The referee's whistle pierced the morning air, and immediately the difference in pace was obvious. Where yesterday's match had built gradually, the Under-20s imposed their tempo from the first touch. Their passing was crisper, their movement more purposeful, their pressing more coordinated. Within thirty seconds, they'd won the ball back twice and forced the Under-18s into hurried clearances.
Luca touched the ball for the first time in the third minute, receiving a pass from right-back Davide Conti under immediate pressure from the Under-20s left midfielder. The player was older, stronger, more experienced, but as he approached, Luca noticed the slight overconfidence in his body language—the assumption that a simple shoulder barge would dispossess the academy player.
