Rise of a Football God

Chapter 336 The most in-form player in Europe! [2]

(UEFA Champions League:)

(Barcelona vs Dortmund)

(Date: 23rd October, 2025)

After the game against Sevilla at the Spotify Camp Nou where Sam announced himself to the world as a prolific false 9, a few days later, another game was to be played at the Spotify Camp Nou.

In the build up to the game, reporters did interviews with fans.

"What do you think about this game?"

"It's just another platform for Zinedine Sam to show his genius".

"Are you not an FC Barcelona fan? Why do you agree to call your player Zinedine Sam?"

The fan smiled. "It's a name that he's been called long ago, long before he even started playing in the English premier league".

"Besides, Sam's playstyle truly is elegant like Zidane's".

"Yes, I hate Real Madrid but not Zinedine Zidane. Afterall, he's one of the G.O.A.Ts, I also think Sam won't mind being called the Zidane in the Camp Nou!"

It was another UEFA champions league game, Sam's 2nd official UEFA champions league game.

After scoring a hattrick against Sevilla at the weekend, Sam was in the form of his life and he wanted nothing more than to carry this form to the UEFA champions league game against Dortmund.

In the build-up to the game, alongside his training buddies, he trained like mad, pushing himself to the ultimate level.

And finally, it was time to show it on the pitch.

The atmosphere at the Spotify Camp Nou today was even more electric than in the Sevilla game, rising to a crescendo as the UEFA champions league anthem started being played.

Both teams started with their strongest lineups.

For the home side, Hansi Flick started with his favored 4-2-3-1 formation with Sam once again leading the line as a false 9 striker.

To his left and right were Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, while behind him in attacking midfield today was Gavi who finally reclaimed his spot in the team.

Behind Gavi in midfield were the duo of Pedri and Frankie De Jong.

Further behind them, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde started in defense for the Blaugrana even as Marc Andre Ter Stegen remained the last man in defense. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

It was a formidable lineup, but Dortmund's lineup was also formidable.

For the German side, starting in a similar 4-2-3 1 formation as the Blaugrana, Sergio Guirassy started as the striker while to his left and right were Gittens and Karim Adeyemi respectively.

Starting in attacking midfield was Brandt, while further behind him in center midfield were GroB and Marcel Sabitzer.

In defense, the German team started with a quadruple of Svensson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, and Sule, with their goal protected by Kobel.

FWEEE!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, an unforgettable UEFA champions league game at the Spotify Camp Nou started.

Barca started strong, taking the battle to their opponents even as the German side refused to cower, meeting them pound for pound on the battlefront.

Dortmund's defense was airtight, shutting off the fearsome Barca attack and giving their own offensive units the time on the ball to launch counterattacks.

FC Barcelona was still the dominating side for the first few minutes despite the Dortmund resistance but in the 40th minute of this game, against the run of play, the ball rolled in behind Ter Stegen's net.

It came from a corner.

Ronald Araujo rose highest, heading the ball away but it was a weak clearance as landing inside the box again, a scramble quickly started.

The FC Barcelona players desperately defended their goal but before they knew it, Schlotterbeck, the Dortmund defender somehow got to the ball, poking it between players, and Ter Stegen to roll inside the net.

"GOALLLLL…!" The away stands erupted as the traveling supporters roared in joy, jubilating with their team.

That goal seemed to set coals of fire beneath the asses of the FC Barcelona players as their offensive play became direct and much more urgent.

Sam and Raphinha led the fightback but for the second time, against the run of play, Dortmund scored again!

This time, it was Brandt, their attacking midfielder.

Lashing into the ball just outside the 18-yard box in the 44th minute, the attacking midfielder unleashed a piledriver shot that beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen.

"…!"

The Spotify Camp Nou became as silent as a church even as the Dortmund players and their fans celebrated.

Right before the eyes of their fans, FC Barcelona was being unraveled.

The first half came to an end with the Blaugrana losing 0-2.

During halftime, Hansi Flick raged at his players, criticizing multiple aspects of their game and in the end, he told them just one thing.

"Let's go out there and seize what is ours, the victory!"

