The final pre-season friendly was scheduled against a well-organized Swiss team at the Westfalenstadion. It was the last opportunity for Klopp to fine-tune his tactics, to test his squad depth, and to give the newly promoted players a taste of first-team action before the Bundesliga season began. For Lukas, it was the moment he had been waiting for – his chance to prove he belonged.

The atmosphere in the dorm that morning was electric. Mateo woke early, as usual, but found Lukas already awake, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands.

"Couldn't sleep?" Mateo signed.

Lukas looked up, his face a mix of excitement and nerves. "I kept thinking about the match. About getting my chance. What if I mess up?"

"You won't. You're ready. You've worked hard, you've improved, and Klopp believes in you. That's all that matters."

"But what if he doesn't put me on?"

"Then you'll get your chance in the next match. But I have a feeling today is your day."

Lukas took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay. I trust you."

They went through their morning routine – breakfast in the communal dining area, a light walk around the training ground to loosen their muscles, and then the bus ride to the stadium. The Westfalenstadion, even for a friendly, was an imposing sight. The yellow wall, though not at full capacity, was still a sea of passionate fans, their chants echoing through the stands.

---

In the locker room, Klopp addressed the team. "This is our last test before the real work begins. I want to see intensity, I want to see focus, and I want to see everyone fighting for their place in the starting eleven. For some of you, this is your first time playing in this stadium at this level. Embrace it. Enjoy it. But most importantly, show me you're ready."

Mateo glanced at Lukas, who was sitting quietly, his eyes fixed on Klopp. The starting lineup was announced, and as expected, Mateo was in the first eleven, playing his familiar CAM role. Lukas would start on the bench, but Mateo knew his dormmate would get his chance.

---

The match began at a high tempo. Dortmund dominated possession, their passing crisp and purposeful. Mateo orchestrated from the middle, threading passes, creating space, and linking up beautifully with Aubameyang. In the twenty-third minute, he played a perfectly weighted through ball that Aubameyang latched onto, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home. 1-0.

The crowd erupted, and Mateo felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. This was what he lived for – the roar of the fans, the joy of creating, the thrill of victory.

By halftime, Dortmund was leading 2-0, with Marco Reus adding a second goal from a well-worked team move. In the locker room, Klopp was pleased but not satisfied. "Good first half. But I want to see more. Second half, we make changes. Fresh legs, new energy."

He turned to the bench. "Lukas, you're coming on. Central midfield. Show me what you've learned."

Lukas's eyes widened, and he nodded, his hands trembling slightly. Mateo caught his eye and signed, "You've got this. Just play your game."

---

The second half began, and in the sixtieth minute, Klopp made his substitutions. Lukas jogged onto the pitch, replacing Ilkay Gundogan. The crowd applauded, recognizing a young talent making his debut. Mateo jogged over to him, offering a quick fist bump. "Stay calm. Be smart. I'm here."

Lukas nodded, taking his position in the midfield. For the first few minutes, he was cautious, feeling out the pace of the game, adjusting to the intensity. But gradually, his confidence grew. He made a crucial interception in the seventieth minute, cutting out a dangerous through ball and immediately playing it forward to Mateo.

Mateo controlled the ball, turned, and saw Lukas making a run into space. Without hesitation, he played it back to him. Lukas took one touch, looked up, and delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Aubameyang on the wing. Auba cut inside and fired a shot that rattled the crossbar. So close.

Klopp, on the sidelines, pumped his fist. "Ja! Good, Lukas! Keep it up!"

Mateo jogged over to Lukas, signing, "Perfect. Keep doing that."

Lukas grinned, his nerves melting away. He was playing at the Westfalenstadion, in front of thousands of fans, alongside his best friend. This was the dream.

In the seventy-eighth minute, the moment came. Mateo received the ball deep in midfield, under pressure from two defenders. He shielded it, turned, and saw Lukas making a diagonal run between the lines. He played a no-look pass, perfectly weighted, right into Lukas's path.

Lukas controlled it with his first touch, looked up, and saw Aubameyang making a run into the box. He delivered a pinpoint cross, and Aubameyang met it with a powerful header. Goal. 3-0.

The stadium erupted. Aubameyang celebrated, pointing at Lukas, acknowledging the assist. Mateo sprinted over to his dormmate, pulling him into a hug. "See? I told you. You belong here."

Lukas was beaming, his face flushed with joy and adrenaline. "We did it. Together."

"Together," Mateo signed, and they jogged back to their positions, the crowd still chanting.

---

The match ended 3-0, a convincing victory. In the locker room, the atmosphere was jubilant. Klopp addressed the team, his voice filled with pride. "That's what I want to see. That's Dortmund. Intensity, creativity, teamwork. Lukas, excellent debut. That assist was quality. Keep working, keep learning."

Lukas, still in a daze, nodded. "Thank you, coach. I won't let you down."

Marco Reus clapped him on the back. "Good work, kid. That cross was perfect."

Mats Hummels added, "You've earned your place. Now keep it."

---

That evening, back in their dorm room, Mateo and Lukas sat on their beds, exhausted but elated. The small room, with its simple furnishings and football posters, had never felt more like home.

"I can't believe it," Lukas sighed, his hands still trembling slightly. "I played at the Westfalenstadion. I got an assist. In my debut."

"You were brilliant. Calm, smart, exactly what Klopp wanted."

"I couldn't have done it without you. That pass you gave me – it was perfect."

"That's what we do. We play for each other."

Lukas lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Do you think we'll play together in the Bundesliga? In a real match?"

"I'm sure of it. Klopp saw what we can do together. He'll use us."

"It would be a dream come true. Both of us, on the pitch, representing Dortmund in the Bundesliga."

"It's not a dream anymore, Lukas. It's real. We're first-team players now. And this is just the beginning."

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