The referee's whistle echoed across the stadium,signaling the end of the first half.
1-1 on the scoreboard.
But in the minds of everyone watching —this felt like a final.
Mateo jogged toward the tunnel with his teammates,his body buzzing with adrenaline.
He cast one last glance over his shoulder.
Lamine Yamal was also leaving the field, surrounded by Barcelona players,his head held high.
The duel was far from over.
Inside the Bayern locker room, the atmosphere was intense.
Not negative.
Focused.
Everyone caught their breath, quickly rehydrated, and settled down as Vincent Kompany entered.
He moved to the tactical board swiftly.
No wasted words.
"You've done well," Kompany started, voice strong and steady.
"But now,the real test begins."
He tapped the board sharply.
"Barcelona is about to bring out more of their first-team stars."
"And we will do the same."
There was a ripple of excitement through the room.
Kompany continued:
"Harry Kane is coming in.Mazraoui is coming in.And a few others."
He paused, locking eyes with Mateo.
"But Mateo —you're staying on."
A murmur ran through the players.
"You've earned it," Kompany said simply.
"You'll stay wide on the right.Stretch them.Attack the space behind their fullbacks.And..." he smiled slightly, almost conspiratorially,"don't be afraid to go for the kill when you see it."
Mateo nodded, feeling a bolt of pride surge through his chest.
"I won't waste this," he promised silently.
Kompany laid out the new formation adjustments.
Stronger spine.More vertical transitions.
Bayern was going for the win.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Barcelona was doing the same.
Their coaching staff made their moves,and when the teams emerged for the second half —the atmosphere changed.
It wasn't just youth anymore.
It was youth and legends.
From Bayern's side, stepping onto the field with his usual calm authority:
Harry Kane —the world-class striker,the finisher supreme.
The Allianz Arena exploded with cheers.
A legend now among them.
And across the field, wearing the iconic blaugrana,coming on with an equally thunderous ovation:
Robert Lewandowski —the former Bayern hero, now Barcelona's star.
The tension was palpable.
Two giants.
Two eras colliding.
Mateo jogged into position, feeling the electricity crackling in the air.
He stole a glance at the Barcelona lineup.
Pedri.Gavi.Lewandowski.And Lamine Yamal still on the field.
Barcelona wasn't pulling punches.
They wanted the win too.
The referee signaled.
The second half was about to begin.
The stage was bigger.The stakes higher.
Mateo flexed his fingers, feeling his heart thudding powerfully in his chest.
"Now," he thought.
"Now the real battle begins."