Chapter 771: Half-Time Break

"YES! Good job, everyone! That’s the type of performance I want to see every game!"

The moment the players arrived at the locker room, Frohling didn’t hesitate even for a second to shower them all with praise. He also gave each one of them a high-five, enough to make them feel flattered. This was probably the first time they were under a coach who wore his emotions on his sleeves like this.

Still, this only made them excited, somehow finding that the coach was so close and would always appreciate their effort.

"Credit to the offensive line! I thought that the game against Dortmund was just a coincidence, as you were clearly in form, but you proved me wrong by showing that today, you can replicate the same result here! I didn’t expect it, and I am sure that all my coaching staff is not as well!"

After that, all the guys inside gave a round of applause, with the players like Nassim, Caligliuri, and Benito Raman being so flustered, rubbing the back of their heads sheepishly.

"Our defense is also in the best form right now! Honestly, I always waited with an anxious mind, thinking about when would we start showing a decline in performance! I thought that no team could have a good performance for so long like this, and yet, once again, you guys are proving me wrong today! This is your best performance so far this season! Come on!"

"YES!" Ozan Kabak joined the round of applause while the others just threw him an empty bottle or anything small around them playfully.

It was clear that everyone was ecstatic right now, realizing that they were finally back on track. This season had been difficult, and it took the world stopping to spin first before they managed to regain their form, which was so ridiculous to think about. Still, now that they were in for a good run like this, it was clear that their confidence reached its peak instantly, finding themselves ready to face even the best team in the world right now.

"Of course, there are still some minor problems that need to be adjusted here, mainly in the midfield." Frohling’s tone turned solemn, at least enough to make those guys who were mentioned here straighten their backs instantly.

Still, the problem itself wasn’t that much, and Higo had already taken care of it every time it emerged on the pitch. It was the lack of concentration in the midfield that happened a few times there, enough to allow Augsburg to win a second ball and recycle the play so close in Schalke’s territory, or even execute the play by themselves directly from outside of the box.

At least, three out of four shots on goal that Augsburg managed to get today came from this scenario, so it was worth addressing the matter.

Higo himself didn’t quite listen to the pep talk here. No, he just took his sweet time getting a quick massage on his shoulder by a person from the medical team.

He would never be able to do that when it was still a draw or the team was down on the scoreboard, having to listen to the coach if he was tasked to join the offense to distribute more passes to the frontline. However, when the team was completely in the lead right now, all Higo needed to focus on was one thing, which was how to stop all the threats coming to his direction.

Frohling himself didn’t mind it. He knew that later, it would be Higo who had to work harder than anyone else, so getting him in a relaxed state was better than making him listen to all the rambles that didn’t concern him.

The coach still talked to the players here one by one, giving them his instructions or at least what to do later. Even though they were already up by two goals, the man still didn’t dare to lower his guard, knowing that a cornered beast without anything to lose was the most dangerous animal in the world.

Soon enough, the fourth referee finally came in, asking the team to get out as the second half was about to begin. Fifteen minutes passed quickly, and Higo couldn’t help but groan, finding himself in a slightly better state than before.

"Come on, Higo! Stop being a lazy bum and start working!" Ozan Kabak patted him on the back.

"Tch! You don’t need to say that to me, Oz-san." Higo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "If anything, it is you who need to work harder. How many times have you lost an aerial duel against their striker today, mind you telling me that?" His eyes narrowed dangerously, at least enough to make the Turkish defender gulp.

"Hey! That’s not my fault, and the Boss has already said that before!" Ozan Kabak tried to defend himself, but still looked away guiltily. "Anyway, he is 195 cm with a weight of around 93 kg! He might be slow in movement, but his aerial ability is not a fucking joke! Even with Bastian, we cannot handle him, you know?"

"Fuck it, Oz! Why would you want to drag me into this?! That is your fucking responsibility!" Bastian Oczipka complained from afar.

For a moment, those two center backs started to bicker, leaving Higo so speechless in the middle. Fortunately, Omar Mascarell chimed in, glaring at those two sternly. "Stop causing trouble here and get ready for the second half! Honestly, you guys are professionals; why are you acting like a fucking academy player?!"

This alone was enough to shut them up, and Higo couldn’t thank the captain more for his intervention. The moment he came out of the tunnel, he narrowed his eyes quietly to adjust to the light around the stadium, and there, the boy found two new Augsburg players were ready to come from the bench.

’Two players, one with the number 9 and one with the number 14. Based on their build, they should be a speedy type, huh?’ Higo could feel the corner of his lips twitching. ’Hmm... Interesting...’