March 1st, 2029. The realization had set in: Barcelona's eight-year La Liga dominance was ending. Real Madrid were six points clear with eleven matches remaining. Mathematically possible to catch them, but realistically over.
The Spanish media was brutal:
Marca: "The Dynasty Dies - Madrid Reclaims Spain"
AS: "After 8 Years, Barcelona's Reign Ends"
Sport: "How Did Barcelona Let This Slip Away?"
But in Barcelona's locker room, the mood was surprisingly calm. Yes, losing La Liga hurt. But they still had two competitions alive: Champions League and Copa del Rey.
Flick addressed the team before training: "La Liga is probably gone. I won't lie to you. But we can still win two trophies. The Champions League and Copa del Rey are both within reach. That's not a failed season—that's a successful one. Let's focus on what we can control."
Ethan appreciated the honesty. No false hope. Just reality and a path forward.
March 5th - Champions League R16, Second Leg: Liverpool 1-2 Barcelona (1-5 aggregate)
The second leg at Anfield was a formality. Barcelona led 3-0 from the first leg. Liverpool needed four goals—nearly impossible against Barcelona's defense.
But Anfield created magic. The atmosphere was electric. 53,000 Liverpool fans believing the impossible was possible.
Forty-fifth minute: Liverpool scored. Mohamed Salah with a brilliant strike. 1-0 Liverpool on the night, 3-1 on aggregate.
The stadium erupted. Hope flickered. Three more goals and Liverpool would advance.
But Barcelona stayed calm. Professional. Experienced.
Sixty-seventh minute: Ethan killed the comeback.
A Barcelona counter-attack. Pedri to Gavi to Ethan. Simple finish. 1-1 on the night, 4-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool needed five goals now. Game over.
Eighty-ninth minute: Ferran Torres added a second. 2-1 on the night, 5-1 on aggregate.
Barcelona were through to the Champions League quarterfinals. For the seventh consecutive season. An unprecedented run.
March 15th - Copa del Rey Quarterfinal: Barcelona 3-1 Real Sociedad
The Copa del Rey quarterfinal was at Camp Nou. Real Sociedad defending well but ultimately outclassed.
Ethan scored twice. Barcelona advanced to the semifinals. Another trophy still possible.
Two competitions remaining. Both winnable.
March 22nd - Champions League QF, First Leg: Barcelona 2-1 Bayern Munich
Another Bayern Munich matchup. This rivalry had become legendary—they'd faced each other in five of the last seven Champions League campaigns.
The tactical battle was intense. Both teams defending excellently. Neither willing to make mistakes.
Fifty-sixth minute: Bayern scored. Harry Kane with a powerful header. 1-0 Bayern.
Sixty-seventh minute: Ethan equalized. A moment of individual brilliance. 1-1.
Eighty-ninth minute: Lewandowski scored the winner against his former club. 2-1 Barcelona.
A crucial home win. Barcelona had the advantage heading to Munich.
After the match, German journalists asked about Ethan's rivalry with Kane.
"Ethan, you and Harry Kane are the two best strikers of this generation. Who's better?"
"Harry is exceptional. He's had an incredible career. But I've been fortunate to win more trophies. That's not about being better—it's about being on better teams."
"You're being very diplomatic."
"I'm being honest. Individual comparisons are meaningless. Football is a team sport. Harry's had to carry teams his entire career. I've had the privilege of playing with world-class teammates. That makes a difference."
Humble answer. But also true. Kane was brilliant. He'd just been unlucky with his teams.
March 29th - The Announcement
Barcelona's board made an announcement that shocked Spanish football: Hansi Flick would be leaving at the end of the season. After four years. After three consecutive trebles. After making history.
He was taking a break from management. Burnout. Exhaustion. The pressure of Barcelona had consumed him.
The news hit the locker room hard. Flick had been the perfect manager—tactical, calm, respectful. He'd built a dynasty. And now he was walking away.
In a team meeting, Flick explained: "I need time with my family. I've spent four years giving everything to this club. And we've achieved incredible things. But I'm tired. Mentally, emotionally, physically. I need to step back."
The honesty was appreciated. But also scary. What came next? Who would replace him?
Barcelona's board announced they'd hire internally: Xavi Hernández, currently the club's technical director, would take over as manager starting in 2029-30.
A club legend. A Barcelona icon. Someone who understood the philosophy.
It made sense. But it was still change. And change was always uncertain.
April 5th - Champions League QF, Second Leg: Bayern Munich 2-2 Barcelona (3-4 aggregate)
The Allianz Arena. 75,000 hostile fans. Bayern needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
They came out attacking desperately. The intensity was suffocating.
Twenty-third minute: Bayern scored. Musiala with a brilliant strike. 1-0 Bayern on the night, 2-2 on aggregate.
Forty-fifth minute: Bayern scored again just before halftime. Müller with a header. 2-0 Bayern on the night, 3-2 on aggregate.
