God Of football

Chapter 175: Jan Oblak Re-Gen

Baraja stepped back, folding his arms as he looked at his players. ”Any questions?”

The room remained silent, the players exchanging determined glances. Baraja’s confidence in them was evident, and it was infectious. ”Good. Let’s go out there tomorrow and show them how to win”

The players nodded in unison before they stood to leave.

The team had just filed out of the video room, the session dissecting their last match and identifying areas to improve.

The atmosphere was quiet but focused, the players mentally replaying the reviewed Sociedad materials in their heads.

Lukas Kovač, the new youth goalkeeper, lingered behind, his brow furrowed in thought. At 20, the Slovenian had a hunger in his eyes that matched his lean, agile frame.

He had been waiting for the right moment to approach Izan and did so as the latter stepped out with Pietro.

”Hey, Izan,” Lukas called out, catching up to him as they walked toward the training grounds. ”What’s up? Lukas right?” Izan asked staring at the keeper who was about a head taller than him.

His voice carried a slight accent, and there was a mixture of nervousness and resolve in his tone. Looking at the older person acting like a kid in front of him, Izan sighed.

”You know, you can day what you want to say. I won’t bite. I’m not any different. It’s just that things worked out for me since I joined this team so there is no need to be overwhelmed”.

Lukas smiled at the latter’s words before opening his mouth.

”I was wondering if you could help me out. I want to get in some extra sessions. I need to get better, and you’re the best in the team and the best person to ask.”

Izan, thinking about getting some free-kick work in, turned to him with a curious look. ”Extra sessions, huh? What are you working on?”

”Everything,” Lukas said earnestly. ”But mostly my reflexes and reading shots. I thought... maybe going against you would push me.”

Izan nodded, a small smile forming. ”All right. I need to work on my free kicks anyway. Let’s do it.”

---

The pair found an empty goal at the far end of the training complex. Lukas quickly donned his gloves and stretched as Izan set up a line of balls just outside the penalty area.

The younger keeper squared up, bouncing lightly on his toes, his green eyes locked on Izan’s every move.

Izan struck the first ball cleanly, the sound of leather meeting leather echoing through the crisp air.

It curled toward the top right corner, but Lukas reacted quickly, his fingertips grazing the ball as it slammed into the net.

”Close one,” Izan said, impressed. ”Let’s see you stop this.”

Ball after ball, Izan unleashed a barrage of shots. His precision was uncanny, most finding the back of the net despite Lukas’s best efforts.

But the young keeper wasn’t just there to be a practice dummy. He began to anticipate better, diving low to his right to stop a swerving strike, then leaping to punch away a blistering shot aimed for the top corner.

”Nice save,” Izan called out, a grin spreading across his face. ”You’re not making this easy.”

”That’s the point,” Lukas replied, his voice breathless but determined.

”I’m practically cheating but I’ll still do it,” Izan thought as he set a ball down.

Ding, [Pinpoint Accuracy LV 2] activated

Following this, Izan unleashed another set of shots, with Lukas being unable to save any. Still, Lukas was able to save a few after Izan turned it off.

After the last shot, Izan stood still before muttering something.

[Snooping function activated]

*PLAYER INFO**

■■■■■■■■■

NAME: [LUKAS KOVAČ]

AGE:[20]

HEIGHT:[1.98m (6’6”)]

PROFESSION: [FOOTBALLER]

STATUS:[RESERVE PLAYER]

TEAM:VALENCIA FC/ SLOVENIA

SYSTEM EVALUATION:[ A GEM]

PLAYER RATING: [77/100]

POSITION:[GOALKEEPER]

POTENTIAL:[87]

STATS

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Speed: 65

Diving: 79

Goal Awareness: 77

Technique: 75

Reflexes: 83

Catching:78

Parrying: 78

Jumping: 84

Strong hand: Left

Weak Foot Strength:3 stars

Skill Move:2 stars

SKILLS POSSESSED

■■■■■■■■■■■■

Stepovers: [Lv 2] 10% Completion

Cruyff turn:[LV 2] 20%

**TRAITS

■■■■■■

: During the final minutes of a match where the holder’s team is losing, this trait activates increasing the chances of the holder scoring from, free-kicks, Corners or even throws.

: Teammates, particularly the defenders player better when he’s in goal.

