Leo tugged his inner sleeves tighter against his skin as he stepped into the flow of the match, easing himself into a slow walk while his eyes scanned the pitch.
Sunderland restarted with a throw deep in their own half, and the commentary picked up instantly, already reading the patterns forming across the grass.
"It's Michut dropping in to collect," the commentator said as Michut shaped his body well as the ball arrived, taking it on the half-turn with a smooth touch that drew Aasgaard in.
The Frenchman kept his balance, rolled his foot over the ball, then shifted it out of reach.
Aasgaard lunged but only brushed his shoulder as Michut slid past him, head up, scanning for a passing lane after he got space, and he found it a moment later on the left, slipping a neat pass into Jack Clarke's stride.
Clarke slowed the play for a heartbeat, letting the pitch breathe, then began to push forward.
His first few touches were measured, almost casual, but he gained ground steadily.
