Chapter 14 Pre-Season (4)

The roar from the St James' Park faithful was deafening as Salomón Rondón wheeled away in celebration, arms outstretched, after heading Newcastle into the lead. Angel Di María jogged over to him, grinning as the rest of the team surrounded them. The connection between the two had been growing stronger with each game, and it was becoming clear that Rondón's aerial prowess combined with Di María's precision crossing was going to be a major weapon for Newcastle in the upcoming season.

Up in the stands, fans erupted with chants of "Toon Army! Toon Army!" as they watched their team take control of the match. The fans had come to see their new signings in action, and already they were starting to believe that Rafa Benítez was building something special.

"That's what we're talking about!" shouted one of the commentators on Sky Sports. "Rondón is looking sharp, and Di María's delivery—absolutely world-class. If Newcastle can maintain this kind of quality going into the season, they could surprise a lot of people."

Back on the field, Newcastle United continued to dominate possession, their confidence surging after taking the lead. Bruno Guimarães and Youri Tielemans were controlling the midfield with elegance and precision, pulling the strings and keeping Augsburg on the back foot. Every time the German side tried to mount an attack, Matthijs de Ligt and Ben Mee quickly snuffed out the danger, de Ligt in particular showing why Newcastle had splashed £50 million to bring him from Ajax.

The defense was rock-solid, with Max Aarons and Alphonso Davies flying up the wings whenever they got the chance. Davies, with his lightning pace, had the Augsburg defense scrambling on several occasions, his overlapping runs down the left causing chaos.

By the 35th minute, Newcastle looked firmly in control, but Rafa, ever the perfectionist, continued to pace the touchline, issuing instructions and making sure his team kept their focus.

"Don't let up! Keep the intensity!" he barked, his voice cutting through the roar of the crowd. He knew how quickly things could turn in football, and he wasn't about to let his team get complacent.

---

Back in the locker room at halftime, the atmosphere was calm but charged with quiet confidence. The players were catching their breath, faces flushed with the effort of the first 45 minutes. Rafa stood in front of the whiteboard, marker in hand, reviewing their tactics.

"Good first half," he began, his tone even but encouraging. "We're controlling the game, and that's what I like to see. But we need to be more clinical in front of goal. One goal isn't enough—we should've had two, maybe three, by now."

He turned to Rondón, who was still catching his breath after a relentless half of chasing down balls and challenging defenders in the air. "Salomón, you've been fantastic in the air, but I want you to hold up the ball more. Bring the midfield into play, slow it down when you need to, and then get back in the box."

Rondón nodded, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Got it, boss."

Next, Rafa looked at Di María. "Angel, keep getting at their full-back. You're causing them all sorts of problems. But I want more shots. Cut inside, don't hesitate to pull the trigger."

Di María, ever the consummate professional, simply nodded, his expression focused and determined.

Finally, Rafa addressed the defense. "Matthijs, Ben, brilliant work. Don't give them an inch. We're doing well, but we can't lose concentration. Keep organizing, keep talking. We cannot afford any lapses."

De Ligt and Mee, sitting side by side, exchanged a quick glance before nodding in unison.

Rafa clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's go out there and finish the job. No letting up."

---

The second half began much like the first, with Newcastle pressing high and controlling the tempo. Augsburg, desperate to get back into the game, pushed forward with more intent, but every time they tried to break through, Newcastle's defense held firm.

In the 55th minute, Max Aarons intercepted a misplaced pass and immediately burst forward, sprinting down the right flank with incredible pace. His overlapping run caught the Augsburg defense off guard, and Aarons delivered a dangerous low cross into the box. Di María met it at the near post, but his shot was blocked by a last-ditch tackle from an Augsburg defender.

The resulting corner led to Newcastle's second goal. Bruno Guimarães whipped the ball into the box, and amidst the chaos, Ben Mee rose highest, powering a header into the top corner.

"GOAL! Ben Mee doubles Newcastle's lead!" the commentator exclaimed. "What a header! Rafa Benítez's side is looking dominant out there!"

The crowd at St James' Park erupted once again, their chants growing louder as the team celebrated together.

Augsburg, now two goals down, tried to respond with more urgency, but Martin Dúbravka was in fine form, pulling off two crucial saves to keep Newcastle's clean sheet intact. Each time Augsburg pushed forward, they were met by a wall of black and white.

Rafa made several substitutions as the game progressed, giving more players a chance to impress. Isaac Hayden came on for Tielemans to provide extra defensive stability, while Jacob Murphy replaced Di María on the wing.

In the 75th minute, Murphy nearly added a third goal after cutting inside from the right and unleashing a curling shot that grazed the outside of the post.

Newcastle continued to dominate until the final whistle, and when the referee blew for full-time, the scoreline read 2-0 in Newcastle's favor.

---

Back in the locker room, the mood was light and celebratory. The players were all smiles, joking with one another after their commanding win. Rondón and Ben Mee, the two goal-scorers, sat side by side, basking in the satisfaction of a job well done.

"Not bad for a center-back, eh?" Mee joked, nudging Rondón in the ribs.

Rondón grinned, shaking his head. "I'll let you have that one, amigo, Just don't get used to it."

At the front of the room, Rafa Benítez stood with his arms crossed, a rare smile playing at the corners of his lips. He let the players enjoy their moment before addressing the team.

"Great performance today, boys!" he began, his voice carrying over the chatter. "You followed the plan perfectly. We controlled the game, we took our chances, and we kept the clean sheet. That's how we play!"

He paused, his gaze moving across the room, from the veterans to the new signings, to the younger players who had stepped up. "But remember, this is just pre-season. The real work starts now. The Premier League is a whole different beast. There's no room for complacency."

The players nodded, understanding the gravity of Rafa's words. This was just the beginning.

---

In the local pubs around Newcastle, the mood was euphoric. The Toon Army had seen their team put in a solid pre-season, and there was a sense of optimism growing among the fanbase. At The Strawberry, a pub just a stone's throw from St James' Park, the fans were glued to the Sky Sports broadcast, where pundits were analyzing Newcastle's pre-season performance.

"Well, that's three wins and two draws in pre-season for Rafa Benítez's men," one of the pundits remarked. "And you have to say, this new-look Newcastle side looks strong. De Ligt and Ben Mee are forming a formidable partnership at the back, and Bruno Guimarães is pulling the strings in midfield."

Another pundit chimed in. "And let's not forget about Di María. He's still got that magic, and with Rondón up front, they've got a target man who can score and hold up play. If Rafa can keep them firing, I think Newcastle could surprise a lot of people this season."

Back in the pub, a group of Newcastle fans clinked their pints together, grinning from ear to ear. "Lads, we're goin' places this year. Mark my words, European football's comin' back to St James'!"

"Just gotta hope we stay healthy," another fan added.