Chapter 349: Firing the First Shot

The locker room of professional football is like a microcosm of society.

Being good at playing football isn't enough—you have to know how to navigate relationships too.

Otherwise, you'll be finished before you know it.

Suker understood this all too well, so he actively tried to make friends, expand his social circle, and grow his influence.

This is true for any team—especially so in a top club.

If a new guy comes in, immediately trying to dribble past everyone like the whole team should revolve around him, barking orders like he's the boss—if he doesn't get beaten up, he's lucky.

Oliveira had recently stepped on quite a few landmines.

If it weren't for Maldini keeping things under control, Gattuso would have slapped him already.

Who do you think you're yelling at?

Sukrr also disapproved of Ricardo Oliveira's low emotional intelligence. Milan's locker room isn't that easy to mix into.

Even top-tier stars have to show some humility when they arrive.

If it weren't for Kaka being such a nice guy, Sukrt wouldn't even have bothered.

"Three things!"

Suker, increasingly annoyed, held up three fingers.

Ricardo Oliveira pursed his lips and asked, "So what should I do?"

Kaka turned to look at Suker.

Oliveira also looked at him.

Suker blinked. "Why are you looking at me?"

Kaka smiled. "You must have an idea."

"You think I'm a genie or something?" Suker shrugged. "I don't have a magic solution, but I do have some advice."

"First, when we go back to the locker room, apologize sincerely. These Milan veterans eat that up. They like obedient kids."

Kaka teased, "Just talk, no need to glance at me!"

"Second, change your playing style. Be a piece of the puzzle, don't try to be the core. This isn't the same place you used to play."

"Third, work hard to take Seedorf's spot."

Then Suker grinned. "Of course, if you're bold enough, you can try to push me and Kaka out too."

Ricardo Oliveira fell into deep thought.

Suker paused. "Can I just beat him up instead?"

Kaka replied, "You might not win."

"Are you underestimating me?" Suker shouted.

Kaka: "He grew up on the streets."

Suker: "I was the king of the orphanage!"

As the two joked, Ricardo Oliveira suddenly said, "I can't replace you guys—not yet anyway."

"But I'll work hard to try." Ricardo Oliveira looked at Suker sincerely. "Thanks, Suker. I know what to do now."

Before the morning training session, Oliveira bowed and apologized in front of everyone in the locker room.

He also sincerely reflected on his past brash behavior.

His sudden change surprised the Milan players, but they started to look at him more kindly—except for Gattuso.

Just like Suker said, these veterans appreciate that kind of attitude.

They like obedient kids.

Very quickly, they started ordering Oliveira around.

Fetching drinks, moving equipment, even occasionally pranking him.

Oliveira murmured, "Are they looking down on me?"

Kaka: "What are you talking about? That means they've accepted you."

In Milan's locker room…

What you don't want is being ignored or sidelined.

As a newcomer, you start at the bottom.

The league is about to resume.

Serie A, Round 6: AC Milan travels to face Roma.

Roma has been red-hot at the start of the season.

Especially Totti, rejuvenated after Italy's World Cup win, is in superb form.

Suk: 4 goals in 5 games.

Totti: 3 goals in 5 games.

Just one goal between them.

So far, it's been a two-man race at the top of the scoring charts between Suk and Totti.

But Totti's brilliance isn't just in his scoring.

He's been instrumental in orchestrating Roma's attack.

Previously known for charging ahead, Totti now hides in the shadows, creating chances and striking when least expected.

In a league as defensively tough as Serie A, both Suker and Totti's numbers are highly unusual.

In the third round, Totti almost carried Roma to a win over Inter Milan—who had absorbed the best of Juventus after Calciopoli.

They drew 3–3, with Ibrahimović scoring a last-minute equalizer.

Inter is strong this season.

But for Roma to push them to the limit shows how solid their system is.

Meanwhile, Milan is struggling with injuries and lacking depth—even a full lineup is hard to assemble.

Once again, the heavy burden falls on Suker's shoulders for this tough away match.

This is the twilight of the gods.

And also a time of chaos.

Zidane's retirement seemed to usher in a new era.

Ronaldo, Beckham, Raúl, Figo—members of the old guard—are gradually fading, unable to match the rising young stars, and their club roles have grown awkward.

Ronaldinho, Shevchenko, Ballack, Henry—all seem to have hit fast-forward.

The new generation is exploding, growing at terrifying speed.

In the Premier League:

Manchester United: Rooney, C. Ronaldo, Modrić

Arsenal: Fàbregas

Liverpool: Xabi Alonso

Chelsea: Robben

These youngsters are stirring the waters, trying to break the era's barriers and claim their time.

In La Liga:

Barcelona: Messi

Atlético Madrid: Torres

They too want to dethrone the gods and are putting in the work.

In the Bundesliga:

Bayern: Schweinsteiger, Lahm

Dortmund: Mandžukić

They're building up, ready to step into the spotlight.

And in Serie A, amidst the winds of change…

Suker sharpens his sword, aiming it at the lingering twilight of the old gods.

He can't wait any longer.

He doesn't want to go through another "Henry era" before welcoming his own.

He wants to hit fast-forward.

Once, Suker chased after these young geniuses.

Now, it's their turn to chase him.

Starting with Roma's "Wolf King" Totti, Suker is ready to challenge all of Serie A.

He used to follow their tempo.

Now they'll have to follow him!

October 15th: after a two-week international break, Serie A resumes.

2006/07 Serie A – Round 6: Roma vs AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico.

Roma is on fire, with 4 wins and 1 draw in 5 matches.

Only Inter held them to a draw. With 13 points, they lead the league.

Inter sits second with 11 points (3W-2D).

Milan, despite a perfect 5W-0L record, sits 14th with only 7 points due to an 8-point deduction at the season's start.

Every win is critical for Milan now.

Rome is an ancient city—with an equally fiery football culture.

Stadio Olimpico, with its 100,000 seats, is packed to the brim.

Tens of thousands of Roma fans await, hoping their Wolf King will crush Milan.

Yes, many Milan players helped win the World Cup—but that was for Italy.

Club loyalty is something else entirely.

This is Roma vs Milan.

Also, a duel between the veteran Totti and the rising star Suker.

The classic story of youth challenging experience.

But few young guns are as ferocious as Suker—4 goals in 5 Serie A games is rare.

Media across the board are curious: Can Totti withstand the challenge of this Croatian super-talent?

Can he uphold the pride of Italian strikers?

As the two team buses arrive at Stadio Olimpico…

Boooooooooooo!!

A flood of boos rains down.

Roma fans are trying to intimidate Suker, hoping to rattle him.

But Suker's face remains calm—he quietly goes through his warm-up.

Meanwhile, over on Roma's half, their players keep sneaking glances at Suker.

Because lately, Suker's form has been terrifying.

He just led Croatia to a win over England. He's been dominating both in the league and in the Champions League.

This match will be a massive test for Roma's defenders.

"That 20-year-old kid? Don't be scared of him!" shouted Panucci.

But it might've had the opposite effect.

Ferrari muttered, "How is he this scary at 20?"

Serie A might be damaged, but its defenses are still steel.

Scoring 4 in 5 games here—who dares underestimate him?

Even Shevchenko wasn't this lethal!