The team traveled to Barcelona to play against the Spanish giants. The match would be played on 19 September, and Isaac waited patiently to see if he made the team. A day before the game, however, he found out he was on the bench once again. Isaac could do nothing but hope he got some minutes in the game.
The day arrived, and the team traveled to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which was the venue of the game that day. Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was a stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Isaac was once again thrilled when he witnessed the atmosphere at the stadium.
The stands were bleeding red, red with the colors of Barcelona. The fans made themselves known, and their voices filled the stadium. As Isaac warmed up, he admired the fervor and determination of the fans. Could you imagine playing with them behind you?
It would be amazing.
But the Antwerp fans were there too. They worked hard to make themselves known amongst the Catalan crowds, and Isaac appreciated the effort. So much so, that he raised his hands and clapped for his team fans as he entered the tunnel for the pre-match tactical briefing. Soon, they were in the locker room, and the coach began speaking to the players.
Antwerp intended to press Barcelona and outnumber them in their half. This would stop them from progressing into Antwerp's half, and being a threat. That meant they would press high to stop the buildup early.
Isaac listened carefully and believed with all his heart that he would come on and make a difference. He just had to wait.
They soon left the locker room, and Isaac found a seat at the reserve bench. He chewed on some gum to relieve his tension and watched as the teams lined up. The anthems began, and Isaac inwardly copied the Champions league anthem, since he knew it by heart. It was crazy, now he was in the stadium as it was sung.
"Ce sont les meilleures équipes, Es sind die allerbesten..." The anthem soon finished, and very soon the match began. Isaac watched the game proceedings, and he watched in horror as a massacre took place before his eyes.
First, on the 11th, Barcelona's new loanee, Joao Felix scored. The crowd grew frenzied, and their shouts filled the entire stadium, and it was deafening. Isaac clenched his fists and simply preyed that Antwerp equalized. However, the Polish captain and the former Bayern Munich captain Robert Lewandoski added another. Isaac stood up in frustration but seated himself down since he couldn't do anything.
It didn't end there.
About 3 minutes later, an own goal found its way to the back of Antwerp's net. Isaac covered his face with his hands and lay back in his seat. The confidence was lost, and the momentum was on Barcelona's side. The game wasn't over, but it would be difficult for Antwerp to make a comeback against one of the biggest teams in the world.
There were luckily, no more goals until half-time. The team returned to the locker room where the coach grilled the team. Isaac sat in silence together with the whole team as they endured the coach's fury. He pointed out their mistakes and advised them on the tactical changes going into the second half.
The second half started, and things seemed to be going well until Gavi, the Barcelona golden ball winner added another in the 54th minute. Isaac could only sigh painfully. He was sitting down sadly until he was told to warm up.
'Warmup? It's a chance to impress...' He thought to himself. As he was warming up, 12 minutes later a goal was netted.
5-0.
Isaac sighed pitifully, he had a lot to do.
The coach gave him instructions, and he stood and listened. Just before play was restarted, Isaac was ready to go in.
"Come on, you can make a difference. Win the next 20 minutes for me, alright?"
Isaac nodded.
Isaac jogged into the field, he wore a long-sleeved shirt, which was slightly pulled up so it was halfway down his forearm. He wore leggings, and his socks were pulled up high. His Maxed togs crushed the grass, as he jogged over to his position.
'Left winger, huh?' Isaac noted his position. Antwerp began passing around as they searched for an opportunity, but Barcelona was not afraid to press. Soon they won the ball, and Antwerp was forced to sit back and weather the attacks.
After a missed opportunity, the free ball deflected into the open space. Isaac sprinted to the ball and realized a Barcelona player was running alongside him, chasing the free ball. Isaac reached first since he had his Henry gold card.
Isaac had discovered something about the cards, the color of the cards determined what percentage of the player's ability he could gain.
Bronze was 60%, silver was 70%, gold was 80% and platinum was 90%. Isaac had 90% of Henry's speed, he was freakishly fast. He reached the ball and immediately began sprinting to Barcelona's goalpost. Isaac ran and came face to face with oriel Romeo. He was Barcelona's defensive midfielder replacement for Sergio Busquets. He was a great player, but Isaac would have stressed out if it was Sergio Busquets.
Isaac pushed the ball to the right and inclined his body to the right, he then switched to the left, before once again going right. He disoriented the midfielder, giving him enough time to sprint past. Isaac looked left, and right, as he searched for a free player. There was nobody.
He'd have to do it alone.
Standing in his way was Ronald Araujo, the terrifying Uruguayan defender. Isaac didn't care, he needed to score.
Isaac slowed down, and the defender outstretched his leg to get the ball. Isaac flicked the ball from one foot to another. When the ball reached his right leg, he kicked it past the defender and pushed him away to keep running at the ball. With 70% of Yaya Toure's strength, he could outmuscled the powerful defender.
He found himself in space with only one target remaining. Andreas Christenson.
Isaa used the inside of his right leg to stop the ball. Christenson slowed down, and Isaac made use of that. He used his left foot to smash the ball past the defender before speeding past him.
Now, all that remained between him and the goalpost, was Andre Ter Stegen.