God Of football-Chapter 288: Clash Of Titans[2]

The morning of the match unfolded in slow, deliberate motions.

The air inside the players’ quarters was thick with a focused intensity, the kind that built steadily in the hours leading to battle. Even the smallest routines carried a weight to them.

Rodri was one of the first to rise, already moving through his pre-match stretches before the rest of the team had fully woken up.

Dani Carvajal sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his face as he muttered something about needing coffee.

Across the hall, Lamine Yamal scrolled through his phone with his headphones on, nodding to whatever song he was using to set the tone for the day.

Izan lay still for a moment longer, eyes fixed on the ceiling. His mind wasn’t racing, nor was he nervous—just… waiting.

The buildup was familiar by now, but today carried an added weight. He could still hear De la Fuente’s voice from last night, the certainty in his decision.

You will be our false nine.

Izan finally sat up, drawing a deep breath before pulling his training top over his head.

With a mental flex, he called out the holographic aid that had helped him get to where he was now.

[Out Of Your Comfort Zone: De La Fuente has assigned you the false 9 role. Play to the fullest and show your versatility while aiding Spain to the win.

Rewards: 15 stat points

New Position trait

Failure: Elimination from the Euros and the system goes offline for the first month of next season’s football. ]

Looking at the message, Izan was further motivated.

By the time he stepped out for breakfast, the atmosphere had shifted completely.

Some of his teammates were silent, keeping to themselves, while others found comfort in casual conversation.

Pedri and Olmo exchanged quick words about Germany’s midfield, revisiting last night’s analysis as if they hadn’t already memorized every detail.

Morata laughed softly at something Cucurella said, but the way he stirred his coffee showed his mind was elsewhere.

Izan grabbed a plate, stacking it with just enough food to refuel without weighing himself down.

He took his seat across from Nico Williams, who gave him a knowing nod but didn’t say anything. No words were needed.

One by one, they finished eating, returning to their rooms to dress in their travel kits.

White polos with the Spanish crest neatly embroidered over their hearts. Black joggers. Matching sneakers.

By the time they reassembled in the hallway, fully geared up, the energy had changed completely.

No more casual talk. No more lighthearted banter.

This was the moment they had been waiting for.

The staff moved swiftly, guiding them toward the hotel exit where their bus was already waiting, its red and yellow frame gleaming under the midday sun.

Rodri led the way out, his face a mask of composure. Lamine followed behind, headphones still on, while Nico adjusted his sleeves, muttering something under his breath.

Izan walked near the middle of the group, gaze locked forward.

A few fans had gathered outside the hotel entrance, waving Spanish flags and calling out names, their voices filled with raw excitement.

A few players acknowledged them with quick waves, but no one stopped.

The bus doors slid open with a soft hiss, and one by one, they stepped inside.

The moment the doors shut behind them, the bus became its own world.

Rodri took his usual seat, leaning against the window with his arms crossed, his mind already deep in thought.

Next to him, Pedri tapped his fingers on his knee, lost in his rhythm.

Izan for once, sat near the center, earbuds in, but no music played. Instead, he let the sounds of the bus—the faint hum of the engine, the soft murmurs of his teammates—settle around him.

He wasn’t one for overloading his mind with analysis at this stage. That work had been done. Now, it was about being ready when the moment arrived.

Lamine sat with his hood up, staring at his phone screen as he flicked through highlights of past goals.

Morata, beside him, rubbed his hands together slowly, the only sign of nerves he ever let show.

At the front, De la Fuente spoke in low tones with his assistants, likely making final tactical confirmations.

The ride was long enough for tension to build but short enough that no one fully slipped into relaxation. The closer they got to the stadium, the quieter the bus became.

Until finally, they arrived.

As the bus rounded the final corner, the noise hit them like a tidal wave.

The streets outside the stadium were a battlefield of sound, a war of voices clashing in the summer air.

Germany’s fans had filled every inch of the surrounding area, their white jerseys a sea of unity.

They chanted, their anthems rolling like thunder through the city. Flags waved high, black, red, and gold rippling against the sky.

But Spain was here, too.

Though outnumbered, the Spanish fans had come in force, their red and yellow banners flashing like fire against the German tide.

They sang, their voices raw with passion, refusing to be drowned out.

The bus slowed as it approached the entrance, security forming a barrier to allow them through.

Even with the tinted windows, the players could feel the energy outside—thousands of eyes fixed on them, thousands of voices either cheering or jeering.

As soon as the bus parked, the doors hissed open once more.

Rodri was the first to step off, greeted by a fresh wave of sound. Pedri followed, then Carvajal, then Olmo.

