Chapter 338: All Buses

Suker and the other Croatian national team players received a notice from head coach Bilic.

Bilic demanded that every international player strengthen their physical fitness training.

At the same time, a targeted fitness test would be conducted after the winter break.

Those who failed the test would lose their qualification for the national team.

The sudden announcement left Suker and the others confused.

After all, in Croatia's previous tactical system, there had never been such a targeted focus on physical training. The team mainly emphasized positional play.

But since the head coach had issued the directive, they naturally complied and began individual training.

Currently, spots on the Croatian national team were highly sought after.

Most people believed this squad could achieve results, so no one wanted to be cut.

As a result, they all diligently followed the coach's requirements.

Meanwhile, through some discreet probing, Suker finally received a response from Ancelotti.

Indeed, Milan was looking to recruit defenders to strengthen its defense.

This decision stemmed from their September 27th UEFA Champions League group stage match against French side Lille, where they were held to a draw after conceding two goals to Lille's tall striker.

However, the transfer would most likely take place during the winter window.

Suker shared this good news with Simunic.

Simunic was overjoyed. As long as he could transfer to Milan, he was willing to wait until the winter break.

He began to shower Suker with flattery.

Clearly, once he joined Milan, his fate would heavily depend on Suker, to the point he was almost ready to bow and call him "big brother."

October 1st, AC Milan hosted Siena at home.

After this match, Serie A would go on pause as all major clubs released players for international duty.

Suker would return directly to Croatia after the match to prepare for the European Championship qualifiers.

Mandzukic, Vukojevic, and others had already finished their league matches and flown back to Croatia a day early to begin preparations.

That day, Suker received a text from Mandzukic.

The guy cryptically hinted there was a surprise.

Suker had no idea what the surprise was and had to focus on the league match for now.

Since Mourinho took over Chelsea, he had been dubbed the master of defense. His signature tactic, the "low block pressing," had become famous thanks to Chelsea.

Siena had clearly adopted this strategy.

These insane guys fielded six defenders and two defensive midfielders—a total of eight men defending.

This was the infamous "low block" or as it's commonly known, "parking the bus."

"So damn disgusting!"

Suker was nearly driven mad by this tactic.

Looking into the opponent's penalty area, it was packed with players.

He found it nearly impossible to penetrate. Every time he tried to break through, he faced intense pressure and tackling. Even if he brute-forced his way in, he was knocked down outside the box.

Suker got up from the ground.

He wished he were two meters tall and weighed a hundred kilos—then he could just plant himself in the box and rain down headers.

But right now, he couldn't even get into the box.

He had to drop deeper and try to combine with teammates, but there was no breakthrough.

"Siena's defensive will is incredibly strong. They want to grab a draw at San Siro."

"77 minutes have passed, and Milan still hasn't found a way past this wall."

The best counter to parking the bus is to use set pieces and long shots to create threats.

So Suker and Kaka's tasks changed.

They had to keep driving into the defense.

Suker and Kaka started dribbling and charging the defensive line.

The level of fouling they endured skyrocketed—they were getting tugged every minute and taken down every five.

Suker and Kaka were constantly hitting the turf, their bodies covered in grass.

"What the hell?! Who taught them to play like this? This is suicide! That fat bastard Ancelotti is getting Suker and Kaka killed!"

At the Croatian National Training Center...

Wearing the national team coach's tracksuit, Van stoyac exploded while pointing at the TV.

He had tidied himself up and was trying to look like his old self, but his big belly and receding hairline made him look a decade older.

Bilic also stared at the TV with concern.

The Euro qualifiers were about to begin, and Ancelotti was pushing Suker too hard.

He needed Suker to lead Croatia's attack.

Suker charged Siena's defense over and over, and was knocked down again and again.

Each time this happened, Bilic and Van stoyac felt their hearts clench.

Especially Vanstoyac—his status depended on helping Croatia win and proving himself as assistant coach.

Suker couldn't afford to get hurt!

Bang!Suddenly, Suker was taken out by a brutal slide tackle.

He was sent flying sideways.

The sharp whistle blew, and the referee pointed to a spot just outside the box—free kick. The defender got a yellow card.

Siena had now racked up five yellow cards.

That showed just how rough their fouling was.

Suker got up, his ankle aching, but he could carry on—he'd use a status recovery card after the match.

He looked at Pirlo.

"Make it count!" Suker clenched his fist. "All you, Sleepy!"

Pirlo looked deadly serious, nothing like his usual drowsy self.

He had many chances this match, especially with all the set pieces from Suker and Kaka. His rhythm was gradually improving.

He placed the ball at the free-kick spot, took a deep breath, and stared at the goal.

San Siro fell completely silent.

Suker and others stood near the box, ready to pounce for rebounds.

Finally, the whistle blew.

Pirlo took the kick.

"Pirlo shoots—high quality! Front post! It bounces off the turf—GOAL!!!!!!"

Aldo Serena shouted excitedly.

"Goal! Pirlo! A brilliant free-kick goal! He breaks through Siena's wall and gives AC Milan the crucial goal!"

"Against the iron wall of Siena's defense, Milan finally gets the breakthrough after persistent effort."

"A fantastic goal from Pirlo!"

Pirlo ran toward the corner flag to celebrate.

Kaka and Gattuso immediately followed.

Suker trotted behind, grabbing Pirlo's waist with both arms and yanking Kaka's jersey with the other.

Meanwhile, Gattuso ripped off his outer shirt to reveal his undershirt.

Damn it!

He finally got his chance!

Grinning wildly, Gattuso stood with arms akimbo, his undershirt emblazoned with the word "UNDERWEAR."

Meanwhile, Pirlo and Kaka were being dragged away by Suker, who was muttering threats.

Commentator Aldo Serena looked confused:"What's Gattuso doing? Showing us his underwear?"

Soon after, Suker came back.

He snuck behind Gattuso and yanked his pants down.

A pair of cartoon underwear came into full view, matching the "underwear" text on his shirt. Gattuso instantly became the center of attention.

Media cameras zoomed in, flashes going off like crazy as reporters swarmed the furious Gattuso.

"SUKER!—I'LL KILL YOU!"

Gattuso roared and chased after Suker.

Kaka and Pirlo weren't spared either.

They were the worst offenders—meant to flash their own shirts too, but left him hanging.

The four ran around the pitch in chaos until Maldini roared them back.

"Get back here! You can mess around after the game!"

Even Gattuso had to obey Maldini's authority.

On the way back, the other three stayed far away from Gattuso.

"Ivan is pissed!"

"I'm afraid I'll get killed!"

Suker was nonchalant—he was used to getting beat up.

He turned and threatened Kaka again.

"If you ever flash a shirt again, don't expect free meals from me!"

Then he turned to Pirlo.

"You really don't want the nude pics on my phone to hit the tabloids, do you?"

Both sighed.

Once again, completely under his control.

Too bad for Gattuso.

At the 80th minute, Suker was subbed off.

Though he didn't score, he constantly pressed the defense, earned multiple set pieces, and gave Pirlo the chance to score.

That contribution was already massive.

With the Euro qualifiers coming up, Ancelotti made the decision to sub him out.

Ancelotti didn't care about Croatia's interests.

But he did care about Suker's wellbeing.

If he had let Suker play too hard, and they still didn't win or worse—he got injured—Suker would've blamed him.

So the "Fat One" played it smart—he stopped while ahead.