Bundesliga
@FootballScout: "Who is Luka Zorić? The 17-year-old Croatian midfielder on loan from Man Utd just put on a masterclass for Dortmund. 1 goal, 2 assists, 15 dribbles. Remember the name."
@DortmundFan99: "We've found our Sancho replacement! @BVB please sign Zorić permanently ASAP! 🙏"
@TacticalAnalyst: "Zorić's close control and dribbling ability is reminiscent of a young Neymar. The way he glides past defenders is simply breathtaking."
@FootballStatMan: "Luka Zorić vs Wehen Wiesbaden:
1 goal
2 assists
15/15 successful dribbles
7 chances created
98% pass accuracy
One of the greatest debuts you'll ever see. 🌟"
@BundesligaEnglish: "A star is born! 🌟 Luka Zorić announces himself to German football with a stunning performance in the #DFBPokal."
@FormerProPundit: "I've seen a lot of young talents, but Zorić might be something else. His vision, technique, and confidence are off the charts. Dortmund have unearthed another gem."
@TransferExpert: "Manchester United must be kicking themselves. Zorić looks like the real deal."
@FootballMemes: "Defenders trying to stop Luka Zorić tonight:" [Attached gif of someone trying to catch smoke with their bare hands]
@DortmundYouth: "From Man Utd U16s to first-team Dortmund star in a matter of weeks. Luka Zorić is the latest example of Dortmund's incredible youth development. The future is bright! 💛🖤"
As Luka scrolled through the tweets, a warm feeling of pride and accomplishment washed over him. He couldn't help but smile at the comparisons to Neymar and the excitement from fans about his potential. The stats from @FootballStatMan particularly caught his eye - seeing his performance quantified like that made it feel even more real.
During his recovery session the next day, Luka found himself still buzzing from the match and the reactions. As he went through his stretches and light exercises, he chatted with the physio about the upcoming Bundesliga opener against Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I can't wait for the Frankfurt game," Luka said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "After yesterday, I just want to get back out there and prove it wasn't a one-off."
The physio nodded approvingly. "That's the attitude we like to see. Just make sure you're taking care of your body. Recovery is just as important as performance."
The week flew by in a blur of training sessions, tactical meetings, and media appearances. Before Luka knew it, it was the day of the match against Frankfurt. As he arrived at Signal Iduna Park, he felt a mix of nervous energy and eager anticipation.
In the locker room, Marco Rose gathered the team for his pre-match talk. Luka's heart raced as he saw his name in the starting lineup, positioned on the left wing with Reus on the right and Haaland up front.
Rose's voice cut through Luka's thoughts: "Alright, men. We've prepared well for this. Frankfurt will be tough, but we have the quality to beat them. Luka," he said, turning to him. "you showed us what you can do last week. Now it's time to bring that same energy to the Bundesliga. You've earned your spot - go out there and show everyone why."
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As the teams lined up for kick-off, the commentators began their pre-match discussion.
"Welcome to Signal Iduna Park for this highly anticipated Bundesliga opener between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt," the lead commentator began. "And all eyes are on one player today - young Luka Zorić."
His co-commentator chimed in, "That's right, John. The 17-year-old winger has been the talk of German football this week after his record-breaking performance in the DFB-Pokal. Fifteen successful dribbles in a single match - it's unheard of for a player so young."
"Indeed, Peter. And what's fascinating is his journey to this point. He was in Manchester United's youth setup just a few months ago, barely getting a look in at the U16 level. Now he's starting for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. It's a testament to Dortmund's faith in young talent."
"Absolutely, John. But that faith comes with its own risks. Zorić's strength - his incredible dribbling ability - could also be his weakness. At this level, he'll need to learn when to release the ball and when to take on his man. It's a delicate balance."
"Well said, Peter. I don't think I've ever seen a 17-year-old who can dribble like this. The comparisons to a young Neymar are not unfounded. It'll be fascinating to see how he copes with the pressure today."
As the match kicked off, the energy in the stadium was electric. The Yellow Wall was in full voice, urging their team forward. Luka, starting on the left wing, looked eager to get involved.
Just five minutes into the game, Luka received the ball on the left touchline. The commentators leaned forward in their seats.
"Zorić has the ball now, two Frankfurt defenders closing him down quickly."
What happened next left everyone watching in disbelief.
"Oh my word! Did you see that, Peter? Zorić has just... I can barely describe it!"
"Incredible, John! He slowed down, turned, and then suddenly exploded past two defenders. He's keeping the ball in play right on the touchline... how is he doing this?"
