All eyes were on Serge Gnabry on Matchday 18. Making his return to the Weser Stadium, the Hoffenheim attacking midfielder had spent the 2016/17 season in Werder Bremen colours, helping the Green-Whites avoid the drop.
Most of those eyes watching Gnabry, however, would have looked on quizzically when they saw him emerge from the tunnel prior to kick-off: the 22-year-old came out with two mascots, not the officially sanctioned one escort.
The extra mascot was Lukas Bergmann, an 11-year-old from Bremen who has been battling leukaemia, with Gnabry's gesture fulfilling a long-held promise and continuing a longer-held friendship.
Watch: Click play on the video below for highlights of Hoffenheim's trip to Bremen
Gnabry's and Bergmann's is a special pact that dates back to October 2016. "That was when we received the crushing diagnosis," Lukas' mother, Anna, told deichstube.de. Then only 10, Lukas was consigned to hospitals instead of attending school and participating in sports with his friends. Tragically, his condition worsened soon after the initial diagnosis.
"We didn't know how long he had left and we really wanted at least to be able to fulfil his biggest wish: to meet Serge Gnabry," said Anna. A Werder fan, Lukas had taken a shine to Gnabry, who arrived in northern Germany from Arsenal in August 2016 and left an immediate impression at the club.
Upon hearing of Lukas' wish, a member of staff at the Hess Children's Hospital, where the youngster was being treated, got in touch with the club and asked them to pass the request onto Gnabry.
Almost a year ago, I visited Lukas in the hospital and promised him to walk on the pitch with him one day. I'm so happy to see that he's doing better. Keep fighting! ">https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-fVSjDpef/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Almost a year ago, I visited Lukas in the hospital and promised him to walk on the pitch with him one day. I'm so happy to see that he's doing better. Keep fighting!