Chapter 17 : Sevilla(1)
After that Days passed in a blur of relentless training and intense matches. Every morning, Nico woke up to his routine—yoga, jogging, and gym—before heading to the training ground, sharpening his skills and pushing himself to new heights. The rhythm of football consumed him, with each day blending into the next, a cycle of sweat, determination, and glory.
Despite the chaos of his schedule, one constant remained—his calls with Aitana. No matter how exhausting the day was, he always found time to speak with her. They talked about football, life, and little things that made them laugh. It had become their ritual, a quiet moment of warmth amidst the relentless pursuit of greatness.
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January 10 – Espanyol vs. Celta Vigo (La Liga, RCDE Stadium)
The match at RCDE Stadium was a grueling test for Espanyol. Celta Vigo fought hard, matching Espanyol blow for blow in an intense battle. Nico, as always, was at the heart of everything, dictating the tempo and creating chances. His brilliance shone through with two assists, threading passes that left defenders helpless. However, despite Espanyol's efforts, Celta found a way to equalize twice, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw—a frustrating result but a testament to the team's resilience.
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January 14 – Espanyol vs. Valencia (Copa del Rey Round of 16, 1st Leg, RCDE Stadium)
This was a statement game. The Copa del Rey knockout clash saw Espanyol obliterate Valencia 4-1 at RCDE Stadium. From the first whistle, Espanyol dominated, and Nico put on a clinic, assisting three goals with his visionary passing. The visitors had no answer to Espanyol's relentless attacking play, and the home fans roared in approval as their team all but secured a quarterfinal spot in the first leg.
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January 17 – Almería vs. Espanyol (La Liga, Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos)
A difficult away match awaited Espanyol at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos. Almería defended deep, making it a tactical chess match. The breakthrough finally came through a moment of magic from Nico, who stood over a free kick just outside the box. With his signature technique, he curled the ball past the helpless keeper into the top corner, securing a 1-0 victory. The win kept Espanyol's strong run in La Liga alive.
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January 21 – Valencia vs. Espanyol (Copa del Rey Round of 16, 2nd Leg, Mestalla Stadium)
With a three-goal cushion, Espanyol arrived at the Mestalla knowing a professional performance was enough to see them through. The manager rested Nico, opting for a more defensive approach. Valencia tried to mount a comeback, but Espanyol's discipline and organization held firm. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, ensuring Espanyol advanced comfortably on aggregate.
With the team in great form and Nico pulling the strings, the dream of lifting the Copa del Rey was starting to look more and more like a reality.
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The current date was January 24, the night before Espanyol's home match against Sevilla. Nico lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind restless. Tomorrow's game loomed over him, but instead of nerves, there was excitement—a hunger to perform, to dazzle the crowd once again.
His phone rested on the nightstand, and almost instinctively, he reached for it, dialing Aitana's number. She picked up after a single ring.
"Felicidades, estrella," Nico said, his voice laced with warmth. "A hattrick today, huh? Should I be worried you're coming for my records?"
Aitana laughed, the sound light and teasing. "You should be. I think I like scoring goals now."
Nico chuckled. "Well, don't get too comfortable. If you keep this up, I might have to start calling you my rival instead of my girlfriend."
"Oh?" Aitana hummed playfully. "I thought you liked competition."
"I do," Nico admitted. "But I like you more."
Aitana fell silent for a second before responding, softer this time. "Idiot."
Nico smirked. "Seriously though, I'm proud of you. You're proving what I already knew—you're a generational talent."
"And you're Espanyol's little prince now, huh?" she teased. "Another big game tomorrow. Ready to put on a show?"
"Always," Nico said. "You watching?"
"Of course."
A comfortable silence settled between them, neither in a rush to end the call. It was moments like these—simple, effortless—that made everything else worth it.
