My system allows me to copy talents

Such heavy dependence on a single player would often leave a team vulnerable. Isolate the player responsible for the havoc and their team immediately falls apart.

Upon hearing about the statistics, Alex couldn't bring himself to imagine the opposing team's tactics in the absence of Hiro. It's like telling him, that if not for Hiro, they wouldn't even have made it out of the group stage.

"Damn!! So, they're a one-man team?" Alex asked.

"Well," Simon prolonged his words as he started thinking. Then, after careful consideration, he answered, "Statistically speaking, it does look like they're a one-man team. But if you watch them play, you can see that almost everyone on the team is putting in equal effort."

"Indeed, we shouldn't be quick to assume," Alex felt like he was being superficial by assuming their whole tactics based on the statistics he heard.

Although stats can tell a lot about a team or a player, one should still not be quick to judge. After all, there's only so much data can tell.

"Do you wanna see their matches?" Simon asked.

"Uh...," Alex couldn't bring himself to accept his friend's offer.

Though he wasn't putting it in terms of words, Simon could tell that Alex didn't want to. He could see his answer clearly in those hesitant eyes.

Afraid to make it more difficult for him, Simon took back his words, "Forget about it..., Either way, we'll have to watch their gameplay since we're playing against them. You must still be busy with your training right?"

Even though Simon retracted his invitation with a smile, Alex could tell he meant otherwise. And, he felt quite bitter about it.

Now, how could he disappoint him?

"No, let's watch it," Alex answered.

Hearing Alex's response a smile blossomed on his face. Compared to the forceful smile he had put up a moment ago, it appeared quite genuine. And, those glimmer in his eyes were a testament to his happiness.

Simon was quite overjoyed. But, before he could reply, Alex interjected him, "But, only if you help me with my training"

"Sure, I'll go get my gloves then," abruptly speaking such, he then darted towards the exit like a dog running after the ball thrown by its owner.

☼☼☼☼ ☼☼☼☼

Seated beside the window, Akutsu right now was in the middle of something.

"Huff!! Here goes nothing," inhaling a deep breath as if he were preparing for something painful, he murmured.

Then, he tightly shut his eyes before twisting his ankle, "Argh..."

The moment he twisted his ankle, a stinging pain in his joint coursed through his body which in turn caused him to scream in pain.

However, no sooner had he screamed than he immediately shut his mouth. Even though it hurt like crazy, he didn't want others to find out.

"Seems like I've really busted my ankle in that match," he murmured.

After that match against Venezuela, he had been feeling slight discomfort in his ankles. Though it didn't hamper his performance in the match, occasionally he'd feel a stinging pain.

And, because of that, he didn't bother checking it up. But, recently the pain has been worsening and he could no longer choose to ignore it.

Sheesh!!

His feet tickled with cold as he applied the muscle-relaxing spray on it.

"Ahh... It feels good," feeling the cold sensation of the spray, he felt quite relieved.

"It's still bearable, but I guess I should get it checked after tomorrow's match"

By tomorrow's match, he was referring to the match against Spain. Tomorrow, they were going to play against the mighty Spain in a do-or-die match. If they failed to defeat them then that'd be the end of their journey in the tournament.

But if they somehow defeat them then they'd reach the quarter-finals.

However, defeating Spain wasn't an easy feat they could pull up. They had assembled quite a formidable team of quality players with enough depth, likely to win the whole tournament. Unlike them, they were considered one of the favorites to win the whole thing.

But going by that logic, Argentina shouldn't have lost against Senegal either. And, even though they didn't have depth like their team, they still had quite a good squad too.

In those 90 minutes, anything could happen.

"They're formidable indeed but they're not invincible," he murmured, attempting to motivate himself, "But, if I feel any discomfort in tomorrow's match then I should exit the field. Just for my selfishness, I can't drag others in it"

Even though he was raging to go, he wasn't willing to put the game at stake. As a starting player who had played in every match, he didn't want to sit out. However, he was aware of his condition. And, he knew that he couldn't take his condition for granted.

Which is why, he was prepared to sit out if any complication were to arise in the match.

By now, the pain in his ankle had subsided quite a lot. But still, he didn't feel like getting up. After all, he had nothing better to do than to lie down.

Morning training had already ended. And, due to the game, they were forbidden to leave the hotel. Fearing potential injuries, they were also forbidden to train by themselves.

Throwing back his arm, he leaned against his arm, lazily, "Should I just check on my friends back home?"

Having nothing to do, he thought of checking on his friends back home. But then again, he remembered the time difference and immediately dispelled that thought from his mind.

"Maybe I should just analyze the gameplay of the opposing team instead of doing nothing"

Right now, he was feeling quite lethargic for some reason. Maybe it's because he had nothing else to do or maybe it could be the weather outside.

Turning to look at the window, he found it quite sunny. If not for the AC in his room, he'd have been turned into a steam dumpling by now.

The sun was at its zenith and it was quite hot outside.

"Or, maybe I should just take a nap"