Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!-Chapter 188 187 - Memorable Night (Part 1)

Brighton's training ground was unrecognizable that night.

The temporary stands set up around the pitch were completely full, creating the atmosphere of a professional match.

The return match against Real Madrid U20 had become a historic event for the club, and the local fans had made a point of turning out in force.

Tickets had sold out quickly, and hundreds of fans who couldn't get a seat crowded outside, trying to glimpse what was going on inside. It didn't even look like a U-20 game.

Chants, shouts of support and even flags waving in the wind made the small stadium seem like a veritable fortress.

Brighton was about to face the biggest challenge of their brief career in the competition, and everyone there knew that this night could go down in the club's history books.

In the tunnel leading to the pitch, the Brighton and Real Madrid players lined up, ready to take to the field.

Lucas Tanaka closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

The news of Nishida's signing by Bayern was still echoing in his mind, but now was not the time to think about that. He was there to win, to take Brighton further than anyone thought possible.

Next to him, Arthur, Brighton's center forward, snapped his fingers anxiously. "This is it, Lucas. Today's the day we show Madrid wasn't luck." Experience tales with novelbuddy

Lucas cracked a smile. "Man, I've never seen this stadium so full before. It's like a World Cup final."

"It's a game of life and death for us. If we hold on to this lead, we'll be in the quarter-finals. But Real Madrid won't make it easy." Javier said.

And they were right. The Spanish team, wounded by their home defeat, were ready for battle. Among the Real Madrid U-20 players, there were some big names.

On the other side of the tunnel, the Real Madrid players looked serious, focused. Hakimi, Sergio López, De la Fuente and the others were determined to overturn the scoreline. They hadn't traveled all the way to Brighton to be eliminated.

The fourth official's voice echoed through the tunnel. "All set. Let's go in."

The players marched onto the pitch to a roar from the stands. The pitch was spotless, illuminated by the floodlights.

The Brighton fans waved flags, sang and clapped, while the Real Madrid fans, scattered in a small section, tried to make themselves heard in the crowd.

In the middle of this vibrant atmosphere, two young women were sitting near the center of the pitch. Kate and Lucy were side by side, both wearing coats to protect themselves from the cold night wind. Lucy had her eyes fixed on a single player: Lucas Tanaka. From the moment he entered the field, her eyes never strayed from him.

Kate, noticing this, nudged her friend. "Lucy, can you take your eyes off him for a second and focus on the game this time?"

Lucy laughed embarrassedly, looking away briefly before turning back to Lucas, who was entering the field in line with the other players. "I intend to watch the game... only, you know, with a special focus."

Kate rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide a small smile. "Right, girl in love. So? Has he given you an answer yet?"

Lucy shook her head. "Not yet." But, contrary to what Kate had expected, she smiled softly. "But I'll wait."

Kate sighed, but this time her tone was gentler. "You have more patience than I would have. But honestly, Lucy... I hope he realizes soon. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you."

Lucy didn't reply. Instead, she looked at Lucas again. The game hadn't started yet, but he seemed completely focused. Now was not the time to think about that. He had a dream to achieve, and she was there to support him, regardless of his response.

For his part, Lucas opened his eyes as he heard the referee's whistle calling the players onto the pitch.

With each step, the noise from the crowd grew louder, turning into an explosion of shouts and applause as the players emerged onto the pitch.

Brighton flags fluttered in the wind and the fans chanted in unison, creating an atmosphere that impressed even the opposing players.

In the stands, Kate looked at Lucy and smiled. "Well, now he really has all eyes on him. Let's see if he's ready to shine once again."

Lucy smiled back, without taking her eyes off Lucas. "He is."

The referee's whistle echoed around the stadium, and the players positioned themselves for the start of the game.

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Brighton was ninety minutes away from a historic qualification, and Real Madrid was about to fight with all their might to stop it.

The second round was about to begin.

However, nobody was ready for what was about to happen.

Three minutes into the game, Javier, a little further back than usual, received the ball on the edge of the Brighton box, pressured by two opponents. He tried to pass to Luiz Fernando, but his touch was weak and telegraphic. Oscar Rodriguez intercepted with ease and immediately found Mayoral moving between the defenders.

Daniel Riber, Brighton's defensive mainstay, tried to expect the move, but Mayoral was smarter.

The Real Madrid center-forward appeared behind Daniel's back, surprised him, picked up the ball, pivoted, looked over his shoulder and saw Anton still moving to find the right position, as he had also been surprised.

This brief analysis was enough for Mayoral to take advantage. With a high shot, he sent the ball crashing into the back of the net.

REAL MADRID GOOOOOOAAAAL!

A shock, a scare, in the first few minutes for Brighton. A sepulchral silence swallowed the fans in the stands, who had been so noisy before up, and the Real Madrid players gathering to celebrate in Brighton's right corner area shouted a lot and beat their chests, kissing the shield.

It was no wonder. In less than five minutes, all the advantages that Brighton had built up in the first leg and wanted to maintain in the second leg were DESTROYED.

Everyone was stunned, and the Brighton team was crestfallen. The only people who weren't down were Lucas and coach Jimenez, who coincidentally looked at each other at that moment.