The DFB-Pokal had always held a special place in German football culture, its knockout format creating opportunities for magic and heartbreak in equal measure.
For Borussia Dortmund, the competition represented more than just another trophy it was a chance to complete a domestic double that would crown their championship season with the kind of silverware that defined truly great campaigns.
As Mateo walked through the corridors of Signal Iduna Park on the evening of the Wolfsburg quarter-final, he could feel the electric anticipation that accompanied cup matches.
The atmosphere was different from league fixtures, charged with the knowledge that a single mistake could end months of preparation and dreams of glory. It was exactly the kind of pressure that had begun to bring out the best in his performances.
