Football singularity

Chapter 748 City of Lights, Night of Dreams

If you’re enjoying the story, consider voting to show your support. Feel free to join me on Discord to chat and share your thoughts: https://discord.gg/hTQJtj2K9U.

#More than 10 Chapters ahead on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrikoRex. If you have a moment, leaving a review would mean a lot to me and help me see who’s interested in the story’s future.

~~~

[2021-04-28 | Parc des Princes, Paris | 20:15 CET]

[UEFA Champions League Semi-Final - 1st Leg Paris | Saint-Germain vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen]

The tunnel beneath the Parc des Princes was narrow and electric with tension. Leverkusen lined up on the left, PSG on the right, both teams waiting for the signal. Rakim stood mid-line, hands resting loosely at his sides, his breathing slow and controlled. Behind him, Schick bounced lightly on his toes, barely containing his nervous energy.

Across from them, PSG’s players exuded the confidence that their star power required. Neymar stood at the back, eyes closed as he waited for the start signal. Mbappé was at the front, locked in conversation with DiMaria. The Champions League anthem began to play, its familiar orchestral swell echoing through the tunnel and out into the stadium.

*"Die Meister, die Besten, les grandes équipes, the champions..."*

A UEFA official appeared at the back, gesturing for both teams to start moving. Tah led the way, Hradecky behind him, and the rest of the Leverkusen squad followed in a tight line. Rakim fell into step behind Amiri, his boots clicking softly against the concrete floor. The tunnel opened up, and suddenly they were on the pitch—25,000 fans packed into the Parc des Princes, the noise hitting them like a physical force.

Blue and red filled half of the stadium, PSG banners hanging from the upper tiers, smoke flares igniting in the ultras section. The anthem continued to play, the lyrics echoing across the stadium: *"Une grande réunion, une grande émotion..."*

"Good evening, and welcome to the Parc des Princes in Paris. I’m Peter Drury, alongside Clive Tyldesley, and we are here for what promises to be an absolutely enthralling Champions League semi-final. Paris Saint-Germain, the French giants, against Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga leaders and this season’s great surprise." Peter Drury’s voice resounded as the Champions League match broadcast resounded.

"What a story Leverkusen have written this season, Peter. Top of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal semi-finalists, and now just two matches away from a Champions League final. Peter Bosz has built something truly special." Clive Tyldesley added, doing his part in keeping the viewers entertained.

"Let’s have a look at Leverkusen’s starting eleven," Drury noted, and the Leverkusen starting eleven appeared on screen. "In goals we have Lukas Hardecky, the back four is made up of Jerenie Frimpong, Tah, Tabsoba and Wendell. Demirbay and Baumgartlinger make up the double pivot with Amiri in the calm role. Rakim is on the left flank with Diaby on the right. Up top, Schick leads the line."

"That’s a proven lineup for the German leaders," Tyldesley commented before moving on to the home team’s lineup. "Navas sits between the sticks, Marquinhos and Kimpembe are in central defence. Alessandro Florenzi is in the right back position with Juan Bernat on the left. The midfield trio is made up of Verratti, Neymar, and Idrissa Gueye. Kylian Mbappe plays out wide on the left, Dimaria on the right, and Mauro Icardi leads the line upfront."

"And PSG, of course, are desperate to finally claim the trophy that has eluded them. They’ve spent billions building this squad—Neymar, Mbappé, Di María, Marquinhos, Verratti. This is their year, or so they hope." Drury continued as the camera passed over the players’ serious faces on screen.

"The key battle tonight will be fascinating. Rakim Rex, on the left wing for Leverkusen, seventeen years old, is on a scoring spree this season. He’ll be up against Alessandro Florenzi, a seasoned Italian international. Can the teenager deliver on this stage?" Tyldesley noted as the players’ impressive stats appeared on screen.

"And on the other side, Kylian Mbappé. Twenty-two years old, already a World Cup winner, arguably the fastest player on the planet. Jeremie Frimpong will have his hands full." Drury added, noting the other wing duel that would entertain the viewers. They continued talking about each player’s prospects, eventually discussing the obvious Neymar Jr. effect on the match when the whistle blew.

~~~

*(FWEEET!)*

[1’]

PSG kicked off, Mbappé tapping it back to Neymar. The Brazilian immediately played it back to Paredes in midfield, who knocked it across to Verratti. The Italian midfielder took one touch, scanning the field, then played it back to Marquinhos in defence.

Leverkusen pressed forward immediately, looking to apply pressure early. Schick charged at Marquinhos, forcing him to play it quickly to Kimpembe on the left. The French defender controlled it, then played a long diagonal pass to Di María on the right wing.

The Argentine winger collected it with ease, his first touch taking him past Wendell’s initial challenge. He drove forward five yards, then cut inside onto his left foot, shaping to shoot from twenty-five yards. Baumgartlinger slid in, blocking the shot and deflecting it out for a corner.

"Early intent from PSG! Di María testing Leverkusen’s defence straightaway!" Drury noted as the home team set up to take the corner.

Neymar swung it in with pace toward the penalty spot, finding Marquinhos, who rose highest on the box. Tah managed to match him, heading it clear, but it didn’t get far, falling to Verratti at the edge of the box, who struck it first-time on the volley. Hradecky watched it all the way—it was rising well over the bar, never threatening the goal.

"Verratti strikes," Tyldesley exclaimed. "And Verratti misses PSG starting aggressively."

[6’]

Leverkusen tried to respond with Hradecky’s goal kick, which was played short to Tapsoba, who played it to Baumgartlinger in midfield. The Austrian turned away from Verratti’s press, then played it wide to Rakim on the left. The teenager controlled it with his back to the goal, immediately feeling Florenzi’s presence.

He didn’t try to turn; instead, he played it back to Wendell, who surged up on the overlap. The Brazilian full-back took one touch, then whipped in a cross toward the penalty spot. Schick attacked it, but Marquinhos was there, rising above him to head it clear. The ball fell to Paredes at the edge of the centre circle, and PSG immediately transitioned.

Paredes drove forward, bypassing Amiri with a sharp set of skills. He played it wide to Neymar up ahead in the attacking midfield role, and suddenly PSG came alive. The Brazilian playmaker flicked the ball up, performing a swift sombrero over Demirbay’s head.

Instead of bringing the ball down on the other side, he slotted it through Baumgartlinger’s legs, finding Icardi. The Argentine striker received Neymar’s pass with his back to goal at the edge of the box, Tapsoba immediately pressing against him. Icardi tried to turn, using his strength to hold off the Burkinabé defender, but Tapsoba stayed tight, not giving him space to pivot.

Icardi played it back to Neymar, who had continued his run forward. The Brazilian took one touch, drawing Demirbay toward him, then slipped a pass wide to Mbappé on the left. The French winger had already begun his run, timing it perfectly to stay onside by a hair’s breadth.

Frimpong tracked back desperately, his legs pumping as he tried to close the gap. Mbappé’s pace was frightening—three strides and he was clear, entering the box at full speed. Tah shifted across to cover, but Mbappé had already shaped to shoot with his right foot from twelve yards.

The shot was struck cleanly, low and hard, aimed for the bottom right corner. Hradecky dove, arms fully extended, managing to get a strong hand to it, to push it wide for a corner.

"LUKAS HRADECKY!" Drury roared. "What a save! Mbappé thought he had the opener!"

"That’s goalkeeping of the highest class," Tyldesley added. "Hradecky read it early, stayed big, and got a crucial touch. Leverkusen owe him one there."

The corner was delivered by Neymar with wicked pace, curling toward the near post. Marquinhos attacked it, rising above Tah...

.

.

.

.

To Be Continued...