Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

After Luiz's goal, the referee blew the whistle and stopped the game for half-time. The players from both teams walked towards the changing rooms with different expressions: tiredness, determination, frustration.

Luiz was still a little tired. The feeling of dopamine after the goal still pulsed through his chest like a fast beat. He had done it. He had overcome his insecurities and scored against one of the greatest opponents he had ever faced.

"Hey Luiz, great header, man!" Lucas walked over and slapped him on the back. The tone was one of genuine pride. "But now it's time to get ready. This isn't over yet."

Luiz nodded, finally taking his eyes off the crossbar. "Thanks, Lucas. I needed that."

As the Brighton players gathered in the dressing room, Eddie was waiting for them with a clipboard in hand. They were leading 2-1 against Manchester United U20, a result that few would have predicted before the start of the league season.

"We're doing well, but you're already tired of knowing that the second half is a separate game. They already know how to press us and take advantage of our mistakes. We need to be ready."

Kader, Eddie's daughter and a member of the coaching staff, was handing out bottles of water while listening intently.

"So here's the plan for the second half," continued Eddie, pointing to the whiteboard. "We're going to adopt a more defensive posture. Lucas, you're going to drop back a bit more to help Felix and Javier in the middle. We need to close the spaces and prevent them from creating chances."

Lucas frowned, but nodded in agreement. He knew that sacrificing a little of his attacking freedom was necessary to protect the lead sometimes, but it wasn't often that Eddie asked for it.

"Loki, Aidan, I want you to be even more vigilant in the wings. Bernard and Angel Gomes will try to exploit the edges. Don't give them any space," said Eddie, pointing to the two full-backs.

Loki gave a tired half-smile. "I'll give it my all."

Aidan just nodded. He was quieter, but everyone knew that his determination spoke louder than any words.

"Anton," Eddie turned to the goalkeeper. "You're playing an incredible game so far. Keep leading the defense. Communicate at all times."

"You got it, mister," replied Anton, wiping his face with a towel. "These guys won't get through."

"And Miguel, Raphael," Eddie continued. "You'll be key in the counter-attacks. We need your speed to break the deadlock. Miguel, I want you to keep the pressure on their full-back. Raphael, I trust you to take advantage of any space that opens up on the edge."

Raphael smiled. "You got it, Eddie. I'll do whatever it takes."

Finally, Eddie looked at Arthur. The center-forward was sitting on the bench, concentrating, but clearly eager to get back on the pitch. "Arthur, you're going on the bench at half-time today."

"What?!" Arthur raised his head.

"You're our classic center forward, but today we'll need a bit more speed. Willian will come on to your place so that we have more speed on the counter-attacks. I prefer to make this change early now that we've changed our strategy for this game."

"Yes, sir..."

Soon, the second half began, and Brighton, leading 2-1, knew that Manchester United U20 would not be an easy opponent to hold off. In the dressing room, Eddie had made it clear: the focus was now on defense and counter-attacks. Everyone knew that every second of the game would be a mental and physical battle.

The players returned to the pitch with resolute expressions, even though they had won. Lucas adjusted his shin pads, his eyes attentive to the opponents positioning themselves in midfield. He knew he would need to lead the balance between defense and attack, just as Eddie had asked. The plan was simple on paper, but executing it against a team like United would require tactical discipline and heart.

United began the second half by pressing Brighton's ball out. Lucas dropped back, setting himself up as a wall alongside Felix and Javier. The connection between the midfield trio was clear; while Javier sought organization and vertical passing, Felix played the role of shield in front of the defence. Lucas, for his part, adapted to the game, either helping with distribution or covering the spaces left by his teammates.

Angel Gomes was showing his quality. In a one-on-one move, he got past Loki with a dry dribble and advanced towards the box. As luck would have it, Daniel Riber read the play with precision, intercepting the pass that was looking to infiltrate a striker.

Riber's interception sparked a quick counter-attack. The ball reached Lucas, who spun past his marker and found Miguel on the right wing. The winger sped up, taking on the opposing full-back in a duel of speed. Miguel crossed low into the area, but the United defender cut him off before Willian could reach the ball.

"Thanks!" Willian thanked him.

The next few minutes were a test of nerves for Brighton. United pressed with incessant attacks, using the wings to open up spaces in the defense. Aidan, always focused, disarmed Bernard in a dangerous move, while Loki, with his vibrant personality, didn't give the opposing winger an inch of space.

Anton, in goal, showed why he was a key player. In a spectacular save, he palmed away a powerful shot from outside the area, saving Brighton from conceding an equalizer. He shouted to his defensive colleagues:

"Let's wake up! We can't give up!"

