Chương 6: Championship Debut
January 11, 2014, Saturday afternoon.
More than 20,000 Leicester City fans poured into the King Power Stadium, dyeing most of the seats blue. The air was charged with excitement as the home supporters filled the stands, their chants echoing off the walls, creating a symphony of enthusiasm that vibrated through the entire stadium. The sound of "Foxes, go!" reverberated through the air, as Leicester's loyal fans made their presence known.
The energy from the stands was almost tangible, lifting the players' spirits as they lined up in the tunnel, ready for the game ahead. The visiting Derby County supporters huddled in their stand, shivering slightly as they listened to the home fans belt out the Foxes' team song. The contrast was stark—the vibrant energy of the Leicester fans against the more subdued presence of the Derby contingent, who were clearly outnumbered.
The atmosphere at the King Power Stadium was electric, the stage set for a fierce clash between two teams hungry for a win. Tristan, wearing his blue Blue Fox jacket, stood among the substitutes, eyes wide with anticipation as he gazed out at the roaring crowd.
The unmistakable scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the aroma of hot dogs and fries, creating the perfect matchday atmosphere. This was his first experience at Leicester City's home ground, and every sound, every chant, and every cheer felt surreal. The crowd's enthusiasm wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, giving him a deep sense of pride. It was a far cry from the silent training grounds where he'd spent countless hours perfecting his craft. This was real. This was what he'd worked for.
The commentator's magnetic voice echoed throughout the stadium, cutting through the sea of sound:
"Welcome to the 25th round of the English Championship, where Leicester City faces off against Derby County at home."
The crowd roared in response, their excitement palpable, and Tristan felt a thrill at being part of this moment. This was what it felt like to be on the cusp of greatness.
"The starting eleven for Leicester City remains unchanged from their last victory against Millwall. Kasper Schmeichel will guard the net."
"And on the bench, we have a new face! Eighteen-year-old Tristan, who played a pivotal role in eliminating Premier League side Stoke City from the FA Cup, is making his league roster debut!"
As the commentator highlighted his presence, the broadcast camera zoomed in on Tristan, sitting on the bench. His heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he flashed a charming, sunny smile at the camera. It was natural, instinctive, and it immediately captured the hearts of many viewers watching at home. Even the commentator couldn't resist a lighthearted remark:
"Let's not focus solely on his football skills; what a handsome young man!"
A wave of laughter rippled through the studio as the commentators shared their amusement, but Tristan, sitting on the bench, simply chuckled to himself.
"I think Leicester City coach Pearson also wants to protect his players and does not want to force their growth. I guess this young man should come on as a substitute in the second half to feel the rhythm and intensity of the Championship."
"Yes, I agree with you. Putting an 18-year-old with no league experience directly into the starting lineup, perhaps only the Frenchman at Arsenal would do such a thing."
If Tristan had heard what the commentaries were talking about he would have just laughed hearing how they were talking about January 11, 2014, Saturday afternoon.
More than 20,000 Leicester City fans poured into the King Power Stadium, dyeing most of the seats blue. The air was charged with excitement as the home supporters filled the stands, their chants echoing off the walls, creating a symphony of enthusiasm that vibrated through the entire stadium. The sound of "Foxes, go!" reverberated through the air, as Leicester's loyal fans made their presence known.
The energy from the stands was almost tangible, lifting the players' spirits as they lined up in the tunnel, ready for the game ahead. The visiting Derby County supporters huddled in their stand, shivering slightly as they listened to the home fans belt out the Foxes' team song. The contrast was stark—the vibrant energy of the Leicester fans against the more subdued presence of the Derby contingent, who were clearly outnumbered.
The atmosphere at the King Power Stadium was electric, the stage set for a fierce clash between two teams hungry for a win. Tristan, wearing his blue Blue Fox jacket, stood among the substitutes, eyes wide with anticipation as he gazed out at the roaring crowd. The unmistakable scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the aroma of hot dogs and fries, creating the perfect matchday atmosphere.
This was his first experience at Leicester City's home ground, and every sound, every chant, and every cheer felt surreal. The crowd's enthusiasm wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, giving him a deep sense of pride. It was a far cry from the silent training grounds where he'd spent countless hours perfecting his craft. This was real. This was what he'd worked for. He never made it this far in his first life, but he was here now and promised himself, he would stay here no matter what.
The commentator's magnetic voice echoed throughout the stadium, cutting through the sea of sound:
"Welcome to the 25th round of the English Championship, where Leicester City faces off against Derby County at home."
The crowd roared in response, their excitement palpable, and Tristan felt a thrill at being part of this moment. This was what it felt like to be on the cusp of greatness.
"The starting eleven for Leicester City remains unchanged from their last victory against Millwall. Kasper Schmeichel will guard the net."
"And on the bench, we have a new face! Eighteen-year-old Tristan, who played a pivotal role in eliminating Premier League side Stoke City from the FA Cup, is making his league roster debut!"
As the commentator highlighted his presence, the broadcast camera zoomed in on Tristan, sitting on the bench. His heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he flashed a charming, sunny smile at the camera. It was natural, instinctive, and it immediately captured the hearts of many viewers watching at home. Even the commentator couldn't resist a lighthearted remark:
"Let's not focus solely on his football skills; what a handsome young man!"
A wave of laughter rippled through the studio as the commentators shared their amusement, but Tristan, sitting on the bench, simply chuckled to himself.
