Locker Room – Ciutat Esportiva, Match Day
The low hum of nervous energy filled the locker room.
Cleats tapped the floor. Players adjusted their shin guards. Some sat silently, headphones in, visualizing the game ahead. Others leaned into last-minute tactics, murmuring strategies and instructions.
Luca Herrera sat at the far end, not starting but dressed and ready. His heartbeat was calm, but anticipation buzzed beneath his skin.
Coach Rafa Márquez stood in front of the squad, his arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Cornellà is physical, compact, and aggressive. They'll press hard, close gaps, and wait for us to lose patience. But we don't play their game. We play our football. Possession, movement, triangles. Stay true to the Barça identity."
He scanned the room, then pointed at several players.
"Aleix, Unai, Noah — control the midfield. Casadó, stay alert on transitions. Juan, hold the line at the back. And the rest of you—believe in each other. Trust the system."
Then he glanced toward Luca.
"Luca, be ready. You'll get your moment."
Luca nodded, eyes lighting up.
The final whistle blew on the locker room tension. It was time.
First Half – Barcelona B vs UE Cornellà
The stadium wasn't full, but the voices of the La Masia faithful echoed around the ground. A mix of scouts, diehard fans, and young academy hopefuls watched with excitement. Cameras streamed the match live — every touch now mattered.
Kickoff.
From the opening whistle, Cornellà pressed like wolves.
High line, aggressive challenges, and constant pressure. Barcelona B held the ball, but every pass was contested.
Aleix Garrido tried to find rhythm in midfield, combining with Unai Hernández and Noah Darvich. But Cornellà's double pivot suffocated space.
In the 17th minute, Cornellà won a corner. A looping cross found their striker, who rose above the defenders and slammed a header into the net.
0–1.
The bench groaned.
Barcelona B responded by pushing forward. Garrido nearly equalized with a low-driven shot, but the Cornellà keeper stretched just enough to parry it wide.
Casadó attempted to dictate the tempo from deep, switching the play, trying to stretch the defense.
But nothing broke through.
By halftime, the scoreboard still read 0–1.
Halftime – Locker Room
The players returned, sweaty and frustrated.
Coach Márquez didn't yell. He simply walked to the whiteboard.
"We're not losing because of effort. We're losing because of tempo. We need energy. Creativity. Someone to break lines."
He turned toward Luca.
"You're going in. Right wing. I want freedom — inside runs, isolate their left-back, draw fouls if needed. Don't force it. Just play."
Luca stood up and nodded.
He didn't need a speech. This was the moment he had waited for.
Second Half – Luca Enters
Minute 46.
Luca Herrera jogged onto the pitch, jersey hugging his lean but strong frame, eyes scanning everything like a hunter.
The crowd murmured.
"Isn't that the kid from the friendlies?""The one with the Ronaldinho flair?""Let's see what he can do…"
Right away, his presence was felt.
Cornellà tried to box him in, but Luca didn't panic. He received the ball wide, turned with a flick behind his leg, and sped down the touchline.
Speed Boost Activated.
He left the fullback behind and sent a curling cross to Noah Darvich at the far post.
Header.
Saved!
The crowd gasped.
Minutes later, Luca dribbled between two defenders, faked a pass, and nutmegged a third. The crowd roared.
"¡Vamos chico!" a fan shouted.
On the sideline, Coach Márquez exchanged glances with his assistant.
"He's different," the assistant said."He's fearless," Márquez nodded.
Minute 72 – The Equalizer
Barcelona B had grown confident with Luca on the field.
Aleix Garrido found Luca cutting inside. With three defenders closing in, he didn't look for the pass.
He danced — one-touch, left foot, right foot, shoulder feint — then whipped a curved shot from outside the box.
GOAL!
Top corner. The net rippled.
1–1.
He didn't celebrate wildly. Just pointed to the sky, then to the bench where his father watched silently, hands clasped in awe.
The stadium was now fully behind him.
"What did I just witness?""That boy has gold in his feet!"
Minute 85 – Final Attack
Barcelona B pressed again.
This time, Unai Hernández played a chipped ball down the wing. Luca controlled it with his chest, cut inside and slipped a pass through the defense.
Aleix Garrido latched onto it and chipped the keeper.
2–1.
Turnaround complete.
The final whistle blew minutes later.
Full Time – Reactions
Coach Márquez clapped the players on the back.
"Good fight. And Luca…" he smiled, "…welcome to senior football."
On the sidelines, a scout from the first team made a quick note on his pad, glancing at Luca as he walked toward the locker room.
System Notification
[Match Complete]➤ Objective: Impress in first 3 league games✅ Game 1: Completed with 1 goal, 1 assist
XP Gained: +1,200Bonus: 'Flair +1', 'Balance +1'
Updated Stats
Dribbling: 85
Vision: 81
Passing: 79
Shooting: 78
Technique: 86
Physical: 70
Stamina: 72
Mentality: 82
Speed: 80
Luca exited the tunnel, headphones on, the sound of the fans still ringing in his ears.
The journey had just begun.