Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 266: Tuned-In For Matchday 10

Chapter 266: Tuned-In For Matchday 10

The opening scene of 2012 filled the screen with chaos—earthquakes, collapsing buildings, and people running for their lives. The volume was just loud enough to drown out the occasional honking from outside.

Benjamin leaned back with one arm resting behind his head. "See? This is proper entertainment."

Sophie, curled up with the blanket pulled to her chin, smirked. "You just like watching the world burn."

He shrugged. "Makes my injury feel like nothing in comparison."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. The movie continued, ridiculous and over-the-top, just as they expected. At some point, the food arrived, and Sophie hit pause while Benjamin got up slowly to grab it.

"Careful, grandpa," she teased as he walked back with the bags.

"Funny," he muttered, setting the food down.

They ate in comfortable silence, eyes fixed on the screen. Every now and then, Sophie would scoff at the bad dialogue, and Benjamin would shake his head at the unrealistic survival moments.

By the time the credits rolled, Sophie stretched her arms with a yawn. "That was stupid."

"Peak cinema," Benjamin corrected.

She shook her head, standing up. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Benjamin shifted his leg carefully. The dull ache was still there, but it wasn’t unbearable. "You heading to bed?"

"Yeah, I’ve got a shoot tomorrow. Unlike you, I actually have work," she teased.

"Harsh," he muttered, smirking.

She grinned, walking toward the hallway. "Night, injured boy."

Benjamin chuckled. "Night."

Once she was gone, he exhaled, staring at the blank screen. His mind drifted back to tomorrow’s match. Even if he wasn’t playing, he still had to be ready.

***

The apartment was quiet.

Benjamin sat on the couch with the remote in hand, as he flipped to the pre-match coverage.

Sophie had left early for her shoot, leaving him alone with his thoughts—and the game. A cup of tea sat on the table, barely touched.

The TV screen showed the AFAS Stadion, packed with home supporters. The familiar red and white of AZ Alkmaar filled the stands, flags waving, chants echoing through the broadcast.

Benjamin adjusted his position, careful with his leg, as the commentators’ voices filled the room.

Chris Daniels: [A beautiful afternoon here in Alkmaar as AZ Alkmaar prepare to take on VVV-Venlo in matchday ten of the Eredivisie season. The home side will be looking to continue their strong form, but they’ll have to do it without Benjamin Rijkaard, who misses out due to injury]

Rob Peterson: [Yeah, that’s a big loss for AZ Alkmaar, Chris. Carter has been crucial in the attack this season—his work rate, his vision, and his output. They’ll need someone else to step up today]

Benjamin exhaled, shifting slightly. He hated hearing his name in that context—out due to injury.

The camera cut to the players lining up in the tunnel. His teammates looked focused. Gertjan Verbeek stood near the dugout with his arms crossed while scanning the pitch.

Chris: [Let’s take a look at the starting XI for AZ Alkmaar. In goal, Esteban Alvarado Brown gets the nod once again. Across the backline, we have Dirk Marcellis, Donny Gorter, Nick Viergever, and Etiënne Reijnen forming that defensive four.]

[In midfield, Viktor Elm and Markus Henriksen sit in a double pivot, with Maarten Martens playing just ahead of them. On the wings, Johann Guðmundsson and Steven Berghuis will be providing the width, while up front, it’s Josmer Altidore leading the line in that lone striker role]

Rob: [It’s a familiar setup from Gertjan Verbeek—his trusted 4-2-3-1. But with Benjamin Rijkaard out, it’ll be interesting to see how Martens and Henriksen handles the creative responsibility]

[And let’s not forget about the bench—Beerens, Overtoom, Johannsson, Adam, Lewis, Lam, and Mathias Johansson are all available if changes are needed]

Benjamin exhaled slowly, watching as the camera panned to the away side. VVV-Venlo stood in their yellow and black kits, arms stretched, rolling their shoulders, ready for kickoff.

Chris: [And here’s how VVV-Venlo line up. In goal, we have Niki Mäenpää. The back four consists of Guus Joppen, Ismo Vorstermans, Jerold Promes, and Maya Yoshida.]

[In midfield, we’ve got Marcel Seip and Robert Cullen sitting deep, with Barry Maguire just ahead of them. On the flanks, Oguzhan Türk and Bryan Linssen will be looking to provide attacking support, and up top, it’s none other than Georgios Giakoumakis leading the line]

Rob: [And on the bench for VVV, we’ve got Danny Post, Uche Nwofor, Brian Jacobs, Prince Rajcomar, Jules Reimerink, and goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar. It’s a balanced squad, but they’re up against an AZ Alkmaar side that will be looking to dominate from the start]

Benjamin leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.

The camera shifted to the referee, who checked his watch before blowing the whistle.

Fweeeeee!~

The game was underway.

Chris: [And we are off! AZ Alkmaar in their traditional red and white, attacking from left to right, while VVV-Venlo, in their yellow and black, will be looking to cause an upset here at the AFAS Stadion]

Rob: [AZ Alkmaar straight away looking to settle in, passing it around the back. No surprises there—they love to control possession]

Benjamin watched as his teammates moved the ball, Viergever switching play to Reijnen on the right. VVV-Venlo pressed cautiously, not committing too many bodies forward just yet.

Chris: [Here’s Henriksen, dropping deep to collect. AZ Alkmaar building patiently]

Rob: [And you can already see Guðmundsson drifting into those pockets of space between the lines. He’s the one who’ll have to take on that left flank attacking role today in Benjamin Rijkaard’s absence]

Benjamin exhaled. He knew Guðmundsson was more than capable, but watching from the sidelines felt different.

A few minutes passed with AZ Alkmaar probing, but VVV-Venlo stood firm. Then, suddenly—

Chris: [Loose touch from Gorter—VVV-Venlo pounce! It’s Linssen driving forward!]

Rob: [Great chance here! Linssen squares it... Giakoumakis!]

Benjamin tensed as the ball flashed toward goal—

Chris: [Huge save by Esteban! That was nearly an early shocker for AZ Alkmaar!]

Rob: [That’s a warning sign! Gorter got caught, and VVV almost made them pay]

Benjamin shook his head. They had to be sharper.