The referee blows for halftime after the two minutes of added time are up. The players walk to the changing room.
As they head to the changing room, their heads hang low, disappointed after conceding a goal so late in the half. Entering the room, Che kicks one of the bags in frustration.
"Boys! Keep your heads up! You went out there and faced them. Never forget that the team you're facing is better than you, but you're taking them on head-on! I'm proud of you, gentlemen! And I'd like you to keep me proud by leaving a mark out there! COME ON, MEN! You know what to do!"
"YES, SIR!"
The coach starts clapping his hands loudly and quickly to warm up the players, who join him. After the clapping, the assistant manager adds his own speech.
"Additionally… additionally, I'd like to add to what the coach just said. They're playing the same game as you guys. They're waiting for that opportunity to break through. You saw that goal, right? They were waiting for us to press high so they could counter because of their quick forwards. So, watch out for the counter!"
The assistant first approaches the fullbacks (LB & RB).
"I'll need you two to stay back when we're on the attack to help the CBs handle their strikers, since they have so much pace. And Karl! Come here… I'll also need you to stay back and keep an eye on their AM. He could be utilized more in the second half. Understood?"
"Yes, coach."
"Che, I need to speak with you."
"Yeah?"
"They're likely going to try and isolate you when you receive the ball on the wing. So, I'll need you to move inside and get the ball centrally. Make sure you distribute to the wingers too—we'll want Finn to move to the wing for his pace."
"Okay."
"They might also decide to have their DM stay back when they notice this, so be prepared for that."
"I'm already ahead of you, coach."
The players spend the rest of halftime mentally preparing for what's to come in the second half. The room is filled with silence until it's time to return to the field. The players head out, their determination renewed.
"Let's get it, boys!" The KVA team emerges from the dugout, more energetic than ever.
The referee waits for the teams to be ready and blows the whistle to start the second half. The game resumes with Adrian taking the first touch, passing back to Lukas. Lukas holds the ball as FG players press with full speed.
He quickly passes to Nico (LB) and then to Nate. KVA players exchange passes in their half while struggling against FG's suffocating press. They're forced to keep the ball circulating among the defenders and the goalkeeper.
When the ball reaches midfield, Karl barely has a chance to touch it before he's pressed by an FG player. He kicks the ball aimlessly, and it goes out for an FG throw-in. FG plays the ball quickly, and KVA players struggle to keep up. Their defensive shape is forced deeper into their half.
Before KVA realizes it, a cross is whipped into the box by FG's RB. Fortunately, the cross is too fast for the FG strikers to reach. Felix recovers the ball near the corner flag, but the moment he does, he's defended by FG's AM. The AM retrieves the ball and immediately sends it back into the box.
Lukas reads the cross perfectly and starts a counterattack for his team. He throws the ball to Leon, who is unmarked and controls it with ease, kicking it forward to run into open space. Leon sprints down the wing with only the two FG center-backs positioned in the middle.
Che, Adrian, and Finn all charge toward the goal. Che moves more centrally, drawing the LB to follow and cover him while Leon cuts inside, finding himself with time and space to make his play.
FG players race back at full speed to defend. Leon enters a one-on-one duel with FG's RCB, who has left Adrian alone in an offside position. Leon performs two stepovers—first with his right foot, then his left—and cuts inside. Meanwhile, Che intelligently loses the LB and calls for the ball. Leon spots him and quickly releases the pass to Che at the edge of the box.
The FG DM, positioned between Adrian and Finn, attempts to block the shot. Che feints a shot but instead passes to Finn, who is wide open. Finn takes the shot with his weaker left foot, but the attempt is too weak. The FG goalkeeper saves it easily and deflects the ball out for a corner. KVA's coach throws his hands to his head in frustration, joined by the rest of the team.
The assistant referee raises the flag for offside. Finn grows disappointed with himself, but Che encourages him with a pat on the back and motivates the team to keep pushing when the next opportunity arises.
FG's coach signals instructions to his DM, assuring him that he'll manage the situation. The game continues, and FG players become more accurate in their passes. KVA players, meanwhile, are starting to tire and struggle to keep up with FG's pace.
Ten minutes pass, and FG has accumulated over 15 shots, with seven on target. They're edging closer to scoring.
The KVA coach decides to make a substitution.