17. Preparation Against Liverpool U18

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As they headed off the pitch, Francesco felt a renewed sense of determination. Training with the first team had given him a taste of the next level, and now, with the Liverpool match approaching, he was more driven than ever to apply what he'd learned and lead his team to victory.

The following day, Francesco sat through his school classes with one eye on the clock, eager to get back to training. His mind was already on the drills Coach Smith would have them go through, each one fine-tuning a different part of their game in preparation for their upcoming match against Liverpool's U18. As soon as the final bell rang, Francesco wasted no time heading to Hale End, anticipation and determination fueling his steps.

At the training ground, he changed into his kit and joined his teammates on the field. Coach Smith stood at the center, clipboard in hand and a focused expression on his face.

"Alright, boys, we've got two days left before Liverpool," Coach Smith said, his voice carrying authority. "Today, we're going to focus on a series of drills to sharpen our shooting, passing, tackling, dribbling, heading, and free kicks. We need to be sharp in every aspect, so I want full intensity. Francesco, keep up the leadership I saw yesterday. Show everyone the pace."

Francesco nodded, ready to dive in. He knew that the game would demand peak performance from every player, and he felt a sense of responsibility to guide his teammates through each drill.

The first drill on the agenda was shooting. Coach Smith had the players line up outside the box, taking turns shooting on goal. Francesco watched as some of his teammates took their shots, focusing on their form and the accuracy of their strikes. When his turn came, he squared up to the ball, visualized the shot, and fired a clean, powerful strike into the top corner. Each shot became more precise as he adjusted his footing and aimed for different sections of the goal, imagining scenarios where he'd need to beat a defender or surprise the goalkeeper.

Coach Smith walked up and down the line, providing feedback. "Accuracy, not just power," he emphasized. "Find the corners and place your shots."

With each repetition, Francesco's shots felt smoother, and he noticed his teammates' accuracy improving as well. They pushed each other, cheering for every well-placed shot and encouraging anyone who missed to keep trying.

Next up was the passing drill. Coach Smith set up a series of cones in a large grid and instructed the players to pass the ball quickly and accurately through the marked paths. Francesco worked with a teammate, focusing on weight, timing, and precision in each pass. Every miscalculation meant the ball would stray from its intended course, so they adjusted, learning to deliver passes with the right amount of force and spin.

"Keep those passes crisp!" Coach Smith called out. "We don't want sloppy play against Liverpool."

Francesco called out to his teammates as they passed the ball around. "Stay focused. We can't afford loose passes on Saturday." He could feel his confidence growing with each solid pass, and his teammates' pace quickened as they built a rhythm together, becoming almost automatic in their exchanges.

Coach Smith then divided the group into pairs for tackling drills. Each pair faced off, one player defending while the other tried to dribble past. Francesco partnered with Jack, who was known for his speed and footwork. When it was Francesco's turn to defend, he kept his stance low, eyes locked on the ball as Jack tried to maneuver around him. Just as Jack made a move, Francesco lunged in, making a clean tackle and regaining possession.

"Perfect tackle, Francesco," Coach Smith praised, nodding approvingly. "That's exactly what we need. Strong, clean tackles that don't give the referee any chance to call a foul."

They took turns, each player rotating between defending and attacking. The drill was intense, and Francesco could feel his skills sharpening as he practiced reading his opponent's movements, timing each tackle to perfection.

After a short water break, Coach Smith set up a dribbling course marked with cones. The players were to weave through the obstacles, focusing on ball control and agility. Francesco took a deep breath as he began his run, keeping his touches close to his feet while maintaining his speed. The cones required precision, and he leaned into each turn, keeping the ball under control as he navigated the course.

"Quick feet, Francesco!" Coach Smith shouted, watching his progress. "Don't lose that control."

He finished the course and felt his balance and ball control improving with each repetition. He knew this would be essential when faced with Liverpool's defenders, who would pressure him to lose possession. The drill pushed him to find that balance between speed and control, something that would prove crucial during the game.

