The German regional league serves as the fourth tier of the country's football pyramid.
It consists of five distinct regions: the Northeast, West, Southwest, North, and Bavaria.
Each region boasts a competitive roster of at least 18 participating teams!
Borussia Dortmund II had a rough 2014-15 season, finishing 19th in the 3. Liga and suffering relegation as the second-to-last team.
For the new season, they would be battling it out in the Western Conference.
Their opening match? A highly anticipated clash against their bitter arch-rivals, Schalke 04's reserve team!
Both clubs are anchored in Germany's Ruhr region. While Schalke 04 is famously known as the pride of the working class, Borussia Dortmund historically represents the bourgeoisie.
For the die-hard fans of both sides, the philosophy was simple: "We don't have to win the championship, but we absolutely MUST win the derby!"
The outcome dictated who truly held the pride and dignity of the Ruhr region!
History ran deep here. In the final round of the 2000-01 season, Schalke 04 staged a miraculous comeback against Unterhaching, seemingly clinching the title.
But just four minutes later, Bayern Munich equalized against Hamburg to ruthlessly snatch the championship back.
The most ecstatic people that day? The Dortmund fans!
Thousands flooded the streets to celebrate their rival's misery, chanting the now-famous slogan: "I'd rather Bayern win 100 titles than let Schalke win even one!"
If a tourist visited both cities, the very first warning they received was: "Don't wear blue jerseys in Dortmund, and don't wear yellow jerseys in Gelsenkirchen!"
During the tactical pre-match meeting, head coach Hans heavily emphasized the critical importance of this fixture!
Not only was it his first game as interim coach, but it was also a home game against their fiercest rival.
The pressure and motivation were stacked to the absolute maximum!
The squad's morale skyrocketed following the coach's impassioned speech! Andy could tangibly feel the burning intensity radiating off his Dortmund teammates.
When Hans finally announced the matchday squad,
Andy was undoubtedly named a starter!
However, his position was no longer in the midfield; he was firmly deployed at left-back.
"Andy, the team needs you to contribute heavily on offense, but do not make mistakes in your primary defensive duties!"
Andy instantly understood the coach's tactical intent; Hans wanted him to completely revitalize the left flank.
That evening, Andy returned to the villa he had called home for over a month.
According to his schedule, he was set to move into the club dormitory tomorrow.
Tonight was a special farewell dinner, thoughtfully prepared by his landlord.
The elderly landlord, Hayden Raymond, was none other than the former editor-in-chief of the Ruhr Nachrichten (Ruhr News).
More importantly, he was a proud season ticket holder for the legendary South Stand at the Westfalenstadion.
One could never underestimate the value of this season pass—it was a treasured family heirloom passed down through generations!
Grandfather to father, father to son, son to grandson. Only if the family line faced total extinction would such an item ever be sold.
With hundreds of thousands of desperate fans languishing on the waiting list, securing a new one was virtually impossible!
After they had eaten and drank their fill, Andy pulled a game ticket from his bag and solemnly handed it to the old man.
"Thank you for taking such good care of me during this time. Please come and watch tomorrow's game. I will be starting."
The old man accepted the ticket, nodding with deep satisfaction. He had seen Andy's relentless work ethic and greatly admired the hardworking young man standing before him.
He had originally intended to respectfully decline, considering he had already scheduled a medical follow-up at the hospital for tomorrow.
But then his eyes inadvertently caught a flash of royal blue printed on the ticket, and his gaze immediately sharpened!
"The opponent is Schalke?"
"Yes!"
The old man's tone shifted to one of intense solemnity: "Play like your life depends on it, kid! I'll bring my people to cheer you on tomorrow!"
On August 3rd, well before the major European top-flight leagues commenced, the German regional leagues officially kicked off!
The Stadion Rote Erde, the historic home ground of Borussia Dortmund II, had an official capacity of 9,999 fans.
