God Of football

Chapter 196: Pedrag Rajkovic

After careful consideration, the two Coaches, Baraja and Moreno reached a crucial decision: Izan would start on the bench for this high-stakes match.

The decision wasn’t easy, as the young player had proven his mettle repeatedly, but Baraja and Moreno agreed that the pressure of the semi-final required experience on the pitch from the first whistle.

....

Ruben Baraja and Assistant Coach Moreno sat across from Izan in the small, sunlit meeting room at the training facility.

The air was a bit tense despite their warm smiles. Baraja, the head coach, leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. His voice was calm but firm.

”Izan,” he began, his tone measured. ”We’ve been watching you closely in training, and your performance has been exceptional.

But for the match against Mallorca, we’ve decided to start you on the bench.”

Izan’s chest tightened, though he maintained a composed expression. His eyes flickered, betraying a hint of surprise and disappointment, but he quickly masked it with a nod.

Moreno, the assistant coach, jumped in, his tone softer. ”This isn’t about your ability, Izan. You’re a key part of this team.

We just need to manage both you and the game carefully, and we believe bringing you on later could be the best strategy.”

Izan shifted in his seat, gripping the edge of the table to steady himself. Inside, he was disappointed, but he refused to let it show. ”I understand,” he said evenly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Baraja studied him, his expression unreadable. ”We know this isn’t nice to hear, but it’s about the team’s needs. When your moment comes, we’re counting on you to make an impact.”

”Of course,” Izan replied, his tone steady but distant. ”I’ll be ready.”

As Izan stood to leave, Baraja and Moreno glanced at each other before returning their gazes to Izan’s retreating back.

”He’ll understand,” Moreno said before he also stood to leave with Baraja remaining behind.

...

Valencia CF pressed on with their preparations for the Copa del Rey semi-final against Mallorca, the training sessions at Paterna brimming with intensity and focus.

The media buzz around the match was impossible to ignore, with pundits and fans debating Valencia’s chances and speculating on Rubén Baraja’s tactics.

Headlines highlighted the high stakes, with many wondering whether young Izan, the star of Spanish football, would play a pivotal role.

Meanwhile, on the training pitch, Izan continued to dazzle. His touch was sharp, his movement relentless, and his creativity unmatched.

He was playing as if the semi-final was already underway, leaving teammates and coaches in awe of his abilities.

Yet, there was a noticeable edge to his game – a drive that seemed almost excessive. His teammates couldn’t help but notice him holding onto the ball longer than he would in sessions, practicing free kicks and sprints well past the team’s usual wrap-up time.

Baraja and Moreno observed all this quietly from the sidelines. They had delivered their decision to bench Izan for the match earlier in the week, and while the young prodigy had taken the news maturely, his actions on the field spoke volumes.

”Overtraining,” Moreno muttered during a break, watching as Izan lined up another shot long after most of the squad had left for the recovery room.

Baraja nodded, a mix of admiration and concern in his expression. ”Trying to get the edge off I think. He’s a bit disappointed about not starting.”

”Do we say anything?” Moreno asked, though he already knew the answer.

Baraja shook his head. ”No. He’ll find his balance. He’s young, but he’ll figure it out. Sometimes, the best lessons are learned in silence.”

As the team wrapped up their final preparations, Izan continued playing around with the ball.

.....

The next day, the city of Valencia was alive with excitement as fans flooded the streets, draped in the iconic black and white of Valencia CF.

The Mestalla, bathed in the glow of stadium lights, became a cauldron of passion and anticipation as thousands of fans gathered hours before kick-off.

Chants echoed through the air, banners waved proudly, and flares painted the sky in shades of orange and white.

For Valencia supporters, the Copa del Rey semi-final against Mallorca was more than a game; it was a statement of their club’s resilience and ambition.

The Mallorca faithful had also traveled in numbers, bringing their red-and-black flair to the occasion.

Though vastly outnumbered, their chants were loud and defiant, as they rallied behind their team in hopes of an upset.

Inside the stadium, the energy was spectacular. The players emerged onto the pitch for their warm-ups, greeted by deafening cheers from their respective supporters.

Valencia’s José Gayà and André Almeida led the team’s drills, while Mallorca’s captain orchestrated his squad with equal intensity.

The clash promised to be one of tactical mastery and raw emotion.

As the clock ticked towards kick-off, the lineups for both sides were released. Most Fans, knowing it would be the same, didn’t bother checking, and even if they missed something, the announcer would announce it.

After a while, the announcer also began.

Valencia fans eagerly awaited the announcement of their prodigious star.

When his name was read out as a substitute, a mix of reactions rippled through the crowd.