One by one, they emerged, each step onto the pavement drawing louder cheers and jeers from the opposing crowds.

Izan was near the middle, and the moment he stepped out, he felt it.

The weight of expectation. The magnitude of the occasion. The undeniable thrill of walking into battle.

Spanish fans screamed his name, their belief in him unwavering.

German supporters responded with their chants, trying to rattle him before he even entered the stadium.

He didn’t react.

Didn’t wave.

Didn’t look around.

Just kept walking forward, into the heart of the arena where fate awaited.

The players disappeared into the stadium tunnels, their footsteps echoing against the concrete walls.

The moment had arrived.

Spain vs. Germany.

A place in the semifinals is on the line.

.....

"The stage is set in Stuttgart, where two European giants collide in what promises to be a thrilling quarterfinal between Spain and Germany.

The players have just arrived at the stadium, stepping off the team buses with the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

The atmosphere is electric, with German fans vastly outnumbering the Spanish contingent, but the roar of La Roja’s faithful has been just as deafening."

The camera panned to the tunnel entrance, where Spain’s players were making their way toward the dressing room, their expressions locked in quiet focus.

Germany’s squad had already entered, led by Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rüdiger, their presence alone a statement of intent.

Seated in the commentary booth were two familiar voices: veteran football commentator Martin Tyler and former Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas, offering expert analysis.

Tyler: "Cesc, these are two teams with incredible history in this tournament.

Germany, the three-time European champions, have made it to the quarterfinals for the fifth time in the last six editions.

Spain, also three-time winners, last lifted the trophy in 2012. And these two nations have given us some memorable battles over the years."

Fàbregas: "Absolutely, Martin. The last time they met in a Euros knockout match was the 2008 final, when Spain won 1-0 thanks to Fernando Torres’ goal.

That was the start of Spain’s golden era. Since then, we’ve seen different iterations of these teams, but their footballing DNA remains the same.

Spain with their technical precision and Germany with their disciplined power."

As the broadcast displayed the pre-match statistics, the numbers painted a clear picture of both teams’ strengths.

Key Statistics – Spain vs. Germany

Head-to-Head in Major Tournaments:

5 matches (Spain 2 wins, Germany 2 wins, 1 draw)

Last Meeting: Spain 1-1 Germany (World Cup 2022 group stage)

Germany’s Key Players:

Jamal Musiala (3 goals, 1 assist this tournament), Florian Wirtz (2 goals, 2 assists), Ilkay Gündogan (captain, 91% pass accuracy)

Spain’s Key Players: Lamine Yamal (2 assists, most dribbles completed in the tournament), Rodri (94% pass accuracy, 2 goals), and Izan Hernandez,(2 goals, 3 assists)

Tyler: "Now, let’s talk about Spain’s young sensation, Izan Hernandez. He came into this tournament off a spectacular season for Valencia, winning the pichichi as well as Laliga assist leader and he’s lived up to the hype."

Fàbregas: "He’s been nothing short of spectacular, Martin. Barely 17 and he’s already got 2 goals and 3 assists in this tournament, including that fantastic debut against Italy where he had a hand in all three goals.

What stands out is his decision-making—he’s not just about flair; he knows when to take on defenders and when to create for his teammates.

He’s also Spain’s leading chance creator in open play, which is remarkable for someone playing his first major tournament."

Tyler: "And tonight, he’s starting as Spain’s false nine. That’s a bold decision by Luis de la Fuente, but it speaks to the trust he has in the young man."

The camera cut to the Spanish dressing room, where players were making their final preparations.

Izan sat near Pedri, tying his boots with deliberate care. Across the room, Dani Olmo adjusted his shin pads, while Morata and De La Fuente exchanged a few words.

Meanwhile, in the German dressing room, Musiala was seen lacing up his boots, his expression unreadable.

Manuel Neuer, Germany’s veteran goalkeeper, leaned against the lockers, listening to final instructions.

Back in the commentary booth, the excitement was building.

Tyler: "The tension is rising, and so is the noise inside this packed stadium. The players have just stepped onto the pitch for their warmups, greeted by a deafening roar from the stands.

Spain in their traditional red and blue, Germany in their classic white and black. The stakes couldn’t be higher, Cesc."

Fàbregas: "No, they couldn’t. A spot in the semifinals is on the line. One of these teams will move a step closer to the trophy, and the other will be heading home. This is what the Euros are all about."

The camera zoomed in on Izan as he jogged onto the pitch, stretching his arms before giving a light pass to Pedri.

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The crowd was alive and roaring afterall, they were only a few minutes away from witnessing greatness.