The silence on the flight back from Copenhagen was louder than any cheer. Leon had barely spoken a word, the shame of Marco Rossi's (Current: 82) shout and Coach Cristian Chivu's quiet wisdom heavy on his mind.

He spent the flight staring out the window, replaying the match, especially Copenhagen's chillingly effective 'cohesion'.

His 'Vision' (95) suddenly felt less like a personal superpower and more like a tool he'd misused. He knew he had to change.

"...."

The week leading up to the Champions League clash against Real Madrid was like stepping into a different dimension.

The ordinary rhythm of Serie A training gave way to an unprecedented level of intensity. Every drill felt sharper, every pass more precise.

The air at Appiano Gentile, Inter's training ground, crackled with a focused energy. It wasn't just another game; it was Real Madrid, the kings of Europe.

The media, of course, went wild. Leon couldn't open his phone or walk past a newsstand without seeing headlines that screamed about the impending confrontation.

His own picture, barely a month ago an unknown, now sat side-by-side with giants like Jude Bellingham (Current: 91) and Vinicius Jr. (Current: 90).

"The Young Pretender vs. The Kings," one headline blared, placing Leon directly in the spotlight. He felt the pressure, a heavy cloak settling on his shoulders.

That pressure pushed him. Instead of basking in past glories, Leon stayed after training for hours. He didn't work on flashy dribbles or audacious shots.

He asked the video analysis team for clips, specific ones of Real Madrid's recent matches, especially focusing on their attacking patterns.

Alone in the quiet video room, he used his 'Vision' to visualize match scenarios.

He'd pause a clip, his eyes searching for the shimmering icons, trying to anticipate not just individual player actions, but the collective flow, the cohesion that Copenhagen had used so effectively against him.

He saw the frightening 'Potential: 95' glowing above Vinicius Jr.

"..."

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training pitch, Leon was still in the video room, meticulously analyzing Vinicius Jr.'s movements. He heard a soft knock at the door.

"Mind if I join you, Leon?" It was Stefan de Vrij (Current: 87), Inter's experienced center-back.

"Of course, Stefan," Leon replied, surprised but grateful for the company.

De Vrij, usually a man of few words, walked over to the large tactical board that dominated one wall of the room. He picked up a marker.

"Vinicius is a problem," De Vrij stated, his voice quiet.

"His 'Dribbling and Pace are top-tier. And he's only getting better."

He drew a line on the board, tracing Vinicius's typical runs. "He likes to cut inside, but he can also go down the line. He's unpredictable."

Leon nodded, watching as De Vrij continued to sketch.

"I've been trying to figure out how to stop him.." He looked at De Vrij, a hint of his recent frustration in his voice.

De Vrij looked at him, his gaze perceptive.

"It's not about stopping him alone, Leon. It's about how we stop him as a unit. That's what Copenhagen showed us."

Leon flinched slightly at the mention of Copenhagen, remembering his arrogance. De Vrij didn't comment, just continued.

"You play on the left wing, which means you'll be tracking back against him. We need your help defensively."

Leon's eyes widened slightly. Defensive coverage wasn't usually his main focus. He was the playmaker, the goal scorer.

"Look," De Vrij continued, drawing on the board.

"When our left-back, Dimarco pushes up, that space behind him is where Vinicius thrives. Your role isn't just to attack. It's to track back, to cover that space. To make sure Vinicius always has two players on him, or that his passing lanes are cut off." He drew a diagram showing Leon's defensive positioning. "Your 'Vision' will be crucial here. Not to beat him one-on-one, but to anticipate his runs and cut off his supply lines before he even gets the ball."

Leon stared at the board, then at De Vrij. It wasn't about the flashy dribbles, the individual brilliance he had chased so eagerly. It was about hard work, defensive discipline, and working for the team. It was about using his 'Vision' to prevent danger, not just create goals.

"And when we win the ball," De Vrij added, a faint smile touching his lips, "that's when your magic can truly shine. But only when the team is secure."

They spent another hour in the video room, meticulously drawing on the tactical board.

De Vrij explained defensive principles, how the midfield needed to shift, how the full-backs should position themselves. Leon absorbed it all, asking questions, his 'Vision' now focused on understanding the intricate dance of team defense.

The next few days of training, Leon was a changed player. He still pushed himself, but his focus was different. His passes were crisper, simpler, designed to keep possession and move the ball quickly.

He tracked back tirelessly, anticipating defensive assignments, communicating with Dimarco. Coach Chivu watched him with a subtle nod of approval.

.....

Finally, the day arrived. The team bus pulled up to the airport, the air thick with anticipation. Photographers jostled for position, flashes exploding as the players boarded their private jet. Leon, dressed in his crisp Inter Milan tracksuit, felt the familiar hum of the plane's engines.

He looked out the window as the jet taxied down the runway, then took off, ascending into the twilight sky.

Below them, the lights of Milan twinkled, slowly fading into the distance. Leon closed his eyes for a moment, picturing the vast expanse of the Santiago Bernabéu, the iconic stadium awaiting them.

He took a deep breath.

It was a challenge. He wasn't going to make a movie about himself. He was going to contribute to a masterpiece, a team performance. He was going to use his gift, not for arrogance, but for responsibility.

When he opened his eyes, his reflection stared back at him from the window. His face reflected an icy determination, a quiet resolve. Madrid was calling.