Chapter 59: Chapter 58: Chelsea Preparation [I]
Friday, July 30th, 2022
Friday’s training session started like the others, but there was a different energy in the air—something sharper, more focused.
When the team gathered after the warm-up, Gasperini stepped forward with his assistant beside him, and the conversations died down immediately.
"Listen up," Gasperini said, his voice carrying clearly across the group. "This Sunday we play our final pre-season friendly. Chelsea. Away at Stamford Bridge in London."
Murmurs rippled through the squad.
"Chelsea are in good form," Gasperini continued. "They’ll press high, they’ll be physical, and they’ll test us in every phase. This is good preparation for the season ahead. We’ll travel tomorrow, train lightly on Sunday morning, then play in the afternoon."
He gestured to his assistant, who held up a tablet displaying tactical formations.
"Thomas Tuchel favors a 4-3-3 system. They build from the back with their center-backs, use their fullbacks to provide width when they push forward, and their front three are all quick and direct. We need to be smart about how we approach this."
Gasperini moved closer to the group, his tactical mind clearly working through the details.
"Their back four is solid. Thiago Silva is one of the best defenders in the world—reads the game perfectly, rarely makes mistakes. Koulibaly beside him is physical and fast. Azpilicueta and Alonso on the flanks will push forward when they attack, which creates space in behind if we can exploit it."
He paused to let that sink in, then continued.
"In midfield, they have Kanté and Jorginho. Kanté covers the ground, wins the ball back, disrupts everything. Jorginho controls the tempo, dictates the passing. We need to press them intelligently—force mistakes without leaving ourselves exposed."
Demien listened intently, absorbing every word while his mind already started processing how to apply this information.
"Their front three," Gasperini said, and his tone sharpened, "Sterling on the left, Havertz in the center, Mount on the right. All three can score, all three can create. Sterling has pace that can kill you on the counter. Mount finds space between the lines. Havertz is deceptively strong and technical."
He looked around at his squad.
"This is the level we’ll face when Serie A starts. This is what we’re preparing for. Today we drill how to defend against their system, how to build out against their press, and how to create chances when they’re organized."
Gasperini nodded to his assistant, who began setting up cones and mannequins on the pitch.
"First drill. Defensive shape against their 4-3-3. When Chelsea have the ball, this is how we need to be positioned."
The squad split into two groups—one playing as Chelsea’s attackers, the other practicing Atalanta’s defensive response.
Gasperini positioned players carefully, demonstrating where each person should be when Chelsea’s fullbacks pushed forward, where the midfielders needed to drop when Jorginho had the ball, how to track Mount’s runs between the lines.
"Demien," Gasperini called out, gesturing him forward. "You’re playing in midfield against Jorginho and Kanté. What’s your priority?"
Demien thought quickly. "Don’t let Jorginho turn. Force him backward. And track Mount when he drops deep."
"Exactly. You can’t give Jorginho time on the ball. He’ll pick you apart. And Mount is clever—he’ll find pockets of space if you’re not aware."
They ran through the defensive scenarios repeatedly.
Chelsea’s right-back pushes forward—Atalanta’s left midfielder has to track back.
Chelsea’s front three interchange positions—Atalanta’s defenders communicate and pass them off.
Kanté wins the ball in midfield—Atalanta’s shape immediately drops deeper to prevent the counter.
Gasperini stopped play constantly to make corrections.
"Tolói! When Sterling cuts inside, you have to step out! Don’t let him shoot!"
"Éderson! You’re too far from de Roon! Close the gap!"
"Muriel! When you press their center-back, angle your body to show him away from Jorginho!"
After thirty minutes of defensive work, they switched to attacking patterns.
"Now," Gasperini said, "how do we build against their press?"
He set up Chelsea’s 4-3-3 pressing structure using mannequins and cones, then had Atalanta’s players work on breaking it down.
"Their front three will press our back three. Kanté will mark our deepest midfielder. This is where we need to be calm and smart."
