The sun hung low over the training ground, casting long shadows as Daisuke stood in front of a large tactical board. The entire Blackhaven squad was gathered around him, sweat still clinging to their bodies from the intense warm-up drills.
"Today, we analyze," Daisuke began, tapping his marker against the board. "Football is not just about running, passing, or shooting. It's about understanding space, movement, and reading the opponent before they even act."
He clicked a remote, and the projector behind him flickered to life, displaying key moments from their previous match. The team watched as clips rolled through—missed opportunities, poor positioning, moments where their press broke down under pressure.
"Look here." Daisuke pointed at the screen where Brentford's midfield had bypassed Blackhaven's press. "You see what went wrong?"
Lewis Carter, the team's central midfielder, rubbed the back of his head. "We lost shape too easily?"
Daisuke nodded. "Correct. Our pressing was aggressive, but disorganized. That's why we couldn't sustain control. If we don't fix this, any team with good passing will dismantle us."
He clicked again, pausing on a frame showing Ryan Carter making a cross into the box. "Now, this was good. We need more of this. Quick transitions, precise crosses."
Ryan smirked. "Told you, lads. Best left foot in the league."
Aaron scoffed. "One good cross doesn't make you Beckham."
Laughter spread through the team, easing the tension.
Daisuke smiled but quickly refocused them. "The problem is consistency. We can't rely on individual brilliance alone. The best teams are the ones where every player understands their role perfectly."
He circled two areas on the screen. "From now on, our midfield structure must be tighter. Lewis, you need to position yourself between the opponent's passing lanes. Your role is not just winning duels but cutting off options before they develop."
Lewis nodded, determination in his eyes.
Daisuke turned to Aaron. "As captain, I want you leading the press. Your triggers are when their center-back takes too long on the ball or when their full-backs receive with their back to goal."
Aaron's jaw tightened. "Understood."
Daisuke clicked forward, showing a new slide. "Now, our next opponent—Coventry City. Strong on the counter, fast wingers, and a solid defensive core. If we give them space, they'll punish us."
The players straightened, sensing the shift toward preparation for their next battle.
"We'll work on defensive structure, pressing patterns, and attacking transitions. This won't be easy, but if we execute it correctly…" Daisuke let the sentence linger.
Aaron finished for him. "We win."
Daisuke nodded. "Exactly."
The team dispersed into small groups, ready for the drills.
From the sideline, Daisuke crossed his arms, watching as his players ran through pressing drills with newfound discipline. Their movements became sharper, their reactions quicker.
This was just the beginning.