The pre-match press conference convened at the Reale Arena.
Zinedine Zidane sat beside his captain, Sergio Ramos.
Facing the barrage of questions from the Spanish press, Zidane exuded an aura of calm, unshakeable confidence.
"Real Madrid performed quite well in the preseason friendlies," Zidane stated smoothly, adjusting his microphone.
"Theodore Bjorn has essentially adapted to our tactical system and our playing style. I believe the team will perform at a very high level this season."
Zidane paused, his expression turning serious.
"Of course, Real Sociedad are a formidable opponent. I have reason to believe that tonight, they will create dangerous situations for our defense. The Anoeta is never an easy place to visit. But at the same time, I have absolute confidence that we possess the quality to defeat them."
Ramos echoed his manager's determination.
"We came to San Sebastián for only one reason: to take all three points back to Madrid," the captain declared, his dark eyes scanning the room.
"Every player in that dressing room is ready for a war."
A journalist from El Chiringuito seized the moment. "Sergio, a question about your new teammate. You have played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and you have faced Lionel Messi. In your opinion, where does Theodore Bjorn rank?"
Ramos didn't hesitate.
"I have played with Cristiano, and I have battled Messi. From my personal point of view, Theodore's individual ability is even more terrifying than theirs. I know that sounds like a massive statement, but just watch him! This season, Theodore will create an era that belongs entirely to him."
...
Match day. 8:00 PM. The Reale Arena (Anoeta Stadium).
The stadium was packed to the rafters.
Over 30,000 passionate Basque fans had filled the arena, creating a hostile, deafening atmosphere.
Under the lead of the referee, the starting XIs walked out of the tunnel.
In the Sky Sports studio, Martin Tyler and Gary Neville prepared for the broadcast.
"Welcome, football fans, to the opening weekend of the 2020–2021 La Liga season!" Tyler announced.
"Real Madrid travel north to face a dangerous Real Sociedad side."
"But the headline tonight, Martin," Neville added, "is the official competitive debut of the €320 million man. Theodore Bjorn makes his La Liga bow."
"Let's look at the lineups," Tyler continued. "For the hosts, Imanol Alguacil deploys a 4-4-2."
"Álex Remiro is in goal."
"A back four of Andoni Gorosabel, Aritz Elustondo, Robin Le Normand, and Aihen Muñoz."
"In midfield: Portu, Ander Guevara, Mikel Merino, and Ander Barrenetxea."
"The strike partnership is Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Isak."
"Notably, David Silva and Adnan Januzaj are on the bench. Real Sociedad have serious firepower in reserve."
"As for Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has opted for a 4-2-3-1."
"Thibaut Courtois in goal."
"Dani Carvajal, Raphaël Varane, Sergio Ramos, and Ferland Mendy across the back."
"Luka Modrić and Theodore Bjorn operate in the double pivot!"
"An attacking trio of Rodrygo, Martin Ødegaard, and Vinícius Jr."
"Karim Benzema leads the line."
"So, Gary, Zidane has given the Norwegian twins, Ødegaard and Theodore, the chance to start together in midfield," Tyler noted.
"It's a bold, attacking lineup," Neville observed. "Bjorn operating slightly deeper alongside Modrić will be fascinating to watch. He'll be expected to dictate the tempo."
Peep!
The referee blew his whistle. La Liga had officially begun!
Real Sociedad kicked off.
Alexander Isak tapped the ball back to Mikel Merino.
Merino didn't force the issue. He dictated a series of cautious backward passes until the ball reached goalkeeper Remiro.
As Karim Benzema triggered the high press, Remiro launched a booming long ball deep into the Real Madrid half.
Isak, boasting exceptional height and strength, backed into Sergio Ramos near the edge of the penalty area.
The Swedish striker used his body perfectly, winning the initial aerial duel.
"Headed flick-on from Isak!" Tyler called. "It falls perfectly for Oyarzabal!"
"He takes it first time!"
Mikel Oyarzabal lashed a vicious left-footed volley.
The ball whistled past Courtois's outstretched glove but agonizingly shaved the outside of the post and went into the side netting.
"Oh, inches wide!" Tyler gasped. "Less than two minutes in, and La Liga's reigning champions have survived a massive scare!"
On the touchline, Zidane erupted from his seat.
He stormed to the edge of the technical area, clapping his hands furiously.
"Wake up! Focus!" Zidane barked, his voice carrying over the crowd noise. "Do not give them the space to shoot! Switch on!"
Zidane was livid with the sluggish defensive start.
Slowly, Real Madrid settled into possession.
A few minutes later, Luka Modrić collected the ball in central midfield.
Ahead of him, Benzema made a sharp darting run, trying to split the center-backs.
However, Modrić ignored the striker. Instead, he rolled a simple, five-yard pass sideways to Theodore.
Modrić recognized that Theodore's passing range was currently the most lethal weapon on the pitch.
When Theodore arrived in Madrid, Modrić had graciously offered him the iconic Number 10 shirt, reverting to Number 19 himself.
It was a massive show of respect, and Theodore was about to repay it.
Theodore received the pass in the center circle.
He didn't take a touch to control it. He simply opened his hips and, with his first touch, launched a devastating, sweeping long pass.
But he didn't aim for Benzema or Vinícius.
He aimed for the pocket of space in the attacking midfield zone.
He had spotted Martin Ødegaard.
Their telepathic connection, forged in the Norwegian national team, was functioning flawlessly.
Ødegaard received the laser-guided pass on the left side of the penalty arc.
