Chapter 339: Surprises + Surprises

Croatia's Capital Airport.

As soon as Suker walked out, he was immediately surrounded by a swarm of Croatian media.

"We can't predict the outcome just yet. Andorra is a team with strong willpower—we still need to prepare well!"

Although Andorra was considered the "points giveaway" team in their group, Suker couldn't say that outright.

The Croatian media held back laughter.

Even though they were confident they'd win.

"The key match is against England. We'll be playing at home—right on our doorstep. We have every reason to win."

Suker didn't reveal too much to the media. After a brief interview, he was whisked away by a private car to the national training center.

Just as Suker arrived at the training center, Modrić also pulled in.

"What a coincidence!"

Modrić stepped out of the car and greeted Suker.

"How did you guys end up drawing with Reading in your last match?" Suker asked.

Modrić emphasized, "It was an away game!"

"Still, an away game is no excuse," Suker said casually.

Modrić retorted, "Do you think the Premier League is like any other league? The overall strength is very balanced, and every match is tough. You think mid-table and lower teams are easy to beat?"

"But you guys really played poorly in that match," Suker continued.

Modrić was speechless but didn't argue—because it was true.The team's overall tactics were undergoing changes and were in an adjustment phase, so fluctuations in form were expected.

But what concerned Modrić more was the internal conflict within the team.

Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were currently at odds. The tension between them was building, and they were barely speaking. If it weren't for Ferguson keeping things under control, a serious issue could've erupted.

Suker joked:

"Come to Milan! Work for me—better than being at Man United!"

Modrić rolled his eyes and didn't reply.

The two entered the training grounds together and soon spotted their teammates warming up.

Mandžukić, Srna, Vukojević, and… Tomi?

Suker and Modrić looked at Dujmović in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Suker exclaimed.

Dujmović replied, disgruntled:

"Why shouldn't I be here? The coach called me up—and not just me!"

He pointed behind him.

Suker and Modrić were stunned to see that even Pranjić had arrived.

"Everyone's here?" Suker was shocked.

Mandžukić laughed:

"That's the surprise. I was shocked too when I saw them all arrive!"

Suker chuckled as well.He was genuinely happy for Pranjić and Dujmović.

"How's it in Russia?" Suker asked.

Suker and Modrić changed into their training gear and gathered around Dujmović.

"Not bad. The atmosphere's great. The fans are constantly chanting, and my performance has improved too."

Since his transfer, Dujmović had become more confident and his form had visibly improved.

Suker then looked over at Pranjić.His inclusion came as no surprise—his performances in the Premier League had been excellent. He had firmly secured a starting position as Southampton's left-back.

After catching up, the team continued warming up.

Before long, Bilić arrived with the coaching staff.

While Bilić began giving his speech, Suker and Modrić couldn't stop staring at the bald man standing behind him.

He was bald.He was fat.But—wasn't that Van Stoyac?

"No way?" Suker muttered.

Modrić was just as stunned.

"When did he go bald?"

Suker blinked.

"Dutch men going bald—that's normal, right?"

"So do English men. I heard it's the hard water. Better be careful," Suker joked.

"Cut the crap," Modrić muttered back.

"You two!"

Bilić suddenly snapped at them.

Suker and Modrić quickly stood at attention.

After glaring at them, Bilić continued:

"We have five days left. We'll be trying out a new tactical system, and we'll use it against Andorra as a test."

He stepped aside slightly.

Van Stoyac took a step forward.

"Let me introduce—this is Van Stoyac, the Croatian national team's new foreign advisor. He'll be assisting me with our new tactical setup."

Suker and Modrić's jaws dropped.

"It's really him?"

"That chubby, bald guy is really Van Stoyac?"

"What the hell happened to him lately?"

Van Stoyac gave a brief self-introduction and didn't take up much time.

As soon as the meeting ended, Suker and Modrić rushed over.

"Boss?"

"Coach?"

They leaned in and stared hard.

There was no trace of the once-bold and dashing Van Stoyac.

Now, he looked like a pudgy, bald middle-aged man.

A few stubborn yellow strands of hair stretched across his scalp, fluttering with the breeze.

Van Stoyac folded his arms and smiled at them.

"Don't recognize me?"

Suker nodded.

"Honestly, not really."

"Too much has changed," Modrić blinked. "What happened to your hair?"

Suker quickly covered Modrić's mouth, embarrassed.

"Boss, don't mind him—you know how he is."

Van Stoyac gave a bitter laugh.

"It's fine. I've been through a lot. But you two—you're doing great."

He looked at Suker and Modrić with heartfelt emotion.

These two used to struggle in the Bosnian league.Now they were key players at top clubs in Europe's major leagues.

Van Stoyac had always believed in their talent, but he hadn't expected them to go this far.

He patted their shoulders.

"This time, I'm counting on you. I'm not officially hired yet. These next two matches are my chance to prove myself—so I need your best performances."

Suker asked,

"So, how are we playing?"

Van Stoyac smiled:

"I only know one style. Why do you think I'm here?"

Suker clenched his fist.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

He had always disliked Croatia's passive possession game.

He preferred high pressing, ball control, and dictating the tempo.He wanted control.

Modrić felt the same.

He believed Van Stoyac would bring a fresh tactical perspective to the Croatian team.

With support from Suker and Modrić, Van Stoyac quickly adapted to the national setup.

If it had been someone else, making sweeping tactical changes mid-campaign, the team would've resisted.

But with Bilić's endorsement and Suker and Modrić's backing, things went smoothly.

Once the players experienced Van Stoyac's tactics, many—like Mandžukić—felt like they were back at Dinamo Zagreb.Almost all the key players embraced the change, with only a few exceptions.

Thus, the tactical overhaul went forward smoothly.

Croatia's national team was undergoing a tactical revolution.

The media was keeping a close watch.

As head coach, Bilić didn't completely take a back seat—but he gave Van Stoyac full authority over tactics.

Instead, Bilić served as the spokesperson to the press.

"After discussion within the coaching staff, we believe a tactical reform is necessary."

"This Croatian national team is no longer the team it used to be—we need a system that fits them best. You'll see the new tactics soon, and I think you'll like them!"

"What tactics? You'll find out when the time comes!"

Bilić was calm and confident in his interviews, but didn't reveal any tactical details.

Nor did he explain much about the foreign advisor's sudden arrival.

Van Stoyac's addition came out of nowhere—but no one paid it too much attention.

Time ticked by, and the UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifiers were fast approaching.

How had Croatia's tactical transformation gone?

What kind of performance would they deliver at home?

What were these so-called new tactics?

These questions had the media and fans brimming with curiosity.

As anticipation built, Croatia prepared to host Andorra in their second Euro 2008 qualifying match.

The venue: Maksimir Stadium.FIFA Men's Ranking:

Croatia: 20th

Andorra: 126th

The "battle" was about to begin!