Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 81: Postmatch Press Conference 1

Chapter 81: Postmatch Press Conference 1

[Coach Verbeek, an emphatic win tonight for De Kaaskoppen. Eight goals, three points and a clean sheet—what message does this send to the rest of the league?] A middle-aged man wearing a sharp suit and glasses while holding a microphone with the words AD Sportwereld written on it, leaned forward.

They were presently in a press conference room which buzzed with energy as journalists shuffled into their seats with notebooks and recorders ready. The white AZ Alkmaar logo stood out against the red background on the wall behind the stage.

At the table sat Gertjan Verbeek with a calm but firm expression on his face, he was flanked by the captain, Martens, and Benjamin.

Both players wore reserved smiles, though Benjamin’s eyes occasionally darted around the room, betraying his youth and inexperience in such a setting.

Gertjan Verbeek clasped his hands on the table and answered. "The message is simple: AZ Alkmaar is here to compete. It was a complete team performance tonight. We showed what we can do when we stay focused, stick to the game plan, and play as a unit. But one match doesn’t define a season. There’s still a lot of work ahead."

Next, a journalist from Voetbal International jumped in. [Coach Verbeek, you’ve often spoken about the need for patience with young players. Benjamin’s performance tonight was anything but patient—two goals, three assists. How do you balance nurturing talent while expecting results?]

Gertjan Verbeek allowed himself a small smile. "Benjamin is a special talent, no doubt about it. But what impressed me more tonight wasn’t just his goals or assists—it was his work off the ball, his decision-making, and his willingness to play for the team. He’s young, and we’ll manage him carefully. Nights like this are a glimpse of his potential, not the expectation every week."

The room murmured in agreement as the focus shifted to the teenager. A reporter from ESPN Netherlands addressed Benjamin directly, her voice sounded warm but probing.

[Benjamin, this is your first senior hat trick of goal contributions. What was going through your mind out there tonight?]

Benjamin hesitated for a moment, considering his choice of words with his hands fidgeting slightly under the table. Then he leaned into the microphone.

"I just wanted to help the team. The older players, like Martens here, always remind me to keep it simple—do my job and the rest will follow. I didn’t think about the stats; I was just focused on playing my role."

Martens, who was seated beside him, gave a proud nod as the room chuckled softly at the teenager’s humility.

Another hand shot up from NOS Studio Sport.

"Martens, as captain, how do you see Benjamin fitting into this squad? Is he ready for the challenges of a full season?"

Martens straightened in his chair, while his voice carried the weight of his experience. "Benjamin’s earned his spot in this team. It’s not just his insane talent—it’s his attitude, and his willingness to learn that sets him above the rest."

"Everyone in the dressing room sees that, and we respect it. But it’s up to all of us to guide him through the highs and the inevitable lows. Tonight was a great moment, no doubt, but football is about consistency. That’s the next step for him."

The questions kept coming in waves, weaving through topics of tactics, the league standings, and the team’s potential.

[Coach Verbeek,] began a journalist from De Telegraaf, [AZ Alkmaar is ninth on the table despite a positive goal difference. How do you plan to close the gap on the teams above you?]

Gertjan Verbeek’s expression turned serious. "We’ve had a tough start with fixtures, facing Ajax early and dropping points against Heracles. Tonight was a step in the right direction. We need to maintain this intensity, especially in games where we’re the favorites. The table will take care of itself if we stay consistent."

Another reporter added, [Do you think tonight’s performance puts AZ Alkmaar back in the conversation for a top-four finish?]

Gertjan Verbeek nodded thoughtfully. "It’s too early to talk about positions, we just want to win our matches. What matters right now is building momentum. We’ve shown tonight what we’re capable of. Now, it’s about doing it week in, week out."

As the conference wound down, a question came from a younger journalist in the back. [Benjamin, a lot of fans are calling you the next big thing in Dutch football. How do you handle that pressure?]

Benjamin smiled and put on a humble expression as he answered. "I try not to think about it too much. I just focus on training, listening to the coaches, and helping the team. The rest—well, it’s nice to hear, but football’s a team game. I couldn’t do what I did tonight without my teammates]

Emboldened by the calm demeanor of the room, the younger journalist from the back eagerly pushed forward with another question.

[Benjamin, you’re now being rated amongst the top young talents in the Eredivisie—names like Memphis Depay, Tonny Vilhena, Viktor Fischer, Marco van Ginkel, and Jordy Clasie have been brought up alongside yours. How would you compare to them?]

The question caught Benjamin off guard for a moment, and a slight crease formed on his forehead as his eyebrows raised slightly. He leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to one of careful consideration.

He glanced at the reporter, then at Martens, whose calm demeanor offered a silent reassurance. Taking a slow breath, Benjamin leaned toward the microphone and answered with a measured tone.

"They’re all incredible young players," he began, his voice steady but earnest. "I’ve watched a lot of them play, and honestly, they’ve achieved things I’m still working towards."

"For me, it’s not about comparisons. I respect them as fellow competitors in the league, but I don’t think about how I measure up. I just focus on improving every day. If I can go beyond them, that’ll be because of hard work and the people around me."

The answer sparked a ripple of approval across the room. The reporters exchanged nods as they noted the young player’s modesty.

The same journalist pressed further, not quite reading the already tensed room caused by his previous question. [But surely, nights like this must make you feel like you’ve past their level already, no? Two goals and three assists—it’s hard to ignore performances like that]

Benjamin’s lips twitched and he narrowed his eyes at the young lad, wondering his intentions.