S04 (2 - 3) VfB – 75th Minute
Stuttgart had Schalke pinned in their own half, pretty much controlling everything. Ever since Schalke scored, they hadn't even touched the ball. Che and Leon kept swapping wings, switching it up and making life miserable for the defenders. Both were drawing fouls constantly.
Leon whipped in a cross from the left, but a defender cleared it. Stuttgart didn't waste time restarting the play.
Che dropped deeper, got the ball off a center-back who split Schalke's midfield with a sharp pass. He took two quick touches and ghosted past a midfielder like he wasn't even there. Then he slipped a through ball to Leon on the left.
Leon outran the right-back, pushed into the box, and squared a low cross toward the middle. Felix charged between both center-backs and calmly tapped it in. Keeper had no shot.
S04 (2 - 4) VfB – 77th MinuteGoal: Felix Bauer | Assist: Leon Sonnenblick
Five minutes passed, and Schalke looked done. The fight was gone. Meanwhile, Stuttgart kept pushing. Che got the ball near the halfway line on the left wing, back to goal, and brushed off a press with a quick sprint down the line.
As he picked his head up, no one was in a good spot—until Felix raised his hand and started his run between two defenders. Che didn't hesitate. He sent a lofted through ball right into Felix's path.
Ball bounced once. Felix slowed up, and just as the defender stepped in to block, he flicked it over the defender's head while cutting inside.
The ball dropped, and without letting it hit the ground again, Felix smacked it on the volley. Perfect connection. It rattled the underside of the crossbar, bounced off the ground, and into the net.
The crowd gasped, and the ball was still bouncing when the ref pointed to the center circle.
S04 (2 - 5) VfB – 82nd MinuteGoal: Felix Bauer | Assist: Che Louw
Schalke were out of it now. Tired legs, no energy, even their fans had gone quiet. Both teams made subs to close out the game.
Substitutions – VfB Stuttgart U17:
Neo Jeggle (CB) ⬅ Gabriel Zarrella
Mykola Petrovskyi (CDM) ⬅ Ertugrul Yigit
Jeremy Noah Djeukui Yomba (CM) ⬅ Enis Redzepi
Substitutions – FC Schalke 04 U17:
Kjell Steffen (CB) ⬅ Mika Nahler
Arian Güzel (CM) ⬅ Noah Çandır
Stuttgart didn't push for more after that. They kept possession, ran the clock down. Schalke were trying half-hearted shots, misplacing passes, just off in every way.
Ref announced two minutes of stoppage time.
Stuttgart won the ball back and built up one last counter. Ball got to Leon on the left. He flew past the right-back but slowed as he neared the goal line. Felix called for it. Leon waited, stared down the defender, then dropped an unconvincing step-over and swung in a cross.
The ball curled away from goal, floating dangerously.
Che was preparing to meet it when Felix came flying in and went for an overhead kick with his left foot.
He didn't hit it clean—but it connected. The ball lobbed slowly up over the keeper and dipped right under the crossbar. Keeper jumped, missed.
From the sideline: "What the heck are you all doing back there?!" Schalke's coach wasn't holding back.
Stuttgart's bench erupted, players piled onto Felix, and he sprinted over to the coach with the biggest grin ever.
S04 (2 - 6) VfB – 92nd MinuteGoal: Felix Bauer | Assist: Leon Sonnenblick
Ref blew full time.
Stuttgart players hugged, some collapsed to the turf smiling. Leon walked up to Felix and laughed. "You're insane."
"Yeah? It's what I do," Felix shot back.
Handshake lines formed. Che stayed seated for a moment, legs shaking, but he couldn't stop smiling.
"You good?" someone asked, holding out a hand.
It was Djaby.
Che looked up, still smiling. "Yeah… I'm great, actually."
"Cool. Good game."
"Thanks."
Djaby turned to walk off. Che stopped him, tapping his shoulder.
Djaby turned back, a little confused.
"Next time we play," Che said, "I want to be better than you."
Djaby blinked. "What?"
"You were better today. I'm not denying that. But next time? It'll be me."
Djaby smiled, shook his hand. "Okay kid… we'll see. I'll make sure to win next time too."
Che nodded and watched him walk back to his squad.
Leon came up and tossed an arm around Che's shoulder. "You wanna play him again, huh?"
"I do. Playing against someone like that… it makes me better."
Leon nodded. "You know, he's not the only one out there. There are players just like him. Maybe even tougher."
"Do you think we'll face them?"
"If we keep winning? Yeah. The better we get, the better they get."
"Then I want to keep winning."
Che kept his eyes on Djaby, still talking to his coach. Quiet smile.
Man of the Match: Felix Bauer – VfB Stuttgart Striker
Minutes Played: 18′ (Subbed on 72′)
Goals: 3
Passes Completed: 9/11 (82% accuracy)
Shot Attempts: 4
Shots on Target: 3
Touches in Opposition Box: 7
Key Off-the-Ball Runs: 5
Possession Won: 2
Fouls Won: 1
Player Rating: 9.8/10