"I think Leicester City coach Pearson also wants to protect his players and does not want to force their growth. I guess this young man should come on as a substitute in the second half to feel the rhythm and intensity of the Championship."
"Yes, I agree with you. Putting an 18-year-old with no league experience directly into the starting lineup, perhaps only the Frenchman at Arsenal would do such a thing."
Tristan couldn't help but smile at the mention of Wenger, Arsenal's legendary manager. He was renowned for taking a chance on young players, often thrusting them into high-stakes matches to test their mettle. At 18, not being in the starting lineup didn't sting as much as it used to. He knew that his time would come. He had the skill, the vision, and the determination to prove his worth. He just needed a chance to showcase his talents.
Though Pearson might not take the same risks, there was no denying the head coach's respect for him. In the locker room, Pearson had given him an encouraging nod, a silent promise that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would get his shot in the second half. That alone was enough to keep his confidence high. As he caught the envious glances of the two substitute midfielders beside him, he smiled. After all, who could blame them for admiring his combination of talent and good looks?
The match began with a sharp whistle from the referee, signaling the start of what was expected to be an intense encounter. Following a recent 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic, Derby County had a tough task ahead of them against a Leicester City side in superb form. The crowd's chants rang in the players' ears, creating a sense of unity and focus. "Foxes, go!" the fans roared once more, their voices rising in volume, creating a sea of blue that seemed to pulse with every beat of the crowd's heart.
Vardy and Nugent, Leicester's dynamic attacking duo, were relentless, taking turns to challenge Derby County's defense. Vardy, with his blistering pace, darted across the field like a sharp knife cutting through butter. Nugent, on the other hand, used his physicality and strength to push past defenders. Over his two seasons with Leicester, Nugent had established himself as a goal-scoring machine. This season alone, he had netted 12 goals in 23 league appearances, remaining the team's top scorer.
As the match unfolded, Tristan found himself on the edge of his seat, watching in awe as the team moved with such fluidity and purpose. Every pass, every tackle, and every run was executed with precision. The rhythm of the game was infectious, and it filled him with an energy he hadn't yet experienced. The roar of the crowd, the crisp sound of the ball being struck, and the excitement of the fast-paced action were all part of a symphony he yearned to join.
He exchanged a quick look with Vardy, who winked at him from across the pitch. Vardy's enthusiasm was infectious, and Tristan felt his urgency rise. He needed to show his value, his ability to contribute even from the bench. His thoughts raced, imagining what it would be like to make that breakthrough.
"Nugent!!!"
"Header goal! GOAL!!!"
The stadium erupted in jubilant celebration. The crowd's deafening roar made the ground shake, and Tristan could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he stood from his seat, hands raised in celebration with his teammates on the bench.
"The scoreboard changes! Leicester City takes the lead at home!"
Tristan's excitement matched the energy of the fans. A huge grin spread across his face as he watched Nugent bask in the adoration of the supporters. The stadium was alive with noise, a wave of joy rippling through every section of the ground.
As the first half drew to a close, Leicester City led 1-0. The players made their way to the locker room, where the excitement didn't dissipate. The feeling of triumph hung thick in the air, and the players couldn't stop smiling. Their confidence was palpable as they sat down to regroup.
"Great job, everyone!" Pearson praised, his voice cutting through the chatter of the locker room. "We've completely overwhelmed them so far."
The team took a few moments to review their tactics, making adjustments for the second half. Tristan found himself fully immersed in the team dynamics, soaking in the atmosphere and camaraderie. He couldn't wait for his chance to get on the field.
When play resumed, Leicester City maintained their dominance over Derby County. The tempo quickened, every pass and tackle seemed more intense than before, and the game felt like it was on the edge of something explosive. The Leicester City midfield, led by Dany Drinkwater, controlled the rhythm of the match, dictating the pace with ease. In the 65th minute, Drinkwater unleashed a thunderous shot from long range, doubling Leicester's lead to 2-0.
This two-goal cushion provided a sense of relief for the home side. Pearson, ever vigilant, glanced at his watch before turning to the bench. He knew it was time.
"Tristan!"
"Mahrez!"
"You two, warm up!"
Tristan and Riyad Mahrez stood up simultaneously, both feeling the thrill of their impending substitutions. The cameras quickly honed in on Tristan as he donned an orange training vest, his excitement now palpable. The fans, recognizing the young talent, began to cheer, their support echoing through the stands.
"With a two-goal lead, Leicester City seems ready to make substitutions," the commentator noted, his voice full of anticipation. As Tristan appeared on the big screen, the crowd erupted into applause, their support unwavering.
"Tristan, the fans are really behind you!" Mahrez said, a grin spreading across his face. His excitement was contagious.
Tristan gave a thumbs-up in return. "Riyad, with your talent, they'll be cheering for you too soon enough," he said, knowing just how high Mahrez's stock would rise.
As Pearson waved them onto the pitch, Tristan shared a final look with Mahrez, a mutual nod of respect. This was their moment. As the fans roared, they shed their training vests, revealing their Leicester City jerseys, ready to make their mark.
"Remember, stand behind Nugent when you get in."
"And Riyad, you'll be on the right."
With a roar of approval from the crowd, Tristan stepped onto the lush pitch of the King Power Stadium, feeling a rush of adrenaline shoot through him as he took his first steps as a proper first-team player.
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