Touchline Rebirth: From Game To Glory

The morning light slipped through the blinds, gently lighting up Niels' small apartment in Crawley.

His alarm rang softly, pulling him from sleep, and he woke up, feeling the stillness of the early morning wrap around him like a cocoon.

The phone screen showed it was just past 7:00 AM. With a sigh, he sat up, rubbed his face, and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

The day ahead would be busy with another tough training session and preparations for the match against Fiorentina in Italy. But for now, he had a moment to himself.

Niels walked into the kitchen and reached for the coffee beans. He ground them slowly, taking comfort in the familiar routine.

The rich aroma filled the air, warm and calming. As the coffee brewed, he leaned against the counter, thinking about the phone call from last night.

He had promised his mother he'd come home for dinner today.

Steam rose from his mug as he poured the coffee, the warmth warming his hands. He took a sip and looked out the kitchen window at the morning light over the rooftops of Crawley.

The promise stayed with him.

He had never met this new body's family before, always avoiding them as he tried to escape this new reality.

Although he hadn't met them in person, he still kept in touch through messages and calls.

But after last night's call, he finally decided to accept it and knew today had to be different.

He finished his coffee, feeling calm. Today, he would go home not just through messages or calls, but in person.

It wasn't about fixing everything, just taking the first step.

The warm caffeine kicked in, waking him up. He turned and walked to the shower, letting the hot water wash away his sleepiness.

About half an hour later, he was dressed in his usual training clothes comfortable and simple, but very familiar by now.

The black tracksuit with the small Crawley Town logo felt like a second skin.

After checking himself in the mirror, he grabbed his keys and phone and went to the training ground.

By the time Niels arrived, a few players were already there, stretching and chatting amongst themselves. Dev, Jamal, and Liam were engaged in a discussion about their upcoming opponents.

"Morning, boss," Jamal said, flashing a grin as Niels approached.

"Morning," Niels replied, his tone casual but with a glimmer of focus. "How's everything going? You ready for Fiorentina?"

"Always ready," Dev said confidently, rolling his shoulders. "We've been working on the tactics, and I think we're in good shape. Just need to stay sharp."

"Good," Niels said, then looked at Liam. "You feeling fit for the game? Don't want any injuries now."

Liam nodded. "I'm good, coach. Ready to go."

After that, Niels headed to his office. Once inside, he made himself another cup of coffee, needing the extra boost to start the day.

Niels took a sip of his coffee, feeling the warmth as he watched the players arrive.

One by one, they came through the gates some smiling, others quietly focused.

It was early, but the energy was already building.

Thomas, the fitness coach, walked over with a clipboard in hand. "We're ready, Niels. All the players are here and good to go except Max. The doctor already said he needs to rest for this match."

His sharp eyes seemed to notice every detail the smallest movement, every step the players took.

"Great," Niels said. "Let's keep them sharp, but don't overdo it. We're pushing hard for Fiorentina, but we need to manage the workload."

He paused, then added, "And yeah, I talked with Max yesterday. He's frustrated but knows he needs to rest."

"Understood," Thomas nodded.

The first session started with the usual warm-ups and stretches but soon moved into a high-intensity drill.

Niels was a perfectionist every pass, every turn, every move had to be exact. The players worked hard, eager to meet his high standards.

As they went through the drills, Niels noticed Jamal was limping slightly. "Jamal," he called out, "is your leg okay?"

Jamal shook his head, looking frustrated. "Just some tightness in my hamstring from the last match, boss. I'll be fine."

Niels didn't push him. "If it starts bothering you, don't push it. No need to push your limits, if you feel uncomfortable, you can stop. We need you at 100% for the game."

Jamal nodded, appreciating the concern. He slowed down, keeping his movements careful but still focused. Niels watched him for a moment, then turned back to the rest of the team.

The training went on, the players giving their best while Niels kept a close eye on everyone, ready to step in if needed

After a solid hour of fast-paced drills, Niels signaled for the team to cool down. Sweat dripped from their brows, and some players were breathing hard, but Niels was happy with their effort.

They gathered in the locker room afterward, sweating and catching their breath. The energy was high, but everyone knew they had a big day ahead.

After the session, it was time for breakfast.

The players filled the small team room, grabbing plates of eggs, bacon, and fruit.

The mood was relaxed, a welcome break before the next training session.

Niels joined them at the long table, with his own plate, listening as the players talked about the game.

"We already made it to the round of 16, bro," Thiago joked, grinning. "So this match against Fiorentina doesn't really matter, right?"

Some players laughed and nodded.

Niels smiled but spoke firmly. "Don't get too relaxed. Every game matters. We can't take it easy now. Stay focused, or it will cost us."

The room went quiet, and the players nodded, ready to get serious.

After breakfast, they took a short rest, then headed back to the pitch for a tougher session.

"Alright, everyone," Niels said, "let's get ready for the next session. Keep that focus. This is just the start."

The players nodded, gathering their things and heading back out. The day was far from over, and the work had only just begun.

They ran drills at full speed, practicing defensive formations and attacking moves.

Niels moved among the players, making changes and giving advice. His eyes stayed on the action, watching every little detail.

By the time the second session finished, it was lunchtime. The tired players gathered in the dining hall, chatting quietly as they filled their plates with pasta, grilled chicken, and fresh salad. The smell of food was comforting after a hard morning.

Niels ate quickly but kept an eye on the room, listening to his players as they talked about tactics and joked to lighten the mood. His mind, however, stayed focused on the upcoming match.

After lunch, they finished up and headed home to rest before the long flight to Italy.

After the team left, Niels stayed behind in his office to catch up on some work reviewing game footage, planning training drills, and going over player notes.

By early afternoon, he finally packed up and headed back. Niels returned to his apartment, ready to rest and prepare for the day ahead.

There was still time before he needed to leave for dinner with his family, so he decided to take a nap.

The bed felt soft and welcoming as he sank into it, the tiredness from the day's training quickly pulling him into rest.

When he woke up, the light outside had changed, the sun was low in the sky. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time. It was almost time to go.

He took a quick shower to freshen up, then got dressed in some nice clothes. He took a deep breath, stood up, and began preparing himself.

Today, he'd be going home.