Looking at Lukas’ stats, OVR and traits, Izan was amazed, to say the least. ”He’s like Oblak’s re-gen. His *Thumping header* trait might just be the best thing.

In moments when we’re losing, I just need to get the ball to him.” Izan thought as he looked at the keeper.

While Izan stood in a daze, the intensity of their session had already caught the attention of Pietro and Sosa, who had just finished their gym routines. The two players approached, intrigued by the one-on-one duel.

”Hey, what’s going on here?” Pietro asked, his eyes taking in the scene.

”Free kick practice,” Izan replied, setting up another ball. ”Lukas wanted to get some extra work in.”

”Mind if we join?” Sosa asked, already picking up a ball and spinning it on his finger. ”Could use some shooting practice myself.”

”More targets for me,” Lukas said with a smirk, though he was clearly fatigued.

---

The session became a lively, competitive affair. Pietro’s shots, although inaccurate were powerful and direct, designed to test Lukas’s handling under pressure.

Sosa mixed things up with clever, unpredictable attempts, while Izan continued to showcase his finesse and precision.

Lukas, though visibly tired, stepped up to the challenge. He made a series of jaw-dropping saves, including a double stop on a rebound from Pietro and a diving fingertip save from one of Sosa’s bending strikes.

”Kid’s got skills,” Pietro said, nodding in approval after Lukas thwarted one of his thunderous attempts.

Both Izan and Sosa turned to look at him, standing with a sheepish grin while Lukas stood, smiling wryly.

Izan set up one final shot, a low-driven free kick with a pace that skipped off the grass. Lukas read it perfectly, dropping low to smother the ball but ultimately failing to stop it.

He stood up, clutching his elbow which had grazed the ground a bit.

”You’re going to be a problem for a lot of strikers,” Izan said, with a smile. Lukas didn’t know why but it felt good to be praised by someone who was receiving a lot of admiration and hype for his talent.

”Can we, uh.. do this again?” Lukas asked as Izan turned to leave. Izan nodded before joining Pietro and Sosa.

Lukas stood, with a smile on his face before rushing to catch up with them. ”I’m staying in this team,” he said in his mind as he caught up.

......

From behind a glass window, Baraja stood with his arms crossed, observing the players that had just finished with their extra session.

Beside him, Assistant Coach Moreno leaned against the glass, his sharp eyes following the movements of Lukas Kovač, who was exchanging a few last words with Izan, Pietro, and Sosa as they walked off the pitch together.

Baraja let out a low whistle, a smile tugging at the corners of his usually stoic face. ”That kid,” he said, nodding toward Lukas, ”he’s got something special. Reflexes, composure, and that hunger—you can’t teach that.”

Moreno chuckled softly. ”He’s been impressive since he got promoted. His last performance in the Copa del Rey was exceptional.

Handling shots from a player like Izan isn’t easy, this being proved by Marmadashvili’s inability to contain most of Izan’s shots but he’s holding his own. He’s not just talented; he’s got the attitude to back it up too.”

Baraja nodded, his gaze lingering on Lukas, who was picking up cones and balls that had gone a bit far.

”We’re going to need him. Especially if things with Marmadashvili go the way I think they will.”

Moreno glanced sideways at Baraja, his brow furrowing slightly. ”So, it’s true then? A club’s made a move?”

Baraja’s expression grew more serious. ”Yes. They’re preparing an offer—one we might not be able to refuse. And Marmadashvili... he’s expressed interest in leaving. He’s ready for the next step in his career.”

Moreno sighed, his fingers tapping the fence thoughtfully. ”Losing him will hurt. He’s been a cornerstone for us. But if Lukas keeps developing like this, he might soften the blow.”

Baraja’s eyes followed Lukas as the young goalkeeper jogged toward the locker rooms, still holding his head high despite the gruelling session.

”He’ll be vital, Moreno. He’s not just a replacement. He will be great. We just need to make sure he’s ready when the time comes.”

The two coaches stood in silence for a moment, their thoughts heavy with the looming changes. Then Baraja straightened, his voice firm.

”Let’s focus on what we can control. If Marmadashvili goes, we’ll make sure the transition is seamless. Lukas will be ready—we’ll make sure of it.”

Moreno nodded the fire of determination in his eyes matching Baraja’s. Together, they turned toward the tactical room, their plans already forming.