Chapter 20 : Down (Bonus Chapter for power stones)

Nico lay back on his bed, phone in hand, the soft hum of the city drifting through his window. It had become routine now—talking to Aitana before bed, the way they shared their hopes, their struggles, and the little things that made them smile. But tonight felt a little different. Maybe it was the weight of tomorrow's game, maybe it was the quiet sincerity in her voice earlier, but something about the way she said "I believe in you" stuck with him.

As he waited for her to respond, he couldn't help but let his mind wander back to the first leg against Sevilla. That 2-1 loss. They hadn't played badly, but it wasn't enough. His free kick had given them hope, but now everything depended on tomorrow. Nico wasn't sure why, but he felt strangely calm. Maybe it was Aitana's belief in him, or maybe it was just his own deep confidence in his ability to turn things around. Whatever it was, he knew he was ready.

He swiped his thumb over the screen, seeing her name pop up. Her face flashed in his mind—her focused expression when they trained together, the way she smiled when she scored that free kick in training. Aitana had a way of making everything seem easier, even on the hardest days.

"So, ready for tomorrow?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though the tension in his chest was growing.

There was a soft laugh from the other side. "I should be asking you that. You're the one who's got to go and make sure Espanyol stays alive in the competition," she teased.

Nico chuckled, rolling onto his side and propping himself up on his elbow. "I'll do what I can. We'll turn it around."

"You always say that like it's easy," Aitana replied, but he could hear the fondness in her voice. "You're incredible, Nico. You've got this."

Nico smiled to himself, feeling the warmth of her words settle into him. "Thanks, Aitana. Honestly, I don't know if I would've felt this confident if it wasn't for you." He said it without thinking, but the truth hit him hard in that moment. Aitana had become such a steady part of his life, especially through the highs and lows of his season.

There was a small pause, then she spoke, softer than before. "You know you're going to do amazing, right? You've already proven yourself so many times."

Nico's heart skipped a beat at how sincere she sounded. It was rare that Aitana let her guard down like this, but he could feel the genuine support in her words. "I guess... I guess I just want to do more than just play. I want to leave something behind, something people remember me for. Not just goals, not just the trophies, but... the way I played. The way it made people feel."

There was another beat of silence before Aitana's voice came through, quieter this time, but with a warmth that wrapped around him like a blanket. "You don't have to worry about that, Nico. You're already doing it. The way you play... it's magical."

Nico swallowed, feeling a lump form in his throat. He hadn't expected this conversation to go so deep, but something about her made him want to be open, to let his guard down. "I hope so."

"Tomorrow's another day. You'll show them, just like you always do." Aitana's words were steady, reassuring, and for a second, Nico allowed himself to believe it.

"Yeah," he whispered, the quietest of smiles creeping onto his face. "We've got this."

After a few more minutes of chatting, exchanging small details about the match, their day, and what they'd have for dinner—though Nico already knew he'd be eating his usual pre-match meal of lean protein and vegetables—they said their goodbyes.

Nico put his phone down, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. For a moment, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel grounded. Tomorrow wasn't just another match. It was the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal, and Espanyol needed a comeback. But it was more than that—tomorrow was another opportunity to prove to himself, and to the world, just how far he could go.

Tomorrow was going to be huge.

_________

February 4, 2015 – Matchday

Sevilla vs. Espanyol

Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Seville

The Andalusian sun dipped low over the city, casting a golden glow on the streets as Espanyol's team bus rolled toward the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The air was thick with anticipation, the hum of excited fans growing louder as the bus neared the entrance. Sevilla supporters lined the sidewalks, waving red-and-white scarves, banging on the windows, and chanting songs in an attempt to intimidate their Catalan visitors.

Inside the bus, the Espanyol squad remained focused, heads tilted slightly toward the windows, gazing out at the sea of passionate home fans. The players, while absorbing the intensity of the atmosphere, knew that the task ahead of them was a daunting one. They were about to face a Sevilla side that would undoubtedly be energized by their home crowd. Nico sat quietly, headphones on, blocking out the noise, his focus entirely on the game ahead. His mind was already shifting through the tactical approach, visualizing how to unlock Sevilla's defense.

The bus slowly crept toward the stadium gates, the cacophony of fans growing louder as they approached, ready to face the pressure of a hostile crowd. This was more than just a match. It was an opportunity to prove themselves in one of Spain's most intimidating stadiums.

________

Inside the RCDE Stadium locker room, the mood was a mixture of focus and anticipation. Espanyol had lost 2-1 in the first leg at Sevilla, but there was no sense of panic. The players were calm, knowing they still had 90 minutes to turn things around. The room was filled with the sound of boots being laced, gloves being adjusted, and the soft murmur of teammates discussing their roles for the night.

At the front, Sergio González, the coach, stood tall and unwavering, his gaze sharp as he addressed the squad.

Sergio González (Coach):

"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. Remember, we're 2-1 down, and we've got to fight for every single minute."

His eyes scanned the room, before landing on the backline.

Sergio González (Coach):

"Álvaro, Héctor, I need you both to be rock-solid tonight. Bacca and Vitolo—those are the two we have to stop. No space, no time to turn. Close them down immediately. No silly mistakes. Javi, Juan—overlap when you can, but don't get caught out of position. If they break, you cover. Simple."

Álvaro González (Center-back):

Álvaro nodded, already mentally preparing for the battle that lay ahead.

Héctor Moreno (Center-back):

Héctor tightened his boot laces, eyes locked on his coach, ready to follow every instruction.

Sergio's gaze shifted to the midfield, and the intensity in his voice grew.

