Score: VFB (3 - 1) SGE – 93'
Frankfurt has already checked out, and Stuttgart is just playing keep-away, drawing fouls and passing sideways to kill time. Finally, the ref blows the final whistle, and the Stuttgart players let out a deep breath.
Full Time: VFB (3 - 1) SGE
Man of the Match: Natnael Abraha – Frankfurt's Right-back
Match Stats:
Minutes Played: 90'
Goal(s): 1
Passes Completed: 87/95 (91% accuracy)
Key Passes: 6
Dribbles Completed: 4
Touches: 120
Tackles Won: 5
Duels Won: 9/13
Recoveries: 11
The coaches exchange a handshake, and every player on the pitch does the same. But some Frankfurt players don't even try to hide their frustration—they're clearly gutted. Their coach tries to lift their spirits, but no one's saying much.
For Frankfurt, this match was huge in their title race against Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Bundesliga U-17 Standings – Matchday 28
Bayer Leverkusen – 65 pts (21W, 2D, 5L) | 65 goals scored, 22 conceded (+43 GD)
Bayern Munich – 65 pts (19W, 8D, 1L) | 55 goals scored, 28 conceded (+27 GD)
Frankfurt – 65 pts (18W, 11D, 1L) | 50 goals scored, 30 conceded (+20 GD)
Meanwhile, Stuttgart isn't even in the top four conversation. They've been stuck in 10th for a while now, picking up just two wins in their last five games—mostly draws.
Stuttgart – 38 pts (7W, 17D, 4L) | 40 goals scored, 35 conceded (+5 GD)
There's still hope for silverware, though. Their DFB-Pokal U17 semifinal against Borussia Dortmund could be their shot at redemption.
Dortmund, meanwhile, has been on fire—10 straight wins, 38 goals scored, only 6 conceded. Their new coach turned things around, and their recent signing, an Austrian wonderkid striker, has 18 goals in his last 10 starts.
They're now favorites to win both the domestic and European cups. And if the top three slip up, they might even make a late push for the Bundesliga U17 title.
Stuttgart's next few fixtures? Not easy.
Stuttgart's next five games:
Stuttgart U17 (3-1) Frankfurt U17 (Won)
Vs. 6th-place Schalke U17 (Away)
Vs. 17th-place Nürnberg U17 (Home)
DFB-Pokal U17 Semi-Final vs. Borussia Dortmund U17 (Neutral Venue)
Vs. 12th-place Hoffenheim U17 (Away)
They looked solid today, but can they keep up the momentum? That's been their biggest issue—they haven't won back-to-back matches all season.
...
The players have packed their bags, waiting for the bus, joking around and hyping up Che for his insane debut goal.
Che side-eyes Leon, smirking. Leon? Completely ignoring him.
"Come on, don't be mad just 'cause you lost the bet. I had to win this one—I lost the last one."
Leon squints. "What bet?"
"The one we made earlier, before the game."
"I don't remember any bet."
Che blinks. "What? You're lying! We totally made a bet—me, you, and Felix."
Leon shrugs. "Nah, don't remember. Sorry."
Che sighs, turning to Felix. "Felix! Felix!"
Felix finally makes his way over. "What?"
"Didn't we make a bet? The three of us?"
Felix sees Leon behind Che, subtly shaking his head. Cue the cover-up.
Felix shrugs. "Nope. Don't remember any bet."
Leon smirks behind Che. Che stares at them, confused—then annoyed.
"Nah, you're both lying! Where's that other guy?"
Felix raises an eyebrow. "What guy?"
"The blonde-haired dude!"
Leon snickers. "A lot of people here have blonde hair, Che. Me… even the coach."
Che glares. "You guys are messing with me. Just wait till I find him."
The bus pulls up. Players pile in, exhausted. Che spots the boy from earlier and points.
"There! It's him."
He can't stop to talk—too many players behind him, all trying to get to their seats. Leon leans toward the guy and whispers, "Deny everything." The boy chuckles and nods.
Once everyone's settled, Che goes over to confront him.
He denies everything.
Che, stunned, heads back to his seat, rethinking his entire reality.
Felix leans in. "So? What did he say?"
Che exhales. "Said it didn't happen."
Felix shrugs. "You were probably just imagining it."
"I'm not stupid. I know what happened."
Felix grins. "Nobody said you were. It just didn't happen."
Leon laughs. Felix joins him.
Che just sits there, questioning everything.
...
(Felix thinks back to when Che scored his goal)
Leon and Felix are on their feet watching Che chip the keeper.
"Shit."
"What?"
Leon exhales. "We lost the bet."
They look at each other. Then burst out laughing and sprint to the celebration.