Chapter 265: The Lion King Kahn
"We will fight carrying the honor of Bayern Munich on our backs!"
This was Kahn's pre-match declaration. His expression and tone were both solemn and heroic.
With the German World Cup approaching and Germany being the host, there was hope that their best club team would make a strong showing in the Champions League to build momentum for the tournament.
However, fate had paired them once again with their old nemesis—AC Milan!
In the first leg at home, Bayern lost 1-2 to AC Milan.
This result left them under immense pressure.
Now, playing away, they had no choice but to fight with their backs against the wall.
Bayern Munich fans also made their presence felt in the streets of Milan, parading through the city waving signs that read "Glory Belongs to Munich."
Although local Milan fans scoffed at them, the Bavarians continued their flamboyant street rally to cheer for their team.
Milan braced itself for a Champions League home clash.
As evening fell and fans finished dinner, they started gathering at San Siro Stadium.
They were full of confidence for this second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
After all, Milan had performed well in the first leg and secured an away win. Now back at home, there was no reason to lose.
Besides, Milan had always been Bayern's nemesis. If they could win away, surely they wouldn't lose at home.
Around 6 PM, Suker and the others had a light pre-match meal of whole-grain bread and bananas.
They boarded the team bus to San Siro, greeted by loud cheers from fans as they entered the stadium.
In the locker room, in the warm-up area—
Suker lay on a yoga mat enjoying a massage from the team physio.
He didn't feel he needed it, but Ancelotti insisted.
Suker didn't mind—it felt great anyway.
Lying side by side with Inzaghi on yoga mats, both received massages.
Inzaghi turned to him and said, "Remember to pass me the ball."
Suker was partnering with Inzaghi up front for this match.
"You pass to me first," Suker replied.
"If you don't pass me the ball, I'll tell the media you're hooking up with Selena!"
"What do you mean hooking up?!" Suker snapped. "You gave her my number just to get close to her, and now that crazy woman keeps calling me every night!"
Back then, phones didn't have a block function. Suker was driven mad by her constant calls.
"If Gisele finds out about this, she won't be happy," Inzaghi said with a shrug.
Suker looked shocked. "Are you threatening me?"
Inzaghi just smiled.
Suddenly Suker shouted loudly, "What? You want champagne?!"
The locker room fell completely silent.
Inzaghi looked dumbfounded.
All eyes turned toward him like they were ready to devour him.
"I-I didn't..."
Maldini walked over with a grim expression. "Filippo, we need to talk."
Inzaghi was taken aside—clearly about to be scolded.
Watching him go, Suker smirked.
"Focus up! This match is key to advancing to the next round—don't let anything distract you," Maldini said before turning and glaring hard at Inzaghi.
The latter gave a sheepish grin.
Maldini continued, "Bring out your best."
He walked over and personally handed the captain's armband to Gattuso.
With Maldini and Shevchenko not on the pitch, Gattuso would serve as the captain.
But Maldini clearly didn't entirely trust Gattuso.
"If Gattuso gets too riled up or does something reckless, you stop him!" he told Suker.
Suker raised his brows. "Boss, you give me too much credit. Would he even listen to me?"
Maldini smiled. "He will."
"Why?"
"Costa and I had a chat with him."
Suker grinned.
With two big brothers backing him up, he could relax.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
Gattuso, now wearing the captain's armband, was more hyped than ever.
He went down the line smacking everyone on the stomach.
He even grabbed Kaká's head and shook it vigorously.
"Let's go!"
Watching this, Suker winced.
If this guy really became captain permanently, the locker room might never know peace.
Shevchenko might be an outsider, but at least he was steady.
Gattuso, on the other hand, was a walking emotion bomb.
Both teams entered the pitch.
AC Milan fans erupted in deafening cheers.
The Bayern Munich players, however, were met with an overwhelming chorus of boos.
Gattuso and Kahn faced off for the coin toss.
The scene was almost too much to watch.
Kahn's fierce glare met with Gattuso's wild stare.
Even before the game began, it looked like they might fight.