They practiced playing through the press—center-backs splitting wide, the goalkeeper dropping deep to create an extra man, midfielders showing between the lines to receive.
Demien found himself constantly moving, dropping deep to receive from the defenders, then turning quickly to play forward before Chelsea’s midfielders could close him down.
"Good!" Gasperini called after one particularly smooth sequence where Demien received from Tolói, turned away from pressure, and played a first-time pass to Zappacosta on the wing. "That’s the speed we need! One touch, two touch maximum!"
They drilled attacking transitions next—what happens when Atalanta wins the ball against Chelsea’s high press.
"The moment we win it, we go!" Gasperini demonstrated. "Their fullbacks will be high up the pitch. That’s space for our wide players to attack! Don’t slow down, don’t look for the safe pass—attack the space immediately!"
Muriel, playing as the left winger in the drill, won the ball and immediately accelerated into the space where Chelsea’s right-back would have been, and Gasperini clapped once in approval.
"Exactly! That’s how we hurt them!"
The session continued with set piece preparation.
"Chelsea are dangerous from corners," Gasperini explained. "Silva, Koulibaly, both are threats in the air. We need to be organized, mark tight, and clear the first ball."
They practiced defending corners with Chelsea’s typical patterns—near post runs, back post deliveries, short corner variations.
Then they worked on Atalanta’s own attacking set pieces.
"Their goalkeeper Mendy is good, but he’s not unbeatable. Quality delivery into dangerous areas, and we can create chances."
By the time the tactical work finished, two hours had passed and the squad was mentally exhausted from the constant information and adjustments.
But Gasperini wasn’t done.
"Small-sided game!" he called out. "We play the way we’ll play Sunday! Quick transitions, press intelligently, exploit space!"
The eleven-versus-eleven match that followed was played at full intensity, and Gasperini was constantly shouting instructions from the sideline, referencing Chelsea at every opportunity.
"That’s where Sterling would be! Track him!"
"Jorginho would have punished that loose pass!"
"Mount finds that space! Don’t let him turn!"
Demien was everywhere—pressing, covering, creating—and by the time the final whistle blew he was breathing hard but his tactical understanding of Sunday’s match had increased significantly.
The system chimed.
「MISSION COMPLETE」
「Complete Today’s Training Session」
「Reward: 10 TP」
「Current Balance: 224 TP | 10 SP | 50 MP」
As they walked off the pitch, Gasperini gathered the squad one more time.
"Good session today. You’re learning. Sunday will be a test—Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe. But if we execute what we’ve practiced, if we stay disciplined and take our chances, we can compete with them."
He paused, his expression serious.
"The traveling squad list is posted in the locker room. Check it after you shower. Those who are going, be ready to leave at eight AM tomorrow morning. Those who aren’t, you’ll continue training here—your time will come."
The atmosphere shifted immediately, tension rippling through the group as players realized the squad announcement had been made.
Gasperini dismissed them and the squad headed toward the locker room, conversations hushed as everyone prepared to see if their name would be on the list.
After the session, when they returned to the locker room, Gasperini’s assistant posted a sheet on the wall.
Traveling Squad - Chelsea (A)
Players immediately crowded around to check the list.
Demien pushed forward and scanned the names, his heart in his throat.
And there it was.
Walter, D.
Right near the bottom, but there.
He was on the list.
"Demien!" Moretti appeared beside him, grabbing his shoulder. "We both made it! Look!" He pointed at his own name just above Demien’s. "We’re going to London together!"
Demien stared at both their names on the sheet, his heart pounding, and slowly a smile spread across his face.
"We’re actually going," he said quietly.
"To play Chelsea!" Moretti corrected, his excitement bubbling over. "At Stamford Bridge! Can’t Imagine we’re traveling with the first team to play one of the biggest clubs in Europe!"
His first potential appearance for Atalanta’s first team.
Against one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
At one of the most famous stadiums in the world.
With his friend from the U23s right there beside him.