The Greatest of All Time

Chapter 33 - The Annual Review

"Listen up, young fellas," said Coach Johansen, his voice deathly quiet and filled with foreboding. "I'm sure that most of you are thinking this game is just another insignificant friendly. And, as long as you perform well, you won't be released by the academy. You'll pass the review. Isn't that right?" He grinned, letting his gaze roam over the sixteen players seated in a semi-circle before him.

The academy players before him remained silent, waiting for their coach to continue.

Zachary and his teammates had just finished warming up. They were in the dressing room, attending a pre-match tactical briefing for the game against Rosenborg's second team. Their opponents were a combination of both under 19s and reserves of the Rosenborg team.

"Let me tell you this. You can't afford to lose this game," Coach Johansen continued. "I understand that those men are a few years your seniors. They may have much more experience than you guys. But you still have to win. I hate losing—and you should, too. Go out there and play like your life depends on it. Otherwise, I'll cut most of you out of the team during the review." He took a few steps closer to the players. "Are we on the same page?" He asked in a solemn tone.

"Yes, Coach," all the players, including Zachary, replied, more or less in unison.

Coach Johansen nodded at the players before unfolding a piece of paper. "The starting line-up for today is as follows:

- Goal Keeper; Kendrick Otterson

- Center-backs; Robin Jatta, Lars Togstad, Daniel Kvande

- Left-back; Martin Lundal 

- Right-back; Øyvind Alseth

- Midfielders; Magnus Blakstad, Zachary Bemba

- Right-wing; Paul Kasongo

- Left-wing; Kim Riksvold

- Forward; Årjan Bjørmark."

Zachary turned to look at Paul, his Swedish flatmate, after hearing the names on the squad. Coach Johansen had left him out of the starting line-up.

The boy's brows were—creased into a frown. He appeared devastated by the coach's decision. Zachary made a mental note to console him later and returned his attention to the coach's instructions.

"I want to emphasize one point once more. You're playing against a stronger team. That's for sure. That's why we are using the 5-4-1 formation. All of you, except ?rjan, have to defend and mark all their forwards and attacking midfielders. Center-backs! You have to maintain a high level of concentration for the whole match. You can't let them make runs behind you."

The coach turned towards Zachary and regarded him for a moment. "Zach boy," he said in a mild tone. "I need swift transitions, from the defense to striking, when you guys win the ball. You're in the midfield—and with your speed, you should be able to provide the wingers and forwards with through passes for counters. Right?"

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied. He fully grasped the strategy since Coach Johansen had been talking about it in training the entire week. The coach intended to have them play a purely defensive game and catch the opponents on the counterattack.

"Kasongo and Kim," Coach Johansen intoned, turning away from Zachary. "You'll be doing a lot of running during this game. The two of you have to support Årjan in the attack, and also fall back quickly whenever we lose possession."

"Especially you, Kim," the coach emphasized, pointing at one of the players. "Please make sure you support Martin on the left-wing whenever we are defending against their attacks. Is that clear?"

"Yes, coach," Kim Riksvold, the starting left-winger, replied solemnly.

"Great. Let's have a good match." Coach Johansen smiled. "Bjørn, give out the jerseys," he instructed, turning towards his assistant at his side.