Chapter 637 Madrid - Football singularity

CHAPTER 637: CHAPTER 637 MADRID

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~~~

The muffled echo of boots scraping the floor filled the Leverkusen dressing room. The air was thick with vapour from post-warmup sweat and the faint sting of menthol from muscle rubs. Shirts hung crisply in the player’s designated spot, lit up by the LED lights, glinting like red and black armour waiting for war.

Rakim sat at the far end of the bench, elbows resting on his knees, Headphones covering his ears with soft notes of instruments flooding his senses. His breath came steady, as his mind focused on what was ahead and what he would do. He had ninety minutes to turn the football world upside down against the biggest club in the world.

Madrid wasn’t just another opponent; this was the club that set the standard for modern money football. A place every young player grew up dreaming of being good enough to join them. The team is where stars gather for a singular goal: becoming the kings of Europe every year.

Their bench and reserve alone are good enough to become a decent mid-table team in the Premier League. Taking a deep breath, his gaze travelled upward, meeting the figure of Patrick seated across from him. He seemed to be muttering something under his breath, bouncing his knees as he stared at the ground.

Diaby Next to him leaned back, eyes closed, mouthing the words of a French rap track. Everyone seemed to be in their own worlds as they changed into their game gear. Since it had started drizzling and looked like it was going to rain, Rakim wore a long-sleeved compression shirt under his game shirt.

Using one of the hand-stitched hair bands with bible verses embroidered that May had given him for his birthday, he tied it in his hair. Once he was done changing, he slid into a new pair of Apexes and sat, waiting for the meeting to commence. He didn’t have to wait long, as soon after, Coach Peter Bosz walked through the doors with his assistant manager in tow.

One of the staff members entered something on the digital board, and it lit up with the Real Madrid lineup. It was as strong as they had expected, with names like Ramos and Varane at the back, Casemiro sitting deep, and Benzema leading the line. Bosz tapped the board twice, drawing a thick red circle around Casemiro’s name.

"Everything starts here," Bosz began, his Dutch accent making his words sound more dramatic. "Casemiro dictates their rhythm. When he’s in control, Kroos and Valverde move freely, and Vinícius starts finding space. We can’t allow that."

He turned to Palacios and Baumgartlinger, pointing his marker between them. "You two close the channels. Don’t get drawn out. Force them wide."

He clicked the pen shut and looked around the room."Rakim, Moussa, the moment Ramos steps high, you run. I don’t care if it’s a half-second window. Exploit it. Ramos loves a duel, but he hates chasing back."

Rakim nodded in response. "Got it, coach."

Bosz’s tone softened slightly as his eyes scanned the group. "Listen, this is Real Madrid, yes. But tonight, this is our home. They’re not walking into the BayArena to collect points. They’ll have to earn every inch. So from the first whistle, we press. We move together. And we show them that respect in this stadium doesn’t exist."

