Rise of a Football Prodigy

The moment had finally arrived. Richard Blake, the young English-Nigerian sensation, was set to make his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund. The entire footballing world had been buzzing about his move, and now, all eyes were on Signal Iduna Park.

Matchday: Borussia Dortmund vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. Over 81,000 passionate Dortmund fans filled the famous Yellow Wall, their chants echoing like thunder. The Bundesliga was a different beast, and Richard could feel the intensity even before stepping onto the pitch.

Coach Schmidt had named him in the starting eleven, deploying him in his natural attacking midfield role. It was a bold move, throwing him straight into the fire against a well-drilled Eintracht Frankfurt side.

As he stood in the tunnel alongside his new teammates—Reus, Adeyemi, and Sabitzer—he could feel his heart pounding. Frankfurt, sitting just above Dortmund in the standings, had been in fine form, boasting a physical and aggressive midfield. Their star player, Mario Götze, a former Dortmund legend, was in the opposing lineup.

Lukas, standing beside him, nudged his shoulder. "You ready?"

Richard took a deep breath. "Let's do this."

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began at a blistering pace. The Bundesliga was unlike anything Richard had ever played in. The pressing was relentless, the duels were fierce, and there was no time to breathe.

Within the first five minutes, Frankfurt made their intentions clear—target the new boy. Richard received the ball in midfield, only to be immediately swarmed by two Frankfurt players. He barely managed to flick the ball to Sabitzer before being clattered by Sebastian Rode.

The referee blew for a foul, but the message was clear: welcome to the Bundesliga.

The first 15 minutes were a whirlwind. Dortmund controlled possession, but Frankfurt's aggressive pressing made every pass a battle. Richard struggled to find space, constantly closed down before he could turn.

Then, in the 22nd minute, Dortmund had their first real chance. A quick one-two between Reus and Adeyemi sent Adeyemi racing down the left flank. He whipped in a dangerous cross, and Richard, arriving late in the box, tried to connect with a volley—but his shot flew just over the bar.

The crowd groaned in disappointment, but the applause soon followed. It was a good effort, and he was getting into the right positions.

As the game wore on, Richard started adjusting. He began dropping deeper to receive the ball, using his quick footwork to evade Frankfurt's press. In the 35th minute, he showcased his class—receiving a pass from Can, he spun away from his marker with a silky turn before threading a perfect through-ball to Reus.

Reus fired a low shot, but Kevin Trapp, Frankfurt's goalkeeper, made a superb save.

Despite the missed chance, the stadium erupted in applause. Richard was growing into the game.

Half-Time: 0-0

As the players walked off at half-time, Richard wiped sweat from his forehead. The Bundesliga was tough. The pace, the intensity, the physicality—it was a different level. But he was adapting.

Coach Schmidt clapped him on the back. "Good work, Blake. Keep moving the ball quickly. Take your chances when they come."

Richard nodded. He could feel it—his moment was coming.

Dortmund came out stronger in the second half, and so did Richard. He was starting to dictate play, linking up well with Sabitzer and Adeyemi.

Then, in the 58th minute, Dortmund struck.

Richard picked up the ball near the edge of the box, danced past his marker with a quick feint, and laid it off to Reus, who played it back instantly. With a split-second decision, Richard fired a first-time shot—low and hard into the bottom corner.

GOOOOAAAALLL!!!

Signal Iduna Park erupted. Richard Blake had scored on his Bundesliga debut! His teammates mobbed him as he sprinted to the corner flag, his heart pounding with adrenaline.

The Yellow Wall roared his name.

With Dortmund leading, Frankfurt pushed forward aggressively. The final 20 minutes were intense, with the visitors launching wave after wave of attacks. Richard, exhausted but determined, dropped deeper to help defensively.

In the 89th minute, Frankfurt won a free kick just outside the box. Götze stepped up and curled a stunning shot towards the top corner—but Gregor Kobel pulled off a world-class save to preserve Dortmund's lead.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the referee blew the whistle.

Dortmund 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt.

Richard had announced himself to the Bundesliga in style.

As he walked off the pitch, the stadium still chanting his name, he was stopped for a post-match interview.

"How does it feel to score on your debut?" the reporter asked.

Richard, still catching his breath, grinned. "Unbelievable. The Bundesliga is a different level, but I'm here to prove myself. This is just the beginning."

As he made his way to the dressing room, his phone was already blowing up—social media, messages from friends and family.

His Bundesliga journey had begun, and he had passed his first test.

But this was just the start.

The Union Berlin coaching staff gathered in their meeting room, a large tactical board at the center displaying Borussia Dortmund's formations and key players. Head coach Nenad Bjelica stood at the front, eyes scanning the room as his assistants prepared clips of Dortmund's recent matches.