When exchanging pennants, Kahn tossed his at Gattuso, who didn't catch it.
Then the two butted foreheads, almost starting a scuffle.
The referee quickly blew his whistle and warned both men.
When Gattuso returned, he lifted his chin smugly like he'd won the exchange.
"What an idiot," Inzaghi muttered.
Suker said quietly, "He's already on the ref's radar after that little stunt."
Clearly, Kahn had baited him, and Gattuso bit the hook hard.
On the sideline, Maldini buried his face in his hands.
This guy thinks he's the fisherman, but he's the one who got hooked!
Ancelotti remained silent for a moment before saying, "Next time, anyone can wear the armband—except him."
Starting Lineups:
AC Milan (4-3-1-2):Goalkeeper: DidaDefenders: Cafu, Nesta, Stam, SimicMidfielders: Gattuso, Pirlo, SeedorfAttackers: Inzaghi, Kaká, Suker
Bayern Munich (4-3-1-2):Goalkeeper: KahnDefenders: Ismael, Sagnol, Lucio, LahmMidfielders: Salihamidzic, Schweinsteiger, RobertoAttackers: Pizarro, Ballack, Makaay
"The formations are identical to the previous match, but there are changes in personnel!"
"Milan has opted for an Inzaghi-Suker front duo, while Bayern has placed the more aggressive Roberto in midfield!"
"Clearly, after being dominated in midfield last game, Bayern coach Magath wants Roberto to contribute long shots and help stabilize their defense."
"But they'll still have to be cautious about Milan's twin-striker setup—it's dangerous!"
At Bayern's goalmouth, Kahn pursed his lips.
There were strikers he feared—but none he loathed more than Inzaghi.
That ghostlike movement of his always resulted in baffling goals.
So today, he would stay on full alert.
"Let's go, boys!!"
Kahn roared.
Even with tens of thousands cheering, his voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"What a voice! No wonder they call him the Lion King," Suker muttered.
He looked toward the referee.
Once both teams were confirmed ready, the ref slowly backed out of the center circle.
Ballack glanced at Inzaghi and Suker side by side—uneasy.
AC Milan's setup hinted at something tricky, but he couldn't quite tell what.
Why was Shevchenko on the bench?
Damn it! They spent a week preparing for Shevchenko.
And now he wasn't even playing!
Who could they complain to?
WHISTLE!
Kickoff.
Inzaghi tapped the ball, and Suker immediately dropped back and passed it.
Then he sprinted toward the forward line.
He and Inzaghi flanked the backline on either side.
Pirlo received the ball, passed it sideways to Gattuso, who instantly sent it forward to Kaká.
As Kaká took the ball, Suker dropped back to offer a passing option.
But Kaká kept the ball, and Suker sprinted forward again, positioning himself near the penalty box.
Meanwhile, Inzaghi feinted a run.
"Watch Inzaghi!" Kahn roared from behind.
They couldn't let him slip through.
Bayern's defense focused entirely on Inzaghi.
Just then, Kaká burst forward on a dribble.
AC Milan pushed up as a unit.
Suker moved deep into the box and then suddenly cut back.
Kaká saw it and played the through ball.
"Kaká passes! Suker!!"
Just as Suker was about to make contact—
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!——"
The deafening roar hit like a sledgehammer.
Suker froze. His ears rang.
Kahn lunged forward and smothered the ball.
"Kahn's timing is impeccable! He snatches the ball right off Suker's feet!"
Suker shook his head, dazed.
He had thought "Lion King" was just a nickname—but damn, it was literal.
That roar still echoed in his skull.
"That's him—big voice, likes to intimidate," Inzaghi patted his shoulder. "Don't let it shake you."
Suker nodded.
He wasn't scared, just caught off guard.
Kahn immediately launched a counterattack.
Ballack received the ball but was taken down by Gattuso the moment he turned.
WHISTLE!
Foul.
No card, but the referee gave Gattuso a stern warning.
Next time, a yellow was guaranteed.
Suker sighed.
Told you Gattuso was on the ref's radar!
What was he doing butting heads with Kahn in the first place?