Football singularity-Chapter 670 The Bernabéu Stage (Part 2)
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[09/12/2020 | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | 19:35 Local Time]
[Pre-Match Coverage — Sky Sports]
Kate laughed, shaking her head. "Well, there’s confidence for you. Thierry, you played with world-class creators—Bergkamp, Pires, Fàbregas. What do you see in Florian’s game?"
Henry leaned forward, his expression serious now. "Intelligence. That’s the first thing. He always knows where to be, when to release the ball, and when to hold it. At seventeen, he’s already forcing opponents to adjust to his presence on the field."
"The partnership with Rakim Rex has been special to watch," Kate continued. "How much of that is natural chemistry, and how much is coaching?"
Wirtz considered the question carefully. "Both, I think. We practice together so much that we practically understand each other’s movements without looking—I know when he’ll make a run, and he knows when I’ll have the ball. But the boss and the coaching staff work with us, giving us room to explore that chemistry on the pitch."
"Tonight, you’re facing Modrić, Kroos, Casemiro in midfield," Carragher interjected. "That’s arguably the best midfield trio in the world over the last decade. How do you approach a match like this?"
"Like any other game," Wirtz replied confidently. "We believe in our system, in each other. If we execute our game plan, we can win."
"Bold words," Kate said approvingly. "One final question—you’re seventeen, playing at the Bernabéu in a crucial Champions League match. Are you nervous?"
Wirtz smiled slightly. "A little, maybe. But more excited than nervous. These are the matches and stadiums you dream about as a kid. Now I get to play in one of them. That’s a privilege."
"Beautifully said," Kate replied. "Thank you, Florian. Good luck tonight."
Wirtz nodded, jogging back toward his teammates who were stretching near the touchline. The camera returned to the panel. "Class act, that kid," Richards said admiringly. "Seventeen years old and talking like he’s played a hundred Champions League matches."
"I believe it’s what they call Gen Z," Henry observed. "They grow up watching these matches constantly, studying players on and off the field. By the time they reach this level, they’re already educated in ways we weren’t at that age."
"But can they handle the pressure?" Carragher challenged. "That’s the question. Wirtz and Rex have been brilliant in the group stage, but this is different. This is the Bernabéu. This is a Real Madrid side that needs a result. The intensity will be unlike anything they’ve faced."
"Which is why tonight will be fascinating," Kate said. "Now, before we bring in another player, let’s talk about the other side of this equation—Real Madrid’s situation. They’re second in the group after losing two-nil to Shakhtar in the reverse fixture. Thierry, how damaging was that result?"
Henry’s expression turned serious. "Very damaging psychologically. Real Madrid don’t lose to teams like Shakhtar—no disrespect to them. But that’s a result that raises questions. Is the team ageing? Is Zidane’s system still effective? Tonight is about answering those questions."
"Jamie, Zidane’s under pressure despite winning three Champions Leagues. Is that fair?"
Carragher shrugged. "Football isn’t fair. You’re judged on last games results, not history. Madrid have been inconsistent this season—brilliant one week, poor the next. If they lose tonight and don’t qualify, Zidane’s job will be in serious danger. That’s just reality."
"Micah, you played under managers facing pressure. How does that affect the dressing room?"
Richards leaned forward, his usual jovial demeanour replaced by seriousness. "It creates tension, Kate. Players start thinking about their own futures rather than the team’s. Some try too hard to impress, others play conservatively to avoid mistakes. It disrupts the natural flow. Zidane needs to keep his players focused on the match, not the noise around it."
"Speaking of which," Kate said, glancing toward the pitch, "let’s bring in someone who knows all about handling pressure at the Bernabéu."
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[09/12/2020 | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | 19:50 Local Time]
[Pre-Match Coverage — Sky Sports]
The camera returned to the Sky Sports desk, the Bernabéu pitch behind them now busier with players completing their final warm-up routines. Kate Abdo stood centre-frame, her expression professional as the broadcast resumed.
