The Veltins-Arena loomed like a fortress of blue and white hostility as the Dortmund team bus navigated through streets lined with Schalke supporters whose voices created a wall of sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of Gelsenkirchen.
Mateo pressed his face to the window, watching thousands of passionate fans create visual displays that transformed the entire area into a sea of opposition colors, their songs echoing off buildings in a coordinated symphony of intimidation.
"Environmental assessment: maximum hostile atmosphere detected. 61,000 opposition supporters creating unprecedented psychological pressure environment," the System observed as the bus approached the stadium entrance. "Subject's first exposure to German football's most intense regional rivalry requiring complete mental resilience and tactical focus."
The sight was both terrifying and exhilarating for someone who had grown up understanding football passion through the lens of Spanish culture.
