8:15 AM
Bortolotti Training Complex, Zingonia
Training began with the usual warm-up routine, and Demien moved through it on autopilot—dynamic stretches, light jogging, activation drills that his body knew by memory. The morning air was cool, and the grass was still damp from overnight watering.
Gasperini ran them through tactical work for the first hour, focusing on pressing triggers and defensive transitions. The session was intense but not brutal, designed to keep fitness sharp without overloading legs that had ninety minutes against Milan two days ago.
At 10:30 AM, they moved to small-sided games—seven versus seven on half a pitch—and Demien found his rhythm in the second match, completing a through-ball to Lookman that led to a goal and earning a clap from de Roon who was watching from the sideline.
The session ended at 11:45 AM, and players filed off the pitch toward the locker room with conversations floating about weekend plans and recovery protocols.
