Time on the Run 2

A Rivalry That Won't Die

The tension between Daniel and Romero wasn't just about football anymore—it was personal. After their last match, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling that Romero wasn't just another opponent. He was something more. A test. A threat.

Training at CF Igualada the next day was brutal. Coach Morales wasn't satisfied with their recent performances, despite the wins.

"You think we'll stay at the top by playing like that?" he shouted. "No! Teams are catching up. If you don't start pushing harder, you'll be watching the league leaders from the sidelines."

Daniel exchanged a glance with Miguel. The message was clear—work harder, or be left behind.

A Strange Encounter

After training, Daniel decided to clear his mind by taking a walk through Igualada. The streets were lively as always, with people enjoying the cool evening breeze.

But something felt… off.

As he passed a quiet alley, he caught a glimpse of a hooded figure watching him. The moment Daniel turned to get a better look, the figure slipped away.

His heart pounded. He hadn't felt watched since he defeated the people hunting him and didn't hear anything form the leader. Hadn't they been dealt with? Was this something new?

For now, he let it go. He had more important things to focus on—like winning the league.

The Next Match – A Humbling Defeat

CF Igualada's next fixture was against U.E. Cornellà, one of the strongest teams in the league.

From the very start, the game was brutal. Cornellà played with precision and intensity, pressing hard and cutting off Igualada's attack. Daniel struggled to find space, constantly hounded by defenders.

Then came the moment that changed the game.

In the 60th minute, with the score at 1-0 for Cornellà, Daniel finally saw an opening. Miguel sent a perfect through ball, and Daniel sprinted past the last defender. Just as he reached the box, he fired a shot—

Blocked.

The ball rebounded, and Cornellà counterattacked ruthlessly. Ten seconds later, the ball was in CF Igualada's net. 2-0.

By the final whistle, it was 3-0. A crushing defeat.

Aftermath

The locker room was silent. No one spoke.

Coach Morales walked in, his expression unreadable. Then, he sighed.

"Learn from this," he said simply before walking out.

Daniel sat there, replaying the match in his head. This wasn't over. They had to bounce back.

And they would.