Chapter 186 Christmas

Real Madrid's home game against Valencia ended with a narrow 2-0 victory for Real Madrid.

With the three defensive midfielders tactic, Real Madrid's defensive intensity has increased significantly, and the defensive attitude of the back line has also improved a lot. Casillas feels that his sense of security has increased a lot.

The match was an evening game, and it ended close to midnight. Fino had originally planned to treat everyone after training the next day, but Mourinho suddenly decided to give everyone a day off. This made Fino change his mind immediately. He decided to go tonight so he could get a good rest tomorrow and not affect training the day after.

As the players finished showering and were preparing to head to the restaurant, Mourinho called out to Fino, whose assistant had already brought him a bottle of red wine.

"I know you're going to a dinner party. This wine is good; let's make it a nice drink to liven things up!"

Mourinho is very strict in managing the dressing room, but he is never an unapproachable coach. He has his own unique personal charm, so even though his reputation is mixed, he has many disciples who genuinely support him. When he wants to build a good relationship with a player, he is actually quite good at coaxing them.

After training ended yesterday, the news of what happened on the training field quickly reached his ears—it wasn't some scandal that needed to be kept secret, and it could even boost his favorability, so of course a informant was willing to tell him.

Without his knowledge, Fino helped him solve another thorny problem, just like when he resolved the Casillas leak issue and mediated the conflict between Casillas and Ronaldo. He handled it perfectly, and the effect was immediate.

Fino didn't mean to take credit, but he couldn't refuse.

Upon learning that Fino would treat everyone after the victory, he immediately decided to take a day off. Real Madrid's next match was four days later, the final round of the Champions League group stage, a home game against Auxerre. Real Madrid had already qualified as group winners, so the result of this match was unimportant—he himself was suspended by UEFA.

A day off won't make any difference; it's a good opportunity for the players to relax, let go of the frustration from the El Clásico defeat, and then start afresh.

He even brought wine to the dinner party organized by Fino to show his support.

But Fino rejected him.

"Sir, during the season, the dinners I organize never include alcohol; that's always been my principle. Let's save this bottle for the victory celebration at the end of the season!"

"Alright! We'll enjoy it at the victory celebration banquet!" Mourinho patted Fino on the shoulder.

He admired Fino's self-discipline and also liked the term "victory celebration."

Maldini has nurtured a good captain. Watching Fino and the other players leave, Mourinho felt a pang of emotion.

Real Madrid isn't a club where players stay until the end of their careers, whether they're players or coaches. It would be great if they could take Fino with them when they leave. Unfortunately, that's just wishful thinking. Given Fino's competitive and commercial value, Florentino will definitely keep him firmly tied to Real Madrid; Fino won't be put on the transfer market before he turns 30.

After defeating Valencia, Real Madrid have four matches before the winter break: a Champions League group stage match against Auxerre, two La Liga matches against Zaragoza and Sevilla, and the first leg of the Copa del Rey fifth round against Levante.

Real Madrid won all four matches, especially the last Copa del Rey match against Levante, where they thrashed Levante 8-0 at the Bernabéu, effectively ending any suspense about their qualification in the first leg.

After the match against Levante, La Liga entered its winter break, which lasted from December 23 to January 2 of the following year, a total of 11 days.

Mourinho gave the players a four-day break so they could enjoy Christmas, but he himself didn't get a break as the winter transfer window opened.

Mourinho is debating whether to bring back a center forward in the winter transfer window.

Gonzalo Higuain has been sidelined for a month. He was diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc at the end of November, and his injury worsened in early December, necessitating surgery. The surgery is scheduled for January 11th, and he is expected to be out for at least four months, returning at the end of the season.

Every bad news has its good news: Kaka's post-operative recovery is going very smoothly, and he will be able to play after the winter break.

After Higuain's injury, Real Madrid only had Benzema as a center forward. With Kaká's return, it seemed like a natural choice to bring Fino back to the forward line, but Mourinho did not want Fino to return to the forward line.

After Fino played as an attacking midfielder for half a season, Mourinho understood even better why Lippi did not bring Fino back to the forward line after Pirlo's return.

Fino is strong on both ends of the pitch, with long passes, sharp breakthroughs, and defensive interceptions. He has speed, toughness, and technique. The deeper he plays, the wider his vision becomes and the greater his impact. Once you've experienced his talent in midfield, it's hard to bear keeping him on the front line.

Mourinho even considered moving Fino further back, placing him in defensive midfield alongside Khedira and Alonso, just like in the second half of Italy's World Cup match against Slovakia.

In that match, Fino performed like a more defensively capable Pirlo, not only able to play the role of an attacking midfielder in the defensive midfield position, but also perfectly cooperating with De Rossi and Gattuso in midfield interception, thwarting the opponent's attack before the last line of defense.

This gave Mourinho a lot of inspiration. With Fino dropping back, his three-man midfield tactic had more possibilities. In addition to ensuring the necessary defensive solidity, it also became more imaginative and creative in attack. With both Fino and Alonso driving from deep, Real Madrid's attacking methods will be more diverse and more unpredictable for opponents.

