Tuesday and Wednesday - March 11-12:
The training intensity increased. Full match simulations, specific opponent preparation, set-piece practice. Coach Müller drilled them relentlessly on defensive shape, pressing triggers, transition moments.
Marco's role became clearer: stay wide initially, provide crossing threat, track back defensively, but have freedom to cut inside and create when opportunities arose.
Versatility within structure.
Wednesday evening, Coach Müller announced the starting eleven for Friday's match against Norway:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Zieler
DEF: Celozzi, Boateng, Hummels, Karkoschka
MID: Pezzoni, Tyrała
ATT: Özil (RW),[Playmaker from Werder Bremen], Reus (LW)
ST : [Striker from Stuttgart],
Marco felt the validation. His name was on the starting lineup. He was a starter. The coaches trust his ability.
That night, he couldn't sleep. Excitement, nerves, anticipation—all mixing together.
* * * * * *
Thursday, March 13th - Final Preparation:
The day before the first match. Training was light—activation work, set-piece review, tactical reminders. Nothing intense that might cause injury or fatigue.
Coach Müller gathered the starters after the session.
"Okay lads, tomorrow is the international debut for most of you," he said quietly. "You'll be nervous. That's normal. But remember your training. Trust your teammates. Play within the system, and moments of individual brilliance will come naturally."
He looked at Marco specifically. "Reus, you're fifteen years old, starting in a UEFA qualifier. That's rare. I'm trusting you because you've earned it. Don't try to prove yourself—just play your game."
"Yes, Coach."
That evening, the team watched video footage of Norway's previous matches. Their defense was indeed physical—lots of challenges, aggressive pressing, trying to intimidate younger players. Their attacking was direct—long balls, fast transitions, exploiting any defensive mistakes.
"They'll test you early," Coach Schmidt warned. "Expect hard tackles, verbal pressure, attempts to get in your head. You have to stay calm. Don't retaliate. Let your football do the talking."
After the video session, Marco called home. His mother answered, excited and nervous.
"It's your debut match tomorrow! How are you feeling son?"
"I think I am okay, Mama. I'm starting."
"Starting! Oh, Marco." Her voice cracked with emotion. "We're so proud. Your father wanted to come watch, but we couldn't get time off work—"
"It's okay. I understand." And he did. He knew his family's condition. Working-class family with limited resources and demanding jobs.
Football was his dream, but their lives had practical constraints. "I'll play well for you."
"Just play safe. Don't get hurt."
"I won't."
After hanging up, Marco pulled out his training journal and made notes about Norway's defensive tendencies, their fullback's positioning, potential spaces to exploit. Preparation down to the smallest detail.
His system provided additional analysis:
[Match Preview: Germany vs. Norway
-Venue: [Stadium in Frankfurt area]
-Kickoff: March 14, 3:00 PM
#Opposition Analysis:
-Norway U17 - Estimated Average Rating: 67/100
-Defensive Style: Physical, aggressive pressing
-Key Weakness: Slow to recover when beaten one-on-one
-Your Matchup:
Norwegian RB: Physical defender, prefers to stay tight
-Recommended approach : Vary between staying wide and cutting inside
-Exploit: Use pace and change of direction to beat him
#Note: This is your first competitive international match. Nerves are normal. First touch may be heavy. Settle quickly and your quality will show.]
Marco closed the journal and lay back on his bed. Tomorrow, everything changed. Tomorrow, he'd represent Germany in competitive football for the first time.
* * * * *
Friday, March 14th, 2005 - Match Day:
Marco woke at 7 AM, far earlier than necessary. Kickoff wasn't until 3 PM, but sleep was impossible for him. He went through his morning routine mechanically: shower, breakfast, light stretching.
The team bus departed the hotel at 11 AM, arriving at the stadium by noon. It was a modest venue—maybe 5,000 capacity—but it felt massive to Marco. National team crests hung from the rafters. German flags in the stands, despite the early arrival.
In the locker room, jerseys hung in each player's spot. Marco found his:
GERMANY
#17
REUS
He ran his fingers over the crest—the black, red, and gold eagle. This was real. This was happening.
Ron Zieler, already in his goalkeeper kit, clapped Marco on the shoulder. "First one's always special. Enjoy it."
"Aren't you nervous?"
"Everyone is. That's what makes it fun." Zieler grinned. "Just don't pass me the ball under pressure. Or I'll kill you."
The pre-match routine was familiar from training: dynamic warm-up, tactical reminders, individual position meetings. Coach Weber pulled the attacking three aside—Özil, Marco, and the Stuttgart striker.
