God Of football

Chapter 185: Izan Vs Bellingham.

Despite the bustling streets and vibrant energy of Valencia, Izan found solace in the simplicity of being surrounded by the people who mattered most to him.

Even with Olivia miles away, her presence through the screen added another layer of warmth to the day.

Arriving home, Komi was too exhausted from the day’s activities to cook so the family ordered some Pizzas.

Looking at the smiling faces around, Izan took a deep breath, cherishing all that was before him.

”Thanks for choosing me, Max” Izan uttered to no one but a ding in his mind made him smile. ”Did you say something?” Hori asked but Izan shook his head before continuing to indulge in the Pizza.

.....

The next day, in a brightly lit studio LaLiga pundits sat around the studio, their faces etched with excitement and intrigue as they dissected Valencia’s grueling upcoming schedule.

”Valencia is staring down the barrel of perhaps the toughest stretch of fixtures any La Liga team will face this season.

It’s nothing short of a hellish run, and it all kicks off with a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid. What do we think, gentlemen? Is this survivable?” The anchor, Eleanor Bohen said as she looked at the two men in front of her.

”Survivable? Maybe, but barely. Real Madrid will be a massive test of Valencia’s mettle, and it doesn’t get any easier.

Two days later, they face Mallorca in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. That’s hardly enough time for recovery, let alone preparation,” one of the pundits spoke.

Eleanor looked on with a smile before looking at the other one. ”Okay, Luis, we heard about Eric’s opinion. What about yours?”

”Well, it’s the same for me, Eleanor. It will be difficult and three days after that, Valencia will face off against Villarreal.

Another local derby, another must-win game. Valencia needs points in La Liga, and Villarreal won’t make it easy for them.

The squad depth is going to be tested to its absolute limit. Will they rotate? Or go all out every match?”

Eleanor nodded at Eric’s words as the latter continued speaking. ”Well, for those of you watching ”she said letting her words still for a bit,

”Here’s where it gets crazy. After Villarreal, Valencia faces Mallorca in La Liga. That’s two games against the same side in just over a week.

But the real kicker is the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Mallorca right after.

So basically, they’ll face the same opponent three times in quick succession. How do you even prepare for that?” Eleanor ended turning her attention to Luis.

”It’s hard Eleanor and just when you think it’s over, they’re greeted by Real Betis. No respite, no easy game. Oh, and Barcelona looms on the horizon after that.

It’s a nightmare. Let’s not forget that Valencia isn’t exactly blessed with the depth of some of the bigger teams.

Their young players will be crucial, but even then, the mental and physical toll could derail their season. This could define their year – for better or worse.”

”If they can somehow navigate this stretch and stay in the Copa del Rey while keeping their La Liga position intact, they’ll come out stronger.

But that’s a huge ’if.’ This schedule is as unforgiving as it gets.” Luis finished.

[Once again, don’t be dirty-minded. Not that kind of finish]

Well, Luis, all eyes will be on Valencia over the next few weeks. Can they survive, or will this brutal schedule break them? Stay tuned.”

........

After the segment went for a break, a few watching fans took to their Social Media handles, some expressing their dissatisfaction over the schedules while some worried for the players.

The number of games in a single season had been increasing over the past years which in turn has caused a lot of injuries.

A while later, the segment returned, this time to talk about the players.

....

Eleanor:

”Now, let’s talk about the squad management side of things. Ruben Baraja has a lot to think about here, especially with the depth—or lack thereof—on Valencia’s bench. How crucial will the rotations be during this stretch?”

Luis:

”Hugely crucial. This kind of schedule doesn’t just demand a strong starting eleven—it requires the entire squad to step up.

Players who haven’t had much game time so far will need to contribute, and Baraja has to trust his bench.

The likes of Amallah, Almeida, and new addition Sosa, if he rotates into different roles, will be key. But here’s the real balancing act: ensuring that his stars don’t burn out.”

