BVB (3 - 1) VFB – 43rd Minute
After the 40th minute, Dortmund allowed Stuttgart more possession while they planned to sit back for the rest of the half.
Stuttgart is now attacking down the left, and Leon is having a standoff with the right-back. He flinches to the right, then does the same to the left.
Neither player moves, and Leon decides to pass the ball back to the central midfielder. Stuttgart switches play from left to right.
The Stuttgart right-back gets the ball with no player close to him, and no support either. Speidel has moved toward the center, switching positions with Che, who slowly drifts toward the wing.
The right-back decides to pass the ball back to Che, who arrives late to his position because no one is in the box to cross to. Che receives the ball right next to the touchline, with two Dortmund players already pressing him.
Che stands still while scanning his surroundings. Both players have closed him down, along with every other Dortmund player blocking every passing option, and there's barely any space to dribble through.
His thoughts start racing—he's overwhelmed by how compact Dortmund's defense is. Unwanted thoughts begin clouding his process.
He starts remembering how he always hated tight spaces—how, when everything around him felt like this, he'd always look for ways to escape before things got worse.
It reminds him of being chased by two bullies in his neighborhood—cornered against a wall.
But back then, he found a way past them using his small frame. He was free. His mind snaps back to the present.
And just like earlier, everything slows down. He searches for a path through the compact defense. A switch flips in his head.
"Ah, I see it now," he smiles. "I see the path."
He flinches to the right, pretending he's about to sprint, and one of the Dortmund players reacts.
Immediately after, Che darts past him, dribbling from the outside in. After slipping past the press, he passes to his right-back, who's still pushed up.
Che signals for the ball, and the right-back returns it. Now Che drives toward the center.
A center-back and defensive midfielder try to sandwich him, but he bursts through the gap. Now he has time and space to shoot.
The second center-back rushes in, putting pressure on him and reducing his angle. Che is already mid-shooting motion. The defender charges in with urgency.
Then Che's heart rate settles. Time returns to normal. Instead of shooting, he slides a simple through ball to Speidel, who had run in behind.
Speidel takes two touches inside the box before smashing it top corner. A wave of relief spreads across Stuttgart's bench—coaches and players alike.
Dortmund players look at each other confused—some are visibly frustrated.
BVB (3 - 2) VFB – 45+2 Minutes
Scorer: Kian Speidel | Assist: Che Louw
The ref blows for halftime. Both teams walk toward the tunnel, none of them looking pleased with their performance. Stuttgart looks more relieved—the half is over, and now they can regroup.
Timo walks behind Che, glaring at him.
"Tsk. Don't get too comfortable, kid," he mutters. "I won't let you win."
Inside the changing rooms, both squads are discussing tactics and adjustments for the second half.
Leon and Che sit silently next to each other. Che prefers the silence; Leon stays quiet because he doesn't believe anything he says will help.
Leon is stunned by the Dortmund right-back's ability. For the first time, he feels stuck as a player.
It's as if his creativity has been drained.
"Okay everyone... calm down and take your seats!" the Stuttgart coach calls out.
"First off, I'm disappointed with many of you and your performance in the first half. I gave you clear instructions throughout the week, and most of you ignored them. That's why they looked better than you are out there. You chose to play your own game instead of sticking together and playing as a team.
Second, those two goals came from moments of individual brilliance—not teamwork. And trust me, if you're planning to rely on random moments to get through this match, you're in for a long second half.
What I want now is for you to go out there and play your game—your football. Not theirs. Every one of you knows your role. Stick to it.
So go out there and play Stuttgart football."
"Yes coach!"
Meanwhile, in Dortmund's locker room, it's quiet. Everyone waits for the coach's halftime talk.
"That first half was solid. I'm happy with how you played. There's nothing that needs changing—we just need to shift into a higher gear.
Don't worry about those two goals. They were just moments—nothing more.
What I do want is for you to stay sharp when facing number 19. I won't pretend he's not a problem. That's why I need you to be a little more physical with him. Get there before he makes a move."
"Yes sir!"