Chapter 18: The Game (Edited)

He saw that Jack Grimmer, the Wycombe Wanderers right-back, was a little more advanced. Alex, still in his own half, turned swiftly and evaded Adebayo Akinfenwa, who was pressing him, delivering a wonderful weighted pass to Lynden Gooch on the right wing.

Lynden, who was looking for an opportunity, saw that the Wycombe Wanderers player marking him was a little advanced. He thought it was a good opportunity, and sure enough, he moved and received a comfortable pass from Alex.

After dribbling the ball to his best position for crossing, he raised his head and saw that Charlie and Will had already seized the opportunity and run to the best positions. He whipped in a cross and found Charlie Wyke, who headed the ball into the net to open the scoring for Sunderland.

"Goal!! What a header from Charlie Wyke! From Alex's planning to Charlie's finishing, a beautiful team goal from Sunderland AFC. 1-0 for them, they took the lead only 16 minutes after the start of the game."

"You're right, Charles. From the beginning of the game until now, Sunderland has been dominating the midfield, and they finally scored. It has been a long time since I have seen such a dominant Sunderland. Are they really coming to their true level under the leadership of Alex?"

The 2,000 Sunderland fans who have followed the team for the game didn't expect the team to play such a wonderful game. It was as if it was another team, especially Alex, who showed the level of genius that made all of England proud and made all of Europe tremble.

Xabi and Diego, who were sitting watching the game, were completely shocked by Alex's level. Others may not feel it, but for Xabi, it was completely different. Just by how Alex was controlling the tempo of the game, it was something he could never do at his peak. As long as the Sunderland strikers were a little sharper, he felt that Sunderland might have taken the lead just at the beginning of the game. Unfortunately, their positioning was only average.

Forlan suddenly had the urge to play. He really couldn't stand the Sunderland strikers. If he had a midfielder of this level at his peak, he might have won three or four European Golden Boots.

"Haha Billy, today Alex seems to have returned to the omnipotent young golden boy from the 2010 World Cup, who led the England national team, on the verge of elimination, all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Spain."

"Right, from the statistics recorded until now, he is the player who touched the ball the most but didn't lose it a single time. He has transformed from a half nine to a more comprehensive midfielder, organizing the team's possession and attack."

"Hope it's not just an explosion in one game because I really wish for Alex to return to the Premier League. He deserves this at least."

"Okay, let's continue with the game. The Wycombe Wanderers players are about to start after conceding a goal."

As the commentator said, the Wycombe Wanderers were already waiting for the referee's whistle. They were now a little flustered, having been dominated from the beginning of the game and suddenly conceding a goal. They must score as soon as possible and take control of the game.

Gareth Ainsworth, Wycombe Wanderers head coach, had already seen the impatience of his players. He shouted from the sidelines for them to keep calm, reminding them there's enough time. At the same time, he was praying for Sunderland not to score before halftime.

More than this, Gareth was really shocked by Alex. As a head coach, he knows the pressure and doubt one must suffer, especially as Alex is just a player. Some players must not be convinced of him leading them, so he didn't take the game against Sunderland to heart. But now, he is lost and doesn't even know where to start.

Even though they obeyed the coach's order, the Wycombe Wanderers players lost the ball after only two minutes. It was just a normal pass, but Alex had already seen their intentions. He has a defensive awareness of 83 and an interception of 78, which is enough to play as a defender in the Premier League, not to mention League One.

He is playing like a fish in water. He doesn't seem to be bothered by anyone. With a vision of 98 and ball control of 95, it's not easy to lose the ball. His deep midfielder play is also attracting the Wycombe Wanderers, instinctively making their defensive line more advanced.

If the team had a top-speed player, Alex would have already given him a comfortable through pass. But unfortunately, all the physical abilities of players in the third division are almost the same, and most players' physical confrontations are more powerful than those in the Premier League.

Without including the cup and other competitions, but just the league, they have to play 46 league games a season. The schedule isn't properly adjusted, as you can have two weeks without a game sometimes but also three games a week, which is a common occurrence.

When Alex received the ball in the 32nd minute, he turned around at the side of his own goalkeeper, then raised his hand and pointed. Alex, who was on the right side, pointed to the left as if asking him to move, but Will Grigg knew it was Alex signaling him to immediately move to the right side since Alex told him this secret code when they scored the first goal.

