Carabao Cup – Round 2Manchester United vs. Nottingham ForestVenue: City Ground, NottinghamKickoff: 19:30
The floodlights didn't dazzle.The press box wasn't packed.The pitch was rough.
But for Mateo González, every match was a test of legacy—especially when the world wasn't watching.
🧠 System Alert
"Low-profile match detected.""Warning: complacency from teammates likely."
🎯 Objective: Lead performance in rotated squad.🎁 Bonus: Synergy reward if 2+ attacking combinations with U23 players result in goals.
Mateo rolled his shoulders.
"Let's set the tone."
📝 A Rotated XI
Coach Rúben Amorim rested many regular starters:
Rashford, Bruno, Casemiro, and Shaw were on the bench.
Hannibal Mejbri, Mainoo, and Amad Diallo got the nod.
The defense included Evans and Wan-Bissaka.
Mateo, however, kept his spot. Not just because he was in form—but because the team needed a leader on the pitch.
⏱️ First Half – Grit and Fire
Forest played physical, aggressive, and unapologetically direct.
Mateo was fouled twice in the opening 15 minutes.The referee waved play on both times.The crowd booed him with every touch.
But Mateo didn't rattle.
He studied their shape.Felt their rhythm.Waited for his moment.
⚽ Minute 23 – Opening Strike
Mateo dropped deep, then exploded forward on a sharp pass from Mainoo.
With three defenders drawn to him, he cut inside and slipped a pass through two red shirts to Amad Diallo,who buried it cleanly.1–0.
Mateo didn't celebrate.
He turned back to his half, calm.But his eyes…burned.
⚽ Minute 44 – Vision Beyond Vision
A poor clearance landed at Mateo's feet.He feinted a shot, took a touch, and curved a no-look lobbed pass over the backline.
Hannibal Mejbri, perfectly timed, ran onto it and chipped the keeper.
2–0.
🧠 System Notification:✅ Creative Assist Registered✅ Youth Synergy Activated
🔓 Passive Unlocked: "Field Link – Youth Bond"Improves rhythm and tempo when coordinating with U23 teammates.
🔁 Second Half – Holding the Fort
Forest pulled one back in the 71st minute—a deflection off a corner that left Kovar frozen.
2–1.Momentum shifted.
But Mateo didn't fade.
He tracked back to help defensively.He shouted instructions.He slowed the tempo when needed.
And in the 89th minute,he sprang forward on a counterattack, beat two defenders down the right wing, and squared it calmly to Mejbri—who tapped in his second.
3–1. Game over.
🧠 Post-Match System Summary
🎯 1 Assist🎯 2 Pre-Assists🎯 5 Successful Presses
🧠 Hidden Trait Unlocked:"Iron in the Cold" — Boosts focus and performance in low-glamour, physical matches.
As they walked off the pitch, one Forest defender muttered:
"You don't even need a spotlight, do you?"
Mateo smirked.
"No. I make it."