----

Eric:

”And that brings us to Izan. He’s been nothing short of sensational for Valencia. To me, he’s been the best player in the league and he has everyone talking.

But let’s be honest—he’s only 16. Baraja has to be careful not to overplay him, no matter how tempting it is to rely on his talent.”

Eleanor:

”It’s a fine line, isn’t it? You want your best players on the pitch, especially during such a critical period.

But at the same time, overworking a teenager—no matter how gifted—can lead to injuries or fatigue. How should Baraja handle Izan?”

Luis:

”Personally, I’d use him sparingly in La Liga during this stretch, perhaps as an impact sub against Real Madrid or Villarreal.

The Copa del Rey semis are where you need him the most—it’s Valencia’s best shot at silverware this season.

But even then, Baraja has to manage his minutes wisely. You can’t expect a 16-year-old to carry the weight of this brutal schedule on his shoulders.”

Eric:

”Absolutely. This is where Baraja’s experience as a player himself should come into play. He knows what it takes to survive these stretches, but he also knows the risks of overloading a young player.

It’s time for the senior players—Gaya, Marmadashvili, and others—to step up and lead by example. They’ve been through these battles before.”

Eleanor:

”One final thought—if Valencia’s bench doesn’t step up and if Izan is overplayed, could this spell disaster for their season?”

Eric:

”It could. This run of games is season-defining, and if they don’t get it right, they could crash out of the Copa del Rey and lose ground in La Liga.

The balance between ambition and sustainability is everything right now for Baraja.”

Luis:

”Valencia fans will hope Baraja gets that balance spot-on. One thing’s for sure—this is where great managers prove their worth.

All eyes will be on Mestalla, and Izan, for better or worse, will be at the centre of it all.”

Eleanor:

”Well folks, there you have it. High stakes, high drama—Valencia’s season could be hanging by a thread, and it all starts this week. Let’s see if they can rise to the challenge.

I’m Eleanor Bohen and this has been Laliga Insights.”

....

Valencia’s training ground buzzed with intensity as the team prepared for their daunting clash against Real Madrid at the Mestalla.

The players moved through drills under the watchful eye of head coach Rubén Baraja, who emphasized tactical discipline and sharp transitions.

Izan, stood out as always—his touches crisp, his vision unparalleled. His composure and confidence during high-pressure scenarios continued to impress his teammates and staff alike.

As Valencia focused on their preparations, LaLiga’s official social media accounts sparked a storm with a post comparing the performances of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Valencia’s Izan.

The numbers spoke volumes.

Jude Bellingham: 16 goals and 5 assists in La Liga only, 20 goals and 9 assists in 36 games across all competitions.

Izan: 16 goals and 14 assists in La Liga only, 22 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, becoming the youngest player in league history to achieve double digits in both goals and assists in a single season.

After the stats came out, it came to the attention of the footballing world.

”Izan is rewriting history at just 16 years old! 16 goals and 14 assists in La Liga? This kid is unstoppable. Future Ballon d’Or winner incoming!”

”Jude is great, but Izan is playing in a less star-studded team and still putting up these numbers. Respect!”

”Real Madrid better watch out. Our boy Izan is ready to take on the Bernabéu!”

While neutral fans and Valencia fans praised Izan, the Real Madrid fans sought to discredit the kid a bit.

”Bellingham has proven himself in the Champions League and at Dortmund. Izan has potential, but he’s not on Jude’s level yet.”

”Nice stats, but let’s see how he performs against Rudiger and Alaba. Madrid will teach him a lesson.”

”Izan is good, but Jude is world-class already. No contest.”

.....

Back at Valencia’s training ground, the team used the buzz as motivation. Baraja held a brief meeting, reminding his players to focus on their strategy and not get swept up in the media frenzy.

Izan, ever composed, took it in stride, saying, ”The stats are nice, but we’re here to win as a team.”

Fans from around the world eagerly awaited the showdown, knowing they were about to witness something special again.

A/n:Golden ticket chapter. Have fun.