Chapter 43: Dortmund 4–0 — The Day of Waiting
The second half resumed under the bright afternoon sun, the roar of the crowd still echoing across the Augsburg Arena. Dortmund's players returned from the tunnel looking relaxed, exchanging light jokes and casual smiles as they took their positions.
They were comfortable—both mentally and tactically.
Ken sat quietly on the bench, leaning slightly forward, eyes never leaving the pitch. Although he was not yet part of the matchday rotation, he watched every movement with intense concentration, treating each minute as part of his own preparation.
Across the field, Augsburg showed no intention of retreating into defense despite trailing. Instead, they continued pushing forward with an open attacking approach, determined to chase the game even if it meant exposing themselves defensively.
For Dortmund, that decision was exactly what they wanted.
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The Second Goal
In the 60th minute, Dortmund struck again.
Reus received the ball on the left flank and accelerated past his marker with a burst of pace. A quick feint shifted the defender's balance just enough for him to create space before delivering a sharp low cross into the penalty area.
Pierre arrived perfectly on time.
With a calm touch, he guided the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
0–2.
The traveling Dortmund supporters erupted, yellow scarves spinning wildly above their heads. Pierre sprinted toward the corner flag, arms spread wide, teammates chasing him in celebration.
Ken clapped along with the substitutes, a faint smile on his face.
Good movement… excellent timing, he thought. He attacked the blind side of the defender.
The lesson was simple: in European football, positioning often mattered more than dribbling brilliance.
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The Hat-Trick
Augsburg's aggressive tactics soon punished them again.
Only ten minutes later, a midfield interception triggered another Dortmund counterattack. Mkhitaryan drove forward before slipping a perfectly weighted through pass into open space. Pierre burst forward, outpacing the retreating defense, and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.
0–3.
Hat-trick.
The stadium fell nearly silent except for the celebrating away fans. Pierre pointed toward the Dortmund bench before being surrounded by teammates, his debut performance already becoming the highlight of the weekend.
Beside Ken, several substitutes exchanged impressed glances.
"Hat-trick on league debut," one muttered. "Not bad at all."
Ken nodded slightly, though inwardly he felt a quiet surge of motivation rather than envy. Moments like these didn't discourage him—they sharpened his hunger.
When my chance comes… I'll be ready.
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Watching and Learning
As the match progressed, Dortmund maintained complete control. Augsburg attempted several attacks, but their passes became increasingly rushed, their confidence slowly fading under Dortmund's organized pressing.
Ken studied everything—the positioning of the midfield line, the defensive transitions, the way Reus drifted between zones to create passing angles. Even the small details mattered: how teammates communicated with gestures, how defenders adjusted their body orientation before receiving the ball, how forwards timed their pressing runs to force mistakes.
Every observation felt like a hidden page of a tactical manual.
"Patience," Kehl said quietly beside him, noticing the intensity in his gaze. "Your opportunity will come sooner than you think."
Ken smiled slightly. "I'm ready whenever it does."
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Substitutions
In the 80th minute, Klopp signaled for a substitution. Pierre jogged toward the sideline under loud applause, replaced by a fresh attacking player. The forward sat down near Ken, still breathing heavily but grinning widely.
"Great performance," Ken said, offering a handshake.
"Thanks," Pierre replied, still energized. "Feels good to start the season like this."
Ken nodded. "You attacked the space perfectly on that third goal."
Pierre laughed. "That's the Bundesliga—if defenders step too high, you punish them."
Their brief conversation was interrupted by another surge of noise from the crowd.
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The Fourth Goal
Dortmund wasn't finished yet.
With only a few minutes remaining, Reus received the ball outside the penalty area. A quick combination with a teammate pulled the defense slightly out of shape, and he unleashed a precise strike into the bottom corner.
0–4.
The away supporters celebrated once again, chanting loudly as the Dortmund players gathered near the touchline. On the Augsburg side, frustration showed clearly—shoulders slumped, movements slower, confidence drained.
Ken watched the scoreboard change, feeling the rhythm of European football settle deeper into his understanding.
This was not merely about skill. It was about tempo, positioning, discipline, and seizing moments with ruthless efficiency.
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Final Whistle
When the referee finally blew the whistle, Dortmund's players exchanged satisfied handshakes and applause toward their traveling fans. A strong opening victory, three points secured, and a statement performance to start the season.
Pierre's hat-trick dominated the headlines, while Reus's influence in attack drew equal praise from commentators. Analysts quickly noted how seamlessly Dortmund had transitioned after the previous season's roster changes, once again crediting Klopp's system for maintaining stability despite new arrivals.
On the bench, Ken stood and stretched lightly, glancing once more at the pitch before heading toward the tunnel with the rest of the substitutes.
He had not played a single minute today.
Yet, strangely, he felt no frustration.
Instead, he felt clearer than ever.
He had seen the speed of the league, the physical intensity, the tactical intelligence required at this level—and more importantly, he knew he belonged here. The difference between sitting on the bench and stepping onto the field was no longer intimidating; it was simply a matter of timing.
Next time, he thought calmly, I'll be ready.
As the team walked back toward the locker room, the noise of the stadium gradually faded behind them. The season had only just begun, and for Ken, the real story had yet to start.
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