"The match begins! AC Milan kicks off, and Lyon immediately presses hard after the opening whistle. Milan, under pressure, passes backward repeatedly and then launches a long ball forward — they're looking to create an early chance!"
The ball soared toward Lyon's half.
Lyon's center-back Squillaci got to the drop point first, ready to go up for the header — when suddenly, a figure slipped in front of him.
It was Šuker — barging in right in front of Squillaci, taking him by surprise.
"I wasn't even marking you! And you came to me?!"
Squillaci immediately leaned in to press him, but Šuker responded by backing into him, his back fully pressed against Squillaci's chest. He reached back with his right hand, grabbed the hem of Squillaci's shirt, and yanked it down hard.
Squillaci felt a surge of strength — his shirt stretched out long, and the force kept him from jumping.
"Go for it!"
"Jump, Squillaci!"
His teammates shouted.
Squillaci felt helpless. He wanted to jump!
But Šuker planted his feet and gave a sharp shove backward, forcing Squillaci to stumble a step back.
"Damn it!"
Squillaci was stunned.
Šuker was that strong in physical battles?
As the ball dropped, Šuker held off Squillaci and flicked it rightward with the tip of his toe, turning immediately and firing a shot.
Bang!
The ball zipped toward the bottom-left corner, glancing off the post and rolling out past the end line.
"So close!"
Šuker shook his head in disappointment.
Squillaci stared at Šuker, fuming.
He had lost the duel — and worse, Šuker's body control and sneaky moves totally disrupted him.
"Šuker overpowered Squillaci, turned, and took a shot.Though he didn't score, it still threatened Lyon's goal.Most importantly — it was Šuker who initiated the confrontation with Squillaci and won!"
And it wasn't just Squillaci —even Vukojević, watching from midfield, was shocked.
He had seen Šuker's strength improve.
But Šuker was known for being a breakthrough-style striker — and now he was engaging in close-quarters duels?
Even more impressively, he was very effective at it!
"This guy has way too many playing styles!"
Vukojević couldn't help but smirk.
From starting as a winger, to attacking midfielder, then becoming a center forward…
From a breakthrough striker, to a target man,and now playing as a battering ram.
Who wouldn't get a headache trying to handle that?
He was a true utility forward, the kind every coach dreams of.
This gave Ancelotti more freedom in his tactics — and he clenched his fist in satisfaction.
Šuker's threatening play proved their tactical setup was working.
Milan was known for its versatile tactics, built on Šuker's versatility.
He had played many roles, many styles — and now, he was physically dominating defenders.
That shocked Lyon.
They had planned for many possibilities —but they never expected this version of Šuker.
"Milan can even play like this?"
Benzema asked in disbelief.
In their pre-match planning, they focused on how to contain Šuker.
Now, it wasn't about avoiding him —Šuker was the one hunting them.
"Forget that. Focus on our rhythm,"
Juninho said seriously.
"As long as we score first, Milan won't be a threat."
Easier said than done.
Milan's compact defense wasn't easy to break.
Especially with Gattuso and Ambrosini sweeping through midfield, cutting off passing lanes.
Benzema always had someone glued to him.
And at this point in his career, Benzema was still young and slender, struggling in physical duels.
To make matters worse, Nesta was marking him personally.
Bang!
Šimunić cleared a header.
Shielded from direct threats, his near two-meter height finally came into play against Lyon's crosses.
"Counterattack!"
Šimunić shouted, but Seedorf, instead of pushing forward, passed left to control tempo.
Milan was calming the game down in midfield.
Šuker kept moving side to side, trying to find a passing lane.
But Lyon refused to give him space.
After multiple passes, the ball returned to Šimunić.
He didn't hurry to release it, instead looking up the field.
Šuker subtly backed up, while Gilardino and Brocchi tucked inside.
"There's a chance!"
Šimunić launched a long ball.
He wasn't as precise as Pirlo, but his long passes were very capable.
The ball flew into Lyon's half again.
Squillaci dropped back to contest the header.
And again, Šuker closed in.
"Goddammit!"
Squillaci cursed as he felt his shirt get yanked again.
He rammed backward with his shoulder —Šuker stumbled a little but stayed upright.
Now, Squillaci was furious —He fought back, leaning in and using his arm to pin Šuker's shoulder.
A full-on wrestling match broke out.
"Move!"
"Keep dreaming!"
They grappled tightly, pushing and shoving for control.
As the ball came down, Šuker's leg muscles exploded —he slammed his weight backward.
"Get lost!"
Šuker shoved Squillaci off balance and backheeled a pass to the side.
"Gilardino!"
Šuker's pass found Gilardino, who darted into the box from the side.
He was immediately challenged by a Lyon fullback.
As Gilardino went to shoot, he was shoved hard, causing him to slide two meters forward.
"Hey!"
Gilardino pointed at his left leg.
"That was my plant foot!"
The referee ran toward the box.
Lyon's defender argued frantically.
The ref glanced at Gilardino, then at the defender —and pulled out a yellow card… for Gilardino.
"You piece of—"
Šuker clamped his hand over Gilardino's mouth.
Ambrosini rushed in to argue.
The referee judged it a dive, and booked Gilardino.
But Šuker knew —that was a penalty.
The ref's bias toward Lyon was becoming clearer.
In fact, ever since Šuker began challenging defenders, the officiating had already started to tilt.
Ancelotti on the sidelines was furious, pressuring the fourth official.
Even threatening to file a post-match complaint.
It was all a warning to the main ref —don't push it too far.
"That was a clear foul.The ball was under Gilardino's control, and he was already shooting.It was his plant leg, and the Lyon defender crashed into him…"Commentator Aldo Serena was livid.
But there was nothing to be done.
Bias in football is common —As long as it doesn't reach "Stamford Bridge scandal" levels, it's tolerated.
Lyon resumed with a goal kick.
This time, they managed a real shot on target.
Juninho, from just outside the box, curved a shot that hit the crossbar and soared into the air.
In the aerial scramble, Benzema reached the ball first, but Šimunić's challenge disrupted him.
Dida stretched and just barely tipped it over the bar.
On the following corner, Šimunić again leaped high to clear.
"Šimunić is outstanding today —he's dominated Milan's aerial defense!"
Serena praised him enthusiastically.
He seemed to forget how harshly he had criticized Šimunić after Serie A Matchday 1.
But that was Aldo Serena — known for his sharp tongue.
He criticized poor play harshly,and praised good performances fairly.
Just like now.
Of course, Šimunić's strong showing was thanks in large part to Gattuso and Ambrosini's sweeping, which gave him excellent coverage.
That's the value of defensive midfielders.
In the future, Kanté would also be known for insane tackling, but it's his defensive coverage that makes him world-class.
Unknowingly, the 30th minute had arrived.
Both teams had chances, but neither found the net.
Playing at home, Lyon began to push harder as halftime approached.
Milan, while maintaining defensive stability, began plotting counters.