"I want nothing less than victory!"

When the FC Barcelona players entered the pitch again in the 2nd half, it was clear that something was different. The look in their eyes was that of men who were ready to kill.

FWEEE!

The war started!

Offense after offense, run after run, play after play, FC Barcelona pressured Dortmund and 13 minutes after the restart, they got fruit for their labor.

Having dropped back when his team was out of possession, Sam managed to win the ball back just outside the Dortmund 18-yard box and then quickly spotting Raphinha's run, he raised the ball over the defense.

Raphinha didn't think…

POW!

With his left foot, he volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner!

Kobel stood no chance, only watching the ball flash past him like a rocket, driving into the net.

"GOALLLLL…!!!" Raphinha pumped a fist aggressively, not celebrating too much as he rushed into the net, picking the ball to resume play.

57 minutes, 1-2…

FWEEEE!

FC Barcelona continued their offense, and now, the Dortmund coach made changes, changing his team into a more defensive shape.

Attack after attack, but Dortmund held…

It was almost like a siege battle but the opponent was the Ancient Wall of China, stalwart, unyielding in the face of the besiege.

60 minutes passed…

70 minutes passed…

80 minutes passed…

85 minutes passed…

But then in the 86th minute, FC Barcelona won a penalty after Lamine Yamal was tripped in the box.

"YEAHHHH…!" The FC Barcelona fans roared loudly like they already won.

With Lewandowski injured, Raphinha was supposed to be the next in line penalty taker but for some reason, the Brazilian surrendered the duty to Sam.

Sam was not polite, confidently taking the ball and placing it down.

FWEEEE!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, he took a confident run, then…

Bam!

With audacious swagger, in this tense moment, Sam played a Panenka penalty, sending the ball down the middle of the net and sending the goalkeeper to no man's land.

Sam jogged to the side of the post, doing the Jude Bellingham celebration as he spread his arms, inviting the chants.

"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"

"What a game!" The commentators raved.

"What audacity from Sam! The confidence to even try a Panenka at the 86th minute of this game, this boy's got balls of steel!"

FWEEE!

The game continued, resuming a familiar sequence; Barca attacked, Dortmund defended with 10 men behind the ball!

Shot after shot was blocked…

Shot after shot was saved…

Dortmund was barely clinging on, and it seemed to be working, almost enough until in the 90th minute, Gavi was tripped just outside the 18-yard box.

FWEEEE!

The referee gave the Dortmund player a 2nd yellow card, upgrading it to a red even as he awarded a freekick to FC Barcelona.

The Dortmund player showed no signs of remorse as he walked out of the pitch. Afterall, he saved his team from a likely goal that would have made them lose the game.

As soon as the freekick was awarded, Sam took the ball, spreading his arms even as his eyes narrowed in focus as he looked at the goalpost.

The position of the ball was not too optimal.

Sam was hesitant. In the end, despite being confident in his freekick taking skills, he decided not to leave it to chance.

~----~

[You have accessed ability card: Bend it like Beckham!]

[Card Effects:]

>This card can only be used during a set-piece. Once used, for 10 minutes, for every freekick that your team gets, you gain the ability and technique of a prime David Beckham, giving you a +80% scoring buff when taking a free-kick<

…

[You have made use of ability card: Bend it like Beckham!]

~----~

A perfection mastery freekick technique plus the Bend it like Beckham card was a recipe for a masterpiece!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded again, Sam calmly jogged towards the ball and then, raising his right leg up for a swing, he hit the ball.

Bam!

The ball rose, curling, over the wall of players, towards the goal…

The goalkeeper reacted, taking a step and another before diving but the curvature of the ball was just too acute, taking it away from his grasp.

Whoosh!

The ball went past him, into the net as it rippled.

And then, the Spotify Camp Nou went haywire.

BOOM!

"ZINEDINE SAM…!!!"

"ZINEDINE SAM…!!!"

"ZINEDINE SAM…!!!"

"They called to God, they prayed for a miracle, Sam answered!"

"It is finished!"

"Sensational! Crazy! Clutch!"