Sunday, March 15th - Recovery Day:
The day between matches was dedicated to recovery. Light training, stretching, video analysis of their next opponent —Switzerland, and rest.
Switzerland was different from Norway—they are more technical, better with the ball, less reliant on physicality. Their defense was organized and disciplined, and harder to break down.
Coach Müller showed video footage of their previous matches. "They'll have watched our match against Norway. They know about you two now,"
He said, pointing at Marco and Özil. "Expect them to mark you tighter, double up on you when possible. You'll need to work harder for space."
That afternoon, Marco was doing extra work on his dipping free kicks project —something he had picked up from months ago, with the reserve players. Ever since he started to work on this skill, he didn't have any chance to use it in a match. He couldn't use it in his match against Norway.
Even so, he wasn't upset. He knew that was a long term project. To be clinical with free kicks he needs many years of practice.
But he had a feeling that it would come in handy soon.
To be honest, he liked this type of shooting technique even in his past life. As a fan, he loved to see those dipping kicks that kept everyone guessing by diving into the goal at the last moment.
He especially admired Juninho for his free kick. He also aspired to become a free kick specialist like him.
And with each practice session the technique was improving steadily.
Dipping Free Kick: 7.7 → 7.9/10
Monday evening, Coach Müller announced the starting lineup for Switzerland. No changes. Same eleven, including Marco on the left wing.
Wednesday, March 16th - Germany vs. Switzerland:
The second qualifier kicked off at 3 PM in the same stadium. A few hundred more fans had shown up, word having spread about the German team's quality after the Norway performance.
Switzerland started conservatively, sitting deep in a 4-5-1, inviting pressure. They wanted Germany to have the ball, then counter quickly through their pacey striker.
15th minute: The tactical challenge was clear. Switzerland had packed the middle, leaving little space for Özil or the Stuttgart striker to operate. The wings were the only area with room.
Marco received the ball on the left, thirty yards from goal. The Swiss right back stayed five yards off him, not committing, waiting to see what Marco would do. The winger who should have been tracking back was also present— and he was double marked.
Marco passed it back to Karkoschka at left back, then immediately made a diagonal run inside. Karkoschka saw it and played it first-time back to Marco's feet. The double mark hadn't followed—now Marco had space.
He drove forward. The Swiss center backs held their positions, disciplined. No space for a through ball. Marco reached the edge of the box and shot with his right foot—not trying to score, just testing the goalkeeper.
The shot was well-placed, bottom corner. The goalkeeper got down and saved it, but spilled the rebound. The Stuttgart striker pounced—
Offside. Flag up. The chance was gone.
"Close!" Coach called from the side. "Keep going!"
28th minute: Still 0-0. Switzerland's defensive shape was excellent, frustrating Germany's attacks. The breakthrough came from a set piece.
Özil's corner from the right. Mats Hummels again, attacking the near post. His header was blocked but fell to Pezzoni at the edge of the box. The midfielder struck it first time—a half-volley, rising, powerful.
1-0, Germany.
The Swiss defense had been breached, finally. Now they'd have to come out, leaving space behind.
38th minute: Switzerland equalized against the run of play.
A rare German defensive mistake—a misplaced pass in midfield. The Swiss striker collected it, drove forward, and shot from twenty yards. The ball deflected off Boateng's leg, looping over Zieler and into the net.
1-1.
The German players looked shocked. They'd been controlling the match and suddenly it was level.
Coach Müller shouted from the sideline:
"Focus! We're still the better team! Keep playing!"
42nd minute: Germany responded immediately.
Marco received the ball on the left wing, this time with only one marker. He could feel the momentum shifting, the Swiss defense was still hung up by their goal.
He accelerated past the right back with pure pace, getting to the byline.
Instead of crossing, Marco cut the ball back to the edge of the box where Tyrała was arriving. Tyrała struck it first time—saved by the goalkeeper, but only parried out.
Özil was there. He controlled the rebound with his first touch, created a yard of space with his second, and finished with his third.
2-1, Germany.
Halftime whistle blew moments later.
Second Half vs. Switzerland:
The second half was tense. Switzerland pushed for an equalizer, creating several dangerous chances. Germany's defense held firm, with Zieler making two excellent saves.
63rd minute: The decisive moment.
Germany won a free kick twenty-three yards from goal, central position. Marco had been practicing this exact scenario—dipping free kicks from this range.
Özil looked at him. "You want it?"
"Yes, I've been working on it," Marco admitted.
"Go ahead then."
Marco placed the ball carefully, measured his steps. The Swiss wall was organized—five players, well-positioned. The goalkeeper was organizing them, shouting instructions.
Marco knew all this already. He'd practiced this exact situation hundreds of times at Dortmund.
He took his approach. Three steps, angled run.
His right foot struck through the bottom half of the ball, imparting the spin needed for dip. The ball flew over the wall, dipping viciously as it approached the goal.
The goalkeeper reacted late—hadn't expected a fifteen-year-old to execute this technique. He dove, stretching—
The ball clipped the inside of the post and rolled into the net.
GOAL.
Marco Reus. 3-1, Germany.
For a moment, Marco stood frozen, processing what had just happened. His first international goal. From a free kick. In a competitive qualifier.
Then his teammates mobbed him. Özil was first there, grabbing his head. "That was a stunner! Absolutely beautiful!"
The German fans were chanting something—Marco couldn't make out the words through the noise and emotion. He jogged back to position, trying to contain his grin.
75th minute: Marco was substituted, having played another excellent match. The applause from the German fans was louder this time. He'd scored, they'd appreciated it.
Final whistle: Germany 3-1 Switzerland.
Two matches, two wins, six points. Germany was in complete control of the group.
Post-Match - Wednesday Evening:
The locker room celebration was more energetic this time. Six points from two games, qualification almost assured, and the team was playing with confidence and quality.
Coach Müller addressed them: "Excellent work. Two wins, clean performance overall, and we've shown we can adapt to different opponents.
Friday's match against Czech Republic will be our toughest test. They're a strong technical side. But if we win, we're through to the elite round. That's our goal."
That night, Marco's phone lit up with messages:
From Tim: YOU SCORED!!! Free kick goal!!! EVERYONE saw it!!!
From his mother: Beautiful goal, sweetheart. Your father was laughing all day after seeing that.
From Krahn: Watched the match. Well played. Don't let success go to your head. Friday is more important.
From Coach Werner at Dortmund: Excellent performances. You're making us proud. Keep working.
Marco replied to each one, then collapsed into bed. Two matches in four days was exhausting, even at fifteen. Friday would be the toughest yet—Czech Republic was the group's strongest team besides Germany.
But right now, with six points and a goal to his name, Marco felt invincible.