MTL NOVEL Chapter 45: 45
"Ding~ The host has picked up a result from an ordinary bubble: Wing Cross Training +10 hours, today's pickup progress 6/10."
"Ding~ The host has picked up a result from an ordinary bubble: Stamina Training +10 hours, today's pickup progress 7/10."
"Ding~ The host has picked up a result from an ordinary bubble: Ball Protection Training +10 hours, today's pickup progress 8/10."
"Ding~ The host has picked up a result from an ordinary bubble: Stamina Training +10 hours, today's pickup progress 9/10."
Oh ho! Two stamina training results in this batch! Not bad, not bad!
With this, there's only one pickup chance left for today.
The specialized training results have also accumulated to 5/10—if I pick up five more football training results, I can automatically exchange them for another talent point.
Today is really a rewarding day! For the last pickup, I should see if I can grab a useful skill.
But with the current pickup range of only five meters, if I want to collect skills, I probably need to get on the field.
Gu Ran secretly glanced at Coach Carter, who looked like he was ready to kill someone. Just as he peeked, Carter's sharp eyes also turned toward him.
Holy sh*t!
So damn scary!
Gu Ran's heart shrank, and he quickly averted his gaze.
After the halftime break, the second half of the intra-squad training match began.
The main squad and the reserve squad switched halves, following the format of an official match.
After the second half started, the main squad, having been scolded by Carter, significantly increased their offensive pressure. The reserve squad's formation was torn apart by Watergate, Seame, and the others, with increasing intensity in their clashes and frequent fouls.
Both teams had several set-piece and corner kick opportunities.
From the overall game situation, the main squad completely dominated the reserve squad, with possession exceeding 70%, but they just couldn't score.
As time in the second half dwindled, Carter's temper became increasingly foul.
Without the carefully trained left-back Olin, the Buckhorn Steel Team was a complete mess, especially in attack, which was utterly lackluster.
From Gu Ran's experience playing street football in his past life, the Buckhorn Steel Team lacked a true "engine."
Bread, the midfielder, was decent in defense but clearly lacked the ability to control the game's tempo and couldn't fulfill the role of a playmaker.
Watergate, on the other hand, acted more like a secondary attacking pivot, akin to a number 9.5 player. He could link up in the final third but wasn't capable of directing the team's overall attack.
At times like this, the fullbacks needed to contribute more offensively, especially since the Buckhorn Steel Team relied heavily on long balls and aerial duels. Their tactics were highly dependent on the attacking support of their fullbacks.
Flower Luo, playing as the right-back, was hesitant in his offensive contributions, and his long balls had been quite average.
With Olin in the team before, these issues had been masked—but now, everything was exposed.
No wonder, in Gu Ran's past life, this team lost every group stage match and failed to score a single goal.
Fifteen minutes left in the match…
The reserve team's left-back initiated an attack down the main squad's left flank.
The temporary worker for the main squad rushed forward to press him.
Captain Bread also moved over from central midfield to assist.
The temporary worker mistimed his challenge, and the reserve fullback shielded the ball expertly, physically shoving him off the field—completely overpowering him!
Bread desperately chased back, but he was already falling behind.
The reserve left-back stormed forward, sprinting down the wing!
The entire left side of the main squad was breached!
The main squad's defense fell into chaos, with both Rust and Painter, the two center-backs, charging out of the box to confront the attacking fullback.
On the sidelines, Coach Carter exploded.
Both central defenders had vacated the box, leaving the middle completely wide open!
This was a massive defensive blunder!
All of this stemmed from the weak left-back position, triggering a chain reaction of issues.
Captain Bread had no choice but to adjust his positioning, rushing back to cover the central area in anticipation of a cross.
But it was already too late!
Before Rust could crash into the reserve fullback, a precise cross was launched to the far post!
Rust jumped to intercept, but his jumping ability was subpar, and he completely missed the ball.
An unmarked reserve forward saw his chance, timed his run perfectly, and smashed a volley shot toward goal!
The main squad's goalkeeper, Tyrant Dragon, let out a ferocious roar, leaping to make a save—
But before he could even extend his arms—the ball had already blasted into the net!!!
The whistle blew, with Drummer, the temporary referee, pointing to the center circle to confirm the goal.
1-0!
The reserve squad took the lead!
The reserve players erupted with joy, celebrating wildly, hugging each other without restraint!
After all, in every previous intra-squad match, they had been nothing more than cannon fodder, getting steamrolled by the main squad.
But today—with the absence of Olin at left-back—they had turned the tables and punished the main squad with a deadly counterattack!
On the sidelines, Coach Carter's reaction was surprising. Instead of getting angrier, he laughed coldly.
"Ha! Good! Fantastic! Just as I said—this match determines the final 18-man roster! Whichever team wins gets priority in the starting lineup!"
Boom.
The entire field erupted into chaos.
The reserve team was ecstatic, their morale soaring.
Meanwhile, the main squad was absolutely gutted, each player looking completely dejected.
Individually, they were all more skilled than the reserve players. Throughout the match, they had been dominating possession and controlling the pace.
But in the end—the scoreboard didn't lie.
With only ten minutes left, time was running out.
Suddenly, Coach Carter turned his head, his sharp eyes locking onto Gu Ran.
"Gu! Warm up."
I'm going in?!
Gu Ran inhaled sharply.
"…Yes, Coach!"
Finally, it's my turn!
He quickly changed into Messi's signature boots, jogging to the sidelines for a rapid warm-up.
Even though he had reincarnated, even though he had years of street football experience in his past life, even though this was just an intra-squad training match, his heartbeat quickened.
This was his first official football match since being reborn.
A real opportunity to play.
Despite his stamina disadvantage, with only ten minutes left—he had more than enough energy to contribute.
As Gu Ran warmed up, Coach Carter's voice was cold and steady:
"Gu, you're new here, so my expectations are simple—just hold the left side. Don't let them break through again."
Feeling the adrenaline surge through his veins, Gu Ran nodded firmly.
"Leave it to me, Coach."
Carter's eyes narrowed. "Do your job. If you screw up, I'll curse you out."
Then he turned and barked at the field, "Temporary worker! Get the hell off and hand your red bib to Gu!"
The temporary player looked miserable, jogging off the field, ripping off his bib, and tossing it at Gu Ran.
His attitude wasn't polite, but Gu Ran didn't care.
What mattered was—he was finally stepping onto the pitch.
"Ding~"
"Detected 72 points of negative emotions from Kafei Davis, system bubble generating…"
A blue system bubble appeared at the temporary worker's feet.
Gu Ran didn't even glance at it, ignoring it completely.
He pulled on the red training bib, signaled to Drummer, the temporary referee, and sprinted onto the field.
Finally—it's my turn!
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