Just like in high school or college, the weeks after the holidays would pass more quickly, one after the other, almost without a break. With so many important commitments, time was flying towards the big end goal.
It was no different for Brighton. They were leading the Premier Youth League, trailing Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool by three points.
For the first time in their history, Brighton U20 had a real chance of overtaking much better-invested teams from the national youth scene. And the title only depended on them holding on to that three-point lead until the end. So every play was important, every game was a final.
At the beginning of the year, some passionate Brighton fans were so excited about the U-20 team's leadership of the national league they said the Premier Youth League was far more important than the Champions League and that the coaches should prioritize important pieces like Lucas Tanaka for the Premier Youth League games, playing with the reserve team in the Champions League.
[@ExSoldierLv77: They should give more importance to the Premier League, because I want to laugh in the faces of the other teams' youngsters!
@SleepyGod: I want the Champions League title, but.... The knockout stage is completely different. Please win at least the Premier League!
@Kattynix: This Brighton youth team is one of the best I've seen in the last 10 years. You need to win something to make that clear, so don't do a disgrace and lose the Premier League. That would overshadow your performance so far.]
Fortunately, coach Jimenez and assistant coach Eddie never listened to these fans. They knew very well that it was possible to win both championships with this team.
But, in fact, rotating the team a bit and giving it the rest was essential for a team at the end of the season.
For this reason, Jimenez always tried to make timely substitutions when they were winning games in the Premier Youth League and also in the Champions League.
Sure, most of the players didn't like being substituted, and this led to some friction over the weeks. But deep down, everyone understood it was necessary and agreed.
So many weeks passed and on May 17, they arrived at the last moment they had been waiting for: the Champions Youth League final.
The stage for the match would be none other than the majestic Wembley Stadium, packed with fans and with an electrifying atmosphere.
The opponents? The dreaded Bayern Munich, a team full of young prospects from German, European and world soccer.
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But Brighton had also shown that they deserved to be there. Against all expectations at the start of the season, they had reached the final, beating European soccer giants such as Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus, and were now one game away from eternal glory.
In the Brighton dressing room, some players were sitting on the bench, staring at the ground, others were tapping their feet rhythmically to ease their anxiety.
The sound of the fans outside intensified, making everyone's heart beat faster.
It was the first time these players would play in a packed, iconic stadium like this one.
Arthur and Daniel, sitting nearby, watched Lucas Tanaka, who was more serious than usual.
"He's very focused today." Arthur whispered to Daniel, adjusting his shin guards.
"More than usual." Daniel agreed, glancing at Lucas, who was finishing tying his boots without saying a word.
"I think he really wants to win this title." Arthur said, resting his elbows on his knees.
Lucas, for his part, didn't even notice the surrounding conversations. His mind was stuck in a moment from three days ago.
The television in the changing room at the training center was broadcasting news about the final when, suddenly, an unexpected announcement captured his attention.
"Last minute: because of an injury sustained in training, Joshua Zirkzee of the Bayern Munich Under-20s cannot take part in the final. In his place, the German team has signed up promising youngster Tsuyoshi Nishida, a highly talented Japanese center-forward who recently joined Bayern's first team. Inside sources say that the club didn't want this, because they were counting on Nishida to be Lewandowski's backup at the end of the season, but Nishida insisted on playing in the final. That's what I call hunger for titles!"
Lucas's eyes widened. He knew that name better than anyone.
Nishida wasn't just a promising youngster from Japan. He was his childhood best friend and former club teammate.
As children, they had dreamed of one day facing each other as rivals in a big game. But Lucas never imagined that this moment would come so soon.
A mixture of emotions quickly replaced the initial shock. Excitement, nostalgia and a heaviness in his chest.
Nishida was someone who knew his soccer like no one else, and Lucas knew that this would be no ordinary match.
Even so, Lucas took a deep breath and raised his head. It was time to focus. He looked at his teammates, who were trying to contain their nervousness. He knew that, as team captain, he had to lead them.
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"Guys, I know we're nervous. I know this is the biggest game of our lives so far. But we're not here for nothing. We fought for this moment." He said as he stood up, drawing everyone's attention. "We've worked hard to be in this final. Now is the time to show what we're made of. Let's go in there and make history."
"That's it! Let's play like we know how!"
"We can't let this chance slip away!" Javier added.
"We've beaten teams as strong as Bayern! We can beat them!"
Coach Jimenez entered the room with a proud look on his face: "Boys, this final belongs to you. Everything we've done so far has brought us to this moment. Take to the field with determination, respect your opponents, but remember: no one wants this victory more than we do. Now finish preparing. We're going to war."
The Brighton players looked at each other and nodded. That was it. The moment was now.
Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, visualizing the pitch, the crowd, and then Nishida's face. He cracked a small smile.
It was time for the Champions League final.