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Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: Halftime Lines Drawn

Halftime.

Old Trafford vibrated with noise.Fans still buzzing from Mateo's solo goal.Players catching their breath.But in the tunnel?

There was silence.

That silence before the second storm.

๐ŸŸ INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM โ€“ MANCHESTER UNITED

The squad filed into the dressing room.Some still catching their breath.Others sipping fluids or getting tape rewrapped.

Mateo sat on the bench, breathing slowly, towel over his head.His legs burned. But his mind?

Clear.

๐Ÿ’ฌ COACH AMORIM

The manager walked in calmly.No shouting. Just presence.

"They hit first.We hit back.That's not luck โ€” that's balance."

He turned to the tactics board.

"But balance isn't enough to win."

Amorim drew a tight circle in the right wing area โ€” Mateo's zone.

"This is where they're bleeding.Hakimi's pushing too high.Barcola isn't tracking back.We're going to exploit it."

He looked straight at Mateo.

"We give you freedom, but this halfโ€”""You finish them."

Mateo didn't smile. He just nodded.

๐Ÿ“‹ PSG LOCKER ROOM (MIRRORED SCENE)

Thiago Motta paced. Not furious. Calculating.

"They overloaded our left. We knew they would.""Zaรฏre, Moscardo โ€” tighter spacing. Lee, stay deeper when Hakimi pushes."

He circled Mateo's name.

"He's smarter than they say.He's not chasing the ball โ€” he's drawing us into traps."

"Do not bite on his tempo shifts. Force him wide. Delay. Do not engage early."

๐Ÿง  SYSTEM DIALOGUE โ€“ INTERNAL

Match Condition: 1 - 1

Mateo Gonzรกlez โ€“ Halftime Status:

โ€“ Physical: Moderate Fatigueโ€“ Mental: Sharpโ€“ Confidence Surge: Active

๐ŸŽฏ Suggested Strategy:โ†’ Play wider second halfโ†’ Pull defenders out early with feintsโ†’ Seek off-ball runs behind Beraldo

๐Ÿ” HIDDEN QUEST PROGRESS

Break the Lock โ€“ Current Objective:Deliver a second direct goal involvement (goal or assist)

Bonus Reward: Enhanced "King's Eye" Progression

Completion Rate: 0 / 1

As the teams walked out again, the noise doubled.Cameras flashed.Old Trafford held its breath for 45 more minutes of war.

Mateo stopped just before stepping onto the pitch.

Zaรฏre-Emery was beside him.

The PSG captain leaned in.

"One goal doesn't make you king."

Mateo looked back at him and replied, calm.

"Good.I never wanted a throne."

He stepped forward.

"I want the whole empire."

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