**Chapter 12 — The Decisive Half: A Harsh Lesson**
September 1st, 2007 — Allianz Arena, Munich
The roar of the Allianz Arena intensified as the players stepped back onto the pitch. Tension crackled like lightning in the air. The halftime score was 1-1, but for Nico Valen, the battle had only just begun.
Commentators across Germany were abuzz.
"Unbelievable performance from the sixteen-year-old Nico Valen," came the voice of Klaus Bender on ZDF.
"A false nine at this age, against Bayern Munich, and he's already on the score sheet. You can't write scripts like this."
In the tunnel, Lucio gave Nico a long look. "You have talent, garoto," he muttered in Portuguese, "but this is Bayern."
Nico didn't flinch. He nodded, blue eyes calm, heart burning.
---
**46th Minute — Kickoff (Second Half)**
The game resumed, and Bayern turned ruthless.
Schweinsteiger began pressing higher. Zé Roberto shifted wide, forcing Owomoyela to retreat. Lahm began overlapping with menace, supplying crosses that rained into Dortmund's box like arrows from siege engines.
But Nico was everywhere.
Minute 49: He dropped into midfield, ghosted past Van Bommel, and launched a through ball to Kuba.
Minute 51: Intercepted a sloppy pass from Demichelis, burst forward, sidestepped Lucio—shot!
Kahn saved again.
"Nico Valen is putting on a show," the commentator shouted. "Kahn denies him again, but this kid is dictating the tempo!"
Minute 56: Kringe fed Nico at the edge of the box. Nico faked left, dragged with his right, turned into space—and fired.
**GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 2 – 1 Bayern Munich**
The away fans exploded.
In the stands, Dortmund supporters screamed his name. "Nico! Nico! Nico!"
> **System Notification:**
> *Second Goal Registered — Match Rating: 9.1*
> *Trait Activated: Cold Flame — +5 Composure under Pressure*
But Bayern weren't champions for nothing.
Minute 61: Zé Roberto picked a pocket in midfield, sprinted down the flank, crossed low. Klose finished with precision.
**GOAL! Bayern Munich 2 – 2 Borussia Dortmund**
The stadium erupted like a volcano.
"You can't give Klose that much space," the commentator muttered. "Back and forth we go!"
Nico shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow. But he didn't retreat.
Minute 67: Dede threw in. Kehl found Nico. Nico turned, skipped past Schweinsteiger, one-two with Kuba, darted behind Demichelis, chipped over Kahn—
**GOAL! HAT-TRICK! Borussia Dortmund 3 – 2 Bayern Munich**
Silence. Then gasps. Then thunder.
"HE'S DONE IT! Sixteen years old and he's just scored a hat-trick against the most dominant side in Germany!"
> **System Notification:**
> *Hat-Trick Completed — Match Rating: 9.9*
> *Milestone Achieved: Legendary Youth Moment*
> *New Quest Unlocked: Shine in Defeat — Earn Respect Beyond Victory*
But sometimes football is cruel.
Minute 73: Lahm danced past Dede, squared it to Schweinsteiger. A rocket from distance.
**GOAL! Bayern Munich 3 – 3 Borussia Dortmund**
Minute 81: Lucio stepped up into midfield. Dortmund was tiring. Valen's legs were heavy.
Zé Roberto slipped a pass into the box. Toni made the diagonal run. Snap finish.
**GOAL! Bayern Munich 4 – 3 Borussia Dortmund**
The crowd went berserk.
Coach Doll shouted from the touchline, but energy was draining.
Minute 87: Nico tried to rally the troops.
"We can still draw this!" he yelled, voice hoarse. "Press high!"
They did.
Minute 90: Final play. Nico slipped between two defenders. Cross came from Owomoyela. He jumped—
Header…
POST!
Kahn grabbed the rebound.
Final whistle.
**FULL TIME: Bayern Munich 4 – 3 Borussia Dortmund**
---
The Allianz Arena vibrated with applause and awe.
Nico collapsed to his knees.
He had scored three goals.
And still… they lost.
Lucio walked over and helped him up.
"You'll remember this game. Not for the goals. But for the pain. This pain makes legends."
Nico nodded slowly.
The cameras zoomed in on his face. Sweat glistened. His hair stuck to his forehead. His eyes burned with silent fury and reflection.
Coach Doll patted his shoulder. "You were brilliant. But it's a team game. Learn this, Nico."
In the dressing room, silence ruled. The older players nodded respectfully to him.
He had arrived.
But he hadn't conquered.
> **System Notification:**
> *Match Complete: Rating 9.9 (MOTM)*
> *Status Updated: Matches Played: 3 | Goals: 6 | Assists: 2*
> *Legacy Template Progression — Zidane (52% Complete)*
> *New Trait Unlocked: Field Conductor — +6 Vision, +5 Long Passing when dictating tempo*
> *New Quest: Lead Dortmund to a Top-4 Finish*
Nico stared at the system screen, fists clenched.
He hadn't won.
But he'd made the world take notice.
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