The Balance Of tension

The stadium buzzed with electric energy as the game resumed. Both teams were desperate to tilt the match in their favor, but the scoreboard remained unchanged for now. Each attack and counterattack carried the weight of anticipation, every touch of the ball a potential turning point.

Elian could feel the pressure. Every time he touched the ball, at least two Italian defenders swarmed him, trying to shut him down before he could work his magic. Rossi was particularly relentless, his tackles sharp and his positioning impeccable.

But Elian had an edge. His Game Reading skill hummed softly in the back of his mind, offering subtle cues about the flow of the match. He noticed patterns—Marino liked to leave a bit of space on the left when he pushed upfield, and De Luca hesitated for a fraction of a second before pressing. These small insights were invaluable, helping Elian make quick decisions and stay one step ahead.