The atmosphere was electric as FC Goldtal faced off against SV Blauheim. Both teams had their eyes set on victory, but from the first whistle, it was clear that Alex was operating on a different level. He was already dialed in, every fiber of his being focused on the game, the ball, and most importantly, his surroundings.
Goldtal started with the ball, and almost immediately, Alex put his new training into play. The ball moved between the defenders, and Alex stayed alert, keeping his eyes not just on the ball, but on every player, every possible movement. When Jonas had the ball and was looking for an option, Alex made a run that cut right through two defenders, using a zig-zag motion to keep them guessing.
The pass from Jonas was sent through the smallest of gaps, and Alex reacted instinctively. He accelerated, his body moving before he consciously thought to do so, and was past both defenders in a heartbeat. The keeper rushed forward, trying to close the angle, but Alex didn't hesitate. With a flick of his ankle, he chipped the ball over the keeper's outstretched arms. The ball floated into the net, and the crowd roared as Goldtal went 1:0 up.
"That's one!" Alex grinned, running back, his teammates cheering around him.
The match continued, and Alex only grew more unstoppable. His off-ball movement was unlike anything SV Blauheim had seen. Whenever his teammates had the ball, Alex found the open spaces. He didn't just run blindly into the box; instead, he used his vision and game sense to exploit weaknesses in Blauheim's defense.
Midway through the first half, Julian took the ball down the left wing, his eyes scanning the field. Alex timed his run perfectly, staying just onside as Julian lifted the ball into the box. Without breaking stride, Alex leaped into the air, twisting his body as he met the cross with a powerful header. The keeper had no chance. 2:0.
Blauheim tried to tighten their defense, doubling up on Alex to mark him out of the game. But Alex's training was paying off; his reflexes were sharp, and his awareness of the field meant he always knew where his teammates and opponents were. Instead of trying to force his way through, Alex used clever off-ball runs, drawing defenders away from the play, creating space for Lars and Jonas to move in and exploit. He was everywhere, constantly moving, making himself available, forcing Blauheim to chase him across the pitch.
In the second half, with Goldtal already comfortably in the lead, Lars intercepted a weak pass from Blauheim's midfield. Alex didn't need to call for the ball—he just moved. His instincts told him where to be, and Lars knew exactly where to send the ball. Alex received it at the edge of the box, and with a quick turn, he left his marker behind. The keeper rushed out, but Alex feinted to the left before cutting right, slotting the ball calmly into the net. 3:0.
The opposing team looked deflated, but Alex wasn't done. He knew they were beaten, and he wanted to make sure they stayed that way. He scored twice more before the final whistle, one with a beautifully placed curling shot from outside the box, and another where he simply outran the entire defense, leaving them in his dust before tapping the ball into the empty net.
The final score was 5:0. Alex had scored all five goals, and as he stood on the pitch, surrounded by his jubilant teammates, he wasn't even sweating. He felt exhilarated, but not exhausted. His training had taken him to a new level of fitness, and it showed.
After the match, a small group of local enthusiasts and reporters gathered around for a brief interview. They were buzzing, astonished by the display they had just witnessed.
"Alex, you made them look so weak out there," one of them said, shaking his head in disbelief. "How did you do it?"
Alex paused for a moment, then smiled, a confident glint in his eyes. "When I step onto the pitch, every opponent knows they're in for a tough game. I make the entire team look like they're playing in slow motion."
The reporters scribbled down his words, and Alex could see the excitement on their faces. He had made his mark today, and he knew it.
Later that evening, Alex returned home, greeted by his family. After dinner, he spoke to his father about the match, telling him about his partial success in implementing the reflexive movement they'd been working on.
Dr. Klaus listened intently, a proud smile on his face. "That's fantastic, Alex. It sounds like you're starting to tap into that instinctual play we talked about. You're trusting yourself, and it shows."
"Yeah," Alex nodded. "But I still feel like there's more. I was focusing a lot on my position and the ball, but I think if I could use my surroundings better, it'd take me to another level. Like seeing the defenders' movements before they happen, reading the game as a whole."
Klaus leaned back, considering. "It's about awareness, then. We've trained your body to react without hesitation, but now we need to sharpen your spatial awareness. How about we try some new drills focused on peripheral vision and anticipation? Something to help you read not just where the ball is, but where it's going."
Alex's eyes lit up. "Yeah, that sounds perfect."
They headed out to the backyard, where Klaus had set up a series of cones and markers. The drills were different tonight, focusing on multitasking, reacting not just to the ball but to other stimuli—colors, sounds, movement in his periphery. It was challenging, but Alex could feel his mind adapting, growing sharper, faster.
He began to see it—the whole field, every player, every movement. It was like a puzzle, and he was starting to put the pieces together without even thinking about it.
By the time they finished, Alex was tired but satisfied. He could feel himself improving, inching closer to that state of pure instinctive play. He wasn't there yet, but he knew he was on the right path.
As he lay in bed that night, he replayed the game in his head. The goals, the movement, the way the Blauheim players seemed to struggle to keep up. He thought about what his father had said, about awareness and instinct. He wanted to be more than just a striker—he wanted to be unstoppable, a force that no defense could contain.
And with each day, each practice, he knew he was getting closer to his Goal.