THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

"Zachary and John, I mainly want you to do two things once you get on the field," intoned coach Johansen, gazing at them intently. They had just finished dressing up after their warm-up. They were already in their full black Rosenborg away-jerseys, ready to enter the field.

"Number one: The two of you should try to connect with the rest of your teammates so that our football can flow again," the coach continued. "That means that you'll have to be involved in the build-up and play a lot of one-twos with the center forward and the other midfielders to create goal-scoring opportunities." He raised his voice slightly to make himself heard over the cheers of the Aalesunds' fans.

"Especially you, Zachary; I want to see creativity in the final third as we pressure the opponents. Make sure you keep the football flowing in the attacking midfield. Use quick but precise passing to break down their diamond-shaped midfield. Give it your all, Zachary, and let's start by dominating that midfield. Are we together?"

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied while doing arm stretches. He was utilizing every minute before entering the game to warm up his body in the proper way. That would minimize the risk of getting injuries on the field of play.

"John," the coach said, turning to the substitute forward from Nigeria. "Try to make runs behind their defensive line whenever you get the chance. I'm sure that Zachary will always try to release you as quickly as possible whenever you show the intention of making a run. When you receive the ball in the final third, link up with the other forwards, and do your best to keep their defense on tenterhooks. Are we together, John?"

"Aye, coach," John Chibuike replied.

"Task number two," said the coach after stealing a glance at the proceedings on the pitch. "I want the two of you to try shooting at goal whenever you get a chance. Zachary, if you spot the keeper of his line from 20 yards away, release that heavy shot of yours. John, the same goes for you. Try to test the keeper as much and possible by making many attempts. That's the only way to get a chance to score and begin our comeback. Are we clear?"

"Yes, coach."

"Zachary," Coach Johansen continued, placing an arm on his shoulder. "When you get on the field, inform Mikael to play with a high line right away. Also, tell him that he can start moving forward along the flanks to help John during our attacks. Make sure you let him know that I expect good crosses from him into the box. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied.

Coach Johansen nodded. "Any questions?" He swept his gaze momentarily across Zachary and Chibuike.

"No, coach."

"No, coach. Everything is clear."

"Okay, then," Coach Johansen said, nodding. "Go ahead and join the game. I wish you good luck, and may we win the game. Make sure you do your best." He slapped both their backs before pushing them towards the fourth official, who was already on the touchline, waiting to make the substitution.

*FWEEEEEEE*

The referee blew the whistle and motioned for an Aalesunds' throw-in. The fourth official finally got the chance to put up the board, calling for substitutions.

Zachary replaced Mike Jensen, the defensive midfielder who had already received a yellow card. John Chibuike, on the other hand, came in for Tobias Mikkelsen, the left-winger that hadn't performed at his best since the beginning of the match.

Zachary first ran to Mikael Dorsin and whispered the coach's message in his ear before taking his place in the right midfield, close to the centerline. Meanwhile, Jonas Svensson, the player that had previously occupied that position, moved a few yards back and took up a spot in the defensive midfield. John Chibuike, on the other hand, settled on the left flank. In just a few seconds, Rosenborg had adjusted their formation to a wide 4-1-2-3 formation with the addition of the two substitutes.

Zachary took a cursory glance around the pitch as he waited for the throw-in. He noticed that the Aalesunds FK players were still—arrayed in the 4-4-2 formation. He wasn't surprised, considering that they'd been using the arrangement from the beginning of the match. They hadn't even made any substitution or adjusted their game plan since they were ahead by two goals.

Since Zachary had been watching the game from the sidelines, he didn't spend much time analyzing the positioning of the players. He'd done that while still on the bench and could easily make a mental map of both teammates and opponents in his mind. So, without any worries and with a calm mind, he returned his attention to Hugues Wembangomo, his countrymate from Kinshasha, who was about to take the throw-in for Aalesunds FK.

*FWEEEEEEE*

The referee blew the whistle. Hugues Wembangomo, the Aalesund's FK right back, threw the ball along the line, trying to find Fredrik Ulvestad, the right midfielder. The latter ran along the line, trying to connect with it, but all was in vain. Mikael Dorsin, the Rosenborg left-back, beat him to it. He slid in and tapped the ball out of play with an outstretched left foot.

The linesman raised his flag, signaling for another Aalesunds throw-in. However, the men in orange and blue were not in a hurry to take it. They made sure to waste a bit of time before restarting the game once again.

Zachary could tell they'd started managing the game to run down the clock since it was already the 64th minute. They hoped to slow down the tempo and prevent Rosenborg from gaining momentum and scoring a goal.

However, none of the Rosenborg players would stand for that. After Hugues Wembangomo took the second throw-in, Mikael Dorsin sprang into action right away. He out-muscled Fredrik Ulvestad, the Aalesunds number-23, and headed the ball towards the defensive midfield where Jonas Svensson was waiting.

Jonas Svensson, the Rosenborg defensive midfielder, reacted immediately and connected with the ball, directing it towards the right flank with a deft second touch.

Cristian Gamboa, the right-back, received it close to the touchline in the right-wing with a simple but skillful first touch. Without any pause, he then started sprinting towards Aalesunds half. He was quite a fast player and managed to dash past Fredrik Carlsen, the Aalesunds left midfielder, before continuing to the other side of the field.