My Ultimate Gacha System-Chapter 172 - 167: England vs Italy U21 [I]

Chapter 172: Chapter 167: England vs Italy U21 [I]
Friday, September 23, 2022
King Power Stadium, Leicester
3:00 PM - Kickoff
The referee raised the whistle to his lips one final time and checked his watch, and the stadium held its breath for that suspended moment before everything became real, and then the sharp blast cut through the afternoon air as Italy’s forward touched the ball back to their midfielder and the match was officially underway.
Fweeeeeetttttttt!!!!!
1’ - 5’ |
Italy kicked off and immediately played it backward through their midfield three, patient and controlled, while England’s front three moved into their pressing positions without rushing or overcommitting, and the opening exchanges carried that particular quality of international football where both teams were sizing each other up before committing to anything risky.
From the substitutes’ bench Demien sat forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees and his eyes tracking the ball as it moved between Italian players who probed cautiously for openings, and beside him Owen Blake stretched his legs out while Daniel Huxley crossed his arms, and all three watched with the focused attention of players who knew their moment might come even if it seemed unlikely right now.
England’s 4-2-3-1 shape settled into position quickly as Kayden Muir dropped into the space between Italy’s midfield and defensive lines, constantly showing for the ball with small movements that created passing angles, while Jamal Whitmore and Leo Merrick sat deeper as the double pivot, controlling the tempo whenever England had possession.
Commentary Booth
"Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to King Power Stadium for this U21 international friendly between England and Italy," the lead commentator’s voice carried easily across the modest crowd. "Both sides looking to test themselves ahead of the qualification campaign that begins next month."
"England with a strong starting eleven today, Martin," his co-commentator added. "Kayden Muir pulling the strings in that number ten role, flanked by Reece Darlow and Javier Crane on the wings. Italy matching them with a 4-3-3 that sits quite narrow in midfield."
Italy’s midfielder played a simple pass out to their right winger who took one touch before England’s left-back Carter Ives closed him down, and the Italian player played it safely back inside rather than taking the one-versus-one, and the ball circulated through their midfield again as England’s shape remained compact and organized.
6’ - 10’ |
The early rhythm showed exactly what Carsley had predicted during the tactical briefing—Italy sitting narrow in midfield with three players packed centrally, trying to control possession through short passes while their fullbacks pushed cautiously higher whenever they sensed opportunity, and England responded by staying patient in their defensive shape, waiting for the right moment to press rather than chasing the ball aggressively.
Demien watched Kayden’s positioning closely as the Manchester City midfielder constantly adjusted his location based on where the ball was, dropping deeper when England defended and pushing higher when they had possession, and the understanding between him and the double pivot looked natural, clearly built through multiple camps together rather than something new.
At the 8th minute Italy’s left-back received the ball thirty yards from goal with space ahead of him, and he drove forward three strides before attempting a diagonal pass toward their central striker, but Marcus Doyle read it perfectly and stepped across to intercept before playing a simple pass to Jamal Whitmore ten yards away.
"Good defensive reading from Doyle," the commentator observed. "England very comfortable in their shape so far."
Whitmore took one touch to control and immediately looked up, scanning the field with that particular composure that came from playing in the Bundesliga week after week, and he spotted Reece Darlow making a run down the right flank before playing a weighted diagonal pass that split Italy’s midfield line completely.
11’ - 15’ |
The tempo shifted slightly as England began testing Italy’s defensive structure more aggressively, and Reece Darlow became increasingly involved down the right side where his acceleration was causing problems for Italy’s left-back who kept dropping deeper to avoid being beaten for pace.
At the 12th minute Elliot Ford played a sharp pass from right-back into Darlow’s feet, and the Arsenal winger took one touch to control before exploding into space as Italy’s left-back tried to match his sprint but was already half a yard behind, and Darlow drove to the byline before cutting a low cross toward the penalty spot.
Mason Teller attacked the ball with a diagonal run from the left side of the box, arriving ahead of his marker, but his first-time shot caught his standing foot wrong and the ball skewed wide of the near post by two yards.
"Ohhhh, good chance for England!" the commentator’s voice rose with the opportunity. "Darlow causing problems already with that pace. Teller will be disappointed not to at least test the goalkeeper there."
The small English contingent in the stands applauded the effort, a few hundred voices creating supportive noise that echoed across the modest crowd, while Italy’s goalkeeper quickly retrieved the ball and waved his defenders forward urgently, clearly wanting to reset their defensive line higher.
16’ - 17’ |
The opening goal came in the 17th minute and started with England winning possession in their own half as Leo Merrick intercepted a loose Italian pass and immediately looked forward, and he spotted Jamal Whitmore showing for the ball thirty yards ahead before playing it crisply into his feet.
Whitmore controlled with his back to goal and felt pressure arriving from behind, so he played it simple to Kayden who had dropped into space on the left side of the midfield, and the Manchester City midfielder took one touch to set himself before looking up and seeing the picture develop ahead of him.
Reece Darlow had drifted inside slightly from his right wing position, dragging Italy’s left-back narrow with him, and that movement created a channel of space down the right flank where Elliot Ford was already accelerating forward from right-back position, timing his overlap run perfectly.
Kayden’s pass was weighted beautifully—not too hard that it would run away from Ford, not too soft that Italy’s covering defender could intercept—and the ball rolled into the space with Ford arriving at full sprint to collect it thirty yards from goal.
"Kayden Muir with the diagonal pass, Ford’s overlapped, he’s got space—"
Italy’s left-back tried to recover but Ford was already past him, driving toward the byline with the ball under control, and as he approached the edge of the penalty area he looked up once and saw exactly what he needed: Reece Darlow attacking the near post with a sharp diagonal run while Mason Teller was arriving at the far post.
Ford’s cross was driven low and hard across the six-yard box, the ball skimming across the grass with enough pace that Italy’s center-backs couldn’t react, and Reece Darlow had continued his run from the inside channel and was now arriving at the near post ahead of his marker.
The Arsenal winger didn’t break stride as he met the ball with his right foot, redirecting it with a deft touch rather than trying to power it, and the ball changed direction instantly and flew into the net before Italy’s goalkeeper could adjust.
ENGLAND 1-0 ITALY (17’)
"GOAAAAAL! England take the lead! What a move! Muir, Ford, and Darlow combining beautifully down that right side!"
The modest crowd erupted with genuine enthusiasm, a few thousand voices creating noise that filled the stadium as Darlow wheeled away toward the corner flag with his arms spread wide, and his teammates swarmed him with Kayden arriving first and jumping on his back while Ford sprinted over from the right flank.
On the bench the England substitutes all stood and applauded, Demien clapping along with the others while watching the celebration play out, and beside him Owen Blake was nodding appreciatively at the quality of the passing sequence that had created the goal.
"Clinical finish from Darlow," the co-commentator added. "But that pass from Kayden Muir was exceptional—weighted perfectly into Ford’s path. England looking very sharp in these opening twenty minutes."