Chapter 794 Friendly
Chapter 794: Chapter 794 Friendly
If you’re enjoying the story, consider voting to show your support. Feel free to join me on Discord to chat and share your thoughts: https://discord.gg/hTQJtj2K9U.
#More than 10 Chapters ahead on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrikoRex. If you have a moment, leaving a review would mean a lot to me and help me see who’s interested in the story’s future.
~~~
[Common Lounge | 20:25 CET]
After dinner, the group migrated to one of the common lounges, a spacious room decked out with leather couches and multiple flat-screen TVs. The air buzzed with low conversation and the hum of electronics, while the faint scent of popcorn and energy drinks mixed with the clean, slightly leathery aroma of the couches. Laughter from the pool table echoed in one corner, while the thud of darts hitting the board was met with playful groans.
Someone had set up the all-important FIFA match on the main console, the click of controllers adding to the room’s energy. The Germany vs Denmark friendly was scheduled to kick off at 20:45, and a decent crowd had gathered to watch, the anticipation almost tangible as everyone settled in for the evening.
Rakim settled into a couch next to Wirtz, absorbed in whatever was happening on his phone. Tah had claimed the armchair to their left, absorbed in a conversation with Volland. Neuer was near the pool table, recounting some story that had Leno and a couple of staff members laughing.
"Think they’ll win?" Wirtz asked, nodding at the TV where pre-match coverage was underway.
"Sure," Rakim said, not looking up from his phone. "It’s Denmark, not France; we will really be in trouble if we struggle."
"Denmark’s not bad," Tah countered. "They’ve got Eriksen, Hjbjerg, Damsgaard."
"I agree, but fans expect more from Die Mannschaft, especially before an international tournament," Rakim responded, naturally stopping Wirtz from arguing their case. His friend looked ready to say something, but in the end sat back and crossed his arms. "We will really be in trouble if we struggle."
The mood around them noticeably dropped, all realising that his words were true, and suddenly their fates were in the hands of their teammates in Austria. Those who hadn’t cared or hoped for a bad performance suddenly found themselves wishing for a respectable performance by German standards. Given their less shaky and below-standard performances in International competitions.
"Guten Abend, meine Herren!" A cheerful voice cut through the tension. Andreas walked in carrying a tray loaded with drinks, water bottles, sports drinks, and what looked like fresh-squeezed juice. "I bring refreshments."
"Cheers," Ginter said, grabbing an orange juice. "Any word from Austria?"
"Squad’s in good spirits," Andreas replied, setting the tray on the coffee table. "Warm-up went well, no injury concerns. Should be a clean match."
The TV switched to the stadium feed—Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, modest crowd given COVID restrictions, but decent atmosphere. The commentators were already dissecting Germany’s probable line-up, speculating about formation and tactics.
"3-4-3 again," one of the staff members noted, reading the graphics on screen. Rakim also looked up from his phone for the first time, watching the formation that would likely be used all tournament.
---
Germany (3-4-3):
GK: ter Stegen
DEF: Süle, Hummels, Rüdiger
MID: Kimmich, Kroos, Gündogan, Gosens
ATT: Gnabry, Müller, Sané
---
"Wait, Müller’s playing as the sole nine?" Wirtz questioned, leaning forward. "I thought Werner would start there."
"Müller’s the false nine," Tah explained. "Drops deep, creates space for the wingers."
"Hmm, looks like Denmark is playing a dynamic 4-3-3," Jonas commented from the side as the Denmark line-up appeared on the screen.
---
Germany (4-3-3):
GK: Schmeichel
DEF: Maehle, Vestergaard, Kjaer, Wass,
MID: Dalaney, Hjbjerg, Eriksen
ATT: Braithwaite, Poulsen, Skov Olsen
---
"That’s a decent line-up," Tah noted after reading the squad list. "Hjbjerg in the middle will give us a lot of trouble."
~~~
[20:45 CET]
(FWEEET!)
The referee’s whistle echoed through the Austrian night, signalling the beginning of the match.
"Good evening, and welcome to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion here in Vienna," the lead commentator, Christoph Kramer, began as the camera panned across the stadium. "Germany face Denmark in what should be a decent test ahead of the Euros. Joachim Löw has opted for his preferred 5-4-1 system, with Thomas Müller leading the line as a false nine."
