Kapitel 45: Match Day

he Derby County locker room was alive with a quiet buzz, each player preparing for the match against Bristol City. It was February 12, 2020, and after a five-day break, David Jones could hardly contain his excitement. The rest of the team was joking around, their voices echoing off the walls, but David could barely focus on anything other than the impending match. He hadn't played in days—days that had felt like an eternity.

David was practically bouncing on his feet, a wide grin plastered across his face as he pulled on his kit. The adrenaline was already pumping through his veins, and the excitement of stepping back onto the pitch after a short break was like a flood of energy coursing through him. He had spent the last few days working on his free kicks—hundreds of them, each one a reminder of the challenge he was trying to master. While the previous session had left him feeling frustrated, today was different. Today, he was just excited to play. He had come to terms with the fact that free kicks would take time, but the match itself was all he could think about now.

"Oi, kid, you ready?" Jason Knight called over to him from across the room, his voice full of energy. He was sitting on the bench, lacing up his boots, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

David looked over at him, feeling a rush of camaraderie. "You bet," he said, barely able to keep the grin from stretching across his face. "Five days without a game? I've got enough energy to last me all week."

Jason laughed. "Let's hope it lasts longer than that. We need you out there firing on all cylinders."

David chuckled, but the words had some weight to them. He knew how important this match was for the team. Derby County had been pushing for a spot higher up the table, and every match counted. They couldn't afford to drop points, especially not against Bristol City, a team known for their grit and tenacity.

Just then, the door to the locker room opened, and Wayne Rooney walked in. His presence immediately commanded attention, and the room fell silent. He looked over at the players, taking in the energy, and nodded in approval.

"Alright, lads," Rooney said, his voice steady and calm, a stark contrast to the energy that was building in the room. "This is it. It's match day. We've had our training, we know what we're capable of. Now, we need to show it. Keep your heads in the game, support each other, and let's make sure we leave everything on that pitch."

David felt a wave of confidence wash over him. He wasn't nervous—not like he had been before big games in the past. This was different. After everything he had been working on, the pressure wasn't there. Today, it was all about playing his game, enjoying the match, and making the most of the opportunity. The crowd, the stadium, the sound of the ball hitting the net—it was all going to be worth it.

Rooney's eyes scanned the room, and for a split second, they landed on David. There was an unspoken understanding between them. Rooney knew what David had been working on. He knew the frustration he had felt in the last few days, especially with the free kicks. But he also knew that David had the talent, the drive, and the mentality to turn it around.

"David," Rooney called out, his voice carrying across the room. "I've seen the fire in you. Now, use that fire out there. We've all got faith in you."

David's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. He wasn't used to receiving this kind of direct attention from his coach, but it felt good—reassuring, even. He nodded, feeling the fire in his chest flare up at the challenge.

"Thanks, gaffer," David said, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm ready."

Jason, who had been watching the exchange, gave David a playful shove. "Better be. I need you to back up all that talk."

David chuckled and grabbed his water bottle, taking a long swig. "You'll see. Let's go get this."

The players began to gather their things, slipping on their boots and preparing for the match. David was practically vibrating with anticipation now. The break had given him the space to clear his mind, but it had also reignited his hunger for the game. Every minute he spent away from the pitch only made him want it more.

As the team made its way out of the locker room and onto the pitch, David couldn't help but look around. The cold February air stung his cheeks, but the stadium lights cast a golden glow over everything, making the field look like something out of a dream. The crowd was beginning to fill in, their murmurings growing louder as the players jogged onto the field for their warm-up.

David took a deep breath, feeling the energy of the crowd pulse through him. It had been five days since his last game, five days since he had felt the rush of playing in front of thousands of fans. He was thrilled—excited to be back, excited to show everyone what he could do. His free kick struggles were in the past, and he knew there was still plenty of time to improve. Today was about getting back into the flow of the game, being part of the team, and playing his heart out.

Jason jogged up next to him, nudging him with his elbow. "Let's show them what we're made of, mate."

David nodded, his smile wide. "Let's do this."

The team started their warm-ups, stretching and running through drills. David felt the familiar rhythm of the ball at his feet as he dribbled through cones, passing to teammates, and firing off shots at the goal. Each strike felt clean, and with every touch, the weight of the past few days melted away. He was back where he belonged. The free kicks could wait. Today, he was ready for whatever came his way.

The match was about to begin. And David was ready.