Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 136: Scrimmage

Every player, from the first team players to those still proving themselves, knew the importance of the upcoming fixture.

The session started with defensive drills. Small groups of defenders were tasked with stopping attackers in one-on-one situations.

Benjamin watched as Alvarado barked orders from his position in goal, directing the defensive line to hold their shape.

He knew the focus here was discipline—staying compact, reading the opponent’s movements, and timing tackles perfectly.

Benjamin was rotated into the attacking side of the drill. The ball was rolled to him just outside the penalty box. He feinted to his left before cutting sharply to his right, trying to slip past Martens.

But the experienced center midfielder read his movement and stepped in quickly, deflecting the ball away.

"Good effort, Ben!" Martens called as Benjamin jogged back to his starting position, nodding in acknowledgment.

Next came the offensive drills. Small-sided games were set up, with four attackers going up against three defenders and a goalkeeper.

The focus was clear to the players—sharp passing, creative movement, and clinical finishing.

Benjamin found himself in a trio with Altidore and Berghuis. Their task was to break down a backline led by Elm.

The ball started with Altidore, who drew Henriksen toward him before flicking a clever pass to Berghuis on the wing. Berghuis took one touch and whipped a low cross into the box.

Benjamin had timed his run perfectly. He arrived just ahead of his marker and directed the ball into the bottom corner with a controlled finish.

"Great run, Ben!" the assistant coach shouted from the sidelines.

The drills transitioned into set-piece practice, where Benjamin’s growing reputation for free kicks was put to the test. He stood over the ball with Alvarado between the posts. The wall was set, and the whistle blew.

Benjamin’s first attempt curled beautifully but clipped the top of the crossbar. He cursed under his breath, already moving to set up the next ball. His second was inch-perfect, bending around the wall and into the top corner.

Alvarado clapped sarcastically. "Took you long enough!"

The banter kept the mood light, but the players focus remained sharp. Every player was pushing their limits, knowing PSV wouldn’t be an easy opponent.

The final part of the session was a full-team scrimmage.

The coaches stopped play frequently, emphasizing the importance of quick transitions from defense to attack. PSV was known for their pressing game, and the team needed to be prepared.

Benjamin found himself in a deeper role during the scrimmage, tasked with linking the midfield to the attack.

It was a challenge he embraced, scanning the field constantly and looking for opportunities to break through the opposition lines.

At one point, he received the ball just inside his half, turned sharply to evade a pressing defender, and played a perfect through ball to Altidore, who sprinted onto it and scored with ease.

"Brilliant, Ben!" Altidore shouted as the play reset.

The scrimmage resumed with high energy as the players pushed themselves to mimic the intensity of a real match.

The coaching staff divided the squad into two balanced teams, ensuring both sides had a mix of experience and youth.

Benjamin found himself on the "red" team, alongside Berghuis, Overtoom, and Altidore, while the "blue" team was led by Beerens, Henriksen, and Gudmundsson.

The game kicked off, and the red team immediately pressed high, trying to unsettle the blue team’s defenders.

Benjamin hovered near the halfway line, reading the play as Elm received the ball. He anticipated the pass and darted in to intercept, his quick touch taking the ball away from the midfielder.

A shout from Berghuis drew his attention. Benjamin looked up, spotting his teammate making a run into space. With a swift swing of his foot, he sent a perfectly timed pass over the top.

Berghuis controlled it with his chest and volleyed toward goal, but Alvarado, guarding the net for the blue team, stretched out to make a fingertip save.

"Unlucky!" Gertjan Verbeek yelled, clapping his hands as the ball went out for a corner.

The red team regrouped as Overtoom jogged over to take the corner kick. Benjamin positioned himself just outside the box, scanning for loose balls.

Overtoom delivered a curling cross into the crowded penalty area. The ball ricocheted off a defender and rolled into Benjamin’s path.

Without hesitation, he struck it low and hard, aiming for the bottom corner. The shot weaved through the chaos in the box, but Alvarado was sharp again, diving low to smother it.

The play quickly transitioned the other way, with Gudmundsson spearheading a counterattack.

The blue team moved swiftly, their passes crisp and purposeful. Henriksen and Overtoom fell back to organize the defense, while Benjamin tracked back to cover.

Gudmundsson cut inside and attempted a shot from the edge of the box, but Gorter lunged in with a perfectly timed block, sending the ball out for a throw-in.

The intensity only grew as the scrimmage continued. The red team worked on their build-up play, emphasizing short, quick passes to bypass the blue team’s pressing game.

Overtoom played a clever one-two with Benjamin near the sideline, drawing Elm out of position. This created a pocket of space for Adam, who darted forward.

Benjamin’s pass sliced through the defense, finding Adam’s feet. He controlled it smoothly, feinted past his marker, and slotted the ball into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

"Well played!" the assistant coach shouted, signaling for the play to restart.

On the other end, the blue team tested the red team’s defensive resolve. Gudmundsson used his strength to hold off Overtoom, laying the ball off to Elm, who was arriving late.

Elm unleashed a powerful shot that looked destined for the top corner, but Alvarado, now on the red team, leapt to his left and tipped the ball over the bar.

"Keep it up!" Gertjan Verbeek called, pacing the sidelines.

The final minutes of the scrimmage were frantic, with both teams pressing for a winner.

Benjamin found himself in possession just outside the penalty area. A quick glance revealed Adam making a diagonal run while Altidore lingered unmarked on the far side.

Benjamin sold a dummy to his defender and slipped the ball through to Altidore, who took a touch and fired low. The ball rippled the net, and the whistle blew, signaling the end of the scrimmage.

"Great work, everyone!" Gertjan Verbeek announced, gathering the players in the center of the pitch. "That’s the level of intensity we need on Sunday. Keep it up."