Chapter 227: Finale

After a few moments of friendly banter, Izan unbuttoned his Valencia jersey and handed it to Yamal.

The young Barcelona winger accepted it with a grin.

Izan: "Make sure to hang it up in a special place. I expect it to be framed one day."

Yamal: "I’ll make sure to hang it right next to my first Barcelona shirt! But seriously, that was a class goal today. You got the crowd going."

Izan nodded in appreciation.

"Thanks, Lamine. You’re going to be a big star for Barcelona and Spain. Keep at it" Izan said a matter of factly.

Well, he had to; after all, he was staring at Lamine’s status window.

"Damn," Izan muttered before looking away.

Pedri, patting Izan’s back spoke, "Good luck with the final against Bilbao. I hope you win"

Izan nodded at the former’s words and with that, the three exchanged final smiles before Izan jogged back toward his teammates, the fans still chanting his name in the background.

...….

The post-match analysis kicked off with Carlos Doménech and Clara Martínez seated at the desk, the energy in the studio still buzzing from Valencia’s 3-2 victory over Barcelona.

Replays of the game’s highlights rolled behind them, particularly the decisive moments involving Izan.

Carlos Doménech: "Valencia’s win tonight was significant, not just because it was against Barcelona, but because it showed how far this team has come in terms of resilience and quality.

Once again, Izan played a pivotal role. His contributions in this match—assisting Mark’s equalizer and scoring the winner—were the difference."

The screen cut to a replay of Izan’s free kick assist, the ball curling perfectly into the box before Mark rose to head it in.

Clara Martínez: "That assist was no fluke. The delivery was precise, calculated, and placed where only Mark could reach it.

It’s something Izan does consistently, creating opportunities in high-pressure situations. He’s been godly for Valencia this season, and as always, tonight he delivered when it mattered most."

Carlos Doménech: "And then there’s the goal. Let’s not overlook how much composure it takes to strike the ball like that, especially in a game of this magnitude.

The way he flicked the ball over de Jong. The way he positioned himself and unleashed that shot—it was flashy but clinical."

The screen shifted to Izan’s goal, with slow-motion replays of the strike showing how the ball swerved past Ter Stegen into the net.

Clara Martínez: "That goal wasn’t just about power; it was about technique. He kept his body over the ball, struck it cleanly, and left one of the best goalkeepers in the world with no chance.

These are the moments that win games, and Izan has a knack for producing them."

The analysts moved on to discuss Izan’s role beyond just his attacking play, highlighting key moments in the latter stages of the match when Barcelona pushed for an equalizer.

Carlos Doménech: "It’s not just what he does going forward; Izan also played a critical role defensively tonight.

Late in the game, when Barcelona threw everything at Valencia, he was tracking back, making crucial interceptions, and even helping to clear the ball.

That interception against Lamine Yamal near the end—those are the small details that make a big difference."

Clara Martínez: "And that shows his maturity. At his age, many players would focus solely on their attacking responsibilities, but Izan recognizes the importance of working for the team.

That’s a huge asset for Valencia, especially in high-pressure games like this."

After a while, the discussion naturally transitioned to Valencia’s upcoming Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

Footage showed Bilbao’s recent games, along with Ernesto Valverde watching from the stands at Mestalla.

Carlos Doménech: "Tonight’s win couldn’t have come at a better time for Valencia. Beating Barcelona gives the team massive momentum heading into the Copa del Rey final.

But more importantly, it puts Athletic Bilbao on high alert. Valverde would have been watching closely tonight, and he’ll know that stopping Izan will be absolutely key for Bilbao if they want to win."

Clara Martínez: "Exactly. Bilbao is a strong, physical team, but tonight we saw that Izan can handle physicality and still deliver.

He was marked tightly by Barcelona at times, but he still found space to create. That’s the kind of player Bilbao will have to plan for because if he’s given an inch, he’ll punish them."

The screen cut to a split shot of Izan celebrating with the Valencia crowd and the Athletic Bilbao players warming up during their last league game.

Carlos Doménech: "Another thing Bilbao will need to think about is the connection Izan has with his teammates.

That assist for Mark tonight wasn’t just about skill—it was about chemistry. He knows where his teammates will be, and that understanding is what makes Valencia’s attack so dangerous.

If Bilbao focuses too much on Izan, players like Hugo Duro and Mark will capitalize."

