THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Pre-match Tactical Direction

Upon reaching the dressing room, Zachary quickly dried his face with a towel and then replaced the heating gear. He ignored the surrounding chatter and carefully picked up the clothes hanger with his t-shirt from the nearby wall hooks.

A smile adorned his face, softening his face as he lifted his black Rosenborg Jersey in front of him for the first time before the match. He was happy as a blow for almost fulfilling a dream of his previous life. In just a few minutes, he will play his debut match as a professional in Europe. Everything seems so real.

Just a few months before, he had to fold his jersey properly and put it in his backpack before heading to the match venue. But since he was already a professional, in a contract with Rosenborg BK, he was finally able to enjoy the sense of finding his jersey already set up in the dressing room. Moreover, even if he needed new shoes for the match, the club would prepare him. Being a pro has its advantages.

Without caring about the coach and his team-mates in the dressing room, he held the jersey in front of him and then looked around for a while. It was a typical 3-line black trefoil t-shirt with the writing of REMA 1000 on its front.

Zachary decided that it was not the best design because his name was displayed in lower case under the top 33 on the back of the jersey.

But he had no right to complain about the fashion of the club. That is the job of the club's marketing and public relations staff. So, she quickly put on her t-shirt and nodded to herself after realizing that it was the perfect size for her. It seems that the club's fashion handlers have done their job well. He's satisfied.

"Hurry up and finish," Zachary heard Trond Henriksen, assistant head coach, yell after a few more minutes. "Tactical pre-match briefing will begin in two. Be prepared."

Zachary looked up and noticed that Coach Johansen had already started writing up the formation on the tactical board in front of the dressing room. So, without further ado, she quickly tightened her ankle protection and put on stockings before putting on her green boots.

He was finally able to let go and relax because he was fully prepared to start the game. He knows he is in good shape. He can feel straight to his bones that he has more than needed to play well in his debut game. So, he leaned on the bench and started to breathe water while waiting for the coach's pre-match tactical briefing.

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After sketching the starting formation on the tactics board, Coach Johansen took a moment to observe his players. Most of them had already finished wearing their away clothes and were just waiting for his briefing to begin. They all had a confident atmosphere about them and looked quite excited to start the match.

Coach Johansen nodded in agreement, a gentle smile adorning his face. He is happy with the high energy level his players are projecting. For the second round match of the Norwegian Football Cup, he mainly chose the line-up of the second player. He intends to rest the starting eleven for the match against Aalesund the following weekend. Aalesund has been doing well since Tippeligaen's season began. Under their new manager, former coach Rosenborg, they played good football in the first six games of the— and as a result, they are even in the top four of the table.

So, Coach Johansen could not take the next Tippeligaen game lightly. He doesn't want to risk losing a third time in a row in the league. He easily replaced all his starting midfielders against Strindheim, a second division team.

But he wasn't worried one bit. The young players he picked were all in top shape and with a fairly high match-condition index based on their performance during training. If they managed to maintain their composure, they would crush the second division team with little effort.

Coach Johansen looked at his watch and noted that there was not much time left before kick-off. "Okay, guys," he yelled as he clapped. "Awas. Let's discuss the main points of our game plan once again before we go to the field."

The players in the dressing room immediately fell silent and focused only on him. He nodded before saying: "Today, we played Strindheim Idrettslag in the second round of the Norwegian Football Cup. We are a stronger team—tim with a rich history in Norwegian Football. We can't lose a second.The division team in the second round of Cupen. So, my instruction is to play with confidence and play as a team. As long as we do those two things right, we will win this game, hands down. Are we clear? "

"Yes, coach," the players replied, more or less in unison.

"I discussed the game plan last night so I won't go into it any further" said the coach, stroking his chin.

"But remember: we play with a 4-3-3 attacking formation." He pointed to the tactics board. "We have to be very agile, especially in midfield."

"Ole, Zach and Fredrik" he said, his gaze fixed on the three players. "I expect assertiveness and quick thinking in the middle of the group. I need a quick transition from defending to attacking. You have to work together and protect each other to achieve such efficiency. Play intelligently, release the ball accurately, and set it forward quickly. That way, we'll destroy Strindheim easily. Are you with me, Zach, Ole, and Fredrik?"

"Yes, coach," replied the three players with passion.

