Chapter 10: Pre-match Press Conference
Alex chuckled as he stared at the sea of reporters in front of him. Somehow, the experience made things seem more real to him. He really went back in time,it wasn’t a dream. The murmurs of shifting chairs, the occasional click of a camera, and the general buzz of anticipation filled the air. The press room lights beamed down harshly, warming his forehead just enough to remind him he was on display.
He sat straighter, taking it all in. The bright lights, the muted tones of the journalists’ clothing, the shuffling of notepads, and the tiny emblem of U.S. Lecce pinned to his chest, it was surreal. This wasn’t Manchester or Madrid. It was Lecce, fighting for survival, and here he was, sitting in front of all these people, expected to have all the answers.
While Alex was having these thoughts, one of the reporters stood up and started asking a question.
"Good morning Alex, my name is Luca Benedetti from the Italian Sports Daily," the reporter began, leaning slightly forward as he held the mic closer. "Uh... well, you’ve had an illustrious playing career, from Manchester United to Real Madrid to Inter Milan. It’s sort of a new environment for you here with a club like U.S. Lecce, who are currently so close to the relegation zone. What is your immediate goal for the club? Is it merely surviving relegation, or maybe you might be going for something bigger?"
Alex smiled when he heard the first question. It was a mild one, something like a warm-up before the dogs got ready. He tilted his head slightly, buying himself a second to consider the best response. The way the reporter phrased it gave him an easy route, and he took it.
"Luca, right?"
The reporter nodded.
"Well, the goal is to win matches. That’s all there is. Win matches, get points and progress up the table, you know," Alex said with a shrug. He looked casual, but his tone held conviction. "Whether we’re fighting relegation or looking for a mid-table finish or going for European spots or challenging for the title, the goal is always to win games and get points."
Luca nodded slowly, as though digesting the answer but not quite satisfied yet.