"Welcome back to the Santiago Bernabéu," Kate began. "We’re just over forty minutes away from kickoff in what could be a defining night for both Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. Before we go any further, let’s bring in the man tasked with masterminding Leverkusen’s game plan tonight—Peter Bosz."
The camera panned to show Bosz walking toward the desk, his demeanour calm, hands in the pockets of his dark coat. The Dutch manager’s expression was composed as he reached the panel.
"Peter, thank you for joining us," Kate said warmly. "How are you feeling ahead of tonight’s match?"
"Good, thank you," Bosz replied in his Dutch-accented English. "We’ve prepared well. The players are focused, and we know what we need to do. It’s a big challenge, but we’re ready for it."
"You’re top of the group with ten points," Kate continued. "Win tonight, and you’re through as group winners. Does that put extra pressure on your team, or does it motivate them?"
Bosz considered the question. "Both, perhaps. But we try to focus on the process, not the outcome. If we execute our game plan correctly, if we defend well and take our chances, the result will follow. The pressure is the same whether you’re first or second—you must perform."
"Peter, speaking of those young players," Carragher interjected, "Rakim Rex has seven Champions League goals this season already. Did you expect this level of impact from a seventeen-year-old?"
Bosz smiled slightly. "Rakim is special. We knew that before we brought it in ahead of the last season. But more than his quality, it’s the consistency he’s shown at this level that is remarkable. He’s not just talented—he’s intelligent, hardworking, and has a killer instinct for goals. That combination is rare."
"Tonight, he’ll face Champions League Sergio Ramos, one of the best defenders in Champions League history," Kate noted. "How do you prepare a seventeen-year-old for that kind of challenge?"
"You don’t overcoach it," Bosz replied. "Rakim knows Ramos’s quality. But football is football—if you’re good enough, age doesn’t matter. We trust Rakim to find a path through the best of defence, we just have to make the chances he creates count. That goes for my other players, too. When we reach the goal, we try to make it count."
"Peter, when talking about Leverkusen standouts, you have to talk about Hradecky," Kate said. "He was especially exceptional against Inter Milan. How important is having a goalkeeper of his quality in matches like this?"
"Crucial," Bosz said without hesitation. "Lukas gives the entire team confidence. He makes saves that keep you in matches when you’re under pressure. Against a team like Real Madrid, you need that. He’ll be crucial tonight."
"One final question before we let you go," Kate said. "If you could script the perfect performance tonight, what would it look like?"
Bosz smiled. "Clean sheet, two goals from counters, disciplined defensive performance. Simple, but not easy. That would be perfect."
"Beautifully concise," Kate replied. "Thank you, Peter. Good luck tonight."
Bosz nodded, turning and walking back toward the tunnel. The camera returned to the panel. "What struck me," Carragher added, "was his trust in the young players. He’s not overthinking it, not putting extra pressure on them. Just, ’You’re good enough, prove it.’ That’s smart management."
"That’s what makes tonight so fascinating," Henry said. "History and experience versus youth and hunger. Goliath versus David. Control versus chaos. All the ingredients for a classic European night."
"Let’s talk about some other potential scenarios," Carragher suggested, pulling his notes forward. "If Madrid wins tonight, they’re through. If Leverkusen win, they’re through as group winners. But if it’s a draw?"
"Then it gets very interesting," Henry replied. "Real Madrid would have nine points, Leverkusen eleven. The germs would be through regardless of the result, but Madrid might be out on goal difference if Inter were to beat Shakhtar by two goals."
"Right, that’s all we have time for," Kate said, addressing the camera directly. "Thank you to Thierry, Jamie, and Micah for their insights tonight. We’ll be back at halftime to break down the action. But for now, let’s hand over to our commentary team. Enjoy the match."
The camera pulled back one final time, showing the four pundits standing at the desk, the pitch behind them now clearing as players headed toward the tunnel for final preparations. The stage was set. The drama was about to begin.
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To be Continued...
