The All-Around Center Forward

"Kaká is dribbling at high speed—oh!! A second burst! He cuts past Comotto and Kroldrup and sweeps the ball into the middle—Pato!!"

Aldo Serena shouted excitedly.

Pato lunged in for a sliding shot, but the ball barely skimmed his toes and rolled out over the end line—no shot on goal.

Ahhhhhh!!!——

Suker held his head in frustration, deeply regretful.

Just a split second faster and that would've been a goal!

Kaká's run was dazzling, and the pass was perfectly timed—but Pato couldn't reach it in time.

Ultimately, it was a lack of instinct in front of goal. He hesitated just a bit on the takeoff.

Even the Milan fans at the stadium felt disappointed, but their reaction wasn't overly intense.

To them, this sort of situation had become common in the first half of the season. They were practically numb to it by now.

Time and again, due to the lack of attacking punch up front, Kaká had to take on the burden of solo runs and finishing himself.

Suker watched the field closely.

Kaká had been excellent—his vision and passing were beginning to take shape like a true playmaker.

Throughout the first half of the season, Kaká had taken on the full responsibility as the team's core.

This process was essential.

Suker himself rose to prominence by becoming the focal point of the team.

Kaká was doing the same—becoming more composed and consistent.

However, their development paths were different.

Suker focused on penetration, finishing, and decisive attacking.

Kaká leaned more toward ball control, tempo-setting, and playmaking.

So while he lacked Suker's explosive finishing ability, his constant movement helped Milan build fluid passing sequences.

Suker observed the flow and Kaká's style.

He realized Kaká had evolved beyond just being a tempo-setter—he was becoming a midfield general.

But unlike Pirlo's slow-paced rhythm, Kaká's dynamic dribbling and passing made him more like Zidane—a midfielder who could dribble, pass, and shoot.

Suker stared without blinking.

Every pass from Kaká was purposeful—appearing safe, but constantly pulling Fiorentina's defense out of shape.

One particular moment fully displayed Kaká's football IQ and field awareness.

Facing a high ball during a counterattack, Kaká stood with his back to goal.

Seeing this, Fiorentina players swarmed him, unwilling to give him any chance to turn.

But Kaká lightly laid the ball back and instantly turned around the defender, diagonally bursting into space behind them.

Gattuso pushed the ball forward immediately.

Kaká received it just at the top of the penalty area.

After a quick lateral touch, he slid a through-ball forward—

Pato made the run—one-on-one chance.

"Finish it!!" Suker clenched his fists.

This time, Pato seized the moment, sliding in to shoot toward the far post—

GOAL!

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH——

33rd minute—after wave after wave of attacks, Milan finally scored.

The fans erupted in thunderous cheers.

Suker let out a deep breath.

"Finally!"

He now understood why the fans had been so frustrated.

Milan's finishing ability was severely lacking.

Kaká had delivered pass after pass, creating chances, but none had been converted—until now.

Now that they'd taken the lead, Milan could relax a bit.

But—Milan conceded shortly after.

Not even five minutes later, Gilardino exploded down the wing, blew past Zambrotta, and cut the ball back with a perfect pass to Santana, who finished a brilliant team move.

Fiorentina's counterattack was sharp and efficient.

But the bigger problem lay in Milan's defense.

Jankulovski's positioning was off—but Suker couldn't really blame him.

This guy had been converted from a defensive midfielder to a fullback under Ancelotti—and now, from fullback to center-back.

That he was even functioning there was already impressive.

As for Simunić—

Suker could only shake his head.

As a member of the Euro-winning squad, Simunić initially secured a starting role at Milan.

But in three games, they conceded four goals.

Three of those goals were linked to him.

Such inconsistency couldn't be trusted.

Simunić looked great in the national team—but that was because Vukojević covered a massive amount of ground, masking Simunić's weaknesses.

But at Milan, Gattuso was already 31 years old.

With multiple competitions, he was stretched thin—and couldn't offer the same protection.

Simunić was a player with clearly defined strengths and weaknesses.

With the right support system, he looked like a European champion.

But if the holding midfield collapsed, his flaws were glaring—and he'd drop from starter to bench player quickly.

With Fiorentina equalizing, the match entered a deadlock.

In the second half, the game became a real grind.

Both teams had chances—but failed to capitalize.

The backlines were shaky.

Worse, the momentum was gradually shifting toward Fiorentina.

"Milan is in danger. In this kind of stalemate, if they can't find a breakthrough, their defense will continue to be exposed to danger."

Aldo Serena hinted,

"It's time for Milan to make a substitution. They need this change!"

On the sidelines, Tassotti was pacing anxiously.

He wanted to make a change!

But he had to consider Suker's physical condition.

The best move now was to unleash Suker—the trump card.

But...Suker hadn't said anything!

Suker looked at Tassotti's back and sighed.

He knew if he didn't say it first, Tassotti wouldn't dare put him in.

"Coach!" Suker called loudly. "I'm feeling great. I'm ready to come on and get back into rhythm!"

Hearing that, Tassotti's eyes lit up—he rushed to the fourth official.

"Sub! Sub! We're making a change!"

Suker took a deep breath.

He removed his thick coat and stood up.

At that moment, the fans behind the bench noticed him.

Seeing him take off the coat, the Milan fans instantly exploded.

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH——

The camera immediately zoomed in on Suker for a close-up.

Aldo Serena was still commentating—then his voice suddenly rose:

"Suker! He's warming up!!"

"After six months away, Suker is finally returning to the field in this Serie A Round 19 clash against Fiorentina!"

"We see him now running along the sideline—the entire San Siro is erupting! All the Milan fans are chanting at the top of their lungs!"

"That's the trust they have in Suker. Once he steps on the pitch, he's sure to break the deadlock."

Fiorentina's head coach saw it too.

He clenched his teeth and muttered, "Damn it!"

"Substitutions! Bring on two defenders!" he ordered sharply.

The assistant coach was shocked:

"Weren't we going to sub the front line?"

"Change of plan," the head coach said warily, watching Suker warming up."That guy is coming on."

68th minute.

Suker, in the red-and-black No. 10 shirt, stood on the sideline waiting.

At that moment, the entire stadium chanted his name.

Suker!!!!!!!Suker!!!!!!!Suker!!!!!!!

He hadn't even stepped on yet—but his presence already weighed heavily on the match.

Pato jogged over.

Breathing hard, he said in a low voice,

"It's your turn now…"

Suker patted Pato's head and strode onto the pitch.

"68th minute—Suker comes on as a substitute! After six months, 183 days, he finally returns to the field!"

"This man, who once delivered explosive performances in Serie A, the Champions League, and even the Euros—his return is a shot of adrenaline for Milan!"

"Let's see how Suker performs in his comeback!"

Suker sprinted toward the final third.

All the way, he shouted commands:

"Pirlo, are you still asleep? If you don't know where to pass, just loft it forward!"

"Defense—hold your damn line! Until I score, no one concedes! Or I'll post your ugly pics all over the internet!"

Nesta and Jankulovski turned red in the face.

Zambrotta asked curiously,

"Ugly pics? What pics?"

Jankulovski:

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Ivan, are you out of gas? Your tackles are as rare as fish biting on your line!"

"Bull-freaking-shit!" Gattuso roared,"I'm gonna crush them!"

Suker clenched his fist and yelled:

"Let's go! Crush them!!"

The whole team roared back—

"CRUSH THEM!!——"