The All-Around Center Forward

The final score of the friendly: Arsenal 4:3 Real Madrid.

In a friendly match, the score doesn't matter as much—what matters is identifying the core issues.

For instance, this match helped Real Madrid uncover several problems:

1. Disjointed transition from midfield to attack.

Before Suker came on, this issue was widespread, and Madrid struggled to launch any effective attacks.

Even after Suker came on, they were mainly relying on Xabi Alonso's long balls to connect with him up front.

Tactically, this was overly simplistic and crude.

In the Premier League, such a method might suffice, but La Liga fans are much pickier.

They demand entertainment, not just results.

Take Capello as an example:

He didn't do poorly—in fact, he led Madrid to beat Barcelona in a tough season and won the La Liga title.

But Capello's football was just too ugly to watch.

That clash in philosophy ultimately cost him his job, despite his success.

Now, Pellegrini faced the same dilemma:

Go for simple and effective?Or provide entertaining football that satisfies the fans?

2. A weak defensive line.

In just the first 10 minutes of the friendly, Madrid conceded two goals.

The defense bore much of the blame.

But it wasn't entirely their fault—Madrid had undergone major changes this season.

For example, Ramos was being converted into a center-back, and the team lacked a proper ball-winning defensive midfielder.

Couple that with ineffective attack putting pressure on defense, and the whole team crumbled.

These two issues became Pellegrini's top priorities to solve.

Second Friendly: Against Fiorentina (Italy)

For this match, Pellegrini played Suker at left forward.

He was still the attacking focal point, but this was a desperate adjustment.

To fix the first issue, Pellegrini needed someone who could carry the ball forward.

Real Madrid had many attacking finishers, but no one to lead the tempo in the final third.

Guti was a good candidate, but age was catching up to him.

Against weaker teams, he could still deliver.

But against strong opponents with high pressure, he struggled to even hold his ground, let alone drive the ball forward.

So, Pellegrini had no choice but to move Suker to the left.

To convince Suker, Pellegrini personally spoke to him for over two hours, trying to persuade him, making all kinds of promises.

He'd seen Suker play as a left forward before—with AC Milan, Suker had excelled in that role.

Even with the Croatian national team, Suker often switched between center forward and left forward.

Finally, Suker agreed—but with conditions.

He demanded unlimited freedom and tactical supremacy.

To that, Pellegrini agreed without hesitation.

Come on—this was their "100-million man"!

Honestly, if he played defense, he'd still be the core!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

At the Bernabéu, the second friendly began.

Watching Suker constantly shifting positions, using his passing and dribbling to create wave after wave of attacks, Pellegrini exhaled in relief.

Suker's performance validated his decision.

Real Madrid's attack had finally become fluid and connected.

With Suker's excellence, Raúl and Higuaín also went into full attack mode.

As long as Suker could create space, he could deliver the ball to the most dangerous areas.

Raúl even experienced Suker's rainbow pass.

In the past, Beckham painted rainbows in the sky at the Bernabéu.

Now, Suker was painting them on the ground.

Equally beautiful. Equally lethal.

After 90 minutes, the match ended Real Madrid 5:4 Fiorentina.

Pellegrini, however, was not entirely satisfied.

Sure, they scored five goals, but they also conceded four.

The defensive issues were still unresolved.

"Next match, let's have Gago and Alonso both play as holding midfielders."

Pellegrini had compromised.

He had hoped to build a defense so solid it could withstand any pressure on its own—like prime AC Milan.

But he gave up that idea.

If the quality isn't enough, the only option is quantity.

And besides, the transfer market lacked good defenders, and Madrid had already spent too much on Suker.

Whether there was still budget left was questionable.

"Finally! A win!"

"Suker, your passes are so smooth."

"One goal, two assists—three goals in two games. Your efficiency is unreal!"

"As long as it's not us being frustrated, let the opponents worry!"

With the win secured, Madrid players were overjoyed.

Suker was laughing and chatting with everyone.

Sure, scoring as a striker is fun…

But truly—"the passer is king".

One match, and Suker had blended in perfectly.

Even the usually quiet Higuaín gave him a thumbs-up.

After all, Suker had assisted both of his goals, and Higuaín was thrilled.

After the match, Suker was ready to take the team bus home.

But as he stepped out of the club building, a car pulled up beside him.

SCREECH!

Tires skidded slightly.

A Hummer SUV came to a stop.

The passenger window rolled down—it was Sergio Ramos.

"Hop in!"

It was 2009, and Ramos still sported his flowing long hair. While driving, he asked:

"Still haven't got your license?"

Suker nodded.

"Working on it. Heard the club gives out cars."

"Audi?" Ramos asked.

"Rolls-Royce," Suker replied.

Ramos grinned.

That's not a team car…That's a gift.

Okay then!

Real Madrid's auto sponsor had always been Audi, with occasional giveaways of new models.

But never a Rolls-Royce.

"You knew back then, didn't you?" Ramos suddenly asked.

Suker turned.

"Knew what?"

"After the Euros, I told you I wanted revenge. You gave me this weird look. Looking back, you were already planning to transfer, right?"

Suker smiled.

"Yeah, negotiations had already started."

"I knew it!"

Ramos scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Forget I said that. We're teammates now—let's work well together."

"Looking forward to it!"

Soon, they arrived at Suker's villa.

"Thanks, Sergio," Suker said, pointing at his place."Want to come in for dinner?"

It was a polite gesture.

But Ramos jumped out immediately.

"Sure! Let's see what you've got."

His decisiveness caught Suker off guard.

But he'd already invited him—there was no turning back.

"Anything you like to eat?" Suker asked as they walked in.

Ramos casually looked around.

"I'm not picky. Taste isn't a big deal to me."

Suker nodded.

From what he knew, Ramos always stuck to a clean, healthy diet.

That was how he stayed in top shape.

In fact, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Ramos were known for their extreme discipline.

Ramos walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at Suker's custom backyard football field.

"Nice setup. I thought about converting my yard into a pitch too, but gave up."

"Why?" Suker called from the kitchen.

"A lot of reasons," Ramos shrugged."I felt like a home should be cozy, more about comfort."

Suker brought over two plates of seafood paella, placing them on the table.

"Try it. I'm pretty good."

Ramos sat down, looked at the steaming dish, took a sniff, and smiled.

"Smells great. Tastes healthy."

"There's no seasoning. You need the special sauce to—uh…"

Before Suker could finish, Ramos had already started digging in with his spoon.

Here's the thing—without the sauce, the seafood rice tasted incredibly bland.

But Ramos ate happily, occasionally giving a thumbs-up.

"Delicious!"

Delicious, my foot!

What kind of miracle taste buds does this guy have?

If it were Kaká, he'd have dumped in half a bottle of sauce by now.