A day before the highly anticipated AC Milan match, Coach Cristian Chivu sat in his office, a large tactical board dominating the wall.
Across from him sat his assistant manager, a calm, experienced man named Roberto Mancini (Current: 88).
Mancini, a former Inter player and manager, had a deep understanding of Italian football.
"Roberto," Chivu began, his voice serious, "this is it. The Derby. Our first league match. And against our city rivals, who are clearly flying high with Simons."
Mancini nodded, his gaze fixed on the tactical board.
"Simons is a problem, Cristian. His 'Shooting' and 'Dribbling' are top-tier. He's their main creative force."
"Indeed," Chivu agreed.
"We need to nullify him. But we also need to impose our game. Our 4-4-2. Our new attacking philosophy." He picked up a marker.
"Their formation will likely be a 4-2-3-1, with Simons playing as the attacking midfielder behind the striker. We need to cut off his supply lines. And we need to exploit their full-backs when they push high."
Mancini pointed to the board.
"Our central midfielders, Barella and Çalhanoğlu, will be key. They need to be disciplined, tracking Simons's runs, but also quick to transition when we win the ball."
"Precisely. And Leon. From the left wing, he can hit those diagonal passes, those killer through balls. Cole Palmer on the right will do the same. We need our wingers to be both creators and goal threats."
Mancini smiled faintly. "Leon is a game-changer, Cristian. He sees things no one else does. His tactical understanding, even for a seventeen-year-old, is remarkable. He's adapted to the left wing seamlessly."
"He is," Chivu agreed, a proud glint in his eye.
"He is the future. And with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez up front... we have firepower. We will surprise them."
They spent hours discussing every detail: defensive assignments, attacking patterns, set-piece strategies. The Derby was more than just a match; it was a statement.
The final training session before the Derby was electric.
In the shooting drills, Leon was on fire. He was practicing cutting inside from the left wing and unleashing powerful shots with his right foot. Every shot seemed to find the back of the net.
"Magnifico, Leon!" Lautaro Martínez (Current: 88) yelled, impressed.
"Your shooting is on fire!"
Cole Palmer (Current: 85) was also in incredible form, curling shots into the top corner from the right wing.
"You're not the only one with a rocket, Leo!" he challenged, grinning.
"Just warming up, Cole!" Leon shot back, laughing. Their friendly rivalry was pushing them both to new heights.
During a small-sided game, Leon executed a dazzling sequence. He received the ball on the left wing, dribbled past two defenders with a quick 'step-over' and 'body feint', then hit a pinpoint cross that Julián Álvarez (Current: 87) headed into the net.
"Bella, Leon!" Julián exclaimed, high-fiving him. "Perfect pass!"
"Your movement is incredible, Julián!" Leon replied, genuinely impressed by Álvarez's 'Movement' (89) attribute.
Nicolò Barella (Current: 88) came over to Leon, wiping sweat from his brow. "Leon, your passes... it's like you have eyes in the back of your head! You see everything!"
"Just trying to find the space, Nicolò," Leon said, but he felt a deep satisfaction. His teammates were recognizing his unique 'sight'.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Current: 86) joined them. "We are ready, Leon. The team feels strong. We will fight. We will fight for Inter."
Leon looked at his teammates, feeling a surge of pride and camaraderie. T
his wasn't just a collection of talented individuals; it was becoming a true team. A family. He was their No. 10, their playmaker.
That night, Leon slept soundly, dreaming of the roar of the San Siro, of black and blue shirts celebrating.
He woke up feeling refreshed, the adrenaline already starting to build. Matchday. The Derby della Madonnina.
He dressed carefully in his official Inter Milan tracksuit, feeling the weight of the crest on his chest. His mom had breakfast ready, a nervous but excited smile on her face.
"Good luck, my dear," she said, giving him a hug. "I'll be watching every kick!"
Leon headed to the club, the anticipation in the air almost palpable.
The team bus was waiting, gleaming under the morning sun. He boarded it, finding his usual seat beside Cole Palmer (Current: 85). Julián Álvarez (Current: 87) sat across the aisle.
"Ready for this, Leo?" Palmer asked, a determined look on his face.
"Born ready, Cole," Leon replied, a confident grin on his face.
"This is what we came here for."
He looked at Álvarez, who gave him a quiet nod, his 'Current' radiating intense focus.
The bus pulled out, slowly making its way through the streets of Milan.
Even from inside, Leon could hear the buzz of the city, the distant chants, the growing excitement. Fans lined the streets, waving flags, cheering them on.
The black and blue colors were everywhere.
Finally, the bus arrived at the stadium.
San Siro. A colossal, iconic arena, its towering red pillars reaching for the sky.
It was a fortress, a temple of football. The roar of the crowd, even before they stepped off the bus, was deafening, a visceral wave of sound that vibrated through the vehicle.
Leon stepped off the bus, his 'Current: 84' buzzing with pure adrenaline.
He looked up at the stands, a sea of black and blue, punctuated by pockets of red and black for AC Milan.
The atmosphere was electric, a fierce, passionate energy that promised an unforgettable encounter.
He saw the giant banners, the waving flags, the faces of thousands of fans, their hopes and dreams riding on this match.
He thought about Xavi Simons (Current: 86), his rival, waiting on the other side. He thought about Coach Chivu's vision, about the new era for Inter.
This was the Derby. This was his debut in Serie A. This was the first step in his quest to conquer Italy and then Europe. Leon Fischer, the seventeen-year-old wonderkid, was ready to make his mark on the biggest stage in Italian football.