Chapitre 25: End of the Points Phase (2)
The referee's whistle echoed across the Metropolitano Roberto Santos Stadium, better known as Pituaçu, signaling the start of the second half. The Vitória fans, a sea of red and black, sang in unison, pushing their team to secure a solid win. Cleiton and Cássio, finally on the pitch, felt the weight of the moment. For them, this was more than just football—it was a chance to prove they belonged on this stage.
Cleiton took a deep breath, feeling the pressure in every muscle. He adjusted his stance in the defensive line, his sharp eyes tracking Jonas, the opposing center forward. Every move Jonas made seemed calculated, and Cleiton knew that even the smallest mistake could be costly. The Protection Belt strengthened not only his physical presence but also his determination. Meanwhile, the Defensive Leadership Aura began to take effect, organizing the defense and instilling confidence in Ricardo Rocha and Dieguinho. Cleiton murmured quick commands, repositioning the defensive line. He understood that he needed to lead, but he could feel the intense scrutiny of Coach Cerqueira's watchful gaze.
Cássio, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. He smiled and gestured toward the fans before the whistle, masking any trace of nerves. Facing Mineirinho—the Zebrão's quick and skillful left winger—he muttered to himself, "Today, you're not getting through."
The opening minutes of the second half were filled with tension and adaptation. As expected, Mineirinho attacked down the right flank, attempting to outpace Cássio with rapid dribbles. However, Cássio read the play perfectly. Using his body to block the path, he executed a clean tackle, regaining possession. Instead of merely clearing the ball, he initiated a counterattack with a low pass to Claudio Sousa, who quickly linked up with Nathan in the center of the field. Nathan spun past Carlão and unleashed a powerful shot, but the ball skimmed past the post, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats.
From the sidelines, Cerqueira shouted, "Good, Cássio! Pressure, keep the pressure up! Don't let them breathe!" Though his satisfaction was subtle, it was undeniably present, woven into his stern tone.
Moments later, Jonas received a high cross into the box, setting up a direct confrontation with Cleiton. The towering center forward used his strength to control the ball and shield it from the defender. Yet Cleiton, bolstered by the Protection Belt, stood firm. He absorbed the impact, won the aerial duel, and headed the ball clear of danger. The stadium erupted into applause, and Cleiton allowed himself a small smile as he returned to his position. Cerqueira, arms crossed, murmured under his breath, "That's it, kid."
Vitória continued to dominate, and the substitutions began to pay off. In the 67th minute, William, who had replaced Rodrigo, received a perfectly timed through ball from Claudio Sousa that split the Zebrão's defensive line.
With flawless control, William maneuvered past Carlão with a sharp cut and blasted the ball into the top right corner of the net. The net rippled, and the stadium erupted in euphoria.
Cássio celebrated as if he had scored the goal himself. Turning to Cleiton, he yelled with boundless energy, "Did you see that? We're in control now!"
Cleiton nodded with a faint smile, staying focused. He knew the game was far from over.
But the Zebrão refused to give up, ramping up the pressure. In the 75th minute, Jonas received another pass in the box, setting up another duel with Cleiton. Jonas tried to spin and shoot, using all his strength to gain an advantage. Cleiton hesitated briefly, analyzing the movement, but reacted swiftly, blocking the shot with a precise sliding tackle. Jonas fell to the ground in frustration as the Vitória fans chanted Cleiton's name. This time, Cerqueira couldn't hide his satisfaction, shouting, "That's it! That's what I want to see!"
On the opposite side of the pitch, Cássio faced off against Mineirinho once again. The winger attempted a bold dribble, but Cássio, now familiar with his moves, intercepted with confidence. Taking advantage of the moment, he surged forward down the right flank, delivering a low cross to Nathan in the box. Nathan connected, but Roger, with a spectacular save, denied Vitória's third goal.
Cássio clasped his hands to his head in frustration, but the crowd responded with applause. His defensive and offensive contributions were not going unnoticed.
The final minutes tested everyone's nerves. In the 88th minute, Peu unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that seemed destined for the top corner. Jaime Filho, with an acrobatic save, deflected the ball out for a corner.
On the ensuing corner kick, Jonas rose above everyone, delivering a forceful header. Yet again, Jaime Filho was there, firmly catching the ball and extinguishing any hope the Zebrão had left. Cleiton ran over to the goalkeeper, clapping in acknowledgment. "Amazing save, Jaime! This is ours!"
The final whistle blew, and Vitória secured a 2-0 victory. Cleiton dropped to his knees on the pitch, exhausted but overcome with relief and a sense of accomplishment. He had finally proven his worth.
Cássio, his trademark grin firmly in place, ran to embrace his teammates, shouting, "We did it! This is the Vitória we want to see!" His energy seemed to infect everyone around him.
Cerqueira walked over to Cleiton and Cássio, his stern expression softened by a faint smile. "Good work, boys. There's still a lot to improve, but today, you showed you're ready for it."
