Locking eyes with Hiro, Cillian could feel his determination. However, he couldn't comprehend his intention. He couldn't feel any animosity from him.
Simultaneously, he couldn't understand the reason behind him staring at him.
Even so, he didn't like getting stared at. He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable looking at those amber eyes.
Furrowing his brows, he clicked his tongue before averting his gaze from him, "Tch! Don't get too cocky. You haven't won the ga."
Cillian turned away from Hiro, his face contorted in annoyance. He couldn't stand the confident look on Hiro's face.
On the sideline, a silent battle was unfolding between the two teams' coaches.
'Just wait and watch. We'll shut you up for good this ti,' Diego stared at Flick, his eyes filled with excitent and confidence, and a smug smile adorned his lips.
'Don't get too carried away. We'll be the ones who'll have the last laugh,' Furrowing his brows, Flick was staring right back at Diego.
Sparks flew around as their gazes clashed against each other.
Soon, the celebration ended and the match resud.
The score was now tied, making the match even more interesting. One thing was clear after this goal-Atletico wouldn't back down without fighting.
As the match neared its climax, both teams were locked in a battle of attrition. Barcelona's beautiful football clashed against Atletico's grit and determination. Every pass, every movent, was t with either an inch-perfect tackle or a mont of brilliance.
The fans were starting to get anxious.
With every passing second, the frown on the faces of the coaches of both teams was getting deeper.
Desperate, both sides made use of their substitution.
Beep!
The ball went out of bounds.
Exhausted, Hiro stopped to catch his breath. While he paused to replenish his stamina, beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and dyed the ground beneath.
Huff! Huff!
Hiro couldn't stop gasping. Since he was responsible for controlling the rhythm of the ga, he had been running tirelessly around the field.
Today, he had covered more distance than anyone else on the field.
However, he still didn't want to leave the field. He wanted to remain on the field until the final mont. He wanted to witness the entire match.
He had seen Diego preparing substitutes. One of the substitutes was Federico. Hence, he couldn't help but worry about getting replaced.
While pausing, he cast a concerned gaze at the sidelines.
Hiro could spot the assistant referee raising the substitution board. The opposing side was
also preparing for substitution. However, Hiro couldn't be concerned about their substitution right now.
Fortunately for Hiro, Federico was replacing De Paul and not him.
Hiro felt glad about the decision. His eyes perked up with excitent. Hiro also felt relieved
that he wasn't getting substituted. Even though he had already given a lot, he believed that he was capable of doing even more.
He knew that he hadn't given his all.
If he were to get replaced without getting the opportunity to unleash his full potential, he would have regretted it greatly.
Upon confirming the substitution, Hiro glanced at the opposing side. The opposition also had made two new substitution.
Hiro swept his gaze to confirm the newest substitution of Barcelona.
Ansu Fati had replaced Raphinha, and Gavi had replaced Frankie de Jong. Both of them looked incredibly sharp and Hiro could tell from a glance that both of them could start for the team.
To be able to bring out such players out of bench, Hiro couldn't help but envy the squad depth of Barcelona. Their squad depth was quite comndable.
Those substitutions brought a newfound hope in the crowd. It seed as if the energy of the ho crowd had been replenished. They cheered even more harder after the substitution. Their cheers echoed throughout the stadium, generating an aura of intimidation.
The atmosphere of the stadium shifted after the substitution.
'For sure they're excited about Gavi.' Hiro could tell that the ho crowd was hyped for Gavi.
For so reason, Hiro couldn't help but pity Ansu. Once, he had been their crown jewel. But now, he had been reduced to nothing but a rotational player. Even the treatnt of the fans toward him was different now.
He was like a prince who had fallen in favor of the crown before he could even grab the crown. "The prince who never got to beco the King," Hiro murmured under his breath.
Hiro then shifted his attention from the opposing side. He checked his stat and he learnt that he still had so skills to spare.
Hiro could unleash one or more miracles if he pushed his limit.
Though he wouldn't want to injure himself, Hiro wouldn't back down if the need arose. Hiro wanted to win this ga and he would do anything to achieve what he wanted.
"I need to prove myself," Ansu resolved firmly.
Beep!
The match resud.
The changes imdiately had an impact.
In the 77th minute, Ansu Fati weaved through the Atletico defense, his quick feet srizing the defenders. With a sudden burst, he sent a low-driven cross into the box.
Cillian lunged for it.
The cross was dangerous. The away fans felt their heart sinking upon witnessing the cross.
Their faces contorted in panic.
The cross gave them a mini-heart attack.
Fortunately for them, Hiro was present there to block the cross. Hiro had seen it and had tid his run accurately to intercept the cross.
If it weren't for Hiro's keen senses and instant decision-making ability, the situation would have been threatening for Atletico.
With an outstretched leg, Hiro deflected the ball away at the last second, denying a sure goal.
The crowd heaved a sigh of relief. On the other hand, the ho crowd clicked their tongue in disappointnt. Their hatred toward Hiro grew even more.
"Him again!" one of the Barcelona supporters cried out in fury.
The others around him joined as well, expressing their frustration. The more Hiro interfered with their build-up, the more they found Hiro unbearable.
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