Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 36

9/16 (Sat) Bundesliga Round 4 (A)

Augsburg vs *SC Freiburg (H)

Last season’s ranking: 7th

Last year’s match results

vs Freiburg: 1 win and 1 loss.

The stadium was buzzing from the start of the match.

Booing. Heckling.

It’s not directed at the opposing team.

It was directed at Augsburg itself.

“Run!”

“Are you motivated?”

“Only Ren and Kemar are moving!”

“Don’t just stand there after losing the ball!”

Ren didn’t react at all to the words coming from the stands.

It’s not that I can’t hear.

I could hear it, all too well.

Ren didn’t stop in the middle.

When attacking, move to the left and right.

On defense, they go back to steal the ball, then move forward and call out.

But another mistake was made behind the scenes.

In the 28th minute, the fullback failed to trap the ball during build-up, and the ball was lost.

Their reaction was slow, allowing Freiburg to take the lead.

(Here we go again…)

A negative spiral begins to spin in my head.

Goal conceded → haste → missed pass → booing → goal conceded.

Ren glanced at the bench, then returned his attention to the pitch.

(But even so, I have no choice but to do it.)

Just before the end of the first half, Ren stole the ball in the center,

He turned around in one step and made a through pass to the front line.

Forward Himmel ran in and took a shot, but it went wide.

(Too bad… but the pass from the previous game and this one “matched” well.)

At that moment, Ren certainly felt it.

Slightly, just slightly, something began to come together.

They continued to be pressed in the second half and conceded additional goals.

The result was 0-2.

The points were zero again.

After the game, the locker room was silent.

Everyone looked exhausted and at a loss for words.

However, Ren continued stretching in silence, alone.

(Losing is frustrating. But–)

(Today’s through pass. That… connected.)

That night, Ren was watching the video again.

That instant collapse.

Ally movement.

The ball’s trajectory.

Timing of the shot.

“…Not bad.”

I muttered so no one could hear.

Smartphone notifications.

On social media, I came across a post from an Augsburg fan.

“Are we watching the same team as last year?”

“I can accept losing, but I can’t accept not being able to fight to the end.”

“We lost again today. But a few people, including Ren, were still looking ahead.

For just that moment, there was still hope for the team.

A faint light shines in Ren’s eyes as he closes the screen.

Next episode → Episode 37 “Grinding Gears”

Augsburg was on the verge of recovery, but an invisible disconnect within the team was causing further confusion.

————

*SC Freiburg: The team that Ritsu Doan belongs to

✨ In one word…

“The warmest club in Germany, rooted in a quiet town”

It’s not flashy, but

Freiburg competes based on “trust,” “sincerity,” and “steady strength.”

The fans who love the club like a family are also impressive.

1. A club called “conscience”

-Freiburg is often referred to as the “conscience of German football”.

-While the club is inferior to the big clubs in terms of financial power and the name value of its players, it is highly regarded for its policy of fair, down-to-earth management and emphasis on human development.

– Avoid expensive reinforcements in the transfer market, and instead rely on in-house development and smart reinforcements.

② A club with a “deep and quiet” connection to the local community

Freiburg is a quiet, small city in southwestern Germany, known for its wine, nature, and beautiful old town.

・Perhaps reflecting the friendly local atmosphere, the club has a friendly rather than intimidating atmosphere.

・The fans are calm but passionate. There are many families and elderly supporters, and on match days, it becomes a “town festival.”

3. A prestigious institution for youth development

– Freiburg’s academy is one of the leading development institutions in Germany.

– Promising young players often choose this as their “first step,” and it is considered a “stepping stone” to the Bundesliga.

・Although many players leave through transfer, the club is also described as “a club you want to return to.”

4. A culture that values ​​”pride” over “winning”

・Even if your performance is not good, you will be applauded if you show “fighting spirit and sincerity.”

・There is a famous story about how even after the team was relegated, the supporters applauded in the stadium and said, “Thank you.”

– His commitment to playing “human football” rather than flashy ambition has resonated with many people.

🏟 Stadium: Europa Park Stadion

-A new, modern stadium was built in 2021.

・Capacity: Approximately 34,000. The old stadium, “Stadion im Mooswald”, was affectionately known as the “Miracle in the Forest”.

– The new stadium also takes into consideration harmony with nature and the local area, maintaining the same “Freiburg identity.”