My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 73 - 5 Assists

In the away dressing room, everyone was going through a bunch of recovery rituals with the adrenaline of the first half still pumping through their veins. Since it was a high-stakes match, the air was beginning to heat up with the smell of Deep Heat and sweat.

The players dripped with perspiration as they called out to each other, celebrating the 2-0 lead but knowing the job wasn’t done.

Manager Farke’s expression was graced with his usual poker face as he watched his team refuel with the physios. However, judging by the metronome-like tapping of his marker on the tactical board, it was clear that he was anxious about something.

His eyes continuously moved between two players amongst the chaotic room. One was a broad-shouldered winger with a serious expression and the other was a young midfielder, yet his body looked to be trembling with fatigue. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

He saw the face of the latter wince for a moment after bending down to adjust his socks, however, he quickly hid his expression a moment later and threw a thumbs up to the kit man.

"Haaaahh," The manager let out a deep sigh, feeling a bad taste in his mouth.

’I hope it’s not as serious as Rio hinted.’

First and foremost, Daniel Farke was focused on providing a dominant, aggressive, and winning environment for players to enjoy their football. Of course, he also wanted to coach a team that could smash the Premier League.

While he liked to think of himself as a tactical genius, his real skill was man-management. Something that had been honed through his tenure in the Bundesliga and Norwich.

Which was why he instantly saw the shining stars of the new generation. The blinding Rio, the steady Rodon, and the golden boy Archie.

His eyes set upon the talented youngster who seemed to be shrouded, as if something was preventing him from celebrating the 2-0 lead. The manager always felt there was something off about Archie’s movement in the last five minutes, but he could never put his finger on it.

However, now that Rio had pointed it out with a subtle nod walking down the tunnel, it was staring him right in the face. He’d only been watching Archie for a few minutes before he could already see winces of pain, or a slight hobble during the halftime warm-down.

"Okay, nice work everyone!" The manager yelled out, getting everyone’s attention.

Hearing the manager’s voice, some people let out sighs of relief while others didn’t seem satisfied just yet. Surprisingly, Rio was one of the players who didn’t feel as if the lead was big enough.

Rio turned his attention to the manager, hoping that he would take heed of his signal earlier in the tunnel. However, he felt confident. After all, the man that he knew in his previous life simulations would never let a wonderkid play and risk his entire career.

"Let’s get some fluids and tactical tweaks before we head out. Find your zone and focus."

Piroe as usual gravitated towards Rio.

"Archie, I’ll be needing a word." Farke said, heading over to a corner of the dressing room where the medical table was.

Archie was surprised, however, he still agreed and followed shortly after. They had yet to officially announce the second-half lineup, so he was hopeful that the manager wanted to talk to him about exploiting the space behind Walker-Peters.

Rio stood in place, watching the two before letting out a sigh.

After completing his hydration, Rio turned only to see Archie with his head down, still listening to the manager. The manager stood up and patted him gently on the shoulder before walking off, his poker face once again plastered on.

As the instigator of the situation, Rio felt rather guilty, however, he believed that Archie would be thankful for this in the future.

Just as he was about to retreat to his locker to check the System, he saw Archie walking over towards him.

"Let’s talk over here." Archie said, without letting him speak.

A look of surprise appeared on Rio’s face before realization suddenly hit. The look in Archie’s face told him that he already knew something; did that mean he figured out Rio was the one who ratted him out to Farke?

A burst of anger assaulted the teenager’s psyche, causing him to grit his teeth and clench his fists. However, he still followed Rio to the edge of the shower area.

When they finally arrived, Rio turned around and stared at Archie who looked as if he was about to snap.

"What is it you wanna talk about?" Rio’s face was void of expression, almost looking disinterested.

This only served to piss Archie off even more.

"Was it you? Did you tell the Boss that I have a swollen ankle?"

The words were full of emotion, portraying the betrayal that he felt in that moment.

"And if it was?"

"Y-You!"

Without warning, Archie grabbed onto the front of Rio’s kit and pushed him back into the tiled wall. Thanks to his S-Grade Strength, Rio didn’t budge, but he could still see the boy’s expression, one of hurt and frustration.

"What gives you the right to do such a thing? Why has the Boss benched me for the second half? I can still run!"

