God's Striker
Chapter 21 – Master of the Midfield
January 26th, 2008 – Bundesliga Matchday 19: Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen
The winter sun pierced through the frosty sky, casting long shadows across the snow-fringed pitch of Signal Iduna Park. The Bundesliga was back from its midseason break, and the stakes had never been higher. Borussia Dortmund stood 7th in the league, a precarious yet hopeful position. The fans needed belief. The board demanded results. And Nico Valen?
He just wanted to play football.
Coach Doll had been under scrutiny in the press, but in the dressing room, he remained commanding. "This is a new half of the season. Fresh legs. Fresh minds. Nico, central today. Number 10. I want you pulling strings, breaking lines, and reminding this league who you are."
Nico nodded. He could feel the difference since fully unlocking Zidane's template. His vision had expanded. His touch was silkier. His ability to shield the ball, to turn under pressure, to glide past opponents with elegance—it was all there now, embedded in muscle memory.
> System Notification:
Zidane Template Progression: 97% Synced
New Skill Unlocked: La Roulette (Zidane Turn)
New Passive Ability: Composure Under Pressure (+10% accuracy in tight situations)
The lineups were called:
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): GK: Weidenfeller
DEF: Dede, Subotić, Hummels, Owomoyela
MID: Sahin, Kuba, Nico (CAM)
ATT: Tinga (RW), Valdez (ST), Buckley (LW)
Werder Bremen (4-1-4-1): GK: Tim Wiese
DEF: Boenisch, Mertesacker, Naldo, Fritz
MID: Frings, Diego, Jensen, Hunt, Özil
ATT: Rosenberg
Yes—Mesut Özil. Still young, still raw, but already dangerous.
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Kickoff
From the first whistle, Bremen pressed high. Özil and Diego hunted Nico like wolves, trying to deny him any rhythm. But the difference now was clear. Nico no longer panicked. He'd developed a sixth sense.
Minute 4:
Hummels played into Nico with two shadows on his back. Nico let the ball roll across him, spun using the Zidane Turn, and left Özil lunging at air. The crowd gasped, then roared.
He pushed forward, eyes scanning. A disguised pass split the Bremen line. Valdez through one-on-one.
Saved by Wiese.
> Commentator: "Nico Valen just did a roulette in midfield and turned defense into attack in three seconds. He's a different beast now."
Minute 13:
Werder struck. Özil found Diego at the edge of the box. The Brazilian shuffled and curled a shot to the far post.
GOAL! Dortmund 0-1 Bremen
Weidenfeller couldn't do much. The away section erupted.
Minute 19:
Nico answered. With space opening up, he drove forward. A dummy run by Tinga pulled Naldo out. Nico sent a curling through ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Buckley.
Cutback.
Valdez tapped in.
GOAL! Dortmund 1-1 Bremen
The Südtribüne exploded.
> System Update:
Assist Registered – Bundesliga Total: 14
Match Rating: 8.0
Minute 30:
Now in rhythm, Dortmund dominated. Nico pulled defenders like puppets, opening space for Sahin and Kuba to take turns launching from distance.
Minute 42:
Nico turned Frings inside out and fired from 22 yards.
Off the post!
Gasps. Wiese kissed the ball in gratitude.
Halftime: Dortmund 1 – 1 Bremen
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Second Half
Coach Doll: "Push higher. Nico, pull Özil deeper, create the vacuum."
Minute 54:
Nico drifted left, dragging Frings with him. He pinged a switch to Tinga on the right, then darted into the box.
Cross.
Header.
GOAL! Dortmund 2-1 Bremen
> System Update:
Goal Registered – Bundesliga Total: 8
Match Rating: 9.2
Minute 67:
Diego wasn't done. A thunderbolt free-kick from 30 yards.
GOAL! Dortmund 2-2 Bremen
Stadium silenced again. Dortmund refused to fold.
Minute 74:
Nico took charge. One-two with Sahin. Step over. Drag back. La Croqueta past Mertesacker.
He unleashed a rocket.
GOAL! Dortmund 3-2 Bremen
The crowd erupted.
> Commentator: "He's got it all. The vision of Zidane. The flair of a street baller. Nico Valen is putting on a midfield masterclass!"
Minute 88:
With Bremen desperate, Nico still tracked back, intercepting Diego and initiating a counter. He set up Sahin for a 4th goal that was barely saved.
Full Time: Borussia Dortmund 3 – 2 Werder Bremen
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Post-Match Stats:
Nico Valen: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 6 Key Passes, 3 Dribbles, 1 Interception
Match Rating: 9.4 (MOTM)
Bundesliga Assists: 14
Bundesliga Goals: 8
System Notification:
> Zidane Template: 100% Synced
Permanent Traits Unlocked:
Elite Vision (+15% key pass success)
Midfield Control Aura (Slight performance buff to nearby teammates)
> Quest Update:
Half-Henry Progress: 14/17 Assists
Goal King: 10 Goals
Crown the Creator: Ongoing
New Quest: Maestro of Germany – Reach Bundesliga Team of the Season. Reward: Advanced Finishing Trait
Fan Reactions:
"He's not just good. He's generational."
"You can see Zidane in the way he moves. Chills."
"If we lose him to Real Madrid one day, at least we knew greatness early."
Coach Reaction:
"He was majestic. Everything we did went through Nico. He played like he had the game in the palm of his hand."
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To be continued: The Cup Run Begins...