"He's through! He's beaten another defender with a nutmeg! Zorić is in on goal... but wait, he's squared it to Haaland! GOAL! Borussia Dortmund take the lead!"
The stadium erupted as Haaland wheeled away in celebration, pointing at Luka in acknowledgment of the assist.
"What a start for Dortmund, and what a play from young Zorić! He's picked up right where he left off in the cup match."
As the game progressed, Luka continued to impress. In the 20th minute, he received a long ball from Bellingham, controlling it expertly on his chest before volleying a pass to Reus, who nearly scored.
"The touch and vision from Zorić there was exceptional," the commentator noted. "He's not just about dribbling - his all-around game is remarkably mature for his age."
In the 35th minute, Luka was involved in another goal. Receiving the ball in midfield, he executed a perfect half turn to evade a defender before threading a through ball to Haaland. The Norwegian's shot was saved, but Reus was there to tap in the rebound.
"Another assist for Zorić, albeit indirectly this time. This boy is running the show!"
Dortmund's dominance in attack was evident, but cracks began to show in their defensive structure. In the 40th minute, Frankfurt launched a quick counter-attack that caught Dortmund off guard.
"Frankfurt breaking at pace here," the commentator observed. "And look at the space they have! Dortmund's transition from attack to defense is worryingly slow."
Frankfurt's Kostic burst down the left flank, crossing low into the box. Dortmund's center-backs scrambled to clear, but the ball fell to Kamada, who slotted home to make it 2-1.
"Well, Peter, for all of Dortmund's attacking brilliance, their defensive frailties are still very much present," the lead commentator noted.
"You're absolutely right, John," Peter responded. "It's been a recurring issue for Dortmund. They look fantastic going forward, especially with young Zorić adding a new dimension to their attack. But defensively, they're still vulnerable, particularly in transition."
The halftime whistle blew with Dortmund leading 2-1, but the scoreline didn't tell the whole story. In the dressing room, Marco Rose addressed his team's defensive issues, emphasizing the need for quicker defensive transitions and better positional awareness.
As the second half kicked off, Luka Zorić seemed determined to put on a show. In the 52nd minute, he received the ball deep in his own half, with Frankfurt players closing in.
"Zorić is in a tight spot here," the commentator began. But what happened next left everyone speechless.
Luka, with his back to the approaching Frankfurt midfielder, suddenly flicked the ball over his own head and that of his opponent. The ball arced perfectly into the path of Jude Bellingham, who had started a forward run.
"I... I can't believe what I've just seen!" the commentator exclaimed. "Zorić has just produced a moment of pure magic! That flick over the defender's head was outrageous!"
Bellingham, now striding forward with the ball, glanced to his left to see Luka sprinting alongside him. As they approached the box, Jude played a perfectly weighted pass across to Zorić.
"Zorić receives the ball from Bellingham... what's he going to do here?"
Without even looking at the goal, Luka took one touch to control the ball, then another to glide past a defender. In one fluid motion, he slipped the ball through a forest of Frankfurt legs, threading it into the box.
"Incredible vision from Zorić! He's threaded that through without even looking up!"
Haaland, always alert, had already started his run. He reached the ball just before the goalkeeper and calmly slotted it into the net.
"GOAL! Erling Haaland makes it 3-1 to Dortmund, but that was all about Luka Zorić! The vision, the execution... this boy is something special!"
The stadium erupted in cheers, with the Yellow Wall chanting Zorić's name. His teammates mobbed him, clearly in awe of what they had just witnessed.
As the game progressed, Frankfurt began to press higher, desperate to get back into the match. This left spaces for Dortmund to exploit, and in the 70th minute, Luka Zorić decided to take matters into his own hands.
Receiving the ball just outside the Frankfurt box, Luka found himself surrounded by defenders. What followed was a display of close control and dribbling that left spectators and commentators alike in disbelief.
"Zorić has the ball... he's surrounded by Frankfurt players... oh my word!"
Luka executed a series of la croquetas, his feet a blur as he shifted the ball from left to right and back again. One defender lunged in, but Zorić simply rolled the ball under his foot and spun away.
"This is unbelievable! He's beaten two... three... four defenders!"
With a quick body feint, he sent another defender the wrong way, before using the outside of his boot to flick the ball past a fifth.
"It's like he's dancing through the Frankfurt defense! I've never seen anything like this!"
A sixth defender desperately stuck out a leg, but Luka simply nudged the ball through his legs with a delicate touch.
"He's done it! He's beaten the entire Frankfurt defense! Zorić is through on goal!"