The room erupted with claps and shouts of "Let’s go!" and "Come on, boys!" Gloves were pulled tight. Shin pads slid into place. The smell of liniment thickened as the assistants began handing out last-minute bottles of electrolyte mix. As they stepped into the tunnel, the LED lights featuring the club’s motifs and murals greeted them as they lined up alongside the Real Madrid squad.

~~~

[27/10/2020 | 20:45 | Champions League Group Stage MD2 | BayArena, Leverkusen | Attendance: 0]

The Champions League anthem echoed through the empty BayArena, its soaring strings and dramatic vocals filling the void where 30,000 fans should have been. The floodlights blazed against the dark October sky, rain beginning to fall in earnest now, making the pitch glisten under the artificial glow. In the commentary box high above the pitch, Clive Tyldesley settled into his seat alongside former England international Steve McManaman, who knew Real Madrid intimately from his playing days at the Bernabéu.

"Good evening and welcome to the BayArena in Leverkusen," Tyldesley began, his voice carrying its familiar charm. "Where despite the absence of supporters, we have a fixture that promises to be absolutely fascinating. Real Madrid, thirteen-time European champions, come to Germany to face an unbeaten Leverkusen side that has been on a phenomenal run since the start of the season."

"It’s a huge test for both sides, Clive," McManaman added. "Leverkusen have started this season brilliantly, sitting third in the Bundesliga and drew away at the San Siro against Inter. But Real Madrid? They’re a different beast entirely. The experience, the quality, the winning mentality, it’s ingrained in that club’s water supply."

"Let’s look at the team news," Tyldesley continued as graphics appeared on screen. "Zinedine Zidane has selected a strong side, as you’d expect. In goal, the Belgian giant Thibaut Courtois. The back four consists of Lucas Vázquez at right-back, veteran Sergio Ramos alongside Raphaël Varane in the centre, and Ferland Mendy on the left."

The screen displayed Real Madrid’s formation, each player’s face appearing beside their position. "In midfield," Tyldesley went on, "we have the metronomic Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Federico Valverde. Up front, a potent attacking trio: Vinícius Júnior on the left wing, Marco Asensio on the right, and the force of nature that is Karim Benzema leading the line."

"That’s a team with serious pedigree, Clive," McManaman observed. "Ramos and Benzema have won the Champions League four times each. The experience in that squad is frightening. And look at that bench, Modrić, Hazard, Rodrygo. Madrid can change the game at any moment."

"Now for the home side," Tyldesley said as the screen switched to Leverkusen’s lineup. "Peter Bosz has made some interesting selections. In goal, the hero of so many big nights last season, Lukas Hrádecký. The defence features a notable change—Jeremie Frimpong gets the nod at right-back ahead of Lars Bender."

"That’s significant," McManaman interjected. "Frimpong is only nineteen, came from Celtic’s academy just like young Rex. He’s rapid, loves to get forward, but he’ll be up against Vinícius tonight. That’s a baptism of fire."

"Indeed," Tyldesley agreed. "Jonathan Tah partners Edmond Tapsoba at centre-back, with Daley Sinkgraven on the left. In the double pivot, we have Exequiel Palacios and Julian Baumgartlinger; clearly, Bosz is prioritising defensive solidity in midfield against that Madrid trio."

The camera focused on each player as Tyldesley continued: "The attacking quartet is where it gets interesting. On the right wing, Moussa Diaby, the French speedster. Through the middle, Nadiem Amiri is operating as the number ten. On the left, the seventeen-year-old sensation who’s been in scintillating form, Rakim Rex, with eight goals in his last four games."

"He’s special, Clive," McManaman said emphatically. "We’ve been watching him closely last season, and it is the composure in front of goal for me."

"And leading the line," Tyldesley concluded, "Patrik Schick. The Czech striker who arrived from Roma in the summer. Four goals already this season. He’ll be looking to add to that tonight."

On the pitch, the two teams had finished their final preparations. The captains, Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid and Julian Baumgartlinger for Leverkusen, met the officials at the centre circle for the coin toss. Ramos won the toss, choosing to kick off as Leverkusen chose to attack left to right. On the touchline, Bosz stood with his arms crossed, rain already darkening his jacket. Further down, Zidane looked calm, hands in pockets, the collar of his coat turned up against the weather.

"The rain is coming down quite heavily now," McManaman observed. "That could affect the passing game, particularly for Madrid. Might suit Leverkusen’s more direct approach."

The referee, Daniele Orsato from Italy, checked his watch one final time. The ball sat at the centre spot where Benzema and Asensio waited. "Right then," Tyldesley said, his voice rising with anticipation. "Real Madrid, wearing their famous all-white strip, versus Bayer Leverkusen in their red and black. Champions League football at the BayArena. Everything to play for in Group B. Let’s get underway."

Orsato raised the whistle to his lips.

[1’]

(FWEEEEEET)

The sharp blast cut through the rainy night, and the match was underway. Benzema rolled it back to Kroos, who immediately played it square to Casemiro. The Brazilian took one touch before spreading it wide to Vázquez on the right.

To Be Continued...