The ten days between the Hoffenheim victory and the trip to the capital had been a period of intense and focused rehabilitation for Mateo Alvarez.
The physical pain in his ankle had subsided, replaced by the familiar ache of muscles being pushed to their limits.
The emotional scars, though still present, had begun to fade, replaced by a burning desire to get back on the pitch, to rejoin his brothers in arms, to play his part in the final, crucial stretch of the season.
He had worked tirelessly with the club's medical staff, his every waking moment dedicated to the singular goal of being fit for the run-in. He had pushed his body to the brink, his determination and his will to win a powerful force in his recovery.
The System, which had been a source of concern and frustration during his injury, was now a vital tool in his rehabilitation, providing him with real-time data on his progress, helping him to push his body to its limits without risking a setback.
