The pre-match preparations were tense.
Suker had been getting hotter with every match recently.
While others grew more fatigued after each ga, Suker seed to co back fully recharged every ti.
Suker believed Ancelotti should be bolder in using him.
No need to worry about burning him out.
The word "burnout"? That just didn't exist in Suker's dictionary.
In the player tunnel, both teams were lined up on either side.
Maldini and Totti occasionally exchanged a few words.
Though they were opponents, Maldini still deserved that level of respect.
Totti didn't turn serious until the players walked onto the field.
"This is Round 6 of the 2006/2007 Serie A season. After a two-week break for the European Championship qualifiers, league play finally resus with a blockbuster matchup!"
"Roma vs. AC Milan!"
"Both sides have perford excellently in their past five matches, and this head-to-head clash is bound to shake up the Serie A standings."
"Also, both teams' attacking cores—Totti and Suker—are currently first and second in the league's scoring chart. Will Totti defend his title as the King of Ro, or will the young Suker continue to lead the pack? Let's wait and see!"
Serie A comntator Aldo Serena was fired up.
Though he'd also covered the European qualifiers, Italy had perford too steadily—easily winning their matches—which had made those gas rather dull.
Not like this one—this ga could explode with surprises at any mont.
Starting Lineups:
Roma (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: Doni.Defenders: Panucci, Ferrari, Chivu, Tonetto.Midfielders: Aquilani, Perrotta, De Rossi, Montella.Forwards: Taddei, Totti.
AC Milan (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: Dida.Defenders: Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski.Midfielders: Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Brocchi.Forwards: Kaká, Suker.
Seeing Milan's lineup, comntator Aldo Serena couldn't help but grin.
Is Milan's bench really this thin now?
That formation looked more like a 4-4-1-1.
Kaká was playing just behind Suker as a second striker.
Seedorf took Pirlo's spot as the midfield playmaker.
With Pirlo, Inzaghi, and Gilardino all out injured, AC Milan was facing a major lineup crisis.
The cara caught a shot of Ancelotti.
His brow was tightly furrowed, fists clenching and unclenching—he looked utterly exhausted.
This AC Milan team couldn't afford any more setbacks.
With Pirlo out, the whole team suffered.
Ancelotti sighed—sumr transfer dealings had been a failure.
Which had led to the current situation.
The problem was, no talented or reliable players wanted to co to Serie A anymore.
Even when Ancelotti offered generous contracts, players still avoided AC Milan and Serie A like the plague.
"Looks like we'll need to target a striker in the winter window."
Ancelotti sighed again.
Recently, Ronaldo's agent approached him, hoping for a move to AC Milan.
But Ronaldo had already entered the "Fat Ronaldo" stage—his body clearly past its pri, ready to coast into retirent.
Before, Ancelotti would've flatly refused.
But now, he had no other options.
Despite Ronaldo's decline, he was still more reliable than Borriello or Oliveira.
At this point, they'd have to make do.
Retirent-ready or not.
Anyway, the tactical focus now was on Suker and Kaká.
As long as those two stayed healthy, Ancelotti believed there was still hope.
In fact, more than Ronaldo, Ancelotti preferred Beckham.
Beckham could run more and pass better than Ronaldo.
Signing Ronaldo would only provide a backup to Suker—soone to ease pressure during cup gas and league rotations.
But Beckham's passing could have a direct impact on Suker's play.
Unfortunately, Beckham's pride wouldn't let him accept a role on the bench, and negotiations ultimately fell through.
While Ancelotti was still pondering all this, the stadium erupted in cheers.
The match had begun!
Roma launched the first attack, and Suker ran into the opposing half trying to press.
Seeing no imdiate opportunity, he didn't overextend, instead holding position near the defensive line.
Suker could sense how wary Roma's defense was of him.
When he turned to face the ball, he hadn't even taken a step before Ferrari was already closing in.
Realizing Suker was just testing him, Ferrari imdiately backed off.
Roma's attack pace was slightly sluggish.
Even though AC Milan's lineup had clearly weakened, the na AC Milan still carried serious weight in this era.
Roma didn't dare go all out recklessly.
After so tentative passing and probing, De Rossi was dispossessed by a sliding tackle from Gattuso.
The ball rolled forward to Kaká, who held it with his back to goal. With no room to turn, he passed it back to Seedorf.
With Pirlo gone, Seedorf had beco Milan's new midfield general.
He imdiately looked up, scanning for Suker on the far side.
Suker tried to move into position, but the Roma defenders stayed tightly glued to him.
Seeing this, Seedorf knew the chance wasn't there and passed it wide to Brocchi, gesturing for the team to push up.
"Still gotta rely on Kaká!"
Right then, Kaká made a lateral run.
Seedorf slid the ball through a narrow opening—perfectly placed.
It slipped past Rosicky and landed at Kaká's feet.
"Seedorf with the through ball—beautiful pass to Kaká!"
"Kaká's dribbling down the wing. Can Roma stop him when he picks up speed?"
Kaká was already threatening the backline.
Suker stayed firmly wedged between the two center-backs, and Milan's transition was quick—more players began to surge forward.
But Kaká's eyes never left Suker.
Suddenly, he saw Suker co to an abrupt stop, then backpedal a few steps.
That quick movent opened up a pocket of space.
Kaká imdiately delivered a cross-field pass.
"Kaká with the cross—Suker! My god! How did they lose track of Suker?!"
Crap!
Ferrari was alard.
Everyone's focus had gone to Kaká. In just that montary lapse, Suker had found space for a shot.
Ferrari rushed forward.
But Suker had already planted his stance, ready for impact.
BAM!Ferrari slamd into Suker from behind.
Suker's foot skidded forward, cleats digging into the turf—he managed to stay upright.
But Ferrari kept pushing.
"Damn, he's heavy!"
Suker gritted his teeth, leaning back to absorb the pressure. He struck the ball with his right foot.
After the shot, Ferrari crashed right on top of him.
He couldn't even look at the goal.
But the stunned silence in the stadium told him everything!
"Oh my god! Suker scores with his first touch just four minutes into the ga! What incredible efficiency!"
"Ferrari did everything he could—clinging to Suker like glue—but Suker still held his ground and got the shot off. Ferrari couldn't stop him alone."
"And what a precise shot! It grazed the post and curled into the near side of the goal. Roma's keeper dove desperately but couldn't reach it!"
"At just 20 years old, Suker is showing terrifying goal-scoring instincts. He can dribble and take on defenders, but he can also play the role of a battering ram in the box!"
"AC Milan now first on the scoresheet!"
Suker picked himself up and, seeing the goal confird, sprinted toward the away stands full of Milan fans.
He celebrated with all his might.
The Milan fans went absolutely berserk.
They raised their hands and roared back at Suker.
So even taunted the Roma fans.
See that?
That's our leading striker!
With this kind of monstrous efficiency—and he's only 20!
Twenty years old!
Damn!
Kaká alone was already amazing.
Now with Suker exploding like this, Milan was solid.
Sure, Maldini and others were aging. Sure, form across the squad was inconsistent.
Milan wasn't what it was at its peak last season.
But the weakening of the team had given rise to a terrifying new striker!
Milan fans now felt blessed.
That No. 10 shirt was well deserved.
The salary raise? Worth it.
Just keep pouring all the resources in.
With Suker firing like this, Milan could ride the wave.
With such a fearso striker, this season looked promising for Milan!
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