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January 25, 2015 – Matchday
Espanyol vs. Sevilla
RCDE Stadium, Barcelona
The crisp January air carried an electric charge as the RCDE Stadium loomed in the distance. Espanyol's team bus cruised through the streets of Barcelona, escorted by flashing police lights, while fans in blue and white lined the roads, waving flags and chanting in unison. The excitement was palpable—Espanyol had been in remarkable form, and with a Copa del Rey quarter-final on the horizon, momentum was everything.
As the bus pulled up to the entrance, the Espanyol players could hear the crowd already in full voice. The home faithful were eager, their belief in the team growing stronger with each match. Signs bearing "Força Espanyol!" and "Nico, Our Crown Jewel!" filled the stands as the squad stepped off the bus, their eyes set on the tunnel ahead.
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The air inside the RCDE Stadium locker room was thick with focus and anticipation. The players sat in a semi-circle, some adjusting their shin guards, others lacing up their boots, but all listening intently as Espanyol's coach, Sergio González, stood before them, his voice firm and unwavering.
Sergio González:
"Alright, listen up, boys. We know what Sevilla brings. They're aggressive, they press high, and they love to dominate possession. We don't give them that luxury tonight. We stay compact, we stay disciplined, and when we get the ball—we strike."
He turned to the backline, pointing at Álvaro González and Héctor Moreno.
"Keep Bacca and Vitolo in check. No space, no time to turn. Javi, Juan—overlap when you can, but don't get caught out."
Then, his gaze shifted to the midfield.
"Víctor, Cañas—I need you two to be warriors tonight. Win the second balls, dictate the tempo. Don't let Banega breathe."
Finally, his eyes landed on Nico, who was tightening his armband.
"And you… you're our difference-maker. You find the space, you pick the locks, you make them suffer. If they foul you, good—because we know what you can do from a free kick."
A smirk spread across the faces of a few teammates. They'd seen it before.
Sergio clapped his hands together, his voice rising.
"We fight for every ball, we break fast on the counter, and we take our chances. This is our house—let's make them feel it!"
With that, the players rose to their feet, clapping, shouting, feeding off the energy. The time for talking was over. It was time to make a statement.
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As the players emerged from the tunnel, the RCDE Stadium was alive with energy. The Espanyol faithful waved their scarves, chanting in unison, while the traveling Sevilla supporters added their own intensity to the atmosphere. The floodlights cast a brilliant glow over the pitch as the teams lined up.
Ian Darke:
"Welcome to the RCDE Stadium for what promises to be a thrilling La Liga encounter. Espanyol, buoyed by their recent form, host Sevilla, a side known for their attacking prowess and resilience. And, of course, all eyes will be on that young man—Nico Cruyff—just 14 years old and already making waves in Spanish football."
Àxel Torres:
"It's remarkable, Ian. He's already delivered big performances, proving he's not just a promising talent but a match-winner. But Sevilla is no easy opponent. They'll test him, and they'll test Espanyol's defensive shape tonight."
The camera zoomed in on the players as the lineups were displayed on-screen.
Ian Darke:
"Let's take a look at the starting elevens, beginning with the hosts. In goal, we have Kiko Casilla. The back four consists of Javi López, Álvaro González, Héctor Moreno, and Juan Fuentes. The midfield pairing of Víctor Sánchez and José Cañas will sit deep, with Lucas Vázquez and Nico Cruyff providing width. Up front, the captain Sergio García partners with Felipe Caicedo in attack."
Àxel Torres:
"It's a well-balanced lineup. Sergio González has set them up to be disciplined but dangerous on the counter. And with Nico in that advanced role, expect quick transitions and creativity."
The camera then panned to Sevilla's players adjusting their socks and exchanging glances.
Ian Darke:
"Now, Sevilla's lineup. Sergio Rico starts in goal. The defense features Coke, Nico Pareja, Daniel Carriço, and Fernando Navarro. In midfield, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Éver Banega will look to control possession, with Aleix Vidal and Vitolo on the flanks. Up top, Carlos Bacca is joined by Iago Aspas, forming a deadly duo."