If Fino isn't brought back to the forward line, then a center forward must be added during the winter break to replace Higuain, as Benzema alone isn't enough.

While Mourinho was struggling with this decision, Fino felt the same way – Alonso invited him back to San Sebastián for Christmas.

He had spoken with Maldini on the phone before Christmas. He was only allowed four days off during the winter break and would not be returning to Italy. He had already mailed Christmas gifts to Maldini's family and friends in Italy.

Upon learning that Fino was not returning to Italy, Alonso immediately extended an invitation to him.

“My family really wants to meet you, and they asked me to invite you to San Sebastián for Christmas. San Sebastián is very beautiful, with beaches, delicious food, film festivals, and an old town that blends Basque, Spanish, and French styles. The streets are paved with cobblestones and are very unique. Wouldn't you like to visit?”

Seeing Fino hesitate, Alonso continued, "My father and brother are both players, and my younger brother is a referee. Our whole family loves football. Especially my father, who played for the Spanish national team in the 1982 World Cup held in Spain. Italy won the World Cup, and Paolo Rossi won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards. In the South Africa World Cup, you led Italy to recreate Paolo Rossi's miracle, which made him very interested in you."

“The kids at home are the same; they keep asking to take a picture with Mr. Golden Globe.” Alonso blinked and pleaded, “Please, Finney, if I can’t bring you back, no one in the family will give me a good look.”

Fino was completely unable to resist Alonso's coquettish charm, but he still had reservations. It wasn't the same feeling he had when he visited Nesta's parents. He had met Nesta's parents as a friend, but now, if he claimed to be friends with Alonso, it would be pure self-deception.

"Your family knows about us... um?" Fino asked somewhat awkwardly.

Although Fino didn't say it aloud, Alonso immediately understood what he meant.

Alonso shook his head: "Don't worry, I didn't bring it up myself. I always have to wait for your approval before I tell them."

Fino breathed a sigh of relief and accepted Alonso's invitation.

Fino received a warm welcome at Alonso's house.

Alonso's parents and brothers were very friendly to Fino, and the children screamed and ran over for autographs and photos, which they then posted on their social media.

In a player's family, the conversation always revolves around football. And since Alonso's family has three players and one referee, and the guest is one of the top active players, it's no surprise that the conversation inevitably turns to football.

In familiar territory, Fino gradually relaxed, and the unease in her heart slowly dissipated.

Just as it was time to rest, a remark from Alonso's mother made Fino nervous again.

“Finnie, since Miguel, Harvey, and Horn are all back, there are no spare rooms left in the house. Would you like to share a room with Harvey for the next few days?”

“Okay, no problem.” Fino nodded, trying to appear calm.

After all, they are good friends now, and it's perfectly normal for good friends to squeeze in with each other.

Alonso's mother led Fino and Alonso to Alonso's room. After opening the door, she pointed to the pajamas on the bed and said, "I've already aired out the blankets. The new pajamas I bought for you haven't dried yet after washing. Can you wear Javi's for now?"

“Yes, that’s fine,” Fino nodded again.

“Finnie, welcome back to the Alonso family. We all love you.” Alonso’s mother hugged Finnie. “You all rest now, I’ll go back to my room.”

As Alonso and Fino saw her off, she gently touched Alonso's arm with her own, turned her back to Fino, mouthed "Go for it!" to Alonso, and then smiled and left.

Alonso never mentioned his relationship with Fino to his family, but it was no secret in Alonso's household.

Before Christmas, Alonso's family knew about Fino's existence. Even if Alonso didn't say anything, his family, who had lived together for decades, could detect many things from subtle clues, such as his possessive social media posts, his seemingly unintentional interactions on the field, and Alonso's constant gaze on Fino... But their Xavi seemed useless and still couldn't handle the kid.

Alonso was certainly aware that his family had discovered his secret with Fino; he knew everything, but he hadn't brought it up himself, so he wasn't deceiving Fino.

When Alonso came out of the bathroom drying his hair, Fino was already in bed, extremely nervous, with a hint of anticipation he couldn't quite explain.

"Fini, have you dried your hair?" Alonso walked over.

"It's dried," Fino said sullenly, his lower face buried in the blanket, only his beautiful eyes showing.

Alonso reached out and touched his hair: "Hmm, not bad, it's really dry."

So he turned around, picked up the hairdryer, and started drying his hair.

Amid the buzzing of the hairdryer, Fino felt a tingling sensation in her heart.

When Alonso lifted the covers and lay down, Fino stiffly moved aside.

Alonso sensed his nervousness and gave a slight smile in the darkness.

Instead of moving closer, he left a gap between them, just as Fino had hoped, and then casually started a conversation with Fino about something.

During the usual conversation, Fino's tension gradually disappeared. His mind and body relaxed, and sleepiness washed over him. His voice grew softer and softer until he finally fell asleep.

Alonso didn't speak again, but simply listened quietly to Fino's steady breathing in the darkness.

A dozen minutes later, he figured that Fino was fast asleep, so he gently leaned over and kissed the corner of Fino's lips, then hooked his little finger around Fino's finger and silently said goodnight to her.

-----------------------

Author's note: Thank you everyone for your support! [cheering emoji]