"Norway will press you hard early. If you panic, we'll lose the ball in dangerous areas. Stay calm, play simple if needed, then hurt them when they overcommit. Clear?"
"Yes, Coach."
At 2:30 PM, Coach Müller gathered the entire team in the center of the locker room.
"Gentlemen, in thirty minutes, you'll walk onto that pitch wearing your national team jersey. Some of you have done this before. Some haven't. But all of you have earned this moment."
His voice was steady, confident. "Norway is good. They're physical. They'll try to intimidate you. Don't let them. Play your football. Trust your training. Make your country proud."
He paused, looking at each player in turn.
"When that whistle blows, you're not individuals anymore. You're one team, one unit, representing Germany. Leave everything on that pitch. Any questions?"
Silence.
"Then let's go."
They lined up in the tunnel. Marco stood near the back of the line, jersey tucked in, heart hammering. Through the tunnel opening, he could hear the growing crowd noise, see the bright green of the pitch.
This was it.
His first international match.
The referee signaled. The teams walked out.
The noise hit Marco like a wave—cheering, clapping, German fans chanting. He jogged to his position on the left wing, bouncing on his toes, trying to settle his nerves.
Across the pitch, the Norwegian players looked bigger, more physical. Their right back—Marco's direct opponent—was maybe six feet tall, broad-shouldered, with the confidence of someone who'd done this before.
The referee blew his whistle.
Germany vs. Norway.
Marco Reus's international career had begun.
First Half - Opening 15 Minutes:
Germany started with possession, probing carefully. Norway set up in a compact 4-4-2, exactly as expected—physical, organized, waiting to press.
5th minute: Marco received his first touch.
The ball came from Tyrała in central midfield, a simple pass to Marco's feet on the left wing.
The Norwegian right back closed immediately, aggressive, trying to intimidate him.
Marco's first touch was... heavy.
The ball bounced off his foot, rolling a yard too far. The defender pounced, winning it easily.
Damn.
"Relax, Marco!" Özil called from the right. "Next one!"
The nerves were real. Marco forced himself to breathe, to settle.
8th minute: Second touch.
Another pass from midfield. This time, Marco controlled it cleanly with his right foot, shifted left, and played it back to the overlapping fullback. Simple, safe, successful.
Better.
11th minute: First real action.
Germany worked the ball across the back line. Hummels stepped forward with it, drawing Norway's press. He played a diagonal ball toward Marco, who'd drifted inside slightly.
Marco controlled with his chest, letting it drop to his right foot.
The Norwegian right back was tight on him. No space to turn.
Marco felt the pressure behind him, sensed the defender's positioning. Instead of forcing it, he laid the ball back to Pezzoni in midfield, then immediately sprinted forward into space.
Pezzoni saw the run and played it first-time back to Marco, now ten yards further up the pitch with room to work.
Now.
Marco accelerated, pushing the ball forward with his right foot. The right back scrambled to recover. Marco had three yards of space—enough.
He drove toward the box, forcing Norway's defense to shift. At the edge of the penalty area, he looked up. The striker was making a run across the six-yard box. Marco's left foot swung through.
The cross was... okay. Not perfect—a bit behind the striker—but dangerous. The striker stretched but couldn't quite reach it. The ball sailed through the box and out for a goal kick.
Close. Not quite.
But Marco felt his confidence building. That was more like it.
15th minute: The game was opening up. Both teams settling, finding rhythm. Marco was getting more comfortable, his touches cleaner, his decisions faster.
Norway won a corner. Everyone is at back, defending. The ball came in high. Hummels headed clear powerfully. It bounced to Tyrała in midfield, who turned and immediately looked forward.
Marco had already started running.
He'd seen it a second before it happened—the Norwegian defense was caught high, their fullbacks advanced. And there was space behind them. Lots of space.
Tyrała played the ball forward, a long diagonal from right to left. Marco timed his run perfectly, staying onside by inches, sprinting full speed into Norway's half.
The ball bounced once. Marco controlled it at full sprint with his left foot, barely breaking stride. Suddenly he was in on goal, thirty yards out, one defender recovering but too far away.
The goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle. Marco was running at speed, had to decide: shoot now or take another touch?
He took another touch, closer, into the box. The goalkeeper dove at his feet. Marco tried to round him—
The keeper's hand got the ball. It bobbled loose. Marco's momentum carried him past. He turned, tried to recover it, but a Norwegian defender slid in and knocked it out for a corner.
So close.
The German fans roared appreciation. His team mates jogged over, fist-bumping Marco. "Good run! Next time you score that."
"Next time," Marco agreed, breathing hard.