Chapter 66 - 64 - Recovery

Chapter 66: Chapter 64 - Recovery

Caron took the layoff and moved possession toward Perrin.

The winger combined with the full-back, continued his run and received again before sending a hard cross toward the penalty spot. A Rodez defender headed it away, although the clearance only reached the edge of the attacking third.

Metz collected and came again before Rodez could push their line out.

Possession went left, returned through Caron and reached Perrin once more near the corner of the box. He played inside and continued toward the area while the next pass deflected into a crowd.

Renaud and two defenders attacked the loose ball together.

A Rodez boot reached it first and sent the clearance spinning toward the edge of the box.

Perrin was already moving onto it.

His first touch brought the ball into his path as two defenders rushed out, and his second sent a low shot between them before either could block.

The goalkeeper saw it late and dropped toward his left, but the ball had already passed his hand and struck the inside of the post.

It crossed the line.

Perrin wheeled toward the stand with one arm raised.

Caron caught him from behind as Rafael arrived from inside the area and struck him across the shoulder. More teammates came in around them, carrying the celebration toward the right side of the box while Perrin pointed toward the supporters.

The referee called them away less than ten seconds later.

Perrin was still smiling when he passed Rafael near halfway.

FC METZ 2–1 RODEZ

Rodez restarted with their full-backs already several metres higher.

The holding midfielder who had spent the previous spell protecting the centre-backs also began stepping forward whenever they tried to play through midfield.

Their next attack went down the right, where the full-back combined with the winger and lifted a cross toward the far side of Metz’s area. The left-back won the first header, but Rodez collected the second ball and switched possession before the home defence could move out.

Another delivery followed from the opposite side.

Metz’s goalkeeper came through bodies and punched beyond the box.

Caron reached the clearance first.

He had open grass in front of him.

Rafael started between the centre-backs while Caron carried toward halfway.

The nearest defender immediately began retreating, checking Rafael over his shoulder every few steps.

Rafael stayed beside him.

Caron crossed the halfway line.

The defender looked across again.

Rafael matched his retreat rather than attacking the space behind.

Caron continued through the centre until the defender finally had to turn his attention fully toward the ball.

Rafael accelerated across his blind shoulder.

"Rafa!"

The pass came a moment later.

The centre-back twisted around and chased, but Rafael had already reached the ball with the goalkeeper moving from his line.

His first touch travelled into the space ahead.

[TWO-TOUCH FINISHER ACTIVATED]

The goalkeeper continued forward, and Rafael’s second touch sent the ball low beyond his reach and into the open side of goal.

The net snapped.

Rafael heard his own shout before anything else.

Then Saint-Symphorien crashed over him.

He ran toward the corner with both arms spread until Perrin hit him from behind and nearly sent him stumbling. Rafael twisted away laughing, only for Caron to catch him around the shoulders from the other side.

Renaud reached them next and hammered both palms against Rafael’s back.

More burgundy shirts crowded in.

Someone caught him around the neck while another pulled at his shirt, and Rafael shouted with them without caring what anyone was saying.

For a few seconds, there was only the noise, the bodies around him and the sight of the home end on its feet.

The referee finally reached the group and started forcing them away.

Rafael jogged back with one side of his shirt hanging loose and a grin he made no attempt to hide.

FC METZ 3–1 RODEZ

Rodez went forward again after the restart.

Their right-back pushed beyond the winger and sent a cross toward the far post, where Metz’s left-back won the first header without getting enough distance on it. A Rodez midfielder met the loose ball outside the area and returned it into traffic, but this time a Metz centre-back climbed highest and headed clear beyond the box.

Caron collected and played backwards instead of starting another counter.

Metz’s full-backs stayed closer to the defensive line after that, while Caron dropped beside the remaining midfielder whenever Rodez held possession long enough to bring numbers forward.

Another cross came from the left, and the goalkeeper stepped through the crowd to claim it against his chest.

When he eventually restarted, the long ball travelled toward Renaud near the touchline. The centre-back behind him arrived with plenty of contact, but Renaud brought it down and planted himself between the defender and possession until a hand pulled across his shoulder.

The whistle went.

Renaud left the ball where it was while Caron walked forward to take the free kick.

The closing minutes passed through Rodez deliveries, slower Metz possessions and stoppages that lasted a little longer than they had earlier. One cross was cleared at the near post, another travelled beyond everyone for a goal kick, and Metz kept the ball whenever they recovered instead of chasing another attack.

Added time appeared on the board.

Rodez managed one final move down the left. Their full-back received the return pass and crossed before Perrin could close him, but a Metz defender reached the delivery first and headed it toward the touchline.

The referee checked his watch and blew for full time.

Saint-Symphorien rose around them.

Perrin reached Rafael near the centre circle and caught him briefly around the back of the neck. Caron joined them, followed by several defenders coming forward from their own half.

Renaud arrived moments later.

Rafael met his hand, and they turned toward the supporters with the rest of the team.

FC METZ 3–1 RODEZ

The dressing room remained loud after they came inside.

Perrin was several seats away discussing something from the second half with one of the defenders, while another player was down on one knee searching beneath the benches for a missing slide.

Rafael sat at his place and pulled the tape from his socks.

Renaud dropped onto the bench beside him with a towel around his neck and drank from his bottle while the conversations continued around them.

One of Rafael’s shin guards slipped from the bench into the walkway.

Renaud nudged it back with his foot before somebody stepped on it.

"Cheers."

Renaud nodded and went back to changing.

The door opened a few minutes later, and the room gradually quietened as the head coach walked inside.

He stayed near the doorway.

"Good response."

His gaze passed briefly across Rafael and Renaud.

"Tuesday, we’ll work on the front two and what happens behind them."

Several players nodded.

"Enjoy the win."

He left before the room had completely settled.

The conversations started again almost immediately.

Rafael pulled off his second boot and pushed both beneath the bench. Renaud collected his towel and joined two teammates heading toward the showers, disappearing into their conversation before they reached the door.

Rafael was reaching for his bottle when one of Metz’s communications staff appeared at the doorway.

"Rafa?"

Rafael looked up.

"The broadcaster wants you for a quick post-match interview."

Two players nearby glanced over before returning to what they were doing.

Rafael looked down at the sweat-dark shirt still clinging to him.

"Give me a minute."

"I’ll wait outside."

The man disappeared into the corridor.

Rafael reached into his bag and pulled out a clean club top.