Sergio González (Coach):

"Víctor, Cañas, I need you two to be warriors tonight. Win those second balls, dictate the tempo, control the midfield. Banega is their key—he pulls the strings. Don't let him breathe. If he has time to play, we're in trouble."

Víctor Sánchez (Midfielder):

Víctor clenched his fists, looking every bit the enforcer the coach needed him to be.

Cañas (Midfielder):

Cañas gave a short nod, ready to disrupt whatever rhythm Sevilla tried to build.

Finally, his eyes moved to Nico, who was adjusting his armband and listening intently, ready for his moment.

Sergio González (Coach):

"And you, Nico... you're our difference-maker tonight. You find the space, you pick the locks, you make them suffer. We know what you can do with the ball at your feet. If they foul you, good. Take the free kicks. Use that magic of yours."

A smirk spread across some of the players' faces. They'd seen Nico's free kicks up close, and they knew how dangerous he could be from set pieces. It was a reminder of his talent, and the team fed off that energy.

Sergio González (Coach):

"We fight for every ball, we break fast on the counter, and we take our chances. We don't just play for a draw—we play to win. This is our house, and we make sure they feel it tonight!"

With a final clap of his hands, the team rose to their feet, their spirits lifted by the coach's words. Nico gave a subtle nod, feeling the weight of the occasion. This was more than just a match. It was a chance for redemption.

The players exchanged determined glances as they geared up for battle. The time for talking was over. Now, it was time to show Sevilla—and the rest of the world—what Espanyol was capable of.

__________

As the players emerged from the tunnel at RCDE Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. The Espanyol faithful filled the stands, waving scarves, chanting, and creating a wall of sound, while the visiting Sevilla supporters brought their own passionate intensity. The floodlights shone down, casting a brilliant glow over the pitch, and the teams lined up, ready for the challenge ahead.

Ian Darke:

"Welcome, everyone, to this eagerly anticipated La Liga clash here at the RCDE Stadium. Espanyol, full of confidence after a string of good results, take on Sevilla, a team known for their attacking flair and resilience. But tonight, all eyes are on the youngest player in the starting lineup—Nico Cruyff. At just 14 years old, he's already becoming one of the most talked-about talents in Spanish football."

Àxel Torres:

"Absolutely, Ian. It's not every day you see a 14-year-old playing at this level. But Nico is more than just a prodigy—he's already shown that he's capable of deciding games. This will be a big test for him against a Sevilla side that's tough and relentless, but if anyone can rise to the occasion, it's him."

The camera zoomed in on the players as the lineups were displayed on-screen.

Ian Darke:

"Let's run through the starting lineups, beginning with the hosts. Kiko Casilla starts in goal, a back four of Javi López, Álvaro González, Héctor Moreno, and Juan Fuentes. In midfield, Víctor Sánchez and José Cañas will sit deep, while Lucas Vázquez and Nico Cruyff provide width. Up front, Sergio García partners Felipe Caicedo."

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, with Coke, Nico Pareja, Daniel Carriço, and Fernando Navarro in defense. In midfield, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Éver Banega will look to control possession, while Aleix Vidal and Vitolo operate on the flanks. Up top, Carlos Bacca partners Iago Aspas."

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.

__________

As the match began, Espanyol wasted no time in taking control of the game. The players were fired up, their movements sharp and purposeful. Nico Cruyff quickly settled into the role of creator, dictating the tempo of the match with his vision and composure far beyond his years. Every time he touched the ball, it was like a spark that ignited Espanyol's attacks.

Ian Darke: "Espanyol are really pushing for the goal early on here, and it's no surprise with a player like Nico Cruyff pulling the strings. At just 14 years old, he's already taking the responsibility of being the chief playmaker, and you can see the way the game changes when he's on the ball."

Àxel Torres: "Absolutely, Ian. He's making all the right decisions in the final third, and his movement off the ball is so intelligent. You can already see him getting into the spaces where he can hurt Sevilla."

Espanyol came close to scoring several times. The first opportunity fell to Felipe Caicedo, who latched onto a ball from José Cañas. He took a touch past Nico Pareja but was met by a well-timed block from the Sevilla defender just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Ian Darke: "Great positioning from Pareja there. Caicedo looked like he was in, but Sevilla's defense stands firm. Espanyol, however, are looking dangerous—this could be their night if they keep up this pressure."

Then, Lucas Vázquez floated in a dangerous cross from the right wing. It was perfectly aimed for Caicedo, who jumped above his marker and connected with a powerful header. The ball looked like it was destined for the top corner, but Sergio Rico, Sevilla's goalkeeper, had other ideas. With a fingertip save, he diverted the ball over the bar.

Àxel Torres: "Unbelievable save from Sergio Rico! That could've been the opener for Espanyol, but Rico pulls off a stunning stop. You've got to admire the quality on display here, both from the attacking side and the defending side."

Not discouraged by the missed chances, Espanyol kept pushing. They built another attack down the right flank, with Juan Fuentes overlapping and delivering a cross into the box. Sergio García met the ball with a well-timed volley, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Daniel Carriço, who threw his body in front of it.

Ian Darke: "Once again, Espanyol creating chances, but Sevilla's defense is holding strong. They're giving nothing away, but you can feel the pressure mounting on them. Espanyol might just need a little bit of luck to break through."

As the first half wore on, Espanyol continued their relentless assault, with Nico pulling all the strings. His quick-thinking passes and ability to drift into space made him the focal point of the attack, while the rest of the team continued to surge forward, looking for that elusive opening goal.

Àxel Torres: "Espanyol have dominated possession, and it's been impressive to watch, but they still haven't been able to break down Sevilla's defense. Nico, however, looks like he's ready to make something happen at any moment."

__________