Chapter 87

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the iconic Mestalla Stadium, home to Valencia CF.

Fans clad in their orange and white jerseys streamed toward the stadium, their voices blending into a symphony of chants, drums, and cheers.

It was matchday, and the city of Valencia was alive with anticipation as their beloved team prepared to face Almería in a crucial La Liga clash.

Valencia were now top of the league with 4 wins in 4 games. Their star man, Izan was also second on the Pichi chi list with 4 goals.

Only second Real Madrid’s new man, Jude Bellingham who had 5 goals in 4 games. The Valencia fans were happy after 4 matchdays.

Who wouldn’t be excited when their team was at the top of the league and playing as if possessed by the souls of football legends?

Hours before kickoff, the streets around the stadium transformed into a carnival. Street vendors sold scarves, flags, and churros, while local cafes buzzed with pre-match discussions.

Supporters of both teams mingled, exchanging friendly banter, though the underlying tension of the upcoming battle was palpable.

The significance of this match was evident. The Valencia players were in the form of their lives and they wanted to keep it that way.

Almería, on the other hand, didn’t have good results. 3 losses and 1 draw in 4 games wasn’t something to be proud of and as such, they wanted to win.

It was going to be hard but it wasn’t impossible, the Rojiblancos believed.

The door to the dressing room opened showing a blue-eyed boy. The heads of the Valencian players turned to look at the source and found Izan standing at the doorway.

"Yo, if it isn’t our little superstar", Pepelu, was the first to comment after seeing Izan. The Valencia players laughed as they approached Izan, with some hugging him while others shook his hand.

" Well, well, look who’s back! Mr. International Superstar. Can I get an autograph" a voice the players soon found to be Pietro’s spoke.

"Oh hey, Pietro. You’re back. I thought you wouldn’t show after your display against Croatia’s u20s," Izan said, prompting a laugh from Gaya and the rest of the players, who knew what he was talking about.

" I should let you know that the u20 Coach was satisfied with my performance", Pietro said, feigning ignorance.

" Perfomance? Don’t lie, Pietro. We saw the game. That one shot you took—it’s probably still orbiting the Earth. NASA wants to talk to you," Izan said, making Pietro’s proud face falter.

The players couldn’t resist laughing as they missed the banter between the two.

" Hey, hey, it was a tactical miss! You wouldn’t understand—you have to confuse the defenders, you know," Pietro said, trying to salvage his pride.

" Right, tactical miss. And the one where you tripped over the ball? Tactical stumble?" Sosa, the new addition, said, countering Pietro’s words.

"Didn’t know you had a funny spirit in ya, Sosa" Pietro said, a vein popping about before sighing heavily.

"I won’t even argue. I’m too posh to do that with you guys" Pietro spoke while looking away.

"Glad to have you back" Coach Baraja spoke from behind.

"Coach" Izan spoke while turning around. "Thank you ".

"Well, I guess you won’t change right now and play for me, will you? " Baraja said before laughing. The players laughed with him for a while before they went out for warm-ups.

Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. As the players warmed up, the stands gradually filled with a sea of orange and white.

Almería’s travelling supporters, though fewer in number, were no less passionate, their voices echoing from the upper tiers of the stadium.

Valencia’s anthem blared through the speakers, and the fans sang along, their voices rising in unison, creating a deafening roar that set the tone for the evening.

As the referee blew the whistle to start the match, Valencia came out with intent. Their captain, José Gayà, immediately set the tempo, driving forward with pace and precision.

The midfield trio of André Almeida, Pepelu, and Javi Guerra orchestrated the game, controlling possession and threading passes that kept Almería on the back foot.

The visitors, however, were not to be underestimated. Led by their talisman, Luis Suárez (not the Uruguayan legend but the promising Colombian forward), Almería countered with speed, looking to exploit gaps in Valencia’s defence.

The first half was a tactical battle. Valencia’s wingers, Fran Pérez and Diego López, tormented Almería’s full-backs with their blistering runs and quick feet.

Both teams had clear objectives—Valencia aimed to dominate possession and control the game, while Almería relied on counterattacks to exploit any defensive lapses. The stakes were high, and it showed from the opening whistle.

The first significant chance came in the 7th minute when Valencia’s Fran Pérez made a darting run down the right wing.

His pinpoint cross found Hugo Duro in the box, but the striker’s glancing header sailed just wide of the post. The near miss energized the home crowd, whose chants and cheers echoed throughout the stadium.

Almería, though under pressure, were quick to remind Valencia of their attacking threat. In the 16th minute, Colombian forward Luis Suárez spearheaded a swift counterattack, weaving past two defenders before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Valencia goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili dived low to his left, making a spectacular save to keep the game level.