Next, Coach Smith moved them to the heading drill. He lined them up in the box and had an assistant coach deliver crosses from the wings. Each player took turns jumping to meet the ball, aiming to direct it into the goal. Francesco watched his teammates go, studying the timing of their jumps and the angles they chose.

When his turn came, he sprinted into position, timing his leap just as the cross came in. His forehead met the ball solidly, and he angled it toward the far post. The ball went in, and his teammates clapped as he returned to the line.

Coach Smith looked pleased. "That's it, Francesco! Remember, you don't always need power with headers; sometimes, it's about placement."

As the drill continued, Francesco focused on the timing of his runs and his position in the air. Each successful header boosted his confidence, and he felt more prepared to challenge for aerial balls during Saturday's match.

Finally, they moved to free-kick drills. Coach Smith arranged a small wall of dummies and had the players practice their technique, aiming to curl the ball around the wall and into the net. Francesco knew this was one of the few opportunities he'd get to practice his free kicks, so he lined up each shot with extra care, focusing on his footing and follow-through.

He took a few deep breaths before his turn, visualizing the ball's trajectory as he struck it. The ball curved beautifully around the wall and found the top corner. He practiced multiple angles, each time refining his form, experimenting with power and placement. Coach Smith watched closely, offering pointers on positioning and spin, and Francesco took it all in, feeling his technique improve with each attempt.

After hours of drills, Coach Smith blew the whistle, signaling a thirty-minute break. Francesco sank onto the grass, feeling the satisfying burn in his muscles from the intense session. His teammates flopped down beside him, a mix of exhaustion and excitement in their expressions.

As they sat in the cool shade, Francesco and his teammates chatted, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming match. There was a shared sense of anticipation and nervous energy in the group. For many, the game against Liverpool's U18 squad would be one of the biggest moments of their young careers.

Francesco leaned back, letting the weight of the day's training settle in. He thought about each drill they'd gone through, feeling grateful for the opportunity to improve. He knew that each minute of hard work was bringing them closer to their best.

As the break ended, Coach Smith blew his whistle, and the team gathered around him, still catching their breath from the rigorous drills they had just completed. He scanned their faces, looking pleased with their effort.

"Alright, boys," Coach Smith announced, "we're going to finish today's session with a full scrimmage. I want you to play as if it's the real thing against Liverpool. Take everything we've worked on today—your passing, your shooting, tackling, positioning—and put it all together. Show me the intensity, focus, and teamwork that I know you're capable of."

The team buzzed with excitement as Coach divided them into two groups. Francesco ended up on the same team as Liam and a few other strong players, while Jack and some of the other skilled teammates made up the opposing side. Coach Smith emphasized that he expected full focus and effort—no holding back.

As the whistle blew to start the scrimmage, Francesco quickly slipped into game mode. The ball moved fast, each team fighting for dominance, and it was clear from the outset that no one was treating this lightly. Francesco controlled the midfield, using every bit of skill he had honed from practice. He directed his teammates, orchestrating plays and calling for passes to maintain momentum.

About ten minutes into the scrimmage, Francesco received the ball just outside the box. He dribbled past one defender, feinted past another, and took a quick shot aimed at the top left corner. The ball soared past the goalkeeper's outstretched hands, hitting the net with precision. His team erupted with cheers, and he gave a quick nod, feeling the thrill of the game surge through him.

Coach Smith watched from the sidelines, his expression impassive but with a hint of a proud smile. "Well done, Francesco! Keep up that energy!"

The scrimmage continued, and Francesco remained laser-focused, pressing high and making critical passes that opened up opportunities for his teammates. Twenty minutes in, he found himself with another chance. This time, after a quick one-two with Liam, he fired a low shot that slipped past the goalkeeper, netting him his second goal.

The intensity of the scrimmage only grew as both sides fought for control. Jack's team pushed hard, trying to turn the tide, but Francesco's team matched their energy with equal determination. Francesco noticed the improvements in his teammates' skills—each one pushing their limits, motivated by the looming match against Liverpool.

