章 24: 24. The Next Big Test - II
In the 53rd minute, Espanyol B came close to equalizing. A corner kick was whipped into the box, and their towering center-back rose highest to meet it. His header was powerful and directed towards the bottom corner , but Barcelona B's goalkeeper, Pablo, was equal to the task.
With lightning reflexes, he dove to his right and managed to get a strong hand on the ball, pushing it around the post. The save drew loud cheers from the home crowd and a collective sigh of relief from the Barcelona B players.
However, the reprieve was short-lived as Espanyol B continued to press. Their midfielders were swarming the ball, cutting off passing lanes and forcing Barcelona B into hurried clearances. The visitors were desperate for an equalizer, and they were throwing everything they had at it.
Liam found himself increasingly pinned back, having to drop deep to help out in defense. It was a tough period for Barcelona B, and they needed to stay strong. The coaching staff on the sidelines could be heard shouting instructions, urging the players to stay compact and maintain their shape.
Despite the pressure, Barcelona B remained dangerous on the counter. In the 62nd minute, they nearly doubled their lead. After winning the ball back deep in their own half, Liam played a quick one-two with Oscar to evade the Espanyol press. With a bit of space opening up, Liam launched a long diagonal pass out to Gabriel on the left wing.
Gabriel, as ever, was quick to accelerate past his marker and drive towards the penalty area. As the Espanyol defenders scrambled to get back, Gabriel cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot aimed at the far post. The ball beat the keeper, but agonizingly, it struck the inside of the post and bounced back out into play. The crowd groaned in unison, so close to seeing their team extend the lead.
The match continued to ebb and flow, with Barcelona B now looking dangerous every time they broke forward. But for every attack they mounted, Espanyol B responded with their own. The tension in the stadium was palpable, with both sets of fans living and dying with every touch of the ball.
In the 72nd minute, Barcelona B had a scare when Espanyol B broke through the defense. A clever through ball split the backline, and Espanyol's striker found himself one-on-one with Pablo. The forward tried to place his shot low to the corner, but once again, Pablo was up to the challenge. He spread himself wide and managed to get a foot on the ball, deflecting it away for a corner. It was a crucial save, and it kept Barcelona B's slender lead intact.
As the match entered its final 15 minutes, fatigue began to take its toll on both teams. The intensity of the game had been unrelenting, and the players were starting to feel the effects. For Barcelona B, it was a test of endurance as much as skill. They had put in a tremendous shift, but they needed to dig deep to see the game out.
Garcia, sensing the need for fresh legs, made a couple of substitutions. He brought on a more defensive-minded midfielder to shore up the center of the park and a pacey winger to exploit the spaces left by Espanyol's increasingly desperate attacks.
Liam, despite feeling the strain, was determined to keep going. He knew how important this match was, not just in terms of points, but for the team's morale and momentum. The derby was a match that could define their season, and he was committed to giving everything he had.
Espanyol B, meanwhile, continued to push forward with urgency. They launched cross after cross into the Barcelona B penalty area, hoping for a break. But Barcelona B's defenders, led by their captain, were resolute, clearing their lines time and again.
With the clock ticking down, the tension was almost unbearable. The Barcelona B fans were on their feet, urging their team to hold on. Every clearance, every tackle, every pass was met with a roar of approval from the stands. The players, driven by the crowd's energy, continued to battle for every inch of the pitch.
In the 85th minute, Espanyol B was awarded a free kick just outside the box after a clumsy challenge by one of Barcelona B's defenders. It was a dangerous position, and the Espanyol fans sensed an opportunity.
Their set-piece specialist stepped up, curling a shot over the wall and towards the top corner. For a moment, it looked destined for the back of the net, but once again, Pablo came to the rescue. The goalkeeper leaped acrobatically, tipping the ball over the bar with his fingertips. It was another world-class save, and it kept Barcelona B's lead intact.
As the match entered stoppage time, the tension reached its peak. Espanyol B threw everything forward in a last-ditch attempt to find an equalizer. Barcelona B was pinned back, defending with everything they had. The ball was launched into the box repeatedly, and each time, it was met with a determined header or a desperate clearance.
Liam, now operating almost as a third center-back, was constantly involved in the defensive action. He made crucial interceptions, blocked shots, and even cleared a dangerous ball off the line at one point. His defensive effort was just as impressive as his earlier attacking play, showcasing his all-around abilities.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the referee blew the final whistle. The Barcelona B players collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, while the Espanyol B players looked on in disbelief. The home crowd erupted into cheers, their voices filling the night sky. It had been a hard-fought victory, but it was one that would live long in the memory of everyone involved.
Liam, despite his fatigue, couldn't help but smile as he was mobbed by his teammates. They had done it. They had beaten their city rivals and, in doing so, had taken another important step towards their goal. It wasn't just the three points that mattered; it was the belief that came with such a victory.
As the players made their way off the pitch, they were met with applause and cheers from the fans. Liam took a moment to soak it all in, waving to the supporters and feeling a deep sense of pride. The journey was far from over, but this win felt like a significant milestone.
Back in the dressing room, the mood was jubilant. The players celebrated with a mix of relief and joy, knowing that they had just come through one of the toughest tests of the season. Garcia congratulated them on their performance, but also reminded them that there were more battles to come.
As the team began to wind down, Liam found a quiet corner to reflect on the match.
He was exhausted, but it was the good kind of exhaustion, the kind that came from knowing you had given everything. He thought about the goals he had set for himself, about the challenges that still lay ahead, and about the dream of promotion that was slowly becoming more tangible with each passing week.
With the derby victory behind them, Barcelona B now turned their attention to the next set of fixtures. The league was a marathon, and they couldn't afford to lose focus. There were still many games to be played, and the competition was fierce.
Liam knew that the win over Espanyol B would give them a psychological edge going forward. It was a statement of intent, a sign that they were capable of beating the best teams in the division. But he also knew that they couldn't rest on their laurels. Every game was a new challenge, and they had to approach each one with the same level of intensity and commitment.
As he left the stadium that night, Liam felt a sense of calm determination. The derby was behind them, but the journey was far from over. There were still many more matches to be played, many more battles to be fought.
But with the spirit and resilience they had shown against Espanyol B, Liam was confident that they could achieve their goals.
For now, though, it was time to rest and recover. The next challenge would come soon enough, and when it did, Liam and his teammates would be ready. The road to promotion was long and winding, but they were on the right path, and nothing was going to stop them from reaching their destination.
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