After the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted into a mixture of cheers and sighs. Manchester City had edged out Barcelona in a thrilling 3-2 victory, a game that had tested the resilience of both teams. Players from both sides dropped to the ground, exhausted, sweat dripping from their faces, while others exchanged handshakes and respectful nods.
Elian, standing near the touchline, let out a deep breath. His body felt like lead—he had given everything in those final moments. Despite his rough start, the solo goal he had scored in the second half was a statement. He had proven himself once again.
The cameras and reporters swarmed toward him as he walked towards the tunnel, but he was quickly ushered into the post-match interview room.
Elian Slade - Manchester City
A reporter from Sky Sports wasted no time:
Reporter: "Elian, this was an intense match. You had a rough first half but came back strong in the second. How do you feel about your performance today?"