As the half progressed, the match became a tactical chess game. Valencia enjoyed more possession, with Almeida orchestrating play from deep and linking well with Diego López on the left wing.

López, in particular, caused problems for Almería’s defence, his pace and trickery forcing their right-back into repeated challenges.

In the 23rd minute, López delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but Duro’s header struck the crossbar, denying the hosts a deserved lead.

Despite Valencia’s dominance, Almería refused to back down. Their midfield, led by Adri Embarba, showed resilience, disrupting Valencia’s rhythm with timely interceptions.

The visitors’ best chance came in the 32nd minute when Embarba’s long ball found Suárez in space. The striker’s curling effort was destined for the top corner, but Mamardashvili once again came to Valencia’s rescue with a fingertip save.

As halftime approached, the intensity of the game escalated. Valencia pushed forward relentlessly, earning a series of corners and free kicks.

Pepelu nearly broke the deadlock in the 41st minute with a long-range strike that forced a diving save from Almería’s goalkeeper, Fernando Martínez.

The final moments of the half saw both teams exchange attacks, but neither could find the breakthrough. The referee’s whistle brought an end to a pulsating first half, with the scoreline remaining deadlocked.

While Valencia had been the more dominant side, Almería’s counterattacking threat ensured the match remained finely balanced.

The Mestalla faithful, though eager for a goal, roared their approval as the players left the pitch, knowing the second half promised even better.

"You guys are unlucky today,", Miranda said in a more secluded area of the stands. "They’ve been threatening, but they lack the finish, but I think it’ll come in the second half.

"Well let’s hope your team wins. It’ll be bad for the team when the papers start saying they couldn’t win without you, and then you’re pressured into playing many matches," Komi, who sat beside Izan, said with concern.

"Don’t worry, that won’t happen, or I’ll sue them and seek compensation", Miranda said with a fiery expression and smile.

The second half began with both teams increasing the tempo. Valencia’s coach, Rubén Baraja, made tactical adjustments, urging his team to press higher up the pitch.

This paid off in the 52nd minute when Almeida intercepted a wayward pass in midfield and quickly released López down the left flank. The youngster dribbled past two defenders before firing a low shot into the bottom corner, sending the Mestalla into raptures.

Izan and his family celebrated with the crowd in the stands, relishing the goal that had just been scored by Lopez.

Almería responded with urgency, pushing more men forward. Coach Baraja, however, broke their momentum by making a few substitutions.

Their persistence, however, paid off in the 67th minute when they earned a free kick just outside the penalty area.

Adri Embarba stepped up and curled a stunning effort into the top corner, leaving Mamardashvili rooted to the spot.

The away section erupted in celebration, their chants momentarily silencing the home crowd.

Izan smiled wryly at the free kick of Adri Embarba.

"Now I know how the fans feel when I score," Izan thought.

With the score level at 1-1, the match became a frantic end-to-end affair. Valencia’s experienced defenders, Mouctar Diakhaby and Cenk Özkacar were tested repeatedly as Almería piled on the pressure.

Yet, it was Valencia who found the breakthrough. In the 78th minute, Pepelu delivered a pinpoint corner that found Gayà unmarked at the far post. The captain’s header was unstoppable, restoring Valencia’s lead and reigniting the Mestalla’s passion.

The closing stages were not for the faint-hearted. Almería threw everything forward, and their striker, Suárez, nearly equalized in the 84th minute, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Diakhaby.

Valencia, too, had chances to extend their lead, with López and substitute Sosa Herrera coming close.

As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, the referee added five minutes of stoppage time. The Mestalla roared, urging their team to hold firm.

Mamardashvili made a crucial save in the dying moments, palming away a thunderous shot from Embarba.

When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in celebration. Valencia had secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

The players embraced on the pitch, their relief and joy evident. Gayà, the man of the match, led his team in a lap of honour, applauding the fans who had been their twelfth man throughout the game.

Almería’s players, though dejected, were given a warm reception by their travelling supporters, who appreciated their fighting spirit.

Outside the stadium, the celebrations spilt onto the streets. Valencia’s victory was not just three points; it was a statement of intent, a reminder of their resilience and ambition.

For Almería, the defeat was a setback but also a testament to their determination to fight until the very end.

As the night wore on, the echoes of chants and cheers faded into the Valencian night, leaving behind memories of a thrilling matchday that encapsulated the passion and unpredictability of La Liga.

A/n: 2nd chapter of the day. Have fun. Imma rest a bit. Thanks for your support and for reading.