Golden days☀️

Chapter thirteen

The match against Udinese is officially gonna be Chris' first game in the starting eleven.
Brozo had some problems during training, so he is going to be on the bench tonight, ready to step in.
When Conte announces the starting eleven, Chris is greeted by "good luck"s and hugs; his friends are all rooting for him, despite knowing that he's been with them for less than a week.

During warm up, Chris is really tense but works hard, almost overwhelmed by how big and loud the stadium is. Luckily Conte knows how difficult it must be for the danish midfielder, so he keeps talking to him, giving him directions and keeping him focused.
Eriksen is really greatful to Conte, since his arrival the coach has been trying to help him adjust to the new football and language; after all, Antonio a few years back trained Chelsea in Premier League, he knows how different it can be from italy.

Chris warms his shot with Young and Sanchez, Handanovic trying to block them. Finally the blond relaxes, first scoring with his left foot and then hitting the crossbar with his right one.
Young's shots are blocked by Handanovic, who then runs to them, smiling and complimenting the trio on their shots.
Chris and Young high five, smiling and winking at each other.
Sanchez joing giving them both a clap on the shoulder.

When the whistle blows, signaling the start of the match, the blond takes in his surroundings. He knows he won't be able to play all 90 minutes, Itlian football is more physical than he thought.
For the first ten minutes he just does simple things, some passes and observations on the opposing team; he knows it's not a really strong team, but they have to stay focused.

During the rest of the first half, he tries to create occasions for his teammates, especially for Lukaku. Passes and crosses don't seem to work, and Chris feels really frustrated. He even tries a shot, but it's weak and the opposing goalkeeper blocks it without a problem.

He is now very aware of something. He doesn't know what to do or how to do it. He doesn't insinctively know where his teammates are (important part of his job) and he hasn't seen all the schemes yet.
He tries hard, trying to find some spaces, but it's 50 minutes in to the game and the score is still 0-0.

Chris is tired, his legs burning already and his eyes are having a hard time focusing on the ball.
But he keeps running, he keeps helping the team as long as he can, even if he feels totally useless.
He knows the fans were expecting more from him.

At the 58th minute, Conte calls him and Brozo enters as a sub.
Brozo pretends to high five Chris and congratulate him, but the dane sees that the midfielder doesn't mean any of it.

Chris can't even look at his teammates when he sits on the bench, knowing he let them down and not wanting to see the look on their faces.
Rationally, he knows that they are just going to support him, not judge him...but his mind just doesn't want to believe that.

Just a few minutes after his exit, Lukaku scores the first goal. He is of course happy, but upset. It seems that withouth him the team works better. This thoughts make him feel guilty, which worsens the situation.

The match ends 2-0, closed by a penalty Lukaku scored.

Chris is briefly happy, seeing his teammates celebrating and the fans clapping.
In the changing room, everybody shouts and congratulates each other.
The dane can't deal with it now, he just wants to go home and sleep.
For the first time in 7 years, he felt completely useless on the field...the only place where he usually felt confident and at peace.
He doesn't belong here,he should have been the "Maestro" , the one that changed Inter's face. He should have been a top player, not a flop.

Just outside the changing room, Brozo is waiting for him, with a shove and a little talk
"See? We scored when I came in. You add nothing, we play worse with you. And your friends? They didn't even notice you changed and got out first without saying goodbye."
With a smirk, the croatian walks past the door and starts celebrating with the others.

Chris just drives home, changes and gets into bed.
He lays in the dark, staring at the ceiling
A song in his mind

"If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own"

(Chasing Cars, Snow Patrols)