My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 25: From 30km/h to zero in a single step

Time seemed to warp as the humidity steadily rose inside the stadium and players began to see the early signs of fatigue appear.

Rio and Mateo continued with their rebellion, even increasing their sprinting intensity to keep pushing the aging Madrid superstars.

Over a span of fifteen minutes, Rio had covered a few kilometers, probably thanks to now receiving the proper adrenaline for a terrified teenager.

The two were still as telepathic as ever, spurred by their desire to become professional legends in the future.

Mateo had taken to his deep-lying playmaker role much faster than expected, greatly surprising Jude Bellingham who had merely thought he had some potential to be a nuisance.

Rio on the other hand had been making the most of his ’Leo’s Vision’, sprinting into the pockets of space every time he could.

The seventy-fifth minute had already been and gone with Rio making the most of his newly transformed mental grade and positioning well on the flank. Speed was still by far his best weapon, but he had managed to improve dramatically on his decision-making.

If he continued to make such runs, he would be able to pass the eye test for much better clubs than he had in his previous life as a benchwarmer.

However, the goal was to survive Real Madrid which was currently toying with them. Rio had always wanted to play against the prestigious club which would give him the best opportunity to prove he wasn’t a fraud.

Like most giants, they offered gaps to opponents who they wanted to bait into a trap, while also organizing counter-attacks for those with less discipline.

Therefore, Mateo and Rio agreed via a breathless nod that they would do their best to win the individual battles and compete on the largest stage in order to get the attention of the scoreboard.

The Girona team had just finished a frantic defensive scramble in their own box and were now waiting on instructions from their Coach during an injury stoppage.

Unlike how they had been in the first half, there was defiance in the air.

The Coach cleared his throat and addressed his players with his usual intense face from the technical area.

"You have all done well to continue your pressing while we were out of possession. Since we have not had to worry about the scoreline, I feel as if we have had a freedom that other teams have not."

"That being said, we are now about to start our final assault where we will be able to see how much we have learned. In my mind right now is the weakness for the Madrid defense."

His words elicited an excited response, making it clear that this was what the team had been waiting for all these minutes.

Rio and Mateo shared a look filled with anticipation. This was what they had been striving towards all this time, working tirelessly day in and day out since the Betis game.

"We’re up against Dani Carvajal in the right channel," Michel whispered, handing a water bottle to Aleix, the team captain.

"Yes! An exhausted legend to target."

The rest of the attack crowded around Aleix to get a good look at the plan. Rio looked over the captain’s shoulder and nodded his head. Thanks to his mental upgrade, he could tell with one look that the situation was essentially the same as Leo’s prediction.

They would need to win three duels total in order to qualify for a shooting opportunity, followed by another perfect pass to win the goal.

If he had been shooting, Rio might have confidence in getting through these two defenders, but he would have to rely on Dovbyk to finish the job. As long as they could limit their own mistakes, the System would do the rest.

"Okay, the play restarts in thirty seconds. I’ll be releasing the tactical restraints now so this is your last chance to impress me." The Coach spoke up, getting the attention of his players.

"Yes Coach!"

Mateo and Rio separated, but not before bumping fists. The two had rarely played together at this intensity now that Mateo had been moved to the starting lineup. However, Rio was not worried.

It was for the benefit of the team if Mateo, a future midfield maestro, was moved to his prime position sooner rather than later.

With the restart coming up, the Coach targeted some game-specific scenarios rather than just honing everyone’s defense. For this, Rio was on the left wing while Mateo hit balls everywhere around the midfield. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Due to his ’Speed Burst’ skill and his long legs, Rio was perfectly able to catch the throws sent his way from anywhere on the pitch.

After around five minutes of this back-and-forth, the game switched to a one-v-one scenario.

The goal was to go for a counter-attack by bypassing the advancing full-back at the halfway line before throwing it back to Rio on the run.

This continued before more chaos was added into the mix. The Madrid team was sharp, possibly because a fire had been lit beneath them with the audacity of the Girona rookies.

Coach Michel seemed satisfied with the effort and only put an end to the shouting after about ten minutes. Despite not really moving from his zone, Rio was drenched in sweat thanks to the Spanish heat which bore down on him.

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: The old man is breathing heavy! Look at Carvajal!

Total_Football_14: He is tired. His positioning is still perfect, but his legs are gone. Rio, you must exploit the fatigue.

The_Phenomenon_9: Don’t feel sorry for him. Kill him.

The following play, the game brought everyone into one of the most tense moments of the season. Today was the moment that the outcome would be revealed.

There were a few nervous faces, apart from the likes of Kroos and Modric who had no real anxiety for their roles.

Dani Carvajal seemed to be sweating bullets. Ever since Rio had been sprinting down the wing, he had not been able to catch a breather.

The rookie seemed to be made for the position with his killer pace and consistent running.

Rio too was feeling nervous, casting his gaze over to Vinicius on the other side of the pitch.

Vinicius had long recovered from his defensive duties and had been performing well at waiting near the halfway line throughout the last couple of minutes.

The ball rolled out to Mateo.

"Here we go," Rio whispered.

He didn’t look at the ball. He looked at Carvajal.

The Madrid defender was leaning forward, hands on his knees for a split second before snapping upright. That was the tell.

"He’s gassed," Rio realized. "He’s fucking gassed."

Mateo received the pass from Blind. He didn’t look up. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly where Rio was going.

The ball left Mateo’s boot. It was a driven, curling rocket that sliced through the Madrid midfield like a hot knife through butter.

"See ya!" Rio shouted, kicking the turf behind him.

He exploded off the mark. Carvajal turned, his reaction time perfect, but his body betrayed him. His legs felt like lead.

Rio breezed past him. One meter. Two meters.

The crowd rose to their feet, a collective inhale of fifty thousand people.

"Go! Go! Go!" Mateo screamed from the back.

Rio reached the ball. He was in the clear. But ahead of him, the final boss awaited.

Antonio Rüdiger.

The German defender wasn’t running. He was waiting. He stood at the edge of the penalty box, grinning like a maniac. He opened his arms wide, as if inviting Rio into a hug—or a wrestling match.

Hand_Of_King: He wants to kill you! Dive!

The_Phenomenon_9: DO NOT DIVE! CHIP HIM!

Total_Football_14: Pass it! Look at the far post!

Rio’s mind raced. He had a split second. Rüdiger was closing in. The goalkeeper, Courtois, was a giant octopus covering the net.

And from the corner of his eye, Rio saw a flash of white.

Vinicius was tracking back. The lazy genius was actually running to defend.

"Shit," Rio hissed.

He was boxed in. Rüdiger in front. Carvajal recovering behind. Vinicius closing from the side.

"Think, Rio. Think!"

He remembered the Image Training. He remembered the frustrations.

Use the unpredictable spin.

Rio dropped his shoulder. He faked a shot.

Rüdiger didn’t bite. He stood firm.

"Fuck it," Rio gritted his teeth.

He didn’t shoot. He didn’t pass.

He stopped.

Complete stop.

From 30km/h to zero in a single step.

Carvajal, sprinting to recover, couldn’t stop in time. He flew past Rio, slipping on the turf, crashing into Rüdiger.

The two Madrid defenders collided in a heap of white limbs.

"What!?" The crowd gasped.

Rio stood alone with the ball. The path to the goal was open.

Just him and the Giraffe.

Rio pulled his leg back.

"This is for the pink boots," he whispered.