Valencia fans were initially surprised. Murmurs filled the stands as they processed the absence of the young sensation from the starting eleven.

Some questioned Baraja’s decision, while others, trusting the coach’s judgment, applauded.

The Mestalla faithful remained united, though, their focus shifting back to cheering for the team.

On the other side, Mallorca fans seemed relieved. Izan had been a growing nightmare for opposing teams, and his absence from the starting lineup felt like a small victory.

Their supporters cheered louder, hoping their team could capitalize on the decision.

Izan sat on the bench, visibly composed but with a quiet intensity in his eyes. Baraja and Moreno exchanged a glance, sensing the emotions brewing within the young player.

They knew he would make an impact when called upon, but for now, the team needed his patience and composure.

As the players lined up in the tunnel, the noise from the Mestalla grew deafening.

The stage was set, and while the spotlight wasn’t yet on Izan, the story of the night was far from written.

...

The first half of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Valencia and Mallorca at the Mestalla was a pulsating affair, defined by Valencia’s relentless attacking and Mallorca’s resolute defense.

From the opening whistle, the home side took control of the game, feeding off the electrifying energy of the fans who roared with every forward surge.

Valencia’s midfield trio of André Almeida, Pepelu, and Javi Guerra dictated the tempo, threading incisive passes to stretch Mallorca’s backline.

”Valencia has come out of the gates flying,” the commentator exclaimed. ”They’re pinning Mallorca deep in their half. It’s clear they want an early goal to settle the nerves.”

The first clear chance came in the 8th minute when Diego López danced down the left flank, cutting inside to unleash a curling effort towards the far post.

The Mestalla erupted in anticipation, only for Mallorca’s goalkeeper, the inspired Pedrag Rajkovic, to stretch and tip the ball around the post.

Rajkovic’s heroics set the tone for the evening as he repeatedly thwarted Valencia’s best efforts.

”What a save by Rajkovic!” The second of the two commentators shouted. ”He’s single-handedly keeping Mallorca in this tie. Lopez did everything right, but Rajkovic was up to the task!”

By the 20th minute, Valencia had camped in Mallorca’s half, launching wave after wave of attacks.

Andre Almeida and Hugo Duro combined beautifully on the right, with Duro firing a fierce shot that looked destined for the bottom corner, but again Rajkovic intervened.

[I swear this keeper used to turn into prime Kahn when he meets Valencia]

On the ensuing corner, Mouctar Diakhaby’s towering header was cleared off the line by Mallorca’s captain, Antonio Raíllo, further frustrating the home crowd.

”It’s incredible! Valencia is knocking on the door, but Mallorca is holding firm. How much longer can they resist?”

Amid the action, Izan sat on the Valencia bench, his expression calm but his eyes keenly focused on the game.

His teammates on the pitch were doing everything right except for finding the back of the net, and he occasionally glanced toward Baraja.

His presence, even off the field, was felt, with some fans chanting his name during a lull in the action, urging their coach to bring him on.

”You can hear it now,” one of the commentators noted. ”The Mestalla faithful are calling for Izan. They believe the young star might be the key to unlocking this Mallorca defense.”

Mallorca, though under siege, refused to fold. Their defense, led by Raíllo and Martin Valjent, threw themselves into every challenge.

In the 33rd minute, Valencia’s José Gayà drove into the box and fired a low cross that ricocheted off multiple players before falling to Almeida, whose thunderous strike from close range was somehow parried by Rajkovic.

The Mallorca fans in the corner of the stadium erupted in cheers, sensing their goalkeeper was crafting something special.

”This is unbelievable from Rajkovic! How has he kept that out? Almeida must be wondering what more he can do!”

As halftime approached, the tension in the Mestalla grew palpable. The home fans cheered with every attack but groaned louder with each missed opportunity.

On the other hand, the Mallorca supporters grew increasingly vocal, encouraged by their team’s resilience and Rajkovic’s brilliance.

When the referee blew for halftime, the scoreboard remained 0-0, much to the frustration of the Valencia faithful.

The players trudged off the pitch, heads down but determined. Baraja walked past Izan, briefly meeting the youngster’s gaze before disappearing into the tunnel.

”It’s been all Valencia so far,” the commentator summed up. ”But Mallorca’s defense, and especially Pedrag Rajkovic, are putting on a masterclass. Something has to give in the second half.”

The Mallorca fans celebrated the goalless draw at the break as if it were a victory, applauding their team’s grit.

Meanwhile, the Valencia crowd buzzed with mixed emotions—admiration for their side’s dominance yet anxious murmurs about the inability to capitalize. The stage was set for a dramatic second half.