Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

Fierce competition marked the days that followed.

On the training pitch, the players worked as hard as ever, each trying to prove his worth to coach Eddie and his team.

Arthur turned the pressure and Willian's statement into motivation, practicing finishing after hours and studying the techniques of great scorers.

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Meanwhile, Willian wasn't lagging either. His natural ability as a finisher shone through in training, but he knew he would need more than talent to stand out. For the first time, he seemed willing to listen and learn, albeit discreetly. It was common to see him talking to Parker or Kevin about positioning in the air, something he had previously ignored.

The intense training sessions, however, only highlighted the divisions in the squad. The internal tensions after the teams were reunited quickly spread throughout Brighton's training center.

Staff commented in the corridors, and rumors reached the administrative offices.

The situation gained even more attention when the Brighton Times, a local newspaper, published a story entitled: "Confusing internal decisions complicate the future of Brighton U20s".

The article, signed by a veteran journalist, described everything that had happened in the U20 team over the last month. It covered the sift and the match that decided which team would be first. It also noted the difficult integration of the former A and B teams. There were reports from anonymous sources about perceived favoritism by the coaches and the pressure for results next season. After all, they had dismissed most of the players from the old U-20 first team.

"While the club insists on creating a super youth team, they seem to build a house of cards that's about to collapse." the text concluded.

The news caused a stir, both at the club and at the Seyek Institute, where many of the players were studying.

During classes, curious looks followed the young athletes through the corridors, and whispers were constant. For the players, this added even more weight to their backs.

"Did you see what they wrote about us?" asked Felix, holding the newspaper with a grim expression in the CT cafeteria.

Raphael picked up the paper, reading the headline aloud. "'Confusing internal decisions hamper the future of Brighton's Under-20s'. Is this serious?" He threw the paper on the table. "Now my first headline is negative. Great."

Lucas sighed. "This isn't our fault. Let's get on with our work. Today our Youth League group will be announced and this weekend we have an important game against Brentfort."

Raphael stared at Lucas for a moment, his lips pursed in a thin line of frustration.

"You're right," he finally admitted, crossing his arms on the table. "This isn't our fault. But that doesn't mean they won't put all the responsibility on us."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Felix nodded slowly, still holding the newspaper. He closed it with an abrupt movement and set it aside.

"They want negative headlines? Let's give them something else to publish. A victory. Maybe two." He looked at Lucas. "But that depends on all of us, right?"

Lucas smiled, relieved to see his colleagues reacting. "Yes. We're all in the same boat. And if Brentford thinks we're weakened, it'll be the perfect chance to shut them up."

Lucas' optimism didn't erase the tension. But, it stopped the team from sinking into pessimism.

With a sigh, the group resumed their meal. They discussed the training moves as if the criticisms in the Brighton Times, echoing off the cafeteria walls, weren't there.

That week's training sessions weren't just intense; they were almost brutal. Eddie, the coach, seemed determined to turn the scandal into fuel. Under his watchful eye, the players dedicated themselves to each exercise, sweat running down their faces in rivers.

Felix and Lucas worked incessantly on quick transitions in midfield, while Daniel and Luiz Fernando, as leaders in defense, honed their communication skills to avoid holes in the tactical system.

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"Well done, Lucas! That's how we break these lines!" shouted Denis, as the midfielder played a perfect deep pass to Miguel.

On the other side of the pitch, Willian and Ethan were fiercely competing to prove who was the team's real top scorer. Their shots exploded into the goal with a force that left the goalkeepers with numb arms.

Parker, watching the scene, let out a short laugh: "Those two are going to destroy the net before any official game."

The comment drew laughter from some players, easing the tension between the two groups. But everyone knew that the rivalry between Ethan and Willian was more than just healthy competition. Coach Eddie, however, seemed indifferent. He wanted results and, if internal competitiveness brought them, then so be it.

When the day of the trip to the first Premier Youth League match arrived, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was full of anticipation. The players were loading their bags and equipment onto the bus, many talking in hushed tones. Some seemed confident, others were visibly nervous.

Raphael, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. "What's up, Felix? Have you thought about your pose to celebrate the header?"

Felix rolled his eyes, but a smile appeared on his lips. "I'll only worry about that after I've scored. What about you? Will you be able to avoid a yellow card today for simulation?"

The provocation drew laughter, but the conversation soon died down as the bus left the training grounds.

They were headed to Brentford Stadium. The engine and low music from the players' headphones broke the silence in the vehicle.

Lucas, sitting next to Arthur, watched the scenery pass by the window.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked, breaking the silence. They had grown even closer after the last game.

Arthur, who was distractedly looking at his hands, turned to his friend. "I am. But I will not lie... It feels like there's a stone in my stomach. Do you think it'll pass?"

Lucas smiled. "No. It only gets worse until the whistle blows. After that, you forget everything. You just play."

Arthur returned the smile and thought: 'I don't know if it's because he's from Japan and has a unique culture, but Lucas is really very calm and mature. Does he feel any pressure?'

Lucas leaned back in the bus seat, trying to push away the thoughts that kept returning. The London landscape flashed indistinctly past the window, a mosaic of gray and green tones that seemed to reflect his state of mind. He knew he was coping well with the pressure, but even the calmest person has their moments of doubt.

On the outside, Lucas seemed unshakeable. He always had a word of encouragement for his teammates, a well thought-out plan for the midfield and a calmness that made the others feel secure. But inside, he felt the weight of it all. The devastating article in the Brighton Times, the club's expectations, and the rivalries. There were days when he wondered if he was really ready for it all.

But Lucas wasn't the type to give in. The skills he had cultivated were his own, and he was sure he could develop even further, even without the help of the system.

Yes, the current moment at the club was like sailing on a rough sea. However, he knew the calm would come if he persisted. And he needed to persist. He needed to stand out. After all, the ultimate goal wasn't just to win titles; it was to be noticed by Brighton's first team. And that required much more than talent. It required patience, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity.

The bus swayed slightly as it made its way through the narrow streets towards Brentford Stadium. Some players had their eyes closed, perhaps trying to meditate or just pretending to be asleep. Others were talking quietly, exchanging nervous jokes.

As the bus made the last turn towards the venue, Lucas looked out of the window again.

Brentford's ground was smaller than Brighton's, but they weren't a team to be underestimated because they weren't a big club.

The dressing room was silent when they arrived. Each player was concentrating on their own rituals.

Lucas sat in the corner next to Daniel. The defender, always quiet, seemed calm, but Lucas knew it was just a facade. Daniel had an enormous responsibility as the leader of the defense, and he felt that pressure as much as any other player.

"Ready for today?" asked Lucas, without expecting a specific answer. It was more of an attempt to lighten the mood.

Daniel gave a slight smile. "Always. And you?"

Lucas nodded. "Always."

Eddie entered the changing room at that moment, bringing with him the same aura of authority that always made the players straighten up. The coach looked at each of them before speaking.

"You know what's at stake. This isn't just your debut in the Premier Youth League. It's a chance to show the club, the press and yourselves what you're made of. I know the last few weeks have been tough. I know that many of you are still trying to find your place in this group. But today, I want you to put all that aside. Today, we are a team. And a team plays together, wins together and loses together. Understood?"

"Understood?" he repeated, louder.

"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison.

Eddie nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, let's go. Felix, Lucas and Denis, I want quick transitions in the middle. Miguel and Raphael, you'll need to use your speed on the wings. Ethan, today you start as center-forward. Understood?"