Chapter 2 - Dominik

It is 20 minutes to four and Dominik is still in his room. Looking out the window, although he seemed alienated by the view, in his head, he was only reviewing all the strategies coach came up with for him. He was not convinced and would tell Ewald as soon as he saw him…

“Ready?” Friedrich looked in from outside the door.

“I'm not for getting the ball from Delch. I want to go get it myself” Dominik replied.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I think it's best if Brauer was the retriever, we get along better.”

Friedrich rose an eyebrow when he understood what Dominik was saying. Once again, as usual, he was underestimating Ewald's work. He always did, he always had something to say when the coach gave him directions.

“You can tell Ewald when you see him. We gotta move, it's late”.

They both took their bags wasting no time and headed for the airport.

None of them spoke a word on the way. Dominik was lost in his own thoughts. He was focused on his next objective. The World Cup to be disputed in a month time The United States would be the location and he could not take his mind off it: «That cup will be mine». Friedrich knew him well, he knew Dominik gets grumpy when people interrupt his train of thought.

As expected, they were greeted by long faces when they walked in the private jet destined for the national football team. And, also as expected, Dominik did not care one bit. Thirty minutes were not the end of the world.

He left his bag on one of the seats, wove his hand in the air, greeting the team and went on to sit next to Ewald, his place in every flight for the past 2 years.

“Late. As usual” said the man. He was about 50 years old.

“I think we should restructure Delch's play and have Brauer assist me instead” said Dominik flat out.

Ewald looked at him in utter confusion.

“What are you talking about?” He asked giving Friedrich a quick glance.

“He's been thinking about it all day” answered the publicist.

“We can talk when we get there. For now, just relax, you'll need all your energy” said Metzler in his typical fatherly tone.

Unlike himself, Dominik obeyed. He laid back and made himself comfortable for the long trip they had ahead of them.

Since Dominik's father passed, 18 months back, Ewald took on that role. Although Dominik could be impossible, he was a great human being, needless to mention his dedication to his career and the teams we was in.