England's Greatest

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At the Fluminense Club training base, the scorching Brazilian sun beat down as the Three Lions continued their preparation. With several days left before the opening match, the coaching staff shifted focus from physical conditioning to tactical drills, honing coordination between players, especially in areas like wing play, set pieces, and linking up in the final third.

Every half hour, the players would rush to the sidelines to grab chilled sports drinks from the water tanks, taking in much-needed fluids to cope with the June heat. The temperature wasn't unbearable, but the intensity of training required constant hydration. During these breaks, Hodgson and his assistant coaches took the time to give personalized feedback to players on how they were executing the tactics on the field.

At that moment, Hodgson was deep in conversation with Raheem Sterling, who was sporting a slightly curly mohawk. Sterling, still playing for Liverpool at the time and years away from his eventual move to Manchester City, was absorbing the veteran coach's instructions. Hodgson placed his hands on Sterling's shoulders, emphasizing the importance of playing with his head up while dribbling on the wing.

"Raheem, when you're breaking down the right, don't always keep your head down. After you beat your man, look up immediately and find your teammates in the middle. And don't be afraid to switch with Daniel if the play calls for it," Hodgson advised, referencing Daniel Sturridge, Sterling's then-Liverpool teammate.

Sterling listened intently, taking in every word. At this stage in his career, he wasn't yet the polished winger that Pep Guardiola would later mold at Manchester City. His physicality and explosive pace were his biggest assets, making him one of England's most dangerous players going forward. However, his decision-making and shooting ability often left much to be desired. Despite his shortcomings, Sterling fit well into Hodgson's tactical scheme, much like Tristan, who could also maximize his strengths with the experienced players around him.

Sterling's primary role wasn't to score but to drive at defenders, break through opposition lines, and deliver dangerous balls into the box. With Sturridge, Rooney, and Gerrard poised to finish off chances, Sterling could focus on stretching defenses, leaving others to worry about putting the ball in the back of the net.

After the brief tactical adjustments, the players returned to the pitch. Sterling immediately implemented Hodgson's advice, changing his pace on the right wing and bursting past Luke Shaw. He delivered a low cross into the middle, where Gerrard made a late run to meet it. The Liverpool captain unleashed a powerful shot, but the angle was too straight, allowing backup goalkeeper Ben Foster to make an easy save. Even though the shot didn't result in a goal, Hodgson nodded approvingly, satisfied with the execution of the tactic.

After a quick exchange with his assistant coach, the staff called out to the midfielders on the bench. "Tristan, James, press harder! Don't let Steven shoot so easily!" came the instructions.

Tristan raised his thumb in acknowledgment. The next drill would be more intense, with Hodgson pushing the players to increase their defensive pressure.

During the water break, Tristan received a notification on his phone: he had just surpassed one million followers on social media. The milestone triggered a reward from the Champion Codex system:

[Item name: Training Acceleration Card]

[Effect: You may choose one attribute to speed up training. Item duration: 90 days.]

Unlike the previous training card Tristan received, this one had an extended duration—90 days, triple the original. The potential for growth was significant, but with the off-season approaching after the World Cup, Tristan knew better than to overwork his body during the break.

There would be time for accelerated training, but first, there was the World Cup to focus on, and as the old saying goes, "Work hard, but rest when needed."

Tristan knew that pushing himself too hard at his current age and condition could lead to long-term physical damage, especially with the possibility of hidden injuries that could linger for years. He was strategic in his approach, planning to save the [Training Acceleration Card] for pre-season training with his club.

By then, he would have the perfect environment to maximize the benefits, building on his Premier League experience and the pre-season grind. With the card's extended 90-day duration, Tristan was confident he could enhance one of his key attributes quickly without overexerting himself.

As the Brazil World Cup officially kicked off on June 13, the opening match between the host nation and Croatia saw Brazil triumph 3-1. Neymar, the rising star of Brazilian football, put on a stellar display, netting two goals against a Croatian team featuring standout players like Modric, Rakitic, and Perisic. It was a promising start for Brazil but the eyes of England's fans were now turning towards their team's first game against Italy, scheduled for June 15.

After much deliberation by Hodgson and his coaching staff, England's starting XI was finalized:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

Defenders: Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines

Midfielders: Gerrard, Henderson

Wingers: Welbeck (left), Sterling (right)

Attacking Midfielder: Rooney

Striker: Sturridge

Despite Tristan's impressive performances in the warm-up matches, where he dazzled in less than two hours of total playtime across three games, he did not make the starting lineup. This did not come as a surprise to Tristan.

Hodgson was known for his cautious approach, especially in a high-stakes tournament like the World Cup. Though Tristan's performances had earned him praise, it would have been unfair to displace a player who had been part of the team throughout the qualifiers, helping England secure their place in Brazil.

The World Cup wasn't just another tournament. It was the pinnacle of football, with every match carrying immense weight, not only for the players but for the nation they represented. Hodgson, facing significant pressure, wasn't about to gamble by altering the established chemistry and balance of his squad.

However, Hodgson was thoughtful in his decision-making. Recognizing Tristan's talent and potential, he saw Tristan as a vital part of the squad, albeit from the bench. To ensure there were no misunderstandings, Hodgson took the time to personally explain his reasoning to Tristan, calling him to his office for a one-on-one discussion. Hodgson emphasized that while Tristan had performed well, experience and tactical balance were the key reasons he wasn't in the starting eleven for the opener.

