"Gattuso, Jankulovski, you two pair up as defensive midfielders this match. You must withstand Suker's attacks. I don't expect you to hold the whole match, but at least during the first half, you have to limit Suker and create scoring chances for our forwards!"
Allegri gave the tactical instructions.
For this game, he still planned to use a double defensive midfield to contain Suker.
But unlike Ambrosini, Jankulovski was more suited for this role and physically tougher.
He could even commit tactical fouls.
AC Milan's only chance was to break through in the first half.
It was unrealistic to expect the veterans to hold the entire match.
Therefore, they just needed the first half. If they scored early, Milan would switch to a defensive posture.
That was the only way to beat Real Madrid and stop Suker.
Kaká remained the attacking midfielder but was given greater tactical responsibility.
Allegri needed Kaká to break the deadlock.
Kaká was currently Milan's strongest attacking point.
In this match, the Milan management did not pressure Allegri too much, allowing him to play freely.
But the more relaxed the management was, the more Allegri wanted to prove himself.
He was Allegri — a brilliant coach.
Although Suker's departure was a loss, it didn't mean Milan stopped preparing tactics.
At the very least, Allegri believed he was much better than Real Madrid's coach who only relied on the "cannon" tactic.
"Remember, pass to Suker! If there's a chance, pass to Suker!"
Pellegrini kept emphasizing.
His nickname was "The Engineer," and that's how he coached.
First, you need an engine, then a pair of parts.
Currently, Madrid's parts were uneven, but Pellegrini was proud because he maximized the power of the "engine" named Suker with those parts.
No matter how the outside mocked him, Pellegrini stuck to this approach.
This was how he got results at Real Madrid.
Lineups confirmed:
AC Milan (4-3-1-2):
Goalkeeper: Dida
Defenders: Oddo, Nesta, Simunic, Simic
Midfielders: Gattuso, Pirlo, Jankulovski
Forwards: Pato, Kaká, Ronaldinho
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defenders: Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo
Midfielders: Alonso, Diarra, Guti
Forwards: Higuaín, Raúl, Suker
Seeing Suker's position, Oddo was stunned.
"Shouldn't he be center forward? Why is he on the left wing?"
Allegri clenched his fist on the sidelines.
Suker's position was awkward for the double defensive midfield to intercept, but Allegri still had backup tactics.
Pirlo and Jankulovski swapped positions, allowing Jankulovski to shift left and right fully.
Gattuso's job was to hold Suker, with Oddo as the last defensive line.
If Suker still broke through these three layers, then they really had no chance.
Suker glanced at Milan's setup, raising an eyebrow.
They wanted to lock him to the wing — but could they really keep him there?
"Focus!"
Gattuso shouted, rallying his teammates.
He then yelled to Oddo, "Watch Suker's breakthrough."
Oddo wore a bitter face.
Gattuso was furious inside.
Damn it! Another coward!
But he understood Oddo.
After all, Suker playing left wing was a nightmare for any right back.
Many right backs had been broken down one-on-one by Suker.
Oddo didn't want to suffer the same fate.
Even great Maicon was mentally crushed by Suker's speed.
The match was about to begin.
At San Siro, Milan fans roared endlessly.
"This is the 2009/2010 Champions League Group Stage Round 4, AC Milan hosting Real Madrid!"
"In the previous round, Real Madrid beat Milan 3-1 at home. Can Milan perform better at home?"
"Has Milan made effective plans against Suker?"
"With the current positioning, Allegri likely wants to use Gattuso and Jankulovski to contain Suker. But that's Suker on the wing — will Allegri's tactics work?"
Italian commentator Aldo Cerella said loudly, "Let's all watch Milan's performance in this match."
Milan! Milan! Milan!
The cheers of tens of thousands of fans thundered like an explosion.
The whistle blew.
Beep!
Raúl immediately passed the ball to Suker. After returning the pass, both sprinted forward.
Suker ran to the wing, glanced at Oddo's position, then Gattuso's.
Gattuso had begun to shadow him.
The ball was at Guti's feet.
Gattuso looked forward but kept an eye on Suker with his peripheral vision.
Suddenly, Suker twisted sharply and sprinted.
Gattuso was startled, slipped, and fell awkwardly.
"What are you doing?"
Suker stood beside him, looking innocent.
Gattuso clenched his teeth.