"Alright, let's talk Dortmund," Bjelica began. "They're aggressive, fast, and unpredictable. We all know what Reus, Adeyemi, and Brandt can do. But there's a new problem—Richard Blake."

The assistant coach, Oliver Ruhnert, clicked a remote, and clips of Richard's game against Frankfurt played on the screen. His pinpoint passes, awareness, and quick turns made Dortmund's attack flow seamlessly. The highlight of his two assists stood out—one a perfect through ball, the other a lofted pass that dismantled the defense.

"He's dangerous," Ruhnert said. "He plays like a deep-lying playmaker but has the confidence to push forward. His vision is elite, and he doesn't panic under pressure."

Bjelica nodded. "Which means we need to shut him down before he dictates the game." He turned to his midfield coach. "Suggestions?"

"We need a high press," the midfield coach responded. "Blake isn't physically dominant. If we cut off his passing lanes and get physical, we can rattle him. Our midfielders, Khedira and Laïdouni, must be aggressive—tight marking, constant pressure. Don't let him turn."

Bjelica pointed at the screen. "Dortmund's weakness is their defense. If we force Blake to drop deeper, he won't be able to influence the final third as much. That means we have to control the midfield and cut off his supply to Adeyemi and Malen."

Ruhnert switched to another clip—Blake receiving the ball under pressure. In one sequence, he lost possession after being double-teamed.

"This is what we exploit," Ruhnert emphasized. "He's still new to the Bundesliga. If we force mistakes early, his confidence might drop. We press high, and if we win the ball, we transition quickly."

Bjelica looked at his players in the room. "On matchday, we make it hell for him. Press hard, foul smartly, and don't let him breathe. If we can keep him quiet, we can control the game."

The players nodded, determination in their eyes. The plan was set—now it was time to execute.

-----

Richard stretched his arms as he stepped out of the Dortmund dormitory, taking in the crisp winter air. Living in the club's facilities had been convenient, but it was starting to feel too small. He needed his own space—a proper home. Somewhere he could unwind after matches, not just a single room with basic furnishings.

His agent, Evan Cadwell, had been nagging him about it for weeks.

"You're a Dortmund player now, not a youth prospect. Get yourself a proper place."

So, with a free afternoon, Richard finally decided to start the search. He hopped into his new Mercedes, with Chidi joking all the way, still getting used to its luxurious feel, and drove to meet with a real estate agent Evan had recommended.

---

The House Hunt

"Welcome, Mr. Blake!" A tall, well-dressed man greeted him as he stepped into a sleek real estate office. "I'm Thomas Keller. I'll be helping you find the perfect home in Dortmund."

Richard shook his hand, offering a polite nod. "Appreciate it. Just call me Richard."

"Of course, Richard. Now, let's talk preferences. Are you looking for an apartment or a full house?"

Richard leaned back in his seat. "A house. Something modern, not too far from the training ground. Privacy is important, but I don't want to be isolated."

Keller nodded, pulling up listings on a tablet. "I have a few properties that match what you're looking for. How about we take a look.

Keller swiped through a few listings, stopping at a sleek modern house with large glass windows and a spacious backyard. "This one is in Kirchhörde, an upscale neighborhood where some of your teammates live. Five bedrooms, a home gym, and a private pool. It's about a 15-minute drive to the training ground."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Sounds solid. What's the price?"

"5.2 million euros."

He let out a low whistle. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it—his Dortmund contract was paying him well—but it was a hefty price. "What else do you have?"

Keller scrolled again, showing another option. "This one is in Brackel, much closer to the training ground. Four bedrooms, a cinema room, and a garage that fits three cars. 3.8 million euros."

Richard nodded. "Let's go check them out."

---

House Tours

The first house in Kirchhörde was impressive. Gated, sleek architecture, and the kind of luxury that screamed Bundesliga star. The backyard had enough space for small gatherings, and the home gym was already well-equipped.

Richard could already imagine coming home after a tough match and unwinding in the pool.

"Some of your teammates live in this area," Keller pointed out. "Hummels, Reus, and a few others."

Richard liked that idea. Having experienced teammates nearby could be helpful.

They moved on to the second house in Brackel, which had a more compact but equally stylish feel. The home theater stood out to him, and the garage was perfect for his Mercedes and any future cars. But the backyard was small, and it lacked the private feel of the Kirchhörde house.

After weighing the options, Richard sighed. "The first one feels right."

Keller smiled. "A great choice. Shall we start the paperwork?"

"Yeah. Let's do it."

As they wrapped up, Richard checked the time—it was already late. He pulled out his phone and texted Lukas.

Richard: Appreciate you helping me with the car the other day. Found a house now, finally moving out of the dorms.

Lukas: Big moves! Just don't forget about us small guys when you're living like a superstar.

Richard chuckled. Moving into his own place was another step toward settling into life at Dortmund.