March 20, 2005 - Dortmund Academy:
The bus pulled into the Dortmund academy parking lot just after 8 PM, its headlights cutting through the evening darkness. Marco grabbed his bag from the overhead compartment, exhaustion settling into his bones after ten days of international competition.
Through the window, he could see a small crowd waiting—Tim at the front, bouncing on his toes with characteristic energy, along with a dozen other academy players and a few coaches.
The moment Marco stepped off the bus, chaos erupted.
"NATIONAL TEAM MVP!" Tim shouted, grabbing Marco in a bear hug that nearly knocked them both over. "You qualified! Three wins! Two goals! Two assists! I saw it on the newspaper. They even had a picture of you."
"Wait, what? I was on the newspaper? Why am I only hearing about it now?"
Before the conversation could continue, other players swarmed, clapping his back, asking questions rapid-fire: How was it? Were you nervous? Is Özil as good as they say? Did you really score a free kick?
Well, you can not really blame them. In the current era, they can only know the details from what's written on the newspaper. TV and the internet are yet to be widely popularised.
Marco laughed, overwhelmed by the welcome. "Give me a chance to breathe!"
Coach Werner stood at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, but his expression was warm. "Welcome back, Reus. Good work with the national team. We'll talk tomorrow—tonight, rest. You've earned it."
"Thank you, Coach."
As the crowd dispersed, Tim walked Marco back to their dorm room, firing questions the entire way. Marco answered what he could, but his mind was already shifting to the next challenge: the U17 Bundesliga season. There were still ten matches remaining, and Dortmund was in the title race.
* * * *
March 21-25, 2005 - Back to Academy Routine:
Training resumed Tuesday morning. Marco expected some adjustment period, maybe needing a day to settle back into academy rhythm after the intensity of international football.
Instead, he found the opposite: academy training felt... easier.
The pace was slower than what he'd experienced with Germany. The tactical demands were simpler. His teammates, while talented, weren't at the level of Özil, Hummels, Boateng, or the Czech and Swiss opponents he'd faced.
During a possession drill Wednesday, Marco found space effortlessly, distributed passes that split the defense, saw angles his teammates didn't recognize yet.
Coach Werner noticed too. After training, he pulled Marco aside.
"You're playing above this level now," Werner said bluntly. "The international experience elevated you. That's good—it means you're developing. But don't coast. Use this time to refine details, be sure to work on weaknesses."
"Yes, Coach. What should I focus on?"
"Your week foot is good, but it can be better. Your defensive work rate is adequate but not excellent. And physically, you're still developing—strength training needs consistency." Werner's gaze was steady. "You're 15, almost 16. The next year determines whether you're a good prospect or a great one."
"I understand."
"Good. Because Bayern and Schalke were asking about you after those international performances. Word travels fast."
That stopped Marco cold. "Bayern?"
"They scout everyone who performs well internationally. Doesn't mean anything yet—you're contracted here through 2008. But it means you're on their radar. Stay focused, keep improving, and when you're ready, we'll discuss your future."
Saturday, March 26, 2005 - U17 Bundesliga Match
Dortmund's first match after the international break was away to Schalke's U17s—the youth Revierderby, one of the fiercest rivalries in German football even at academy level.
Marco started on the left wing, the captain's armband wrapped around his arm. The Schalke crowd—small but vocal—jeered every time he touched the ball. Though it doesn't have much effect on players, since the sound was barely audible. What else would you expect from a children's match?
Word of his German U17 performances had spread far. Now he was a marked man.
15th minute: Marco received the ball on the left touchline, thirty yards from goal. The Schalke right back closed aggressively, trying to intimidate him with a hard shoulder challenge.
Marco rode the contact—his improved balance and strength from months of training paying off—and accelerated past him. This was a show of pure pace. The right back couldn't recover.
Marco drove toward the box. The Schalke center back stepped out to challenge. Instead of cutting inside, Marco pushed the ball past him down the line and sprinted around him—using his speed to beat the defender physically rather than technically.
He reached the byline and cut the ball back low, exactly as he'd done against Switzerland. The Dortmund striker- Dennis was arriving perfectly—
Side-footed finish.
1-0, Dortmund.
The away section—maybe thirty Dortmund parents and academy staff—erupted. Marco jogged back, professional and controlled. But inside, satisfaction burned bright.
This is different now. I'm operating at a higher level.
32nd minute: Schalke equalized through a set piece. 1-1.
41st minute: The moment that defined the match.
Dortmund won the ball in midfield. Marco received it centrally, thirty yards from goal, with time and space. The Schalke defense was organized, compact. No obvious through ball available.
Marco took two touches forward, inviting pressure. Two defenders converged. At the last moment, Marco shifted right and struck the ball with his left foot—his weaker foot, the one he'd spent months developing.
The shot was powerful and accurate, dipping slightly as it flew. The Schalke goalkeeper dove—
The ball clipped the inside of the post and went in.
2-1, Dortmund.
Goal, Marco Reus.
Marco turned and sprinted toward the away section, sliding on his knees in celebration. His teammates mobbed him. This wasn't just a goal—this was a statement.
Final score: Dortmund 3-1 Schalke.
Match Statistics:
- 1 goal, 2 assists
- 8.9/10 performance rating
- Dominated both sides of the ball