He wanted to hit this bastard to vent.
From the trial, Suker knew Gattuso would mark him tightly — man-marking.
Milan put their strongest defensive midfielder on Suker.
Gattuso also realized Suker saw through his plan.
So he stopped pretending.
Whenever Guti got the ball, Gattuso stuck close to Suker.
When Marcelo had the ball, same thing.
Gattuso just wouldn't let Suker get the ball.
Wherever Suker ran, Gattuso followed.
"You're like my shadow!"
Suker complained unhappily.
The game had gone 10 minutes and Suker hadn't touched the ball once.
Gattuso ignored the complaint.
He had successfully held Suker back for 10 minutes.
Another 35 to go.
Before that—
"Forwards! Score now!"
Gattuso shouted at the front.
He could still contain Suker, but if they didn't score soon, what were they waiting for?
Milan's counterattacks became sharper.
Real Madrid, without Suker's involvement, looked confused.
Suker knew this was dangerous.
He ran again to the wing, Gattuso followed instantly.
At the moment Guti received the ball and Gattuso tried to get in front of Suker, Suker acted first.
Back to Gattuso, Suker pinned him sideways.
"Pass it!"
Suker gritted his teeth.
Guti passed immediately.
"Get off me!"
Gattuso shoved hard.
Suker stood firm.
"No way!"
Suker struggled. Gattuso was strong.
As the ball neared, Suker kicked hard, pushing Gattuso away.
He immediately turned and started to accelerate down the sideline.
"Don't run!"
Gattuso accelerated after him.
Suker angled to chase the ball and tried to slip into the pitch.
Gattuso slammed into him, pushing Suker out.
Suker adjusted his stride and squeezed back in.
Boom!
Gattuso knocked Suker down hard.
The ball was cleared by Oddo.
Suker kneeled outside the line, helpless.
Gattuso was panting heavily.
He was giving it his all.
Suker wasn't stronger, but he was faster.
If not for perfect timing, Gattuso wouldn't have been able to stop him.
"Oh, Gattuso! Twice denying Suker's sneaky runs outside the line, using raw strength to push Suker out—outstanding performance!"
Milan players shouted encouragement.
"Ivan, great job!"
"Exactly, keep that pressure!"
"Don't let him get rolling."
Kaká even gave Gattuso a thumbs up from afar.
Suker was frustrated.
What kind of faces were these guys making?
I get knocked down and you're happy?
Wait till it's your turn!
Suker ran again to the wing, demanding the ball from Guti.
Guti hesitated.
Suker clenched his teeth, "Pass it!"
Boom!
Suker and Gattuso crashed into each other again.
But this time, Suker was clever.
He didn't resist with strength but took a small step back, then quickly flicked the ball behind.
At that moment, Gattuso lunged in with a tackle.
Boom!
Ball was cleared.
Suker was tackled to the ground.
Suker got up.
"Keep going!"
Third clash, Suker charged the ball aggressively, not giving Gattuso time to hit him.
He received the ball, executed a Marseille turn to create space.
At the turn, Suker flicked the ball sideways, dodging Gattuso's outstretched foot.
Just as Suker prepared to accelerate, a pair of iron arms appeared.
"Get off me!"
Gattuso grabbed Suker and slammed him down.
Suker's vision blurred from the hard fall.
The referee blew the whistle and showed a yellow card to Gattuso.
Gattuso lowered his head, panting heavily.
His physical strength was dropping fast after battling Suker.
Suker grinned, cursing, "What the hell, wrestling now?"
"Takedown still won't stop you!"
Humph!
Gattuso snorted and turned away, his face grim.
"I can't hold on!"
Gattuso whispered to Kaká, "If you don't score soon, Suker will explode down the wing."
Suker's constant pressure was wearing Gattuso down.
At first, he could suppress Suker.
Now he had to foul.
At 25 minutes, Gattuso realized if he didn't foul, he couldn't stop Suker.
Gattuso felt extremely heavy.
If Suker broke through his defensive line and drove into the back, all would be lost.
He knew no one would help him.
Raúl and Higuaín were covered; support was minimal.
Jankulovski would take time to come.
Allegri's plan was ideal, but they underestimated Suker's speed.
Gattuso had borne the brunt, but now he was exhausted.
Kaká nodded vigorously.
He knew this too and decided to increase offensive pressure.
