Chapter 355: Suker! Goal!

As November arrived, the top leagues and the Champions League continued in full swing.

During this period, all of Europe was abuzz with news about Suker.

Since the start of the season, Suker's explosive form had given AC Milan an immense competitive edge.

Even when Milan was plagued by injuries, Suker continuously broke through opponents' defenses to help secure victories.

November 2nd – Champions League Group Stage, Round 4

AC Milan hosted Anderlecht.

In the previous round, Anderlecht had leveraged their home advantage to hold Milan to a 1–1 draw.

This time, Milan, playing at home, launched a ferocious attacking display from the start.

And Suker was the absolute center of attention.

By the 67th minute, the score was 3–1.

Suker had already scored twice, once in the 22nd minute and again in the 52nd. Kaka had also netted one in the 40th minute.

Though Anderlecht managed to score from a corner kick, they remained passive overall.

Even with a 3–1 lead, Suker kept pushing the attack.

"Attack! Attack! Pass it to me!""I want my hat trick!"

Suker screamed internally.

He hadn't scored in the last two Champions League games, and this was a golden chance to boost his tally.

When he made a run to the left edge of the penalty area, Pirlo delivered a pinpoint long pass.

Suker seized the fleeting opportunity without hesitation.

With rapid steps to adjust his position, he waited for the ball to drop just right, then fired a fierce volley.

Bang!

The ball rocketed toward goal. The Anderlecht goalkeeper, startled, dived instinctively.

He managed to tip the ball wide for a corner.

But Milan's assault didn't stop.

"Pass it to me!"

At the corner, Suker raised his hand.

Pirlo took the corner. Suker feinted to turn away but suddenly cut forward toward the near post.

Pirlo's delivery was perfect.

Suker darted forward and met the ball with a clever flicked header.

The ball slipped in through the near-post gap.

"SUKER!!!!! HEADER GOAL!!!"

"HAT TRICK!!!"

"After a two-match drought, Suker's back with another incredible hat trick."

"This is Milan's super striker! This is Croatia's superstar!"

"The one scoring for us is…"

SUKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The entire San Siro erupted. Tens of thousands of Milan fans raised their arms and roared in unison.

Suker sprinted toward the corner flag and slid on his knees in celebration.

When he reached the front of the stands, fans leaned over the railing, desperate to get closer.

If not for the security guards, they might have jumped onto the pitch.

Suker saw their ecstatic faces and watched them wave their arms wildly at him.

"Milan fans are blessed—Suker's insane form has given the team a frightening edge up front."

"Four Champions League matches. Six goals."

"Ten league matches. Eleven goals!"

Commentator Aldo Serena couldn't help but marvel.

"This Croatian striker is delivering a staggering goal rate this season."

At the 79th minute, Suker was subbed off with a satisfied smile.

After a two-match Champions League dry spell, scoring a hat trick all at once had him over the moon.

"Let's go!"Suker patted Inzaghi on the shoulder with a laugh. "If you keep not scoring, I'm taking that No. 9 shirt."

"Keep dreaming," Inzaghi rolled his eyes.

But deep down, he felt an intense urgency.

Suker's form was just too good—so good it was starting to feel pointless trying to compete.

Even at his own peak, Inzaghi hadn't matched Suker's efficiency.

And this guy was bossing both league and Champions League games now.

Inzaghi shook his head.

He thought of Gilardino, still undergoing recovery training at Milan's base—his situation was even worse.

At least Inzaghi could still fight for a place.

Gilardino hadn't played a single league match this season, and he was getting desperate.

He'd get chances eventually, but competing with this version of Suker?Only peak Shevchenko might manage that.

Suker sat contentedly on the bench.

He watched the game with ease. With the current scoreline, Milan wasn't going to lose.

Winning this match would give Milan a 2-2-0 (W-D-L) record in the group stage, putting them in first place.

As long as they handled the remaining two matches well, qualification for the knockout stage was assured.

But after returning to the league, Suker had one more Serie A match before traveling to Israel for a European Championship qualifier.

November 12 – Serie A, Round 12

AC Milan vs. Palermo at home

Suker didn't start this match. To protect his form and endurance, and also keep Inzaghi involved, the coach rotated the lineup.

But without Suker, Milan struggled badly.

Many players weren't sharp, and it was basically up to Kaka to run himself ragged creating chances.

The first half ended goalless.

At 55 minutes into the second half, Kaka made a solo run, dribbling past two defenders and scoring to give Milan the lead.

This goal brought a huge sigh of relief—especially for coach Ancelotti, who wanted to evaluate Milan's performance without Suker.

Right now, aside from Suker, only Kaka could really be relied on.

And with Suker not on the pitch, Kaka got more tactical freedom—and finally stepped up.

On the bench, Suker saw the goal and quipped:

"About time he did something after eating so much."

Suker was determined to keep cashing in on Kaka's creativity.

But with his own breakout performances, Kaka had started slacking a bit—which annoyed Suker.

Dribble more! Take people on! Work for me! Assist me!

He wanted that support—no negotiations.

At 65 minutes, Suker came on for Inzaghi.

Once again, Inzaghi didn't score—an awkward situation.

But Milan fans didn't mind.

Inzaghi's decline had been obvious since last season.

Without Suker, no one else really seemed able to step up.

Now that Suker was the main striker, it was even more so.

Ancelotti eyed the two.

They could play together, but Suker had higher priority. Unless tactics demanded otherwise, he'd always be the center forward.

If changes were needed, Suker could shift to the left wing—as in the 4–3–2–1 "Christmas Tree" formation of the past.

After Suker came on, Palermo's defense felt immediate pressure.

Even without touching the ball, Suker's positioning forced constant attention—defenders feared losing track of him.

And Suker stayed true to himself. If the team couldn't get him the ball, he went looking for it.

He started dropping deep to link up.

This helped Kaka and Seedorf find more space when cutting inside from the wings.

It also let Suker get on the ball more and help organize the attack.

Palermo's defenders became increasingly passive.

After one clever turn and pass from Suker to Kaka, Kaka went charging forward.

"Watch out!"

Palermo's back line collapsed toward Kaka.

In doing so, they forgot that Suker had slipped into a dangerous area near the penalty arc.

But Kaka didn't forget.

He feinted, shook off a defender, and played a pass straight into the middle.

Suker timed his run perfectly and met the ball with a side-footed strike.

Goal.

83rd minute—Suker scored just eight minutes after coming on.

The San Siro erupted again.

SUKER!!!!!!!!!!!GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!

The crowd roared.

Near the celebrating fans, the noise was deafening.

Whoooaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh—

Suker spread his arms and stood at the edge of the stand.

"Only eight minutes on the pitch and he's already scored—this is Milan's top striker at work!"

"Eleven league matches. Twelve goals. Suker's scoring streak continues."

"Whether in the league or the Champions League, this Croatian star keeps delivering."