As the Borussia Dortmund team bus wound its way through the streets of Munich, the atmosphere inside was electric. Players chatted excitedly, some listening to music to pump themselves up, others sitting in silent concentration.
Amidst the buzz of anticipation, Luka sat quietly, his mind far from the impending clash. The weight of his looming decision about international allegiance pressed heavily on his thoughts.
Croatia, the land of his heritage, tugged at his heartstrings. The immediate offer of a place in the senior squad was tempting, and the thought of representing the country where he spent part of his childhood held a certain appeal. But doubts crept in. After Luka Modrić's retirement, who else would be World Class around him? Joško Gvardiol would be there, but beyond him, the pool seemed shallow. Most of the current squad were approaching or already in their 30s.
England seemed like the safe choice on the surface. The football infrastructure was top-notch, and the pathway to the senior team was clear. But the thought of being part of that "cursed team" made him shudder.
Then there was Portugal. Where would he fit in? Leão was already establishing himself on the left wing, Luka's preferred position. Would he have to adapt to a midfield role?
As the bus pulled up to the Allianz Arena, Luka was no closer to a decision. The sight of the iconic stadium, illuminated against the evening sky, finally snapped him back to the present. The buzz of excitement from his teammates was palpable as they disembarked, greeted by the roar of fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. As Luka made his way to the bench, he could feel the weight of expectation in the air.
The commentators' voices boomed through the stadium as they began their pre-match analysis.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the DFL-Supercup 2021! I'm Martin Tyler, alongside me is Alan Smith, and we're in for a treat tonight as Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund in this season's curtain-raiser."
"That's right, Martin. This match has become a real rivalry in recent years, with these two teams consistently battling it out at the top of the Bundesliga. Tonight's game promises to be another thrilling encounter."
"Indeed, Alan. Let's take a look at the starting lineups for both teams. For Bayern Munich, we have Neuer in goal; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, and Davies making up the back four; Kimmich and Goretzka in midfield; Sané, Müller, and Gnabry supporting Lewandowski up front."
"And for Borussia Dortmund, we see Kobel between the sticks; Passlack, Akanji, Witsel, and Schulz in defense; a diamond midfield of Dahoud, Bellingham, Reus, and Reyna; with Haaland and Moukoko leading the line."
"One surprising omission from the Dortmund starting eleven is young Luka Zorić. The 17-year-old has been a revelation since joining the club, creating chances and scoring goals in every appearance. It's a bold move by Marco Rose to leave him on the bench for such a crucial match."
As the teams lined up for the pre-match ceremonies, Luka watched from the sidelines, his earlier dilemma momentarily forgotten as he focused on the task at hand. The stadium erupted into a chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone" as the Dortmund fans made their presence felt.
The match kicked off, and from the first whistle, it was clear that Bayern meant business. Their high press and quick passing had Dortmund on the back foot almost immediately.
In the 18th minute, disaster struck for Dortmund. A pinpoint cross from Serge Gnabry found Robert Lewandowski in the box, and the striker made no mistake, powering a header past Kobel.
"GOAL! Robert Lewandowski puts Bayern in front!" the commentator exclaimed. "That's the first goal of the tournament, and what a way to start. A brilliant header, and Dortmund are shell-shocked!"
Luka watched from the bench, frustration building as he saw his team struggling to maintain possession and create chances. The midfield was being overrun, and he could see gaps that he knew he could exploit if given the chance.
Just as Dortmund seemed to be finding their footing, Bayern struck again. In the 32nd minute, a swift counter-attack caught Dortmund's defense out of position. The ball fell to Thomas Müller in the box, and the experienced forward made no mistake with a simple tap-in.
"It's 2-0 to Bayern! Thomas Müller doubles their lead with a poacher's finish. Dortmund are in real trouble now."
As the Allianz Arena erupted in celebration, Luka couldn't contain his frustration any longer. He turned to his teammate on the bench, muttering, "Why isn't Marco making any changes? We're getting absolutely abused in midfield."
The commentators seemed to echo his thoughts. "It's surprising to see Zorić still on the bench," one remarked. "In every game he's played for Dortmund, he's been the key player creating chances. You have to wonder if his introduction could change the dynamic of this match."
As the second half progressed, the frustration on Dortmund's bench inreased. Luka Zorić sat on the edge of his seat, his legs bouncing with nervous energy as he watched his teammates struggle against Bayern's relentless pressure.
In the 58th minute, a glimmer of hope emerged for Dortmund. Jude threaded a pass through Bayern's defense. Marco Reus, timing his run to perfection, latched onto the ball and fired a right-footed shot past Neuer, pulling one back for Dortmund.
"GOAL! Marco Reus gives Dortmund a lifeline!" the commentator exclaimed. "What a pass from young Bellingham, and Reus makes no mistake with the finish. Game on!"
