Players from both teams start lining up at the dugout.
"Let's go, boys!"
This was the biggest stadium turnout for King's View this tournament. Before the game starts, the players form a circle for a pep talk of their own, with Adrian on his knee in the middle of it.
"Okay, men, today's where the real challenge is. For most of us here, this could be our last match for this team. No matter what happens, we have to push them till the end. We don't leave this pitch wanting less or more. As your captain and leader, I order you to leave this pitch satisfied with your performance!"
"Captain, you can't be ordering us around. A leader—"
"Shut up, Leon. You know what I meant."
Adrian slaps Leon on the head, and the team chuckles.
The FG players notice them laughing and are puzzled by it. They expected their opposition to be more serious or to fear them, given that FG were the favorites. The KVA players head to their positions with smiles on their faces.
"Are they smiling?"
The other FG players shrug, unable to explain why their opponents are smiling.
U18 High School Youth Tournament: King's View Academy vs Fichtenhöhe Gymnasium (Qaurter Final)
Team: King's View Academy (KVA)
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI:
Goalkeeper (GK): Lukas Stahlmann (1)
Right Back (RB): Felix Donnerfeld (3)
Right Center Back (RCB): Max Eisenhut (4)
Left Center Back (LCB): Jonas Felsberger (5)
Left Back (LB): Nico Windschatten (2)
Midfield
Right Midfielder (RM): Che Louw (18)
Central Midfielder (CM): Karl Schattenwald (6)
Central Midfielder (CM): Nate Lichtner (8)
Left Midfielder (LM): Leon Sonnenblick (10)
Attack
Striker (ST): Adrian Sturmjäger (9) (Captain)
Striker (ST): Finn Wolkenbruch (11)
Team Name: Fichtenhöhe Gymnasium (FG)
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Starting XI:
Goalkeeper (GK): Fabian Nebelstein (1)
Right Back (RB): Tobias Sturmwald (2)
Right Center Back (RCB): Matthias Donnerhof (4)
Left Center Back (LCB): Jonas Felsenbach (5)
Left Back (LB): Markus Lichtberg (3) (Captain)
Midfield Diamond
Defensive Midfielder (DM): Leon Düsterheim (6)
Right Midfielder (CM): Erik Feuerfeld (7)
Left Midfielder (CM): Felix Sonnental (11)
Attacking Midfielder (AM): Lukas Flammenhain (10)
Attack
Striker (ST): Malik Wolkenkopf (9)
Striker (ST): Florian Blitzmann (8)
The referee blows the whistle, and FG kicks off, initiating the match. The ball is passed back to their defenders, who settle into a measured rhythm, exchanging passes between the goalkeeper and center-backs. KVA players hold their position in a disciplined mid-block, refusing to press. FG takes their time, patiently building up from the back, waiting for an opportunity to advance.
After a few safe passes, FG decides to break the lines by sending the ball to the defensive midfielder. The KVA players stay composed, inviting FG to play the ball into their half, biding their time to capitalize on any mistakes.
The ball seldom reaches the attacking midfielders or strikers, forcing FG to shift their play wide. The central midfielders spread out as well, creating width and space to facilitate easier passing lanes. It's clear FG is attempting to stretch the KVA defense, but the structure remains unyielding.
Che observes proudly from his central midfield position. The defensive setup is holding firm; FG has yet to make a progressive or dangerous pass. While Che initially struggled with this tactical approach—finding it far removed from the attacking philosophy he was accustomed to—he understands its necessity for this match. For the sake of the team, he's willing to adapt and play his part.
FG rotates possession to their left-back, who ventures forward into the attacking half near Felix, KVA's right-back. The left-back receives immediate support from his striker and central midfielder, drawing KVA players out of position. Che tracks back diligently to provide defensive support, while Nate, spotting the CM in open space, moves to close him down.
The CM anticipates Nate's approach, playing a one-touch pass to the attacking midfielder. Karl, stepping up to cover for Nate, finds himself outmaneuvered as the AM executes a clever backheel flick to the other central midfielder, who swiftly delivers the ball to the striker. The striker takes a touch and attempts a shot with his weaker left foot, but it lacks power. Lukas, KVA's goalkeeper, handles it comfortably.
"They're better than I thought," Coach mutters.
"Yeah," The assistant replies "And I don't think one week of training will be enough to keep them from scoring at least one goal."
Wasting no time, Lukas throws the ball into space where Finn, the striker, has dropped deep to receive. Exploiting the defensive midfielder's lapse in positioning, Finn controls the ball—albeit shakily—and releases it just before the DM can recover. The pass finds Leon, the left midfielder, who has drifted centrally to support the attack.
Leon surges forward with the ball, Adrian positioned ahead of him, tightly marked by a defender. To Leon's right, Finn sprints forward, trailed by the chasing DM. The center-backs remain composed, focusing on delaying the counterattack and maintaining their shape.
Spotting an opportunity, the opposing right-back steps up to challenge Leon. Reacting instinctively, Leon veers right into open space, sidestepping the RB's approach. Finn, recognizing Leon's trajectory, adjusts his run to the left, creating a perfect overlap. As they cross paths, Leon executes a precise backheel pass into Finn's stride. However, Finn's touch is heavy, and the ball rolls slightly out of reach.
The right-sided center-back seizes the moment, stepping in to intercept. But Finn recovers just in time, exploiting the defender's momentum to leave him off-balance. With open space ahead, Finn drives forward toward the penalty box. The right-back catches up, tugging at Finn's shirt in a desperate attempt to stop him.
Sensing the danger, the left-sided center-back abandons his mark on Adrian and closes in on Finn. With both the RB and LCB converging, Finn is forced to take an early shot. The LCB times his tackle perfectly, deflecting the ball with a clean challenge. The deflection sends the ball straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
"Okay, good! Good! Now get back!" Coach shouts, rallying his teammates to reset their defensive shape.