Wednesday morning at La Turbie had a different feel compared to the usual training sessions. Players arrived with a noticeable sense of satisfaction in their movements, the thrill of reaching the Champions League knockout rounds still fresh in their minds. Conversations buzzed with excitement, filled with talks of the possibilities that February would bring.
Roma was the first to arrive, and his three crucial saves from the previous evening earned widespread praise from teammates and the media alike. The Italian goalkeeper's confidence had grown throughout the European campaign, and his performances suggested capabilities that extended beyond domestic competition.
"Incredible reflexes," Rothen remarked as they walked toward the facility entrance. "That double save in the eighty-third minute kept us in the tournament."