The Dortmund fans erupted, their renewed hope echoing through the Allianz Arena. Luka leapt to his feet, celebrating with his teammates on the bench. For a moment, it seemed like the tide might be turning.
However, Bayern Munich had other ideas. In the 74th minute, they struck again. Corentin Tolisso, who had come on as a substitute, found Robert Lewandowski with a clever pass. The Polish striker, fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner, restoring Bayern's two-goal lead.
"Lewandowski does it again! That's his second of the night, and surely that's the Supercup sealed for Bayern Munich," the commentator declared.
As the clock ticked past the 80th minute, Marco Rose finally turned to his bench. Luka's heart raced as he saw the fourth official raise the substitution board. His number was up.
"And here comes Luka Zorić," the commentator announced. "The young sensation is finally being given his chance as Marco Rose changes to a 4-3-3. Can he spark a comeback for Dortmund in these final minutes?"
As Luka jogged onto the pitch, replacing Giovanni Reyna, he felt a surge of adrenaline. The roar of the Dortmund fans spurred him on, and he was determined to make an impact.
From the moment he touched the ball, it was clear Bayern had done their homework. They closed him down quickly, recognizing his threat. But Luka was ready for the challenge.
In the 83rd minute, Luka received the ball just inside Bayern's half. He was positioned near the left touchline, with Haaland making a run down the center and Reus drifting to the right. As he controlled the ball, Kimmich immediately pressed him, trying to force him back.
Luka feinted to pass, causing Kimmich to momentarily hesitate. In that split second, Luka knocked the ball past him and accelerated. Pavard, seeing the danger, rushed over to cover. Luka slowed slightly, drawing Pavard in before suddenly changing pace and direction, cutting inside.
As he moved into the center of the pitch, Goretzka came across to challenge. Luka felt a tug on his shirt but managed to stay on his feet. He spotted Bellingham making a run into space and considered passing, but Upamecano was quickly closing that option down.
Instead, Luka dropped his shoulder, feinting to go left before quickly shifting the ball to his right foot. Goretzka lunged in, but Luka had already moved the ball away. He was now just outside the box, with only Hernandez between him and the goal.
Hernandez stood his ground, wary of Luka's quick feet. Luka shaped to shoot, causing Hernandez to lean to his right. In that moment, Luka pushed the ball to his left, looking to create space for a shot.
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, a desperate lunge from Kimmich, who had tracked back, caught Luka's ankle. He went down, and the referee immediately blew his whistle.
Free-kick to Dortmund, right on the edge of the box.
As Dortmund players gathered around the ball, Reus approached. But Luka stepped forward.
"Let me take it," Luka said, his voice steady.
Reus looked at him, surprised. "Are you sure?"
Luka nodded. Reus hesitated for a moment before stepping back.
The stadium fell silent as Luka placed the ball. He took five steps back and two to the left, his eyes fixed on the goal.
In the Bayern wall, Lewandowski and Müller exchanged glances. They'd seen Luka's free-kicks in training videos. They knew the danger.
Neuer barked orders at his wall, positioning them carefully. He took half a step to his left, anticipating Luka's likely trajectory.
The referee blew his whistle. Luka took a deep breath.
He began his run-up, smooth and measured. As he reached the ball, his body shape was perfect. His striking foot whipped through the air, making clean contact.
The ball rose quickly, clearing the wall with ease. It arced high before beginning its descent, curling viciously. Neuer, reading the initial flight, had taken a step to his left. As the ball swerved, he realized his mistake.
The German keeper lunged to his right, his tall frame at full stretch. For a moment, it seemed he might reach it.
But the ball's pace and curve were too much. It dipped at the last second, crashing into the top right corner. The net bulged, and the stadium erupted.
Luka's teammates sprinted towards him as the commentator's voice boomed through the stadium: "GOAL! What a free-kick from Luka Zorić! Dortmund are back in this!"
As the ball nestled in the top corner, Luka barely celebrated. He simply raised his hands briefly before turning and sprinting back to the center circle. There was no time to waste – they needed another goal.
From that moment on, Luka was everywhere. In the 87th minute, he received the ball in midfield, turned quickly, and threaded a perfect pass between two Bayern defenders. Haaland latched onto it, but his shot was well saved by Neuer.
Seconds later, Luka was back defending, tracking Sané's run and when Jude made a crucial interception and layed the ball of to him. He immediately launched a counter-attack, driving forward before releasing Reus on the right. Reus's cross found Malen at the far post, but his header went agonizingly wide.
As the clock ticked into the 89th minute, Luka found himself on the left wing, facing up against Kimmich and Pavard. The Bayern duo had been instructed to double-team him, recognizing the threat he posed.
