Rain clung to the roofs of the Madejski like dew on glass, and the floodlights cast long shadows over the pitch as Reading prepared to face Huddersfield Town. January 7th, the kind of cold that lingers in the lungs, but Moretti had fire in his veins.
The situation was clear. Reading were 18th in the table with 31 points. Huddersfield, just one spot above them with 32. A win would take Reading to 16th, finally edging them out of the fringes of relegation and into the relative calm of midtable. But Rafael knew it wouldn't be simple. Huddersfield had perfected the art of the low block—a team that didn't care for scoring as much as they cared for suffocating matches to death.
In the days leading up to the game, Rafael had obsessed over the details. He'd adjusted the formation to a 4-3-3, recognizing that brute creativity was the only way through a team built on denial. Fornah, Loum, and Casadei anchored the midfield in training drills, and though Savio had dazzled during the week, Rafael decided to bring him off the bench, promising him minutes around the 70th. In the tactical brief the day before, he said it clearly: "We will dominate possession, but be patient. The breakthrough will come."
And it did.
The first half was a slow burn—Reading probed, passed, and pressed. They controlled 75% of the ball and racked up chances worth over 1.5 xG before halftime. Huddersfield offered nothing going forward, their 0.03 xG at the break proof of how deep they were camped.
By the 70th minute, the fans began to stir as Savio stood on the sideline, ready to come on for Ejaria. Whispers turned to cheers. His debut, an 18-year-old with something to prove.
Then came the 82nd minute.
A loose Huddersfield pass in midfield. Fornah snapped into a tackle and fed Hoilett, who flicked it wide to Savio near the left touchline. What followed felt like cinema. One elastico between two defenders, a sudden roulette that left a third scrambling, and then—without breaking stride—Savio drifted toward the six-yard box and delicately chipped the ball over the keeper.
Goal! 1-0
The stadium exploded. He slid on his knees in front of the East Stand, arms wide, pure electricity in motion.
Commentators went wild.
"A goal for the ages!" one shouted.
"Is that Neymar?!" another laughed in disbelief.
"On his debut! My word—what a way to introduce yourself to the Championship!"
And it wasn't over yet.
Just five minutes later, Reading won a corner. Savio jogged to the flag again, calm and composed, the sheen of the floodlights catching in his curls. He whipped it in with venom. Andy Carroll rose like a statue brought to life and powered the ball home.
2–0.
Game over.
In the tunnel, Savio was pulled aside for an interview. Rafael stayed with him to translate, as promised. The two stood side by side, both smiling — one beaming with youthful joy, the other with the quiet satisfaction of a plan coming to life.
"So, Savio," the interviewer began. "First game, first goal, and what a goal it was. Take us through what was going through your head."
Savio answered in Portuguese. Rafael translated.
"He says — he didn't think. Just reacted. He saw space, felt confident. He's happy to help the team."
The interviewer smiled and turned to Rafael. "Four wins in a row now. That's the longest unbeaten run in the Championship at the moment. You were 23rd when you took over — now you're 16th. Playoffs are still 18 points away… is that the goal now?"
Rafael shook his head slightly, smiling. "We're taking it one game at a time. That's it. You start looking too far ahead, you lose sight of what's in front of you."
"Well, speaking of what's ahead — away at league leaders Burnley next. Arguably your toughest fixture yet."
Rafael nodded. "Yeah. Big game. They're top for a reason. But we'll prepare like we always do. Same focus."
"And there are rumours you're closing in on another signing — Adam Wharton from Blackburn. Can you comment on that?"
Rafael chuckled. "I can't say much. We're always looking to improve the squad, but until something's official, it's just speculation."
"Fair enough. Lastly — that goal. What were you thinking when Savio scored it?"
Rafael's expression shifted — pride, awe, maybe even a bit of disbelief.
"Sometimes, football needs a bit of magic. Against a team like Huddersfield, who defend deep and don't leave much room, it's hard to break them down. That was… a moment of brilliance. You don't coach that. You just give players like him the freedom, and they do things like that."
The interviewer laughed. "A goal for the ages, indeed."
Rafael clapped Savio on the back, and the two made their way back toward the dressing room — Reading, for the moment, no longer a club in crisis but a team finally stirring back to life.
….
The next day, after the 2-0 win against Huddersfield, David Holloway invited Rafael to dinner at a local restaurant. It was an informal setting, just the two of them, away from the usual post-match chaos and the prying eyes of the media. Holloway had a few things he wanted to discuss, and it was the perfect opportunity to catch up and talk about the direction the club was heading.
As they settled into a quiet corner, away from the bustle of the restaurant, Holloway leaned forward, looking at Rafael with a calm, thoughtful expression. "Rafael," he began, his voice steady but with a hint of excitement, "I wanted to take a moment to talk about the direction we're heading. That win yesterday — it wasn't just another 2–0 victory. It was proof that everything you've been working on is starting to pay off. The way the team handled Huddersfield, the confidence in possession, and the way we saw the game out… It was something special."
Rafael nodded, his face betraying just a touch of pride. "It was a team effort. Everyone did their part," he said, though there was a glint in his eye that suggested he saw something deeper at play. "But we've got a long way to go, David. We're still fighting for stability. But yesterday… It felt like we're starting to find our rhythm."
