"Wingers, stay wide until the ball enters the final third. Don't drift inside too early or you'll congest the middle where Italy wants to dominate. Fullbacks, communicate early when their wingers make runs. Midfielders, when Italy presses, don't panic—find the spare man and play through them."

His finger moved to Italy's setup.

"They'll sit narrow in midfield with three players packed centrally. That's where our width hurts them. Stretch them horizontally, make them choose between closing the wings or protecting the middle, then exploit whichever they give us."

The instructions were clear and structured without unnecessary drama, and players nodded along while processing their specific responsibilities.

Carsley's eyes moved across the room.

"Starters, execute the plan. Subs, stay mentally engaged from the first whistle because this game will open up late and we'll need fresh legs." He paused. "Questions?"

Silence.

"Good. Let's go warm up."

The squad broke into small clusters as some players did activation stretches on the floor while others finished lacing boots, and the physio moved between them checking ankles and shins while offering encouragement.

Demien sat beside Owen doing dynamic leg swings, and they talked quietly about staying sharp if the match opened up though both knew their roles today were to observe and be ready rather than expect significant minutes.

Across the room Kayden stood and clapped once.

"Right, let's go show them what England's about."

The team moved toward the tunnel exit in loose formation, and as they approached the opening the sound of the modest crowd filtered through—scattered applause and some England chants sung by small groups in the stands.

King Power Stadium - Pitch

2:00 PM

They stepped onto the grass and the stadium atmosphere washed over them—not the overwhelming roar of a major international fixture but supportive energy from a few thousand fans scattered throughout the stands, and England flags waved in sections while a smaller Italian contingent sang chants from their designated area.

The pitch looked immaculate with fresh white lines and perfectly cut grass, and Demien's boots pressed into the turf as he jogged toward the far end where substitutes would conduct their warm-up routine.

Starters moved into sharp passing patterns and shooting drills on one half of the pitch under the guidance of Carsley and his assistants, and their movements were crisp and focused as they prepared bodies and minds for the opening whistle.

Substitutes including Demien worked with the assistant coach on the opposite end running through ball touches, rondos, and simple passing routines that kept muscles warm without expending unnecessary energy.

Demien's touches felt clean as he moved through the exercises, and each pass connected smoothly while his mind stayed focused on technique and timing even though nervous energy buzzed beneath the surface.

Across the pitch Italy's squad conducted their warm-up with disciplined structure, and their movements showed good intensity as players moved through position-specific drills under their coaching staff's watchful eyes.

Demien noticed Luca Bianchi among the Italian substitutes doing activation work with the second group, and for a moment their eyes met across the fifty yards of grass that separated them.

Demien gave a small nod.

Luca returned it with a faint smile before turning back to his routine, and the brief acknowledgment was all they needed because both understood what today meant even if circumstances had put them on opposite sides.

The warm-up continued for twenty-five minutes as both teams moved through their final preparations, and by two-twenty the assistant coach called the substitutes back toward the tunnel while starters completed their last shooting drills.

As they walked off Demien felt his heart rate increase slightly because the match was approaching fast, and within minutes the players would line up in the tunnel before walking onto the pitch for anthems and kickoff.

Tunnel - Pre-Match

2:28 PM

The tunnel was cooler than the pitch as players filed back inside and moved toward their designated positions, and the atmosphere tightened with internal focus as both teams prepared for the final walk-out.

The mounted television above the tunnel entrance continued showing the broadcast, and the commentators' voices echoed faintly off the concrete walls as they analyzed both teams' setups.

Commentator 2: "England will line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 today with Kayden Muir operating as the ten. Italy expected to mirror with their usual 4-3-3, keeping things tight in midfield and looking to exploit width through their wingers."

Commentator 1: "It's a good test for both sides, especially for the new England call-ups. Players like Demien Walter, Owen Blake, and Harvey Keane—this is a chance to settle into the international environment and show what they can offer at this level."

England's starting XI lined up at the front with substitutes positioned behind them, and Demien stood slightly to the side with hands behind his back while his body buzzed with anticipation that made his fingers twitch.

Italy's squad lined up in the opposite tunnel, and through the gap Demien could see their players adjusting shin guards and retying boots while talking quietly among themselves.

The referee and his assistants appeared between the two lines holding the match ball, and their presence signaled that departure was imminent as they checked watches and communicated with stadium officials via headsets.

Boots scraped lightly on concrete as players shifted weight from foot to foot, and the sound echoed off the walls while mixing with distant crowd noise that filtered through from the stadium and the faint commentary still playing from the television.

No dramatic singing, no fireworks—just the hum of developing competition and national pride as young players prepared to represent their countries.

The stadium announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... the England Under-21s!"

A wave of applause swept across the stands as the announcement echoed, and Demien's pulse quickened because this was the moment everything became real.

The smell of fresh-cut grass grew stronger as they approached the tunnel exit, and through the opening Demien could see the pitch bathed in afternoon light with photographers positioned along the touchline and flags waving in the stands.

He watched the starters take their positions at the front of the line—Tommy Grayson first as goalkeeper, then the defensive unit, midfielders, and forwards—and each player's face carried focused intensity mixed with controlled excitement.

The referee gestured forward and the line began moving, and as the starters walked out onto the grass the applause intensified while the announcer called each name over the speakers.

Demien stood in the tunnel watching them emerge onto the pitch, and his chest felt tight with a mixture of emotions he couldn't quite name because seeing his teammates walk out in England shirts made him realize how close he was to joining them.

Pitch - Pre-Match Ceremony

2:32 PM

The players walked onto the grass in single file as the modest crowd stood and applauded, and England's anthem began playing over the speakers—"God Save The King" sung respectfully by the fans with some joining vocally while others simply stood with hands over hearts.

Demien remained in the tunnel with the other substitutes watching as both teams lined up facing the stands, and through the opening he could see Kayden standing tall at the center of England's line while Italy's captain held a similar position for his team.

The anthem finished and both teams shook hands in a quick professional line, and the referee moved toward the center circle with the match ball while players took their starting positions.

Kayden and Italy's captain met at the center for the coin toss, and after a brief exchange the referee pointed toward one end indicating Italy had won and would kick off.

England's formation settled into shape—Kayden dropping into the number ten space, Jamal and Leo Merrick positioning as the double pivot, Reece Darlow stretching wide right while Javier Crane mirrored him on the left.

Italy's 4-3-3 pressed forward aggressively with their forwards already moving before the whistle, and their midfield three sat narrow and compact exactly as Carsley had predicted.

The referee raised the whistle to his lips and checked his watch one final time.

The stadium held its breath.

Fweeeeeetttttttt!!!!!

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