The day after the match against Liverpool, the U21 players went through a recovery session.
In a room, a group of players gathered on yoga mats spread across the floor. Each player picked a foam roller, choosing from various sizes and textures based on personal preference.
Some opted for smooth rollers, while others chose ones with ridges, targeting deeper muscle knots. They began by rolling their legs, slowly working over their hamstrings and quads.
Foam rollers are indeed used for self-massage and to relieve stiff or sore muscles.
Kenneth grimaced slightly, pausing at a particularly tense spot on his thigh. He adjusted his weight to focus more pressure on that area, taking deep breaths as he worked through the discomfort. Next to him, Angelino closed his eyes, carefully rolling his calf. He lifted one leg onto the roller and slowly moved back and forth, wincing as he hit sensitive points.
James and other physiotherapists moved around the room, guiding players through various foam rolling techniques. They helped the players find the proper positions for using the foam roller effectively.
Players who had been using the foam roller for a while could move to the massage therapy area, where professional sports massage therapists awaited.
Iheanacho was seen lying face down on a massage table, his head resting on a cushioned headrest as a therapist began working on his back muscles. The therapist used slow, careful movements, applying enough pressure to release tension without causing pain.
Having finished with the foam roller, Kenneth watched while waiting for his turn, his arms folded and legs stretched out as he tried to relax his shoulders on his own.
He joked with George Evans, who stifled a laugh through his massage. When Kenneth's turn came, he lay face down, and the masseuse started with long, steady strokes on his calves, carefully working through knots from the game's intensity.
The masseuse used warming oil, creating a soothing sensation that penetrated Kenneth's muscles. They pressed into the thick muscles of his calves and hamstrings, then massaged up to his lower back. Kenneth looked relaxed, sighing as he felt the tension start to melt away.
Once done, the therapist stretched Kenneth's legs, easing out any remaining tension. He felt a new sense of relaxation, almost drowsy but relieved from the game's soreness.
After the massage, Kenneth did some low-intensity exercises like swimming to actively promote body recovery.
After various recovery sessions, Kenneth headed home feeling refreshed and relaxed. He continued his studies and went to bed on time at 10:00 pm.
Two days later, the U21 team only had low-intensity training focused on offensive tactics, defensive strategies, set pieces, and more.
On September 30, 2014, the second week of the UCL arrived. Manchester City U19 was set to face Roma U19 in the UEFA Youth Cup. The match was held at Ewen Fields, Hyde, with nearly 1,000 spectators in attendance to support the U19 team in the UEFA Youth League.
In this match, Vieira used a 4-3-3 formation, fielding Angus Gunn; Bossaerts, T. Adarabioyo, Kean Bryan, Pablo Maffeo; Kenneth, Tasende, Bersant Celina; Pozo, Thierry Ambrose, Brandon Barker.
The match began with Manchester City kicking off. Kenneth received the ball from Ambrose and passed it back. Adarabioyo stopped the ball and carried it forward.
In this game, Vieira implemented a high defensive line. He knew Roma would rely on counter-attacks but still chose to play an attacking game.
This was a home game, and instead of worrying about Roma's counter-attacks, he decided it was better to attack their defense. Additionally, Vieira believed that the goal of youth matches wasn't just to win but to develop the players.
Vieira now saw Kenneth, Pozo, and a few other talented players as individuals he needed to guide toward improvement. Facing Roma was one of their challenges.
How to break through a low block? Kenneth, having played career mode in FIFA Football VR 4 multiple times and watched numerous videos of classic matches, understood that low blocks were always a big challenge for attacking teams.
Even Guardiola's exceptional Barcelona had been stopped by Inter Milan and struggled against Chelsea.
One of the easiest ways is through headers. When there are many players in the penalty box, it's hard to deliver low passes, but high balls are easier. Therefore, a striker with strong heading ability would be a powerful weapon against a low block.
Unfortunately, City didn't have such a player. None of the current Manchester City U19 players, including center-backs Adarabioyo and Kean Bryan, were particularly strong in aerial duels.
The second option was set pieces, like free kicks and corners. However, Roma's defense against set pieces was also solid.
Lastly, there was the method often used by Manchester City during the Guardiola era: maximizing width.
Kenneth signaled to Maffeo and Bossaerts to push further forward.
In the 15th minute, City carved out their first real chance. Kenneth slipped a pass to Bossaerts, who immediately spotted Pozo making a wide run. Pozo's movement pulled Roma's left full-back out of position, creating a gap in the heart of their defense—a split second of vulnerability that City could exploit.
Bossaerts wasted no time and returned the ball to Kenneth, who seized the opening. Dribbling into the penalty box with intent, Kenneth feigned a low cross, lifting his right leg convincingly. The Roma defenders braced for the expected pass, but Kenneth's move was a calculated bluff. With a swift push, he sent the ball to Tasende, charging in from the center.
Tasende took the shot with confidence, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar, a few inches from turning City's intricate play into a well-deserved goal. Kenneth gave a nod of encouragement—he knew they were getting closer.
"Sorry," Tasende raised his hand, apologizing.
"It's okay, we can do it again."
In this match, Kenneth found himself constantly blocked by defenders when approaching the edge of the penalty box. This kept happening until he realized Roma was guarding against his long shots.
In the 24th minute, Bersant Celina delivered a cross toward Thierry Ambrose. As anticipated, Ambrose couldn't win the header, but Roma's defender only managed a weak clearance, and the ball dropped close to Brandon Barker. Positioned on the left, Barker struck it cleanly with his right foot, but his effort ricocheted off the far post and bounced out of play—a near miss for City.
Then, in the 31st minute, Kenneth was fouled just outside the penalty area, earning a free kick in prime scoring range. Stepping up with focus, Kenneth struck the ball with precision, curling it past the wall and into the net, finally breaching Roma's resolute defense. City took a well-earned 1-0 lead.
The goal shifted Roma's approach, prompting them to press more aggressively. Although this put added pressure on City's players, Roma's eagerness opened up spaces in their defense—spaces Kenneth was quick to spot. Seeing Pozo make a forward run, Kenneth delivered a perfectly weighted long ball that left Pozo one-on-one with the Roma goalkeeper.
Pozo controlled it smoothly, dribbling past the charging keeper with ease, and then calmly guided the ball into the empty net.
2-0—City had doubled their lead, and the score held through to halftime. In preparation for upcoming games, Vieira decided to substitute Kenneth at the break, bringing on O. Ntcham for the second half.
In the second half, City added to the score with goals from Thierry Ambrose and O. Ntcham. Meanwhile, Roma managed to pull one back through Di Mariano.
The match ended with a 4-1 victory for City, securing a decisive win over Roma. The system gave Kenneth a rating of 8.5, but Pozo was named MOTM in this match. Kenneth earned two attribute points, which he used to improve his natural fitness and stamina.