Back at Valencia's training ground, the team used the buzz as motivation. Baraja held a brief meeting, reminding his players to focus on their strategy and not get swept up in the media frenzy.
Izan, ever composed, took it in stride, saying, "The stats are nice, but we're here to win as a team."
Fans from around the world eagerly awaited the showdown, knowing they were about to witness something special again.
...
Izan awoke to the faint hum of the city outside his window. Valencia's heartbeat seemed to echo through the walls of the hotel near the Mestalla.
Due to preparation reasons, Coach Baraja had made the players all converge at the stadium for the night.
It was match day, and the clash against Real Madrid at the Mestalla loomed like a storm on the horizon.
A quick glance at his phone confirmed the time—7:38 a.m. He had slept surprisingly well, but the anticipation coursing through his veins made staying in bed impossible.