Neither side managed to find the back of the net again before halftime.
The reason was simple: nearly all of their energy had been expended in fierce, physical battles all over the pitch.
Even the two head coaches got into a screaming match across the tunnel before disappearing into their respective locker rooms.
The jubilant atmosphere among the fans in the stands stood in stark contrast to the boiling tension down on the pitch.
In the center of the stands, Andy's landlord, Raymond, stood bursting with pride, completely surrounded by an eager crowd of fans.
"Mr. Raymond, does Andy really live at your house?"
"Could you get me his autograph?"
"Please, tell us more about him!"
In stark contrast, his old rival Foster sat a short distance away, staring down at his phone and looking completely deflated.
[Son, I need you to contact Andy—that player on the youth team—right now! Ask him if he needs a free villa to live in! Quickly!]
Inside the home locker room, head coach Hans was in excellent spirits.
Nevertheless, he still rigorously pointed out the team's first-half shortcomings on the tactical board.
Andy took a slow sip of his energy drink, still savoring the afterglow of his unbelievable long-range goal.
This was the absolute perfect opportunity to make a name for himself with a single strike.
The opportunity to break into the first team had to be seized with his own two hands… or rather, his own two feet.
When I get back to the dorm, I need to edit the footage properly and send it to my family, he thought.
I'll use a burner account to post it on Twitter later, and make sure to tag Benfica's youth academy, hehe!
"Andy! You scored the goal, tell us your thoughts!"
The coach's sudden call-out caught Andy off guard, causing him to freeze momentarily.
However, he quickly recovered his composure.
"I think what you just said is absolutely spot-on, Coach. Your tactical vision is crystal clear."
Andy paused perfectly.
"Inspired by your instructions, I believe we should be even more decisive in our attacks down the flanks. What do you think?"
Andy's words struck a massive chord with Hans.
As the interim head coach, seeing the player he personally promoted become the best performer on the pitch was incredibly validating.
Furthermore, in front of the entire squad, Andy had shown him absolute respect.
Hans simply didn't know how to fully express his growing fondness for the boy.
The other members of the coaching staff sighed inwardly in admiration.
Andy was a player armed with both lethal technical skills and high emotional intelligence.
He was bound to be a massive star in European football.
But what they didn't realize was that Andy had his own selfish, underlying motives.
In the first half, he had successfully showcased his defensive strengths and even scored a stunning lobbed shot.
If he could further demonstrate his explosive speed advantage in the second half… the first-team coaching staff would definitely take notice.
Winning the match was important, but completing his personal system mission was absolutely paramount.
Ultimately, Hans finalized a second-half tactic entirely focused on breaking through via the left flank.
After halftime, both teams marched back onto the pitch.
The eyes of the Schalke 04 players practically glowed with a vengeful blue fire.
They had just received a brutal dressing down from their head coach in the locker room.
And they were furious.
Just one minute into the restart, Pulis was ruthlessly hacked down in his own half by a Schalke player.
In such chaotic derby situations, the referee was reluctant to issue cards easily.
Emboldened by the leniency, Schalke 04 decided to initiate a suffocating high press in Dortmund's half, sparing absolutely no physical effort.
In the 51st minute, Schalke whipped in a dangerous corner kick.
Absolute chaos erupted in the center of the penalty area.
Pulis suddenly felt a sharp, vicious blow to his lower back and collapsed in agony to the turf.
The moment he hit the ground, the stadium erupted as the Schalke players wheeled away in celebration.
"Goal! Schalke has equalized!"
"Defender Waldoch met the cross perfectly and powered a header into the back of the net!"
"Wait, there's a huge commotion in the penalty area! A Dortmund player is down."
"The Dortmund players have completely surrounded the referee, furiously demanding an explanation!"
Andy was right at the front of the pack.
"Sir! My teammate was blatantly fouled before the ball went in!"
"Gentlemen." The referee firmly crossed his arms over his chest.
"I am the referee! Now back away from me!"
Andy tried to argue further but was forcefully pulled away by Captain Hendrick.
This bitter injustice could only be swallowed for now.
Watching Pulis being grimly carried away on a stretcher, a raging fire ignited within Andy's chest.
Only I get to bully my teammates in practice… nobody else gets to touch them.
Immediately after the restart, Dortmund launched a brutal, physical counter-attack.
Vicious collisions.
Reckless sliding tackles.
They were out for blood.
The referee was forced to flash three yellow cards in rapid succession.
Amid the chaos, Dortmund earned a prime free-kick opportunity just outside the Schalke penalty area.
"This position is quite a distance from the goal," the commentator analyzed.
"Shooting directly is highly unrealistic."
Yet Andy calmly placed the ball on the spot.
"What's this? Andy is actually taking the free-kick?!"
He stepped back… five… six meters.
An absurdly long run-up.
"BEEP!"
---
Andy exploded forward.
Every step hammered into the pitch.
His plant foot slammed down.
His leg whipped through.
---
BANG!
---
The ball rocketed forward like artillery.
A terrifying shriek cut through the air.
---
SMASH!
---
Waldoch collapsed instantly.
Knocked out cold.
"Beep~~~~!"
The referee panicked as medical staff rushed in.
He had blocked the shot…
With his face.
Andy walked over calmly.
"I'm incredibly sorry," he said innocently.
"I have no idea why he decided to catch the ball with his face.
The Schalke defenders stared in horror.
How the hell were we supposed to dodge that!
Andy jogged back, shrugging.
"My bad, guys. I didn't hit that one right.
Nikolaus grinned and pointed to the stands.
"Just listen."
The stadium erupted.
"Andy~!"
"Andy~!"
"Andy~!"