The fourth official glanced at Baraja, who gave a curt nod. The substitution proceeded as planned, but the energy in the stadium had shifted.
Izan jogged onto the pitch, greeted by applause from the fans desperate for a miracle, but the weight on his young shoulders had just doubled.
The scoreboard now read Valencia 0 - 2 Mallorca, and with less than 30 minutes to play, the task ahead seemed monumental.
Izan looked to the heavens as he took his position, exhaling deeply, before clapping his hands to rally his teammates.
If there was a way back, it would take every ounce of his talent and resolve.
...
"It's the 74th minute now and Valencia are witnessing a change of personnel with Izan coming on for Fran Pérez who, today on the pitch, looked like he had never played a game of football before.
