The locker room was still buzzing with the afterglow of victory.
Showers hissed, laughter echoed, and the scent of liniment mingled with triumphant sweat. Leon felt a pleasant ache in his muscles, a satisfying reminder of the battle he'd just won.
Soon, the team was back on the bus, heading away from the roaring San Siro.
The atmosphere inside was electric. Players chatted excitedly, replaying key moments of the Derby.
Leon found his usual seat next to Cole Palmer (Current: 85).
He pulled out his phone, and the first thing that popped up was a flood of notifications.
News alerts, social media mentions – everyone was talking about the Derby della Madonnina.
He clicked on a sports news headline.
"FISCHER'S FAIRYTALE DEBUT: WONDERKID SEALS DERBY WIN WITH STUNNING STRIKE!"
He grinned, a warm feeling spreading through him.
He scrolled down, and then saw another headline that caught his eye:
"BAYERN MUNICH'S NEW WING WIZARD: SANÉ AND MUSIALA FORM DEADLY DUO"
Leon felt a pang of nostalgia, mixed with a healthy dose of competitive spirit.
Jamal Musiala (Potential: 92, Current: 88) was indeed a fantastic player, a true wing wizard.
He remembered playing against him in youth tournaments. To see him now, truly establishing himself as a key player for Bayern alongside the formidable.
Then, another article popped up:
"CHELSEA'S NEW ATTACKING FORCE: ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER SHINES IN OPENING FIXTURE!"
Alexis Mac Allister (Current: 87) at Chelsea. He was a midfielder, but Leon knew he could play anywhere across the attack.
He smiled. It was good to see his former teammates and rivals from other leagues doing well. It pushed him, reminded him that the football world was vast and full of incredible talent.
"Look at this, Cole," Leon said, showing Palmer his phone. "Musiala is tearing it up for Bayern. And Mac Allister at Chelsea."
Palmer peered at the screen. "Yeah, Musiala's a beast. Always has been. But we just beat AC Milan, Leo! That's bigger news right now, isn't it?" He nudged Leon playfully.
The whole bus was buzzing. Lautaro Martínez (Current: 88) was laughing loudly with Julián Álvarez (Current: 87) about a missed chance.
Nicolò Barella (Current: 88) and Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Current: 86) were dissecting the midfield battle.
Stefan de Vrij (Current: 87), who was sitting across the aisle, leaned over.
"Leon," he said, his voice calm but sincere, "you made a very good match today. That goal… that was something special. You really stepped up."
"Thanks, Stefan," Leon replied, feeling a flush of warmth.
"But you guys in defense were incredible. That offside trap… it saved us so many times."
"Team effort. That's what it takes."
Lautaro Martínez, overhearing them, chimed in.
"He's right! We all played well! From Handanović to Leon, everyone gave their all. That's why we won. Now, let's go home, get some rest, and then do whatever you want tonight. You've earned it!"
The idea of rest sounded amazing, but Leon also felt a surge of energy. He wanted to celebrate, to talk about the game, to just enjoy the moment with his new teammates.
He turned to Palmer. "Hey, Cole, Stefan," he said, looking between them.
"I was thinking of going to a restaurant, maybe grab some good Italian food. If you guys want to join, you're welcome."
Palmer's eyes lit up. "A restaurant? Sounds good to me, Leo! I'm starving after that game!"
Stefan de Vrij considered it for a moment. His 'Current: 87' showed a hint of fatigue, but also a desire for camaraderie.
"Hmm, a good meal does sound tempting. Alright, Leon, I'll join you. But nothing too late, I need my beauty sleep for the next training session!" He chuckled.
"Perfect!" Leon grinned. He felt a genuine connection forming with these guys.
The Derby had been a crucible, forging bonds that went beyond just teammates on a pitch. They were becoming a unit, a family.
As the bus pulled into the training ground, where their cars were parked, Leon felt a sense of contentment.
After quickly changing and saying goodbye to the other players, Leon, Cole, and Stefan headed out in a taxi towards a lively part of Milan.
The city lights twinkled, reflecting the excitement that still hummed in the air. They found a cozy, traditional Italian restaurant with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Over plates of pasta and pizza, they rehashed the match, laughing about close calls and celebrating the goals. Palmer recounted his assist with animated gestures, while Stefan offered insights into the defensive plays. Leon found himself sharing more about his new "vision," albeit vaguely, describing it as an enhanced intuition that helped him anticipate plays. They listened, fascinated, even if they didn't fully grasp the "how."
"It's like you're playing a different game, Leo," Palmer said, shaking his head in mock disbelief.
"You just knew where I'd be, and where the keeper would go."
"Just good teamwork," Leon deflected with a smile, still not ready to fully reveal the shimmering icons. He knew it would sound too strange.
As the night wound down, Leon felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Not just from the win, but from the easy camaraderie with his teammates. This was the life he had dreamed of, playing at the highest level, making an impact, and building connections.
The next few days were a whirlwind of media attention, recovery sessions, and light training.
The win over AC Milan had sent a clear message: Inter Milan, with their new wonderkid, were a force to be reckoned with. The league campaign had started with a bang, but Coach Chivu's words echoed in Leon's mind.
"...we have the Champions League to think about."
Leon knew that was where the real test would begin, where he would face the best teams and players from across Europe. He couldn't wait to see who they would be drawn against, and to show the world what Inter Milan, and Leon Fischer, were truly capable of.
A/N: thanks for reading... See you in the !