Chapter 56: The Greater Good
Alex reached his front door just as the evening chill wrapped itself around Lecce like a thin blanket. The cold air kissed his skin, making him shiver lightly. With a tired sigh, he fished his keys out of his pocket and slipped them into the bowl by the entrance. The soft clang echoed across the apartment, followed by the familiar creak of the old floorboards beneath his feet.
He walked straight to his bedroom, his steps heavy, shoulders low. The weight of the past week had finally caught up to him. It wasn’t just physical fatigue, although that was part of it. It was everything. The tactical experiments, the ongoing recovery sessions, the mental preparation for the upcoming showdown against AC Milan. His brain had been in overdrive for days, constantly juggling the needs of the team, the pressure from the board, and the countless whispers from fans and pundits alike.
He kicked off his shoes at the side of the bed, not caring where they landed, and peeled off his coat. It dropped limply onto the floor as he collapsed onto the mattress. The springs groaned under his weight. He didn’t care. He just lay there, staring at the ceiling, eyes already starting to close, hoping for a moment of stillness.
But rest wasn’t so quick to come.
His mind buzzed with flashes from the day. He remembered the sound of his players laughing during warm-ups, the determination in Luca’s eyes as they walked through the shape drills, and the sunlight casting a glow on Lecce’s tiled rooftops, clinging to the last hints of a fading Christmas charm.
Then, just as his body began to relax, a soft ping echoed through the room.
[Ding! Tactical Recommendations Available.]
Alex opened his eyes instantly. That sound was unmistakable. It was the system, once again intruding like an old friend who never quite picked the right moment to visit.
He groaned, but he opened his eyes anyway and the familiar digital glow welcomed him.
[Hybrid Tactical Recommendations: 4–4–2 / 4–2–3–1 Counter.]
His eyes scanned the bullet points quickly, interest growing with every line.