The Man Everyone's Watching (7)
When the La Liga 2 schedule was first announced, his teammates showed a hint of worry. Their first three opponents after opening day were FC Barcelona Atletic and Elche CF, who had finished 4th and 9th last season, followed by freshly relegated RCD Espanyol.
Of course, that anxiety didn't last long. The big preseason win over Rayo Vallecano helped a lot. And after crushing FC Barcelona Atletic and Elche CF in turn, the concern vanished completely.
Still, they weren't totally relaxed. Everyone knew this away game against RCD Espanyol wouldn't be easy. Sure, they'd been directly relegated from La Liga in 20th place last season, but a club of Espanyol's size was bound to be a powerhouse in La Liga 2.
History proved it. Since returning to La Liga in the 2006-07 season, they'd been relegated just twice—and bounced right back up after a single season both times.
Tiago rattled off that history, predicting Espanyol would finish top two this season and promote again. Honestly... it didn't faze Theo at all.
Strong teams meant tough matches, sure, but they usually pushed their line high for attacks or tightened their defensive spacing. In other words, plenty of scoring chances for him.
Last round, Espanyol had played aggressively and won 3-0. But today's Espanyol was a total shock—nothing like expected.
They set up a sticky double line of defense, locking down the box tight. Then they'd drop their line to drag Alcorcón forward, leaving space behind for quick counters. Classic "defend first, counter second."
The polar opposite of their bold, high-pressing, shot-happy style from round two.
Teams rarely adapt smoothly to such a total tactical flip. But Espanyol had run this system last season, and their coach's flexibility made it click....
Thud!
In the 17th minute, after a scoreless stretch, they struck first.
Roooar!
Their fans erupted. Theo bit his lip.
"...Tough one."
First goal conceded this season.
"It's just one! We can catch 'em! Get aggressive! Don't lose heart!"
Captain Rubén Soriano clapped, rallying the team like a true leader. The players seemed to agree it was catchable, still fired up.
"Joni. Cross into the box with confidence. That's the key now."
"Got it."
Their double line was so compact that even Theo's press-beating dribbles couldn't pierce four or five defenders swarming at once. Not gracefully, anyway.
Espanyol's defenders had solid focus and reactions—not slow or sloppy.
Alcorcón barely built attacks worth mentioning. They dominated passes, but key balls into the box? Few and far between.
And when Theo got the ball, Espanyol's pressure doubled.
He could've passed to teammates infiltrating the gaps it created. But their tight spacing left no options.
So he dropped off the box, waiting for chances. Inefficient.
With the box packed, link-up play didn't help—nobody to finish those narrow gaps.
The ball circulated fine without him dropping deep, so better to stay inside and force effective shots.
Instead, he directed play wide for crosses he'd head in.
Whack!
No issue feeding the flanks. The real problem...
Thwump!
Nico Salaberria and Joni Montoya's crosses were garbage today.
"...This is trouble."
And another issue: when those failed crosses turned possession over...
Tap!
Espanyol's forwards pounced, exploiting the space behind.
Targeting the not-so-quick trio holding the middle: center-backs Rubén Soriano and Asier Vadia, plus defensive mid Pierre Mvubu. Smart play.
Roooar!
The stadium shook again. Their speedy attacker shredded the backline for a one-on-one with the keeper.
Mario Sanchez fought hard, but...
Thud!
26th minute, net rippled again.
Down two, teammates' faces darkened.
No quality passers threading the box or creating in tight spaces. Slow center-backs and holding mid. Espanyol hammered those weaknesses while man-marking Theo to kill his shots.
Had to respect it.
"Hmph."
Conceding twice on similar breaks spooked the team about counters.
Jordi Calavera's tactics needed the backline pushing up for passes. Fear froze that.
"Just need one shooting chance..."
Muttering with hands on hips during stoppage, an idea hit.
Yeah, that'll work.
Tweet!
Ref whistled play on. Espanyol dropped deep again; Alcorcón pushed up for a goal.
Unlike 0-1, teammates fixated on counters—as predicted.
Couldn't fix that. Only way: flip the momentum.
"Pass to me."
He dropped deep. No point in the box if no chances came.
Goal: create a shot.
Using their counter caution, he scanned forward casually, then...
Tap!
Exploded forward.
They panicked briefly, then swarmed.
Too many to break fully. Passes blocked, so he turned.
But...
Tap!
He bulled through anyway, skill and power cracking their wall.
Then...
Snag!
A foot clipped his ankle half a beat late. He tumbled into the blocking defender.
Tweet!
Freekick near the penalty arc.
"You good, Theo?"
"Yeah, fine."
Grabbed Miguel Amaro's hand, stood, brushed off, and walked to the spot.
This was the plan. Unblockable shot.
Trust the right foot's magic.
Breathing steady, Nico Salaberria sidled up. Last season's set-piece taker, probably wanted it.
"Theo, fake for you?"
...Nope. No kicking intent. Off day, clearly.
"Nah, I'm good."
"Cool. I'll just stand."
Hand-shielded chat done, Nico stared at goal like he'd shoot.
Theo backed up three steps, deep breath.
"Hoo."
Exhaled, body lightened.
"...No need for power."
Precision mattered. Nail the "Yashin Zone"—keeper-proof.
Rare chance from here. Seize it.
That's pro striker level.
Tweet!
Dashed in, instep-smacked it clean.
Thwang!
Curving over the jumping wall to near post top. Instinct screamed goal.
And sure enough...
Thud!
"...!"
His perfect freekick whipped their stubborn net.