45+2' – Half-Time Whistle
The referee checked his watch as Atalanta recycled possession in Lecce's half, the clock ticking past forty-seven minutes, and he raised the whistle to his lips.
Three sharp blasts cut through the noise.
TWEEEEET. TWEEEEET. TWEEEEET.
The sound pierced across the pitch, high and shrill, and both teams froze wherever they stood, legs stopping mid-stride, the ball rolling loose toward the touchline as Demien straightened from his pressing position and felt the weight hit his legs all at once, forty-seven minutes of constant movement catching up in the sudden stillness.
His lungs burned as he walked toward the tunnel, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his temples and soaking the collar of his white shirt.
The big screen above the Curva Nord flashed the half-time statistics in bright white letters:
Atalanta 68% possession | 9 shots (3 on target)
Lecce 32% possession | 1 shot (1 goal)
