Listen carefully please. I didn't choose for us to stay in the stadium to punish you or anything like that, not at all. The idea was for you to spend some time together, because a player's success on the field requires a lot—among the most important things is understanding how your teammates think. It's like having a communication device on the field—you become as if you are one player. Even before, for example, Sashi touches the ball, I, Fabio or Kali, already know what he's going to do with it before he even controls it. That's the main goal. At that moment, you can move appropriately, which puts us in a position of strength. And that, guys, is what we are missing: chemistry. Try to find your similarities and work on them. Tomorrow's match will be very difficult, but not impossible. This team, in the past, defeated United Delasat when they had big stars at the peak of their power, and in this stadium. Don't underestimate yourselves against any team. We will enter the field thinking about exploiting the opportunities that come to us, and of course, without a doubt, the defense must stay alive throughout the entire match. As for the opponent, I want to tell you that they might make a serious mistake if they enter the match confident that they will beat us. They already defeated us in the previous match in the first half of the league. Now many things have changed. The most important of these changes is the team's desire. Now I see that everyone is ready to dive into the competition again with a strong will to achieve the impossible. Yes, the impossible. MIL FC has always been known for achieving the impossible. It is enough pride that we are the first team in the country's history to win the most prestigious title. Now, despite all these difficulties that seem hard, there is one important thing I fear you might fall into: please, do not play under pressure and chase goals. No, that is not what we aim for at all. The main goal is to win every match, but that does not prevent us from playing—and by playing, I mean that each of you must enjoy the game. When you reach the stage of playing with enjoyment, at that moment, I am certain that you are on the right path, and there is no team in the world—yes, the entire world—that can defeat you easily. That is what we aim for tomorrow. Just a little focus, and we will succeed in achieving our goals.
Frank entered the field with a smile on his face and said, "Guys, I have good news to share first."
The players: "What is it? Tell us!"
"Tomorrow, this stadium will be full to the last seat. Can you believe it? All the tickets are sold out. The sales agent just called me and said that people are rushing to get tickets. He asked me, 'What did you do to the team to make people want to watch it again?' I told him, 'I didn't change anything, I just brought the right captain. People like him very much.' That's why we will completely break from the past. This team belongs to all of us. We will do everything to bring it back to the top where it belongs. Are you ready?"
The players: "We are ready! We will be there!"
Frank added, "And of course, there will be a victory bonus."
The players: "Let's go, guys! We will work together for the team!"
John said, "Now we will do some light exercises, just to wake up the muscles. After that, you are allowed to go out for three hours, but you must return. We need to sleep early. Understood?"
The players, loudly and in one voice: "Understood, coach!"
Frank placed his hand on John's shoulder in a gesture of gratitude and said, "I was sure that no one could awaken the spirit of this team except you. I'm grateful to you for everything you've done, despite the difficult circumstances you've been through. Thank you so much, John. Even the word 'thank you' does not express what I feel. You have revived the dream again."
John replied, "No need to thank me, Frank. You helped me, and I'm just returning the favor. Don't forget that I used to play here. Honestly, I'm enjoying it a lot. At first, I thought it would be dangerous, but now I'm happy to be here, in a place that still holds a special place in my heart."
Frank said, "Glad to hear that. Are you going home? I'm leaving now. If you're heading out, let me give you a ride."
John: "Thanks. I need to go. Maria wants to see the house documents. Honestly, I don't know how she will react."
Frank: "She's a kind person. Let's go."
John said, "Guys, it's four o'clock now. I will close the doors at seven in the evening. Any player who is not inside the stadium at the correct time should consider himself out of the game. Understood?"
The players: "Understood, coach!"
John carried the house ownership documents, went, and stood in front of the house. After he was dropped off, he stood for a few seconds at the door, then rang the bell. Immediately, he heard Mikey's voice saying, "It's my dad! It's my dad! He's back! I'll open the door!" Mikey opened the door and said, "Dad, everyone at school is talking about you! You're very famous! Even the teacher told me that."
John: "What did the teacher tell you?"
Mikey: "He said my dad was a big star and scored many goals, and that you will be the new coach of the city team. Is that true?"
John: "Yes, yes, I will coach the team."
Mikey ran toward his mother, full of joy: "Mom! Mom! Dad will coach the team! This is amazing! Everyone at school is asking me. I've become very famous!"
John: "Come here, you rascal! I haven't seen you since yesterday." He grabbed him and said, "Tell me, what did you study? Or did you just learn what people are saying here and there? Talk!"
Mikey laughed: "No, no, Dad, I studied!"
John: "Listen, Mikey, go to your room now. There's something I need to tell your mother."
Mikey: "Okay, Dad."
John entered the kitchen while Maria was preparing food and said in a slightly rough voice, "What are you doing?"
She looked at him with a smile and said, "Why are you making your voice rough?"
"No, not at all. Maybe I caught a cold. And I have a surprise for you."
"What is it? Tell me."
"Here it is, in this file."
Maria took the file, opened it, and found the house ownership papers—but the shock was that they were in her name.
She stepped back, tears of shock in her eyes. She said nothing and remained silent. John said, "No notice will disturb our lives again. No bank will call us anymore. The house is yours. Today is our wedding anniversary, and this is your gift, my wife, my friend, and my life partner."
Maria, still in shock, said, "What should I say to you? You risk your life for us, and that makes me feel pain inside." She threw the papers and hugged John, saying, "Please, be careful. My life has no meaning without you. Please, be careful."
It was a sensitive moment where emotions mixed. Maria knew that the price of the house was not money—it was John himself. He had put himself as collateral in a merciless world. Deep inside, she wanted him to leave football completely and go live in an old countryside house owned by her father. She was about to say it, but John spoke first:
"Maria, I'm happy."
Maria: "What are you saying?"
"Yes, I feel like I've been reborn. I haven't felt this way in a very long time."
These words were enough to make Maria stop and say nothing.
Outside, the city was boiling. Everyone was waiting for tomorrow. Cafés talked about nothing but the team and the new coach. Would he succeed in his first test, or was the team truly lost?