Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 121

The Anderlecht players controlled the game well in the closing minutes to enlarge their lead against Lommel SK. Just after Nero left the field, Alex Mitrovic scored an unexpected goal from a difficult position. The number 9 leapt high to connect with a cross from Matias Suarez and headed it towards the goal from outside the box.

goalkeeper Lommel SK, not reacting fast enough. He could only watch her slip with her outstretched hand and into the back of the net. Lommel SK conceded again in the 86th minute. Anderlecht are on fire

After that, the Anderlecht players slowed down the tempo of the game until a few minutes were left. They waste time whenever they can, playing short but aimless passes until the referee blows the final whistle.

At that moment, the stadium exploded into a wave of cheers as Anderlecht fans celebrated their victory. They managed to keep a clean sheet, won the second half game 4:0, and qualified for the next round. All the players, including Nero, were excited and celebrated after the game. They ran around the pitch, waving to away fans to thank them for their support.

RSC Anderlecht will face their next opponent in the third round of the Belgian Cup at the end of May. But before that, they will have a very busy schedule. They will have to play six Pro Ligue matches in a four-week span, starting with K.A.A Gent the following Saturday.

Everyone is aware that they only have two days to prepare for the away game against K.A.A Gent. That is the minimum time required for practical pre-match practice. So, no one took too long to enjoy the post-match celebration.

When the bus dropped off Anderlecht players at Lotto Park, they immediately cleaned themselves up and dined the team. They ate the food quickly and in just a few minutes, most of them had packed their bags and returned to their homes. They need to rest well and prepare for team practice the next night.

Nero, however, did not leave immediately. The coach had asked to meet him at his office after the team's dinner. He was surprised by the phone at that late hour, but he still had to comply. The coach finally gave him the opportunity to play on the professional stage, so he wanted to know what he was saying. He hopes to get a commitment from the coach to make him a regular, starting from the next game. So, he walked into Coach Anderlecht's office excitedly after taking a shower.

When he gets there, he finds the coach making a final note on a match that has just finished. Several five-by-seven cards and charts with player formations and moves are strewn across the L-shaped table in the office. Nero could even see the name and number 30 jersey circled yellow on one of his cards. He stared and remained silent, appreciating how difficult job training was. Even after the game is over, the coach does not forget to take notes and analyze them for future reference.

"Sit down, Nero," said Coach Marcel, putting down his marker and pointing to the chair beside him.

Nero smiled and sat there.

"How do you feel after playing and scoring in your debut game?" The coach asked, leaned back into his chair and smiled at Nero.

"Great, of course," answered Nero. "I like football. Playing on the professional stage makes me feel very happy. So, I want to participate in more matches."

"It's good to hear it." Coach nodded. "You played well out there. Keep the spirit up, and you will definitely succeed in this team. Now, let's talk about why I called you here." The coach's eyes turned serious.

Nero did not like the facial expressions of the coach. He could feel bad news coming. "Coach, is something wrong?" He asked, a little bit.

"Absolutely not," said Coach Marcel, shaking his head. "I just want to know how you are. You seem quite separate from the rest of the team before the game. Is there something wrong with your life? Is there a girl who breaks your heart? What's been happening to you all this time? last month?" The coach asked the question slowly but surely, his eyes fixed on Nero's face.

Nro was surprised at the direction of the conversation. He doesn't believe the coach will decide to speak like that with him right after his debut game. Nonetheless, he replied earnestly in order to stay in the coach's good book.

"It's just the frustration of not being in the squad for the last two months that has affected my mood" he said. "However, I'm fine now. Football, always help me calm down."

"Oh," said the coach as he looked at Nero pensively. "I don't know that getting you out of the squad can affect you in such a way."

He was at a loss for words because he himself did not understand what triggered his anger episode. He suspects that it could be one of the tragic incidents in his past life or childhood but he is not yet convinced. However, he felt it was no longer a problem as he started to feel better than the previous week. So, it seems like there is no point in worrying about him.

"You can always come and talk to me if you have any doubts in the future" Coach Marcel said with a smile. "Remember, I'm on your side. I want you to perform and help the team win trophies. But you can't do that when your mind is somewhere else. Okay?"

"Yes, coach." Nero nodded. "I'll do that."

"OK, good," said Coach Marcel. "That convinced me. Now the next problem. Because you put in an outstanding performance today, you will be in the squad for the Pro Ligue match against Gent next Saturday. You'll start from the bench, but I'll give you a chance, a chance to join the game as a substitute."

"Thank you, coach," Nero replied with a smile. "I'll do my best if given the chance."

Coach Marcel nodded. "However, you have to remember that this is a match between two clubs in the top four of the Pro Ligue. The intensity will be very different from what you faced in today's game. That means you have to be on top of 95% of the match conditions to take part in that game. For that to happen, you have to go through proper post-match recovery. But it can be challenging because the game is only two days away."

"So, tomorrow you have to go to the doctor to check the thighs and calves" continued the coach. "They took a few punches, and we don't want them to be a problem before Saturday. Since you have just experienced a growth spurt, you should check as often as possible. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," answered Nero. "I'll go tomorrow." Although he feels that he is fully fit, he needs to continue to reassure the coaches by doing checks. He wouldn't lose anything by doing that, so he 'just' agreed.

"Good," Coach Marcel said with a smile. "I've also called you here to guide you on how to make your post-match recovery more efficient and effective. I know we've discussed this in the academy, but I'll go ahead and discuss it again. You have to take good decisions, relax your muscles in order to recover after the game. That's especially important for those of you who are just starting out on the professional stage..."

Nero leaned back in his chair as he continued to listen to the coach's advice. Over the next few minutes, coaches talk about some of the popular methods used by professional athletes to improve recovery after a game. He advises Nero to use hydrotherapy, stretching, compression garments, massage, sleep, and nutrition after each game. That way, he will stay in top shape and maintain his performance even at the end of the season.

Nero already had some prior knowledge of the technique. So, the discussion went very quickly. And in about ten minutes, he thanked the coach for his advice and walked out of the office.

Nero walked quickly on his steps towards the exit of the stadium. He is in a good mood because he already knows that he will be in the squad for the game against K.A.A Gent. That, coupled with the fact that he managed to score on his debut, made him feel like he was walking on a cloud.

When he left the stadium, he hurriedly walked to the bus stop. He wants to return to his apartment as soon as possible and start his post-match recovery session. He did not find another soul until he reached the Lerkendal bus stop.

It was already ten in the evening, and the traffic on the streets of Brussels was not too crowded. He had to wait thirty minutes for the bus to get to his apartment location.

As he gets on the bus to his apartment, Nero decides to buy a car as soon as possible. With a private vehicle, he will be able to move in his spare time at any time. He can go to Lotto Park at any time and train without worrying because he will be guaranteed transportation. Nero found the prospect quite attractive. And because he had money, he could no longer resist the temptation to get his vehicle.

Bzzt Bzz! Bzzt Bzz!

Nero's phone shook as the bus stopped at a bus stop near his apartment. He hurriedly took it out of his sports shirt pocket as he got off the bus. When he was on the pavement, he glanced over to the layer and realized that it was a call from an unknown international number that started with the area code +33. Although she did not know which country the code came from, she still received the call.