Cleiton nodded, feeling the weight of the coach's words but also a swell of pride. He knew this was only the first of many battles to come. Cássio, ever the optimist, gave Cleiton a light pat on the shoulder and joked, "I told you our time would come. And trust me, there's plenty more where that came from."
As the fans filed out of Pituaçu's east stands, still singing and celebrating, the Vitória team began to mentally prepare for their next challenge. Cleiton, his confidence renewed, knew the upcoming clash against Galícia would be another chance to prove he truly belonged.
The final whistle still echoed in their minds as the Vitória players crossed the locker room doors. The atmosphere was a mix of relief and celebration, but exhaustion hung heavy. Their voices were still breathless, and the sound of cleats against the floor resonated in the confined space. The 2-0 victory had solidified the team's position in the competition, but everyone knew there was still much work ahead.
Nathan was the first to speak, his firm voice cutting through the scattered laughter and loose comments. "Guys, it was a good game, but we can't get complacent. We fixed some mistakes today, but we need to be even better next time. Galícia won't give us the same space Zebrão did." He looked around, his serious gaze meeting each player. "Today's victory was the result of collective effort, but the championship isn't over. Stay focused."
The players nodded in agreement, offering brief responses. Nathan's leadership was undeniable. He commanded respect, and every word he spoke carried more weight than the cheers still ringing from the fans outside.
In the opposite corner, Cássio was doing what he did best—bringing energy to the group. "Hey, Cleiton, how does it feel to be the new crowd favorite?" He gave his friend a light tap on the shoulder, laughing. "Seriously, that tackle on Jonas... Man, I thought he was going to hit the ground crying."
Cleiton smiled, still a little shy. "I just did what I had to do." Despite his modest response, he could feel pride growing inside him. Cássio's compliments and the approving looks from the other players began to erase the doubts that had lingered in his mind for weeks.
Claudio, always calm and thoughtful, stepped forward. "It was a good match, Cleiton. You held firm when it mattered. That's what we need." His tone was sincere, but something about it felt different. He seemed distant, as though speaking out of obligation rather than genuine connection. It was a stark contrast to the Claudio of before, who was always at the center of conversations and encouraged his teammates with contagious energy.
Cleiton noticed the change but chose not to comment. He knew Claudio had been a key figure in the team's leadership for a long time, but something had shifted recently. Claudio's influence seemed to be waning, and Cleiton, unintentionally, was beginning to fill that space. It wasn't something he had planned, but the combination of his Defensive Leadership Aura and his on-field performances seemed to be transforming his role within the team.
Cerqueira entered the locker room with purposeful strides, silencing the chatter with his presence. "Good work today, but it's not enough," he said, placing his clipboard on the table and crossing his arms as he scanned the players with a stern gaze. "Galícia is a more technical and organized team. They won't make the same mistakes Zebrão did. I need everyone ready for a much tougher match."
He turned to Cleiton. "You did a good job today, but your position isn't guaranteed. I want consistency. I want to see that same energy in the next match." Cleiton nodded, feeling the weight of the expectation. He knew that the spot he had fought so hard to earn could be lost just as quickly.
Next, Cerqueira looked at Cássio. "You played well, but there's still room for improvement. Being solid isn't enough. I want you to become indispensable—both in defense and in attack."
Cássio grinned, masking the pressure he felt. "Don't worry, coach. I'm just getting started."
As the coach spoke, Cleiton couldn't help but notice Claudio sitting a little apart, fiddling with his cleats with a thoughtful expression. The usual spark of enthusiasm was absent, and Cleiton wondered what might be going on. Claudio seemed to be pulling back, and while Cleiton's rise in the team was undeniable, he didn't see Claudio's retreat as a victory. To Cleiton, the team needed Claudio at his best, both on and off the field.
Their conversation was interrupted by Nathan's voice calling everyone into a circle. "Let's end the day as we always do: together." He looked at Cerqueira, who gave a brief nod, then at his teammates. "This team is more than the sum of its individual players. We're a group, and that's how we'll win."
Cássio, with his usual enthusiasm, started a chant that quickly caught on with everyone. Even Claudio, though more reserved, smiled faintly and clapped along with the rhythm. Cleiton, still adjusting to this kind of interaction, felt more at ease than ever before.
As the circle broke and the players began to gather their things, Cerqueira approached Nathan, Cleiton, and Cássio. "You three, I want you to know that the next match will be a turning point. Galícia is an opponent we can't underestimate. I need you ready—physically and mentally."
Cássio was the first to respond, his usual energy bubbling over. "Count on me, coach. I'll run until my legs give out."
Nathan nodded simply, his expression as serious as ever. Cleiton, still growing into his new role, replied with quiet determination. "I'll be ready."
As Cerqueira walked away, Cleiton turned to his two friends. "This is going to be tough."
Nathan placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's always tough, but that's why we're here—to face whatever comes our way."
Cássio laughed. "And to win. Don't forget that."
As they left the locker room, Cleiton glanced at the fans still singing in the stands. He knew the challenge against Galícia would be significant. But for the first time in a long while, he felt capable of handling the pressure. He wasn't alone. He was part of something bigger, and that made all the difference.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone