"Just before I start hearing any murmurs, this lineup is subject to change before but this is just the general idea of what we might be working with in the match." Norman disclosed before placing the eraser he was holding on the board.
He said that to dispel the murmurs but a few of the players still had something to murmur about.
<I doubt he's going to make any impactful change in that lineup before the match but I hope I'm wrong>
'Yeah, if anything, I hope he decides to start Mateo at least.'
"I know you guys think this is a plan that is bound to rain disaster on us but trust me, I know what I'm doing. We will win this match, I know how to beat them and we'll go more into that after the last training session we have before the match." Norman assured them.
"That would have sounded more convincing if you were planning to use our full force," Minino mumbled.
"I think that's all I have to say, you can go now but expect to see you all here early tomorrow."
After saying that, he slowly made his way out of the room and disappeared down the hallway.
All it took was a few seconds after he had left the room for the players to start saying what they had in mind.
"I just hope this is a joke and he'll change everything before the match because we can't go up against Supreme United like this," Ferran remarked before shaking his head.
"Well, he did say it was subject to change," Martinez commented.
"I think you guys are overthinking it."
That was a comment from Merino and now almost everyone in the room had their gaze on him.
"And what do you mean by that?" Minino asked.
"Well, think about it, he wants to win the league just as much as we do so I don't think he's going to make any decisions that will hinder our progress in a match.
"His tactics are a huge part of the reason why we've been able to get this far this season, he has a reason for coming up with that lineup and if there's a fault I'm sure he'll spot it soon, and make changes, he's not oblivious to the fact that our opponent is Supreme United." The winger illustrated.
<Well, he does have a point but I still think he won't make any major changes to that before the match>
The other players didn't really have any points to dispute what their teammate just said and that was because they also believed that their coach wouldn't do anything that would harm their success but they were still a bit worried.
They had to change the topic after that as some of them changed out of their training outfits so that they could start making their way home.
While most of the players were heading home, Dave had a press conference to be in along with Mateo and Norman who might be there already.
The winger and the goalkeeper were making their way to the main hall now and since it wasn't even time for the press conference yet, they were having a chat which slowed their movement.
"So, how're you feeling with your new place?" Dave asked before slowly sliding his phone into his pocket.
"Great of course, I have enough space to kick back and relax outside now, and the building's huge but I still wish there was another place just like yours." The winger replied.
"We can swap if you want."
"Really?" Mateo responded abruptly before turning his gaze to him.
"Yeah, if Emma says yes to it." The goalkeeper replied.
Mateo didn't say anything for a few seconds before suddenly shaking his head.
"Yeah, we can forget about that." He remarked before slowly turning his gaze back to where he was going.
Seeing his reaction, Dave couldn't help but let out a little chuckle.
"You know your sister too well."
"Yeah, but still nobody would agree to a house swap unless it was for a limited time but she still wouldn't agree to that." He said. "It's not like my new place is bad anyway, I just think your place is better."
"Yeah, I know," Dave replied as the two walked into the main hall.
The table had already been set up with the microphones, seats, and everything that was supposed to be on the table and some of the journalists were already there with cameras already lined up.
"Well, it looks like it's time to go answer some questions."
"I just hope they don't ask any annoying questions," Mateo remarked after letting out a sigh.
______ _____
The day everyone had been waiting for was finally here, after what happened in their first meeting, their second meeting turned out to be the most anticipated match in the league so far this season.
Supreme United had to make the short trip to Unique to face their rivals, and whenever there was a match against their rivals on their home turf, the fans showed no mercy.
The atmosphere of Wondanimo stadium was bustling with screams, chants, and whistling from both sides of the stands as the players from both teams made their way to the pitch.
Unique FC were obviously in their orange home kit with black polka dots while their opponents were putting on a black kit but with red outlines and a design that gave the black a sharper look.
"It's the day we've all been waiting for, it's the second Audiz derby of the season. The first one ended in a draw so maybe it's time to settle the score." Jim commented. "The most in-form teams in the league at the moment are going to battle it out here tonight and there's no doubt that this will be an interesting match to watch."
The captains of both teams had to make their way to the officials for the coin toss and Supreme United ended up winning that.
"Just before the match kicks off, let's take a quick look at the lineups."
Well, it looks like Catherine was sort of right about Norman not making any impactful change to the lineup he planned to use for the match because the only change he made was starting Mateo on the left wing which Dave and the others were glad he did but still.
He had to reassure the players that he knew what he was doing but they were still worried and so were the fans.
Supreme United on the other hand were starting with the four-three-three formation just like them but the standard one with three central midfielders and they were not pulling their punches.
Diego, Roland, and Carlos were starting up front, they had Pelcao, Foden, and Zlensky in midfield and that was where Unique FC were going to suffer because of the midfield Norman was starting.
Finally, they had Michael, Conan, Steven, and Simeon in defense to stop Unique FC's advances.
"Supreme United going all out and Unique FC starting with an unexpected lineup, I hope Norman has something up his sleeves or this could end terribly for him."
Dave was making his way to his goalpost when something he had been expecting popped up.
[ Quest received ]n0velUsb.c0m
[ Quest type: Conjoined ]
[ Do not concede more than two goals ]
[ Complete five successful long passes ]
[ Make at least seven crucial saves ]
[ Quest rewards ]
[ +150 exp ]
[ +5 stat points ]
[ +5 skill upgrade points ]
[ +1 attribute ]
'Yes.'
