( Disclaimer: The next six chapters including this one are what most of my readers describes as 'fillers' if you know that you're going to complain, I would advise you to skip them and continue from the chapter after them)
The Barcelona fans in the stadium were confused by what Jim had said, the lineups they had seen online confirmed that Ciro was going to be in the starting eleven but it seemed like those lineups weren't as accurate.
"Relax, at least he will be coming in, in the second half," Emma said, pulling Dave down.
"On the Supreme lineup we can see Carlos, Roland, and Diego leading their attack," Jim said.
"Let's just hope these three can do something today like they have been doing in the league this season," Steve said.
"Roland has been top notch extending steering further away from Mateo and Martin in the league's golden boot race," Jim said. "In their midfield, we have Zlensky, Foden, and Pelcao who is just recovering from injury and making his debut for the team."
"A wonderful midfielder, he was magnificent during his days at Arsenal, let's just hope he will be able to make a difference for Supreme United tonight," Steve said.
"And finally in defense we have Conan and Steven as center-backs, Michael as right back, Simeon as left back, and Perez Zoe in between the sticks," Jim said.
"They are playing four three three to try and strengthen their defense now."
"Yeah having three defenders at the back in their away game against Barca just couldn't keep Ciro out, let's just see if this one will keep the Barca attack out," Jim said.
The players had lined up and were now shaking each other and after that, the two captains made their way to the referee so that they could go through the process of choosing the sides they would be starting in.
Roland, being Supreme United's captain, made his way to the referee as Frank Christensen, FC Barcelona's captain, was already there.
"In Barca's attack, we have Vasquez and Lelemar who have both combined with Ciro Lautaro for fifteen goals and nine assists in the champions league campaign so far," Jim said. "And then there's Zinin who hasn't made many appearances in the campaign so far but has a goal and an assist to his name so far."
"He's a great player who comes in at the last minute and changes the game, he has done it a lot of times for Barca this season," Steve said.
"In midfield, we have Frednado, Pierre, and Andrew," Jim said.
"Frednado and Pierre have been in great form recently but Andrew doesn't seem to have found the flow in his game for quite a while he has just been quiet," Steve said.
"Well let's just hope he finds his rhythm in this game," Jim said. "Finally in defense we have defensive rocks, Pedro and Fabro, as center-backs, Jeffery as right back, Scholes as left back, and Frank as the man between the sticks."
The players got in their positions as Roland and Foden made their way to the center where they were going to kick off the game.
"The game is all set and all we're waiting for is the referee's whistle," Jim said.
It didn't take long before the referee blew his whistle to signal the beginning of the game.
Roland passed the ball to Foden who quickly railed it back to Pelcao as many black jerseys closed up on their own half of the pitch.
"Barca are being aggressive here as they pressurize Supreme United in their own half," Jim said.
"I'm not seeing anything from here," Dave said as he stood up and walked to the rail that was built in front of the stand to prevent someone from accidentally falling off while watching a match.
Emma had sat on the seat for a while before deciding to join him there.
"So we're going to stand for ninety minutes plus," Emma said as she relaxed her body on the rail but she didn't get any reply from Dave.
Supreme United was still with the ball but it didn't take before they had lost it due to a mistimed pass from Simeon.
Foden got the ball away from him and laid it to Zinin who was trying to run past Supreme United's right back but that run wasn't successful as he drew back trapped the ball and made a quick pass to Lelemar.
"Barcelona with their tiki-taka," Jim said as he watched as Barcelona players passed the ball around Supreme United's part of the pitch and sent it back when the situation called for it.
Scholes made a run down the left side of the pitch with the ball and just before crossing onto Supreme United's part of the pitch made a long pass to Andrew who was playing right midfield.
Andrew trapped the ball and was hesitant with his movements before quickly making a quick run past Pelcao.
"I haven't seen Andrew run that fast for a long time now and it looks like he's about to create something here."
The midfielder raced down the empty left side and sent a low cross towards Lelemar.
The center-forward knew he was heavily marked and wasn't going to get the space to take the shot but that didn't mean he didn't have another option.
He raced towards the ball before Conan could get to it and with his back heel pushed it backward for Vasquez who was racing into the box at that time.
There was no one there to mark him as he sped towards the ball and took the shot but Steven had placed his foot in the right place as the ball deflected on it and flew directly towards Perez Zoe who didn't have any problem catching it.
"That was close!" Jim screamed.
"That was a really good save from Steven," Steve said.
"Supreme has the ball now and they are going to try and counter-attack against an offensive Barcelona defense.
That was exactly what Perez had in mind as he quickly threw the ball towards Diego who took care of Jeffery with a nutmeg and was now racing towards Barcelona's goal post.
He wasn't alone though as Barca's players were hot on his trail and the center-backs had already closed up on the goal post.
Diego didn't stop running as he ran to the left corner side and finding Roland among the Black jerseys he sent in a nice cross.
"Diego has set up the ball for an aerial challenge."
Roland jumped high to meet the ball ahead of two Barca players and with his head sent the ball towards the top right-hand corner of the goal post.
"Roland!!!." Jim screamed.
That was a really nice header but Frank was equal to it as he dived towards the ball and with the tip of his gloves tipped the ball over the bar.
"What a save!! From Captain spider man!" Jim exclaimed.
"Wow Jim, it's been only a few minutes and this match just keeps getting interesting," Steve said.
"Wow," Dave said.
"Brilliant header right?" Emma said.
"No, that save was phenomenal," Dave said.
"That was a super save from captain spider man but that means they have a corner to deal with now," Jim said.
"And don't get me wrong, Supreme United are wonderful with corner kicks, they have scored from forty percent of their corner kicks this season in BPL that's more than any other club and the best record in BPL history so far," Steve said.
"Yeah and that one goal against Barca in the 5:1 defeat was from a corner kick."
"I think Pelcao's going to be the one taking the corner kick," Steve said.
"Pelcao takes the kick," Jim said. "Pedro nods it away."
The ball came flying towards Roland who wasn't in a good position to kick it but that didn't mean he didn't have any tricks up his sleeves.
He sprang up and with a bicycle kick sent the ball flying to the bottom left corner of the post, Frank dived towards the ball but he couldn't get to it on time as it smashed on the bar and fell into the goal post.
"That is a wonderful bicycle kick from Roland Hills!!! Captain wonderful!!!"
Supreme United fans were in cheers as Roland ran to the side and did a sliding celebration.
His teammates ran to him and all fell on his body.
Ciro was observing everything from the bench and he had only one thing to say about that goal.
"Wow."
****
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Sorry, I can't keep the updates steady, I'm working on two other books that's the reason I can't update daily but I'll try my best to update at least five chapters in a week.
If you love the novel so far, I don't know if you would mind dropping a review of what you think.