NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 - Catalonia Derby Match
The first game in Alevin A.
The opponent was Espanyol.
“We’ll win easily.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lucas interjected from the side.
“Look at the spectators. Haven’t you noticed it’s different from the games you usually play?”
I turned my head towards the stands.
‘I’ve never paid attention to it…’
I was so focused on playing the game that I didn’t care how many people came or who came.
But even I felt a clear difference.
From the moment I paid attention, the atmosphere was different.
It wasn’t just noisier than usual, but I could feel the heat of excitement.
Usually, youth games were only watched by acquaintances of team members, but today the stands were quite full.
“Was Espanyol this popular?”
As I was wondering how they had more influence than our team, Lucas tipped me off.
“It’s not that, today’s game is the Catalonia Derby. In simple terms, it’s a rival match.”
I tilted my head.
Isn’t our rival Real Madrid, not Espanyol?
Espanyol over Real Madrid?
More than that, I was amazed that they were this serious even for a youth game.
“Is it like regional rivalry?”
“The two teams are from the same region.”
I couldn’t understand it more.
“Well, I don’t really get it, but it’s basically a day where you become a hero if you win and a traitor if you lose, right?”
“That’s right.”
I didn’t feel particularly nervous even at those words.
It wasn’t confidence that I could easily beat the kids.
The reason was that my name wasn’t on the starting lineup.
‘First game after skipping grades and I’m on the bench…’
Of course, the coach had told me this.
‘Observing the game from the bench is also a process you need to learn as a team member.’
But his real thoughts must be different.
If it’s as Lucas says, they would be reluctant to put out a 6-year-old in such a rival match.
Winning would be more important than giving me experience in this game.
The game was intense from the start.
Lucas played as if this game was his last.
Sharp movements from the early stages of the game.
But…
“Lucas is in good condition today. But why is he in such a hurry? It’s still early.”
A teammate sitting next to me muttered.
It looked that way to me too.
Lucas showed determination to succeed with a killer pass every time he got the ball.
However, Espanyol’s defense was not easy.
Several such attempts eventually led to counterattacks by the opponent.
“Block it! He’s unmarked!”
“Stay calm!”
The coaches shouted, but it was already too late.
The opposing striker ran freely without even needing to shake off the defense.
And finally.
“Espanyol! They score first!”
Cheers erupted from the stands.
Meanwhile, our coach comforted the team members.
“It’s okay, stay calm, stay calm.”
“Don’t be too nervous or tense. You’re better, so just do as you usually do.”
But the atmosphere sank on the bench, among the players on the field, and even in the stands.
That’s how the first half ended, and before the second half started.
“I know you’re more nervous because your president is watching, but you shouldn’t feel burdened by such things.”
I turned my head at the coach’s instruction.
The expression of ‘Joan Laporta’ that Lucas had explained about was not good.
He was said to be the president of FC Barcelona.
‘Is it such an important match that even the club president comes to watch?’
The atmosphere worsened in the second half.
Espanyol caught another chance for a counterattack, and this time too, the goal net shook.
After conceding the second goal, our spectators held their heads.
One of the coaches exhaled deeply.
“This is a mental problem for the kids. Once they break, they completely collapse.”
I watched the field with clenched hands.
Lucas’s usually playful face was gone, showing only concentration.
Even watching made my heart heavy.
But there was nothing I could do.
No, is there really nothing?
I quickly checked the time first.
About 11 minutes left.
The second half of the 7 vs 7 game is about 25 minutes.
It was essentially the final stages.
The score was 0:2 and the atmosphere was at its worst.
‘If only I could play, somehow…’
I couldn’t sit still, wanting to rush out from the bench.
“Coach.”
As I spoke, the coach turned his head.
His expression clearly said ‘Don’t bother me when I’m troubled’.
But I had no intention of backing down.
“I want to play.”
“Kang. I understand your passion, but now is not the time for you to step in.”
The coach’s words were firm.
The head coach looked only at the field, pretending not to hear the conversation between me and the coach.
If we lose spirit here, there’s nothing left but to wait for defeat.
I lowered my head and spoke in a low voice.
“You’ve seen the flow of the game, right? The opponent has read our side attacks. Moreover, because the pass-receiving positions are isolated, it’s hard to escape from pressure.”