The crowd was on its feet, anticipating the moment of glory. Luka pulled back his leg to shoot...
"This is it! Surely he's going to score after that incredible run!"
...but his shot, perhaps affected by fatigue from his mazy run, whistled just wide of the post.
A collective groan echoed around the stadium, mixed with applause for the audacious attempt.
"Oh, he's put it wide! Can you believe it? After that incredible piece of skill, Zorić has missed the target. But my word, what a run that was. We'll be seeing replays of that for years to come, even if it didn't end with a goal."
Despite the missed opportunity, the Dortmund fans were in full voice, clearly appreciating the spectacle they were witnessing. Luka, for his part, seemed unfazed by the miss, immediately tracking back to help his team defend.
As the game entered its final stages, Dortmund's defensive issues resurfaced. In the 80th minute, Frankfurt capitalized on another swift counter-attack, with Silva reducing the deficit to 3-2.
"And once again, Dortmund's defensive transition is found wanting," the commentator noted. "For all their attacking brilliance, they still look vulnerable at the back. Rose will need to address this if Dortmund are to mount a serious title challenge this season."
As the game entered its final 10 minutes, the intensity on the pitch ratcheted up. Frankfurt, desperate to equalize, began pressing higher up the field. This left spaces for Dortmund to exploit, but also made for some frantic moments in midfield.
In the 82nd minute, a crunching tackle from Frankfurt's Hasebe on Bellingham drew gasps from the crowd. The referee reached for his pocket and brandished a yellow card, much to the dismay of the Dortmund players who felt it deserved more.
"That was a nasty challenge from Hasebe," the commentator observed. "Bellingham is lucky to have escaped injury there."
The resulting free-kick came to nothing, and Frankfurt quickly launched a counter-attack. As Silva burst forward with the ball, Hummels made a desperate lunge to stop him. He missed the ball entirely, catching Silva's ankle instead.
"And that's a clear foul by Hummels! The referee has no choice but to show him a yellow card as well. This game is really heating up now!"
As play resumed, Luka Zorić found himself increasingly targeted by the Frankfurt defenders. Their frustration at being unable to contain him was becoming evident.
In the 85th minute, Luka received the ball on the left wing. As he tried to cut inside, Frankfurt's right-back Durm stuck out a leg, catching Luka's ankle. The young Croatian went down, wincing in pain.
"Another foul on Zorić," the commentator noted. "That's the third time in the last five minutes. Frankfurt are clearly getting frustrated with his skill and agility."
As Luka lay on the ground, he let out a deep sigh. His legs ached from the repeated kicks and tackles. He could feel the fatigue setting in, his muscles screaming for rest. For a moment, he considered signaling to the bench for a substitution. But as he glanced at the scoreboard showing 3-2, he knew the game wasn't over yet. With a grimace, he pushed himself back to his feet.
"Zorić is back up," the commentator said. "He's taken a bit of a battering in this second half, but he's showing great resilience."
In the 88th minute, Luka received the ball near the corner flag. His marker, Durm, stood close, determined not to let him past. Luka took a deep breath, feeling the grass beneath his feet, the slight breeze on his face. He scanned the field, noting his teammates' positions and the spaces between the defenders.
Luka began to move the ball slowly, his eyes locked on Durm's. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, performing a series of subtle feints. Durm's eyes followed the ball, his body tensed in anticipation.
Suddenly, Luka exploded into action. He pushed the ball to his right and burst past Durm, who was caught flat-footed. As he approached the box, another defender came to close him down.
Luka's mind raced, processing the situation in a split second. He cut back, wrong-footing the defender, and found himself at the edge of the box. He glanced up, saw the goalkeeper slightly off his line, and made his decision.
With his next touch, Luka opened up his body. He took a deep breath, focusing on the top corner of the goal. As he exhaled, he wrapped his right foot around the ball, imparting just the right amount of curl.
The ball left his foot, arcing beautifully through the air. Time seemed to slow as it sailed over the outstretched arm of the diving goalkeeper.
"Zorić has hit it... Oh my word! What a goal! Luka Zorić has just scored an absolute beauty!"
The ball nestled into the top corner, sending the stadium into a frenzy. Luka's teammates rushed to him, engulfing him in a group hug as the Yellow Wall erupted in celebration.
"4-2 to Dortmund, and what a way to seal the victory! Luka Zorić, on his Bundesliga debut, has put in a performance for the ages. A goal and two assists, and now this stunning curler to cap it all off. We are witnessing the birth of a superstar, ladies and gentlemen!"