Football singularity-Chapter 483 One Month
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[Ding mission Future Great's progress:]
#Don't lose a match: L0/D1/W7 (Complete)
#Beat Javier Saviola's all-time Goal scoring record of 11 set in 2001: 13/11 (Complete)
#Win the Golden Boot: 1/1 (13, Goals) {Congratulations} (Complete)
#Lead your team to win the Mini World Cup: 1/1 {Congratulations} (Complete)
#Win the MVP award: 0/1 {TBD} (Complete)
Rewards: Calculated based on Performance and achievements: [One with the ball (growth Skill) earned: D]
Ding: >Football Technique grade has been raised: S -> S+
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"Well, that wasn't at all what I was expecting," I voiced after finally getting a chance to check in with the system. Honestly, I was just expecting a boatload of singularity points and a gift card, but this looks like it could be worth its weight in gold.
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*One with the ball (growth type Skill): Grade D
- A skill that boosts the host's feel for the ball as if it's an extension of his limbs, depending on the effort put in to increase one's touch for the ball.
- 2% increase in the effectiveness of Football Technique-related drills.
(A skill that every great player of the game has mastered, no matter the position they have mastered.)
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{That is definitely a skill that could help you evolve your entire playstyle from the ground level. Though I'm quite surprised that you managed to draw it since it's quite a rare skill with the odds being 1 in a billion.} Eva said, snapping my attention back to the present.
"Yeah, well, that's for future me to worry about. For now, I just want to take a well-deserved rest." I said before falling onto my bed and slipping under the covers without a wasted moment. The coach had given us a four-day break, allowing us to return to the team after their game against Freiburg.
{Good night}
~~~
[31 Days later]
[21/12/2019 | Time: 15:00| Location: MEWA Arena]
"Yo, bro, I can't believe I finally get to make my first start for the team," Wirtz said from the bench next to mine as he retightened the straps of his boots.
It's really no different from coming off the bench, just play like you usually do, and you will be more than alright." I half-heartedly retorted as I continued to scroll through my phone, not really up for going through this guy's pre-game jitters routine. "You say you're nervous before each game and still manage to perform well, have some confidence in yourself."
"Don't be so cold-hearted. Fine, I'll leave you be. Diary is more fun to talk to anyway." He said before bouncing to the other side of the room, where a group of players were huddled over Paulinho's phone.
Ignoring him, I took a second to look back at these past few weeks, which had been quite hectic since our return from Poland. The past month played in my mind like a rapid-fire highlight reel, equal parts glory and frustration. Our return from Poland had been met with fanfare and pressure from fans and coaches alike.
The team had drawn once again in the match against Freiburg, leaving two valuable points on the table. The 1-1 frustrated everyone to no end, but Wirtz and I were just excited to be home and work on furthering our careers. Things started off well in my first game back, as, despite coming off the bench in the 70th minute against Lokomotiv Moscow, three days later in Russia, I continued my scoring spree.
The game ended in a 2:0 victory, securing our passage into the knockout stages with 7 points. Celebrations were short-lived as four days later came the next big challenge in Munich against league leaders Bayern. The match was the hardest I've played in my life so far, as Joshua Kimmich kept me silent for almost 80 minutes.
He followed me better than my own shadow, limiting my impact during attacks, and forcing me to focus more on possession and ball retention play. Luckily, my team pulled through, managing to keep the game close at 1:1 all the way till the 85th minute. I finally got my chance, the left edge of the box against a tired Joshua Kimmich, whose reaction speed had slowed.
A swift step over mixed with a feint, and I was moving to the D of the box. Jérôme Boateng came to meet me, but I had already decided to pull the trigger. I still remember the feeling of my boots skimming the pitch, the rhythm of the crowd, and the disbelief on Neuer's face when my curling strike found the bottom corner to seal a 2:1 win. That was a moment I would never forget as I had managed to beat yet another legendary keep of the past decade.
Confidence surged through the squad after that. Back-to-back wins tend to do that. Schalke 04 came next. We hosted them on December 7th, and while they fought hard, our intensity was sharper. I didn't get on the scoresheet this time, but my assist to Amiri for the second goal was enough to steal a 2:1 victory.
We felt like the form we had at the start of the season was back and naturally felt invincible, but football has its way of humbling you. Just four days later, under the floodlights of the BayArena, Juventus reminded us that there's still a gap between us and Europe's elite. We were outplayed, outclassed, and ultimately had to accept a bitter 0:2 loss as the King spun back for revenge over our first leg clash in the group.
Ronaldo was simply out of this world during the game, scoring a header and a long-range attempt from outside the box. He had put Tah on the wrong foot following his turn and simply let loose a thunderous shot once he took aim. Maybe due to the fact that we were playing at home or the fact that they had won, but the Italian fans kept their 'competitive support' to themselves.
The only good takeaway from the match, personally, was getting a signed Real Madrid jersey from Ronaldo. Since I didn't accept his Juve jersey, in our last meeting, he had made it a personal mission to bring me one of his game-worn Madrid jerseys. I genuinely appreciated the present even after the loss, but that would be the last thing I could smile about for a while.
Then came Köln, our Local derby, and it was a packed house at RheinEnergieSTADION filled with 50,000 spectators. To make matters worse, the weather was almost torrential rain and wind that made me wish the game would be called off, but it was not meant to be. Absolutely nothing went right, from the first whistle, it was a slugger fest with players jumping into tackles feet, shoulders and headfirsts like crash test dummies.
Have you ever tried controlling the ball under those conditions? Let me tell you it's almost impossible, as the moment you manage to deal with the weather, you have crazy players to deal with. By the first half an hour, I had become acquainted with the ground due to the number of rough tackles I had been on the wrong end of. I finally had enough after being sent to the ground by a two-foot tackle from two different Koln players that caught me in the air.
I had a few less-than-savoury choice words for the referee and the players that would have my mother glaring at me for days. Trust me, despite not being an African mum, she has mastered the art of letting your child know you're disappointed or in trouble with just a side-eye.
We eventually lost 0:2, and to make matters worse, I picked up a yellow card for dissent. In my opinion, it wasn't deserved since it did feel like we were playing against 12 men out there. Luckily coach saw fit to take me off before I could make things worse. My frustration had gotten the better of me, and I knew it, but I could only get kicked so many times before part of me wanted to try out some of those taekwondo techniques I used to practice.
Hertha BSC at home was supposed to be a bounce-back, a reset. But instead, we flatlined. A 0:1 loss, lifeless and bitter, marked our third straight defeat in all competitions. The fans were livid, understandably so, as their beloved team was failing to meet even the basic requirements. The press, well they did what they do best spin a story and stir as much shit as possible to sell clicks and papers.
That is why this game against Mainz 05 was so crucial, with it being the last game before we would go on Christmas break. Winning was the only option; otherwise, there could be a major reshuffling during the winter transfer season. "Alright, guys, gather up, it's time."
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To Be Continued...
