Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 60: Training Session 1

Chapter 60: Training Session 1

The players immediately halted their ball work, exchanging quick glances before jogging over to the coach.

Benjamin joined the growing circle around Verbeek, shaking out his legs as he moved.

Gertjan Verbeek surveyed the group, his sharp eyes sweeping over each player. "Nice to see most of you already warmed up," he said, his tone laced with both approval and expectation.

Martens, who was standing near the front, gave a faint smirk. "Had to keep the lads busy, Coach. Didn’t want them slacking."

Gertjan Verbeek’s lip twitched in what might have been a half-smile before his expression turned serious again. "Good. Because there’s no room for slacking today. The Europa League win was a big one, but it’s not over yet. We’ve got a return leg here in Alkmaar but before that, we need to focus on our next league home game against Heerenveen."

The players nodded and the weight of his words settled over them like a challenge. They needed to build up the momentum from the their first win of the new season.

Gertjan Verbeek turned slightly, addressing the coaching staff. "Set up the drills. We’re starting with possession work and then defensive work. I want sharpness, focus, and movement. No standing around."

As the coaches moved to set up cones and grids, Gertjan Verbeek glanced back at the players. "Pair up for quick passing drills while we prep. Two-touch limit. Let’s see who’s awake this morning."

The players broke into pairs without hesitation. Benjamin found himself partnered with Adam, who gave him a quick nod as they moved a few steps away from the others.

"You ready?" Adam asked, already rolling the ball between his feet.

Benjamin planted his stance, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "Always."

Adam tapped the ball toward him, and they fell into a steady rhythm of back and forth passing. The passes were quick and sharp as each player tested the other’s reflexes.

Benjamin adjusted to Adam’s pace, his touches clean and precise as he returned the ball.

"Keep it tight," Gertjan Verbeek called out, pacing between the pairs like a hawk. "No lazy passes. If it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough."

Benjamin felt the pressure in the coach’s gaze, but instead of letting it rattle him, he leaned into it. His movements grew sharper, his passes more confident.

Nearby, Martens and Gudmundsson were already adding subtle feints and flicks to their drill, their chemistry evident in the fluidity of their exchanges.

Adam, not wanting to be outdone suddenly added a slight spin to his next pass. Benjamin caught it with a quick flick of his boot, returning it without breaking the rhythm.

"Not bad," Adam smirked, his eyes gleaming with mock approval.

"You’re not too bad yourself," Benjamin fired back jokingly, but his focus remained unwavering as the ball zipped back and forth between them.

Around them, the energy on the pitch buzzed with intent as the crowd watched on, their phones and cameras making shutter sounds.

The sound of the ball connecting with boots mixed with Gertjan Verbeek’s sharp commands and the hum of the crowd beyond the sidelines.

As the warm-up pairs continued their exchanges, the coaching staff finalized the setup for the possession drill.

Cones and markers were placed in tight grids across the pitch, dividing it into several small squares.

Benjamin glanced over as he finished another sharp pass to Adam. The grid layout left no doubt—this wasn’t going to be an easy session.

Fweee!~

The whistle cut through the air again. "Alright, gather in!" Gertjan Verbeek called out while motioning toward the nearest grid.

The players jogged over, forming a semi-circle around the coach. He stepped into the center of one grid, gesturing to the tight space. "We’re working on possession under pressure. Six attackers, two defenders. Keep the ball moving, maximum two touches. If you lose it, you switch to defense."

He turned to face them with his eyes narrowed slightly. "Focus on quick decision-making and movement. No standing like statues. The ball should never stop, like a fantasy spindle. Understood?"

A collective nod rippled through the group. Gertjan Verbeek didn’t wait for more. He pointed at the first group. "Martens, Gudmundsson, Benjamin, Viergever, Adam, and Johansson—attackers. Altidore and Reijnen—defenders. In the grid now."

Benjamin jogged into the tight space with the others, taking his position in the circle. The defenders stepped into the center, their eyes already darting between the players like predators sizing up their prey.

"Ready?" Gertjan Verbeek asked sharply.

The players nodded.

"Go!"

Martens started with a quick pass to Gudmundsson, who took a single touch before sending it to Benjamin.

The ball zipped across the grid with precision and the attackers kept their spacing tight but fluid. Benjamin received the ball cleanly, his first touch soft and controlled, before flicking it toward Johansson.

The defenders lunged at them, trying to cut off the passing lanes. Reijnen dove toward Martens just as the captain sent a clever one-touch pass back to Gudmundsson.

The ball zipped past Reijnen’s outstretched foot, drawing a low whistle of approval from Gertjan Verbeek.

"Good! Keep it moving!" the coach barked.

Benjamin stayed on his toes, his eyes darting between the ball and the defenders.

Altidore suddenly shifted toward Johansson, who hesitated a fraction too long and Altidore took advantage of that slight hesitation to pounce forward, stealing the ball with a decisive tackle.

"Switch!" Gertjan Verbeek yelled.

Johansson groaned but quickly moved into the center with Viergever, while Altidore joined the attackers.

Benjamin barely had time to adjust before the drill restarted, the ball rolling to him from Martens.

This time, the pressure was more intense as Johansson pressed high, forcing Benjamin to turn quickly and send a short pass to Adam.

The ball nearly clipped Johansson’s boot but it reached Adam cleanly.

"Nice idea, but be quicker!" Gertjan Verbeek shouted, his tone sharp.

Benjamin clenched his jaw, vowing not to make the same silly mistake again. He repositioned himself, offering Adam an easy outlet.

The ball came back to him, and this time, he sent it wide to Gudmundsson without hesitation.