**Chapter 16 – Breaking the Lines**
*November 3rd, 2007 – Bundesliga Matchday 10: Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt*
The misty morning haze in Dortmund cleared just in time for the electric buzz of Bundesliga Matchday 10. The Yellow Wall, as defiant as ever, roared with anticipation. A wave of yellow and black rippled across Signal Iduna Park.
But this time, Nico Valen wasn't in his usual playmaking slot. Coach Thomas Doll had something different in mind.
"You're starting on the left wing today," Doll told him at training. "But you're not staying there. I want you to drift inside, find those half-spaces, become our chaos agent."
Nico's mind whirled. It wasn't quite unfamiliar—he had practiced it. But doing it in a live Bundesliga match against a Frankfurt side known for punishing mistakes was another story.
> **System Notification:**
> *New Tactical Assignment: Inverted Left Winger*
> *This role emphasizes sharp diagonal runs, close control, and inside passing. Thierry Henry-style template syncing… 25%.*
With Valdez leading the line and Federico in the hole, Nico would now be expected to combine with both while slicing through defenses.
The starting XI:
* GK: Roman Weidenfeller
* DEF: Dede, Wörns, Subotić, Kringe
* MID: Tinga, Sahin, Kuba
* ATT: Nico (LWF), Federico (AMF), Valdez (ST)
Eintracht Frankfurt deployed a stubborn 4-2-3-1, looking to absorb pressure and strike on counters.
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**First Half – Pressure and Precision**
**Minute 1:** From kickoff, Dortmund surged forward. Sahin passed wide to Dede, who played Nico down the left. A deft touch from Nico took him past Ochs.
The crowd stood up—
He cut inside, curled a shot—
**JUST WIDE.**
> **Commentator:** "Oof! That was nearly a Henry-esque opener from young Nico Valen."
**Minute 5:** Frankfurt settled into a tight block. Their captain Chris barked instructions, keeping the midfield in shape. Any central passing lanes were quickly suffocated.
Nico adapted. Instead of staying high, he drifted deep to receive the ball and pulled Ochs with him, creating a vacuum for Dede to burst into.
**Minute 11:** Nico pinged a diagonal through-ball to Kuba on the far side. Kuba crossed first-time—
Valdez header!
**Saved brilliantly by Pröll!**
The Yellow Wall groaned.
**Minute 18:** A mistake in buildup. Kringe's pass was intercepted by Meier. Frankfurt broke quickly. Meier to Fink, who slid Amanatidis behind Subotić—
**GOAL! Frankfurt 1–0 Dortmund**
The away end erupted. Doll slammed his hands on the dugout wall.
> **System Notification:** *Conceded Goal – High Press Weakness Detected*
**Minute 23:** The response was electric. Nico took the restart, quickly fed it to Sahin and darted inward.
Federico laid it off.
Nico, 25 yards out—one touch, right foot—
**GOAL!!!**
Signal Iduna exploded.
> **System Notification:**
> *Goal Registered – Bundesliga Total: 5*
> *Match Rating: 8.1*
**Minute 31:** Nico received a driven pass from Kringe. He stepped over once, twice—Ochs bit—and he was gone. Nico squared it low into the box.
Federico—tapped wide again.
Nico clutched his head. The crowd applauded the move regardless.
**Minute 39:** Frankfurt's midfield surged again. Meier launched a cross that Amanatidis brought down, but Subotić recovered brilliantly.
**Halftime Whistle:**
**Dortmund 1–1 Frankfurt**
---
**Second Half – Lessons in Defeat**
Doll's halftime talk was stern. "More composure in the final third. Nico, your role is working. Keep pulling them around. Valdez needs to finish."
**Minute 48:** Nico drew two defenders and slid a disguised pass between them. Federico stepped in, chipped the keeper—
**OFF THE BAR.**
**Minute 52:** Frankfurt adjusted, pushing Fink wider to trap Nico.
**Minute 57:** A dangerous turnover. Tinga's touch was loose, and Meier intercepted again.
Ball slipped to Amanatidis—he shot—
**GOAL! Frankfurt 2–1 Dortmund**
Weidenfeller slammed the post in frustration.
Nico, hands on hips, stared up at the sky. He jogged back, muttering under his breath.
**Minute 61:** Dortmund pushed harder. Nico now floated across the pitch, finding pockets.
**Minute 65:** A curling cross from Dede found Valdez—
**Saved again.**
**Minute 72:** Counter from Frankfurt. Ochs this time joined the attack, feeding Köhler. His shot—
**GOAL! Frankfurt 3–1 Dortmund**
Silence. The Yellow Wall deflated.
**Minute 78:** Nico beat three men in midfield, surged forward, and launched a rocket from distance—
**GOAL!!! Dortmund 2–3 Frankfurt**
Too little too late?
> **System Notification:** *Goal Registered – Bundesliga Total: 6*
> *Match Rating: 9.1*
**Minute 84:** Valdez had a clear chance from a Nico cutback—
**Skyed it.**
**Final Whistle:** Dortmund 2–3 Frankfurt
Boos mixed with applause. Nico walked off, drenched in sweat, his face unreadable.
> **Commentator:** "What a performance from Valen—two goals, countless chances. But this was a lesson in efficiency. Dortmund's midfield got bullied when it mattered."
> **Fan Forum:** "Valen can't carry this team alone. Get him help!"
---
**Post-Match Bundesliga Table (After Matchday 10):**
1. Bayern Munich – 26 pts
2. Bayer Leverkusen – 24 pts
3. Schalke – 23 pts
4. Werder Bremen – 22 pts
5. Dortmund – 22 pts (7W, 1D, 3L)
---
**System Summary:**
> *Goals (Bundesliga): 6*
> *Assists (Bundesliga): 10*
> *Morale: Focused*
> *Stamina: Good*
> *Injury Risk: Low*
> **Quest Progress – Half-Henry Trial:** 10/17 Assists
> **Quest Progress – Goal King:** 8/?? Goals
> **Quest Progress – Crown the Creator:** In Progress
> **New Notification:** *Coach Reaction – "Nico's versatility is frightening. Even in defeat, he's elite."*
> **Team Chemistry:** Improving with Federico and Kuba
> **Player Journal Unlocked:**
> *"I gave everything today.Two goals. Eight chances created. Still lost. Maybe this is what separates talent from champions. I have to do more."*
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*To be continued in Chapter 17 – Redemption Arc.*