Capítulo 22: Munchen’s Arc #3
There were no preparations for this match, so young players didn't even know each other's names. Just the last names, maybe, because they played in several competitions together. Everybody definitely knew of Dennis' name, though; he was quite famous in Munchen for being the best striker of the Munchen's Cup.
The match began with a whistle and Dennis kicking the football back to their half. 'It's early to make some moves, so let's see how the game goes.'
Thirteen-year-old boys were tensed up for the first time in this situation when they barely had an idea who they were playing with. The coach was so confident in their abilities though something wasn't right.
So they started passing around aimlessly, as they just began to mark their positions and feel the field. Dennis observed their opponents intently, trying to recognize at least one he played within the Munchen's Cup. Fortunately, he found few, and being honest, they were quite good in their positions.
There was Lukas Schmidt, a good playmaker in general and a personal acquaintance of his. They didn't have lengthy chats, but they at least knew each other's names, where they played, and how good they were. 'He'll be a pain in the ass.'
Dennis recalled their match where their team was enormously pressured by this guy's play in the middle field. He was always there to get the ball and pass it to someone else on the flank, thus creating dangerous moments on their half. Lukas noticed his presence as Dennis moved up to the enemy's last line.
He greetings me with a wave, "Oh, Dennis, I haven't seen you since the championship." His voice was, of course, what you would expect from a thirteen-year-old. However, only a little bit of softness in it.
"Lukas, I can say the same. You also got in this, I see. It's nice to see familiar faces here. I was scared at the moment, thinking Max and I were alone."
The player nodded, "Likewise. I'm the only one who got an invitation from this academy, and I have no idea who these people are. Anyway, good luck with the match."
"Same to you."
The distance between the two widened as both played far away from each other's position. Lukas moved to their half while Dennis stayed closer to the opponent's defense. His play style was that of a goal poacher, always utilizing the openings in the opponent's defenses.
Even though this was a game in the academy between youth, there was still an off-side rule. An assistant referee was also present, so he'll get caught immediately in case of an offside. Dennis would have to try harder to poach goals.
'Hopefully, Max, you are doing good.' Dennis could see some players from across the fields, but the distance was too large to make out someone else's figure. 'Those fields are so freaking large.'
"Dennis! Don't get distracted!" The coach yelled while he was thinking about his friend. Inside his mind, Dennis cursed the coach. He wasn't distracted at all. He could see what his teammates were doing.
Maybe a little bit too hastily, his team was proceeding to attack the team in white vests. Nobody dared to hold the ball for too long, so they passed out of nervousness. Finally, the football reached Dennis' feet.
The defender tensed up as he approached the blue-eyed striker. 'That's him, right… the guy who scored most in the championship.' He was ecstatic and nervous as well, and for the defender, this wasn't good.
Swish!
Using the quickness of his feet, Dennis instantly began to drive the ball to the right from the defender, who was quick to follow him as well. His eyes flickered, and the striker was already going in a different direction.
The quick cut of an angle left the defender in the dust, while Dennis had multiple opportunities opened for him to use. His eyes were set on one of his teammates. Pass!
Well received. Now the winger was running ahead of the defender. The entirety of Team Black was running up the field, entering the box explosively. Dennis was waiting like a fox for an opportunity.
'Do it now!' Internally he yelled at the winger. Unfortunately, the teammate couldn't just cross and came to a stop. The defender caught up. 'Just don't…'
An attempt to dribble was unsuccessful, and the winger and his team had to run back now. The coach, who stood far from the field, complimented their efforts but asked them to do better next time. "I want more like this!"
In the middle field, Lukas meanwhile did what you would call magic. He had excellent dribbling and passing abilities, truly a playmaker. Dennis stretched his right leg to reach the ball from behind, but Lukas was already anticipating this.
He kicked the ball in time to cross the ball. "Dennis, you'll have to do a lot more this time to stop me." He smiled while looking back at blue-eyed. Also displaying confidence in his cross, which reached his teammate.
'Dang it…' Dennis stayed in a place, looking from the middle at what his teammates were doing. A dangerous situation for their team was avoided, as Lukas's teammate made a blunder when passing.
"Sorry, guys!"
"We are wearing white. Come on, dude!"
Lukas demanded better from his teammates as well. Dennis grinned, 'He already thinks of himself as a captain; isn't it a little bit too early?' He was too young, for now, to realize how admirable of an act Lukas was doing currently.
Coming out as a leader when the team is left directionless is a very good move; sometimes, people don't have enough courage to do that, but Lukas had, and this exactly made him great in the staff's eyes.
The staff wanted to bring out leadership skills in every player present in the academy, so seeing others doing it must stimulate players to replicate the same if their team is losing. A team with a goal and a clear path will play better than a directionless team.
