Rise of a Football God

15th May, 2026…

(La Liga:)

(Matchday 36 of 38:)

(Espanyol – Barcelona)

While Sam was having a mini vacation with his fiancée, enjoying a much needed vacation, the football season continued for FC Barcelona.

After 35 grueling matchdays of the Spanish La Liga season, they were about to play matchday 36, an away clash against Espanyol.

But most importantly, the end of the season is nigh.

Plus today's game, FC Barcelona had just 3 La Liga games left to complete the 2025/2026 football season. As for their European exploits, they had just one game remaining for the season, the UEFA Champions league final against PSG.

The UEFA Champions League final still felt like a distant affair though, and so they focused on the one before them, the league clash against Espanyol.

It was not just a league clash though, the game against Espanyol had another layer behind it because it was a Catalan derby.

Espanyol were neighbors to FC Barcelona.

That night, the FC Barcelona squad for the game traveled to the RCDE Stadium, the temple and home of RD Espanyol de Barcelona, where the rival fans gave them a somewhat subdued welcome.

No matter how much they hated their big rival, Espanyol fans had no choice but to respect FC Barcelona, most especially after their crazy exploits in the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan in the semifinal to quality to the final of the champions league after 10 years.

In an alternate universe, Inter Milan could have easily won the game; that was how grueling and tight the semifinal clash at the San Siro was.

For this game, Hansi Flick rotated his team again after the back to back grueling encounters against Inter Milan and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and the Spanish La Liga.

For this game, both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, including Pedri was rested. As for fullbacks, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde? Both had a knock in training, forcing Hansi Flick to also rest both players for the game.

FC Barcelona started in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, but this time, the offensive trio comprised of Ansu Fati, Pau Victor, and Ansu Fati.

In attacking midfield was Gavi, while further behind him, deeper in the midfield were Frankie De Jong and Marc Casado who was back from his injury.

In defense, the quadruple comprised Gerard Martin in left back, Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi in center defense, and Ronald Araujo in right back.

Marc Andre Ter Stegen naturally started in between the posts.

As for Espanyol? They started in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation; Garcia manning the posts for them, while ahead of him was a defensive quadruple of El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, and Romcro.

In midfield was the duo of Gonzalez de Zarate and Lozano. I attacking midfield is Exposito, while Roca manned the right wing, Puado in left wing, and Fernandez as the starting striker.

FWEEE!

The game started and from the onset, Espanyol showed that despite the fact that this was a vastly rotated FC Barcelona team, they still feared their rivals.

They played a careful and conservative game against the Catalan giants.

Their defense was compact though. After all, by sacrificing offensive power for a more conservative playstyle, they were able to cover more ground in defense, shoring up all openings before their opponents could take advantage of it.

Besides, with the true creative juggernauts like Pedri and Lamine Yamal not in the field, it was easier to defend against FC Barcelona.

They almost did it for 45 minutes till in the 43rd minute when Pau Victor lashed into a Marc Casado cross in the box, cooly directing a header past Garcia and into the Espanyol net.

The away fans erupted in celebration as soon as the ball entered.

Pau Victor ran and slid on his knees in celebration.

A few minutes later, the halftime whistle sounded.

First half came to an end 0-1 in FC Barcelona's favor.

When second half started, Espanyol played with more urgency and intent. And yet, despite coming out of their shell, they soon found to their dismay that breaking down the FC Barcelona defense was not going to be a walk in the park.

This continued until the 72nd minute when Kumbulla, the center defender uncharacteristically struck the ball from over 30 yards out during an Espanyol attack.

The attacking players surrounding him, asking for the ball screamed and gesticulated in frustration as soon as the defender struck the ball at goal, but they were left gawking in shock soon after, because the ball tore its way into the net at an acute angle in the top right corner.

Silence, shock, then…

BOOM!

The RCDE stadium erupted as the home fans celebrated the goal exuberantly, even as the defender celebrated his goal with passion.

With a big smile on his face, he charged towards the corner flag, pumping his fists excitedly even as the fans reacted to his joy.

But Espanyol's joy was short-lived.

It was not even a minute. Mere seconds after Kumbulla's wonder goal, Ferran Torres received a pass from Gavi before quickly slipping a through pass for Pau Victor who rounded Garcia, the Espanyol goalkeeper before scoring FC Barcelona's second goal of the game.

72 minutes, 1-1…

73 minutes, 1-2…

The young FC Barcelona striker celebrated with raw passion.

That goal was the winning goal. Espanyol failed to score a second goal of their own, and the game came to an end with the 1-2 scoreline.

Another 3 point secured on the road for FC Barcelona.

Their La Liga title hopes was still firmly on point.

…

After the Espanyol game, Sam ended his mini vacation, joining the next FC Barcelona team training to prepare for the finale of the football season.

FC Barcelona's next clash was another league game, this time a home game against the visiting Villareal.

(La Liga:)

(Barcelona – Villareal)

(Date: 18th May, 2026)

Sam trained with the team. He felt good, showcasing his level in training. He made the starting XI for FC Barcelona's next game.

The team was in great spirits, ready to make history.