Coach Johansen nodded, half smiling.

"For the attacker" he continued, waving his hand at the tactics board. “As I mentioned during yesterday's practice, both wings have to keep backing away to help the defender defend. You can't just relax when we don't have the ball. I don't want to see what happens against Sandnes repeating himself in this game. Play like a professional, not like a bunch of kids out for fun."

"Jaime, John and Nicki" he said, turning his eyes to the three Rosenborg attackers for the match. "Do you agree with me?"

"Yes, coach," answered the three.

"If the Strindheim players decide to hold possession in their half of the field, you—the three attackers must press them as quickly as possible. Press their defenders with a high-pressure zone around here." He paused briefly, knocking rhythmically on the attacking positions of the three strikers on the tactical board. "Forced them to lose the ball. That way, we can always reclaim possession quickly and restart our attack."

"Yes, coach."

“The rest is up to you as a player,” he said, half-smiling.

"Is there a question?" The coach asked, sweeping a glance into the dressing room. "Zachary, Ole, John, any questions?" He picked some of his players to see the whole squad remain silent.

"No, coach, no, coach ..." The three selected players responded with negative responses.

"OK, then," said Coach Johansen, the corner of his mouth turned into a smile. "Let's go out and win the game. We aim to be champions. We won't—stop in this Cupen round."

"ROSENBORG, VICTORY, VICTORY, TRIUMPH OF THE CHILDREN OF THE TROLL..."

The players began chanting their routine winning slogan in the dressing room after Coach Johansen completed his pre-match briefing. He noted that most of the starting eleven and substitutes were singing in an excited voice, clearly excited about the game about to begin. He was not surprised because that's how the Rosenborg players always improve their morale before every game they play.

But what bothered him a bit was that Zachary did not take part in the victory chant to improve himself. Instead, he remained seated at the side with his eyes closed. Coach Johansen could not help but wonder if the boy was praying or if the pressure from his debut match had caught up with him.

He had observed that the boy was in a calm mood—different from himself in the academy during the previous month. Even though he was a sports junkie at the academy, he still tried to interact with some of his teammates before every game. He even had three close friends in the academy team.

[Is it because he hasn't been in the starting line-up for two months?] The coach wondered, still observing Zachary. But he didn't want to interfere in a different matter when kick-off was just a few minutes away. So, he made a mental note to have a light chat with her after the match. He doesn't want any unstable factor in the squad.

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Simultaneously in the dressing room Strindheim IL—

Finn Morten Moe, head coach, gave the closing remarks of his pre-match briefing. He repeated his tactical analysis of Rosenborg, albeit a summary version, for the umpteenth time of the day.

"We have the advantage because they only bring down their young players in midfield" said the coach in a serious tone. "I've even heard that one of their central midfielders is an 18-year-old freshman graduate from the academy. He hasn't even played a single game for Rosenborg. That means they take us lightly." He smiled, folded his hands on his chest.

"But we can use it against them" he said after a while.

"So, Emil, Preben and Sindre, I want you to give hell to their midfielders" he said. All three are central midfielders in his 4-3-3 starting line-up. "I want you to chase those young players whenever they have the ball. Pay special attention to the 18-year-old, showing him the difference between the academy and the professional stage. If we can do it, we will definitely create some good chances in the first half. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," the players replied in unison.

Finishing the tactical attack of the opponent's weakness, the coach glanced at all his players. He noticed that they were very confident and stable—at least from their body language. The enthusiastic look on their faces was obvious.

The coach nodded in satisfaction before continuing. "I know that Rosenborg are a strong team. They are playing a stable game and will be the toughest opponent we have faced so far this season. But believe in yourself. Believe that you can score goals and win games."

"But most importantly, give your best while enjoying football" he added, smiling gently at some of his players. “Give the best you have. That means trying one hundred and twenty percent. Remember the hard work you put in during the offseason. Don't leave regrets on the field. That's all I'm asking. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," replied the players with the chorus, their voices full of energy.

"Well then, let's go out and make history" said the coach, clenching his fists into the air. "Strindheim!" He shouted after a while.

"STRINDHEIM, STRINDHEIM, VICTORY..." The players roared loudly—together in the crowd and ran out of the dressing room. They are eager to start the game and give the hell of a Troll Kids.

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