"Real Madrid has strengthened their squad quite a bit this season," Kaká said to Suker during the stadium walkthrough.
"But they're still unstable."
Real's problem lies mainly in their rigid midfield and defensive line.
Their midfield lacks flexibility — it's just too stiff overall.
Suker thought Kaká could really transition into a deep-lying playmaker role.
Or at least try playing as an attacking midfielder first, then gradually move towards that role.
As for the defense — it's not weak, but it's a minefield.
The young Sergio Ramos is like a powder keg.
But now, Real Madrid has added a super bomb.
The monk, Pepe!
"I'll hit whoever I want!"
The new era's villain of football.
Ramos could somewhat control himself, but when Pepe gets furious, ten horses couldn't hold him back.
He's the guy who could get sent off in crucial World Cup matches.
This kind of bomb can hurt others — and himself.
Used well, he's an iron-blooded tough guy.
Used badly, he'll blow himself to bits.
After the walkthrough, the whole AC Milan squad returned to the hotel.
Dinner was simple — mostly to fill the stomach.
Some didn't even eat, wanting to keep their stomachs light and prepare well for the match.
Evening.The neon-lit city of Madrid, the famous Bernabéu Stadium.
Suker had played many matches here, but this time the atmosphere felt different.
The circular, tiered stands were packed.
Despite Real's poor recent performances, even declining,they're still a top-tier giant and the club with the most Champions League trophies.
They have their pride.
Cheers, shouts, whistles echoed wildly.
Even during warm-ups, the stadium was buzzing.
"Feels a bit hard to breathe!"Pato rubbed his chest.
The Bernabéu's bowl shape and tiered stands create a feeling of being surrounded.
Add tens of thousands of Real Madrid fans yelling —it puts huge pressure on any visiting player.
"Do you think I'll get applause here?"Pato asked eagerly.
Suker mocked him:
"Go ahead, try!"
And Pato actually tried.
While picking up the ball, he waved to the stands.
The Real Madrid fans froze.
Where did this idiot come from?
They saw it as a provocation.
A loud booing erupted.
Pato got even more excited, waving harder.
The boos grew louder, mixed with curses.
"Country bumpkin, we'll crush you!""Put your hands down, disgusting bastard!""Go away! You smell awful!"
The fans made rude gestures and yelled.
But Pato waved more enthusiastically.
Finally, Suker couldn't stand it and pulled Pato back.
"They're booing me!" Pato said proudly."They're afraid of me!"
Suker shook his head.
You're nothing. They're not afraid of you.
If Suker hadn't pulled him sooner, it might have turned into a missile shower.
Warm-up ended.
They returned to the locker room.
Ancelotti announced the starting lineup.
No surprises — Pato was in the starting XI.
"Awesome!"Pato jumped excitedly.
Not only was he playing in the Champions League, but at the Bernabéu.
That feeling thrilled him.
Kaká sighed:
"Is this what they call a big heart?"
Suker said:
"He's just a fool! A country mutt!"
Still, Pato's excitement comforted them —at least he wasn't scared, which was the most important.
"Ready?"Ambrosini, wearing the captain's armband, gestured."Let's go! Time to take the field!"
The players walked out of the tunnel.
They exchanged high-fives with coaches along the way.
Once at the tunnel entrance, the Real Madrid players appeared, led by captain Raúl.
Suker looked around.
No sign of Robben or Sneijder.
Robben hadn't lived up to expectations since joining Madrid.
His peak was at Bayern Munich, where he and Ribéry formed the fierce Robbery wing duo.
Suker's gaze then fell on Pepe.
The fierce-looking bald head!
Pepe's appearance hadn't changed much since his future — not very muscular, but radiating a savage aura.
His eyes were like hungry wolves, full of wildness.
These familiar players were gradually entering the mainstream.
It signaled the door to a new era was slowly opening.
Pepe also turned and locked eyes with Suker.
Pepe's gaze was as rebellious as ever — like a wild stallion impossible to tame.
Suker looked away.
This was a reckless youth.
A stubborn one who wouldn't listen to reason, quick to lose control.
It was pointless to confront someone like that head-on.
Pepe turned his head, eyes showing a flicker of seriousness.
This was his first season at Real Madrid.
He believed only cruelty could dominate football.
To prove he was tough, Pepe provoked teammates, picking fights — Barboza was the unfortunate victim.
They fought during training, but Pepe kept his starting spot while Barboza lost his.
Pepe thought the fight was necessary.
It secured his place and left teammates with the image of a villain.
Also partly because he just disliked Barboza and wanted to hit him.
For this match, the coach tasked Pepe with marking Suker and controlling his temper.
He might not control his temper, but the marking — he would do.
Suddenly, cheers grew louder.
Players began to take the field.
Real Madrid in white faced AC Milan in red and black.
Real Madrid fans grew tense.
They'd been stuck at the Round of 16 for three years, growing numb.
They wanted to break through but also felt anxious.
Why did they have to face AC Milan?
Despite Milan's issues and weakened roster, their fans were nervous whenever Suker was involved.
Every meeting with Suker ended badly.
From Dynamo Zagreb days to now at Milan.
Suker was like an unavoidable nightmare for Madrid.
Bayern Munich was worse off — they'd lost Champions League qualification.
But Madrid was different.
They fought hard through the group stage to reach knockouts.
They hoped to reset and fight.
Then they drew Suker.
The world's most powerful striker right now!
Could their defense stand up?
And that Portuguese bald guy.
In just half a season, he'd already fought teammates and gotten red cards.
Spain has a tradition of bullfighting.
To them, Pepe was a red-eyed bull — dangerous, powerful, but indiscriminate.
Players shook hands and flipped the coin.
Everything went smoothly.
Madrid kicked off the first half.
Starting lineups:
Real Madrid (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defenders: Pepe, Salgado, Cannavaro, Heinze
Midfielders: Guti, Gago, Baptista, Diarra
Forwards: Raúl, Robinho
AC Milan (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Dida
Defenders: Oddo, Nesta, Simunic, Jankulovski
Midfielders: Kaká, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf
Forwards: Pato, Suker
The battle was about to begin.
Eyes and cameras fixed on Suker.
He was the most dangerous and most watched player.
His performance would influence the game.
Could Madrid get revenge?
Could Milan extend their Champions League journey?
Beep!!!The sharp whistle blew.
The match was on.