A/N: Alright, I feel like there might be some of you reading this upset about the fact that Alex uses low blocks but one has to remember that he took over a relegation battling team with little to no funds. Alex can't magically turn them around even with the system. It's all a process so please be calm
***
Alex closed his apartment door behind him, his heart still pounding from the soft "Ding!" that echoed moments ago. It felt unreal.
He froze mid-step, staring at the corner of his laptop screen where a window had appeared, grey and humming with promise.
He leaned in and the system interface came into focus, framed within neat square brackets:
[System Notification: Defensive Tactics Ready]
[Recommended Formation: 4‑4‑2 Flat]
[Defensive Shape: 6‑2‑2 (back four + fullbacks drop wide)]
[Midfield Requirements:
•Midfielder 1 – Tactical pivot, disciplined positioning
• Midfielder 2 – Defensive pivot with strong passing range]
[Striker Requirements:
• Two runners, physical pressers]
Alex felt his breath catch. When the system woke, it came with precision.
He couldn't stop the grin that split across his face. He chuckled. Then he laughed. Then he felt the first flicker of maniacal joy as ideas formed:
If everyone's talking about my "Haram football," I'm about to give them a clinic.
He sat back in his chair, rubbing his hands together.
"4‑4‑2 flat," he whispered to himself, running his index finger over the words. "Switches to 6‑2‑2 in defense with fullbacks dropping deep. Beautiful."
The image of Inter charging forward with Lautaro Martinez and Lukaku up top flashed in his mind. He pictured their central midfield comfortable with possession, pushing Lecce onto their back foot. His plan bent reality already.
He started mentally assigning roles:
Back Four: All center-backs. No leak through the middle.
Wing Midfielders: Actually full-backs in disguise, wide, controlling the flanks defensively.
Midfield Two: One stay-back pivot, one deep passer.
Front Two: Physical, sharp: pressing, running, dislodging.
He smiled more broadly.
He tapped at the screen. He thought out loud:
"They need to be tactically sound. Even the 'offensive' one stays deep. Good passer. Hmm…"
He snatched his notes:
Gallo, winger turned wing-back. Possibility to stray out wide or stay advanced
Ramadani, defensive, but passing range?
Berisha, box-to-box, passes well, well enough?
An unfamiliar doubt crept in. That second pivot, it needed range. It needed calm under Inter's pressure.
There was one person that immediately came to mind, Luca Ferretti. From the amount of training sessions that they had, it was clear that he had the best passing range among the midfielders currently at the club. He was also a very intelligent player and he was very calm under pressure.
Alex was genuinely tempted to add him to the team sheet, but the match was against Inter Milan. He couldn't just throw the kid into the deep end just like that.
He shook his head. "Too tough".
He closed his eyes and forced himself to consider other options. Berisha. Maybe...
He scrolled down to the striker section. 'Runners, physical.'
The system recommendation was clear.
He said it out loud: "Krstović and Rebić."
He grinned.
"I love it. Krstović's movement, Rebić's experience and work rate. This could work."
Alex stood up, started pacing. He cackled at the perfection of it.
"Play the killer, but defend like a fortress. Haram football? Nah. Elite-level pragmatism."
He slapped his hand on the desk, nearly spilling a coffee cup.
He couldn't wait, the idea felt alive now.
He opened a new document and typed:
4‑4‑2 Flat (Transition to 6‑2‑2) Defensive Phase...
He read it twice, nodded.
Then he shut his laptop. It was done.
The next day, the morning light cut through the training ground. He walked out wearing a tracksuit, the sun warm on his face but his head buzzing with tactics.
He stationed players in two groups:
Eleven for 4‑4‑2 flat: the core team he believed would start.
Eleven for 3‑5‑2: a more aggressive, flexible counter setup. Others including subs and fringe players.
He explained the system.
"Guys, today is about transition. The first eleven run a 4‑4‑2, screens mid, close spaces. Second team, 3‑5‑2, you press higher. We need reps for both."
He named players:
"Back four: Pongračić, Baschirotto, Touba. Midfield: Ramadani and Berisha pivot. Krstović and Rebić up front."
He paused, glanced at the midfielders.
"You two shape everything. Defend deep, pass sharp, no rash moves forward unless you're certain."
Ramadani nodded. Berisha set his jaw.
The first session was subdued, serious. They shuffled through position drills, boxes, angles, pressing triggers.
The second group, simulating Inter's press, forced the first team into uncomfortable passes. The midfield duo looked rattled, especially Ramadani, but fought to keep compositions.
Alex watched from a distance, arms folded. He felt a rare surge of pride.
In the second-half scenario, Inter's "press team" forced defensive mistakes.
Ramadani snapped a pass to baseline, reset immediately. Berisha intercepted an aggressive dribble and shoved the ball back to Pongračić.
"You're doing it. Control. Reset. Press."
He whispered.
He set up finishing circuits for the front pair, Krstović running into channels, Rebić holding off CBs.
They repeated it, time and time again with the same intensity until the pair were breathless
Alex leaned over the sideline, grinned. "That. That's the pressing we need."
He ended with a small-sided game: 4‑4‑2 team vs. 3‑5‑2 team. The first stage: 4‑4‑2 defended, tried to break lines. Then he switched. The 3‑5‑2 pressed high.
He shouted instructions:
"Press there!"
"Ramadani, check the line!"
"Banda, overlap!"
He realized how alive he felt, eyes streaming, heart pounding.
By the time training ended, Alex felt that rare sense of momentum.
The System had taken back the reins, breathing clarity into chaos.
He looked at players
Team 1 looked sharp, hungry.
The midfield felt solid.
Strikers ran till they puked.
It wasn't perfect. But it was coherent.
Alex paced beside the field, breathing in the late afternoon sun.
He pulled out his phone and typed: "4‑4‑2 flat. 6‑2‑2 hide behind CB line. Midfield: Berisha pivot, Ramadani range. KB + RB up top. Next: Inter."
He paused and smiled.
"Let's make Haram Ball history."