If they couldn't break through soon, the consequences of Suker breaking loose would be terrible.
Pirlo kept turning his head to observe, confirming Kaká's position.
Suker was tightly marked; Kaká was too.
Gago and Alonso tightly marked Kaká, making him hard to get open.
But Pirlo, being Pirlo, took initiative, moving into Madrid's half to bait their midfield.
He drew Alonso forward.
Pirlo turned and passed back, making Alonso run in vain.
Meanwhile, Jankulovski slipped a ball into a gap in midfield.
Kaká suddenly made a lateral run to receive the ball, creating an arcing movement from the right wing, attacking the defense.
Pato moved toward the middle, seeking shooting position, with Ronaldinho lurking at the far post.
Kaká suddenly sent a low cross into the box.
Pato surged forward.
"Pato! Shoot!"
Boom!
Casillas dived and saved hard, pushing the ball away.
Alonso picked up the clearance, turned, and passed to Diarra.
Diarra spread the ball forward toward Suker.
Suker began sprinting.
"Oh! Real Madrid's counterattack is fierce! Suker is sprinting! Can Gattuso stop him again?"
Gattuso was panting, watching Suker about to outrun him.
Gattuso gritted his teeth and charged at Suker.
He expected a solid collision but Suker suddenly accelerated, dodging the hit.
Gattuso rolled out of bounds.
Suker stumbled but the ball was close.
Unfortunately, Milan right back Oddo rushed over.
Suker had no time to adjust.
He flicked the ball sideways then charged into Oddo.
Using the recoil force, Suker steadied himself, twisted, and dashed toward the ball.
"Chaos! Milan's defense is in chaos!"
Gonzalez's eyes widened, "Can Suker reach the ball?"
Nesta and Suker reached simultaneously.
Nesta lunged in with a tackle.
At that moment, Suker flicked the ball and leapt.
He and the ball soared over Nesta.
"Ohhhhh!!! God!!!"
Gonzalez clutched his head.
"What dribbling skill from Suker!"
Three defenders beaten.
Milan's backline was left with only Simunic and Simic trembling.
The attackers: Suker, Raúl, and Higuaín.
Suker landed.
Raúl ran behind him into the left-side gap.
Simunic saw this but dared not chase.
If he did, Suker would be wide open!
Suker stopped the ball with his heel, pushing it to the empty space where Raúl was running.
Raúl calmly flicked the ball into the net.
At 33 minutes, Real Madrid scored on a counterattack.
Assist by Suker to Raúl.
Suker panted hard.
After continuous sprints and intense moves, even his body was struggling.
The stadium fell silent.
Milan and Madrid fans stared wide-eyed.
Suker's dribbling and heel pass shocked them.
Soon, sparse applause began.
The applause then surged, deafening.
Though Raúl scored, the applause was for Suker.
Suker sat on the ground, still gasping.
Gattuso came over, extended his hand, and said helplessly,
"You just can't be stopped!"
Suker grinned, "You made me look quite awkward too."
He reached out, Gattuso grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
Aldo Cerella commented, "We always say Suker is hard to defend. Before, he belonged to Milan, so we weren't too affected. Now he's an opponent, his terrifying drive and imaginative passing are key to the match."
"Like this goal, Milan tried everything but still couldn't stop Suker's impact!"
"Most terrifyingly, Suker maintained this form into the second half."
"When Suker was about to leave, I wanted to say 'stay.' His departure is a loss not only for Milan but for all of Serie A."
"But I can't be selfish. Suker has the right to pursue his future and more honors."
"For us, it will be hard to see such brilliant play again."
At the sidelines, Allegri's mouth was agape.
Gattuso had done his best, even better than expected.
But even so, they could not stop Suker.
The dribbling was spine-tingling.
Such a player cannot be marked by a single individual.
Only a team effort can contain Suker; one-on-one is impossible.
Allegri shook his head in regret.
If Suker hadn't left, he would have been fortunate to coach such a strong player — the future would be even brighter.
Allegri looked toward the Madrid bench.
He saw the white-haired Chilean.
"Lucky for that bumpkin!"
Pellegrini stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable.
He made no celebratory moves.
He was stunned by Suker's performance.
What does it mean to be in "no man's land"?
This is it!
Ultimate individual heroism.
No wonder Pellegrini poured so many tactical resources into Suker.
Suker did not disappoint.