Chapter 100: The Game Within the Game

Chapter 100: The Game Within the Game Chapter 100: The Game Within the Game Saturday, May 29, 2010 The morning sun warmed the canals of Milan’s Navigli district as Niels walked along the cobbled paths, his boots gently scraping the uneven stones. After the excitement of last night’s Champions League final, he was looking for stillness no matches, no attention, just the quiet of a place where he could blend in. His backpack hung loosely over one shoulder, holding a few clothes, a worn novel, and the notebook now filled with tactical ideas and promises from the night before. The chants, the signs, the voices from home were behind him now, replaced by quiet streets, drifting canal water, and the smell of fresh cornetti. Milan was his pause, a moment to breathe before facing the empty pitches and heavy expectations of the season ahead. Niels wandered without a plan, following the curves of the canal through Navigli’s narrow streets. The neighborhood was full of quiet energy, locals drank espresso at sidewalk cafés, their laughter mixing with the sound of clinking cups. Cyclists passed by with baskets of bread, and street vendors called out, selling bright flowers and handmade trinkets. The air was warm, carrying the scent of river water and blooming jasmine. Niels felt unusually light, free from the pressure that had followed him in Crawley. He stopped to watch a small boat slip under a stone bridge, its oars moving smoothly through the water. For a moment, he wasn’t a coach with a town on his shoulders, just a man in a quiet city, enjoying the stillness. His walk took him down a narrow side street, where a faded sign caught his eye: Libreria del Tempo. The old bookshop sat between a gelateria and a crumbling stone wall, its window filled with dusty books glowing in the afternoon light. A bell jingled as he opened the door, stepping into the cool, musty air of a shop that felt frozen in time. Shelves stretched up to the ceiling, heavy with books in Italian, French, and German, their spines cracked and worn. An elderly woman behind the counter glanced up with a nod, her glasses resting low on her nose, then returned to her ledger. Niels wandered the aisles, running his fingers over worn leather bindings until he found a small section labeled Sport. Between old manuals on cycling and tennis, he spotted an out-of-print Italian book: Psicologia del Calcio. Its cover was faded and the title hard to read, but the subtitle stood out clearly: La Mente di un Vincitore, The Mind of a Winner. He flipped it open, the yellowed pages crisp under his touch, revealing dense passages on the psychology of coaching, the mental resilience of players, and the delicate balance between passion and discipline. It was the kind of book he’d have devoured back in Crawley, poring over it late at night with a cup of tea and a tactic board. Here, in this quiet shop, it felt like a gift, a discovery meant for this moment of pause. He paid a few euros, slipping the book into his backpack with a small smile, its weight a quiet promise of ideas to come. As he stepped back into the sunlight, the bell jingling behind him, he felt a spark, not of tactics, but of something deeper, a reminder that the game was as much about the mind as the pitch. As evening came, Niels went back to the café from the night before. The string lights glowed brighter against the darkening sky. The TV was off, and the excitement of the Champions League had been replaced by the gentle sound of a guitar from a street performer across the canal. The café owner, a lean man with gray hair and a quick smile, spotted him and waved him over to a table by the water. "Back again, amico?" he called, his voice warm and playful. "Coffee or something stronger tonight?" Niels smiled and ordered a simple plate of spaghetti al pomodoro and a glass of red wine, craving the comfort of a quiet meal after days of traveling. The owner, who introduced himself as Matteo, joined Niels during a quiet moment, pulling up a chair with a bottle of Chianti to share. "You were glued to the match last night," Matteo said, pouring them both a glass. The wine caught the light like a ruby. "You’re no stranger to the game, I can see that." Niels chuckled, admitting he was a coach, though he kept Crawley’s name close, not ready to tether this moment to his world back home. Matteo’s eyes brightened as he leaned back, his hands moving as he spoke. "I coached once, a long time ago. Serie C, a small club near Bologna. Big dreams but tight budgets. Not like your Mourinho, but we had our moments, late goals, muddy fields, fans who truly believed." His voice grew softer, a shadow passing over his face. "I loved it, the players, the fight, the game. But the pressure... owners wanted miracles, fans shouting your name one day and cursing it the next. It wore me down. I walked away. Sometimes, I still dream of one more season, but..." He paused, sipping his wine, eyes drifting toward the canal. Niels listened, feeling Matteo’s words cut deeper than he had expected. His story was like a mirror, a warning of what might happen if he let Crawley’s pressure, the transfer window’s challenges, and the town’s endless hopes overwhelm him. He recognized his own fears in the older man’s regret, the love for the game worn down by its demands. A quiet fear stirred inside him. "What would you do differently?" Niels asked softly, the canal’s ripples shining behind them. Matteo leaned forward, steady-eyed, his weathered hands wrapped around his glass. "I’d learn to love the process, not just the results. The late nights spent planning, the moment a player finally understands, the small victories no one else notices. That’s what keeps you going in this game. The trophies? They might come or they might not. But the process, that’s something you always keep." The words settled deep inside him, fueling the fire lit by last night’s match. Niels thought of Crawley, the kids in the park copying Thiago’s skill, the note in his pocket that said, ’Keep going. We’re behind you’, and the school’s murals painted with red scarves and footballs. He chose to stay not just for trophies, but for the fight and the chance to build something that would last. Matteo’s story was both a warning and a guide, reminding him to hold on to the joy of the game and the daily work of shaping a team. They talked late into the night, swapping stories of muddy fields and unexpected wins. Matteo’s laughter filled the quiet café. Niels shared a rainy night when Liam’s sliding tackle stopped a goal, and how Thiago’s skill sparked a comeback, he kept Crawley’s name vague, but the passion was clear. Matteo listened, his eyes shining, as if finding his own love for the game again through Niels’s stories. They said goodbye with a handshake, Matteo handing Niels the rest of the Chianti with a grin. "For your next win, amico," he said, patting his shoulder. Niels walked back to his hotel beneath a sky full of stars, the canals sparkling and the cool air carrying the scent of water and stone. Milan’s streets were quiet, the distant sounds of late-night revelers fading as he walked through the shadows. In his room, he sat on the edge of the bed, the football psychology book open beside him, its pages still untouched. He reached for his notebook, filled with last night’s tactical plans, and added a new line with steady hand: Fall in love with the process, not just the result. The words felt like an anchor, steadying the ambition sparked by the Champions League final. His heart was full, weighed down by the night’s lessons, Matteo’s warning, the book’s promise of insight, and the memory of Inter’s fierce control. These thoughts blended with memories of Crawley’s muddy pitches, the kids’ murals, the old man’s voice at The Red Lion, and the note tucked in his pocket. He saw the season ahead, not just a fight for League One, but a chance to build a team that played for the love of the game, not just for trophies. The transfer window approached, bringing targets and tough choices. But for now, Niels felt a new sense of calm and focus. He closed his notebook as moonlight shimmered on the canal outside his window, letting the stillness of Milan wash over him, a quiet moment before the challenges of Crawley’s next Chapter. Wow finally reached 100 Chapters! ⚽️???? I can’t thank you enough for being part of this journey. Your support, comments, and love have meant the world to me. I’m beyond excited for what’s coming next, let’s keep this story going strong! ????⚡️