The opposing coach renewed his team's energy by bringing on two speedy players to break through Brighton's defensive block. Eddie, from the Brighton side, remained calm on the edge of the pitch, but his expression showed the tension.

"Remember, guys, focus on the counter-attacks. Let's use Miguel and Raphael's speed," said Eddie to Alex, who relayed the message to the players on the pitch who were approaching the benches.

A ball recovered by Felix in midfield reached Lucas' feet. He looked ahead and saw Raphael shooting in from the right. With a three-fingered pass, he placed the ball deep, finding the speedy winger. Miguel cut inside and took a shot, but the ball went just wide of the post.

Time seemed to pass more slowly. Each scramble for the ball was like a separate battle. Luiz Fernando, scorer of Brighton's second goal in the first half, showed his security in defense, cutting out crosses and blocking shots.

In attack, Willian ran all over the place, trying to open up spaces for his teammates. Raphael, always dangerous, almost scored with an individual move, but the opposing goalkeeper stopped him at the last second.

The pressure finally had an effect. In a quick move down the left, United found space in the Brighton defense. The cross came in low, and the opposing striker finished into the back of the net. 2-2.

Silence overtook the Brighton fans, but Eddie was quick to react. "Heads up, team! There's still time!"

Eddie said, but tinkered with the team. He took off Miguel, who was exhausted, and brought on Hillebrand to give the team a bit more bite.

With the game heading into the final minutes, Brighton threw everything into one last counter-attack. The ball passed through to Hillebrand, who found Lucas with a precise touch. He advanced, attracted two markers, and opened up on the right to cross into the area. Raphael crossed into the area, but Willian, like a thunderbolt, appeared to head the ball in.

BRIGHTON GOAAAAL!

Eddie smiled, his fists raised in restrained victory. Lucas raised his arms in celebration, but all the players knew that even though they had won, even though they had turned around such a hard game at the home of a big team, something wasn't right with this team. The chemistry they had before was off. They were playing together, but they weren't talking much. Something was wrong.

Brighton closed in even more, adopting an almost desperate defensive posture. Lucas retreated even further, lining up with Felix and Javier. Luiz Fernando and Daniel Riber shouted directions at the back, while Loki and Aidan guarded the wings as if their lives depended on it.

The clock struck 89 minutes and United was pressing hard. The ball spun from side to side, looking for gaps in Brighton's defensive wall.

Suddenly, a quick exchange of passes between Angel Gomes and Jimmy opened up a small space on the left side of the defense. Bernard advanced and crossed into the area. Daniel Riber rose high to head clear, but the ball fell to Malik Adebayor, who quickly got to his feet and shot.

The rebound fell to Lucas, who, with no passing options, kicked the ball forward to clear the danger.

Extra time was already four minutes old. The referee looked at his watch, signaling that the final whistle was coming. Brighton tried to hold on to the ball, but United was relentless.

Then, in a seemingly harmless move, Felix tried to protect the ball near the end line. Pressured by two opponents, he slipped. The ball was stolen and quickly played to Angel Gomes, who saw Malik Adebayor break through the defenders.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

A deep pass found Malik in perfect position. He dominated and, before Luiz Fernando could get to him to block, shot low into Anton's right-hand corner.

[Brighton 3 x 3 Manchester United.]

The stands let out a deafening single cry. Malik ran towards the crowd, raising his arms, while the Brighton players looked on in disbelief.

Luiz Fernando fell to his knees, his hands on his head. Anton grabbed the ball from the back of the net and angrily kicked it away.

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A few seconds after the restart, the referee blew his whistle and ended the game. The final score: 3-3.

The Brighton players were exhausted, both physically and emotionally. It had been a long journey and a strange game. Some sat on the pitch, panting.

Minutes later, in the dressing room, the atmosphere was tense. The players sat in silence while Eddie and Alex briefly discussed the team's shortcomings and successes.

Kader, always observant, noticed that although they had played well, the dressing room was no longer as cheerful as it had been in those first games. The players were together on the pitch, but there was an invisible barrier between them.

She approached Lucas, who was sitting with his head down and his hands on his knees, and thought about saying something, but preferred to keep her comments to herself for the time being.

However, as they were leaving the changing room, she called out to him:

"Hey, Tanaka, do you have a moment? I want to talk to you about something."

"Sure, what's it about?"

"Not here. It'll be better when we get on the bus. My father is tired and will probably go to sleep when we leave town, so you can sit next to me now."