Rise of a Football God-Chapter 417: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal; Man City vs Barcelona [1]
Just like Atletico Madrid, Real Betis was blown out of the way by the unstoppable hurricane called FC Barcelona.
Their quadruple hopes were still alive.
In the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona was already in the final where Real Madrid awaited them. In the league, they had a comfortable 7-point lead over second-place Real Madrid now.
And now, they could finally focus on the biggest of their 4 targets for the season, the UEFA Champions League.
(UEFA Champions League:)
(Quarterfinal:)
(Leg 1 of 2:)
(Man City – Barcelona)
(Date: 9th April, 2026)
Last season, after years of dominance in the English Premier League, Pep Guardiola's Man City finally faltered, having their very first off season, the worst of the Catalan tactician's Man City career.
They called it worst because it was Manchester City though. Under Pep Guardiola, the sky blues already built too fearsome of a reputation in England.
In recent years, they were the benchmark of excellence in English football.
This was why their fall was scrutinized so much.
But that so-called fall was subjective. Afterall, despite the so-called fall, Manchester City still finished in the top 4 of the English premier leagues, meaning they were part of the best 4 English teams last season.
They may have gone trophyless, but still it was not a total disaster.
Despite this though, a lot of people, fans came for Man City's head. The scrutiny was borderline crazy, the criticism was depression-inducing, it was pure chaos and for a time, even the stalwart Pep Guardiola seemed to run out of ideas.
Man City legends like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva were called washed, fans seeking for their departure.
Erling Haaland was called a ghost in games that mattered.
Pep Guardiola was called to resign, that he already lost his magic touch.
Well, despite all that criticism, Manchester City held. They managed to stay stalwart. Despite the rest of the English premier league attacking and criticizing them, somehow, they managed to keep their head in the game.
They accepted the failure of the 2025/2025 season, and then they went to holidays to prepare for a comeback in the 2025/2026 season.
Well, the sky blues did it…, they were back.
Manchester City was comfortably leading the premier league race this season as the top club, they were still in the FA Cup, and most importantly, they were now in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League, about to clash with Barcelona.
This season, Haaland already returned to his goalscoring best.
Kevin De Bruyne somehow overcame his injury issues, staying fit and with it, the Belgian maestro returned to his very best.
De Bruyne said it himself at the beginning of the season, this was his final run in a Manchester City jersey.
It was the final charge of the assist king in Manchester.
Not just him, other veterans like Ikay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva decided to stay for 1 more season, though both now played in a reduced role.
And of course, with Rodri back, Manchester City was suddenly the all-conquering side that the whole of Europe once feared again.
Pep Guardiola was back being the tactical genius again, the football maniac.
This was why this quarterfinal clash was so pivotal and filled with so much hype. Afterall, this was a clash between 2 of the most inform teams in Europe.
Barcelona was taking the Spanish La Liga by storm this season while Manchester City was once again taking the English Premier League by storm.
In the goals' side, Haaland was Sam's only close contender this season.
And in the assist side, De Bruyne was the closest to Sam.
In the build-up to the game, three names dominated; Samuel Moses, Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne.
It was going to be a clash of epic proportions.
And then, the official lineup was released.
Hansi Flick didn't change anything, it was the same lineup that he used against Real Betis. As for Pep Guardiola, he also used his best lineup.
Lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, Ederson manned the posts for the Manchester club, while the defense comprised of Josko Gvardiol in left back, Ruben Dias and John Stones in center defense, and Manuel Akanji in right back.
In midfield was Rodri holding the fort, joined by Phil Foden, and both flanked by Kevin De Bruyne on the right and Ikay Gundogan on the left.
As for the 2-man attack, it was formed by Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland. This season, the duo already built a fearsome reputation for themselves.
They were called the twin Devils of Manchester.
When the Barcelona team bus showed up to the Etihad, they received a sufficiently hostile welcome.
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The atmosphere inside the Etihad was crazy, electric.
Since his career started, Sam had played in multiple big and iconic stadiums, exposed to crazy atmospheres and noise but today…, the atmosphere at the Etihad was something else.
This season, Manchester City fans were extra passionate.
An off-season was all it took for them to appreciate what their coach and players had been doing since. And now, their support for the club was even more staunch and stalwart.
Exposed to this atmosphere, Sam could not help it, he felt awe, and a bit of trepidation but he didn't let that feeling settled.
That feeling made him feel… challenged.
And trust Sam, challenges were his daily staple; he loved them.
He embraced the challenge, letting it become a fuel that ignited something inside of him. A fire.
Once the spark lit up, it soon turned into a blazing inferno.
Badump! Badump!
Sam could feel his heart beating fast.
The atmosphere was slightly cold but he could feel none of it as adrenaline surged through his bloodstream, keeping his brain awake and alert.
Even while he stood still, he felt like he was floating.
Sam recognized this feeling.
He grinned. 'Today is gonna be a great day'.
The players shook hands, separated into their different sides of the pitch, went into formation, and then…
FWEEEE!
The referee's whistle cut through the atmosphere, serving as the signal.
The game started.
