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The sun shone brightly over Barcelona's training grounds as Mateo stepped onto the pitch for the team's next session. The atmosphere felt different—lighter, more cohesive. The subtle tension that had lingered between Elias and the rest of the squad seemed to have dissipated, and Alejandro had begun integrating more seamlessly into the group.
Mateo took a deep breath. Today's session was crucial, not just for himself but for the team as a whole. Coach Marc had hinted the previous day that they would focus on tactical awareness and advanced positional drills.
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Coach Marc gathered the players in the middle of the pitch. "Today, we're working on transitioning from defense to attack. I want quick, precise passing and intelligent movement. Alejandro, you'll anchor the defense. Mateo, you'll be the pivot in midfield. Elias and Lucas, I want sharp runs into space."
The team split into groups to practice patterns of play. Mateo immediately felt the weight of responsibility as the pivot. His job was to link the defense and attack, ensuring smooth transitions and keeping possession under pressure.
The first few drills were intense. Alejandro, true to form, intercepted nearly every misplaced pass. Mateo adjusted quickly, focusing on quick one-touch passes to evade the defenders. He started orchestrating the play, calling out instructions and directing his teammates into better positions.
"Elias, drop back!" Mateo shouted during one sequence. "Lucas, stay wide!"
Both players followed his lead, and the result was a perfectly executed counterattack. Elias burst forward, receiving a diagonal ball from Mateo, and threaded a pass into the box. Lucas finished with a clinical strike past the goalkeeper.
"Perfect!" Coach Marc yelled. "That's what I want to see!"
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During the water break, Mateo approached Alejandro and Elias.
"You're a wall back there, Alejandro," Mateo said. "It's like you can read the play before it happens."
Alejandro smirked. "It's all about positioning. You make my job easier by giving me options to pass out of the back."
Mateo turned to Elias. "And your movement is spot on. That run you made created so much space for Lucas."
Elias shrugged, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "I'm just doing my part."
Victor walked over, tossing an arm around Mateo's shoulders. "Looks like you're turning into the glue of this team, little maestro."
Mateo grinned. "Just trying to keep us moving."
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The session ended with an 11v11 scrimmage. Coach Marc mixed up the teams, placing Mateo, Elias, and Alejandro on opposing sides to test their adaptability.
Mateo found himself marking Elias, who was as quick and unpredictable as ever. Despite their budding friendship, neither held back. Elias beat Mateo with a sharp turn early in the game, but Mateo recovered by intercepting his cross moments later.
Alejandro, meanwhile, was a fortress on the other side. Any time Mateo tried to thread a ball through to his striker, Alejandro seemed to be in the right place to block it.
As the match wore on, Mateo adapted his strategy. Instead of trying to beat Alejandro directly, he started drawing him out of position with feints and clever passing. It worked—Mateo's team scored a late goal after he played a quick one-two with Lucas to bypass Alejandro's defense.
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As the players cooled down, Coach Marc pulled Mateo aside.
"You're growing into your role," Marc said. "Your ability to read the game is improving, and the team trusts you more because of it."
"Thanks, Coach," Mateo replied, feeling a swell of pride.
"Keep it up. Leadership isn't just about skill—it's about making the players around you better. And you're doing that."
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System Notification
As Mateo walked off the pitch, the familiar chime echoed in his mind.
New Mission Completed:
"Act as the pivot in a team scrimmage and lead your side to victory."
Reward: +2 System Points.
Current System Points: 10
Mateo smiled. Every session, every challenge, was bringing him closer to his dream.
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The Barcelona U15 training ground hummed with anticipation. Mateo Alvarez, a 15-year-old academy player with black hair and striking red eyes, laced his boots with nervous energy. Today's session was no ordinary drill—Coach Marc had planned an internal scrimmage to assess the players' progress.
For Mateo, it was another chance to prove himself. Though far from a standout, his recent performances in training had sparked quiet whispers of improvement. The system, which had become his secret weapon, was slowly helping him close the gap with his more talented peers.
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Team Lineups
Team A (Mateo's Team):
Goalkeeper: Hugo Martínez – Dependable with quick reflexes and sharp decision-making.
Right-back: Enzo Rivera – Aggressive and tireless, with a knack for pushing forward.
Center-back: Tomas Velasco – Strong and commanding, excellent in aerial duels but struggles with pace.
Left-back: Jorge Alvarez – Mateo's older cousin, calm under pressure and a good crosser.
Midfielders:
Mateo Alvarez – Creative central midfielder, showing flashes of vision and control.
Lucas Moreno – Energetic box-to-box midfielder and natural leader.
Gabriel Ortega – Technical playmaker with sharp passing and set-piece delivery.
Forward: Pedro Rojas – Captain and lethal finisher, known for his movement off the ball.
Team B (Opposition):
Goalkeeper: Samuel Diaz – Agile and vocal, but prone to hesitation.
Right-back: Carlos Prieto – Quick and aggressive, though sometimes caught out of position.
Center-back: Victor Cano – A physical enforcer, dominant in one-on-one duels.
Left-back: Adrian Gomez – Smart and disciplined, excels at reading the game.
Midfielders:
Rafael Cruz – Defensive midfielder, relentless and tough-tackling.
Elias Navarro – Intelligent playmaker, skilled at dictating tempo.
Diego Martinez – Hardworking box-to-box midfielder with a strong long-range shot.
Forward: Adrian Santoro – A speedy trialist, known for his explosive acceleration and sharp finishing.
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The match kicked off with Team B pressing high. Elias and Rafael quickly imposed themselves in midfield, disrupting Mateo's attempts to control the tempo.
"Stay composed!" Lucas barked, clapping his hands to rally the team.
Mateo dropped deeper to receive the ball, carefully shielding it from Diego's aggressive press. Spotting Jorge making a run down the left flank, Mateo played a crisp pass into space. Jorge crossed into the box, but Pedro's header sailed over the bar.
"Close one!" Jorge called out, jogging back into position. Mateo gave him a small nod, already scanning the field for his next opportunity.
Meanwhile, Adrian Santoro grew increasingly frustrated as Tomas and Enzo double-marked him. After a failed dribble attempt, Adrian shoved Enzo in frustration.
"Watch yourself," Enzo snapped, glaring at the trialist.
"Relax," Elias hissed at Adrian, pulling him aside. "We'll get our chance. Just stay focused."
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At the whistle, the players retreated to their respective sides for a brief break. Team A gathered around Coach Marc, who offered quick tactical adjustments.
"Mateo," Jorge said, pulling his cousin aside, "you're doing great, but don't hesitate to take risks. Look for Pedro earlier; his movement's been sharp."
"I will," Mateo replied, feeling a surge of confidence. Having Jorge's quiet support always steadied his nerves.
On Team B's side, Elias took control of the discussion. "Rafael, sit deeper and cover the space behind me. Diego, push higher—we need more runners in the box." Adrian, still simmering, stood apart from the group, muttering under his breath.
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