The team bus, emblazoned with the iconic Valencia crest, glided into the dimly lit parking lot of the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, its headlights slicing through the shadows of the late hour.
After a brief moment that felt like an eternity, the engine's roar fell silent, replaced by the rhythmic chirping of night insects.
Izan, who had been engrossed in text conversations with Olivia, finally stood up, stretching his limbs as if shaking off the fatigue that clung to the other players like a heavy blanket.
One by one, the players shuffled off the bus, their movements slow and deliberate. It was 1 am, and the weariness hung thick in the air, evident in their slumped shoulders and heavy eyes.
The match against Atlético had been a gruelling test, draining every ounce of energy from them, leaving only echoes of their earlier enthusiasm.
However, Izan, having taken a conditioning pill during the journey, appeared remarkably unscathed.
