The players on the pitch were running after the ball, driven by a sense of responsibility and a desire to achieve the goal. John was watching closely, adjusting positions, correcting mistakes, and ensuring the players fully understood the plan he was drawing up for the next match. He knew the match would be difficult, even largely impossible; Racing is one of the strongest teams in the league this season. Defeating them is very hard, let alone defeating them on their own turf—that hasn't happened yet. Even the capital's team failed to beat them in the first match, barely securing a draw in the final minutes.
However, John was preparing for the match in a very different way. He was drawing a plan for every part of the game. Something strange—a sudden change in tactics as the match progresses might cause the team to lose focus and consequently lose in the end, but John saw it quite differently. So, is there any hope of winning?
"Here is the best coach in the league," Frank said.
"Where were you, man? I think you couldn't wake up early because of the walk yesterday," John joked.
Frank replied, "It's as if you felt me, John. I got home extremely exhausted, so much so that I forgot my phone. I must go back to get it."
"No need, you can use my phone if you want to call someone."
"No, no, I will go back home. There is something I must do, it's urgent. I'll tell you later. Now I'm leaving—I almost forgot, any news about Tommy? How is he? Will he be with us against Racing?"
With a sigh of regret, John said, "I hope so. The plan depends on speed, and he is our fastest player." He added, "When was the last time you brought new players to the team?"
"Would you believe we haven't done so this season? We relied only on the academy students, nothing else."
"Man, haha, is that reasonable? Listen, you must recruit some players. It's necessary; we have a major shortage in attack and midfield. We must do it, it's essential."
"Alright John, it's up to you. Next week we will do a tour of the high schools as usual and see if we come across a player who deserves it. This is all I can do, honestly. The budget doesn't allow for signing a first or second-tier player; that's impossible."
John said, "It's okay. We will work together to find the right combination of players the club can benefit from."
John was monitoring the three lines. He noticed the players were exerting a lot of effort in moving the ball. This wouldn't help the team achieve the required goal. The plan this time was to kill the match in twenty minutes. It's extremely difficult, but nothing is impossible.
John called out, "Hey guys, everyone come here. Five minutes rest."
Everyone sat down—or rather, everyone collapsed from sheer exhaustion. The players were very tired, but John saw that everything was going according to plan. He said with a smile on his face, "Listen, men of the city team, I trust your capabilities. I am fully confident that the final result in next Wednesday's match will be the team's first away victory. Therefore, there is no room for rest now. Come on, stand up for counter-attack training!"
The coach said, "The five minutes aren't over yet."
John laughed, "Haha, no, there is no rest with me. Come on, get up off the ground to your position. Show me what you can do, left-back. Half the plan depends on you and your teammate on the other side. If you succeed, we all succeed; if you fail, we will have no share in this match. Move fast!"
He added in a loud voice, "No holding onto the ball, guys! Absolutely forbidden! Pass the ball directly to the forward player without hesitation. The attack and the wings, be ready to receive the ball at any possible moment and handle it professionally. Know well that every wasted opportunity means a goal in our net. So, I ask you to focus on these twenty minutes; they are everything in the match. If we can control them, not just Racing FC, but any team can be easily defeated. This is how we will play in the remaining matches that await us."
The players were no longer able to run at all; exhaustion had completely overtaken them, leading Frank to say, "John, they need rest now."
John fell silent for a few seconds and then said, "Come on, it's six o'clock, end of the session. Everyone come here. You've done a good job. Everyone now understands the plan we will work on against Racing. Immediately after the whistle, if the ball is with us, one pass—wherever you are and under any circumstances—the ball goes forward. But I fear you might rush the decision. Keep one thing in mind: when you have the ball, you have three choices: a long high ball to number nine, a simple through ball, or passing the ball to the wing. The wing, in turn, doesn't have many options; it's only one option: he will pass the ball to number nine or he will move forward with the ball and shoot."
"You said one option for the wing, not two!"
John replied, "This proves you are still focused on me. Excellent! This is what's required. In the twenty minutes, we will win."
The captain asked, "Coach, you didn't tell us what happens after the twenty minutes. Is there another plan or what?"
John said, "That depends on the score recorded at the end of the first third. If the result is positive—meaning we are winning—the match will become easier for us, and this is a promise from me to you. If you can score a goal in the first twenty minutes without conceding any, you will play your best match in the league. But if the result is a draw or a loss, there is a change in the plan that must be made. I will tell you about it in tomorrow's session. Now the training is over, leave the pitch."
In a cafe, Fabio and Sarr were sitting, sipping green tea.
Fabio said, "It's been a long time since our last meeting, Sarr, hasn't it?"
Sarr replied, "Indeed, old friend. Tell me, what will the capital's team gain from the defeat of an amateur team, even though they are already defeated and need a miracle to ensure survival at best?"
Fabio said, "In fact, Sarr, we will benefit a lot. What matters is that you make sure not to lose against them, please."
Sarr said, "Man, do you realize what you're saying? We need the three points from that match regardless of the circumstances. Besides, the club won't forgive me if I fail to achieve that easy victory."
Fabio sighed and said, "That's good, good. Listen, there's a gift waiting for you at home immediately after the match ends; it will be delivered to your house. Just make sure to win and end their dream before it grows any further."
Sarr replied, "Consider it done. I promise you they will suffer a defeat unlike any team in this division has ever lost. It will be a historic loss, I promise you that. The players are ready in a way I haven't seen in a long time. The enthusiasm is great, and the desire for second place is very strong, so no one will be able to stop me from reaching the runner-up spot."
The session ended, and the next meeting would be tomorrow. The upcoming match would never be easy; in John's eyes, it was the key match. As John and Frank were leaving, John said, "This match will be the beginning, Frank. To be honest with you, I haven't prepared any scenario other than winning it. If we lose, I don't know what I'll do."
!!Don't forget to add the story to your #collection.