My Ultimate Gacha System-Chapter 298 - 287: The Grind Begins II

Centro Bortolotti — Dining Hall 7:18 PM

That evening the squad stays at Zingonia for a team dinner and the long table in the dining hall is set with plates and silverware in even spacing, while serving dishes filled with pasta and grilled chicken and roasted vegetables sit in the center waiting to be passed.

Players fill the seats gradually and conversations are quiet while food is distributed and plates are filled, and some check their phones between bites while others just eat without distraction because the meal is functional rather than social.

Gasperini sits at the head of the table but doesn’t address the group and his presence is enough without words because everyone understands what the next three days require, and he eats at the same pace as everyone else while occasionally glancing down the table without speaking.

The meal finishes by eight and players disperse toward the exit while staff begins clearing plates, and the facility empties gradually as cars leave the lot one by one.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Centro Bortolotti — Main Training Pitch 10:22 AM

Matchday minus one arrives with light session protocols and the pitch work is limited to passing sequences at controlled tempo and positional walk-throughs where players move through their assignments without opposition or contact, and boots stay mostly clean because the grass is dry and the intensity never rises high enough to create sliding or sharp cuts.

The starting eleven has been decided but not announced and Demien knows from the tactical work over the past three days that he’s on the bench again because Ederson will start in the double pivot with de Roon while Koopmeiners pushes higher into the attacking midfield space, and the knowledge doesn’t require confirmation because the pattern has been obvious throughout preparation.

After thirty minutes Gasperini signals the end and the squad heads inside while groundskeepers begin preparing the pitch for tomorrow’s absence, and showers run briefly before players change into street clothes and gather in the dining hall for lunch.

Centro Bortolotti — Parking Lot 2:04 PM

The bus to Monza departs at two and the squad boards with bags already loaded into the storage compartment beneath, while the driver checks his mirrors and pulls away from the facility as soon as the last player is seated.

The drive is just over an hour on roads that carry moderate traffic because the afternoon is midweek and the autostrada moves without congestion, and the bus merges onto the A4 heading west toward Monza while conversations inside stay minimal and several players put headphones on within the first ten minutes.

The hotel appears on the outskirts of the city and the bus pulls into the circular drive where staff members wait near the entrance, and rooms are assigned quickly while bags are distributed and players head toward the elevators in small groups.

A walk is scheduled for early evening at six and dinner follows at seven in a private dining room on the ground floor, while lights-out comes at ten without needing to be announced because professional players manage their own sleep schedules during matchday preparation.

Thursday, May 4, 2023 Team Hotel, Monza 8:37 AM

Hotel breakfast fills the private dining area with quiet movement and the buffet offers oatmeal and scrambled eggs and fresh fruit alongside coffee that players pour into cups without lingering at the station, and conversations are brief while plates are filled and tables are occupied in the same groupings as always.

Demien sits beside Lookman and eats without checking his phone because matchday mornings have their own rhythm that doesn’t include distractions, and when he finishes he returns his plate to the collection area before heading back to his room.

The bus to U-Power Stadium departs at noon and the police escort waits outside the hotel entrance with motorcycles positioned at the front and rear, while the driver closes the door as soon as everyone boards and pulls away into traffic that parts as the escort’s lights activate.

U-Power Stadium, Monza 12:41 PM

The drive through Monza is short and takes fifteen minutes on roads that become more congested as the stadium approaches, and red and white scarves hang from railings near the entrances while supporters in home colors move toward the gates in scattered groups.

The away section is visible from the bus before it reaches the players’ entrance and the stand is already half full two hours before kickoff, and Atalanta supporters in blue and black create noise that carries faintly through the closed windows while flags wave in coordinated patterns.

Inside the dressing room shirts hang in the narrow space along the wall and the Serie A patches are visible on the sleeves while the Coppa Italia emblems that were present last week have been removed, and the room is quiet while players begin changing into their training kits for the warm-up session.

Demien sits near the back adjusting his shin guards even though he knows from the tactical preparation that he’s starting on the bench, and the team sheet goes up on the board near the door five minutes later confirming what was already understood.

ATALANTA STARTING XI (3-4-2-1)

Musso

Tolói — Scalvini — Djimsiti

Hateboer — de Roon — Ederson — Mæhle

Koopmeiners — Lookman

Scamacca

Gasperini’s instructions are brief before the warm-up and he stands near the tactical board without raising his voice while players finish tying their boots.

"Win the second balls," he says. "Stay compact when they transition. First fifteen minutes set the tone."

He steps aside and the squad files out toward the tunnel.

U-Power Stadium Pitch 2:57 PM

The tunnel is tight and concrete walls press in from both sides while Monza’s players stand ahead bouncing lightly on their toes, and the referee checks both lines before signaling forward with one hand raised.

Teams walk out together and the stadium is full with nineteen thousand voices creating noise that crashes down from all sides while Monza’s supporters in red and white dominate three stands, and Atalanta’s away section in the south corner erupts as the players emerge with drums thundering and flags waving above the crowd.

Demien takes his seat on the bench and leans forward with his forearms resting on his knees while the teams complete their final preparations, and the captains meet at the center circle for the coin toss before returning to their positions.

The referee raises the whistle to his lips.

Fweeeeeetttttttt!!!!!

1’ - 8’ |

Monza start aggressively and their press comes high from the opening whistle while their wingbacks push up the flanks to compress Atalanta’s buildup space, and an early cross from the right side is headed clear by Tolói before the ball can reach their striker in the center.

Atalanta respond in the eighth minute when Lookman collects a pass wide on the left and drives inside past one challenge before shifting the ball onto his right foot, and his shot curls toward the far post with controlled power but the placement is fractionally wide and the ball skims past the upright.

The crowd groans collectively and scattered applause acknowledges the attempt while the ball is retrieved from behind the goal.

Commentary Booth

"Early chance for Atalanta!" the lead commentator calls. "Lookman cutting inside and unleashing that right foot, but it’s just wide of the target. Fine margins."

"Good intent from the visitors," his colleague adds. "They’re not sitting back despite needing the three points. Lookman looked confident there."

9’ - 19’ |

Play stretches across midfield and possession shifts between the teams without clear patterns emerging, while both defensive lines hold their shape and prevent dangerous penetration into the final third.

In the nineteenth minute Monza win a corner after Mæhle blocks a cross with his body and the ball deflects behind, and the home crowd’s noise builds as the delivery is prepared.

The ball swings in toward the near post where bodies converge and a Monza defender rises above everyone with his header aimed toward the bottom corner, but Musso reacts instantly by diving to his right and palming the ball over the crossbar with his outstretched hand.

The stadium erupts with appreciation for the attempt before groaning when the save is completed, and another corner is awarded.

Commentary Booth

"What a save from Musso!" the commentator shouts. "That header was goal-bound but the goalkeeper gets across brilliantly. Monza creating danger here."

The second corner swings in and this time Scalvini positions himself at the near post and meets the ball with his forehead, clearing it powerfully beyond the eighteen-yard box where the danger dissipates.