Monday morning was nice and quiet. The sun was shining. Everything felt normal again. Jonas woke up at 6:30 a.m. His apartment was still really quiet except for the sound of cars driving on the A5 in the distance. He got out of bed. Started his morning routine. Jonas drank a glass of water. Did some stretching in his room to loosen up his hips and ankles. Then Jonas went to the kitchen to help make breakfast.
Anna was already in the kitchen packing her nurses bag. "You are getting up these days " she said with a smile. "Lina will be sad if she does not get to cuddle with Jonas in the morning."
"I will make it up to her tonight " Jonas said, cutting some bread for toast. "Maybe we can go to the park after dinner if the weather is good."
Thomas came into the kitchen a while later reading the newspaper. "Do you have a week ahead of you?" he asked. "You have that match on Wednesday right Jonas?"
"Yes " Jonas said, putting butter on his toast. "We are playing against a team from the Oberliga. Our coach wants us to focus on our shape and transitions today and tomorrow. Jonas will be home for dinner both nights."
Lina came into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. She smiled when she saw Jonas. Lina climbed up onto her chair. Reached out for Jonas. "Jonas did the rain stop? Can we play outside later? My lion wants to play."
Jonas messed up Linas hair. Put a plate of toast with a smiley face on it in front of her. "We can play again after dinner, mouse. First you have to eat your breakfast and do well in school. Deal?"
"Deal " Lina said. She started eating her toast. Talked about a sticker she wanted to trade with her friend.
Breakfast was nice and relaxed. Jonas listened to Lina talk about her classroom pet hamster. Asked Thomas about work. Jonas told Anna that he would text her when training was over. These little moments with his family made Jonas feel grounded. In his life mornings were often. Quiet and he would already be thinking about the game. Now Jonas made sure to be present.
After helping to clear the table and walking Lina to the door with Anna Jonas changed into his training gear. Jonas rode with his father to the youth center. The drive was quiet and nice. Thomas gave Jonas some words of encouragement. "Just play your game, son. Do not try hard Jonas."
At the Merck-Nachwuchsleistungszentrum everyone was focused. The players arrived in groups. Some were still. Others were already joking around. Felix Berger was being loud as usual challenging people to a shooting contest later. Tim Hartmann gave Jonas a nod and a fist bump. "Ready for some of those passes Jonas?"
Coach Markus Lehmann gathered the U19 team on the grass pitch. The air was fresh. The grass was still a bit wet from the rain. "Good morning, everyone. This week we are going to sharpen everything. We need to be good at keeping the ball pressing and making transitions. On Wednesday we are playing against a team from the Oberliga. They will press high. Try to disrupt our game. We need to stay calm under pressure Jonas."
The training session started with a warm-up: stretching, light jogging with the ball and some drills to get them moving. Jonas focused on his ankle mobility and core strength because he knew that if he did not do these things he could get hurt later in the season.
They did some rondo drills in groups with pressure from the team. Jonas played in the middle getting the ball and scanning the field quickly and then passing the ball with the weight. Jonas was using the things he learned from his experience. Jonas could see what the other team was doing a bit sooner. He could create space for himself.
Coach Lehmann stopped the game a few times to point out things. "Keller, that was a pass. That is how we can break through the teams press. Everyone watch how Jonas keeps his head up when the ball is coming to him fast."
Felix whistled after one pass. "You are on fire lately Jonas Keller. You are teaching us players things, Jonas."
Jonas said, "I am just trying to help the team look good Jonas is trying to help the team."
They did some drills focusing on keeping their shape while moving from defense to attack. Jonas dropped back when the other team had the ball. Jonas organized the midfield line with calls. When they got the ball back Jonas made passes that exploited the gaps in the teams defense.
During a water break one of the assistant coaches pulled Jonas aside. "Your positioning on the field has improved a lot since the season Jonas. You are reading the game better. Keep doing what you are doing Jonas."
The morning training session ended with some finishing work for the attackers and the midfielders did some running with passing. Jonas kept his intensity under control because he knew that he should not overdo it two days before a game.
Lunch at the center was nice with grilled chicken, rice, vegetables and fruit. Jonas chose his food carefully with protein and slower carbs for energy. He avoided the heavy sauces. Jonas sat with Tim and a few other players listening more than talking and occasionally making some comments about tactics.
In the afternoon they watched some video clips from the sessions. Coach Lehmann paused the video on one of Jonass passes. "See how Jonas is facing the way? Jonas knows when to make a pass. That is maturity. On Wednesday I expect the composure, Jonas."
After training Jonas stayed behind for twenty minutes to do some work: juggling, close control in spaces and some long-range passing against a wall to sharpen his accuracy. Jonass body felt fresh. His muscles were responding well to the smarter training that his older mind was telling him to do.
The drive home was peaceful. When Jonas walked through the apartment door he smelled Annas cooking: Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad and green beans a family favorite.
Lina ran to Jonas. Hugged him. "You are home Jonas! How was training? Did you do lots of passes? Can we play in the garden now?"
Jonas lifted Lina up. Spun her around. "Training was good Lina. Jonas did lots of passing practice. Yes we can play in the garden after dinner. Only if you eat all your vegetables first Lina."
Dinner was lively. Lina talked about her day at school showing off her stickers. Thomas shared a story from work. Anna asked questions about training. Jonas talked about the fun drills they did and the team spirit. Jonas made sure to ask about everyone Day. Jonas helped clear the table, which made his mother happy.
As promised Jonas took Lina to the area behind the building for their evening play. The ground was still a bit soft from the rain. It was perfect for kicks. They set up the water bottle goals again. Jonas let Lina "attack" while he played goalkeeper and defender making saves and cheering her on loudly.
"You are getting better every day " Jonas told Lina as she celebrated a goal by running with her lion. "Keep your head up when you dribble Lina. Like that Lina."
Lina smiled, her cheeks flushed. "Because Jonas teaches me Jonas! When you play your friendly can I come watch one day Jonas?"
"Soon " Jonas promised, kneeling down to her level. "When it is a home game Mama says it is okay. Jonas will wave to you from the field, Lina."
They played until the light started to fade. Then they headed upstairs for Linas bedtime routine. Jonas read her a story added his football twist to it and tucked her in with her lion.
"I love you brother " Lina mumbled sleepily.
"I love you more mouse " Jonas said.
In the living room Jonas spent a hour with his parents. They watched some sports news, mentions of Darmstadts team pre-season and rising young talents in the Bundesliga academies. Thomas commented on tactics and Jonas offered some measured opinions without showing off his knowledge.
"You seem calmer about it all " Anna observed. "Less pressure on yourself Jonas."
"I am " Jonas admitted. "I am focusing on the process, Jonas. Training, helping at home being here, for Lina. The results will come, Jonas."