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13.67% Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes. / Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Battle for the Championship

章 32: Chapter 32: The Battle for the Championship

 

Chapter 32: The Battle for the Championship

 

May 18, 2013, 3:00 PM—countless citizens of Novara left their homes to gather at the Piola Stadium. Today was a very important day for the people of Novara, as their team had the chance to lift the Serie B championship trophy for the first time in 65 years!

 

For the major clubs, the Serie B trophy might not mean much, even considered a disgrace since it symbolizes relegation. But for a smaller club like Novara, winning the Serie B championship is the pinnacle of their history!

 

Historically, Novara had won the Serie B title three times, but the most recent was way back in the 1947-1948 season. Most Novara citizens had never witnessed such a moment. Thus, the possibility of securing their fourth Serie B championship was met with great enthusiasm. Tickets for the 11,000-seat Piola Stadium had sold out early. In fact, had it not been for safety reasons limiting the number of spectators, many more fans would have tried to attend.

 

At 4:25 PM, just five minutes before the start of the match, the players from both teams were at the stadium entrance, ready to enter the pitch. Although Novara only needed a draw to clinch the championship, and could still win even if they lost, coach Tesser chose to field his strongest lineup.

 

On this day of joy and glory, everyone associated with Novara—from the coach to the players—wanted to celebrate the club's fourth second-division championship with a victory!

 

At the corner area of Lanciano's half, Bruno gently placed the football down and stamped down the turf behind it, stepping back a few paces before standing straight, eyes fixed forward. Inside the penalty area, Novara's taller players known for their heading ability were all positioned strategically.

 

Lanciano's defenders clung to Novara's attackers, engaging in minor skirmishes that made the penalty area look chaotic. Every face in the stands of the Silvio Piola Stadium was tense with nerves.

 

As expected, Novara controlled the game from the start, holding possession and dictating play. Lanciano, sitting seventeenth and tied on points with eighteenth-place Cittadella, was at risk of falling into a relegation playoff and opted for a conservative strategy, looking to counter when possible.

 

Cittadella, in contrast, faced Ascoli—a team in the relegation zone—in their final match and was likely to win, placing even more pressure on Lanciano to at least draw this match.

 

The temptation of clinching the championship had Novara in full attack mode from the kickoff. In the face of their relentless offense, Lanciano's goal seemed as precarious as a small boat in a storm. In just nine minutes, Novara earned three corner kicks.

 

The first two corners, taken by vice-captain Rudy from either side, didn't create any danger—Lanciano had obviously prepared for them. On the ninth minute, Rudy decided to switch things up and let Bruno take the corner.

 

Previously, Bruno's corners had proven effective, but the coaching staff had kept Rudy on corner duties, believing Bruno was more threatening in open play. However, Novara fans familiar with the team's dynamics knew that Bruno's delivery could be decisive—he had assisted from a corner before, helping Argentine forward Pablo Gonzalez to score.

 

When Bruno positioned himself to take the corner, the Novara fans cheered in anticipation, baffling Lanciano, from the players on the pitch to the coaching staff on the sidelines. It seemed they might need to adjust their defensive strategy if Bruno was indeed Novara's most dangerous set-piece taker.

 

Bruno could feel the cameras fixed on him as he heard the cheers from the stands—a mix of encouragement and pressure. As Novara's star player, he had to shoulder this burden. Bruno exhaled deeply, raised his right hand to the sky, pointing upward as if signaling the number one—a gesture understood only by his teammates as a pre-planned move.

 

At the referee's whistle, Bruno took a deep breath and sprinted forward, each step firm and assured—actions he had practiced countless times. Positioning his body at a specific angle to the ball, his right foot struck the ball like a whip.

 

The fans near the corner flag heard a thump as the ball rocketed from Bruno's foot. The delivery was not high, but it was fast.

 

In the penalty area, the players jostled and jockeyed for position. Novara's taller players used their movement and physical presence to distract and draw the Lanciano defenders.

 

However, Novara's captain Rafael Rubino had quietly moved back to the penalty spot before making a quick dash forward to meet the ball. As Lanciano's defenders realized the danger, Rubino had already reached the near post and headed Bruno's cross into the goal.

 

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

 

"Novara scores in the 9th minute!"

"1:0!"

"Rubino! The experienced captain scores a crucial goal!"

"Rubino has not been a regular this season and hadn't scored until now. But in this championship match, Tesser trusted him to start."

"And Rubino did not disappoint, rewarding that trust with his season's first goal."

"That was an assist from Bruno's corner! The quality of his delivery was superb, the ball almost seeking out Rubino's head. The short striker just had to redirect it slightly, and the ball flew past the goalkeeper before he could react."

"This connection between the team's new star and its veteran is a passing of the torch for Novara!"

After the goal, Rubino pounded the turf with his fists before leaping up and running towards Bruno, enveloping him in a hug.

The two celebrated wildly by the sidelines, shouting towards the cameras and the stands.

Novara's other players quickly surrounded them, joining in the celebration.

