Chapter 8: Chapter 8
We were arriving at St. Mary's Stadium, the home ground of Southampton F.C.
The area around the stadium was bustling, with many fans walking and chatting animatedly before the match. Some people were selling official club merchandise while others were eating snacks at nearby stalls. The atmosphere was lively and vibrant, with a sense of excitement in the air.
I could also see the flags waving at the top of the stadium, indicating that a game was happening. The sun was setting and the stadium lights were already on, creating a magical atmosphere. The view was simply amazing.
We arrived here on the club bus, which took about 4 hours of travel. It was tiring, but here we are to face Southampton, and our goal is obvious: to win the match.
I instructed the players to warm up on the field while I and the coaching staff were in the locker room preparing for the game. We reviewed our tactics and information about Southampton.
There was only one hour left until the start of the game, so we could look at the lineup and formation announced by Southampton. As I expected, they were using the 4-4-2 formation with Chris Marsden in midfield and James Beattie as a forward, among other important players who were having a good season, helping Southampton currently be placed 9th in the Premier League.
My tactic remains the same as I previously discussed with the coaching staff, pressuring Southampton with intensity and aggression whenever possible, forcing them to make mistakes and lose possession of the ball. Additionally, playing with a deeper defensive line to avoid being caught on counter-attacks. And focusing on attacking from the flanks, where they have a defensive weakness.
In the rest of the game, my strategy remained the same.
When my players finished stretching and returned to the locker room, I started my pre-game speech. "Today, what should we do?" Before anyone could answer, I said, "That was a rhetorical question. Do you hear this music?" I asked the players while putting my hand to my ear, referring to the song "Oh when the Saints go marching in," which is resounding throughout the stadium by the Southampton fans. "Let's go out there and silence all the Saints' fans until we can only hear the voice of the Lions!" I finished my speech with a loud and strong tone.
All the players, seeming enthusiastic, shouted, "Let's shut them up, boss!"
As the players entered the field, I felt the adrenaline rushing through my body. The stadium was full, with Southampton fans singing in unison. "Oh, when the Saints go marching in" was a melody that wouldn't leave my head. It was the moment I had been waiting for so long.
The first half was good; we managed to impose our game with 62% ball possession. However, I knew there was still room for improvement, but it was good enough to ensure that we came out with a victory.
Dion Dublin's goal was a moment I would never forget. The play started with a precise cross from Lee Hendrie, which found the space in the penalty area. Dublin, positioned in the right place and at the right time, dove and headed the ball perfectly into the back of the net. The opposing goalkeeper barely had time to react.
I looked at the reserve bench and saw the players celebrating. Steve Staunton and Peter Whittingham were buzzing with the goal, while Juan Pablo Ángel waved to the crowd. It was a scene of pure joy and satisfaction.
I looked at the scoreboard and saw that there was still a lot of game ahead. We needed to stay focused and continue pressuring Southampton. I glanced at my assistant coach, and he nodded, indicating that everything was under control.
The first half ended with Aston Villa ahead on the scoreboard, but I knew there was still a lot of work to be done. With players like Peter Enckelman, Ronny Johnsen, and Olof Mellberg on the field, I knew we had a strong enough team to face any opponent.
I took a deep breath and prepared for the second half. I was confident that we could secure the victory and leave the stadium with the three points in our bag.
...
The second half started with Southampton applying more pressure. They seemed to have realized that they needed to increase the pace if they wanted to tie the game. We had to retreat a little, which made the game more tense.
I shouted instructions from the bench, trying to guide the players to stay strong and focused. I looked at the clock every minute, hoping that time would pass quickly and the victory would be secured.
In the 10th minute of the second half, Southampton almost tied the game. Striker Brett Ormerod took advantage of a marking mistake and shot strongly towards the goal. Peter Enckelman, our goalkeeper, made an incredible save, preventing the goal.
It was a play that left everyone tense. I saw the face of my assistant coach becoming serious, indicating that the situation was dangerous. The players, on the other hand, were determined not to let it shake their confidence.
We continued playing in a compact and organized way. In the 20th minute of the second half, we substituted Lee Hendrie for Peter Whittingham. The change brought more defensive solidity, as well as an increase in marking power in the midfield.
Despite this, Southampton did not give up. In the 30th minute, they had a dangerous free-kick near our area. All the players positioned themselves, ready for the shot. The Southampton player ran towards the ball and shot strongly. But, once again, Peter made an incredible save, preventing the goal.
Southampton's fans were frustrated, while ours celebrated. I saw the face of Dion Dublin, the author of our goal, smile with relief. He knew that defense was crucial to securing the victory.
Time continued to pass, and tension increased. Southampton tried everything to tie the game, but our team was holding up well. The game became more truncated, with many fouls and stoppages.
At the 45th minute of the second half, the referee indicated that there would be three minutes of added time. That was a shock to me. Three minutes seemed like an eternity at that moment. I looked at the players and saw that they were exhausted but still determined to win.
Time continued to run, and Southampton seemed to be accepting the defeat. The referee blew the final whistle, and the victory was secured. I looked at the players and saw them smiling and embracing each other. It was a beautiful scene of unity and camaraderie.
After the game, I went to the locker room and congratulated all the players. They had played very well and, despite some mistakes in the second half, deserved the victory. With a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, we were able to impose our game and leave with three points.
It was a great game, full of emotion and tension.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
iamneverhope
iamneverhope Sorry for the delay, I went to play footvolley and ended up hurting my waist, so I couldn't write the chapter yesterday. I was only able to write it today. Good night. Oh, and I made this match shorter since it's just a regular match in the season, but I highlighted the tactical changes we made for this particular game. Did you guys like it?
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