Chapter 271: Who Can Stop Milan?

"Shevchenko!! What a brilliant long shot!!!"

"When everyone thought he was going to pass, he chose to shoot instead and blasted the ball straight through Inter Milan's goal. Absolutely fantastic!"

At the San Siro Stadium, AC Milan fans erupted into thunderous cheers.

Shevchenko ran to the sideline, pumping his arms with power and dominance in celebration.

At this moment, wearing the captain's armband, Shevchenko looked every bit the leader of AC Milan.

Faced with a tense deadlock, he broke through with a stunning long-range goal to give Milan the lead.

Standing on the sidelines, Suk exhaled slowly.

Inter Milan had put up a tough fight.

Their solid defense had held off Milan's attacks for a long time and even threatened on counterattacks.

If Milan failed to score for too long, it could've been disastrous for morale, especially if Inter snuck in a goal.

But just then, Shevchenko stepped up again.

There was no denying Shevchenko's brilliance.

Especially now, with the captain's armband on, he seemed more aggressive than ever.

A man possessed!

Three defenders couldn't stop him—he created space and unleashed a missile of a shot.

Suker knew—he couldn't do that.

If he slowed down and got surrounded, he'd be tackled and taken out immediately.

"Captain, you're the man!!!"

Suker shouted as he ran over to celebrate.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Shevchenko laughed heartily during the celebration, then turned toward the stands, raising his fists triumphantly.

He turned to Suker and the others, his eyes blazing.

"Let's win this match—take down Inter Milan!"

"Take down Inter Milan!"

The team roared in response to Shevchenko's rallying cry.

Back on his side of the pitch, Suker licked his lips, a playful glint in his eyes.

Shevchenko's heroic performance had ignited the crowd—but it also earned him a place on Inter's blacklist.

He was now the primary defensive target.

With Shevchenko drawing extra attention, it opened space for Suker.

"Kaká, cross it more often!" Suker called out.

Kaká turned, confused: "I can't find Andriy. They've locked him down."

Suker pointed to himself. "Me! I meant pass it to me!"

"You?"

Kaká was skeptical.

Sure, Suker had scored a header during training—but that was training.

In his entire career, Suker had maybe scored one header.

Sending high balls to Suker? Waste of possession.

"Special homemade sauce pasta tonight!" Suker played his trump card.

"Deal!"

Kaká didn't even hesitate.

The match resumed, and just as expected, Shevchenko was swarmed. Even without the ball, two defenders marked him constantly. It was suffocating.

Even with all his skill, there was little Shevchenko could do under such pressure.

But by absorbing the defense's attention, he created freedom for Suk and Kaká.

Shevchenko knew he couldn't break free, so he started helping Suk and Kaká by dragging defenders away.

The old Shevchenko would never do that.

As the top striker, others should make space for him.

But now?

"I'm the captain!"

That sense of responsibility led Shevchenko to make personal sacrifices.

Suker broke through the channel and passed wide.

Seedorf received the ball and went straight to the byline.

Suker charged into the box.

"Captain, pull the defense!"

Without hesitation, Shevchenko sprinted toward the far post, taking two defenders with him.

Suker slowed slightly, watching Seedorf on the left.

As Seedorf crossed, Suker timed his leap.

Now!

Samuel, Inter's defender, was about the same height as Suk—about 180 cm.

They jumped simultaneously.

But Suker leapt quicker, spreading his frame to block Samuel.

He rose above the crowd like a lone crane.

Arms out for balance, legs tucked slightly, his core tightened for extra hang time.

Smack!!

The ball smacked right into Suker's face and flew out for a goal kick.

As he landed, Suker grabbed his face—part pain, part embarrassment.

Damn it!

Jumped too high!

Holding back tears, Suker gave Seedorf a thumbs up.

"Nice cross! Keep 'em coming!"

Suker jogged back.

Samuel stared at him, stunned.

He'd been outjumped.

Suker had timed it perfectly, and once airborne, Samuel couldn't even challenge him.

Most shocking of all—Suker had serious hops!

"Suker jumps really high!"

Commentator Aldo Serena was equally impressed.

That was almost a dominant header from Suker—though he hit it with his face, the danger was real.

It was the first real display of Suker's aerial ability.

"He must've been training headers," Aldo added. "Inter needs to start marking him in the air."

Suker's explosive strength always hinted at strong jumping ability. But now, he had technique too.

And timing.

If this wasn't a fluke, Suker could become a second aerial threat—alongside Shevchenko.

"Cross it in!!!"

Suker shouted.

Kaká delivered another cross, and Suker soared again.

He nodded the ball down—to Shevchenko.

But Shevchenko was still shackled by two defenders. He couldn't shoot.

The ball was cleared.

Corner for AC Milan!

Pirlo stepped up.

He aimed near-post. Suker sprinted from the arc.

He leapt in a diving header, whipping his neck into the ball.

Inter keeper César scrambled to get a hand on it.

He barely grazed the ball—but it wasn't enough.

The ball sliced into the far-side netting.

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!"

"SUKER!!! A stunning diving header!"

"Shevchenko broke the deadlock—and now Suker doubles the lead! Milan 2–0 Inter!"

Suker sprinted to the corner flag, then dove across the turf with his chest, mimicking a bomber's nose-dive.

Commentator Aldo Serena couldn't stop praising him:

"In just half a season, Suker has gone from a new signing to an irreplaceable starter!"

"His growth has been phenomenal!"

"He always delivers surprises—and for his opponents, headaches."

"But to his teammates, he's earned their total trust. Just like this goal—they trusted him and fed him crosses. And Suker delivered!"

"That's what a team should be!"

At the corner, Suker climbed up from his celebration.

Kaká rushed over.

"How about that? Worth the special pasta?"

Suker nodded. "No worries! You'll get your plate!"

Shevchenko joined in, throwing his arms around them.

"You two are awesome!"

The Milan players laughed and cheered as they returned to their half.

On the other side, Inter's players were grim.

Not even a draw?

They'd planned for full defensive coverage—still couldn't hold off Milan's firepower.

First Shevchenko.

Then Suker's aerial barrage.

How the hell does that kid jump so high!?

71st minute, Suker left the pitch to roaring applause.

"Go get 'em!" he said, high-fiving Inzaghi.

Suker was feeling great after that header.

As he walked off, he got VIP treatment.

Maldini personally handed him a towel.

"Well played!"

Suker didn't even fake humility: "Next time just say 'Suker is awesome,' okay?"

Maldini chuckled.

On the bench, Ambrosini and Rui Costa shook their heads.

When Suker first joined, they'd thought about fighting for the starting role.

Now? Suker had locked down the attacking midfield spot. His tactical value was even higher than Kaká's.

Only Shevchenko out-ranked Suker now.

Rui Costa muttered, "Looks like I'll need to transfer."

With Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Kaká, and Suker locking down midfield—there was no one he could out-compete.

Not a single one.

His spot had been completely taken.

Ancelotti made it clear: he was backing Suker.

Even in priority over Kaká.

Kaká had been there a season.

Suker had only needed half a season to surpass him.

Watching this kid play, Rui Costa gave up all hope of competing.

Full-time.

AC Milan 2 – 0 Inter Milan.

Goals from Shevchenko and Suker secured the win.

"AC Milan claims another victory, showcasing their fearsome form."

"You have to ask—who can stop this AC Milan?"

"Bayern Munich lost 0–5 at the San Siro—now Milan keeps marching forward!"

Aldo Serena had more to say—but held back.

He believed no team in Serie A could stop this Milan.

To challenge them?

Only Henry's Arsenal in the Premier League, or Ronaldinho's Barcelona—double winner of the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year