The right-back saw Will moving to the left side but didn't think much of it since Alex, the ball holder, wasn't even looking their way. He just followed him by trotting. Unfortunately for him, Alex suddenly turned again, raised his head, and kicked a long pass, all in all, only three seconds.

By the time he realized, it was too late. Alex had kicked a long ball, and Will was almost in a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper since the defender who kept him onside was about 8 meters to his left but a little forward. Will didn't try to pass the goalkeeper but simply fired a shot as he doesn't like going near the goalkeeper but prefers shooting from a little farther.

"Goallll!"

"Incredible anti-offside goal from Sunderland! The Wycombe Wanderers players were suddenly caught off guard. Today, they are confronting a whole new Sunderland and an Alex at his peak."

"They tried their best after conceding a goal, but only 32 minutes after the start of the game, they are already behind 2-0. They can't continue like this and must make changes at halftime unless they want to lose."

After the second goal of Sunderland AFC, the Wycombe Wanderers were more tenacious and moved more until the end of the first half.

As the referee blow the whistle, to signal the halftime, players from both teams head towards their respective dressing rooms.

The spectators also take a break, visiting the restroom, grabbing some refreshments while some simply stretched thier legs, sitting for half a game isn't a joke after all.

In the away team dress room where the Sunderland AFC players are, Alex isn't taking break like the rest of the players but started to provide feedback on the first-half performance.

"Very good job for the first half, I think everyone have done his best effort to complete the tactical arrangements and we're already leading the home team with two goals but I don't think it's time to relax."

"You need to remember that they are currently ranked second in the league, they didn't gain their place by mistake but deserve it with their tenacious spirit, I need you to run a little more in the second half especially for the two striker, you don't have to worry about not receiving the ball but must disturb their defensive, as long as there's some chance, I can deliver the ball so just run boldly."

After Alex finished speaking, the physios checked on any players with minor knocks or injuries, providing massages and treatments where necessary.

While the dressing room of Sunderland AFC players is more calm and players are already resting, it wasn't the same for Wycombe Wanderers.

Altought Gareth still haven't thought of a way to deal with Sunderland AFC players, but the chicken soup must still be given otherwise they can directly declare defeat.

"Alright, we're 2-0 down, but this game isn't over. We need to tighten up at the back and be more aggressive in midfield."Gareth points to the tactical board: "We're switching to a 4-3-3. David, drop a bit deeper and help control the midfield. Matt, stay high and wide to stretch their defense."

"We need to show more fight and determination. We are the second in the league and our goal isn't a place for the playoffs but a direct quota for the championship so we can't afford to lose, velieve in yourselves – we can turn this around."

In the Sunderland TV Halftime show.

"Welcome back to our halftime coverage of Sunderland vs Wycombe Wanderers. It's been a dominant first half for Sunderland, leading 2-0 with goals from Charlie and Will."

"Sunderland's ball possession has been as calm as water while Wycombe's defense has struggled to cope, and they need to tighten up if they want to get back into this game."

Billie continued: "Absolutely, and credit to Alex's first game for creating a domineering Sunderland in only two weeks, just by looking at the two goals, you can see how good Sunderland is. That clean finish from Will was very good. Wycombe need a big response in the second half."

During the pundit analysis, the highlight of the game were replayed, especially Alex's wonderful assit for the second goal.

Still at the halftime, Xabi was replaying the game in his mind, he feel that the strength shown by Alex is definitely one of the best in the world, and as long as Sunderland did some operation, they can at the very least be comparable to a relegation team in the premier league not to mention that they still have two years before the premier league, they can definitely surprise the world if Alex's level didn't drop.

In fact, Xabi have unconsciously recognized the strength of Sunderland AFC and even comparing them to team in the Premier League, he can see that this is definitely a good opportunity but still, he isn't sure if this only one game was a flash in pan or their true level, he still need to continue observing.

As for Diego, he really didn't have much thought about it, he was originally more inclined join Alex and now seeing the level played by Sunderland, he have already made his mind, he thinks that's very likely for Sunderland to return to the championship this season and Alex have promised him a place in the managing staff if this happens.