Starters Vs Reserves (3)

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After David's goal, the match took on a new tempo. If it was already quite exciting at the beginning, it was even better now. Team 2 restarted the match, and for the next minute or so, they kept possession of the ball.

Unlike Team 1, who played possession-based football, Team 2 was playing a more fluid, exciting version of football. There was constant movement as the teammates tried to make themselves open to receive the ball. The transition from defense to attack was quite smooth. It made Xavier, who was watching them play, reminiscent of Jonathan Klüp's football.

He had tried to train them to play quick, snappy football when he first came in. Unfortunately, the players he met couldn't think fast enough to keep the ball always moving, so he ended up coaching them to adopt a direct approach.

When he selected the new team, he briefly tried to coach them using that style, but they weren't sharp or fast enough to execute it. In the end, he decided to let the midfield dictate the play. Attack started from the midfield, defense started from the midfield. That was what he taught them to play. It was mainly possession-based, but it was the only type of football he thought they knew how to play. Seeing Team 2 unknowingly but effectively play like that made his eyes shine with a scary glint.

"Seems like these cunts might actually be able to play how I want them to," Xavier said.

15'

After several minutes of playing extremely good football, Team 2 finally got a chance to score their first goal.

Henry Cole (Team 2 center midfielder) and Alex Thompson (Team 2 center midfielder) played a one-two to get past Archie. Henry ended up with the ball and sent it wide to Harry Morgan (Team 2 left back), who was making a run on the left flank.

Harry crossed the ball into the box first-time. Unfortunately, it was cleared away by Team 1's center backs. The ball only went as far as Ryan Carter (Team 2 striker).

Ryan found himself facing Archie and took him on. He kicked the ball wide and used his speed to get past Archie. James came charging at him soon after. His legs flashed over the ball as he performed a stepover. Right as he was about to move the ball forward, he mistakenly hit it with his other leg, sending James in the wrong direction. Ryan sent a cross into the box, aiming for Adam Carter.

The cross took a deflection off one of the players in the box and went straight for the post. Andy reacted quickly; however, he managed to tip the ball over the post and sent it out for a corner.

After that chance, the match became fairly boring. Team 2, who had been running around, started to get tired, and Team 1 started to create lots of chances. Unfortunately, they couldn't convert any of those chances. Sam Butler made a lot of outstanding saves, and Michael missed some very good chances.

Kieran checked his watch and blew the whistle to signify the end of the first half. Everyone on the pitch straight up collapsed on the floor as soon as they heard the whistle. Well... Everyone but one.

Archie was still standing, looking around as if nothing had happened. Playing as the defensive pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he had done the most running in his team. The number of times he had to track back to stop a potential attack was numerous. And still, he was the most energetic player during the break.

"Beast," Alexis muttered under his breath. He couldn't help but admire Archie's stamina.

Xavier stood up from the chair he had been sitting on and walked to the middle of the field. "Alright lads, that's all for today."

"Aren't we playing the second half?" Sam asked. That single question caused everyone, Archie included, to stare at him with hate-filled gazes.

"No," Xavier chuckled. "I would've made you all do it, but you lot couldn't even finish one half properly. Kieran here had to blow for half-time at the thirty-seventh minute."

"We didn't even play forty-five minutes?"

"No," Xavier said plainly. "But fuck that. Matches in the Proprietor's Cup go straight to penalties after ninety minutes, so I don't really need you to have horse stamina," Xavier said, resulting in some of the players casting hateful gazes at him.

Before the match started, Xavier said that he wanted them running like horses, and after they had wasted themselves on the field 'running like horses,' he said it didn't matter. Even Alexis wanted to beat him up. Unlike the people who stared at him, however, Alexis had self-control. He just had a slight frown on his face.

"Anyways, tomorrow you all are going to report to training. I have a new set of tactics I'd like to discuss with you," Xavier said. "That's it for today. You cunts can leave now."

After Xavier dismissed everyone, no one stood up immediately. They rested for about ten minutes before going home one by one. Alexis found Trey after resting for a bit, and the two of them went home together.

"What do you think Xavier is going to tell us tomorrow?" Trey asked as they were walking to their houses.

"I have no idea," Alexis said. "I can't imagine what he'll want to change from the tactics he has been using all this while."

"It's those reserve wankers," Trey said. "I can taste it. He's probably going to make us run more."

Alexis shrugged. "He's going to make you guys run more. I'm supposed to stay advanced and wait for the ball, from what he said."

"That's old tactics," Trey's lips twitched.

"Doesn't matter. Something tells me he's not going to mess with Archie and David's groove," Alexis said. "So you are screwed. I'm just going to do what I normally do."

"I wish I was an attacking midfielder," Trey muttered.

"Trust me, you don't," Alexis said with a scoff.

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