"The first half is over. AC Milan leads 2-0 and holds a strong advantage. But Juventus needs to adjust their mindset. They had chances in the first half, but their finishing was poor!"
"If they could convert chances like Šuker, it wouldn't just be two goals behind!"
Although Milan was two goals ahead, Juventus showed a bright offensive burst in the last five minutes of the half.
Six shots, two hits off the post — they almost tore Milan's goal apart.
But luck wasn't on Juventus' side; no goals came from their efforts.
This served as a warning to Milan — they must defend cautiously in the second half.
If Juventus scores or regains momentum, it could easily turn into a repeat of the Istanbul match where three goals were conceded in ten minutes.
"We're not marking tightly enough as a team. Juventus' movement isn't complicated; we have to stay calm," Nesta kept reminding his teammates, especially Šimunić and Oddo.
These two were being tested — though capable, they struggled to fit into Milan's defensive rhythm.
If Nesta could choose, he still preferred Maldini — most stable of all.
Best of all would have been Stam, but he left a year ago.
Šuker glanced at Šimunić.
Šimunić had been consistent with Croatia but hadn't performed as well after joining Milan.
Perhaps it was mindset or tactical mismatch.
He occasionally showed brilliance as a substitute but faded when made a starter.
These were issues Šimunić had to resolve himself; Šuker could do little to help.
Šimunić's expression was heavy — clearly unsatisfied with his performance.
Tall and intimidating, he lost flexibility, almost like a lamppost.
Luckily, Gattuso was there to cover him; otherwise, he'd be torn apart one-on-one.
But now Gattuso was also struggling.
In the second half, Šimunić was left mostly on his own.
"I'll cover you, but only when my support arrives!" Nesta patted Šimunić's shoulder.
Nesta had calmed down a lot compared to before — perhaps maturity from bearing heavy defensive responsibility.
If it were early Nesta, Šimunić would have been scolded harshly.
Milan's defense was unstable.
Amid this tension, the second half began.
After kickoff, Milan launched an immediate attack, hoping to surprise Juventus with Šuker's abilities.
But Juventus was ready.
Before Šuker could control the ball, two Juventus players closed him down, disrupting his first touch.
Chiellini, experienced, lightly pushed Šuker's lower back as he controlled the ball on his chest.
Šuker's body stiffened, unable to cushion the ball's bounce.
The ball bounced away.
"Damn it!" Šuker glared at Chiellini: "Bald bastard!"
Chiellini ignored the insult; arguing wastes time when winning and hurts morale when losing.
Juventus regained possession.
They quickly launched a counterattack.
After a series of passes, the ball reached Del Piero, who spotted Gattuso charging and slid a pass to Trezeguet.
Trezeguet stood in front of Šimunić, leaning back to hold off the defender.
Šimunić desperately pushed Trezeguet to disrupt his control.
Trezeguet flicked the ball through Šimunić's legs and spun around him.
Šimunić's stiff body was slow to turn.
When Trezeguet completed the spin, Šimunić was clearly beaten.
Trezeguet raced to the ball and fired a low shot to the bottom right corner — into the net.
"Trezeguet!! His first goal back this season! A brilliant no-touch spin move! Šimunić's weakness is exposed — his slow turning speed!"
Juventus pulled one goal back.
Šuker looked toward the back line.
Milan's defensive problems were showing — Šimunić got treated like a lamppost.
Juventus surely studied Šimunić's traits.
In the first half, Gattuso actively ran, guarding Pirlo and shielding Šimunić.
But Gattuso's stamina was fading fast.
Once Gattuso's shield broke, Šimunić was fully exposed.
Juventus scored, lifting their spirits.
Three minutes later, Juventus pressed on.
After several passes, the ball returned to Del Piero.
Del Piero controlled it exquisitely, side-stepping to position for a shot and faking a strike.
Šimunić panicked and rushed over.
Del Piero's agile feet shifted right to left, trying to dribble past.
Tall Šimunić clearly overcommitted.
Unable to turn, he reached a long leg backward, trying to block the ball — a clumsy move that failed to contain Del Piero.
Šuker held his head in his hands.
'An aircraft carrier turning around!'
What a classic moment!
Del Piero breezed past Šimunić and charged into the penalty area.
He drew Nesta's attention, then passed sideways.
Trezeguet, unmarked, fired a low shot into the near post — goal again.
In less than five minutes, Juventus scored twice, leveling the match.
Šimunić's face was pale.
His lapses cost Milan dearly.
Just then, Milan made a substitution.
Šimunić saw Maldini standing on the sidelines.
Ancelotti was making a change.
Šimunić hung his head in shame, barely daring to look at Maldini.
Just when he expected a harsh scolding, Maldini reached out, patted Šimunić's shoulder, and comforted him with a gentle hug:
"Don't blame yourself. Conceding isn't just one person's fault. It's a defensive failure by the whole team. Rest well."
Šimunić looked at Maldini in confusion.
He hadn't expected such kindness at this moment.
Maldini entered the field to roaring cheers from Milan fans.
Yet their hearts were heavy.
How bad was the defense if even 39-year-old captain Maldini had to play?
Ambrosini approached, personally handed the captain's armband to Maldini.
Maldini tightened the armband and said, "Massimo, why aren't you tracking back?"
Ambrosini was stunned.
"I'm a winger!"
"A winger has defensive duties too!" Maldini said sternly. "I know you have your ideas, but this is a match. You know Šimunić's weaknesses. He needs support in midfield. Gattuso's stamina is down, so you must fill that role. That's what a captain is for, not standing by idly."
Ambrosini felt ashamed.
Watching Šimunić get overrun, he felt a mix of anxiety and a secret bit of satisfaction.
"Don't make mistakes like this again, and don't let conflicts escalate. Massimo, next time I won't support you!" Maldini said grimly.
Ambrosini sighed. "I understand."
Maldini nodded and clapped loudly: "Alright, everyone, get your spirits up!"
He raised a finger and shouted: "Let's score a goal!"
"Captain! Awesome!" came Šuker's distant shout.
Maldini couldn't help but smile.