Àxel Torres:
"Sevilla will press high and force mistakes. Espanyol's defense will need to be sharp, especially against Bacca's movement. And let's not forget Banega—if he's given space, he can dictate the game."
As the referee made his final checks, the crowd roared in anticipation. The stage was set. The whistle was seconds away.
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The referee blew the whistle, and the match was underway. From the very first touch, it became evident that Espanyol had come out with intent. Their passing was crisp, their movement electric, and their hunger undeniable. Sevilla, a team known for their defensive discipline, suddenly found themselves on the back foot.
Ian Darke:
"Espanyol have started like a team possessed! They're moving the ball around with purpose, and Sevilla are struggling to keep up!"
Nico, positioned just behind the strikers, was dictating play like a seasoned veteran. In the 7th minute, he received the ball at the edge of the box, shimmied past Krychowiak, and let fly with a curling shot—only for it to crash off the crossbar with a thunderous echo.
Àxel Torres:
"Oh, what an effort from Nico! That had Sergio Rico beaten, but the post denies him! He's only 14, but that was world-class technique!"
Espanyol kept pushing. In the 15th minute, Lucas Vázquez sent a perfect low cross into the six-yard box, where Caicedo met it with a first-time strike—only for the ball to deflect off a scrambling defender and somehow trickle wide of the post.
Ian Darke:
"How has that not gone in?! Espanyol are all over Sevilla, but the ball just won't cross the line!"
The crowd groaned in frustration, sensing that a breakthrough was near. Minutes later, Nico picked up the ball on the right wing, danced past two defenders, and played a delicate through-ball to Sergio García. One-on-one with the keeper, García took a touch and fired—but Sergio Rico spread himself wide, making a brilliant save with his outstretched foot.
Àxel Torres:
"Unbelievable! How many more chances will they need?! Sevilla are riding their luck here!"
Espanyol had Sevilla pinned inside their own half, but the ball simply refused to find the net. Every attack seemed to end in a deflection, a near-miss, or an inspired save. As the 25th minute approached, frustration began to creep into the faces of the Espanyol players.
The fans, sensing their team's dominance, rallied behind them, chanting louder, urging them on. It was only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken—but would fate finally favor them?
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The game had settled into a rhythm of Espanyol dominance—sharp passes, patient buildup, and Sevilla desperately holding on. Then, in the 27th minute, Espanyol decided to carve their way through with precision.
It started at the back, with a composed exchange between the center-backs before the ball was played into midfield. Sevilla sat deep, wary of Nico's presence, but that didn't stop Espanyol from methodically working their way up the pitch.
A slick one-two between Víctor Sánchez and Lucas Vázquez opened space on the right, and as the Sevilla defense shifted, Nico ghosted into the half-space, where he received the ball just outside the box.
Ian Darke:
"Oh, here comes the Prince of La Masia! Look at that footwork!"
With a swift touch, he breezed past one, then another, effortlessly gliding through the Sevilla defense. He didn't even need to look—his instinct told him exactly where the run was. With a perfectly weighted cross, Nico lifted the ball into the penalty area.
Caicedo was already there. The Ecuadorian rose between two defenders and met the ball with a thumping header. The net rippled violently as the RCDE Stadium exploded in celebration!
Àxel Torres:
"At last! Espanyol have been knocking on the door all night, and finally, it swings wide open!"
Ian Darke:
"A brilliant delivery from Nico Cruyff, and Felipe Caicedo makes no mistake! Espanyol take a well-deserved lead!"
The Espanyol players rushed to Nico, patting him on the head as he jogged toward Caicedo, pointing at him in acknowledgment. The stadium was buzzing, the home fans finally rewarded for their unwavering support.
On the sidelines, the Espanyol coach clapped approvingly, while the Sevilla bench looked restless. They had withstood the storm for almost half an hour, but Nico had picked their lock with ease.
Espanyol 1-0 Sevilla.