Two days had passed since the Hamburger match, but Thiago could still feel the aftershocks of that brace humming beneath his skin. A full ninety minutes, two goals, and the entire team pulling him into the moment like he'd always belonged. The buzz hadn't gone away. Not even a little.
But now, the mood at Brackel had shifted.
This wasn't about celebration anymore.
It was Tuesday morning, and the training ground was quieter than usual. Not in volume—there were still voices, balls smacking against turf, cleats pounding into grass—but in vibe. The casual banter had thinned out. The swagger was measured. Everyone was still smiling, but only slightly. It was more of a calm before a storm.
Everyone knew what was coming.
The second leg against Udinese.
