Chapter 167: The Battle to Advance
"Midfield is falling apart!"
"Don't let No. 10 have the ball so easily!"
"Apply pressure! Pressure, now!"
"We don't have enough men in midfield!"
"Freyr, go help out!"
Freyr turned his head and shouted, "If I go over, who's marking Suk?!"
"Forget that! Just stop No. 10 first!"
From the previous attacks, they had already noticed: when Modrić pushed forward, Dinamo Zagreb's three midfielders overwhelmed Leverkusen's double pivot.
Under the 4-4-2 diamond midfield setup, gaps opened instantly, and Modrić exploited them with ease.
Dinamo's counterattacks were quick, which prevented Leverkusen's midfield from dropping back to form a solid defensive line—leaving the backline exposed to enemy attackers.
Of course, Suker was a major threat.
But if things continued like this, the midfield pressure would only intensify.
The urgent crisis needed resolving first.
Soon, Leverkusen restarted play.
As expected, Fred began drifting inside more often to support the struggling midfield.
This gave Suker space to move on the flanks.
He slipped into the half-space area.
A quick glance revealed: aside from the fullback, no one was tracking him.
This little test told Suker all he needed to know—Leverkusen had started relaxing their marking on him.
"Luka! Beautiful work!"
Suker felt a surge of joy inside.
Immediately, he began dropping deep.
On one hand, he could join the high press.
On the other, he could instantly transition into attack right after a successful press.
As Suker retreated, Modrić and Vukojević had already tangled up with Schneider.
Under intense pressure, Schneider looked completely uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Vukojević poked the ball forward with a swift toe-poke.
The ball escaped Schneider's control.
Modrić stepped up and steadied it.
"Crap!"
Schneider tried to close in, but Modrić had already released the ball.
"Wait, isn't he the playmaker?!"
Schneider looked up.
He saw Dinamo's No. 9—Suker—standing sideways near the left-side midfield line.
"How did we lose him?!"
Schneider shouted in shock.
At this moment, Suker received the ball and prepared to turn.
Just as he was about to do so, Placente rushed up to close him down and prevent him from turning toward the attacking side.
But Suker, already sideways, nudged the ball forward with a quick touch.
At the same time, he pivoted to dodge Placente's pressure, moving around the other side to start his sprint.
"B Suker!! He's off and running!!"
Suker bypassed Placente, and in front of him stretched a wide-open left channel.
Without a second thought, Suker burst forward.
"Follow! Follow him!"
"Shift across! Cover that run!"
Leverkusen's defensive line began shifting leftward, and center-back Brack moved up to challenge.
Before they closed the distance, Suker suddenly slowed down.
He didn't continue the sprint.
Suker looked up, eyes sparkling.
"Vallević!"
Suker shouted loudly, and with the inside of his left foot, he fiercely curled the ball.
"A rainbow pass!!"
The German commentator cried out.
This type of rainbow pass first appeared in the Champions League group stage opener—and set the European media abuzz.
Now, Suker painted another rainbow—right in Leverkusen's home stadium.
The ball arced high, threading between two center-backs, curving into open space on the right.
Vallević charged forward to meet it.
He feinted as if to play it centrally, tricking the fullback Juan into a stretch—then cut it back with a reverse pass.
The ball rolled to the top of the box, right where Duijmović arrived.
"Duj! If you miss this, I'll kill you!"
Suk roared from the wing.
"Duj, shoot it!"
"Duj, let it rip!"
Duijmović took a long touch forward, adjusted slightly, then before the defender could close him down—he swung his right foot fiercely.
Bang!
The ball deflected off a defender's shin, spun violently upward, and looped over the rushing goalkeeper, dropping toward the goal.
Everyone watched.
The ball hit the net.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Suker let out a wild howl from the wing and sprinted at full speed.
He leapt onto Duimović's back.
"Beautiful! That was perfect!"
Duimović pumped his fist in excitement.
Teammates swarmed in from all directions.
