Starting XI – Bradford (4-4-2)
GK: Emeka Okafor
RB: James Richards
CB: Nathan Barnes (C)
CB: Kang Min-jae
LB: Aiden Taylor
RM: Renan Silva
CM: Andrés Ibáñez
CM: Santiago Vélez
LM: Roney Bardghji
ST: Guilherme Costa
ST: Raphael Mensah
Subs: Cox (GK), Fletcher, Holloway, Chapman, Rasmussen, Obi, Richter
The tunnel was silent except for the sound of studs scraping against concrete. Players shifted in place, rolling their shoulders, flexing their fingers. No nerves—just focus. Jake stood at the entrance, watching his squad. Barnes had his arms crossed, staring straight ahead, eyes locked on the pitch like a soldier waiting for battle. Costa bounced on his toes, whispering something to Mensah, both strikers locked in their own world, hyping each other up.
No one spoke. They didn't need to. Every player knew what was at stake. The first game of the season set the tone. Start strong, dominate, and make a statement.
