them. We can't let this game slip away."

Meanwhile, Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp was focused on his defense. He urged his team to remain compact and not let Nico Cruyff or Kevin De Bruyne exploit the space in between the lines. "They'll try to break us down with quick passes, and we need to be alert. Let's make sure we stay solid, stay together, and hit them on the counter," Klopp instructed.

With the teams heading back out onto the pitch, the second half was set to be a tense affair, with both sides still in the hunt for that all-important first goal.

__________

The match remained 0-0 as both teams continued to battle in the final stages. It seemed like a stalemate, with Manchester City pressing and Liverpool defending resolutely. But then, in the 86th minute, Nico Cruyff received a brilliant long pass from Aleksandar Kolarov from the left side, deep in his own half.

The ball was perfectly weighted, and Nico controlled it with ease. As he started to accelerate, he quickly noticed James Milner closing in from the right. With a deft flick of his right foot, Nico shifted the ball to the left, leaving Milner stumbling behind him. He then faced Emre Can, who stepped up to challenge him. Nico, not backing down, danced around him with a quick La Croqueta, smoothly moving past him while keeping the ball close to his feet.

Now only Dejan Lovren was in his way, but Nico wasn't fazed. With the defender closing in, he performed a Cruyff Turn, spinning away from Lovren with perfect precision and leaving him trailing in his wake. As Nico approached the edge of the penalty box, Joel Matip stepped in to block his path, but Nico quickly dropped his shoulder, selling a fake to the left, before darting to the right. Matip was caught flat-footed, and Nico found himself in a shooting position just outside the box.

But as he was about to shoot, Trent Alexander-Arnold lunged in from the side and brought him down with a late challenge. The referee immediately blew his whistle, awarding Manchester City a free kick. It was about 25 meters from goal, in what many considered prime Nico Cruyff territory.

The Etihad Stadium erupted in cheer as the players gathered around, knowing full well that if anyone could score in a moment like this, it was their young superstar. Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero patted Nico on the back, confident that he could deliver.

In the commentary box, Peter Drury's voice rang out with excitement. "A free kick in the final minutes... and it's Nico Cruyff over the ball. You don't need to be a footballing genius to know what's coming here. He's been deadly from set-pieces all season. If he can get this right, it could be the winner."

Martin Tyler chimed in, "Absolutely, Peter. With the form Nico's in, you'd almost be shocked if this doesn't end up in the back of the net. And let's not forget—this is the kind of situation that's made him such a sensation this season."

On the field, Simon Mignolet was busy organizing his wall. He could feel the tension in the air. He adjusted his gloves, staring down the young prodigy, knowing full well how dangerous Nico's free kicks were.

As the referee stepped away, Nico took a few steps back, preparing for his strike. The ball was perfectly placed, and all eyes were now on him, waiting for the final moment of this tense encounter.

As the referee blew the whistle, Nico Cruyff took a deep breath, taking a few quick strides towards the ball. The moment was perfect — it was his time. With his signature technique, he ran up and struck the ball with force.

The ball swerved unpredictably, left and right, as if an invisible hand was controlling its path. Simon Mignolet, fully stretched, dived to his left, but it was no use. The ball was already past him, heading straight for the top left corner of the goal.

The Etihad Stadium erupted in a deafening roar as the ball nestled perfectly into the corner, sealing Manchester City's victory. Nico slid on his knees in pure ecstasy, his arms raised in celebration. His teammates rushed toward him, mobbing him with high-fives and hugs, acknowledging the brilliance of the 15-year-old who had just delivered another stunning free-kick.

The commentators were in awe. Peter Drury exclaimed, "Unbelievable! Nico Cruyff, at 15 years old, with a free kick like that! He's a phenomenon! What a goal!"

Martin Tyler, equally impressed, added, "It's incredible, Peter. We've seen him do it all season, but this… this is a moment that defines him. A match-winner in the final minutes. A goal worthy of any player, let alone a 15-year-old. He is something special."

The City fans were on their feet, chanting Nico's name, while the players celebrated their young star's brilliance. With that strike, Manchester City were now firmly in control of the match, and as the final whistle blew, they secured a 1-0 win against Liverpool.

__________

In the post-match press conference, both Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp sat at the front, ready to field questions from the gathered reporters. The atmosphere was charged, with Guardiola radiating a calm, composed confidence while Klopp appeared a bit frustrated but still gracious in his responses.

A reporter from the Manchester Evening News immediately turned to Guardiola, asking about Nico Cruyff's impact on the game.

Reporter: "Pep, another brilliant performance from Nico Cruyff. He's only 15, but with his free-kick today, he proved why he's the youngest top scorer in the Premier League right now. What are your thoughts on his development this season?"

Guardiola smiled, his eyes lighting up as he responded:

Guardiola: "It's not just the free-kick, it's the maturity he's showing. For someone so young, the way he plays—his composure, his vision—it's remarkable. His work ethic has been exceptional. Every day he works to improve, and as a coach, that's exactly what you want. Today, that free-kick showed his confidence, and when you've got that confidence, it doesn't matter how old you are, you can perform at the highest level."

Another reporter, this time from BBC Sport, shifted the focus to Klopp.

Reporter: "Jürgen, Liverpool fought hard, but it must be frustrating to concede a goal like that in the dying moments. How did you see the game unfold from your perspective?"

Klopp leaned back, rubbing his forehead in thought.

Klopp: "It's frustrating, of course. We knew how dangerous City can be, especially with someone like Cruyff on the field. I thought we were solid for the most part, but we lost our concentration at the worst possible time. We allowed him too much space for that free-kick, and when a player of his quality gets that kind of opportunity, he takes it. We have to learn from this, but I'm proud of how the team fought throughout."

A third reporter, more curious about the tactical aspect of the match, turned back to Pep Guardiola.

Reporter: "Pep, we saw a change in the final stages of the match. You brought on more defensive stability with Fernandinho. Was that a tactical decision to ensure the victory, or was it simply to rest the key players like Nico?"

Guardiola: "It was a bit of both. We needed to secure the win, and bringing on Fernandinho gave us that extra solidity in midfield. But also, the players were fatigued, and I wanted to make sure we didn't leave ourselves exposed. It's not just about Nico; it's about the whole team working together. Everyone played their part today."

The questions continued, with Guardiola getting some queries about the season's progress and whether he thought City could maintain this form throughout the season, while Klopp reflected on Liverpool's challenges and the need to bounce back.

As the conference wrapped up, Guardiola was asked once more about Nico, this time in the context of his potential to win the Golden Boy award.

Reporter: "Pep, with Nico's performance this season, do you think he's on track to win the Golden Boy this year?"

Guardiola paused for a moment, his smile widening as he nodded.

Guardiola: "Without a doubt. If he keeps playing the way he has been, I believe he's not just a candidate; he's the front-runner. His talent, his mentality—it's all there. But at the same time, it's important to stay grounded. He's still a 15-year-old with a lot to learn, but I have no doubt he will achieve great things in his career."

As the press conference concluded, both coaches left the room, with reporters buzzing about the amazing talent that was Nico Cruyff, and how he had just taken another step toward greatness with his match-winning free-kick.