Tristan appreciated Hodgson's gesture. He understood that, just like when he was promoted to Leicester's first team, there were bigger dynamics at play. The fact that Hodgson, a manager of such stature, took the time to explain things personally made Tristan feel valued and respected.

In their conversation, Tristan reassured Hodgson that he fully respected the decision and was ready to contribute whenever called upon. He wasn't worried about missing out on opportunities in the tournament. The way he had performed in the warm-up games had undoubtedly made an impact on the coaching staff, and Tristan was confident his time would come as this England team was pretty shit.

And their first group match opponent, Italy, is not a pushover.

Italy was led by two all time greats, Pirlo and Buffon, with key players such as Marchisio, De Rossi, and young talents like Balotelli and Verratti. The defense, a source of pride for Italy, is always the most reassuring part of the team. Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli, who form the backbone of Juventus' defense, have been directly integrated into the national team under coach Cesare Prandelli. The understanding and competition experience of this trio are impeccable. With Buffon standing in goal, any forward would be cautious when seeing them.

In this lineup, Pirlo, who is now 35 years old, remains the absolute core of the team. Remarkably, just days before the World Cup kicked off, Juventus renewed Pirlo's contract for two more years, allowing the midfielder to focus entirely on his final World Cup campaign.

Making the most of Pirlo's passing abilities, and finding a way to complement the emerging younger players, will be crucial to Italy's progress in this tournament.

...

June 15th, 2014 

The Amazon Arena in Manaus is about to host its first World Cup match: England vs. Italy. The stadium, packed with 46,000 spectators, is a sea of blue and white, fans eagerly awaiting the clash.

"Welcome to Manaus! The first match of Group D, England versus Italy, is about to begin!"

"Let's take a look at the starting lineups of both teams."

The commentator went over Italy's tactics. "Italy has deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation. In goal, it's not Buffon, but Sirigu from PSG. In defense, Paletta replaces Bonucci as Barzagli's partner, with Chiellini on the left. The midfield sees De Rossi pulling back, with Pirlo and Verratti in the center, and Marchisio and Candreva on the wings. Leading the line is Super Mario, Balotelli!"

The last eleven encounters between England and Italy had seen Italy dominate. Their most recent victory was a penalty shootout win in the European Cup two years ago, where England's hopes were dashed. Players like Gerrard, Rooney, and Welbeck had all experienced the pain of that loss. Now, they were eager for revenge and to get off to a strong start in this World Cup.

Before the match, analysts and reporters alike speculated about how to "contain Pirlo." Italian coach Prandelli simply smiled at the pre-match press conference, brushing off the idea with a confident, "Restrict Pirlo? This is nonsense, everyone knows this."

It was clear to everyone—England knew Pirlo was the most dangerous player in Italy's ranks. But knowing how to stop him and actually doing it were two very different things.

Amid the cheers, the players of both teams walked onto the pitch. Tristan sat on the bench, observing, fully aware of the key figure in this game—Pirlo, number 21 for Italy. He had read the script and knew that Pirlo would be central to every Italian attack. The Italian playmaker's passes, whether they were direct, lateral, or backward to Verratti and Marchisio, always seemed so logical and effortlessly elegant.

But despite the brilliance of Pirlo, the Three Lions showed their intent to attack. From the very beginning, they pressed, eager to start their World Cup journey with a win.

In the fourth minute, Sterling broke through on the right, charging toward the goal from about 25 meters out, before taking a powerful shot with his right foot. Tristan, sitting on the bench, watched closely. The shot was decent, curling just wide and hitting the side netting, but it sent a wave of excitement through the English supporters.

Without hesitation, both teams pressed forward, exchanging attacks and chances, but neither could find the breakthrough. It wasn't until the 35th minute that Italy earned a corner on the right.

Candreva stood poised to take it, scanning the penalty area. He glanced at Pirlo, standing just outside the box, and instead opted for a short corner pass to Verratti. Verratti controlled the ball and passed it back to Pirlo, who had advanced from the left.

In a move that stunned everyone, Pirlo made a seemingly uncharacteristic slip—he ran forward but, under the pressure from Sturridge, deliberately missed the ball by letting it slip between his legs. The English players, expecting him to control the ball, were momentarily caught off guard.

This clever feint drew the attention of the English defense, and in that split second, Marchisio took advantage. He stepped up, received the ball, and surveyed Joe Hart's position in goal. With a sharp, controlled strike, he sent the ball hurtling toward the lower right corner of the net.

Hart lunged, but the ball was too fast, too precise. All he could do was watch as it found its mark.

....

End 

Wow, okay the story got 550 power stones, somehow, didn't even think that was possible at all, when I first started working on this story, didn't even think it would get 100 power stones, thank you. So for this week, I lower my standard, and just hope to reach 400 again. 

Also I stated this before there will no be more games that are more than 3 chapters, 4 if its really needed but that's rare so far. I learnt my lesson from the FA Cup final. And for the relationship when he gets with Barbara Palvin is like after the World Cup and after the Premier League starts so in like 60-70ish chapters. I don't have a definite answer as I started writing more of my own chapters instead of just translating the chinese chapters and rewriting them. 

I will put extra effort into writing that as that chinese author introduces her and then she's just in the background for no reason with no lines and shit. And I read The Greatest Of All Time, and I dropped that story just because of how the entire main character was written and his relationship with his girlfriend, ruined the whole story imo. So I will be learning from that on what not to do.