The friendly match against Atlético Madrid was a fiery affair, far from a typical pre-season stroll.
Leon Fischer, his 'Current: 84' buzzing, had just scored a magnificent equalizer, bringing Inter level at 1-1. His 'sight' was perfectly tuned, anticipating Atlético's every tactical move.
"Atlético's midfield is still trying to dominate, but inter pressing is disrupting their rhythm."
Leon continued to orchestrate Inter's play from the left wing, cutting inside, linking up with Nicolò Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
He wanted to earn a point. He wanted to make a truly unique play, something that would stand out, something that the System would recognize. He decided to take it easy for a few minutes, to observe, to wait for the perfect opportunity to make a great thing.
He received the ball from Alessandro Bastoni deep in Inter's half.
He looked up, his 'sight' scanning the field, searching for that elusive "unique" moment. He saw the 'ghosted runs' of Atlético's midfielders, pressing him.
Leon decided to try something different. He began a dribble and run, pushing the ball forward, inviting pressure. He saw Koke approaching, his 'outstretched leg' projection indicating a powerful tackle.
Leon, with a quick 'body feint', shifted his weight, and Koke slid past him, missing completely. SWISH!
"Koke's tackling is strong, but Leon just made him look silly! That was a clean dribble!"
Leon continued his run.
He saw Rodrigo De Paul rushing towards him, radiating aggressive intent. Leon anticipated De Paul's 'shoulder charge' projection.
He quickly pulled the ball back with his heel, then flicked it to the side, leaving De Paul stumbling past him.
"De Paul is a tough tackler...! This is incredible dribbling!"
Leon was now surging into Atlético's half, two defenders left sprawling behind him.
He saw Antoine Griezmann dropping back, trying to cover. Leon, with a sudden burst of acceleration, feigned a pass to Julián Álvarez, then pulled the ball back, executing a dazzling 'roulette' that left Griezmann completely bewildered.
Leon was now past three Atlético players, the ball seemingly glued to his feet.
The crowd gasped, then roared with a mix of awe and disbelief. What a dribble from Leon Fischer!
He drove towards the edge of the box, but his dribbling still needed practice for sustained, long runs against multiple top-tier defenders.
His stamina for such intense dribbling wasn't quite at the elite level yet. He felt a slight burn in his legs. He couldn't make it that far. The fourth Atlético defender, José Giménez, was closing in fast.
Leon, seeing the 'outstretched leg' projection, knew he couldn't go further. He quickly laid the ball off to Lautaro Martínez, who had made a supporting run. Lautaro's shot was blocked, but the dribble had created chaos in Atlético's defense.
Almost there, Leon thought. "That was unique. But not quite a goal or an assist from it. I need to practice my sustained dribbling."
The first half continued with both teams battling fiercely. Atlético, after Leon's dazzling dribble, seemed to redouble their efforts.
Around the 40th minute, Atlético Madrid won a corner. The ball swung in, a dangerous, curling cross. Leon's 'sight' immediately picked up the 'ghosted head' projection of José Giménez, rising highest in the box.
"Giménez is a real threat from set pieces! He's incredibly physical in the air!"
BOOM! Giménez powered a header into the net! Josep Martínez dived, but it was too powerful, too precise.
GOOOAL! Atlético Madrid 2 - Inter Milan 1!
The Atlético fans roared. Leon felt a pang of frustration. Another set-piece goal conceded. He knew they needed to work on their defensive organization from corners.
The halftime whistle blew. Inter Milan trailed 2-1. Leon walked off the pitch, exhausted but already analyzing the second half. He had to make something happen. He had to earn that Skill Point.
In the dressing room, Coach Chivu was calm, but firm. He discussed defensive adjustments, emphasizing tighter marking from corners. Then, he turned to the attack.
"Leon," Chivu said, "your dribbling was incredible. You opened them up. We need more of that. But we also need to be more clinical in the final third. We need to exploit the spaces you create."
Leon nodded. He thought about his teammates. He needed to find someone who could truly capitalize on his unique passes, someone who could read his intentions.
He thought about Cole Palmer. Palmer was smart. He was a creative player, capable of the unexpected.
"I think he is a smart player" Leon thought. He understands the game. He'll get it.
The second half began. Leon, now even more determined, focused on linking up with Palmer.
He received the ball on the left wing, drew in two Atlético defenders, then hit a quick, disguised pass across the field to Palmer on the right wing.
It was a pass that seemed to come out of nowhere, a sudden switch of play.
Palmer received it, took a touch, looked up, and immediately understood Leon's intention. Palmer hit a first-time, curling cross that landed perfectly at Álvarez's feet. Álvarez's shot was saved, but the combination was there.
This was the connection. He had to keep pushing. He had to make a unique play that led to a goal.