THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Match Ended

The Rosenborg players controlled the game well in the closing minutes to extend their lead against Strindheim Idrettslag. Just after Zachary left the field, Nicki Nielsen scored an unexpected goal from a difficult position. The number-9 leapt high to connect with a cross from John Chibuike and headed it towards the goal from outside the box.

Ole Naess, the Strindheim goalkeeper, did not react quickly enough. He could only watch her slip with her outstretched hand and into the back of the net. Strindheim Idrettslag conceded again in the 86th minute. Rosenborg burns.

After that, the Rosenborg players slow down the pace of gameplay to run the remaining few minutes on the clock. They wasted time whenever they could, playing short but aimless passes—until the referee blew the final whistle.

At that moment, the stadium exploded into a wave of cheers as Rosenborg fans celebrated their victory. They managed to keep a clean sheet, won the second half game 4:0, and qualified for the next round. All the players, including Zachary, were excited and celebrated after the game. They ran around the pitch, waving to away fans to thank them for their support.

Rosenborg BK will face their next opponents in the third round of Cupen at the end of May. But before that, they will have a very busy schedule. They must play six Tippeligaen games in a four-week span, starting with Aalesunds the following Saturday.

Everyone is aware that they only have two days to prepare for the away game against Aalesunds Fotballklubb. That is the minimum time required for practical pre-match practice. So, no one took too long to enjoy the post-match celebration.

When the bus dropped off the Rosenborg players in Lerkendal, they immediately cleaned up and had a team dinner. They made food quickly and in just a few minutes, most of them had packed their bags and returned to their homes. They need to rest well and prepare for team practice the next night.

Zachary, however, did not leave immediately. The coach had asked to meet him at his office after the team's dinner. He was surprised by the phone at that late hour, but he still had to comply. The coach finally gave him the opportunity to play on the professional stage, so he wanted to know what he was saying. He hopes to get the commitment from the coach to turn him into a regular, starting from the next game. So, he walked into Coach Johansen's office excitedly after taking a shower.

When he gets there, he finds the coach making a final note on a match that has just finished. A few five-by-seven cards and a chart with player formations and moves are strewn across an L-shaped table in the office. Zachary could even see the name and number-33 jersey circled yellow on one of his cards. He stared and remained silent, appreciating how difficult it was to train a job. Even after the game is over, the coach does not forget to take notes and analyze them for future reference.

"Sit down, Zachary," Coach Johansen said, putting down his marker and pointing to the chair beside him.

Zachary smiled and sat there.

"How do you feel after playing and scoring in your debut game?" The coach asked, leaned back into his chair and smiled at Zachary.

"Great, of course," replied Zachary. "I like football. Playing on the professional stage makes me feel good. So, I want to participate in more matches."

"It's good to hear it." Coach nodded. "You played well out there. Keep the spirit up, and you will definitely succeed in this team. Now, let's talk about why I called you here." The coach's eyes turned serious.

Zachary doesn't like the coach's facial expressions. He could feel bad news coming. "Coach, is something wrong?" He asked, a little bit.

"Absolutely not," said Coach Johansen, shaking his head. "I just want to know how you are. You seem quite separate from the rest of the team before the game. Is there something wrong with your life? Is there a girl who breaks your heart? What's been happening to you all this time? last month?" The coach asked the question slowly but surely, his eyes fixed on Zachary's face.

Zachary was surprised by the direction of the conversation. He doesn't believe the coach will decide to speak like that with him right after his debut game. Nonetheless, he replied sincerely to stay on the coach's good book.

"It's just the frustration of not being in the squad for the last two months that has affected my mood" he said. "However, I'm fine now. Football, always help me calm down."

"Oh," said the coach as he looked at Zachary pensively. "I don't know that keeping you out of the squad can affect you in such a way."

He was at a loss for words because he himself did not understand what triggered his anger episode. He suspects that it could be one of the tragic incidents in his past life or childhood—but he is not yet convinced. However, he felt it was no longer a problem as he started to feel better than the previous week. So, it seems like there is no point in worrying about him.

"You can always come and talk to me if you have any doubts in the future" Coach Johansen said with a smile. "Remember, I'm on your side. I want you to perform and help the team win trophies. But you can't do that when your mind is somewhere else. Okay?"

"Yes, coach." Zakaria nodded. "I'll do that."

"OK, good," said Coach Johansen. "That convinced me. Now the next problem. Because you put in a great performance today, you will be in the squad for the Tippeligaen game against Aalesunds next Saturday. You'll start from the bench, but I'll give you a chance." The opportunity to join in the game as a substitute."

"Thank you, coach," Zachary replied with a smile. "I'll do my best if given the chance."

Coach Johansen nodded. "However, you have to remember that this is a match between two clubs in the top four of Tippeligaen. The intensity will be very different from what you faced in today's game. That means you have to be on top of 95% of the match conditions to take part in that game. For that to happen, you have to go through proper post-match recovery. But it can be a challenge because the match is only two days away."

"So, tomorrow you have to pass the medics to check the thighs and calves" continued the coach. "They took a few punches, and we don't want them to be a problem before Saturday. Since you have just experienced a growth spurt, you should check as often as possible. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied. "I'll go tomorrow." Although he feels that he is fully fit, he needs to continue to reassure the coaches by doing checks. He wouldn't lose anything by doing that, so he 'just' agreed.

"Good," Coach Johansen said with a smile. "I've also called you here to guide you on how to make your post-match recovery more efficient and effective. I know we've discussed this in the academy, but I'll go ahead and discuss it again. You have to take good decisions.Be careful to relax your muscles so that they can recover after the game. That is especially important for those of you who are just starting out on the professional stage ... "

Zachary leaned back in his chair as he continued to listen to the coach's advice. Over the next few minutes, coaches talk about some of the popular methods used by professional athletes to improve recovery after a game. He advises Zachary to use hydrotherapy, stretching, compression garments, massage, sleep, and nutrition after each game. That way, he will stay in top shape and maintain his performance even at the end of the season.

Zachary already had prior knowledge of his techniques. So, the discussion went very quickly. And in about ten minutes, he thanked the coach for his advice and walked out of the office.

Zachary walked with a spring in his step towards the exit of the stadium. He is in a good mood because he already knows that he will be in the squad for the match against Aalesunds Fotballklubb. That, coupled with the fact that he managed to score on his debut, made him feel like he was walking on a cloud.

When he left the stadium, he hurriedly walked to the bus stop. He wants to return to his apartment as soon as possible and start a post-match recovery session. He did not find another soul until he arrived at the Lerkendal bus stop.

It was ten o'clock in the evening, and the traffic on the streets of Trondheim was not too crowded. He had to wait thirty minutes for the bus to Stjrdalsveien, the location of his apartment.

As he took the bus to Stjordalsveien, Zachary decided to buy a car as soon as possible. With a private vehicle, he will be able to move in his spare time at any time. He can go to Lerkendal at any time and train without worry because he will—guaranteed his transportation. Zachary found the prospect quite interesting. And because he had money, he could no longer resist the temptation to get his vehicle.

Bzzt Bzz! Bzzt Bzz!

Zachary's phone shook as the bus stopped at the Stjordalsveien bus stop. He hurriedly took it out of his sports shirt pocket as he got off the bus. When he was on the sidewalk, he glanced at the— screen and realized that it was a call from an unknown international number that started with the area code +33. Even though he did not know which country the code came from, he still took it.