He didn’t wait for Rio to respond before continuing to yell at him. "Tell me... Do you feel so threatened that I might steal your assists that you would sabotage me like this? TELL ME!"

The commotion seemed to attract the attention of all the other players, causing them to turn to their direction. Liam Cooper also saw what was happening and was about to yell out, however, he stopped after seeing Rio raise a hand in his direction, waving him off.

"Is that what you really think, Archie?"

Rio’s deep voice broke the silence, barely audible above the hum of the air conditioning.

Instead of continuing to yell, Archie felt his eyes tear up in frustration as he held onto Rio’s shirt like a vice grip. He stared right into the calm and seemingly uncaring face of Rio, his mind in turmoil.

"No..." He finally uttered, loosening his grip and dropping his head.

Seeing this, Rio relaxed a little. After the outburst, Archie must have been feeling drained.

"Good."

Rio straightened the creases on his shirt and looked up at the squad that was staring his way. He shot them a glare, essentially telling them to mind their own business.

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: He has passion, the little one. But passion without ankles is useless. You did the right thing, Captain.

Total_Football_14: A player always wants to play. It is the leader’s job to protect him from himself. You saved his career, Rio.

Zizou_5: He grabbed your shirt? In my day, I would have headbutted him. Just kidding. Maybe.

Rio ignored the buzzing in his head and focused on his friend.

"Archie, look at me."

Archie looked up, his eyes red. "I just wanted to win, Rio. We were destroying them. I assisted the second goal."

"And that was a beautiful pass," Rio said softly. "But I saw you wince when you made it. I used my eyes, Archie. Your ankle is the size of a tennis ball."

Archie looked down at his boot. He had loosened the laces to relieve the pressure.

"The Scout’s Eye never lies," Rio whispered, pointing to his own temple. "If you went back out there, Coyle or Bednarek would have snapped you in half. You would be out for six months."

Archie shuddered. Six months. That meant missing the promotion party.

"I... I didn’t think of that."

"Exactly. That’s why I’m here," Rio said, placing a hand on Archie’s shoulder. "Kamara is coming on. He’s fresh. We will hold the lead."

"But your mission..." Archie sniffed, wiping his nose. "You need five assists. I was the one running into the box for you."

Rio chuckled. "Don’t worry about my mission. I can assist anyone. Even Bamford."

Archie let out a weak laugh. "That’s mean."

"It’s true," Rio grinned. "Now, go sit on the bench. Put some ice on it. And watch how I finish this."

Archie nodded, finally letting go of the anger. "Okay, Skip. Go kill them."

"I intend to."

Rio walked back to the center of the room. Farke was waiting, a small smile on his face.

"Everything sorted?" Farke asked quietly.

"All good, Boss," Rio nodded. "The kid just needed a reality check."

"Good leadership," Farke noted, tapping his clipboard. "Now, Kamara is on. We switch to a 4-2-3-1. We control the game. No risks."

Rio frowned. No risks?

"Boss," Rio said, raising his voice slightly. "Southampton are rattled. If we sit back, they will gain confidence. We should press them harder."

Farke looked at Rio. The audacity to question the tactics at halftime.

But then he remembered the first half. Rio had dismantled them single-handedly.

"You think you have the energy?" Farke asked.

"I don’t get tired," Rio stated simply.

Farke looked at the diagram, then at Rio.

"Okay," Farke slammed the board. "High press. But if we concede, you run laps for a week."

"Deal," Rio smirked.

The bell rang. It was time for the second half.

As the team walked out to the tunnel, the Southampton players were already there. They looked angry. Humiliated.

Kyle Walker-Peters was glaring at Rio.

"You think you’ve won?" Walker-Peters spat. "45 minutes left, sunshine."

Rio didn’t even look at him. He activated the Scout’s Eye.

[Target: Kyle Walker-Peters]

[Mood: Vengeful / Unstable]

[Current Thought: "I’m going to two-foot him the first chance I get."]

Rio smiled.

"You’re right, Kyle," Rio whispered as he walked past. "45 minutes left. Try not to cry."

He stepped onto the pitch. The away fans roared.

RIO! RIO! RIO!

[Mission: The Creator]

[Progress: 2/5 Assists]

Three more assists needed.

Rio looked at Kamara, who had replaced Archie.

"Glen!" Rio shouted. "Get in the box! I’m feeding you!"