For a moment, the entire BayArena fell eerily silent.
Leverkusen fans stared in shock.
Then looked at the scoreboard.
81st minute.
They had conceded twice in the second half.
They'd led by two goals in the first half!
Now their advantage had vanished.
They'd already lost the away leg. Would they be caught at home too?
Leverkusen fans were struggling to accept it.
But the Croatian commentator and Dinamo fans were going crazy.
"Equalized! It's equalized!!"
"My God! They've pulled it level!!"
"After conceding two in the first half and having Suker neutralized, Dinamo made adjustments in the second. Under Modrić's orchestration, the attack was reignited—Mandžukić struck first, and in the 81st minute, following a successful press, Dinamo launched a counter. Suker's rainbow pass tore Leverkusen apart, Vallević assisted, and Duimović finished!"
"These boys are phenomenal!"
"Absolutely phenomenal!!"
Over a thousand traveling Dinamo fans erupted in celebration.
They cheered, they jumped.
They were proud of their team's performance.
Proud of this comeback.
Yes!
This is how Dinamo Zagreb plays football.
Even if it's mighty Leverkusen—even if it's your home turf—stubborn Dinamo won't go down.
They drew!
With fierce pressing!
And two second-half goals to level the score!
"Drop back! Defend!" Srna waved his arms and bellowed, "Defend with your lives!"
Dinamo made quick substitutions.
Suker and Vallević came off.
Strinić and Šimunić came on.
This was a clear signal—they would park the bus to preserve the draw.
A precious away point!
They wouldn't let Leverkusen score again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Leverkusen frantically bombarded Dinamo's penalty area.
But against the parked bus, they found no cracks.
And goalkeeper Grestić was in top form.
He claimed every long shot, and even when he fumbled, defenders were quick to clear.
With each desperate attack, time ticked away.
90+3 minutes.
The referee blew the final whistle.
UEFA Champions League 2004/2005 – Group Stage, Round 4: Leverkusen 2:2 Dinamo Zagreb.
After trailing 0–2 at halftime, Dinamo made adjustments and fought back with two second-half goals to force a draw.
They remained undefeated in four Champions League matches.
"A draw! A draw! A draw!"
Suker and the others circled up, bouncing and chanting.
Their faces shone with joy.
Four games into the Champions League—they had two wins and two draws. Even they could hardly believe it.
"What terrifying youngsters!"
The Spanish commentator said emotionally.
"In the first round, this young Croatian team had many problems. Now, most of them are gone. Their growth is staggering—it's hard to believe this is still the same Dinamo Zagreb!"
"Four rounds in: two wins, two draws—their performance speaks volumes."
"We must admit these young players are showcasing exceptional talent."
"I believe they'll become regulars on the Champions League stage."
"And Real Madrid must be wary—these are no longer the opponents from Round 1. They cannot underestimating them!"
"Let us congratulate Dinamo Zagreb. With this Round 4 draw, they maintain first place in the group."
Group B Standings (After 4 Rounds):
Dinamo Zagreb – 2W 2D 0L – 8 points
Real Madrid – 2W 2D 0L – 8 points
Leverkusen – 1W 2D 1L – 5 points
Roma – 0W 0D 4L – 0 points
Group B is now in chaos.
The fight to advance is wide open.
Initially, predictions favored Roma, Madrid, and Leverkusen.
But with Roma's collapse and Dinamo's meteoric rise—it's now between Dinamo, Real Madrid, and Leverkusen.
After four rounds, Roma is practically eliminated.
For Leverkusen, they must win the next match.
And it's against Real Madrid at home—no matter how hard it is, they'll have to grit their teeth.
Otherwise, they'll fall behind.
As for Dinamo Zagreb—if they win one more match, they'll have a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.
What's even better? Snow has begun falling in Croatia.
The snow-covered Maksimir Stadium is the perfect home turf for Dinamo.
But for Roma, it's a nightmare scenario.