Flashback — Two Days Earlier
The lights in the Ajax training ground strategy room were dim, the projector screen glowing with formation diagrams. Coach Bakker stood by the screen, marker in hand.
"Femi," he called, gesturing him forward. The rest of the squad was packing up outside after training, but this meeting was private.
Femi stepped in, towel slung over his shoulder.
"I need you to hear this before we head to Barcelona."
On the screen, Bakker highlighted a defensive shape: a back three.
"I'm using you as a left-sided center-back. But not a traditional one. More like a libero. You've got pace. Ball-carrying. Vision. And versatility. I need someone who can step into midfield, push forward when it's on, but hold a line when it isn't."
Femi blinked. "A libero?"
"You won't be shackled to the touchline. You'll cover wide when we're out of possession, step up when Soler drops deep, and carry it into their half if space opens."
Femi nodded slowly, not fully grasping it, but trusting his coach. "I'll do it."
Bakker gave a short nod. "Good. Make it yours."
---
36th Minute, Camp Nou
The match picked up exactly where it had left off. Ajax were holding their own, weathering Barcelona's sharp passing, and occasionally punching back.
Timo van Loon slid a clever pass through midfield to Yassine Bouali, who switched play wide to Jacek Kowalski. The Polish winger cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a dipping shot. Hugo Martínez in Barca's goal tipped it over.
From the corner, Ramon Dekker rose highest but nodded just wide.
38th Minute.
Barca adjusted. Arnau Soler began dropping deeper, pulling Yassine out of position. Enric Vidal found more space. Guillén, once shackled to the left, started drifting central.
Femi made a sharp interception, stepping in front of Bruno Peris to cut out a pass and calmly switching the ball to Kenji Okoro.
41st Minute.
Josip Van der Berg and Noah Willems combined on the left, sending Liam Janssen down the wing. His cross was inches from Souleymane Traoré's head before Jordi Navarro cleared.
44th Minute.
Disaster struck.
Enric Vidal received a pass from Soler and shaped to go wide. Femi, eager to cut the play early, stepped high to press Bruno Peris.
Dekker shouted, "Hold your line!" but it was too late.
Peris flicked the ball behind. Guillén, perfectly timed, sprinted diagonally into the space Femi left. Enric Vidal slid the through ball.
One touch.
Shot.
Past Daan Visser at the near post.
Barcelona 1-0 Ajax.
The Camp Nou crowd erupted.
Femi sank to his haunches. Ramon Dekker punched the air in frustration. Josip muttered under his breath. Kenji slammed the ball away.
The whistle blew for halftime.
---
Halftime, Ajax Dressing Room
The players filed in, sweat-soaked and tense.
Bakker didn't yell. He gestured at the tactical board.
"That," he pointed at the diagram showing the gap Femi left, "is a timing issue. Not bravery. Not aggression. You had to trust Ramon and Kenji. Your job was to hold shape. Libero doesn't mean hero
To be continued...