"FWHEE"
The referee's whistle brought me back to the present as Juan, our striker, kicked off the game. Before I had time to collect myself, the midfield directed the second pass of the game to me. I stopped the ball with the bottom of my right foot and looked up to scan the pitch. Everything fell into place. I was content.
I rolled the ball ahead while confirming we were in the 4-4-2 shape Coach had drilled us in. My first pass, I laid off to the RM Rico. I was about to set off into the space left open, but I remembered that I was playing centre back today.
I gradually settled in as the game progressed. I was making the right passes and was intercepting anything near my space. There were also many frustrating moments. Every third or fourth pass of mine would not follow my intended trajectory, either losing pace or direction. I was outmuscled in each of my duels as well. Thankfully, the other team was never able to utilize their chances.
This is how twenty minutes flew by, and the half-time whistle sounded.
My throat was dry, and I was breathing in large gulps of air as I reached the circle we had formed around Coach Diego. Before sitting down, I glanced at Uncle Ferran, who gave me a secretive thumbs up and a wink. My lips curved up, and I sat down. The coach mostly said some encouraging words before turning to each individual. Near the end, he looked at me for a moment or two.
"Jordi, you can see it, right? The empty spaces, the right play. We'll try to get you minutes in the midfield in the future. For now, set the rythm from the backline. Shout out instructions, trigger plays, or arrange the backline. You can do a lot as a defender."
I took in every word Coach Diego said to me and nodded vigorously. Before long, the second half began. My first touch came with a tackle on the striker receiving the ball with his back to me. I poked it through his legs and ran after it myself. Looking up I spotted Juan, our striker, running towards goal. However, I thought back to my weak passes in the first half. So I looked around more before I saw Pedro drift behind the opposing midfield. Not as efficient of a play, but I had to make do with my technical and physical limitations.
I chipped the ball in the air to Pedro who expertly controlled with his chest before turning to goal. With only the defense in front of him, Pedro passed into the path of the sprinting Rico who crossed first time. Just as the ball reached Juan, the goalkeeper punched out. However, the ball kindly fell to Pedro who slotted it in to the empty net for our first goal.
1-0
I punched the air in exhilaration and jogged off to celebrate with the team. As I high-fived everyone, Pedro pulled my shirt and started rubbing my hair. Juan followed with a harsh pat to my back. I could only chuckle wryly before getting away and back to position for kick-off.