"That’s right, Christoph," analyst Steffen Freund added. "And Denmark has set up in a compact 4-3-3, clearly looking to press high and disrupt Germany’s build-up play. This could be an interesting tactical battle."
Germany started with possession, ter Stegen rolling it out to Süle, who played it across to Rüdiger. The defenders circulated the ball patiently, probing for openings, but Denmark’s press was immediate and aggressive. Hjbjerg led from the front, harrying Kimmich whenever he dropped deep to collect.
"Denmark not giving Germany any time on the ball," Freund observed as Kimmich was forced to play it backwards under pressure. "Hjbjerg’s already setting the tone in midfield."
The first real chance came in the 8th minute when Gnabry picked up the ball on the right flank. He turned Maehle inside out with a deft feint and drove toward the byline. Before the defender could recover, he whipped in a low cross toward Müller, but Vestergaard read it perfectly, stepping across to intercept before the ball could reach the Bayern forward.
"Good defending from Vestergaard," Kramer noted. "Denmark’s backline is staying compact, not giving Germany’s attackers any space to operate."
Germany settled into a dominant possession game, slowly grinding at their opponents, but Denmark’s defensive shape was disciplined. Every time the ball went wide to Sané or Gnabry, two Danish defenders would immediately close down the space, forcing backward passes or hopeful crosses that were easily dealt with.
In the middle, Hjbjerg was everywhere, breaking up play, intercepting passes, expertly reading Germany’s intentions before they could materialise. Eriksen dropped deeper, helping to recycle possession whenever Denmark won the ball back, denying Germany the space they craved.
"Germany having all the ball but doing very little with it," Kramer observed as another attack broke down. "Denmark is perfectly content to sit in their defensive shape and wait for opportunities."
The breakthrough nearly came from Germany in the 34th minute when Kimmich threaded a beautiful ball through to Müller. The forward had drifted into the space between the midfield trio and the defensive lines. The Bayern forward controlled it on the turn and fired a bullet low toward the bottom right corner. Schmeichel between the sticks was equal to it, diving full stretch to push it wide.
"What a save!" Freund exclaimed. "Müller thought he had it, but Schmeichel shows why he’s one of the best in the world."
Minutes later, Eriksen picked up the ball in his own half following a deft tackle by Dalaney on Korss, sending the ball loose. He pinged the ball forward, slicing the German midfield, falling into Poulsen’s run. The striker received the ball on the bounce, but before he could open the angle, Rüdiger was on him, shepherding him wide before the striker could get his shot away.
"Denmark looking alive here in Austria," Freund noted. "Looks like they are looking for a chance to hurt Germany on the break."
They seemed to settle into a rhythm of back and forth, a mix of quick counters and slow build-up. Gnabry and Sané went on the occasional expedition inwards trying to unsettle their markers, but they failed to get headwind. It seemed like the first half would end without a decision until Neuhaus lost possession in midfield after a heavy touch, allowing Hjbjerg to pounce.
The Spurs midfielder immediately released Eriksen, who turned and drove forward with venom. Süle stepped up to close him down, but Eriksen’s pass was already away, sending a perfectly weighted ball splitting Germany’s defence, finding Braithwaite in space.
"BRAITHWAITE THROUGH!" Kramer’s voice rose sharply.
The Barcelona forward pierced into the box, the dull thud of the ball hitting the instep of his boot resounding. He flicked it wide as he charged forward, escaping Hummel’s challenge, as his head glanced up, eyeing Ter Stegen. The keeper had rushed off his line, trying to narrow the angle, but Braithwaite stayed calm.
He brought his foot down powerfully, slotting it low past the keeper’s outstretched foot. It slipped by at speed and pierced into the back of the net, causing the Danish bench to erupt.
"GOAL! Denmark takes the lead!" Freund exclaimed as the fans jumped to their feet. "Against the run of play, but what a clinical finish from Braithwaite!"
[Denmark 1-0 Germany - Braithwaite 43’]
The modest crowd at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion roared, Danish fans celebrating wildly while the German section fell silent. Löw’s expression darkened on the touchline as he immediately barked instructions at his players.
(FWEEET!)
The halftime whistle blew moments later, and Germany trudged off the pitch, heads down. The lounge back in Herzogenaurach had fallen silent, everyone processing what they’d just watched.
"Well, that’s not ideal," Volland muttered.
"Understatement of the decade," Wirtz sarcastically commented. "We need to adjust fast."
.
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED...