THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-651

651 Mental Preparation

Zachary quickly found a spot in the bar as the game kicked off. He settled into his seat, his eyes glued to the screen as the semi-final between France and Belgium began.

From the onset, Belgium dominated. Their play was fluid and dynamic, weaving intricate patterns across the pitch. Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard orchestrated attacks with masterful precision, slicing through the French defense time after time. The bar erupted in gasps with each near miss, the tension mounting with every passing minute.

Despite Belgium's relentless pressure, France's defense held firm. Hugo Lloris made several crucial saves, and his reflexes and positioning were impeccable. Then, in the 52nd minute, the moment came. A corner for France. Antoine Griezmann delivered a perfect cross into the box, and Samuel Umtiti rose above the Belgian defenders to meet it. His header was powerful and precise, sending the ball past Thibaut Courtois and into the back of the net.

Zachary wasn't surprised by the turn of events. He had witnessed this moment in his past life, a strange déjà vu that left him feeling nostalgic and determined. He sighed, reflecting on how unpredictable football could be. Despite Belgium dominating most of the game, France found the net, securing their place in the final.

Time whirled by, and as the final whistle sounded, confirming France's victory, Zachary stood up and stretched. His mind was already shifting to the next day's challenge. The lesson from the evening was clear: in football, dominance doesn't always translate to victory. It was an encouraging reminder that even if the Ivorians couldn't dominate the stronger English side, they could still win.

Zachary turned to his teammates, who were still buzzing with post-match discussions. "Goodnight, everyone," he called out, garnering a few nods and waves in return. He left the bar, walking briskly back to his hotel room.

Once inside, Zachary closed the door and leaned against it for a few seconds while taking a deep breath. The day had been long! Tomorrow promised to be even more intense. But he was ready.

With a calm settling over him, he changed into his nightwear, brushed his teeth, and crawled into bed, his mind replaying the training sessions and tactics discussed over the past few days.

His phone buzzed with a few more messages of support from friends and former teammates, which he quickly skimmed through, smiling at their words of encouragement. He replied with a quick thank you before setting his phone aside.

As he lay there, the day's events slowly faded from his mind. He knew that a good night's rest was crucial—not just for him to perform—but for the entire team. They would need every ounce of energy and focus to face England tomorrow night. Zachary closed his eyes, letting the day's fatigue wash over him.

In the silence of his room, he allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. This World Cup had been an incredible journey, and the semi-final was another step towards the ultimate goal. He felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility since he carried his team's hopes.

With those thoughts, he drifted into a restful sleep, ready to face whatever challenges the following day would bring. The night passed, and the dawn of a monumental day arrived. Zachary woke up later than usual, the weight of the upcoming match still heavy on his mind. He moved through his morning routine with a deliberate calmness. Breakfast was a quiet affair, a simple meal that provided the necessary fuel for the day ahead. After eating, he went through a light yoga session, stretching his muscles and focusing his mind. A short gym session followed, just enough to keep his body agile without overexerting himself.

The rest of the day was spent in restful preparation. Zachary mostly stayed in his room, reading, meditating, and visualizing the game ahead. Meal times provided brief interludes where he interacted with his teammates, sharing knowing glances and quiet words of encouragement. There was a barely suppressed pressure in the air, a mix of excitement and anxiety everyone felt.

As evening descended, the team gathered to board the bus that would take them to the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The atmosphere inside the bus was thick, with even more stress levels. No one spoke; each player was lost in their thoughts, mentally preparing for the challenge that awaited them. The streets of Moscow flew by outside the windows – but inside the bus, time seemed to stretch endlessly with the silence reigning supreme.

When they finally arrived at the stadium, they were greeted by a deafening roar. The sea of fans was much larger than they had ever seen before. Ivorian flags waved proudly, and the support was overwhelming. It wasn't just Ivory Coast's fans but the whole of Africa rallying behind them. Supporters from Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and other African nations had gathered to support the last African team in the World Cup.

The following minutes blurred past quickly as the Ivorian players headed to the pitch and went through their pre-game warm-up. And when they finally finished stretching their muscles and returned to the locker room, the tension grew even more palpable. 23:16

Zachary felt even more yearning to secure a victory for Ivory Coast as he waved to the fans. Their cheers and chants filled the air, a powerful reminder of what was at stake. He followed his teammates and coaches into the stadium, the noise from the outside crowd fading as they moved into the inner sanctum of the arena.

The following minutes blurred past quickly as the Ivorian players headed to the pitch and went through their pre-game warm-up. And when they finally finished stretching their muscles and returned to the locker room, the tension grew even more palpable. Coach Hervé Renard gathered the players for a final pep talk. His voice was steady and calm, instilling confidence and focus in each player. He reminded them of their journey, of the hard work and sacrifices that had brought them to this moment. He spoke of belief, discipline, and the importance of every single play.

Zachary's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, yet he remained laser-focused on the task ahead. He visualized the field, the positions, and the movements. He thought about the strategies they had practiced and the weaknesses they had identified in the English defense. He felt the weight of expectation but also the fire of determination.

As they suited up and prepared to step onto the field, the noise from the stadium crowd filtered back into their consciousness. It was almost time. The final checks were made, and the teams quickly lined up in the tunnel, ready to emerge into the cauldron of the Luzhniki Stadium.

The walk onto the pitch was surreal, with England in their customary white jerseys and Ivory Coast in their traditional orange colors. The cheers were deafening, the energy almost tangible as all the English star players, including Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Ashley Young, and others, lined up on the field.

Zachary felt an adrenaline rush, his senses heightened, every nerve ending tingling with anticipation as he swept his gaze over his opponents. He then glanced at his teammates, seeing the same determination mirrored in their eyes.

The national anthems played, and Zachary's anticipation rose to even greater levels. This was more than a game; it was a historic moment, a chance to make history for Ivory Coast and Africa. As the anthems concluded, the players shook hands, and the captains exchanged pennants.

The stadium erupted again, and Zachary took his position on the field. His mind was clear, his body ready. The semi-final against England was about to begin, and he was determined to give everything he had to help his team reach the final.