Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 22

It has been three days since the second round of the Champions League against Napoli.

There was a strange tension in the Augsburg locker room.

“Seriously? Ren is the attacking midfielder…”

“No, but I won.”

“It’s called ‘Tactical REN’.”

A sarcastic voice came from the corner.

Each time this happened, several people’s gazes turned briefly towards Ren.

Ren pretended he didn’t hear and continued tightening the laces on his spikes.

But that atmosphere… I could feel it.

After his brilliant performance in the Champions League, Ren was beginning to be treated as even more of a “core player” of the team.

He is now at the center of their tactics, and the way they fight has changed to center around him.

But, at the same time–

It also creates jealousy, feelings of alienation, and impatience.

First half.

Veteran midfielder Kemmer (32) did not react to Ren’s pass.

A split second of misalignment sends the ball mercilessly out of bounds.

Ren glared at Kemar briefly, but quickly lowered his gaze.

(…I know. I think I’m the one who “shifted the gears.”)

Halftime.

As the manager tried to unfold the tactics board, a heavy silence reigned in the locker room.

Among them, Kemar slowly began to speak.

“…I’m not here to watch a ‘personal show’.”

“In soccer, it’s not just someone who passes the ball around. It’s something that everyone gets to move, right?”

There was a sudden murmur in the air.

Ren slowly stood up.

His eyes were fixed not only on Kemar but on the entire locker room.

“…That’s true. However,”

He takes a breath and continues speaking.

“No one is winning right now.

The priority is wrong.

I want to be a player who helps others win. That’s all.”

Second half.

Ren stopped trying to “control everything.”

Choose the path that gives you options and leave it to your decision.

Don’t slow down the tempo too much, nor speed it up too much, and adjust the timing to suit your team.

A teammate starts moving. The pass connects.

Although Ren was supposed to have been isolated, before he knew it, balls were starting to gather around him.

And then, the end of the game.

The one who reacted to the sharp vertical pass that came from Ren’s feet was Kemar.

Drop it to the front line with one touch.

The forward ran in and slid the ball into the left corner, shaking the net.

The winning goal.

After the match.

As Ren returned to the bench, a plastic bottle was handed to him next to him.

“I was a bit anxious myself.

　You’ve grown too big all of a sudden.”

“I knew you were playing for this team.”

Kemar laughed sheepishly.

“But you know, you’re still amazing… You are.”

Ren also laughed softly.

“……thank you.

　If I can help you win, that’s good enough.”