Chapter 53 - "Debut"

Paulo was warming up on the sidelines, firstly he started with jogging and stretching exercises but at the same, he was constantly focused on the match as well due to which he was constantly getting distracted from his warm-up exercise. On the field, Parma C.F. was having possession, trying to create some chances after those two chances they created for themselves earlier in the second half. Cilo Eincho was having the ball looking for a pass, while he was on the ball Fabio looked at his shoulder and he realised that there is a gap between two defenders of A.F. Bologna he didn't think twice and made a run between those two defenders. Cilo Eincho saw Fabio's run and put a brilliant looping ball in the box of A.F Bologna. for Fabio but before Fabio could receive it Goncalo intervene and grabbed the ball before Fabio could control it.

It was so close that everyone in the stadium thought that this might be the opening goal for Parma C.F. but since it wasn't everyone was disappointed especially Ale Piola he knew that was great to score because Fabio was one vs one with the keeper but is missed the chance to score. Fabio out of frustration swabbed on the ground and got up cursing himself but everyone clapped for him in the stadium to cheer him up, Ale Piola also from the sidelines was clapping and motivating his players and the same thing Paulo was also doing instead of warm-up.

Ale Piola saw Paulo not warming up and was busy cheering for his teammates, Ale Piola immediately berated him.

"PAULO! STOP ACTING AS A CHEERLEADER AND CONTINUE WITH YOUR WARM-UP EXERCISE OTHERWISE, I WILL MAKE YOU SIT BACK ON THE BENCH."

Paulo realised his mistake and raised his hand as a gesture of apology and again started doing his warm-up exercise.

"OH! that was another great chance for Parma C.F. to score but somehow it was again Goncalo who managed to maintain the lead of his team."

"I can't believe Gabrielle the team who were defending so well in the first half are struggling to defend the compactness between their defence is fading away."

"Yes, you are again right Aldo, but it is now a great opportunity for Parma C.F. to attack now and score and if they managed to score two goals then it is going to be a more exciting second half."

"Yeah, Gabrielle it is going to be exciting but first Parma has to score."

Emilio was having the ball on the touchline trying to protect it from an A.F. Bologna player, the player got aggressive and used his elbow to push him down which he was successful to do but the referee saw it and blew the whistle and called it a foul. That A.F. Bologna player picked up the ball and went straight at the referee to argue and asked "How this could be a foul?"

Ale Piola looked at the scoreboard of the stadium sixty minutes have passed and now it was time to sub on Paulo. Ale called Paulo and told him.

"Paulo sixty minutes has been passed and now it is the perfect time for you to get subbed."

Paulo was just nodding his head, Ale slightly turned towards him and said.

"Paulo, just forget what happened earlier today, ok, this is your moment now and you capitalise on it, do you understand?"

Paulo simply nodded his head, and Ale continued.

"I believe that you are going to show today your true potential, c'mon go out on the field and show everyone who you are."

Paulo got motivated by Ale Piola's words, he pulled off his bib and stood right next to the fourth official waiting to get subbed. The fourth official called Ale Piola and asked.

"In place of whom you are getting him subbed on?"

Ale Piola answered.

"For Lorenzo, number 7."

The Fourth official asked.

"And what's this guy's number?"

Ale was very hesitant to answer him because Paulo had no number on his shirt but somehow he told.

"He has no squad number right now, he is our Academy player he is still yet to have his squad number."

The Fourth official gave them a strange glance because he felt strange. He said.

"Well, that's strange, whatever."

The fourth official just ignored it and raised the LED board as a signal. The LED board shows numbers 7 out and -- in. Everyone in the stadium was confused, everyone thought that fourth had made a mistake but actually, it was not a mistake.

Lorenzo saw that he played his final match now he was subbed out, everyone in the stadium started clapping for him and Parma C.F. fans were chanting his name showing their gratitude and outpouring their love for him. Lorenzo walked his way to the sidelines, he was clapping, waving his hands and giving flying kisses to the fans, it looked clear that he was very emotional there were tears in his eyes but he put on a smile on his face to hide his tears and shown that he was ok but everyone was aware that he is emotional.

"Well, that's the end of Parma C.F's most influential player Lorenzo Di' Armanda, he had played his final match. He had an amazing career, he was the top scorer in Lega De'Italia for three consecutive seasons, and he played in five cup finals as well, not just with Parma C.F. but also with the Italian national team, he is the third leading goalscorer for the Italian national team scoring total 45 goals and now he could retire peacefully."

"Yeah, Gabrielle! Lorenzo has achieved everything on an individual level but unfortunately, he never got a chance to get his hands on the trophy while playing for Parma C.F. and the Italian national team as well. This might be a sad part of his career but we cannot just deny the fact that he is the most influential player for both Parma C.F. and the Italian national team with great talent."

"So Lorenzo is being replaced by...."

Gabrielle stopped at that moment because he doesn't know that actually what was the name and for whom Lorenzo is being subbed.

Gabrielle took the mic away from his face and asked Aldo.

"Who the hell is that? no name, no squad number, and there is nothing behind the back of his shirt. How can tell the audience who is he?"

Aldo suggested.

"See from those pre-match notes there might be a team sheet in which there will be some information about this player."

Gabrielle started searching for the paper about the team sheet and he found it. He instantly started searching for the player.

"Ladies and Gentlemen sorry for the inconvenience, there was a technical issue, Lorenzo is now subbed off for Paulo Romani, a young player coming from the academy of Parma C.F. It looks like this young man still yet to have his squad number."

After informing viewers about Paulo Romani he took his mic off and talked to Aldo.

"Well, this is very weird, a guy from the academy with no squad number."

Aldo said.

"I think they registered him to the league in a hurry and there might be some time for him to get the squad number, well whatever the reason it would be right now we should focus on commentary."

After that emotional gesture from Parma C.F. fans, Lorenzo reached the touchline, he and Paulo shared a hug and wished Paulo the best of luck before getting subbed on. Paulo touched the ground and kissed it with his fingers. Paulo finally earned his debut and ran onto the field, putting his steps on the field.