God Of football

Chapter 128: Preparations.

The morning opened with a sweeping view of Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex, bathed in golden sunlight.

The training pitch was filled with life as players jogged in unison during the warm-up.

Luka Modrić led the group, his movements precise and graceful, while Antonio Rüdiger cracked a joke that drew laughter from his teammates.

Both were leaders in the team, but there was a striking contrast between how Luka Modrić carried himself and how free Rüdiger was, joking around, playing and pranking teammates.

Away from all this, the master tactician, Carlo Ancelotti stood on the sideline surrounded by his assistants with a clipboard in hand, gesturing emphatically as he outlined the tactical drill

His voice carried authority as he instructed, ”Quicker transitions! Move the ball with purpose!”

The players scattered into formation, executing a rondo drill with rapid, one-touch passes.

Jude Bellingham was at the centre of the action, darting between teammates, trying to win the ball back, his competitive spirit shining through.

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The scene cut to a high-energy scrimmage after the players were done with the drills. Vinícius Júnior collected the ball on the left flank, using his trademark pace to glide past Dani Carvajal.

His quick step-over left the defender momentarily flat-footed before Vinícius cut inside and curled a shot toward the far post.

Thibaut Courtois reacted with lightning speed and dove to his right to parry the ball away, drawing applause from his fellow players.

”Keep that up on Saturday evening, Vini, and the Valencia keeper won’t know what hit him,”, Carvajal said with his thumbs-up.

Vinicius smiled at his words before returning to the match where a midfield battle unfolded.

Eduardo Camavinga intercepted a pass before bursting forward, evading a challenge from Toni Kroos.

After spotting a run, he threaded a perfectly weighted ball to Joselu, who took a touch before firing a shot past the goalkeeper.

Although it was a scrimmage, Josélu still celebrated. His Ancelotti shook his head after seeing Josélu celebrate.

His celebration was understated but confident, a reminder of his sharpness ahead of the Valencia game.

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The bright Madrid sun peeked through the windows of the Valdebebas training centre as Real Madrid players filtered into the video analysis room.

They had just finished with the physical aspect of the game and were now poised to know the tactical aspect.

The team’s veteran manager, Carlo Ancelotti, stood calmly at the front of the room, ready to orchestrate his strategy.

Known for his composed demeanour and tactical genius, Ancelotti’s voice carried a quiet authority that demanded attention.

The session began with footage from Valencia’s recent matches projected on a large screen.

The players watched intently as Ancelotti dissected their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

He pointed out Valencia’s fluid counterattacks and solid defensive setup, emphasizing areas where Madrid could exploit spaces.

The coach’s laser pointer danced across the screen, pausing to highlight individual Valencia players who posed a threat.

But when clips of a young talent named Izan flashed on the screen, the room’s energy shifted.

Izan’s dazzling performance in the league had become the talk of Spanish football. His numbers were good but it was what he did at his age that made people talk.

His blistering pace, deft footwork, and ability to score under pressure were nothing short of sensational.

His confidence on the ball belied his tender age, and even the seasoned Madrid squad couldn’t ignore his growing reputation.

It was Jude Bellingham, Madrid’s midfield dynamo, who broke the silence. ”Look at him,” Bellingham said, leaning forward and gesturing toward the screen.

”This kid is unreal. The way he ripped through Atléti’s defence like they weren’t even there—that’s dangerous. Remember, we lost to Atleti, so we can’t give him any room to breathe, or he’ll hurt us.”

The players nodded as the loss to Atlético had left a bad taste in the mouths of them and their fans.

The room was silent as the players watched Izan effortlessly skip past defenders in the replay, setting up goals and scoring with clinical precision.

Luka Modrić nodded in agreement, his decades of experience in midfield allowing him to immediately recognize a serious threat.

Antonio Rüdiger leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his face, perhaps mentally preparing for a battle with the young prodigy.

Bellingham continued, ”He’s not just about pace; it’s his intelligence. Look at the timing of his runs. He knows exactly when to move. And his finishing—cold as ice.” His words carried weight.

The Englishman’s meteoric rise to prominence mirrored Izan’s, and his respect for the Valencia forward wasn’t lost on anyone in the room.