A few minutes later, Francesco spotted an opening as his teammate crossed the ball into the box. Timing his run perfectly, he met the cross with a powerful header, sending it straight into the bottom corner for his third goal—a hat trick. His teammates clapped him on the back, their confidence boosted by his performance.

Coach Smith nodded approvingly from the sideline. "That's how you finish! Keep it up!"

With time winding down in the scrimmage, Francesco still had energy to burn. He wanted to make the most of every moment, pushing himself to the limit. Just before the end, he received a through ball from Liam and found himself in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Without hesitation, he chipped the ball, watching it sail over the goalkeeper's reach and into the goal.

"Quattrick!" one of his teammates shouted, high-fiving Francesco as he jogged back into position, breathless but exhilarated.

The whistle finally blew, marking the end of the scrimmage. Francesco and his teammates gathered around Coach Smith, who looked immensely pleased with what he had seen.

"Excellent work, everyone," Coach Smith began, his tone warm but firm. "You showed me today that you're ready for Liverpool. That intensity, that focus—that's exactly what I expect to see on Saturday. If you bring this energy, I have no doubt that you'll rise to the challenge."

The players beamed, their spirits lifted by the coach's praise. Francesco felt a deep sense of satisfaction—not just from scoring four goals but from knowing he had led his team with confidence and purpose.

"Now," Coach continued, glancing at each player, "I want you to take tomorrow off. Rest up, recover, and prepare yourselves mentally. Saturday is going to be intense, and I need all of you at your best."

A collective cheer went up from the team. A day off was a welcome break, and they knew they'd earned it after the relentless training sessions.

Francesco felt the day's exertion catching up to him as he stretched with his teammates, his muscles sore but his spirit high. He was already visualizing the match against Liverpool, every drill, every scrimmage, every bit of advice from Coach Smith coming together to form a strategy in his mind.

As Francesco and his teammates finished their stretching, they shared a few more laughs and high-fives before heading into the locker room. They were buzzing with adrenaline, proud of their hard work and performance in the scrimmage. Francesco quickly grabbed his clothes and headed to the showers, letting the warm water soothe his tired muscles. He felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, knowing that every practice was bringing him one step closer to his goals.

Once he was dressed, Francesco headed outside to where his bicycle was parked. The cool evening air felt refreshing as he pedaled home, his mind already reflecting on the day's drills and envisioning the upcoming match against Liverpool's U18s. It was only a short ride back, and soon he was pulling up to his house.

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar, comforting smell of home-cooked food. His mother, Sarah, was in the kitchen, bustling around as she prepared dinner. She looked up as he entered, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

"Welcome home, Francesco! How was training?" she asked, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

"It was great, Mom," he replied, setting his backpack down by the door. "We did a lot of drills, and then a full scrimmage. Coach Smith says we're ready for Liverpool."

"That's wonderful! I know you've been working hard," Sarah said, her eyes filled with pride. "Dinner will be ready soon, so you've got just enough time to freshen up."

Just then, his father, Mike, entered the kitchen, still in his work clothes but with a relaxed smile on his face after a long day. "There's my future star," he said, giving Francesco a pat on the back. "How was practice today?"

Francesco grinned. "It was intense, but good. I scored four goals in the scrimmage."

Mike's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "Four goals! You're going to give Liverpool a run for their money if you keep that up," he said with a laugh.

The three of them sat down at the dinner table shortly after, plates filled with Sarah's delicious cooking. As they ate, Francesco shared more details about practice and the drills they had worked on, his parents listening intently. They were both supportive of his dreams, and he felt grateful for the encouragement they provided. The excitement about Saturday's game was now shared by all of them, and Francesco could feel his anticipation growing as they discussed it.

Later that evening, after dinner and some time spent relaxing with his family, Francesco went up to his room. He lay in bed, replaying the day's training in his mind and visualizing the upcoming game. The challenge against Liverpool was just days away, and he was ready to give it everything he had.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 15 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal U18 Team

Championship History : None