Holloway paused for a moment, considering Rafael's words. There was something undeniably effective about the way the team was progressing under his leadership. The tactical shifts, the improvement in individual performances, and the emergence of players like Savio, who had made an immediate impact, were proof that Rafael had the makings of a long-term solution for the club. Holloway was impressed, but he knew that to keep up the momentum, more support was needed.
"I agree, but it's not just about what's happening on the pitch right now," Holloway said, his voice firm with resolve. "It's about the foundation we're building for the future. I want to increase the budget for our scouting department. We need to be more proactive in identifying the right players — not just for this season, but for the future. You've brought in some good talent already, but we need to keep improving the squad to stay competitive."
Rafael looked intrigued but also contemplative. "Are you saying we need more scouts?" he asked.
"Exactly," Holloway replied, his voice unwavering. "We've seen what can happen when we get the right pieces, like Savio. But we need to make sure we're looking beyond just the domestic market. We need to be more global in our approach. There's so much untapped talent out there, and we need to be ahead of the curve. Not just focusing on young players who are ready to make an impact now, but also looking ahead and planning for the future."
Rafael nodded, his thoughts immediately turning to potential areas for improvement. "We've talked about strengthening our squad in the past," he said, his tone thoughtful. "We've got some great young talent in the system, but we need to be able to bring in players who can make an immediate impact. If we want to push for promotion in the future, that's where we need to focus."
Holloway smiled, clearly pleased with the direction the conversation was going. "Exactly. And we've got to build on what we've started. More scouts, better infrastructure, and a stronger network. This isn't just about survival anymore. It's about aiming higher. I want to see this team pushing for playoff spots, for promotion, and eventually back to the Premier League. But to do that, we need to have the resources in place."
Rafael leaned back, taking a moment to reflect. "I see the vision. But this is a long-term project. We can't rush it. I'm happy with the progress we've made, but we need to stay patient. We take it one game at a time."
Holloway grinned, raising his glass slightly. "One game at a time, but we need to be looking beyond that, too. The future of this club is bright, Rafael. I have no doubt that with the right moves, we can make something truly special here."
Rafael shook his head with a small smile. "I'm with you on that. Let's build something lasting."
As dinner continued, they discussed a variety of topics: targets for the upcoming transfer window, areas that still needed strengthening, and how they could continue improving the squad. Holloway's vision for Reading FC was clear — he didn't just want to stay in the Championship. He wanted the club to be a force to be reckoned with. And Rafael, with his tactical expertise and ability to get the best out of his players, was the key to making that vision a reality.
"By the way," Holloway added as they neared the end of the meal, "I've been hearing some whispers about Adam Wharton. Fabrizio Romano's reporting that we're in the final stages of negotiating for him. Is that someone you're interested in?"
Rafael's eyes lit up, his tactical mind already spinning. "Yes. He's an exciting player. He fits exactly what we need in midfield — youthful energy, great vision, and the ability to break lines. He could be a real asset for us moving forward."
Holloway nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Well, if we get him, he could be a game-changer. A smart investment for the future, no doubt."
As the evening wound down, Holloway and Rafael shared a firm handshake, a silent understanding between them that this was just the beginning. The road ahead was long, but with the right resources, the right vision, and the right people, they were building something that could eventually take Reading FC back to the top.
And with that, Holloway rose to leave, offering one last comment before they parted ways.
"We're on the right track, Rafael. Let's make this work."
Rafael nodded, a determined look on his face. "Together."
The night was still young as Rafael left the restaurant, the weight of the conversation heavy on his shoulders. But he wasn't fazed. He was more determined than ever to make this vision a reality. The future was ahead of him, and with the right pieces, they would get there.
…
@FutbolKing
🚨 GOAL OF THE SEASON?! 🚨
Savio, 18, with an absolute STUNNER for Reading! 🤯💥 Is this the new Neymar?! Look at that solo run, the skills, the finish 😱🔥
Has Moretti found a future star? 🌟
📈 39M views | 7M likes
#Savio #GoalOfTheSeason #ReadingFC #NeymarVibes
@LFCFanForever
🔴 "A proper Mane replacement? I'm SOLD! #Savio is the real deal. Klopp, get this kid in ASAP!" 🤩
@FootieGenius
"Who is this kid? This goal was insane. #Savio looks like he's got the flair of Neymar. His future is bright. 🌟🔥"
@ManUnitedTruth
"Imagine signing a talent like this for United. Absolute quality! ✨"
@ChelseaYouthWatch
"Not even our youth can do this. Wow! 18 years old and pulling off moves like that. Chelsea, are you watching?? 👀"
@FootballInsider99
"39 million views. Guess we've found the new wonderkid, huh? 💥"
@SkySportsPete
"Reading's Savio with the best goal in the Championship this season. Will someone be ready to make a move for him in January? 🤔"
@FCB_Youth
"THIS is the type of talent Barcelona needs! Savio's dribbling, pace, and finish are unreal. Would fit in perfectly with our style of play. Time to scout him properly! 👀🔴🔵"
@neymarjr
Savio and Moretti😮💨🇧🇷#respect
——
Sorry for the shorter chapter. Next chapter will be much longer I promise🙏🏽. Hope you guys enjoy!
Do you guys like the tweets?