"This might be the most thrilling Champions League match of the season."
One commentator couldn't hold it in. No one could have predicted the game would unfold like this. And now, with roughly ten minutes left, another goal felt almost inevitable.
For Dortmund, they were only one goal behind. Ten minutes. Not long, not short. Some teams had scored twice in stoppage time to complete miracles. Dortmund didn't need two. They only needed one to drag Atlético into despair.
The match restarted quickly.
And then something unexpected happened. While Atlético's players were still celebrating, pundits in the commentary box were confidently predicting the next phase. Dortmund would throw everything forward. Atlético would drop back and defend.
But reality flipped that script completely.
Dortmund's substitutions had been made with attack in mind. They weren't prepared to defend. Or rather, they never expected Atlético to do something so ruthless after taking the lead.
Instead of sitting back, Atlético surged forward again. Full throttle.
Dortmund were caught off guard. The sudden wave of pressure left them momentarily stunned. But with the tempo so high, they had no choice. They dropped back, packed the box, and tried to weather the storm first.
Poor Perišić and Großkreutz. Klopp had sent them on to attack. Yet before they could even touch the ball properly, they were forced deep into their own half. Defending. Both of them tracked all the way back, practically playing as fullbacks. Whether their defensive technique was perfect or not, their work rate was unquestionable.
Reus and Götze had to retreat as well, dropping to the edge of the box. Two attacking prodigies now looking more like holding midfielders.
On the touchline, Klopp frowned deeply. He glanced at Simeone and, unexpectedly, felt a trace of admiration.
This Argentine's in-game management was seamless. Every move struck Dortmund at exactly the right spot. And yet it didn't even look like he had made any adjustments. Had he anticipated everything before the match even began? That couldn't be possible.
Klopp folded his arms, brows locked tight. He even found himself thinking that the next time he met Simeone, he would have to ask him about this.
But right now, he had no time for that. Because his team needed to attack. And yet, they were being completely suppressed by Atlético.
Time ticked away.
Shane Carter felt a trace of regret. The ideal outcome would have been to catch Dortmund off guard completely and score again, sealing the match. That hadn't happened.
But his objective had still been achieved. Atlético's attacking surge had lasted over five minutes. Now Dortmund were beginning to adjust. Shane sensed it immediately.
So he made another decision. He began to slow the tempo. Gradually, deliberately, he guided the team backward. Because regular time was nearly over. And once Dortmund adapted, they might find a chance to counter. Shane wasn't going to give them that opportunity.
So he directed the team into a controlled retreat.
Of course, this wasn't a blind withdrawal. Pulling straight from attack to defense wasn't retreat. That was collapse. A true retreat had to be structured. Measured. Covered.
Atlético eased off the pressure step by step. Their line of control shifted from the edge of Dortmund's box back toward midfield.
On the sidelines, the fourth official was preparing the board, ready to announce stoppage time. By then, Atlético had already completed the transition. From all-out attack to a compact defensive shape. Orderly. Precise.
Watching this, Klopp felt his teeth grind. At first, when Atlético pushed forward aggressively, he had feared Dortmund's defense would crumble under the sudden pressure. Then, as the line stabilized, he began to hope. If Atlético couldn't score after sustained pressure, Dortmund's chance would come.
But who could have expected Atlético to simply pull back? Like a perfectly drilled army, they always seemed to know exactly what to do. And when to do it.
That wasn't something a coach on the sidelines could control in real time.
Klopp turned his gaze toward Shane Carter.
"Don't tell me this is him."
He bared his teeth slightly. Was this kid really that terrifying?
Klopp shook his head and stepped toward the touchline. Atlético had dropped back. Now it was Dortmund's turn. No matter what, there was only one option left for them.
Attack.
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