THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
The Genoa Academy

Coach Johansen called for a pre-match tactical meeting just two hours before the game against Genoa. The players were surprised by the usual change of meeting schedule. However, they remained present without complaint. A practical coach is king in a team. The player must follow his instructions without objection.

They were even more surprised when the coach announced the starting line-up. Some, like Magnus and yvind, even continue to complain openly to the coach. The meeting room was in chaos for over half a minute as the players muttered their discontent between their ranks.

"Shut up," shouted Coach Johansen, his face hardened as he glared at the players. The room once again became quiet as the youths waited for the coach to explain himself.

"As I've already said," Coach Johansen began, "Zachary, rjan, and Kendrick will all start from the bench today. We need to rest some of our key players in preparation for the quarter-finals. We are here to win the tournament, not just the group stage." He said firmly.

"But coach," said Magnus. “We will face a tougher opponent in the quarter-finals if we lose this match. Wouldn't it be better for us to win this match and improve our overall chances in the knockout stages? For that, we need Zachary and rjan to score."

"What gives the impression that I gave this game?" The coach asked, his frown deepened. "You're all the same age as your opponent. You have to learn how to play without Zachary. He can't keep bringing the whole team through the game. It was a very unhealthy habit for a team vying to win a title game."

"In this game, I will only ask one thing from you" continued Coach Johansen. "Don't concede any goals. You have to survive as if your life depended on it. All players, except Kim, who will play attacking today— must stay behind the ball, close opponents quickly, and leave no gaps for Genoa. If you manage to reach it, we will remain at the top of the group. Are we clear?"

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

**** ****

The match started at exactly 19:00 at the Skonto Arena indoor stadium. Zachary sat on the bench, curled up with the rest of the substitutes, watching Genoa beat his team. It was at the end of the first half, and if Zachary had to be completely honest with himself, he would have admitted that he was angry at his team-mates for the scoreboard reading NF ACADEMY 0, THE GENOA YOUTH 1. He can't help it. They had made an amateur defensive mistake in the first few minutes, giving a goal to Said Ahmed, Genoa's central striker.

As the match progressed, Zachary could see that the NF Academy players were trying their best to defend and mark their opponents. But they still lost in all areas of the game. The Italian team has faster players who work together— like an experienced professional team. Their teamwork was smooth, defeating the NF academy.

The Genoese youth team used a 4-3-3 formation, with three strikers and three midfielders continuing to press—pursuit the NF academy goal. They play with a high defensive line, usually implementing an offside trap, with the midfielder providing support to the defender to make more pass options available. Their style of play, which is characterized by short triangular movements and passing, is very eye-indulgent. They work the ball from left to right through a combination of sideways, backward, and coordinated passes, between the opponent's defensive lines.

Genoa created most of the chances relying on a breakthrough pass and a give-and-go pass, usually involving their three midfielders. They did not allow the NF academy players to breathe. They pass the ball quickly around the field, looking for opportunities to penetrate the box.

However, teammate Zachary remained steadfast and defended against all attacks until midway through the second half.

In the 75th minute, a clearance below par gave Genoa a chance to shore up their lead. One of the strikers, playing on the wing, took the loose ball right outside the box. He immediately passed to Said Ahmed, the centre-forward. Number-9 locks the pin-point feed in the box and releases the daisy-cutter shot into the bottom right corner.

Zachary frowned despite himself seeing the ball thrown by Mathew Stevenson, the substitute goalkeeper of the NF academy, into the back of the net. Genoa's team went two goals ahead in the 76th minute.

Zachary stood up from the bench and approached the coach. A small spark in his mind hinted at the necessary changes in NF Academy's midfield. He thought the coach would replace him after the team conceded the second goal. Zachary straightened his posture and did some stretches to show the coach that he was ready for action. He really wanted to go on the pitch and play the remaining minutes.

However, Coach Johansen gave him a flat look— like he was just air before returning to yell at the players on the field. His indifference told Zachary everything he needed to know. He would not play in the game that day.

"Tighten the defense" shouted the coach as loudly as possible. "We can't be broken anymore. Daniel and Lars; push the defensive line forward. You can't let them play so close to our box..."

"I told you he wanted to throw this game" Kendrick said on his left. "I can already read his intentions when he leaves you and rjan out of the starting line-up." He sighed.

"I was suspicious at first, but then ignored that fact" Zachary said, shaking his head. "I can't believe that Coach Johansen is a guy who likes to throw matches!"

"I am too." Kendrick smiled gently. “I understand the target is to win the cup, not the group stage. That's what he said. But we have a free day tomorrow since the quarter-finals start on Saturday. We could play today and still have enough rest before the game starts.knock-out."

Zakaria frowned. "I heard that Zenit and Tottenham, both, won their last group game earlier today. Maybe, he wants to face Zenit rather than Tottenham in the quarter-finals."

"That doesn't make sense" Kendrick muttered, shaking his head. "From the information your agent has given us, we can say that Zenit is by far the most difficult enemy to defeat in this tournament, with the possible exception of VfB Stuttgart. Why did Coach Johansen decide to face such a team at the start of the game? - out of stages?"

"Perhaps, he knows something we don't ..." Zachary let his voice disappear as he focused his attention back on the field. Genoa's players showed perfect teamwork, controlling the ball with smooth short passes, penetrating deeper into the NF academy section. One of the midfielders received a pass and quickly put the ball past the defence—ke one of the strikers on the left wing.

Genoa's number 11 showed brilliant composure as he entered the box. He made use of the right pass and produced a scintillating kick that was deflected from the post into the top left corner.

3:0. Genoa scored the third goal against the NF academy in the 82nd minute.

"Damn it," Zachary cursed himself. He put his head in his hands because he could not continue watching the match.

He knew he would feel even more furious if he continued to see his team fighting against their opponents. He had always been a loser, even in his previous life. He hates to lose, even in a little football game held in the backyard of his former school. However, what made the defeat against Genoa even more frustrating was the fact that he could do nothing about it. There is nothing more frustrating than watching your team lose while on the bench.

In addition, he lost the opportunity to reach one of the system's mission milestones. Timo Werner had scored two more goals that day, taking his total to nine. The German striker went two goals clear as the top scorer for the tournament. However, he was stuck on the bench of — with no chance to catch up. He's frustrated.

"Tighten the defense, keep an eye on their attackers, use long balls..." Zachary heard Coach Johansen yelling again from near the sidelines.

"He seems to be quite serious about the game in his comments" Kendrick commented.

Zachary sighed, forcing himself to calm his emotions. "I think we will face Zenit in the quarter-finals" he said, returning his attention to the match. Genoa players are still attacking like there is no tomorrow. However, the NF academy players managed to block most of their efforts towards their goal in the final minutes of the game. The match ended with a score of 3:0 for Genoa's superiority.

"We have to get back on the bus" Kendrick suggested, getting up from his seat. Zacharias did not answer. The focus is on the Genoese players celebrating after the final whistle. Meanwhile, his teammates walked out of the field with shoulders bent forward, giving off a fierce impression.

Zachary fears the defeat could affect their confidence. He really hopes that Coach Johansen is well aware of what he has just done to them and has a way to lift their morale quickly before the next game. Otherwise, they will face a miserable quarter-final against Zenit.

Zachary sighed, shaking his head. "Let's get to the bus" he said, leading the way out of the stadium. There was nothing he could do for his other team-mates. Coach Johansen is the best person to motivate them after their defeat.