"Hold your positions, don't push too far forward, watch the midfield line!"
Kaká shouted repeatedly, reminding teammates not to rush.
Especially Pato.
Other rookies might be intimidated by the Champions League, nervous and underperforming.
But Pato was not one of them. From the start of the game, he was unusually active.
However, being too eager wasn't always good.
If he ran too far forward, his stamina would drop sharply, creating a gap.
Kaká needed to remind Pato to manage his energy wisely.
But Pato obviously wouldn't listen; he was charging hard up front, constantly pressuring Real Madrid players — but his pressing was useless.
"Stop running around!"
Suker finally couldn't stand it and shouted loudly.
Pato immediately stopped.
Maybe he ignored Kaká's words, but crossing Suker was a bad idea.
Pato calmed down and moved back to his position.
Real Madrid's passing was very stable.
Cannavaro was the backbone of their defense — last year's Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player.
With Cannavaro's command, Real kept pushing forward.
When the ball reached the midfielders' feet, Suker shouted: "Press!"
Suker and Pato pressed Gago from different angles.
Gago wanted to pass to Guti on the wing, but Suker stepped sideways, instantly blocking the passing lane.
Pato covered the other side.
Gago had no choice but to pass inside.
He hoped to find Raul dropping back, but Seedorf and Pirlo immediately pressured.
Raul received the ball, tightly marked by Seedorf, unable to turn or pass.
Raul wanted to pass back, but Suker and Pato blocked the passing lanes.
Guti on the wing was tightly marked by Jankulovski, who had pushed up as a wingback.
Suker and Pato deliberately left a gap in the middle — it was a defensive trap.
"Damn it!"
Raul realized too late, but he still tried to use skill to turn.
Spanish commentators spoke seriously:
"Raul is having trouble, trying feints to turn!"
After several failed attempts, Raul tried to force through.
He shifted his weight left, then quickly right, trying to break through.
But after turning halfway, he ran right into Pirlo.
"Beautiful! Sleepy Pirlo!"
Suker shouted, taking control of the loose ball.
Raul tried to press, but Suker had already turned and pushed the ball right to create space.
As Raul circled behind, Suker shifted again left, breaking Raul's rhythm.
Raul was past his prime; his physique couldn't match Suker.
Suker shook off Raul's pressure easily, then calmly passed to Kaká, running forward to hold the defensive line.
"Milan completed a brilliant coordinated defense to steal the ball," said Italian commentator Aldo Cerella."After winning possession, AC Milan isn't rushing to attack."
On the screen, Pato moved to the flank, calling for the ball:
"Pass to me! Pass to me!"
Kaká looked around with no support, so he passed to Pato.
Pato faked dropping back to receive, then suddenly made a lateral burst, trying to use his explosive power to dribble past.
This was his go-to move in Serie A.
But this time, he hit a wall.
Cannavaro's positioning was perfect; as Pato moved sideways, Cannavaro closed him down.
Just as Pato turned and stepped forward, Cannavaro pressed from behind.
"Cannavaro's precise positioning! Real Madrid regained possession!"
Suker grinned bitterly.
That's why rookies are rookies.
Pato thrived against average defenders in Serie A, thinking his physicality could beat all.
But there was something called experience.
Though older, Cannavaro knew exactly what Pato intended at a glance.
Being read like a book is never good.
After the interception, Cannavaro launched a long ball forward.
Robinho cut inside timely, controlled the first touch, and shot on the second.
The ball curved toward Milan's far post, barely grazing the post and going out.
"Don't let him shoot!"
Simunic shouted.
Nesta got up from the ground, aware of the danger.
But after missing the first touch, it was hard to recover.
A few years ago, this wouldn't have happened.
Nesta's form was declining.
"Not stable enough!"
Suker frowned watching his defense.
Honestly, this Real Madrid wasn't a strong team this season.
But their counterattacks worked — meaning Milan's defense had problems.
Though clear since early season, it seemed even worse now.
The battle moved to midfield, becoming intense.
Real Madrid refused to lose the midfield tempo.
Milan had to control it as well.
Both teams had double midfielders; no clear advantage.
But Pirlo stood firm.
"Suker!"
Pirlo shouted, striking the ball sharply.
It was a low, spinning ball skimming the ground.
Suker didn't move to receive it; instead, he leaned back, shielding from Salgado.
Using his back, he flicked the ball up for a directional change.
But suddenly a shadow dashed in front.
Swish!Bang!
The shadow leapt and headed the airborne ball forcefully away.
Suker turned to see Pepe landing, staring at him wide-eyed as if to say, "Is this all you've got?"
"Bastard!"
Suker gritted his teeth.
Did this reckless youth realize how dangerous that move was?
But with Pepe, this was expected.
Thankfully, Pepe showed mercy by not using studs.
Suker planned to avoid aerial balls and rely on dribbling to bypass him.
Pepe had clearly targeted Suker, and his tackles were dangerous.
Suker needed to use bursts of speed to get past — if caught, who knew what Pepe would do.
"Pepe! Portuguese fullback! That was a dangerous move, the referee has warned him!"
Spanish commentator shook his head.
If warnings worked, Pepe wouldn't be called a thug.
Play resumed!
Milan kept possession.
"Suker is moving toward the center, Kaká is advancing down the flank!"
Seeing Kaká's movement, Suker suddenly shouted at Pato:
"Make a run!"
Pato turned: "What?"
"Run forward!"
Suker yelled.
Pato dashed forward, pretending to contest the ball's drop point.
His reckless move made Cannavaro step forward — just that step gave Suker his chance.
When masters face off, it's in an instant.
Cannavaro shifted weight forward, unable to catch Suker immediately.
Suker abruptly stopped.
At the same time, Kaká crossed the ball.
The ball curved beautifully toward the center.
Suker crouched slightly, muscles tensed, and leapt powerfully using leg strength.
Like scallions shooting up dry land — sudden and explosive!
Suker jumped with arms spread to block opponents and balance himself.
Legs curled slightly, body extended for more hang time.
The ball came perfectly to his forehead.
At impact, Suker whipped his head powerfully.
Swish!
The ball soared into the far left corner of the goal.
At 23 minutes, AC Milan took the lead!