Chapter 100: The Game Within the Game
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The sun was up by the time Niels reached Milan's Navigli district. He walked slowly along the canal, listening to his boots hit the old stones beneath him.
After the Champions League final the night before, he wanted some time alone. He didn't want crowds, cameras, or people asking questions. He just wanted to walk around and enjoy a quiet morning.
His backpack was hanging from one shoulder. He had packed a few clothes, an old book, and his notebook. The notebook was full of football ideas and things he had written down after the final. He had spent most of the night thinking about what came next.
Now, the noise from the stadium seemed far away. There were no chants or flashing cameras. He could hear the water moving through the canal and people talking outside the cafés. The smell of fresh cornetti came from a nearby bakery.
