On October 6, 2007 Dortmund faced Bayern Leverkusen. This was Marco's seventh Bundesliga match. He was no longer considered a newbie. Now he has some experience under his belt.
At this point he realised that the novelty of the games were starting to wear off—now it felt more like a job. He was starting to realise what a professional footballer is about.
As a professional footballer his job is to justify the salary you earned, improve skills for a rise in status. Protect your body from harm and avoid habits that can negatively influence your movements on the pitch.
The key to keep rising in the field is to keep the right mindset. The hunger to win has to be preserved—no matter how many trophies you win or how many accolades you earn.
Leverkusen's squad was strong. They are now sitting on the third place of the table. They had a strong and experienced squad and their defence was known for shutting out the wingers.
For Dortmund this is definitely bad news. As of now, Dortmund have been relying on Marco's dribbling and vision to unlock the score board. It is not wrong to say that they have been depending on a debuting teenager to carry them forward.
At this moment Thomas Doll was talking to the team in the locker room:
"Leverkusen is a tough team to beat. According to their usual style,they are going to press high and their wingback would focus on outmuscling their opponent. They focus on the man instead of ball. Reus, you have to be prepared for it.
Our goal is finding space in the moment of transition. Don't react. Anticipate the moment. Stay disciplined. And don't waste any chances. Make sure you punish them for every mistake they make."
Soon the game started and the first half was underway.
"And we're underway at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund hosting Bayer Leverkusen in what promises to be an entertaining contest. All eyes on young Marco Reus once again—can he continue his remarkable start to the season?"
In the 3rd minute Marco received his first touch.
Leverkusen's right-back closed him down immediately and clipped his ankle on the first contact. A classic example of a legal but painful kick. Marco stumbled, but he didn't give and continued to dribble the ball.
The referee waved a play on for that.
"Tough physical start from Leverkusen's defense. They're clearly trying to intimidate the young Reus early."
By the time he dribbled past the right back, their whole defence has adapted and shot the passing lanes. One player was already coming to double team him with the pursuing full back. So he switched the play with a long diagonal.
In the 20th minute, Marco received the ball wide left, thirty yards from goal. The right-back once again approached aggressively.
Instead of taking him on, Marco played a quick one-two with the overlapping left-back, using the defender's aggression against him.
Suddenly Marco was past him with space ahead.
He drove the ball into the box, but it was already crowded with players. At the edge of the box, he feinted to go outside and cut the ball to inside, but it seemed like the centre back has expected this from studying Marco's habit. He stepped forward to steel the ball.
But that was a mistake.
The cut in move was a feint too,he abruptly pushed the ball past the defender down the line and was already in free space.
He watched the crowd and threaded a powerful low cross. But unfortunately, before a team mate could reach it, ball was cleared by the goal keeper.
There was a collective groan from the stands, and then a loud clapping sound.
"Excellent play from Reus! That's how you respond to physical treatment—with quality. Nearly opened the scoring. Almost, he single handedly unlocked the whole Leverkusen defence. And it seems that Mr Skibbe is dissatisfied with the performance of the defense."
The game continued.
Dortmund built patiently from the back. The ball worked to Marco on the left touchline, just inside Leverkusen's half.
Marco controlled it, looked up. The striker was checking to feet, but beyond him, the right midfielder was making a late run into the box.
Marco picked the cue and with perfectly measured length and timing he threaded a through ball.
That's the pass that eliminated the whole defence line of the opponents.
The ball dropped perfectly for the right midfielder's run. He effortlessly blasted the ball into net
1-0 DORTMUND.
"WHAT A GOAL! And what vision from Marco Reus! That pass—he saw it before anyone else did! You can't believe he is just eighteen years old, because he is dominating the game like a seasoned veteran!"
"That's his tenth assist of the season in just seven matches. Extraordinary numbers. He's not just promising—he's already delivering."
By half time break, the score was unchanged.
As he reached the locker room, the assistant manager approached him and began to explain the instructions from the coach. The instructions itself was simple:
"Their right-back is getting frustrated. He can't handle you legally, so he might try dirty tactics in the second half. Stay smart. Don't give the referee a decision to make."
After that was a session involving the manager pep talk and speech. Marco's mind simulated the next half of the match while his body adjusted the breathing and heart rate.
At the referee's call, both teams went to the field for start of second half. And before the half even kicked off, he was feeling the glare of the opposite defenders on him.
From the start of the second half, for the first time since his senior team debut, he received the star treatment from opponents.
Leverkusen's players would foul him at the slightest contact, players would hover around him to prevent him from playing his natural game.
At the 56th minute, Marco and the right-back battled for a loose ball. Marco should have controlled the ball, but defender slammed his shoulder into his body, pushing both of them to the ground. Marco felt like air was pushed out of his lungs due to that blow.
But the challenge itself is not illegal, so referee let the play continue.
As they got up, the right-back muttered something in German—nothing Marco hadn't heard before in reserves.
Marco ignored it. Jogged back into position.
In the 68th minute Marco received a pass in midfield. The right-back pressed immediately, trying to dispossess him.
But Marco anticipated the challenge this time, preparing for it early.
He didn't try to stop the ball at all. He was sure that if that happens, he would surely be shoved into the ground. So with silky smooth touch, he pushed the ball behind the standing foot, evading the charging defender and rushing into the space that was just vacated.
But before he could continue, he felt a force tugging him from behind and pulling into the ground.
The referee's whistle blew. Free kick, yellow card for the defender.
That was just the start. Marco learned how to adapt into this high pressure physical battles and still let him natural game flow through.
As the game progressed stopping him become even more difficult.
Doll brought Marco off with Dortmund leading 2-0. The crowd rose to applaud. Marco wearily waved at the crowd and walked off the pitch.
At this point of time, he was dead tired.
Engaging in physical battles with opponents consumed his stamina very easily.
He was already jogging on the field for the last five minutes.
This game he has been a constant threat to the opposition assisting for the goal once and taking 3 shots at goal.
"Standing ovation for Marco Reus once again. Ten assists in seven matches. This young man is special."
The score line didn't change after that.
Dortmund 2-0 Leverkusen
Post-match, the Leverkusen right-back found Marco, who was apparently surprised by this. But then again, they are not life and death enemies. They were both doing their jobs.
"You're good, kid. Really good." He shook Marco's hand. "Keep playing like this, you'll be a star."
That was all he said.