Despite the official numbers, Andy's quick scan of the stands revealed that there were definitely well over 10,000 rabid fans packing the venue!
After concluding their intense warm-ups, the players flooded back into the locker room to change. Both coaches seized the final moments to deliver fiery, morale-boosting speeches!
The two squads lined up shoulder-to-shoulder in the tunnel before marching out onto the pitch. The stadium DJ kicked things off by announcing the away team's starting lineup.
They were instantly met with a deafening chorus of boos and hostility from the stands! Cheers erupted from only one small, heavily guarded sector—the brave Schalke traveling support.
The atmosphere flipped completely when the DJ introduced the home team players. Every single Dortmund player was greeted with thunderous cheers and passionate roars.
The loudest ovations were reserved for the fan-favorites: center forward Nicolaos and midfield maestro Lars Ditz, both of whom had stellar performances last season!
Andy received a warm welcome as well, though the vast majority of the crowd still didn't know much about the young Asian defender.
High up in the center of the stands, landlord Raymond was embroiled in a passionate debate with another elderly spectator.
"Andy is a phenomenal, hard-working player! He will absolutely stand out in this game!"
"Old buddy, I think you're dreaming. A player's success isn't just about running hard; it's about this!" The second old man smugly tapped his temple, gesturing to football IQ.
"Foster! I'll teach you a lesson! You were just a hack entertainment reporter; what right do you have to lecture me, the former sports editor?!"
Amused fans nearby quickly stepped in to pull the two feisty seniors apart! Raymond's eyes blazed.
"If Andy doesn't perform today, you can take your pick of any treasure in my house!"
Down on the pitch, the pre-match handshakes and team photos concluded. The Ruhr Derby was finally about to begin.
The local television network beamed the live feed across the region, displaying the official starting lineups for both squads:
Schalke 04 II (4-3-3):
* Goalkeeper: Dominik
* Defenders: Zander, Waldoch, Uafero, Sabah
* Midfielders: Manuel, Thomas, Stomel
* Forwards: Smykov, P. Schmidt, Max
Borussia Dortmund II (4-4-2):
* Goalkeeper: Hendrick
* Defenders: Sarr, Soren, Bouasati, Andy
* Midfielders: Lars, Jonas, Pulis, Domagoi
* Forwards: Nicolás, Marvin Duksch
"Welcome, everyone, to the electrifying opening game of the Western Conference season! I'm your commentator, Black."
"This isn't just any match; this is the Ruhr Derby, a fixture of monumental significance to both sets of fans!"
"Looking at Schalke, they've brought in some fresh blood for the new campaign..."
"But looking at Dortmund's starting eleven, the inclusion of Andy at left-back is particularly intriguing."
"He hails from Asia, representing China. He is profiled as a traditional full-back."
The commentator's dry, unenthusiastic delivery immediately caused the regional broadcast's viewership to drop by a full percentage point.
"BEEP~~~~~~!"
The referee blew the whistle, and the match officially commenced! The away side, Schalke 04, took the opening kickoff!
True to derby fashion, both sides engaged in ferocious, blood-and-thunder challenges from the very first second!
Schalke midfielders Thomas and Stomel quickly linked up, pinging a sharp pass toward the onrushing winger, Sabah.
Sabah didn't even manage to advance a single meter before Andy viciously chopped him down, taking out both the ball and the man in one sweeping motion!
The referee immediately sprinted over, blowing for a foul and issuing Andy a stern verbal warning.
Andy nodded obediently at the official, playing the innocent youngster.
But the very next second, while fiercely contesting an aerial duel, he forcefully took Stomel straight to the ground with him!
"Good lad! Tear them to pieces!
"That's right! Show them no mercy!"
Raucous applause and roaring approval erupted from the hardcore Dortmund stands.
Meanwhile, the Schalke players were already growing visibly frustrated and agitated by Andy's smothering, aggressive ddefense.
The Ruhr Mini-Derby had officially begun, and the "Mad Dog" was off his leash!
........