Ancelotti, ever the pragmatist, nodded and responded. ”True, Jude. Izan is special, no doubt. But he’s also young. We can use our experience to manage him. Don’t let him dictate the game, and don’t get drawn into his rhythm. Keep it tight, and we’ll be fine.”

The session ended with a focused determination hanging in the air, and the team moved to the recovery rooms.

The drills they had done were intense, mirroring the challenge Valencia was expected to pose, so they had to recover equally.

As the players trained with intensity, fans across social media engaged in heated discussions about the upcoming clash.

Madridistas were confident but wary. The rise of Izan had not gone unnoticed, and many acknowledged the teenager as a potential game-changer.

”Valencia’s boy wonder, Izan, is on fire,” one fan tweeted. ”If Madrid’s defence isn’t on their toes, we’re in for trouble.”

Others, however, placed their faith in Ancelotti’s experience and the team’s star-studded lineup. ”Izan is good, no doubt, but this is Real Madrid we’re talking about. Our backline has handled the best in the world. He’s just a kid,” another fan commented on a popular football forum.

Valencia supporters were equally vocal. ”Izan has already shown he can shine under pressure,” one user posted. ”Atletico and Bilbao couldn’t stop him, and neither will Madrid. This is his moment to prove he belongs on the biggest stage.”

The anticipation extended beyond Izan. Fans analyzed potential midfield battles, especially the prospect of Jude Bellingham squaring off against Valencia’s rising star.

On TikTok, a clip of Bellingham praising Izan from a post-match interview circulated, further hyping the matchup.

”Izan and Bellingham on the same pitch—it’s like watching the future of football in real-time,” a viral comment read.

Meanwhile, pundits on sports networks debated how Madrid would handle the young forward. Some speculated that Rüdiger’s physicality and Alaba’s tactical awareness could neutralize Izan’s threat, while others believed Valencia would use their starlet’s unpredictability to unsettle Madrid’s defence.

As training concluded, the Madrid players huddled for a final talk from Ancelotti. ”Stay focused. Play our game. Remember, experience and composure will see us through,” he reminded them. The players nodded, their faces set with determination

In the distance, fans gathered outside the gates, shouting their support as the players departed. The buzz of excitement extended far beyond Valdebebas.

For Madridistas and Valencia supporters alike, this wasn’t just another match. It was a clash of generations, with seasoned stars like Modrić and Kroos meeting rising talents like Izan—a game that promised drama, intensity, and perhaps, a glimpse into the future of football.

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On the other side of the coin, the sun dipped low over the pristine training grounds of Valencia CF, casting long shadows across the neatly trimmed grass.

The final whistle of the day pierced the air, signalling the end of the session, but Izan wasn’t done yet.

Throughout the drills, his touch had been sublime, his vision sharp. Coaches and teammates alike had

taken notice of the teenager’s uncanny ability to read the game, to thread a pass through impossible gaps, and to finish with clinical precision.

But it was the final drill that left everyone stunned. A small-sided game of four-on-four had been set up to wrap things up.

Izan, as always, found himself at the heart of every attack. The ball came to him just outside the box, two defenders closing in rapidly.

With a feint to his right, he sent one defender sprawling, then spun left to glide past the other. He wasn’t finished.

Seeing the keeper advancing, he executed a perfect chip, the ball sailing gracefully over the goalkeeper’s outstretched arms before nestling into the top corner of the net.

The training ground erupted in applause. ”¡Increíble, chaval! [ ”Amazing, kid!] ” one of the assistant coaches exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Even among the players, some were beginning to exchange glances, murmuring about the wonder kid who seemed destined for greatness.

Izan, however, barely registered the attention. He jogged back, a slight grin on his face, ready to go again.

As the team packed up and the lights of the training ground began to flicker on, Izan lingered, juggling a ball casually with precise, rhythmic touches.

Sosa and Pietro, who had already freshened up, came to the pitch side with their bags. ”We’re leaving” Pietro said, watching Izan juggle the ball.

Izan stopped juggling and looked over at Pietro and Sosa before waving at them. The duo nodded before turning and leaving.

”Sometimes, you have to rest” Pietro muttered as they left. After a while, Izan stopped and headed towards the locker room.

After freshening up, he also took his bag to leave.

A/n: Have fun.