John returned to the field, but he was surprised — all the players, without exception, were already there.
John: This is excellent work. Discipline is the key to success. I won't take long. Tomorrow evening, we will decide what our mentality will be. Will we be celebrating, or will none of us be able to look each other in the eye? We must be ready to sacrifice on the field. Mistakes will cost us dearly. Wasting chances will make us lose focus and direction. But if we start by denying the opponent the freedom to play…
He paused for a second and said: I would be lying if I told you we are better than them. They are very good, and that's clear. But what I want to focus on is that we will play here, in our stadium, in front of a huge crowd that will come tomorrow to bring this place back to life and revive the spirit in the players. Remember well, the team is all of us. Everyone go now to sleep. Phones are strictly forbidden. I warn you, no phones in the building. I will be watching secretly. Be careful — if I find a phone in the building tonight… now go.
Frank entered the field.
Frank: Hey, Coach, how are the preparations going here? Is everything alright?
John: Yes, everything is perfectly fine.
Frank: You seem a bit nervous, don't you?
John: Should I say otherwise? Honestly, I am nervous. Sleeping tonight will be very difficult. I'm thinking of taking a cold shower now.
Frank: Good idea, because we don't have hot water.
John: Are you serious?
Frank: Yes, the gas was cut off this morning due to unpaid bills. But it will be fixed tomorrow morning.
John: Hahaha, no hot water? You really made me laugh.
Frank: It's all because of that fool in charge of managing the stadium.
John: Hey, make sure the electricity is working tomorrow. It's match day — we'll be a joke if the power goes out.
Frank: Hahaha, we'll be a joke anyway. The opposing team has the strongest attack in the league this season, and we have the worst defense. Do you see any hope? Of course not.
John: Haha, I've prepared several plans, but let me tell you something. It seems the best plan for tomorrow is an amazing one. Do you know what it is?
Frank: What is it? I know you have crazy plans, tell me.
John: Tomorrow, cut the electricity… hahaha.
Frank: Hahaha, what a great idea! At least we'll save our dignity.
John: Of course, we'll blame it on the electricity.
Frank: You know something you forgot?
John: What?
Frank: There's a huge power transformer under that building. It has one job — if the electricity goes out, it automatically turns on and lights up the entire stadium.
John burst into hysterical laughter until he sat on the ground and said: We won't be able to save our dignity anyway. It's settled.
Frank also laughed uncontrollably until John suddenly remembered something and said in a low voice: Hey, hey, be quiet. It's late. Let's move away from here. The players are going to sleep now. What would they say about me if they heard this? Let's go.
Frank: Hahaha, honestly, I haven't laughed like this from the heart in a very long time. But seriously, no matter what the result is tomorrow, I'm very happy with the work you've done. You've completely changed the team's mentality. Look at them — discipline I've never seen before, and a burning desire to achieve the dream, even if it seems impossible.
John: I'm glad to hear that. Honestly, I deeply regret the time I wasted in the past. I didn't want to take risks, but it's worth it.
John felt that he was finally in the right place. He had found what he had been missing for a long time. Frank left, but John chose to stay outside, watching the opponent's matches on his tablet, collecting data about every player, analyzing possible tactics, and preparing for every scenario the match might bring.
The sun rose, and the awaited day arrived. Some players went to have breakfast and found John sitting there watching his tablet. He hadn't slept at all the previous night. He sat on a chair, analyzing and searching for weaknesses. But did he actually find anything worthwhile? Is there really a flaw in the opponent's team?
Frank entered the office and found John.
Frank: How… you didn't sleep?
John: It doesn't matter. What matters is what we can do today. Listen, I'm going home now. I need to do something important. Tell the players I will meet them three hours before the match.
Frank: Alright, I'll do that. Take my car — the key is with the guard.
John's leaving the stadium wasn't without purpose. He had forgotten his medication at home — the medicine without which he couldn't sleep at all.
He got into the car and quickly headed home. Maria and the child were still asleep. He entered quietly. The medicine was on the table. He took double his usual dose. He was extremely tense… or afraid. Afraid of everything. Failure was right in front of his eyes.
He went back to the car and drove to the highest place in the city, overlooking the nearby forest. He parked, set the alarm for one hour, and fell asleep.
At the stadium, the players were having breakfast, full of energy and determination to win. Everyone was asking about the coach.
One of them said: I saw him when I woke up. He was in the main hall watching the opponent's match.
Frank: He went to take care of some errands. He will meet you before the match to explain what to do. Now enjoy your breakfast and these hours until he returns.
The alarm rang.
John woke up feeling much better. He started the car and headed toward the stadium, saying to himself: Why not? I will do it today. There is no escape from victory. Yes, we will win. This is my last chance to return to the field. I won't let it slip away. I will hold on to it, even if it means my end.
He parked in front of the stadium and rushed inside, calling out: Meeting! Meeting!
Frank appeared and said: They're outside, talking together.
John: Tell them to go to the meeting room immediately. I'll be there waiting. Hurry, it's important.
Frank: Guys, meeting now. John is waiting. It's urgent. Hurry.
The players quickly went to the room and found John writing the plan on the board in a strange way — writing and erasing at the same time.
John: Sit down, everyone.
John: Dear players, focus carefully. I've watched many of the opponent's matches. This is what I concluded: they are weak. Yes, very weak. There are gaps in their defense. You — he pointed to player number 7 — Tommy. The entire plan depends on you and your speed. You will have a special role. You will try to deliver as many crosses as possible into the penalty area, and also shoot from outside the box. Understood?
Tommy: Understood, coach.
John: And you, Sari, number 9, you will be the cornerstone of the plan. You must convert those crosses into goals.
The meeting continued with many instructions and plans. Was the goal one… but would it really succeed? Only four hours remained before the match.