Gao Nuo kept recalling every little detail of his football journey.
The park downstairs, the school football field, the Luneng Football School's youth training team, Manchester City's trial camp.
One by one, fragments flashed by, scenes constantly changing, the only constant being Gao Nuo's determined gaze and his love for football.
"My strengths? Good physical conditioning, fast speed, good in duels, but that's all. Coach Drogba, please guide me."
Gao Nuo said, looking at Drogba with anticipation.
"That's right, good physique, poor technique. Do you think you're like me when I was young?"
"You're far off, kid! I don't know what kind of rookies your previous coaches were, always practicing ball control. How can you utilize your speed advantage? Are you trying to drive a sports car with the brakes on?"
"And physical duels, with your dribbling, do you have the capital to duel at high speed?" Drogba said, kicking the football 50 meters away, "Go win possession."
As soon as Gao Nuo heard the command, he sprinted towards the football, and Drogba also started moving.
Both of them were fast, running neck and neck. As they were about to catch up to the football, Drogba suddenly accelerated, cut off Gao Nuo's position, and with a dip of his body, he sent Gao Nuo flying.
Gao Nuo got up from the ground, his eyes lighting up, as if he had grasped something.
Drogba looked at Gao Nuo's eyes and nodded slightly.
"Yes, kid, off-ball movement is your advantageous space. Find the opponent's rhythm, use your body to push them aside, then a burst of speed. That's how you drive a sports car."
Gao Nuo's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He realized he wasn't without weapons; he just kept them tucked away, no, in his pocket, and hadn't taken them out.
"Then let's start training, Coach!" Gao Nuo picked up the football and handed it to Drogba, a brilliant smile on his face.
… … … …
Sixteen hours passed quickly.
Gao Nuo had been learning off-ball movement and physical duels with Drogba.
Without the stamina potions, he had to rest for half an hour after two hours of training. Gao Nuo was like a tireless wild dog, crazy! Resilient!
At eight in the morning, a waking Gao Nuo was starving, his stomach rumbling, and headed straight for the hotel restaurant.
While eating eggs, Gao Nuo asked the host, "How are my attributes now? Show me."
"host: Gao Nuo, 18 years old.
Height: 192cm, Weight: 93kg
Current Attributes:
Ball Control: 8
Passing: 6
Shooting: 8
Off-ball Movement: 5
First Touch: 6
Strength: 11
Stamina: 9
Speed: 13
Explosiveness: 15
Willpower: 18
Comprehension: 12
Maximum attribute value is 20. Other attributes are hidden and not accessible to the host."
Compared to his initial attributes, Ball Control increased by 3 points, Off-ball Movement by 2 points, and a new Comprehension attribute was added.
The warm-up match was scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM, lasting 90 minutes. The opposing teams were the Manchester United trial team vs. the Manchester United U21 youth team. The match had an official referee, and there were no restrictions on substitutions for either side.
After breakfast, Gao Nuo returned to his room. He didn't plan to train today. After 24 hours of conscious training yesterday, Gao Nuo needed to relax his mind and adjust his state.
Today's warm-up match would likely be crucial in determining whether he could stay.
At 2 PM, Gao Nuo slowly walked towards the training base, constantly recalling what Drogba had told him.
"If, as Drogba said, my advantage is off-ball movement, then why did the Manchester United coaches only arrange for me to train ball control? Indeed, my speed is completely unable to pick up when dribbling, and dribbling past opponents is also difficult for me."
"Over here, Gao Nuo, this way." Wang Xiaochuan's shout interrupted Gao Nuo's thoughts, "You slept all day yesterday, kid. How are you feeling? Confident?"
Looking at the enthusiastic captain, Wang Xiaochuan, Gao Nuo scratched his head, "I'm alright. I've done my best. I'll give it my all in today's match."
A somewhat sharp voice came from beside them: "Oh, great genius Gao, what's up? Still want to stay at Manchester United? Don't you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? There's a limit to dreaming."
Zhao Dong said, walking past the two of them with an irritating expression.
"We're all Chinese, Zhao Dong, don't go too far." Wang Xiaochuan glared at Zhao Dong with a dark expression.
Gao Nuo pulled Wang Xiaochuan, signaling that it was time to warm up. "It's fine, Captain. Let him say what he wants. I don't care. Let's go warm up."
"Hmph!" Zhao Dong scoffed, saying nothing more.
… … … …
In the players' changing room, Manchester United Assistant Coach Mike Allen was announcing the starting lineup and tactical arrangements.
"Today we're playing a 4-3-3, all-out attack and defense. You should have some understanding of the Manchester United U21's level."
"I don't want you to turtle up in defense, attack, understand! Show your style! Losing possession or scoring goals isn't important!"
"Everyone run! Get that damned football moving!"
A pep talk made the players' blood boil, and they shouted in unison: "Yes, Coach!"
"Announcing the starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Ayev
Defenders: Kankunbi, Lewis, Ed, Zhao Dong
Midfielders: Wang Xiaochuan, Fabio, Bebe
Forwards: Skalov, Doku, Gao Nuo."
(PS: This lineup is purely fictional and should not be taken seriously.)
"Show some spirit, lads! There are many scouts here today, the opportunity is right in front of you, go go go."
"Yes, Coach!"
This chapter is not over, please click next page to continue reading!
… … … …
On June 10, 2022, at 3:00 PM, in Manchester, at the Carrington Training Ground, the friendly match between the Manchester United Trial Team vs. the Manchester United U21 officially began.
Manchester United U21's starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Masterney
Defenders: Fernandes, Mengi, Kambwala, Jurado
Midfielders: Iqbal, Mainoo, Hansen Allen
Forwards: Garnacho, McNeill, Pellistri
Both teams played a 4-3-3 formation, with Mike Allen simultaneously coaching both teams from the sidelines.
Around the stadium, besides some die-hard fans, there were also a few scouts, not many in number.
"Beep—!" With a whistle, the match began, with Manchester United U21 kicking off first.
For the first 20 minutes, both sides traded attacks and defenses.
The first goal came in the 22nd minute. Manchester United U21 suddenly accelerated, pressing high up the pitch. Hansen Allen intercepted a pass from the trial team's defender on the right side of midfield and played a long ball to the left.
After controlling the ball, Garnacho dribbled at high speed towards the byline, beating right-back Zhao Dong with one step.
Approaching the penalty area, Garnacho drew two center-backs to cover, then played a cut-back pass to Iqbal, who was making a high-speed run through the middle.
Iqbal shot without taking a touch, pushing the ball directly into the bottom right corner of the goal.
The trial team's goalkeeper made no reaction, watching the ball nestle into the net.
Goal! Manchester United U21 1:0 Manchester United Trial Team.
… … … …
In the 30th minute of the match, the trial team made a passing error in the attacking third.
Garnacho received the ball on the left side of the backfield and played two consecutive one-two passes with midfielders Mainoo and Hansen Allen.
He consecutively beat the trial team's midfielders and defenders, dribbling at high speed towards the penalty area, creating a one-on-one situation.
Facing the goalkeeper, Garnacho calmly curled the ball into the far corner of the goal.
Goal! 2:0, Manchester United U21 led by 2 goals.
… … … …