Chapter 38: The season accelerates
After having his moment with his wife, enjoying the little pleasures of life in his simple belated birthday celebration, Sam returned to training refreshed and raring to go.
Mentally and physically, he felt in elite shape.
He never knew how much he needed the rest till Kayla dragged him.
One more thing was different about him though as he returned to training. This time, he had a pendant with him, a pendant that reminded him of home.
With it, Sam felt motivated to work the work and do even more.
He was hyped for the next games. Mentally, he was ready to face the challenges ahead as the season ramped up its intensity.
The season had begun at a relentless pace, but September’s second half left no room for complacency. The fixtures came thick and fast, and the tension that brewed in August was now boiling into early-season form battles.
La Liga – Matchday 6.
Oviedo vs Barcelona – Carlos Tiartiere Stadium.
The Estadio Municipal Carlos Tartiere is a multi-use stadium in Oviedo, Spain. With a capacity of 30,500 seats, it was the 17th-largest stadium in Spain and the largest in Asturias. It was home to Real Oviedo Football Club.
Having promoted to the Spanish La Liga after a fierce battle in the Spanish 2nd tier last season, they now faced their biggest test in the Catalan giants.
It was an away game for Barcelona though.
The Carlos Tartiere pulsed with anticipation. Against all odds, Oviedo had proved doubters wrong. They didn’t become the meme supply this season. Rather, they’ve started the season well, but Hansi Flick’s Barcelona were in no mood to yield momentum.
Once again, the ageing Robert Lewandowski started on the bench as Sam Moses started centrally as the striker, flanked by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, with Gavi pulling the strings behind him in central attacking midfield.
FWEEEE!
The game started and Barcelona’s dominance was instant. They controlled the game with intelligent pressing and surgical passing.
In the 14th minute, Raphinha found Yamal down the right, whose whipped cross was met by Sam. The Nigerian’s cushioned header dropped perfectly for Pedri to strike low into the net.
Oviedo briefly threatened, but Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé’s defensive work smothered their attacks.
Then came the moment of the match: Raphinha, picking the ball near halfway, danced past two men before unleashing a curling strike from 25 yards. It dipped past Rui Silva into the top corner.
By the second half, Barcelona had sealed the game with a third goal, Sam’s flicked pass sending Lewandowski through for a clinical finish.
[FULL-TIME: Oviedo 0-3 Barcelona]
Sam got two assists in this match, but Raphinha once again stole the man of the match award with an unforgettable goal, an assist, and his relentless wing play for 90 minutes.
Just like Sam, he played like a tireless monster.
...
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid – Anoeta Stadium.
Madrid’s trip to the Basque Country was less straightforward. Unlike the ruthless Blaugrana, Xabi Alonso’s men were sluggish early, and were punished for it as Real Sociedad got the opener in the 18th minute of the game.
But Real Madrid’s quality shone through.
Kylian Mbappé equalized before half-time, exploiting a Trent Alexander-Arnold overlap and smashing in a near-post finish.
The second half saw Madrid’s pressing improve, with Bellingham dictating the tempo. His diagonal ball to Vinícius set up the winner as the Brazilian’s quick feet beat his marker before cutting back for Federico Valverde to score.
[FULL-TIME: Real Sociedad 1-2 Real Madrid]
Jude Bellingham won the man of the match award. For 90 minutes, he was an epitome of control and vision that eventually turned the tide of the game.
...
Days later...
UEFA Champions League – Matchday 4.
The fourth round of the league phase was when the giants began separating themselves from the rest. Both Spanish heavyweights entered with perfect records, and both faced motivated opponents desperate to claw points back.
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund– Camp Nou.
This time, they faced a German giant in Borussia Dortmund. But unlike last week, this time, Barcelona had the home roar at their backs and that made the difference in a game of tight margins and moments.
Borussia Dortmund were compact and cautious early, forcing Barcelona into intricate, patient build-up.
The breakthrough came via a set piece as Sam rose above Antonio Silva to meet Raphinha’s floated free kick. His header thundered in from close range to give FC Barcelona the lead.
Borussia Dortmund equalized before halftime, Serhou Guirassy exploiting space behind Balde to slot past García.
The second half was a masterclass in composure.
Pedri and Gavi began pulling Borussia Dortmund apart with their positioning, while Sam dropped deep to dictate play.
The decisive moment came in the 76th minute as Sam’s chipped ball over the defense found Lamine Yamal, who received the ball with a deft touch and then volleyed across the face of goal for Lewandowski to tap in.
[FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 Borussia Dortmund]
And once again, Sam stole the headlines as he won the man of the match award with his 1 goal and 1 assist display. He was the heartbeat of Barcelona’s attack, both as a striker and a central attacking midfielder.
In recent weeks, his face was plastered across media alongside one word... versatility. Advertisement companies didn’t sleep on the gold mine called Sam.
You want a world class striker? Samuel Moses got you.
Want a midfield maestro? Samuel Moses got you.
Want that perfect home appliance? Samuel Moses got you.
Want that perfect Louis Vuitton watch? Samuel Moses got you.
...
The next day, Real Madrid lined up at the Santiago Bernabeu against Inter Milan, a regular victim of the Spanish capital club.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan – Santiago Bernabeu.
A motivated Inter Milan came to Spain.
The Santiago Bernabeu was a cauldron of noise. Inter Milan didn’t cower in the famous stadium. They pressed with intensity, forcing Madrid into uncomfortable positions.
And then...
POW!
Lautaro Martinez’s early strike stunned the visitors. The Argentine striker scored a banger at the Bernabeu. But Madrid’s response was all about speed.
In the 31st minute, Trent’s long pass caught Vinícius in stride; the winger cut inside and unleashed a shot that deflected in.
The second half saw Madrid’s front line click. Mbappé scored the go-ahead goal from a Bellingham through ball, and in stoppage time, substitute Endrick added the third with a confident finish, announcing himself to Europe.
[FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Inter Milan]
Inter Milan threatened, but Real Madrid prevailed again just like their archenemies as Vinicius Jnr. claimed the man of the match award. He was electric from start to finish, capping a solid performance with a goal, the equalizer.
The table tightened at the top.
With four league phase games played, Barcelona and Real Madrid both stood on maximum points in the Champions League, already eyeing early qualification for the knockouts.
La Liga’s table was equally fierce. Barcelona topped the league table on goal difference, but Madrid were breathing down their necks.
Pundits debated endlessly; was Hansi Flick’s high-press system sustainable deep into the season? Could Xabi Alonso’s pragmatic flexibility outlast it over nine months?
The European press picked their standout stars of the fortnight: Sam Moses for his orchestration against Borussia Dortmund, Vinícius for his torment of Inter Milan’s defense, and Raphinha for reigniting his La Liga form.
But there was no pause.
Fixture congestion loomed, and both clubs knew the next month would test not only their skill, but their depth, mentality, and endurance.