God's Striker Chapter 20 – Winter's Fire
January 19th, 2008 – Bundesliga Matchday 18: Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96
The winter break had sharpened Nico Valen like a blade. His body had filled out slightly with hard training, and his touch had become even more precise. Under the fading days of Doll's tenure, Nico found one constant: the system.
> System Notification: Zidane Template Progress – 92%
Henry Template Progress – 41%
New Passive: Elegant Balance (Zidane) – +10% to ball control under pressure
In the dressing room, Doll addressed the team. His voice was firm but thin, as if he knew the sands were slipping.
"We need to reestablish ourselves. We've had a shaky end to the first half of the season, but now's the time to push. Nico, you'll operate from the left inside-forward role. If you see space, exploit it."
Dortmund's lineup for the match:
GK: Weidenfeller
DEF: Dede, Subotić, Wörns, Owomoyela
MID: Sahin, Tinga, Kuba
ATT: Nico (LWF), Federico (AMF), Valdez (ST)
The yellow sea of Signal Iduna roared as the game kicked off. Nico jogged onto the pitch with quiet resolve, the ghost of Zidane in his footwork and the shadow of Henry in his speed.
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First Half – Minute 4
Nico received a cross-field pass from Sahin. His first touch killed the ball mid-air, then he pivoted sharply and blew past his marker.
He cut inside with the grace of Zidane, feinted past another defender, and unleashed a shot from 20 yards—
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1–0 Hannover
The stadium erupted. Even the commentators fell silent for a second before stammering praise.
> Commentator: "Did we just witness a blend of Zidane's grace and Henry's bite? What a strike by the teenager!"
> System Notification: Goal Registered – Bundesliga Total: 9 Match Rating: 8.0
Minute 11
Hannover responded with pressure. Lala and Rosenthal moved the ball quickly down the right, drawing Subotić out of position.
Shot from Bruggink—
Saved by Weidenfeller.
But on the rebound, Hanke volleyed it in.
GOAL! Dortmund 1–1 Hannover
Minute 25
The ball zipped between Sahin and Tinga before Nico dropped deep to collect. He threaded a laser pass to Valdez, who laid it off for Federico.
Federico's shot crashed off the bar.
Minute 32
Nico, again in possession, toyed with the Hannover midfield. A roulette past Balitsch, then a backheel to Dede, who overlapped.
Cross to Valdez—
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 2–1 Hannover
> Assist Registered – Bundesliga Total: 13
Minute 42
Hannover nearly equalized again as Hanke found himself in space, but Wörns slid in with a critical block.
Halftime: Dortmund 2–1 Hannover
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Second Half
Dortmund came out with renewed urgency. It was clear the team had taken the winter break seriously. Nico's pressing forced turnovers high up the pitch.
Minute 53
Quick transition—Sahin to Nico. Nico turned his marker inside out before playing a disguised reverse pass to Kuba.
Cross.
Valdez volleyed it—just wide.
Minute 60
Hannover shifted to a more attacking 4-3-3. Their captain, Tarnat, fired from distance.
Weidenfeller parried. Corner.
Header from Vinicius—off the post.
Dortmund breathed a sigh of relief.
Minute 71
Nico intercepted a lazy back pass and surged forward. Alone against the keeper.
He feinted right, cut left, and chipped—
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 3–1 Hannover
His second goal of the night.
> System Notification: Goal Registered – Bundesliga Total: 10 Match Rating: 9.2
Minute 88
With Hannover pushing everyone forward, Sahin found Nico once again.
A simple through ball, Nico drew defenders and flicked it sideways to Federico—
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 4–1 Hannover
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Full-Time: Borussia Dortmund 4–1 Hannover 96
Post-Match Stats:
Nico Valen: 2 Goals, 2 Assists
Match Rating: 9.6
Man of the Match
> System Update: Zidane Template – 100% Completed
Reward: "Spatial Maestro" – Unlocks enhanced vision arcs, allowing better passing and movement predictions
Henry Template – 48%
> Quest Progress:
Half-Henry Trial: 13/17 Assists ✅
Goal King: 10/?? Goals
Crown the Creator: 1/1 Cup Win Needed
Title March: In Progress
League Standing – Matchday 18:
Bayern – 39 pts
Leverkusen – 36 pts
Dortmund – 34 pts
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Coach's Words Post-Match:
> "Valen was a magician today. If this is what he's like after a break… the league better prepare."
Fan Reactions:
"He's starting to scare defenders before he even touches the ball."
"Zidane would be proud. Henry would be jealous."
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