The head coach slightly turned his head to look at me.
I could feel his eyes wavering.
“Kang, are you confident?”
“Yes. I’m confident.”
The coach immediately interjected.
“We can’t, coach! We can’t take risks in such an important game. Besides, the president is watching now.”
“There’s no hope with the kids’ current state.”
The head coach said, looking at the coach.
“It’s time to substitute someone. No, maybe even that’s too late.”
“If it’s a substitution, there are plenty of other substitutes.”
The head coach swept his gaze over the substitute bench.
“Do you see anyone among those kids reading the game with as serious a gaze as Kang?”
A moment of silence passed.
“To be honest, I don’t.”
The coach seemed at a loss for words.
The head coach turned to me again.
“Kang, can you play in Lucas’s position?”
I hesitated for a moment at that question.
‘Is he trying to take Lucas out…’
Because the reckless attempts throughout the game led to counterattacks?
It wouldn’t be just for that reason.
Lucas’s own confidence seemed to have dropped significantly, which appeared to be the ultimate reason.
“No. I don’t think I can replace Lucas.”
“Then I can’t substitute you.”
The head coach turned his head sharply.
His gaze focused back on the field.
But I didn’t back down.
“That’s not it, please substitute me with the player receiving Lucas’s passes.”
The head coach asked without looking at me.
“Why that position?”
No answer.
Then I should continue.
“I’m saying I can receive them. Please trust me just once.”
The head coach still kept his mouth shut.
‘If I say one more word, I might get scolded…’
If I weren’t so young, I would have been yelled at for being noisy by now.
Should I stop now while they’re being patient because I’m a child?
No, this game was important to me too.
‘I’m just as urgent to figure out my limits as soon as possible.’
I’m saying that being able to play even one more game is more important to me than your rival match.
Because my future is at stake.
‘Right, let’s not leave any regrets even if I get scolded.’
I opened my mouth again.
“If I can’t even make it a draw, I’ll be satisfied with learning from the bench for the next year.”
The bench was momentarily enveloped in silence.
The coach grabbed my wrist as if to stop me, and the head coach sighed while looking at the field.
“You shouldn’t carelessly make unreasonable conditions just because you want to play.”
“It’s not an unreasonable condition.”
“That’s because you don’t know how valuable a year is at your age.”
I put strength in my voice.
“I do know. I understand the importance of this game very well too. I’m not just throwing a tantrum.”
Only then did the head coach take his eyes off the field and turn his head to look straight at me.
I also looked straight back without avoiding his gaze.
The head coach tried to read many things from my eyes in a short moment.
Countless judgments must have crossed his mind.
“Kang, are you really six years old?”
“No. I’m seven, but… ah, by the age system here…”
The head coach nodded.
“Alright. Start warming up for now.”
“Yes!”
I clenched my fist thinking ‘I did it.’
As soon as the head coach’s words fell, I moved.
My heart was beating like crazy.
I could feel my body getting hot.
I started stretching lightly right next to the bench, grinning.
At the same time, I was a bit short of breath.
Was it because I insisted on entering a game that was important to them?
I definitely felt more nervous than usual.
Moreover, the opponents were much bigger than me.
‘Stay calm, stay calm.’
I kept telling myself, but it wasn’t easy.
The sound of the ball going back and forth was etched in my ears.
The cheers from the stands, and even the desperate shouts of my teammates.
Everything made me more excited.
Lucas turned his head from afar to look at me and gave a slight smile.
It wasn’t his usual bright smile.
‘Does he think he’s going to be substituted?’
I held back from shouting at him to focus on the game.
No matter how I appealed to the head coach, there’s a possibility he might substitute me for Lucas.
He might even just have me prepare and not substitute me at all.
That’s when the head coach called me.
“Kang, I’m going to substitute you in the position you want.”
I bowed my head deeply.
“Thank you!”
“But, drop the idea of trying to do everything alone.”
“Sure!”
“Don’t get cocky, kid.”
The head coach lightly chopped the back of my neck and continued.
“Aim for the space behind the opponent’s defense. Linking up with Lucas is important, but you need to create chances.”
I nodded confidently.
And then.
“Alright. Kang, you’re going in.”
The head coach’s permission was given.