Changed

Game Day!

Time Skip: Friday, 28th October. 7am.

(There is a match in this chapter. All commentary will be written like this.)

Alessia's POV:

Today was the day, we had all been anticipating for the past month. Our first match, as the new team of Lionesses. I can't lie, I am absolutely shitting myself. I have no idea how this is going to go, but all I know is every single game means everything in the Euros, so I can't be sat here worrying. I have to take the worry, turn it into passion and put it into my game.

I had just woken up to Leah's alarm, and I jumped straight into bed with her. We chose to sleep separately last night, so we weren't kicking each other all night and keeping each other up. "Good morning beautiful" she said, as I wrapped my arms around her. "Morning Captain" i smirked.

We got out of bed and walked downstairs to breakfast. No one apart from Beth, Keira, Lucy and Ella knew that me and Leah were basically together, so we sort of had to keep it low-key if we wanted people to just think we were roommates and not lovers. We found a table in the back corner, and Leah gestured for me to go sit and she'd get my plate for me. I blew her a kiss and I saw her blush from the other end of the cafeteria. Keira and Lucy were next down, and they came and sat with me at the table with their food.

"Nice to see you, young one" Lucy said, giving me a pat on the back. "You nervous for today?" she said.

I nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not expecting to start so it will give me a chance to scope out their tactics a bit more before I possibly could play" I said.

Lucy and Keira looked at each other and smiled. "I don't know if this is good or bad news for you, but i'm pretty sure you're in the starting line-up Alessia" 

My jaw dropped. "Really?!" I said, with clear shock in my face. "Why me?"

"You're a good player Alessia. As we said, it's not for sure but I bet anything you'll start."

..And they were right. Sarina walked into the cafeteria and stood in the middle of all the tables to talk to us all quickly. She told us the starting line-up, which was as follows.

Mary Earps

Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood

Leah Williamson (C), Ella Toone

Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo, Ellen White, Beth Mead

The line-up was pretty good. Sarina had given all of us young ones a chance to start, which I think was risky, but I wouldn't let her down. Ella gave me a smile and a hug because we were both starting. We had made it - making our England Debut together.

We were all in the changing rooms, and Leah was on the other end of the room to me. She gave me a quick nod as she left to go to the tunnel. It was only a nod, but that was all the reassurance I needed from her. I stood up, corrected my hair and walked into the tunnel to my beautiful girl leading us out. I let out the biggest deep breath ever. This was it, my life was only just beginning.

15:00 - England VS Italy - Euros

Today we are seeing some new faces on the Lionesses to start today. We have the likes of Alessia Russo and Ella Toone on the starting line-up, what do you think? Russo and Toone of course look very nervous, but we've seen them play and they are exceptional players.

I sang the national anthem and went to find my position. I managed to walk past Leah on my way, who brushed her hand against mine and gave me a smile as she knelt on the floor on the whistle, as did I. I took a deep breath, as I watched Leah look at me, and start the game on the next whistle.

The Lionesses are playing incredibly well. Sarina has done a good job on this line-up today; all the girls work incredibly well together. Bronze has found the ball, and is pushing it up towards Toone, Toone finds Alessia. Alessia plays the ball, Russo Shoots AND RUSSO SCORES. A GOAL IN THE 20TH MINUTE GIVING THE LIONESSES A 1-0 LEAD, AND SARINA WEIGMAN LOOKS LIKE SHE LIKES THAT ONE!

Oh my god. I scored. Ella ran to me and threw herself on my back. Leah came running to me, before whispering in my ear "That's my girl". I got butterflies, and at that moment i realised this was what I was living for. "Come on Ella, we're getting you a goal" i said, as I ran back to my position.

It's now the 80th minute. Italy has 10 more minutes to prove that they can score against the Lionesses today, and I think they're hungry for it. 

That was when Italy scored. 82nd minute. I wasn't having that, and neither was the rest of the team.

I got the ball, and I looked for Ella. One of the Italy players moved too far to the left, so i had space to pass the ball to Ella. I planned it in my head, a quick leg switch, and Ella could get that into the goal. I wasted no time, I passed the ball to Ella, and crossed my fingers.

Alessia Russo and Ella Toone again working well together. This Manchester United pair definitely come as a duo. Russo to Toone, Toone to Mead, Mead back to Toone and TOONE HAS THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET IN THE 86TH MINUTE. THEY'RE BACK, 2-1 TO ENGLAND!

And that was the final score for the same. Ella and I had both scored on our debut for the senior teams of the lionesses. The feeling was electric. I hugged every single one of the girls, before running round the pitch with Ella and sliding onto my knees. I was so excited to have won my debut, with my best friend. Leah came and found me on the pitch and pulled me into a hug like no one was watching. She kissed my forehead, before screaming. I'd made her proud, and that's all I could've asked for. 

"Come see this, Alessia" Leah said, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the far end of the pitch. She pointed up into the stand, where I saw Amanda and David. I waved at the, and they then turned around. David had a shirt with Williamson, and Amanda had Russo on hers. It was at that moment I shed a tear, and realised Leah was now my family. I hugged Leah, and we walked into the tunnel and changing rooms. 

Before me and Leah even had a chance to speak properly, the girls were pushing me and Ella around, chanting "Here we GooOOO, Tooney and Lessi Russo" and telling us all they were proud of us. The rest of the girls left to go and sign some shirts and see their families, and me and Leah stayed in the changing room.

"You played so well Alessia, I've never been a prouder girlfriend" Leah said to me.

"Girlfriend? I like it" I said to Leah, smiling. "Soon" Leah said back, with a smile on her face. She placed a soft kiss on my lips, just as Sarina walked in. We looked at each other with wide eyes and just laughed, we didn't even care at this point.

"Nice to see you girls get on so well." Sarina smiled at us. "Good play today Alessia. You really showed me why you deserve to be on this team, you're a superstar. And Leah, thank you for guiding Alessia. You're doing an incredible job at being captain" she said. "Now go out there and see the fans!"