Clara Martínez: "And let’s not forget his versatility. We saw it tonight—he was attacking one moment, defending the next.

Bilbao will need to be prepared for the fact that Izan can influence the game in multiple ways. They’ll also need to deal with his set-piece delivery.

That free kick assist tonight was a reminder of how deadly he can be in those situations."

The analysts also took a moment to reflect on Valencia’s overall progression this season, with Izan at the center of their resurgence.

Carlos Doménech: "Valencia’s improvement this season has been remarkable, and Izan has been at the heart of it.

This team now plays with belief, and tonight’s win against Barcelona showed that they can compete with the best.

The Copa del Rey final is going to be a massive test, but this performance will give them confidence."

Clara Martínez: "Confidence and momentum, Carlos. Beating Barcelona isn’t easy, especially when you’re coming off a challenging season.

But this group, led by Baraja, has shown that they can rise to the occasion. And with a player like Izan driving them forward, anything feels possible. Athletic Bilbao will have their work cut out for them."

The segment ended with a final replay of Izan’s goal and the Mestalla crowd erupting in celebration, a reminder of the night’s significance.

Valencia’s win over Barcelona wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement ahead of their biggest game of the season.

...

Ernesto Valverde stood in his office at the San Mamés training complex, the remnants of Valencia’s game against Barcelona still fresh in his mind.

The TV screen was blank now, but his thoughts were filled with the game’s defining moments: Izan’s match-winning strike, his intelligent assist, and the relentless energy Valencia had displayed throughout.

The Copa del Rey final was only days away, and this would be the third time his Athletic Bilbao side faced Valencia this season.

Familiarity with their style didn’t make the task ahead any easier—it made it more dangerous.

He picked up his notepad, now filled with notes from their two previous encounters and tonight’s game.

Despite the past matchups, Izan remained a player who could disrupt any defensive plan.

His growth over the season was undeniable, and Valverde knew stopping him would require more than just tactical preparation—it would require focus and discipline for 90 minutes, maybe more.

Leaving the office, Valverde made his way to the players’ lounge. Inside, the mood was serious yet subdued.

Iñaki Williams sat with a sports drink in hand, while Oihan Sancet and Unai Simón sat forward on the couch, their eyes glued to the highlights playing on the TV.

The replay of Izan’s goal flashed across the screen once more, and the three exchanged quiet remarks about the technique and timing of the strike.

Valverde entered, and the room quieted slightly, the players acknowledging him with respectful nods.

"You’ve played them twice already," Valverde began, his voice calm but firm. "You know what they’re capable of. What stood out to you tonight?"

Iñaki leaned forward, thoughtful. "They’ve stepped it up, especially Izan. He was good the first time we faced him, better the second, but now…" He shook his head. "He’s different. He’s carrying the team when they need him most."

Valverde nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And what makes him difficult to stop?"

Unai Simón was the first to reply. "It’s not just his skill—it’s his decision-making. When he’s in the final third, he knows exactly when to pass, when to shoot, or when to take a defender on.

That assist for Mark tonight? He saw the space before anyone else. And his goal—he didn’t think twice."

Valverde turned to Sancet. "What about when he doesn’t have the ball? What did you notice?"

Sancet leaned back, frowning slightly. "He’s never static. Even when he’s being marked, he’s constantly moving, dragging defenders around, opening up gaps for Gaya or Hugo Duro to exploit.

You can’t just mark him—you have to keep the whole system in check."

Valverde nodded again, his fingers drumming against the table. "And you’ve seen what happens when you focus too much on him," he said.

"It leaves Gaya, Almeida, or Duro with too much space. They’re not just a one-man team, but he makes them tick."

The players nodded, their expressions serious. While they knew Izan well from their past encounters, his performance tonight had reminded them of just how much of a threat he posed.

Valverde stood, glancing at each player. "We’ve faced them twice, and we’ve held our own. But this is a final, and Valencia will come for us with everything they’ve got.

We’ll focus on the details in training tomorrow. Tonight, just think about what you’ve seen. Analyze it. And remember—we’ve beaten bigger odds before."

With that, he left the players to their thoughts, his mind already moving to the next step.

The familiarity between the two teams would make this final a chess match of the highest order.

Valverde knew that neutralizing Izan would be critical, but it wouldn’t be the only challenge. This wasn’t just about stopping Valencia—it was about ensuring Athletic Bilbao imposed their own game.