The disappointing draw at Augsburg had served as a wake-up call for Borussia Dortmund. The week of training that followed was one of the most intense Mateo had ever experienced.

Klopp was relentless, pushing every player to their physical and mental limits. The message was clear: complacency would not be tolerated. The champions had to play like champions, every single match.

As they prepared for their home game against Hertha Berlin, there was a palpable sense of determination in the air. The players were hungry, focused, and eager to make a statement. They wanted to show the league that the Augsburg result was an anomaly, a minor stumble on their path to defending the title.

In the pre-match meeting, Klopp was calm but his eyes burned with intensity. "We have learned our lesson," he said, his voice low and steady. "We have trained hard. We have refocused. Now, it is time to remind everyone who we are. Go out there and play with the passion, the purpose, and the heart of Borussia Dortmund."

Mateo felt a surge of adrenaline. He was ready. He was ready to lead, to create, to dominate. He looked over at Lukas, who was on the bench, his face a mask of concentration. He knew his friend was ready too, eager for another chance to prove himself.

---

From the first whistle, Dortmund was a team transformed. They played with a ferocious intensity, their passing sharp and incisive, their movement fluid and intelligent. Hertha Berlin, a solid mid-table team, was simply overwhelmed.

Mateo, at the heart of everything, was at his brilliant best. He was a ghost in the midfield, drifting into pockets of space, his vision and creativity on full display. The Hertha players couldn't get near him. Every time they thought they had him cornered, he would slip away with a clever turn, a quick pass, a moment of magic.

In the 12th minute, he orchestrated the opening goal. He picked up the ball in midfield, drove forward, and played a sublime through ball that split the Hertha defense. Aubameyang, with his blistering pace, latched onto it and finished with clinical precision. 1-0.

In the 38th minute, he scored himself. He received the ball on the edge of the box, shimmied past one defender, and then unleashed a stunning strike that flew into the top corner of the net. 2-0. The Westfalenstadion erupted, the fans chanting his name.

By halftime, the game was effectively over. Dortmund was in complete control, and Mateo was putting on a masterclass.

---

In the second half, Klopp, with the game comfortably won, decided to make some changes. In the 61st minute, he brought on Lukas, replacing a tiring Nuri Sahin. The crowd roared their approval, eager to see the young midfielder in action again. Mateo gave him a quick nod of encouragement as he jogged onto the pitch.

Lukas played with a confidence and maturity that belied his age. He was calm on the ball, his passing was accurate, and he worked tirelessly in midfield. He and Mateo, now playing alongside each other, showed glimpses of the partnership that had so excited the fans and the media.

In the 74th minute, they combined to create the third goal. A quick one-two between the two dormmates on the edge of the box, a moment of telepathic understanding. Mateo then played a clever pass to Marco Reus, who slotted the ball home. 3-0.

The stadium was in a frenzy. The connection between Mateo and Lukas was undeniable, a sign of a bright future for Dortmund's midfield. The two seventeen-year-olds, who had grown up together in the club's academy, were now orchestrating a victory in the Bundesliga.

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The final whistle blew, and the players celebrated a convincing, dominant victory. It was the perfect response to the disappointment of Augsburg. In the post-match interviews, the media was buzzing about the performance, about the statement of intent, and about the burgeoning partnership between Mateo and Lukas.

"They are the future of this club," one journalist wrote. "Two seventeen-year-olds, playing with the chemistry of seasoned veterans. It is a joy to watch."

Klopp, in his press conference, was full of praise. "That was the Dortmund I know. That was the passion, the intensity, the quality I expect. And the two young boys in midfield... they have a special connection. It is exciting for the future."

---

Back in the dorm that night, Mateo and Lukas were exhausted but elated. The small room, with its simple furnishings and football posters, felt like a palace.

"We did it," Lukas signed, a wide grin on his face. "We played together, we won together, and we created a goal together. It was perfect."

Mateo smiled, signing back, "I told you we would. And this is just the beginning. There will be many more moments like this."

Lukas lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "I can't believe how fast everything is happening. A few weeks ago, I was just an academy player. Now I'm playing in the Bundesliga, alongside my best friend, in front of 80,000 people."

"You've earned it, Lukas. You've worked for it. And you belong here."

"I know. But it still feels like a dream."

"Then let's make sure we never wake up."

They both laughed, a shared moment of joy and disbelief. They talked late into the night, about the match, about their dreams, about the future. They were two boys from different worlds, united by a shared passion, a common purpose, and a bond that was stronger than any challenge they would ever face.

As they finally drifted off to sleep, the chants of the Westfalenstadion still echoing in their ears, they knew that this was just the beginning of their journey. The statement match had been a resounding success, a declaration of their intent to defend their title with style and substance. And at the heart of it all were two seventeen-year-old dormmates, ready to take on the world, together.

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***

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