Imperfection

t w e n t y

But you don't have to hurt,
You don't have to hurt anymore
With a little time,
take a look and find what you're searching for

___________________________

So here I was, I guess. Standing in the Allianz arena for our game against Frankfurt. Just this time, I wasn't placed in front, as a centre forward, but as a right fullback. To be honest, I wasn't used to this. I of course knew what to do, but it felt weird. A good weird.

,,What do you think about Radley in defense? This is a unusual change, since Bayern has good defenders and Radley is probably the best forward to exist at the moment."

,,I'm not quite sure why they would do that either, but after all there isn't much information about the loan anyway. So I guess they won't be explaining much. But there will be a reason I'm sure."

Magda had given me a short peptalk before the game, like she always used to, but when I moved it stopped. Today I had called her. She reminded me of all the things I shouldn't forget while playing in the area she always played, for probably the 50th time, but well, at least I probably wouldn't forget now.

The game began and somehow I actually felt excited. This change might was just temporary, but it brought me joy. That's what this was about, right?

It was fun to say the least, I could do actual slide tackles for the first time in my career (Emma always hated when I did them) and didn't feel any pressure to score. The fans went crazy, the Allianz arena not only being huge but also absolutely breathtaking and all the girls supporting me in what I was doing. It made me wonder if playing with them always felt like this. If I maybe just was so in my mind that I didn't even feel this. This team that played for each other, that supported each other with everything they had.

In the 23rd minute Lea scored. She'd had a hard time these last weeks and didn't get as many goals as she used to so this goal meant the world. It was a beautiful header, just what she was known for, and we all sprinted to her and threw ourselves into each other's arms. I felt excited, I felt the feeling that I've been craving for these past weeks, almost at least.

,,YESSS!", Georgia screamed. ,,FUCKING YES GIRL!" She pressed her forehead against Lea's and it let goosebumps run down my spine. How come I didn't notice this before?

,,Common girls, back to your positions!", Lina laughed as she pulled us apart, but before I could jog back to our half she threw an arm around my neck and brought my head down to her height. ,,This is what MiaSanMia is about, Aurie!", she yelled into my ear and I grinned. She was right. MiaSanMia. We are what we are.

The game continued and I was there. Like, actually present and it felt great. I couldn't wipe the grin from my face. At some point Laura Freigang came running down the wing. Okay, that was my job now. I was by her side quickly, trying to get the ball away from her feet but...she was good, nutmegging me before I could realize. Seriously? Good for me though, I was fast. I ran behind her knowing she was in the perfect position for a perfect cross and that she was definitely capable of doing that. Within a few moments I was at her again, before doing a sliding tackle, taking her down and bringing the ball off the field. Clean.

,,THAT WAS GOOD!", I screamed towards Caro that was standing near me, making not only her laugh but also Laura who was up again already, offering me a hand to pull me up which I accepted.

,,Good job!", she grinned and patted my shoulder. ,,Tolle Abwehrspielerin habt ihr da, Syd!"(Great defender that you got, Syd!), she yelled towards Syd, her teammate from the national team.