NOVPUB
Chapter 70: Delayed Departures
Monday morning’s recovery session was light—active regeneration for those who had started against Marseille, and more intensive work for the others. The mood was positive yet focused, with the satisfaction of Saturday’s victory giving way to concentration on the upcoming Champions League challenge.
Demien moved between groups, observing closely for signs of fatigue or lingering issues. D’Alessandro was receiving treatment for a minor knock picked up late in the match against Marseille, but the medical staff had cleared him for Athens. Evra sat in an ice bath, engrossed in conversation with Rothen, both men gesturing animatedly.
"Travel details," Michel said, handing Demien a printed itinerary as they walked toward the analysis room. "Charter flight at 2 PM, hotel check-in by 7 PM local time, and training at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow morning."
Demien scanned the document. "Weather forecast?"
"Clear. Mid-twenties. Perfect conditions."
The analysis session focused entirely on AEK Athens—their defensive structure, counterattacking threat, and the physicality. Video clips played on the large screen as Demien walked the squad through key patterns.
"They sit deep, then spring," he explained, pausing the footage to highlight Athens’ compact defensive block. "Liberopoulos stays high, while Lakis and Rusev provide the outlets. When they transition, they move quickly."
Another clip, another pause. "Zagorakis controls the tempo. Experienced and clever. We can’t give him time to distribute."
The players absorbed the information in attentive silence, occasionally asking questions about specific details or joting notes in their tactical notebooks.
"Their center-backs, Kapsis and Amponsah, are strong in the air but less comfortable when turned," Demien continued. "We need to play in front of them, then behind. Avoid direct challenges."
He concluded by emphasizing Athens’ home record—unbeaten in European competition at the Olympic Stadium for eight matches. The atmosphere would be hostile, with the opposition motivated by facing the team that had dismantled PSV so comprehensively.
"They’ll believe they can surprise us," he said. "Our job is to show them why they can’t."
The squad departed for the airport after a light lunch. In the main terminal, fans gathered to wish them well–a small but enthusiastic group waving flags and seeking autographs. Giuly and Morientes spent a few minutes signing shirts and taking photos, the captain understanding the importance of such connections.
Boarding was smooth, with the charter flight offering more space and comfort than commercial travel. Players settled into their routine: some immediately donned headphones, others pulled out books or tablets, and a card game quickly formed in the back rows.
Demien took his usual seat near the front, tactical notes spread across the empty seat beside him. He preferred to use travel time productively, reviewing Athens’ recent matches, refining set-piece strategies, and visualizing potential scenarios.
The first sign of trouble came thirty minutes before the scheduled departure. The captain’s voice crackled over the intercom, announcing a brief delay due to air traffic control restrictions. Nothing serious–just a temporary hold.
Thirty minutes turned into an hour. Players shifted restlessly; the card game grew louder, and quiet conversations filled the cabin. Another announcement: mechanical checks were required before clearance. Standard procedure. Nothing to worry about.
Giuly approached Demien’s seat. "They’re saying at least another hour," he reported. "The boys are getting restless."
Demien checked his watch, feeling the weight of the delay on their carefully planned schedule. "Tell them to stay hydrated and focused. Travel complications are part of European football."
By the time the flight finally took off, it was nearly 5 PM—three hours behind schedule. The mood on board had shifted from relaxed to tense, the disruption affecting the mental preparation crucial before a Champions League fixture.
D’Alessandro was particularly agitated, his natural energy confined to a seat for far longer than anticipated. Adebayor had abandoned the card game, now staring out the window with uncharacteristic silence. Even Alonso, usually the most composed presence, checked his watch with increasing frequency.
Demien remained calm. He adjusted the schedule in his mind, prioritizing rest over the planned tactical walkthrough that evening. The players would need their energy more than another review of information already absorbed.
The flight itself was smooth, but the late departure had consequences. By the time they landed in Athens, cleared customs, and reached the hotel, it was well past 10 PM local time. Players trudged through the lobby with heavy legs and tired eyes, the disruption evident in their movements.
"Team meeting pushed to tomorrow morning," Demien informed Michel as they checked in. "Let them eat, then rest. We’ll adapt the schedule."
Room assignments had been carefully planned—Rothen with Evra, D’Alessandro with Morientes, roommates selected for compatibility and language. These little details made a significant difference on away trips, another aspect of preparation that Demien managed meticulously.
In his own room, Demien didn’t immediately sleep. Despite the late hour, he reviewed his notes once more, made minor adjustments to the tactical plan, and visualized the patterns Athens would likely employ. He considered every factor: the stadium layout, pitch dimensions, and the predicted atmosphere, incorporating them all into his strategy.
Morning arrived with news that compounded the previous day’s disruption. The team bus had mechanical issues, delaying their departure for the stadium training session. Players gathered in the hotel restaurant, the mood more subdued than usual for a Champions League matchday.
"First the plane, now the bus," Rothen muttered to Evra. "Someone doesn’t want us to play."
Demien moved between tables, checking in with key players, ensure they remained focus despite the complications. In these moments, his calm demeanor served as an anchor—no panic, no frustration, just practical solutions and forward momentum.
"We adjust," he told Giuly. "Same approach, different schedule. Our performance doesn’t change because of logistics."
When they finally arrived at the Olympic Stadium—nearly an hour later than planned—the training session was abbreviated but intensely focused. There was no wasted movements or unnecessary drills, just essential patterns, final adjustments, and set-piece refinements.
The stadium itself was imposing—steep stands that could hold 70,000 passionate supporters and a pitch that appeared slightly longer than standard. It was the kind of arena where European nights became memorable for both the right or wrong reasons.
"The atmosphere will be hostile," Demien warned during the final team talk. "They’ll use everything—the crowd, the officials, the conditions. Our response must be control: the ball, the tempo, the emotions. Everything stays under our control."
Back at the hotel, the afternoon was dedicated to recovery and preparation. Meal time were adjusted for the late kickoff, hydration protocols strictly monitored, and travel fatigue was managed through scientific approaches that would later become standard but were innovative for 2003.
Demien used the extra time for individual meetings with key players—clarifying specific instructions, addressing particular matchups, and ensuring every tactical detail was understood.
With D’Alessandro, the conversation centered on finding space between Athens’ midfield and defensive lines. "Zagorakis will follow you initially," Demien explained. "Then he’ll release you to the center-backs. That’s the moment—when the responsibility shifts."
D’Alessandro nodded, his eyes bright with understanding. "The half-second when no one owns the space."
"Exactly. Find it, use it, and make them pay for the hesitation."
Similar discussions took place with Alonso, Morientes, and Rothen—each tailored to their specific role within the collective plan. This was where Demien’s approach diverged most significantly from his contemporaries: not just team tactics, but individual clarity within the system.
The pre-match meal was quiet, with players retreating into their own mental preparation. Some visualized their performance, others listened to music, while a few engaged in light conversation to release tension. Different approaches, all aimed at achieving optimal performance under pressure.
When they finally boarded the repaired team bus for the journey to the stadium, the complications of the previous twenty-four hours had been processed and compartmentalized. Focus returned, energy channeled, and disruption converted to determination.
Demien gazed out the window as Athens passed by, the city lights blurring into streams of color. In the original timeline, this match had been challenging—a narrow victory secured late, momentum nearly lost. But that was then. This team, this approach, this moment—it was already different.
As the Olympic Stadium appeared on the horizon, its floodlights piercing the night sky, Demien knew the next deviation in the timeline was only hours away.