Real Sociedad midfielder Ander Guevara rushed out aggressively, lunging in to execute a tackle before Ødegaard could settle.
Guevara had severely underestimated the Norwegian's technical brilliance.
Just as Guevara extended his leg, Ødegaard dropped his shoulder and chopped the ball violently inside onto his favored left foot.
Guevara went sliding past, tackling thin air.
Ødegaard didn't hesitate.
Bang!
He unleashed a ferocious, rising drive.
The ball acted like a cannonball, ripping through the defensive line and arrowing straight toward the top corner.
Álex Remiro launched himself, fully extending his body, but it was futile.
The strike was too pure!
"IT'S IN!" Tyler roared. "REAL MADRID DRAW FIRST BLOOD! 1-0!"
"And the scorer is Martin Ødegaard! What a finish!"
"But look at the assist, Martin!" Neville added, his voice full of excitement. "Theodore Bjorn, with his very first touch of the ball in La Liga, splits the defense wide open! That is world-class vision!"
On Twitter, the reaction was instantaneous.
@Madridista_X: "THE NORWEGIAN CONNECTION! What a pass from Theo! What a finish from Martin!"
@LaLigaScout: "One touch. One assist. €320 million is a bargain."
@Barca_Hub: "Okay, that pass was actually illegal. How did he see that?"
On the pitch, Ødegaard didn't run to the corner flag. He sprinted straight back to the center circle and leapt into Theodore's arms.
"I knew you'd find me!" Ødegaard yelled over the crowd, a massive grin on his face. "Thank you!"
Ødegaard's relief was palpable.
Despite starting, the transfer window was still open for another week.
If he had a poor showing, Florentino might still loan him out.
Scoring the opening goal of the season essentially cemented his place in the squad.
"Don't worry about it," Theodore grinned, patting his friend's back. "That won't be your last one tonight. Just keep making the runs."
Real Sociedad, stunned by the early goal, began to push forward with anxious intensity.
Five minutes later, they mounted a dangerous attack down the left flank.
Ander Barrenetxea isolated Dani Carvajal.
Utilizing a flurry of rapid stepovers, the winger suddenly kicked the ball past the veteran defender and accelerated wildly.
Barrenetxea blew past Carvajal and whipped a dangerous, curling cross into the mixer.
The delivery was perfect, dropping right onto the head of Alexander Isak.
The towering Swedish striker prepared to power it home.
But Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane operated as a single, terrifying unit.
Both center-backs launched themselves into the air, sandwiching Isak perfectly.
The immense physical pressure completely threw Isak off balance. His header lacked any power, floating harmlessly into the waiting gloves of Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois didn't hold the ball to kill the tempo.
He sprinted to the edge of his box and launched a massive, booming drop-kick deep into the Real Sociedad half.
"Madrid counter quickly!" Tyler shouted.
Karim Benzema brought the ball down beautifully near the right touchline.
Full-back Andoni Gorosabel rushed out to engage him.
Benzema, oozing class, executed a series of mesmerizing stepovers, dropping his shoulder and easily skipping past the defender.
Benzema drove toward the edge of the D.
Center-back Aritz Elustondo, realizing the danger, abandoned his position and sprinted across.
Knowing he couldn't win the ball cleanly, Elustondo grabbed a fistful of Benzema's shirt and cynically dragged the Frenchman to the turf.
Peep! T
he referee blew his whistle instantly and sprinted over, brandishing a yellow card in Elustondo's face.
"A cynical foul, but a necessary one," Neville observed. "Benzema was in. But he's given away a free kick in a tremendously dangerous area."
"And we all know who is going to take this," Tyler added ominously.
Theodore jogged up to the spot where the foul occurred. Luka Modrić was already standing over the ball.
"Luka, do you want this one?" Theodore asked respectfully.
Zidane hadn't designated a primary free-kick taker before the match.
Modrić smiled and shook his head, backing away. "No, no. It's all yours, Theo. I've seen you in training. Put it in the top corner."
Modrić knew his limits.
He gladly handed the responsibility to the teenager.
"Modrić steps away," Tyler noted. "It's going to be Theodore Bjorn. His first set-piece in Spain."
Theodore placed the ball deliberately. He took three steps back and exhaled a slow, controlled breath.
Peep!
Theodore struck the ball with vicious intent!
Bang!
The ball whipped over the Real Sociedad wall with terrifying velocity.
It looked destined for the stands, but at the last microsecond, it dipped violently.
Remiro launched himself, fully extending his body, grasping desperately at thin air.
The ball smashed into the absolute top corner of the net—the postage stamp!
"AND IT'S IN!" Tyler bellowed, his voice cracking. "TWO-NIL TO REAL MADRID!"
"Theodore Bjorn announces himself to La Liga with a free kick of absolute perfection!"
"It is a masterpiece, Martin!" Neville yelled over the roaring crowd. "The pace, the dip, the accuracy! It's unsavable! Even Courtois wouldn't have kept that out!"
Theodore sprinted toward the corner flag, executing a massive leap and throwing a left hook into the air—his signature celebration arriving in Spain!
The entire Real Madrid squad mobbed him.
"Unbelievable, Theo!" Ramos roared, grabbing him in a headlock.
"You struck that like Cristiano!" Marcelo laughed.
On Twitter, the timeline was a warzone of exclamation points.
@EuroScout: "A goal and an assist in 20 minutes. He is literally playing on easy mode."
@Madridista_Norway: "The King of Free Kicks! Messi who?!"
@LaLigaTalk: "320 million is starting to look like daylight robbery. He is too good."
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