Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 29

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──Saturday, August 26, 2028 Bundesliga Round 1

*Frankfurt vs Augsburg (away)

Frankfurt finished 4th last season

Last year’s match results

vs Frankfurt: 1 win, 1 draw.

The heat. The noise.

And hostility.

The opening match will be held at Frankfurt’s home stadium.

Supporters dressed in black and white uniforms filled the stands.

Line up before kickoff.

A loud boom of booing rained down on Ren’s ears.

(…still as amazing as ever.)

But I wasn’t intimidated.

His mind was quiet.

Instead, I felt the fire ignite.

Augsburg were on edge from the start.

The spacing of the defensive lines is uneven.

The newly joined CB Liner seemed lost in the moment and was unable to give instructions, so the defensive coordination did not work.

In the 10th minute, they conceded a goal after being broken through on the right side.

In the 23rd minute, an additional goal was scored after a set piece was pushed through the scramble.

They conceded two goals in the first half alone.

Ren was in the middle of the pitch, arms outstretched and giving instructions many times.

Raise the line, close the distance —

But his voice and gestures don’t reach me, as if they were a different language.

Second half.

Ren ran desperately around the pitch as a key player on both offense and defense.

Get the ball in the midfield.

He dribbled forward and moved to the opposite side.

Watch your teammates’ movements and adjust your rhythm.

But the attack didn’t mesh.

The players up front were slow to start their movements, and the crosses from the sides lacked precision.

All of Ren’s passes disappear into the distance, completely outside of his intentions.

The game ended. 0-2. Complete defeat.

On the way back to the locker room.

Suddenly, I look up at the sky.

(Is it really that painful to be the one giving instructions?)

Until now, Ren has relied on those around him and been able to demonstrate his own strength by going with the flow.

But that’s not the case now.

What is required is the job of a “leader.”

“I have to pull it.”

That resolve had not yet fully taken shape.

However, after the match, a small “kernel of determination” had begun to sprout inside Ren.

(I’ll lead this team.)

The opening loss taught him one thing.

–There’s no time to rely on anyone anymore.

Next episode → Episode 30: From Individuals to Teams

The opening game at home. What answer will Ren show in front of the crowd?

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*Features of Eintracht Frankfurt

This is the team that former Japan national team player Makoto Hasebe and current Japan national team player Daichi Kamada belonged to.

1. Overly enthusiastic “supporter culture”

– A group called Ultras (Ultras Frankfurt) is at the center of the cheering, and they always cheer loudly, whether the game is at home or away.

– The pre-match choreography (a huge production using the entire stand) is of the highest quality in Europe.

・There is a strong feeling that the whole town is fighting.

・Many people say, “Once you experience a Frankfurt game, you’ll never forget it.”

② Clubs with working-class roots

– Eintracht’s identity is that of a club that is with the common people rather than one that is “elite-oriented.”

– Supported by local worker and immigrant communities, diversity and unity are pillars of the club’s culture.

-The church has a history of having a large number of Jewish members even during the Nazi regime, and takes pride in its stance on human rights and diversity.

3. The distance between the supporters and the club is close

– The team’s home stadium, Deutsche Bank Park, is also known as the “stadium in the forest,” and its appeal lies in the open feeling that comes with being one with nature.

– There is a culture of fans gathering in front of the clubhouse after the game to interact with players, and the team is very involved in the local community.

4. A sense of unity with a city that symbolizes diversity

・Frankfurt is one of Germany’s largest international cities. It is a city rich in diversity with many immigrants.

– The club is in harmony with the city’s culture and naturally accepts players and fans from different backgrounds.

🏟 Home Stadium

Name: Deutsche Bank Park (formerly Waldstadion)

Capacity: 58,000