The team swarmed around Murano, celebrating his solo goal with the same passion burning in his own chest.
Nagi and Reo got the game rolling, but this time both teams were more cautious.
Reo thought about not being good enough to stop Murano. He realized that if he could copy the move Murano had just done, even if 99% perfect. He could set Nagi for another goal back.
With the ball at his feet, he started dribbling forward.
The memory of Murano's solo ran fresh in his mind. He doubted his ability to channel that same magic, but of course he had to try.
He weaved between Nanase and Hiori, mimicking Murano's skills, but the movement felt forced, lacking the dynamism of the original.
As he approached further, Shido watched him, waiting for a misstep.
In front of Shidou, Reo executed a couple of stepovers before attempting a Marseille Turn. But Shidou saw through the fake and blocked Reo's no-look pass attempt. Yet again Kurona's positioning was as keen as ever. One of his main abilities.
As he was there in the perfect position to pick up the ball so he took a quick glance and kicked a cross to Nagi, who was unmarked.
Nagi trapped the ball and went for a volley into the net.
It seemed like another spectacular goal for Team C was imminent. But then, in a flash, Murano launched himself into the air. He had predicted Nagi's shot with his exceptional vision and foresight yet again.
His head lightly shifted the ball's trajectory just before Nagi's leg connected to the ball.
But Murano's world changed in an instant - one wrong step, a cruel twist of fate, and everything collapsed. The pain was intense, like a sharp blade cutting through his body. His dreams turned to dust, replaced by the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Would this be the end of his football career?
Murano landed feeling an intense pain tearing through his left knee. This was purely due to an improper landing.
As his teammates rushed to help him, Murano's face was filled with shock. Medics, specially trained for these kinds of situations, swarmed the field. Murano looked up at the ceiling, Was this it? Was his football journey ending once again without him being able to do anything?
As the adrenaline wore off, he was left with a swollen pain that pulsed with each breath.
In that moment, a strange calm washed over Murano. This wasn't the end. He had stared death in the face once, in his past life. This pain, this setback, was just another battle on his path to glory. He gritted his teeth, a slow grin spread across his face, and slowly his consciousness faded away.
"Murano, stay with me. Don't move." The last words he heard.
**Swish**
As his vision blurred, he thought about all the choices that led him to this moment. In a room of darkness, he found himself holding a hand. But he pushed it away, refusing its help. He struggled to get up on his own. A figure knelt beside him, shouting his name repeatedly, "Leonardo Marci!". Slowly, he regained consciousness.
**Swish**
Just then Murano regained consciousness and was confused.
As he slowly blinked open his eyes, Murano's mind struggled to piece together what had happened. He found himself in a hospital bed, a sign above, "Guarisci presto!". His gaze fell upon Maddalena, one of the medical staff, urgently typing on her computer.
"Marci, You are awake?" she turned around and saw Murano trying to get up on the bed.
'Was that just a sick dream?' He thought.
"Am back?" He uttered, confused about his situation.
Maddalena let out a relieved sigh and helped him sit up, careful not to put any pressure on his injured knee.As he looked down at his leg, the pain reminded him of the severity of his injury.
"How are you feeling, Leo?" Coach Alberto Bollini, from the U-20 Italian national team, was the first to step into the room and ask. "Do you think you can play in the semi-finals?"
Without hesitation, Murano answered, "Yes, I can. The pain is gone."
Coach Alberto Bollini's face lit up with hope as he turned to the doctor for confirmation.
"He may have suffered a major impact injury," she explained. "But it doesn't seem serious at first glance. He should be able to play in the U-20 World Cup."
Coach Alberto Bollini exhaled in relief and faced Leonardo Marci once again. "OK, Leonardo, you return to us back in training, but let us know if you experience any discomfort."
Still struggling to process everything, Murano managed to ask, "What happened? I don't remember much."
The coach's face turned serious yet calm as he replied, "During our match against Colombia, you were brutally tackled and had to be taken off the field."
The nurse in the room jumped in, "I've completed a thorough examination and it appears that you are fine. However, if you push yourself too hard, you risk tearing your ligament."