Chapter 19: FA Cup: Crystal Palace vs. Derby County III
Half-time:
The whistle blew for half-time, and the players jogged off the pitch, heading toward their respective locker rooms. The atmosphere in the stadium was a mixture of disbelief and admiration for the 16-year-old who had just stunned everyone with his skill and composure. As David passed the Crystal Palace players, the tension between him and Luka Milivojević was palpable.
Milivojević's glare was icy, his frustration evident after being completely outclassed by the young prodigy. As the teams made their way off the pitch, David couldn't resist.
He slowed his pace and turned to Milivojević, who was muttering something under his breath. David shot him a smile, one laced with equal parts confidence and playful defiance.
David flashed a mocking grin.
Milivojević's face flushed with anger, but he said nothing, his eyes burning with resentment. David, unfazed, turned and walked into the tunnel, his teammates applauding him as he passed.
Inside the locker room, the Derby players were buzzing, their energy fueled by David's brilliance. Wayne Rooney, the player-coach, stood at the front, a proud smile on his face as he addressed the team.
"David," Rooney said, his tone filled with admiration. "What you did out there was incredible. You've got them rattled. But we're not done. Not by a long shot. We've got to stay disciplined and keep doing what we're doing. They're going to come out harder in the second half. We need to be ready."
David nodded, his face calm but his mind already focused on the second half. The rest of the team gathered around, clapping him on the back, but David's focus was sharp.