From Arsenal, Forge the Path to Football God

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"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to British Sky Sports, live coverage of the second round of the 2010-2011 Championship Season.

"Today, Cardiff City will be hosting Sheffield United at their home ground! Let's take a look at the starting lineups of both teams!

"Cardiff City has lined up in their usual 4-4-2 formation, with no changes from the previous match, with goalkeeper Marshall.

"Sheffield United, as always, is using their traditional 3-4-3 backline formation. Compared to the last two matches, the only change is the inclusion of 17-year-old Arsenal youth player Maël, a bold move!"

On the pitch, as Cardiff City's striker kicked off from the center circle, the match officially began.

Maël, along with the other two forwards, sprinted towards the opposing backline, initiating an aggressive press from the start.

Cardiff City made a few simple passes in their midfield and backline, then passed the ball to their right back.

"Hey!" Maël arrived just in time, shouting and charging forward, determined to win the ball at all costs.

This is a common tactic during pressing; you must show your determination to scare the opponent into giving up possession.

"Pong!"

Cardiff City's right back, Gabor, didn't hesitate and kicked a long pass forward.

Maël quickly turned around and followed his team's formation, moving as a unit.

Having played football for many years, his tactical awareness was not inferior to these Championship players; what he lacked was positive feedback from successful attempts.

"Are you the young kid?"

Gabor sneered, following behind him, "If you have the guts, come and try to beat me!"

Clearly, he was starting to use the psychological warfare that defenders often employ against forwards.

This is very common in matches; everyone is excited and can't help but talk, often engaging in verbal sparring.

"Sure."

Maël turned his head to reply, feeling the gaze of tens of thousands of spectators and looking at the seasoned faces of the Championship players.

He finally realized that he was playing in a Championship match, which made his pores open, his blood heat up, and every step he took feel more determined.

"Pay attention to the formation! Pay attention to the second ball and protection!!"

On the sidelines, Sheffield United's manager Kevin stood, gesturing and reminding the players, "Don't be too loose!"

The start of a Championship match is usually chaotic.

Most of the time, there is a period of aerial battles, with rapid ball possession changes.

Whoever can calm down first and execute their training tactics will have the upper hand.

However, it was clear that, apart from Maël, a player with ambition, few were listening to Kevin's instructions.

Sheffield United played with a restless attitude, the players not taking it seriously. They struggled not only in teamwork and maintaining their formation but also in local skirmishes.

In the 13th minute, Cardiff City's attacks were relentless, pushing deep into Sheffield United's half.

"Sheffield United's wing defenders haven't settled into position yet, Cardiff City is advancing quickly, with a numerical advantage!"

In the broadcast booth, the Sky Sports commentator, wearing headphones, was visibly excited, "Danger!!"

He couldn't wait to stand up from his seat, watching the action on the field, "The ball is passed to the wing, Gareven controls it! A low cross, and a follow-up shot!!

"Robert saves it! The Sheffield United captain saves the day. Oh! There's a rebound!!

"The ball's in!! Drinkingwater, on loan from Manchester United, scores the opening goal for his team. Sheffield United's performance is truly poor!"

In the grand stadium, over 20,000 home fans quickly stood up from their seats, waving their hands and shouting in celebration.

"Yeah!!"

Bathed in this atmosphere, goal scorer Drinkingwater placed one hand by his ear and the other gesturing for the fans to cheer louder, savoring the hero's treatment.

Cardiff City's players rushed to his position, each one shouting and celebrating.

In contrast, the Sheffield United away fans' section was silent, the fans sitting back in their seats, their expressions filled with disappointment and even despair.

It was the same old story, no different from the previous two matches!

The players' situation wasn't much better; some were bent over, others expressionless, as if they had lost their sense of shame.

Maël, standing near the center circle, blinked hard a few times to avoid being overwhelmed by the deafening celebration.

For the first ten minutes, he had been running full out, hoping to get a chance and to awaken the lackluster spirit of his older teammates.

But now, it seemed his efforts were in vain.

Their situation could only be resolved by a change in management.

Maël walked back to his half, glancing at the back of the young midfielder on the opposite team, feeling a brief envy.

Drinkingwater, a key player in Leicester City's future title-winning squad, was a star on the pitch today.

He yearned for the chance to celebrate like that, especially on such an important day.

"Don't give up. A good performance in your debut can boost your entire career."

Encouraging himself, Maël tried to rally his spirits, clapping and urging his teammates around him, drawing the attention of many Sheffield United players.

Some opened their mouths, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed their words.

After all, he was a new player, and today was his debut.

Thinking of this, some who had a good relationship with Maël wavered.

Should they let their conflict with Kevin ruin Maël's debut?

"Beep!!"

Without giving them much time to think, the match resumed, and both teams were back in intense competition.

Maël, while urging his teammates to rally, moved quickly in the left-wing area, sometimes helping with defense and sometimes creating space to draw defenders away.

His visible enthusiasm made many Sheffield United players waver, their minds in turmoil.

"Rip!" A few minutes later, as their right winger Ward received a reckless pass and was tackled, someone finally broke the silence.

On the sidelines, Gary Speed, in a black suit, suddenly stood up and rushed out of his seat, pushing past the bewildered Kevin to the touchline.

"Are you still professional players?!"

He pointed at some of the players on the field, shouting, "I dream of staying on the pitch, and you're wasting time here!"

The fourth official quickly came over to intervene, and Gary Speed was soon restrained by the assistant coaches, his chest heaving as if he had released a long-suppressed frustration.

His words had an immediate impact on the players on the field.

Many who were already wavering suddenly felt a surge of energy, starting to run faster, and the pace of the game quickened.

Cardiff City's midfield didn't react in time to the sudden increase in pace, and Sheffield United's midfielder Lorton intercepted the ball and passed it to the left winger Maël.

"Good ball!"

Maël controlled the ball, turned, and ran towards the opposing defender Gabor, knowing this was a good opportunity.

A sense of competitiveness welled up inside him. As he approached, his legs skillfully moved over the rolling ball, observing the changes in the defender's center of gravity.

Finding his chance, he did what he had practiced countless times in training.

He changed his pace, using the outside of his right foot to push the ball wide!

Gabor clearly didn't expect this, losing his balance and the chance to pursue.

"Pong!"

Glancing at the situation in the penalty area, Maël's right foot made contact with the middle of the ball, sending a fast inswinging cross.

The ball spun violently, of high quality, easily passing over the heads of Cardiff City's defenders at the near post!

In the center, striker Evans emerged like a ghost, slipping behind the defender, and leaped up, using his right instep to strike the ball.

The ball wasn't high, and a shot with the foot was the best option.

Everything seemed to slow down at that moment. Hope flickered in the eyes of the Sheffield United players, while the Cardiff City players looked terrified.

"Young player Maël's cross... of high quality! He has the makings of an excellent winger!

"Evans!!

"The ball's in!! A beautiful goal, a beautiful counter-attack goal!!

"From Maël's breakthrough and cross, Evans' goal, Sheffield United has rallied and thunderously scored against Cardiff City's goal!!"

The Sky Sports commentator's eyes widened, and as a neutral commentator, he could raise his arms to celebrate with Sheffield United.

This was certainly a perfectly executed goal, everything was just right.

Thank you for the recommendations and monthly votes! Thanks everyone!!