April 2020 - Champions League Quarter-FinalBarcelona vs Bayern Munich
The knockout rounds brought a nightmare draw: Bayern Munich.
The German giants were in devastating form. Lewandowski, Müller, Gnabry. They'd destroyed Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
First leg at Camp Nou. Barcelona needed a result.
But Bayern were ruthless. They pressed high, dominated possession, created chances constantly.
Lewandowski scored twice. Gnabry added another. 3-0 at halftime.
Barcelona pulled one back through Messi in the sixty-third minute. Ethan scored in the seventy-eighth—a brilliant solo goal.
Final score: 3-2. All to play for in Munich.
Second leg at Allianz Arena. Barcelona needed to win.
But Bayern destroyed them.
4-0. Total humiliation.
Lewandowski hat-trick. Müller with a brace. Barcelona's defense torn apart.
7-2 aggregate. Worst Champions League defeat in club history.
In the changing room afterward, devastation. Some players crying. Others sitting in stunned silence.
Ethan stared at his boots. He'd scored in both legs. Given everything. But it wasn't enough.
Barcelona's Champions League curse continued.
August 2020 - La Liga Title Race
After the Champions League disaster, Barcelona refocused on La Liga.
Real Madrid were pushing hard—matching them point for point. The title race went down to the final day.
Matchday 38: Barcelona vs Osasuna Real Madrid vs Villarreal
Barcelona needed to win and hope Real Madrid dropped points.
At Camp Nou, Barcelona attacked relentlessly. But Osasuna defended deep, organized, disciplined.
0-0 at halftime. Tension unbearable.
In the sixty-third minute, Ethan broke the deadlock.
Receiving Messi's pass, he controlled with one touch and finished with the second. 1-0.
In the eighty-first minute, Griezmann made it 2-0.
Barcelona were winning. But Real Madrid were also winning—leading Villarreal 2-1.
Final whistles across Spain.
Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna. Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal.
Real Madrid - La Liga Champions 2019-20
Barcelona had finished second by just two points.
Heartbreak. Again.
End of Season Review
Ethan's first season at Barcelona:
Statistics:
52 appearances 38 goals 19 assists La Liga Runner-up Copa del Rey Semi-Finalist Champions League Quarter-Finalist
Impressive numbers. But no trophies. At Barcelona, that was failure.
The pressure mounted. The criticism intensified.
"Is he worth €160 million?" "Can he handle the pressure?" "Is Barcelona's golden age over?"
End of Chapter 28