Among the sea of yellow jerseys in the stadium, a young man dressed in a suit and tie sat attentively. If Lucas is here he will instantly recognize him as George Evans, the Chelsea scout he had seen on the sidelines during training.
George has chosen to watch the game in stadium to evaluate De Bruyne's performance at Werder Bremen, assessing whether can he met Chelsea's expectations and if he should be recalled to the team.
Another purpose of his presence, as Lucas guessed, is to assess Dortmund's star striker, Lewandowski, for a potential move to Chelsea.
The Dortmund striker had displayed remarkable performances in Dortmund the previous season, with 22 goals and 8 assists in 34 league appearances. Although his goal tally ranked third in the Bundesliga, it was noteworthy that none of his 22 goals were penalties, showcasing his quality.
If Lewandowski could maintain his outstanding form and prove he isn't a one-season wonder, he would undoubtedly be among the top scorers worldwide.
With Lewandowski's market value estimated at around €30 million, which isn't exorbitant, Chelsea believed they could secure his transfer.
However, based on Lewandowski's current performance in the first half, George didn't see anything particularly impressive.
Instead, he is captivated by the young player who hit him with the ball.
Witnessing Lucas's performance, George couldn't resist adding detailed notes about his exceptional display to the scouting report.
He acknowledged that players of Lucas's age may not provide immediate impact, but the youngster's immense potential couldn't be ignored.
Failing to recommend him to the club would be a neglectful oversight.
...
On the field, the Dortmund players, afraid of losing possession, hesitated to launch attacks for over ten minutes.
It wasn't until the 20th minute, near the end of the first half, that they finally adjusted their approach.
What good is it to sit back and defend? They would inevitably lose if they didn't attack, but by attacking, they might changee the situation.
Moreover, the opponent's intensity seemed to have diminished compared to the beginning of the game. Their attacks are no longer as sharp and active.
This gave the Dortmund players some reassurance, prompting them to shed their apprehensions and resume their high-pressing tactics.
It had been proven that when Dortmund wholeheartedly executed Klopp's tactics, their offensive firepower is at the pinnacle of European football.
In the 22nd minute, Dortmund's new signing, Reus, who was acquired at a significant price from Borussia Mönchengladbach, rose to the occasion.
Receiving a pass from his teammate, he bypassed a defender and unleashed a powerful shot from the penalty area, breaching Werder Bremen's goal.
It was a splendid strike, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
The score now stood at 2-1, with Dortmund trailing by a single goal.
At that moment, the entire Westfalenstadion erupted in an instant!
The 80,000 fans produced a deafening roar capable of toppling the stadium's roof. The passion they had contained for over 20 minutes is finally unleashed.
In the South Stand, the 30,000 fans who had been singing their team song since the start of the game, even when the team is behind, raised their voices even louder.
Countless fans pounded their chests vigorously, raised their scarves, and roared while singing "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Amidst the chants, a colossal yellow team flag emblazoned with "BVB" slowly unfurled.
The Dortmund players, already brimming with enthusiasm, felt as though an infinite surge of power coursed through their veins. They are filled with passion, and their fighting spirit soared.
"What a formidable home crowd atmosphere!" Fullkrug exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe.
Lucas nodded, deeply moved by what he is experiencing.
It was at this moment that he truly grasped the power of this "Devil's Stadium."
This is an intuitive feeling that couldn't be captured through television broadcasts.
Glancing at his teammates, Lucas noticed that many are already gasping for breath before the first half had even concluded.
Especially those who hadn't rested well the previous night. They hadn't fully recovered their physical stamina, and in the first half, they had played at a extreme fast pace against the opponent's quick high-pressing strategy.
Combined with the oppressive atmosphere at the Devil's home ground, their energy has been depleted.
This couldn't go on!
Lucas's gaze shifted to the sideline. Coach Schaaf wore an impassive expression, showing no signs of making adjustments.
