The match against Stuttgart was imminent.
The players of AC Milan were all making their final preparations.
While Suker was undoubtedly the main focus, the returns of Kaká and Pirlo from injury were also major talking points.
Right before departure, Kaká slicked his hair back using gel.
If it were anyone else, it might have looked greasy.
But with Kaká's fresh, youthful face, it gave off a bit of a CEO-like dominance.
Pirlo also shaved his beard clean and had his hair trimmed short.
Suker didn't understand why these recovering players always did something like this.
Pirlo explained it as "facing everything anew with a fresh look."
Suker was speechless.
Still, with Kaká and Pirlo returning, Milan's squad clearly became much stronger.
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, by the Neckar River.
Named after one of the inventors of the modern automobile, this is also the largest stadium in Baden-Württemberg, holding 60,000 fans.
Suker didn't know much about Stuttgart. What left a deeper impression on him in this region was a team called Hoffenheim.
A club that came from a village and jumped three divisions in three years, even winning the Bundesliga autumn championship after promotion.
At this time, Hoffenheim was probably still in Bundesliga 2 or 3.
Inside the Daimler Stadium, Stuttgart's fans were incredibly passionate.
They welcomed this Champions League match with loud, thunderous cheers.
Even though the opponent was AC Milan, their excitement was undiminished.
Of course, even in Stuttgart's home stadium, the cameras were still focused on Suker.
The most terrifying striker in world football at the moment.
Suker was the biggest obstacle for Stuttgart, the towering peak they had to overcome.
Even though many Stuttgart players were close in age to Suker—
He had already surpassed all of them and stood at the top of his generation.
He was the one that all young players aspired to catch up with.
And for Stuttgart's stars like Mario Gómez and Sami Khedira, both ambitious and hungry to take the next step, they couldn't miss this chance to challenge Suker.
During warm-ups, Suker could feel the aggressive stares.
They looked at him as if he were the "boss" in a game they needed to defeat to level up.
And Suker… was indeed that kind of maxed-out boss.
If someone beat him, even just once, it would be enough to become famous with a single goal.
So Stuttgart's young players were burning with fighting spirit.
After the warm-up, both sides returned to their locker rooms for final prep and then waited in the tunnel.
Starting Lineups:
Stuttgart (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: SchäferDefenders: Osorio, Tasci, Hilbert, MeiraMidfielders: Farnerud, Pardo, Meißner, BastürkForwards: Gómez, Cacau
AC Milan (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: DidaDefenders: Oddo, Nesta, Šimunić, JankulovskiMidfielders: Kaká, Gattuso, Pirlo, SeedorfForwards: Inzaghi, Suker
Both teams deployed a 4-4-2 formation.
Stuttgart were fielding their strongest lineup. Judging by their energy, they were aiming for all 3 points at home.
As for AC Milan, despite being the away side, they came in aiming at least for a draw, if not a win.
Stuttgart was a team built on high intensity and impact.
As with most youth-led teams—when they hit top gear, they could blow apart defenses.
To deal with Stuttgart's aerial threat, Šimunić was assigned a key role.
Milan stuck to their trademark defensive counter-attacking style—
Letting Suker exploit space to strike.
Inzaghi played a supporting role, almost like a lucky charm—since he always seemed to fire up when playing against German teams.
Having not started in a while, Inzaghi was full of fight.
Among Milan's forwards, Suker had long suppressed the competition.
But with the schedule not being too packed, others just had to bide their time.
So every chance to start was precious.
"You're wasting that number 9 jersey," Suker joked to Inzaghi.
Inzaghi smirked: "Even if I am, I'm not giving it to you."
Suker pouted.
He had once tried to trade his No. 10 for Inzaghi's No. 9, but Pippo flatly refused.
Suker never understood what was so special about that 9.
Both teams were now lined up on the pitch. The match was about to begin.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
With the referee's whistle, the German commentator roared:
"Welcome to the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions League Group Stage – Matchday 2, Stuttgart vs AC Milan!"
"Can Stuttgart's leading scorer Mario Gómez show up big against the Golden Boot Suker? Can their defenders stop Suker's momentum? These are key factors that will decide the match!"
The whistle blew.
Suker began charging at Stuttgart's defense.
After a few back-passes, Stuttgart launched a long ball forward—looking for Gómez, their main attacking threat.
Just like a young team should—no hesitation, direct aggression.
Gómez controlled the ball smoothly, turned, and was ready to attack.
But then he looked up and saw Milan's tight defensive formation.
So many Milan players were swarming toward him—he quickly passed the ball away.
It reached Meißner's feet.
After scanning left and right for an opening and finding none, Meißner passed back to holding midfielder Pardo.
Pardo was Stuttgart's pivot, their defensive midfield general.
This Mexican player was key to the team's build-up and ball recovery—coach Armin Veh's trump card.
But clearly, the Champions League pace was a bit too much for Pardo.
While he hesitated on the ball—
Suker came crashing in from behind.
"Too slow!"
Suker used his body to pressure Pardo.
Even though he had recently swapped out his [William's Core] platinum card, sacrificing some agility for strength—
He still had plenty of physical power.
Pardo didn't expect Suker to press him so suddenly—nor did his teammates warn him.
Under pressure, Pardo managed to offload the ball toward the wing.
But it was a poor pass.
Kaká and Bastürk clashed, the ball spilled out into open space—
Gattuso charged in and poked the ball forward.
Suker made a diagonal run, latching onto the ball and triggering a counterattack.
"Suker! He's on the run!"
He surged through the gap between Stuttgart's right center-back and fullback.
Their defense scrambled to recover.
Meira was the first to step up—Suker dragged the ball inside, drawing Hilbert in as well.
Now double-teamed—yet Suker looked unbothered.
"Playing it this clean? Really?"
Having often faced dirty tactics, Suker was surprised the defenders weren't using their hands.
"If you don't reach out, I'm just going to break through!"
Suker stopped abruptly, then immediately burst forward—
That small motion created half a step of separation.
He faked a cross with his right foot, then dragged the ball sideways with his left—
A quick combo that completely left the defenders behind.
"OHHHH! Suker! Beats TWO defenders!"
Now through on goal.
Stuttgart's goalkeeper Schäfer was sweating bullets.
He came out to narrow the angle.
But in the next second—Suker chipped the ball—
It floated over Schäfer, falling toward goal.
Confident in his shot, Suker turned with arms wide open.
The stadium speaker echoed:
"GOAL!"
Suker raised his chin proudly—
"INZAGHI! GOAL!!"
Suker froze.
He quickly turned back.
"Huh?!"