Obviously, since they are still young, it'll take some time. However, nobody was hurrying them in the first match. 'Lukas is noted to have exceptional leadership skills and doesn't take any refusals from anybody. If he wants to lead, he will make sure to lead.'
Then Coach glanced at Dennis, 'He was said to be caption in his team, but he is still to show the capabilities… maybe he needs some more time, or it was him just being in the team that played solely around him.' That was unlikely. Imagining the team winning championships without a motivational leader.
Without a doubt, Dennis just needed time to shine. 'However, I fear others on the team aren't just as good. They'll get eliminated, most likely.' They didn't have many achievements, so most of the players, aside from Dennis and Lukas, were just bunches of participants in the championship.
It was just the first match, and Dennis could also understand that his teammates were nervous and couldn't play well for this reason. However, it wasn't a reason for not giving him passes whenever he accelerates and yells at them to give out passes.
"Pass!"
Someone had finally noticed his raised hand and passed the ball along the sideline. Instead of the winger who would receive it, Dennis popped out of nowhere and took the ball for himself. Egoistic move, but he was frustrated for too long. "Don't just complain now! Run!"
The winger was angered just like him, but since they were in the game, he said nothing and did as he was asked.
'What a prick!' Dennis lifted his head while dribbling. His legs weren't taking any toll so far, and he easily outrun his opponents in the middle field. 'They don't even open up; what are they doing?!'
His eyes scanned the left flank; seeing someone there expecting to be crossed on, Dennis made a move.
Fwoosh!
With a sudden burst of energy, a figure in boots came into view. Dennis, quick on his feet, deftly redirected the football with a flick of his ankle, taking the ball with him as he gained momentum. His thoughts were filled with frustration as he realized he couldn't even trust his teammates.
As he approached the box line, he spotted the familiar face of Lukas waiting for him. Undeterred, Dennis made a bold move, pushing the ball forward just enough to create some space for his next move. The opponent reacted and pushed forward, trying to block his path, but Lukas was ready for the impact.
Bang!
The right leg hit the football right in the middle, and the sound indicated the strength at which it was kicked. The thirteen-year-old Dennis put in a tremendous amount of force; Lukas could not track the football with his eyes.
'What the-!' Even the coach couldn't believe his sight. 'How can a thirteen-year-old have such power?!'
Tring!
The ball smashed into the bar, creating noises like a ring in church. It vibrated for quite some time, scaring the goalkeeper that stood under it. He was safe, though; the ball didn't go into the net.
"Ahhh, fuck it!" A frustrated scream escaped Dennis' mouth as his shot didn't add a score for him. He threw an aimless punch in the air, the veins were popping on the side of his head. The anger was written all over his face.
Everyone grew afraid of his suddenly, 'What the fuck was that?' Even the staff members had to ask themselves.
Meanwhile, the person who barely avoided the blow could only thank god that he didn't intercept the ball. Lukas was shocked by this shot, but being so close to it made it almost impossible to determine how dangerous that shot really was.
Lukas questioned that yell by Dennis, 'Why is he angry so suddenly?' They still had half more of the first half. The shot was great; however a little bit off target. If Dennis did that second time, there would be a goal…
"I'm going to score, without or with my teammates. It doesn't matter." Lukas heard the blue-eyed mutter before walking off from their half of the field.
… … …
The clock ticked on the wrist of a coach. Honestly, he also grew more interested in the game, although this wasn't the first time they were doing such a thing. The intensity was far from those that older teams displayed, but for the younger generation, that was something else.
With all the intent put into every move made by Dennis, words weren't enough to describe how fierce this boy was. He had to be controlled. Otherwise, he will become a monster… even then, that's an understatement.
'He has everything, from speed and dribbling to shots.' Thirteen-year-old of this level was unseen before, a genetic freak.
If he was to compare Dennis to someone else, there was hardly anyone else of this nature in the academy. On a professional level, there were wildlings, the first who came to the coach's mind was Noel Noa, but again Dennis was too wild right now to be compared.
The Swedish superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Even then, quite far from it, Dennis played more through force than elasticity. However, Dennis had very good dribbling; still, Zlatan did it differently. The German had more freestyle.
The rest of the staff, who were walking around the field inspecting new students, had arrived at their scene. "He will be a pain in the ass." Johan, the elderly instructor and head of the academy staff, commented.
"There weren't any notes about his anger issues. We can only guess that he loves the team he plays in to be centered around him. Quite egoistical for someone so young. Which isn't particularly bad if he continues to improve…" Someone else from the staff added their share of thoughts.
"Hm…" Johan hummed,
"We are trying to create the most logically playing players, not egoists. Don't give him any mercy, even if he is the best, we don't need players that prioritize themselves over winning."
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