THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
First Match in Europe III
"Your job in this match is simple. I want you to shut that winger down." He said, pointing towards Yann-Erik.
The winger had just taken another pass and started dribbling into the half of Rosenborg's field. He crosses the ball into the box from the side of the field, close to the touchline.
Luckily, Fredrik Midtsjo, one of Rosenborg's midfielders, jumped high and blocked his cross. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the corner flag.
“Tell Ole to adapt to the formation 4:3:3.” the coach continued after seeing the corner football has been retained.” As we did in training, Ole will remain a defensive midfielder, while Gjermund will move a bit forward and serve the strikers. You'll have free rein along the midfield to get a better grip on Yann-Erik."
He looked at Zachary for a moment with eyes full of doubt.
"Is it clear to you, or do you need me to get the board?" She asked. The coach seemed to doubt Zachary's ability to understand his instructions.
Zachary looked at the coach and replied firmly: "Yes, coach. I understand."
"Hopefully so," murmured the coach softly.
"You handled and intercepted passes during our training session. Do the same thing on the field and turn that damn kid off." He slapped Zachary on the back, adding: "Go."
"DING"
Not long after the coach slapped his back, a system interface appeared before him.
Zachary was a little surprised and slowed down his pace as he matched the fourth official. He glanced at the translucent screen and noticed that there was a new mission of the system.
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GOat MISSION
NEW MISSION: Your Coach has given you an important task.
*Task 1: Turn off stubborn players in the game.
*Task 2: Impressive and get your first fan.
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'Receive reject'
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* Gift:
-> 30 juju-points
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*Punishment if the mission is still not completed at the end of the game. (Nothing if you reject the mission now)
-> Minus 40 Juju-Points.
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*Remarks: Opportunities do not occur. You make them.
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Zachary did not hesitate to click the receive button after he finished perusing the contents of the mission. It was the first mission with a huge reward in juju points. He had a feeling he would need them soon.
Zachary has decided to collect more points to improve the system. From his experience reading web-novels, he knew the system would become more helpful to the host after the upgrade.
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He hates defeat and always feels compelled to leave the venue every time his team falls behind. But then, he realized that Zachary was starting to warm up on the sidelines.
The grin of the Cheshire cat lit his face like a fat candle in a paper lamp. He considered it his first project, the first player he discovered early in his career as a scout. Kristin can't wait to see how she's going to be pitted against the Norwegian U-19 team. Only then would he throw away all doubts about his talent.
"Is that your son?" He heard Coach Nils Eggen ask his grandfather.
He is the longest-serving manager at Rosenborg, having led the team for 22 seasons in five spurs between 1971 and 2010. He won Tippeligaen in his inaugural season, leading the team for 13 of the 23 seasons the club won the league. He had just won another league championship the year before.
Despite his retirement, Nils Eggen still had a lot of influence on Rosenborg's management. Kristin has heard some rumors that her position is comparable to that of the club's chairman.
"Yes, that's it," Mr. Stein answered Coach Eggen's question.
"Oh, okay," replied Mr. Eggen before returning to focus on the match.
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Zachary entered the field after the ball came out to make a throw-in.
He came onto the pitch as a replacement for another midfielder named Fredrik Midtsj.
He ran, enduring the increased pressure on his chest. His feet felt heavy as if he was wading through water. He felt very anxious because he had only played for the first time on the European football stage.
He immediately ran to Ole and passed the coach's instructions before moving into left midfield closer to the position of Yann-Erik — winger of the Viking team.
He has decided to complete the task of the coach with all his efforts. That was the only thought that came to his mind at that moment.
In his previous life, he made a mistake when he came on as a substitute in his first professional match at TP Mazembe. He did not follow the coach's instructions and was replaced quickly afterwards. He set a record as the first substitute in the league that Linafoot replaced unscathed.
But with a second chance given to him, he will follow the coach's instructions with the letter. He wanted to enter the team first and establish his status. That was the target for that match. He will think about issues about his style of play and career only when he successfully signed for Rosenborg.
Gameplay continues with a Viking throw to the right wing.
Yann-Erik received the ball and played one-two with Landu-Landu. They advanced towards Rosenborg's goal, past Markus Henriksen, the left winger, and immediately entered the Rosenborg defensive area. Their short passes were neat and accurate, allowing them to progress towards the Rosenborg goal, unhindered. If the status-quo doesn't change, Rosenborg will be in trouble.
However, Zachary had no intention of letting them do what they wanted. He saw several ball shadows and human silhouettes coming out of their bodies in different directions. Zinedine-Visual-Juju in action once again.
Zachary ran towards the wings while concentrating on Yann-Erik's running figure. The winger had just received the ball and ran past Christoffer Aasbak, Rosenborg's left-back, in sidestep style.
Zachary then saw two human-shaped shadows coming out from the vivacious figure of the winger. One headed to the corner flag after defeating Christopher. Others cut the field diagonally—run towards the Rosenborg goal.
Zachary did not need to think for long about which route to maintain. He had watched Yann-Erik play while he was on the bench and was confident that he would decide to cut in. Especially if he was wrong, he could still push the winger away from the goal.
However, even a second of consideration on his part had allowed the nimble winger to move past him. Zachary decided to take out the defender without delay.
The tunnel vision appeared as he measured the distance between the ball and his foot. Zachary's soccer brain, reinforced by his high A+ spatial awareness, is filled with Yann-Erik's speed reduction on the go. He measured the timing of his tackle.
Zachary increased his pace and chased the right winger before sliding in and pushing his right foot to welcome the ball at the winger's feet.
He uses his tackle foot to hook in front, grab the ball, and push it away from the attacker. A very fine clump on the field made his tackle easier as he sent Yann-Erik tumbling to the ground.
Zachary felt all his anxiety fade away as the ball went into open space before being collected by Christopher, the left-back. He came out victorious in his first meeting against an opponent in Europe.
"Ref... Ref.." -..." Zachary hears Yann-Erik yelling as he rolls around in the grass, visibly wounded. However, the referee ignored him and waved for the match to continue. The tackle was not a foul as Zachary had won the ball fairly before sweeping the winger. Otherwise, the nearest line judge would fly his flag.
Zachary grinned at the young winger before returning to left midfield. He intends to use every possible means to keep a prolific winger out of the game. Smiling at his losing opponent after their short battle was the best way to boast that he thought would not attract the wrath of the referee.
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