Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 28

–August 2028, preseason/just before the first round of the German Cup

Augsburg Central Station at night.

A few supporters gathered around pamphlets for the new season in a small sports bar in a corner of the city.

“Philip and Lopez can’t be helped, but Friedrich is gone too…”

The elderly man muttered.

“And Weidemann. He went to the premiere.”

“I’m used to players leaving, but isn’t it terrible that so many of them are gone?”

“More than half of the starting lineup is gone.”

A quiet sigh escapes.

Normally, this is the time of year when we get excited and think, “This year, they’re going to do it.” But this year was different.

The talk of reinforcements is all about young players whose names are unknown, even though they will be playing in the Champions League. They are all players who cannot be counted on as immediate assets.

Rather than one of expectation, an atmosphere of anxiety hung in the air in the city.

The sound of spikes echoes faintly on the artificial turf practice field.

“…It’s different from back then.”

Ren looked around quietly.

The key players who had once supported the club were not there.

Philip was the key to the defense.

Lopez was the starting point of a sharp counterattack.

Weidemann is a young ace with explosive power.

Friedrich also supported the midfield.

–They’re gone now.

The new young guys still look nervous.

They lack the experience, skill, and time to fill the gaps in their main players.

“You too will be a ‘spiritual pillar’ from this season onwards.”

Veteran midfielder Kemmer, who was stretching next to him, said with a smile.

“…I’m not yet capable of that.”

Ren answered with a wry smile, but deep down, he knew the answer.

(I can’t run away. I’m in the position to lead now.)

🏟 DFB Pokal 1st round (August 18th / away)

The opponent is a lower league club.

Nevertheless, Augsburg’s performance was dismal.

Poor teamwork, delayed decisions, and careless passes in the midfield.

Although Ren played safely, there were periods when the ball hardly came to him.

70th minute: goal conceded.

They finally tied the score with a penalty kick just before the end of the game.

They narrowly won with a goal in extra time.

After the match, coach Behle quietly let slip in the locker room.

“If it carries on like this… it might be dangerous.”

On the way home after the game, the moon seen from the bus window seemed strangely far away.

If it continues like this, it could be a tough season.

A sense of anxiety slowly grows deep in my heart.

It overlapped with the faces of the silent supporters in the stands.

Next → Episode 29 “The Pressure of the Opening”

The excitement of the away team and Ren’s lonely struggle.

*Joachim Kämmer

Age: 33 (as of 2029)

Nationality: German

Position: CMF/DMF/CB (Central Midfielder/Defensive Midfielder/Centre Back)

Club: Augsburg

Height/Weight: 184cm/79kg

Dominant foot: Right

🎯 Playing style and characteristics

He is one of Augsburg’s most experienced players and acts as a lubricant between the midfield and the back line. He has excellent tactical understanding and is an on-site adjutant who gives precise instructions to his teammates during games.

Although his main position is CMF, he is versatile enough to play as a DMF or CB, and has the flexibility to change his position depending on the situation.

Although his sprinting ability is declining, he makes up for this with “positioning and anticipation.”

Someone willing to say things that will make people dislike him if it’s for the sake of the team.