Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

"Everyone here?" Alex looked around. "Good. Today's game was exactly what I needed to see. You showed grit, and also some flaws. And that's what we're going to focus on now."

Alex gestured with his head for the players to come closer, forming a semicircle around him.

"The first thing I want you to know is that this draw doesn't mean you're at the same level. It means we have a lot to work on and improve," began Alex, crossing his arms. "Each of you today showed both your strengths and weaknesses. And it's on this basis that I'm going to show some specific training sessions."

He looked at Arthur, who was still wearing that teasing smile from a few minutes ago.

"Arthur, you're excellent at finishing and dribbling under pressure, but your confidence sometimes leaves you vulnerable. There was when you concentrated so much on 'playing' with Lucas that you missed the chance to finish more quickly. In proper matches, this attitude can be costly. Your training will focus on pressure simulations, where reaction time and speed of decision will be crucial. I want you to work on the mentality that sometimes giving up the spectacle can lead to victory."

Arthur nodded. "All right, sir."

"Lucas..." Alex now turned to the protagonist with an appraising look. "You've done an excellent job of intercepting and starting counter-attacks. You're also a very good shot-stopper and passer. However, defensively, you're not very good. Several times opponents passed you and only had to ignore your presence because you didn't even take a shot."

Lucas knew Alex was right, because Lucas was never very good defensively and during training, he was trying not to use his skills unless necessary.

With a nod, Alex moved on, turning his attention to the other players. Apparently, Alex was doing evaluations out loud like this, rather than individual ones, because it was constructive criticism and mentioning others' mistakes and shortcomings helped the teammates to get to know each other and also to realize that everyone needed to grow, regardless of how many goals or assists they had scored during the training game.

-:|:-

Later that afternoon, training finally ended.

The players, exhausted, dragged themselves to the dressing room, some still discussing plays or reflecting on the coach's constructive criticism.

Lucas felt a mixture of exhaustion and excitement, thinking about the points Alex had raised. He knew he needed to train his defense more, that he couldn't be satisfied with just being a good striker or passer. He needed to be complete.

"So, what did you think?" asked Rafael, approaching him as the two made their way to the changing room. Their breathing was still heavy.

"Did he take it hard because it was his first training session, or are we the ones who aren't used to it?"

Alex laughed at Lucas' question. "I do not know, but considering that even the players who used to be in the A-Team are tired, it was an atypical training session."

Lucas looked up, feeling his black hair wet with sweat. "Yeah, a routine like this is going to be difficult, but Alex is right. I need to work harder at defending sometimes. I can't just rely on my ability to attack."

Rafael nodded with a slight smile of understanding. "Welcome to the club. He said I also need to focus more on dribbling and covering. Looks like we'll have to become experts at that."

Lucas laughed. "At least we have company to suffer together, right?"

They both laughed and, after an invigorating shower, got dressed and left the changing room under the faint glow of the lights that marked the end of the day. Night was falling when they finally returned to the institute, the sky tinged with a dark blue that only made the gardens and open green fields seem more peaceful.

The institute, with its almost obsessive focus on sports, had impressive facilities for various disciplines: a building just for the swimming team, an indoor arena for rugby and lacrosse training, and multipurpose courts for basketball, volleyball and other sports. During the day, the outdoor areas were bustling with shouts of training, but at that time, the night lights bathed the practically empty buildings.

"Have you got used to the place yet?" asked Rafael, as the two crossed a well-kept garden.

Lucas looked around, still impressed by the structure of the institute. "I'm trying. This is the first time I've studied in a place so focused on sports. I think that makes the pressure even greater, right? Here, everyone wants to be the best."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Rafael nodded with an understanding smile. "You'll see, over time, you get used to it. It's strange at first, but soon you don't even feel it. You just end up getting more competitive, even if you don't realize it. Alex really knows how to get the best out of us."

As they approached the dormitory building, they climbed the stairs. It was an old building, so it didn't have an elevator, but it also meant that it was a building with thick walls that muffled outside sounds and provided comfort for the students. Even on the busiest nights, the dormitory was a place of rest where everyone could finally leave the pressures of the day behind.

Because the distribution of dorms on each floor was based on availability, Lucas and Raphael, who were on the same team, might not have ended up on the same floor. This became clear when they reached the second floor and Raphael stopped in front of a door on the left. He indicated with a slight nod, giving an exhausted smile.

"This is where I'm staying. If you need anything, just call. And, hey... it was good training with you today, man. It's good to have a friend."

Lucas smiled back, put his hands in his pockets, and turned away. "Don't get so attached to me. I'm still not satisfied with my position as an attacking midfielder. Maybe I'll steal your position as a left-winger."

"Son of a bitch! It's not enough that I have to worry about Hillebrand. Now I have to worry about you too?"

Lucas took one hand out of his pocket and waved, still with his back turned. "I'm kidding, man. Playing left-winger is not my intention unless I have no choice. I proved to myself today that I can play better as an attacking midfielder than I ever did as a winger."