After the Gods Fell, a Hundred Flowers Bloomed

October 3rd.

Bernabeu Stadium.

Champions League group stage, second round: Real Madrid vs. Monaco.

Before the match, Alpha had personally approached Cheloti to request a starting spot.

The reason was simple.

He knew too many people on Monaco's side.

Menxiaer, Toma Tema, Kaoyuka, Kondoya—these were all Alpha's "juniors" from the France Youth National Team.

Although Kaoyuka and Kondoya might choose, or had already chosen, Ivory Coast and Central African Republic citizenship because competition in the France National Team was so fierce, meaning they would not play for France.

Still, whether in the youth national team or Ligue 1, they all knew one another well.

If possible, Alpha wanted to act like an "older brother."

That was right.

Alpha was at an awkward age, caught precisely between France's second and third generations.

The first generation naturally consisted of players over thirty-three, such as Zizo and Robbery.

The second generation included Nelka, Kuba, Reber, Kosciel, Turan, and others.

The third generation was made up of Menxiaer, Langdenei, and their peers.

Alpha did not yet hold the status of the second-generation players, yet he still had to put on airs in front of the younger lads. There were plenty of off-field matters he could not handle particularly well.

He was unfamiliar with both sides.

Cheloti was a manager exceptionally skilled at managing relationships with players, so naturally he knew how to handle people.

After asking Lu Yang for his opinion, he decisively arranged for Alpha to start.

He also spoke with Enriquez, saying that he hoped Enriquez would focus more of his energy on the final thirty minutes. That was the best way to maximize Enriquez's threat of pace.

Big moments, understand?

Enriquez had long since come to terms with things after being overshadowed by a top-class striker like Lima.

Since he could