Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 52

──Saturday, November 11, 2028

Bundesliga Round 10

vs *Stuttgart (Away)

Last season’s ranking: 8th

Last year’s match results

vs Stuttgart: 1 win, 1 draw.

“…I still feel regret.”

While warming up, Ren uttered a few words that were just barely audible.

Losing in the Champions League. I did everything I could in that match against Milan – and still, we couldn’t win.

“Well then, go and vent your frustration on me.”

It was not Kemmer or Himmel who said this, but young fullback Dimitrov.

The boy, who is one year younger than Ren, said this with a mischievous smile.

Ren narrowed his eyes in response.

“Of course. You go too.”

🟩【First Half】

Stuttgart dominated the game from the beginning.

Ren repeatedly drops back to defense, tackling and covering.

However, perhaps due to fatigue from the consecutive games or a lack of compatibility with the pitch, the team was unable to synchronize with the front line, and all of their vertical passes fell apart.

And then, 38 minutes into the first half.

They cut in from the right side and scored the opening goal by pushing the loose ball into the goal.

🟨【Second Half】

Even in the second half, Stuttgart’s block did not collapse.

However, Ren’s condition gradually improved.

As time passes, the atmosphere in the stadium changes with every touch of the ball.

He evaded an opponent in the center and fired a low through pass, but his teammate just couldn’t reach it.

He entered the penalty area himself and took a curved shot with his left foot, but it went wide to the right of the goal.

(It’s not enough. Just a little more…)

10 minutes left.

The team finally managed to score a point, but that was the end of their counterattack.

1-2. A narrow loss.

📄【Local newspaper review the next morning】

“Naoe Ren’s presence shone brightly even in today’s defeat.

The starting point of pressing, the creation of rhythm, and a wide field of vision.

If there is a player who is still valued even after losing, it is No. 19.”

🌑【Ren: Voice from the heart】

“We are currently beating lower-ranked clubs.

It’s tough for the top teams.

So, how will they face off against these tough opponents categorized as mid-level clubs?

How can we pick up some points?”

If you can reach that spot, you can take another step forward.

🗣【Manager’s words (post-match press conference)】

“He’s taken the team to the next level. But we still have a long way to go. We need to live up to him.”

Amidst conflict at the club, Ren heads to Japan.

———-

*VfB Stuttgart

In recent years, this is the club that has had national team captains Wataru Endo and Hiroki Ito on its roster.

✨ In one word…

“A proud South German school torn between nurturing and passion”

Culture, atmosphere, and characteristics of VfB Stuttgart

1. South Germany’s “prestigious club”

– Founded in 1893, it is a traditional club that existed before the founding of the Bundesliga.

– German League champion: With an impressive track record of five times (most recently in 2006-07), the club is recognised locally as a “proud club”.

・On the other hand, there are also aspects of the team that are “unstable even though they are strong” and “there is drama every year” (laughs).

② Ability to be a “prestigious school for training”

・Famous for having produced many players of the German national team:

-Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez, Antonio Rudiger, Timo Werner, Joshua Kimmich (who has played for the lower division), etc.

– The reputation of “players from VfB’s youth team = a brand” has been established, and the team is still proactive in promoting young players.

– Promising talent from the local state of Baden-Württemberg first gathers in Stuttgart.

3) “Passionate and serious” fan culture

– Stuttgart fans are very passionate and loyal to the club.

– They are also known for their wide emotional swings, booing when the team performs poorly but celebrating when they perform well.

・However, there is also a deep bond that makes you love each other endlessly.

4. A mid-level club disguised as a big club

・The history, training, and city size are all on par with big clubs, but…

→ There have been many periods of instability in terms of management and coaching personnel, and “battles to avoid relegation” are not uncommon.

– In recent years, the same cycle of promotion → struggle to stay in the league → emergence of young players → release of key players → confusion has occurred frequently.

・Even so, every season there is always some drama that shows off an “amazing game” or “miraculous victory” somewhere.

5. The stadium has a unique atmosphere

-Mercedes-Benz Arena (capacity approximately 60,000).

– It is functional and large, with the seats close to the pitch, making for an impressive experience.

– The supporters’ section (Cannstatter Kurve) is particularly heated, and the cheers have a pressure like a “surging wave.”

🏙 Connections with cities and culture

-Stuttgart is an industrial and elite city where Mercedes and Porsche have their headquarters.

-On the other hand, the club maintains a down-to-earth atmosphere and is supported by a wide range of citizens, with “workers and managers alike being VfB fans.”