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As the match clock ticked past the 60-minute mark, Leverkusen's head coach, Peter Bosz, decided to inject fresh energy into the game. The fourth official board displayed the numbers: 38 for 22. Karim Bellarabi jogged off the pitch, he tried his best to hide the frustration from his face, but it was easily discernable from the winger at his vantage point.
"Leverkusen are making the first changes of the game," Derek Rae observed from the commentary box. "Bellarabi makes way for Rex, and it seems Nadiem Amiri is also coming on, replacing Kerem Demirbay."
Stewart Robson nodded in agreement. "Bosz had to act. They've had 15 minutes to implement his halftime instructions, but it's not yielding results. Seven shots on target and nothing to show for it. Steffen's goalkeeping has been exceptional, and the woodwork has been equally unkind to them."
"Indeed," Derek replied. "It's almost as if Fortuna have a 13th man out there. The posts have been as active as both keepers combined."
Derek lightheartedly commented before focusing on Rakim dapping up Bellarabi who was exiting the field. Closing his eyes momentarily, he was calm at this very moment, not even bothering to tie up his loose dreads. Bowed his head before pointing both index fingers to the sky, something he rarely did. When he did it was like his way of asking God to watch over him as he was not in the right mind state to care about anything else other than ending the game.
"What can we expect from these substitutions, particularly with Amiri joining Aránguiz in a double pivot, shifting Leverkusen to a 4-2-3-1 formation?" Derek inquired from his partner as the two entered the field receiving a lacklustre reception from the away fans who struggled to remain upbeat.
"Amiri brings a dynamic presence to the midfield," Stewart explained. "He's known for his ability to drive forward with the ball, brake lines, and his vision should help to unlock that Düsseldorf defensive formation. As for Rakim his energy and creativity could be just the catalyst Leverkusen need,"
The away fans, though subdued by the earlier missed opportunities and the current deficit, perked up at the sight of the changes. They had witnessed their team's dominance in possession and chances, yet the scoreboard remained unfavourable. In a derby, patience wears thin, and the supporters yearned for a breakthrough.
The fact they weren't booing them or jeering the home team was all the restraint they could muster, asking for more would only ignite a lion's den. The introduction of fresh legs and new ideas did however rekindle a flicker of hope among them.
Rakim Rex eased into his position on the right flank, jogging along the touchline to find his rhythm. The ball zipped around the midfield as Leverkusen probed for openings, their 4-2-3-1 formation already creating spaces that had been elusive in the first half. Nadiem Amiri's first touches were steady, linking well with Charles Aránguiz and Kai Havertz as they worked to stretch the Düsseldorf defence.
Rakim's first significant involvement came in the 66th minute. Wendell played a crisp diagonal pass, and Rakim took it down expertly with the outside of his boot, his touch immaculate as his dreads floated in the air. A quick feint sent Suttner lunging, and Rakim accelerated past him down the line. Not allowing Gießelmann to close him down he sent a whipped cross into the box with venom, forcing Hoffmann to clear awkwardly, but Volland couldn't capitalize on the loose ball as Steffen smothered it.
The away crowd murmured, sensing the spark Rakim brought to the flank, unlike Bellarabi who failed to get going throughout his tenure in the match. His directness was already causing problems for Düsseldorf's compact shape. It also surprised some of his teammates who are used to him being a little more delicate with it looking to connect with his teammates.
Leverkusen kept the pressure high, pinning Düsseldorf back into their own half. Rakim received another pass, this time from Havertz, with his back to goal. Morales immediately pressed him, eager to stamp authority on the young substitute. But Rakim spun away with a perfectly timed roulette, leaving Morales flat-footed and chasing shadows.
Rakim surged forward, cutting inside to draw in defenders before sliding a deft pass to Amiri, who unleashed a shot from the edge of the box. Steffen was equal to it, as he was able to see it all the way diving to his left to push the ball wide. Rakim followed the rebound, recovering possession and allowing him to twist past Hoffmann with ease, using a nimble set of footwork that blurred over the ball. However, the angle was too tight, and his shot clipped the outside of the post.
The frustration from the fans was evident, but Rakim remained eerily composed staring at the post and then his left puma boot for a second. "You good? Don't linger on that it happens to the best of us," Havertz stated with a calm smile as he draped an arm around his head messing with his hair lightly.
"The grass is a bit softer than at The BayArea my left boot slipped before my right hit the ball," He responded with a frown before jogging back to his position while exchanging a brief glance at Peter on the sidelines who was losing imagery hair. He didn't linger too long on it though as he was just warming up.
Now fully acclimated to the game, Rakim picked up the ball just past midfield. He wasted no time playing it safe after spotting an opportunity as he felt an adrenaline rush of joy he got whenever he dribbled allowing him to forget his worries. The crowd bristled as he started a dangerous run, his movements fluid as he used a stop-and-go mixed with an Elastico to ghost past Suttner again.
Cutting inside with a confident smile he evaded the oncoming Hoffmann as he looked to make something happen. But Morales had other ideas, just as he was about to pick up speed the midfielder lunged in with a reckless challenge from his blind spot, sweeping Rakim's legs out from under him. Rakim felt his vision come to a stop and felt as if he was moving in slow motion, a feeling he wasn't all too unfamiliar with.
However, usually, it was the defenders he dribbled past who moved slower than him, allowing him to dance past them. So, this feeling felt odd for him—not just odd, but as if someone had suddenly taken his superpower. Not able to change the outcome, Rakim's injury prevention training kicked in as his hands shot forward, prepared to brace for the impact of the fall.
The moment he realized that he had been taken down time resumed its normal pace and in the next second, he crashed to the ground. He performed a dive roll trying to break as much of the momentum of his speed coming to a sudden halt kicking up dirt and grass in the process. Rakim hit the turf hard, rolling twice before popping back to his knees.
The referee's whistle pierced the air as Rakim grimaced, rubbing his left shin. Luckily, he wasn't one to wear one-inch shin guards like most winners and his regular one had braced most of the impact. Just as he was preparing to check if he was hurt more than just by the initial impact, he felt a shadow standing over him. Looking up, he saw the figure of Morales standing over him, half his body was covered with dirt clearly indicating he was the one to foul him.
"Stop being bitch I hardly touched you, Team USA Baby," Morales jeered, his words dripping with disdain as he stood over him. Before Rakim could even react a figure in a black jersey arrived before him sending Morales stumbling back with a push. Tah wasn't playing games as he immediately got in the face of Morales instantly causing nearby players to converge on the two.