"This goal is vital! As any football fan knows, scoring first in such a crucial match can dictate the rest of the game."

"Novara scoring in just nine minutes is a surprise to everyone and cruel for Lanciano, who desperately needed points to avoid the relegation playoffs. But that's football!"

"Bruno's corner was exquisitely taken, and Rubino seemed in perfect sync with him, faking out his marker before dashing to the near post to head home."

"1:0, Novara takes the lead!"

 

(End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

 


章 33: Chapter 33: The Moment of Glory

Chapter 33: The Moment of Glory

 

The coach of Lanciano was gripping his head, almost wanting to tear his hair out in frustration. He kept shouting at his players on the field, hoping they could settle down. Despite a meticulously detailed plan that considered many factors, who could have anticipated Bruno would take another corner and, once again, assist a goal for Novara?

 

Until today, Rudy, the vice-captain, had been the regular corner taker. Bruno had taken corners only once this entire season! Lanciano's coach had overlooked Bruno and Novara's tactical change, and now they were in trouble.

 

Conceding three corners and a goal within the first nine minutes was not the start they had hoped for. The coach immediately made adjustments, signaling his team to retreat slightly and stabilize during these chaotic minutes after conceding.

 

Novara, aware of Lanciano's intentions, did not plan to let up. Holding the advantage, they continued pressing high after taking the lead.

 

Initially, Lanciano could cope, but gradually their inferior overall strength began to show.

 

In the 18th minute, under pressure from Novara's Swiss forward, Haris Seferovic, a Lanciano center-back attempted a pass to his defensive midfielder just ten meters away—a normally secure action. However, just as the midfielder was about to control the ball, Bruno burst forward from behind, tangling with him and pushing the ball towards the left flank.

 

Simone Pesce chased down the ball and quickly advanced up the left, creating an immediate counter-attack opportunity. Seferovic also pressed forward, and together they created a two-on-three situation in the left half of the field.

 

Pesce, skilled with the ball at his feet, maintained a clear view of the area as he broke into the box. He then made a swift pass back to Seferovic, who cleverly used his body to block the Lanciano defender, letting the ball roll past him towards the penalty spot.

 

"A quick counter for Novara!"

"Pesce breaks down the left, crosses inside, Seferovic lets it through... to Bruno at the penalty spot..."

"Goal!!"

"GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"

"In the 18th minute, Novara scores again!"

"Bruno! Bruno! He nets his twentieth goal of the season!"

"A clean finish, the Lanciano goalkeeper had no chance to stop that shot!"

"Novara leads 2-0!"

 

After the goal, Bruno sprinted towards the Novara fans in the stands, sliding to his knees.

His teammates quickly surrounded him, joining in the celebration.

"Bruno's first shot of the game results in a goal. His ability to seize opportunities is incredibly reliable. He rarely shoots, averaging just two or three attempts per game, but he's netted twenty goals—an efficiency that would embarrass many forwards."

 

With the second goal, Novara firmly controlled the match. Lanciano, overwhelmed and demoralized after conceding twice, struggled to mount any threatening attacks.

 

During the halftime break, coach Tesser lavishly praised his team's first-half performance and encouraged them to keep up the effort: "I believe if we keep playing steadily, victory will be ours!"

 

The second half saw no immediate changes from Lanciano. They attempted an early push but failed to make an impact. As the game reached the 70th minute, Tesser began making substitutions, with Bruno, Buziogli, and captain Rubino successively taken off.

 

When Bruno was substituted, the entire stadium erupted in applause.

With two goals and an assist, Bruno continued his excellent form, directing Novara to victory in this title-deciding match.

With his season stats ending at 40 games, 21 goals, and 32 assists—leading Serie B in both goals and assists—his 32 assists doubled the previous record and might remain a permanent part of Serie B history.

 

Lanciano couldn't turn the game around and eventually lost 3-0 to Novara.

When the referee blew the final whistle, Piola Stadium turned into a sea of joy, with 11,000 Novara fans singing to celebrate their team's first Serie B title in 65 years.

On the field, Novara's players celebrated wildly, with coach Tesser thrown into the air amidst cheers.

 

Watching this, Bruno was overjoyed. Although just a Serie B title, it was his first official championship in his career, a moment of significant personal importance.

As Novara's star player, Bruno naturally became the focus for journalists post-game. Amidst the barrage of questions, he remained calm, stating, "I want to say, this isn't just anyone's doing but the result of efforts from everyone associated with the team—my teammates, our coach, the staff, and those who weren't at Piola Stadium tonight."

 

When asked about potentially leaving Novara, Bruno expressed his affection for the club and gratitude but noted the uncertainties of professional football: "I love Novara and am grateful to them. At least for now, I have no plans to leave. However, football is unpredictable, and I can't guarantee I'll stay. No matter what the future holds, Novara will always have a place in my heart."

 

(End of Chapter)

 

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.


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  • テキストの品質
  • アップデートの安定性
  • ストーリー展開
  • キャラクターデザイン
  • 世界の背景

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