Luka slowed his approach, almost to a walking pace. He was at the corner flag now, with seemingly nowhere to go. Kimmich pressed forward, while Pavard covered the potential cut-back.
Suddenly, Luka exploded into action. He flicked the ball up with his left foot, spun 180 degrees, and in one fluid motion, backheeled the ball through Kimmich's legs. The stadium gasped collectively.
But Luka wasn't done. As Pavard rushed in to cover, Luka flicked the ball up again, this time over Pavard's outstretched leg. He caught the ball on his chest, letting it drop to his feet as he accelerated past the stunned defenders.
Now in the box, Luka had drawn every Bayern defender towards him. He looked up, spotted Haaland in space, and squared the ball perfectly across the six-yard box.
The pass evaded every Bayern player, rolling invitingly towards Haaland. The stadium held its breath as the Norwegian striker wound up to shoot...
But his connection wasn't clean. The ball skewed off his boot, flying high and wide of the goal.
Luka couldn't hide his frustration this time. He put his hands on his head, knowing that might have been their best chance to equalize. As he jogged back, he berated himself internally. "I should have looked for Erling earlier," he thought. "He was in a better position before I entered the box."
Despite the miss, the Dortmund fans were in full voice now, urging their team on for one last push. Luka, despite his fatigue, was determined to deliver. He demanded the ball at every opportunity, orchestrating Dortmund's attacks as they searched desperately for an equalizer.
As the clock ticked into the 94th minute, Luka received the ball near the halfway line. With Bayern players swarming around him, he knew it was now or never. A sudden burst of adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Luka flicked the ball over Kimmich's head, spinning around the German midfielder to recollect it. Goretzka rushed in, but Luka nutmegged him with a quick touch between his legs. The crowd gasped as Luka accelerated towards the Bayern defense.
Upamecano came charging out, but Luka was ready. He performed a lightning-quick step-over, leaving the defender wrong-footed. As he entered the box, Hernandez slid in desperately. Luka leaped over the challenge, maintaining his balance, but felt a slight clip on his trailing leg.
In a split-second decision, Luka exaggerated the contact. He threw himself to the ground, rolling dramatically. As he clutched his ankle, writhing in apparent agony, the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot.
The Bayern players surrounded the referee, protesting vehemently. Luka stayed down, selling the foul, his heart racing as he waited for the decision to be confirmed. After what felt like an eternity, the referee stood firm. The penalty stood.
As Luka finally got to his feet, he caught Haaland's eye. The Norwegian striker gave him a knowing look – a mix of admiration for the skill and a slight smirk at the theatrics. Luka jogged back, leaving Haaland to face Neuer from twelve yards out.
The stadium fell silent as Haaland placed the ball on the spot. Neuer, imposing as ever, tried to psyche out the young striker. Haaland took a deep breath, started his run-up, and struck the ball with power.
Neuer guessed right, diving to his left, but the shot was too precise, too powerful. The net bulged, and the Dortmund end of the stadium erupted. 3-3. Unbelievable.
Seconds later, the final whistle blew. The DFL-Supercup would be decided by penalties.
As the teams gathered to decide the order of takers, Luka felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He wasn't the best at penalties – they weren't his forte like free-kicks were. But he wasn't the worst either. When Rose announced the order, Luka found himself fourth on the list.
The shootout began. Lewandowski stepped up first for Bayern, sending Kobel the wrong way. Reus responded for Dortmund, his shot just squeezing past Neuer's fingertips.
Kimmich was next for Bayern, his penalty powerful and precise. Haaland matched him, smashing his shot into the top corner.
Müller calmly slotted home Bayern's third. Bellingham showed nerves of steel to keep Dortmund level.
Then it was Luka's turn. As he walked from the center circle, the weight of the moment hit him. This wasn't just any penalty – this was to keep Dortmund in the Supercup.
Luka placed the ball on the spot, trying to calm his racing heart. He looked up at Neuer, the imposing figure in the Bayern goal. Neuer stared back, unblinking.
The referee blew his whistle. Luka took three steps back, then began his run-up. He aimed for the bottom right corner, striking the ball with as much power as he could muster.
Neuer guessed right, diving to his left. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed he might reach it. But the ball had too much power, too much accuracy. It flew past Neuer's outstretched hand and into the net.
Luka let out a roar of relief and triumph. He had done his part. Now it was up to his teammates.
Gnabry scored for Bayern, putting the pressure back on Dortmund. Dahoud stepped up, the final taker for Dortmund. The midfielder looked nervous as he placed the ball.
Dahoud's run-up was hesitant. He struck the ball without conviction, and Neuer read it perfectly. The German keeper dove to his right, palming the ball away to seal Bayern's victory.