The game continued, and the Dortmund players, in peak condition, continued to implement their high-intensity pressing tactics.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen struggled to keep up with the opponents' rhythm.
In less than two minutes after the last goal, Dortmund succeeded in stealing possession in the opponent's half. Lewandowski and Reus combined with a one-two pass, and the ball found its way into Werder Bremen's net.
Another goal for Dortmund!
Dortmund's relentless attacking momentum continued to surge after equalizing the score. Barely a minute after scoring the second goal, they struck again, displaying their offensive prowess.
Lewandowski, the team's main striker, positioned himself expertly inside the penalty area. As Reus delivered a pinpoint cross, Lewandowski launched himself into the air and executed a powerful header, directing the ball past the outstretched arms of Werder Bremen's goalkeeper.
The stadium erupted in jubilation as Dortmund's players celebrated the goal. The fans, who had been fervently supporting their team, raised their voices even louder, their cheers echoing through the stadium.
The goal marked Lewandowski's second of the game, further solidifying his reputation as a deadly finisher. His ability to find scoring opportunities and convert them with precision showcased his immense skill and made him a formidable threat to any defense.
With this goal, Dortmund took the lead for the first time in the match, and the score now stood at 3-2 in their favor. The rapid turn of events left the Werder Bremen players stunned and struggling to regain their composure.
The Dortmund players, fuelled by their relentless attacking spirit, continued to press forward, eager to extend their lead. Their confidence soared as they unleashed wave after wave of dangerous attacks, testing the resilience of Werder Bremen's defense.
The game had turned into a thrilling back-and-forth contest, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess. The spectators were treated to an exhilarating display of skill, determination, and goal-scoring flair.
As the minutes ticked away in the first half, both teams fought fiercely to gain the upper hand. The intensity on the pitch was matched only by the electric atmosphere in the stands. The final of the Telecom Cup had transformed into an unforgettable spectacle, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the second half and the ultimate outcome of this thrilling encounter.
Within a span of three minutes, Dortmund had scored three goals, overturning the game.
Dortmund is playing with a frenzied rhythm!
Werder Bremen's players, now in disarray, appeared bewildered.
Gazing at the lively stadium, resembling an erupting volcano, and at the Dortmund players' faces filled with determination and ferocity, each Werder Bremen player was overcome with frustration.
In just three minutes, they had squandered a considerable lead and fallen into dire circumstances.
Dortmund's offensive prowess filled them with terror!
They began to question themselves: Could they really defeat such a formidable team?
Fortunately, there isn't much time left in the first half. After Dortmund finished celebrating, there are less than three minutes remaining.
If the duration were longer, a beaten and disheartened Werder Bremen would likely continue conceding goals.
During halftime, Coach Schaaf looked at his demoralized players and let out a sigh.
Clapping his hands to gain their attention, he began speaking.
"Your performance in the first half was outstanding, flawlessly executing the tactics we had devised before the game. Although the final score wasn't ideal, and we let go of a significant lead, that's not your fault—it's mine."
Schaaf paused, acknowledging that some players were clearly exhausted in the final minutes of the first half.
"To make matters worse, my tactics required attacking Dortmund relentlessly in the first half. This caused players who already lacked fitness to expend even more energy, significantly shortening their endurance in the game."
He took out the tactics board, illustrating the strategy they would implement in the second half.
"Dortmund is not invincible, and our two goals in the first half are evidence of that. So, in the second half, we'll play like this. I'll substitute a few exhausted players and bring on a fresh group with plenty of energy. However, they won't be attacking; their role will be to defend."
Schaff emphasized the need for an impregnable defense to thwart Dortmund's attacks. The team could no longer afford to concede any more goals.
"Wait until the last five minutes of the game, and then increase the tempo. Play them like we did in the first half. We don't need multiple goals; just one will be enough to take the match into a penalty shootout."
"When it comes to penalty kicks, the suspense of the outcome rests in the hands of God."