Barcelona were losing the tie. One more Bayern goal and they'd be eliminated.
Flick's halftime talk was direct: "We've been here before. Stay calm. The goal will come. Trust yourselves."
Sixty-seventh minute: It did.
A Barcelona corner. Chaos in the box. The ball fell to Ethan at the edge of the area.
He struck it first time with his left foot. The ball deflected off a Bayern defender and looped over Neuer.
2-1 on the night, 3-3 on aggregate.
Away goals didn't exist anymore. But Barcelona had momentum.
The match opened up. Both teams attacking. Both sensing the winner was possible.
Eighty-ninth minute: Ethan delivered when it mattered most.
Bayern had pushed everyone forward desperately. Left space in behind. Barcelona counter-attacked.
Gavi drove forward with the ball. Ethan on his left. Raphinha on his right.
Two Bayern defenders couldn't cover three Barcelona attackers. Gavi played it to Ethan.
Simple finish. 2-2 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate.
Barcelona were through to the Champions League semifinals. Again. For the eighth consecutive season.
April 12th - Copa del Rey Semifinal: Barcelona 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (aggregate)
The Copa del Rey semifinal was split over two legs. Barcelona won the first leg 2-0 at home. Won the second leg 2-1 away. Advanced to the final comfortably.
Barcelona would face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on May 18th.
Another Clásico. Another chance to salvage the season. Another opportunity for glory.
April 20th - La Liga: Barcelona 3-0 Osasuna
La Liga continued, though the title race was long over. Real Madrid had clinched with three matches remaining. Their first title in nine years. The dynasty had ended.
Barcelona's final three Liga matches were formalities:
3-0 vs Osasuna (Ethan scored once) 2-1 vs Celta Vigo (Ethan rested) 1-0 vs Sevilla (Ethan played 60 minutes)
Final La Liga Table (2028-29):
Real Madrid - 89 points Barcelona - 83 points
Six-point gap. Decisive. Madrid had been better.
In the final match of the season, as Barcelona players did a lap of honor at Camp Nou, the fans chanted their names. Not angry. Not disappointed. Just appreciative.
Eight consecutive titles was historic. Losing one didn't diminish that achievement.
Ethan walked around the pitch with Lucas on his shoulders—Sofia had brought him down from the stands. His two-year-old son waving at the crowd, oblivious to the significance.
"Dada, why people clapping?" Lucas asked.
"Because they're happy, mijo."
"Why?"
"Because we gave them eight years of happiness. Even if this year wasn't perfect."
Lucas didn't understand. But someday he would. Someday he'd understand that success wasn't about winning every single time. It was about competing with honor, playing with joy, and knowing when to be satisfied.
April 26th - Champions League SF, First Leg: Manchester City 1-1 Barcelona
The Champions League semifinal was against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola facing his former club. Again.
The Etihad Stadium was packed. 55,000 fans. The tactical battle was extraordinary—two possession-based teams trying to out-pass each other.
Forty-fifth minute: City scored just before halftime. Haaland with a powerful strike. 1-0 City.
Sixty-seventh minute: Ethan equalized. A brilliant solo goal. 1-1.
The match ended in a draw. Everything to play for in the second leg at Camp Nou.
May 3rd - Champions League SF, Second Leg: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester City (4-2 aggregate)
Camp Nou was absolutely rocking. This was for a place in the Champions League final. A chance at the tenth Champions League title.
Twenty-third minute: Ethan scored. A header from Kimmich's corner. 1-0 Barcelona, 2-1 aggregate.
City pushed everyone forward. Desperate. Aggressive. Dangerous.
Fifty-six minute: City equalized. Foden with a brilliant strike. 1-1, 2-2 aggregate.
The match was perfectly balanced. One goal either way would decide it.
Seventy-eighth minute: Ethan scored again. Another moment of genius. 2-1, 3-2 aggregate.
Eighty-ninth minute: Lewandowski sealed it. 3-1, 4-2 aggregate.
Barcelona were through to the Champions League final.
For the seventh consecutive season. An unprecedented run. A chance at their tenth Champions League title.
The celebration was euphoric. Players jumping on each other. Flick emotional on the sideline—this would be his last Champions League final as Barcelona manager.
But Ethan felt different. Not ecstatic. Just satisfied. They'd done their job. Reached another final. Now they needed to finish it.
In the post-match interview, he was honest:
"Ethan, seventh consecutive Champions League final. How does it feel?"
"It feels like we're where we belong. Barcelona should be in Champions League finals. That's the standard we've set."
"This could be your tenth Champions League title. Would that make you the most successful player in history?"
"Success is subjective. But yes, ten Champions Leagues would be special. No player has done that. It would be a fitting way to end Flick's tenure."
"The final is against Inter Milan on June 1st. Confident?"
"Always. But Inter are excellent. This will be a war. And we need to be ready."
End of Chapter 84