The Greatest of All Time

Chapter 34 - Against Rosenborg's Second Team

The game went exactly as Coach Johansen had anticipated in the first ten minutes. Rosenborg's second team kicked off the game and maintained possession as they bore down on NF academy's goal.

All their players were able to retain the ball and pass it around quickly. They could advance steadily towards the goal without giving the academy players a chance to win possession. Their teamwork frustrated Zachary and his teammates via compactness and narrowness.

The Troll Kids were playing the Tiki-Taka Barcelona style.

They were arrayed in a 3-5-2 formation with three men in the middle of the pack supported by two wingers. Ole Selnæs, Gjermund Asen, and Fredrik Midtsjø? were the core players in their midfield. The three midfielders controlled the overall pace of the game with their tight ball skills.

However, the boys in white and black seemed wary of Zachary. They played around him instead of through him in the midfield. They so often chose to pass the ball instead of dribbling and facing off against him and his teammates.

But that wasn't the most threatening peculiarity about Rosenborg's team arrangement and game plan. Any one of their three central midfielders would occasionally burst forward and threaten the NF academy's box.

Rosenborg's second team created their first clear chance of the game in the 10th minute in such a manner. Ole Seln?s, who was supposed to be playing the defensive midfield role, exploded forth. He played a one-two with Trond Olsen—the left-winger after receiving a fast pass from Fredrik Midtsj?.

The duo bypassed Magnus Blakstad and penetrated deep into the half of NF academy with their smooth passing. Ole made a quick through pass to Mushaga, who was making a run behind the three center backs before they managed to react to the swift change in the game's pace.

The Rosenborg striker dashed into the box and found himself one-on-one with Kendrick Otterson, the goalkeeper. However, as he raised his foot, preparing to shoot, a swift silhouette came—sliding in and poked the ball out of play with a green boot.

The referee blew the whistle and pointed to the corner flag.

Zachary had saved the NF academy from conceding an early goal. He was the only player on the academy team who had reacted swiftly to Rosenborg's change of pace and sudden attack. He was in the central midfield when the attack started, but he'd managed to run more than 40 yards, catch up with Mushaga, and tackle the ball.

Mushaga regarded Zachary, who was in the process of getting up from the ground, with a frown. "It seems like you've gotten faster and better over the past year." He mumbled.

"That was simply luck," Zachary lied.

Of course, he wouldn't tell his opponent that he was capable of predicting their offensive tactics. His high game intelligence supported by the Zinedine-Visual-Juju had helped him analyze the patterns in Rosenborg's play. He'd been able to infer that Mushaga would receive the final ball instead of John Chibuike—Rosenborg's second striker.

Mushaga creased a brow as he continued eyeing Zachary. "Whether that was a fluke, or you could predict our passes, that means nothing in today's game," the striker stated. "You'll lose no matter how well you play. How many times can you defend against our attacks? Wait and see." He smiled softly before walking away.

Zachary could tell that the striker was attempting to burden him mentally and affect his game. He gave his comments no mind and readied himself to defend the corner.

Zachary frowned at Lars Togstad, who had just returned to the box. "Don't allow their strikers to make runs behind you. Wasn't that what the coach said? What are you people doing in defense?"