Huff! Huff! Huff!
Suker's chest heaved violently.
He had no idea how far he had run, but his body was utterly exhausted and his head dizzy.
If Suker was like this, the others were even worse off.
Several players were already lying on the ground, unable to get up.
The sharp whistle still seemed to ring in their ears.
All the players of Zagreb Dinamo were staggering, their chests rising and falling heavily.
They turned to look at the scoreboard, which was fixed at 3:3.
A draw!
Suker sat down hard on the ground.
So hard to achieve!
This match was extremely tough.
Ronaldo also looked at the score, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
He never expected the match to be this difficult.
A draw in the first Champions League match was not good news for them.
But Zagreb Dinamo really made them suffer.
If it weren't for Zidane's last-minute free-kick goal, they might have actually lost at Maksimir Stadium.
Suddenly, Ronaldo felt someone poke him.
He turned to look.
It was Suker standing beside him, holding his jersey out.
Suker was gasping for breath, with no time to adjust.
If he was any slower, he wouldn't have made it.
"Shit!"
Srna had just stepped onto the pitch and saw Suker standing with Ronaldo exchanging jerseys, and he cursed angrily.
Others also beat their chests in frustration.
Damn it!
Too slow!
Even usually mild Modric looked at Suker's back and cursed:
"Asshole!"
Ronaldo looked at Suker and asked, "Want to exchange jerseys?"
Suker didn't understand.
Ronaldo immediately took off his jersey.
He didn't exchange jerseys lightly, but Suk was worth it.
Suker scored two goals and was the most active runner on the pitch.
Although Suker had many small tricks that made people hate him, it was all within the rules.
Plus, Suker got a yellow card for it.
He gave his all to try to beat them, which Ronaldo respected.
"See you at the Bernabeu!"
Suker understood and nodded vigorously.
Then he turned and looked smugly at Srna and others.
"Assholes!"
Everyone cursed in unison.
Ronaldo's jersey wasn't exchanged, so they looked for other targets.
Eventually, Modric exchanged jerseys with Zidane.
Srna exchanged with Carlos.
Vukojević sought out Raúl.
Pranjić went to Figo.
Mandžukić found substitute Owen.
What should have been a post-match event became a fan meet-and-greet.
Beckham looked around at everyone exchanging jerseys and smiled bitterly.
No one wanted to exchange with him?
Had his charm faded?
At that moment, a big face appeared in front of him.
Season 2004/2005, Champions League Group Stage Round 1, Zagreb Dinamo 3:3 Real Madrid.
Both sides played to a draw.
This match excited fans and media alike.
They thought the rookie team actually held Real Madrid to a draw.
A huge upset!
Truly an upset in the purest sense!
Throughout the game, these young players performed extraordinarily well.
Ignoring minor incidents, just the six goals scored were beautiful.
The match was a back-and-forth battle.
Though they didn't win, the draw made Zagreb Dinamo the focus of all Europe.
They drew with the so-called Galácticos of Real Madrid!
"Great play!"
"Keep it up in the next match, we'll always support you!"
"Well done, you have a chance to win!"
"Come on!"
"Come on! Suker! You're the best!"
During the thank-you ceremony, the fans gave these young players thunderous applause.
The game was highly entertaining.
Fierce attacks!
Intense battles!
Brilliant individual performances.
Of course, the two "rainbows" (curved passes) were the highlight.
Beckham drew a rainbow in the air!
Then Suk drew one on the ground!
Both passes were exquisite.
Either alone would earn admiration, let alone both in the same game, by opponents.
This match had so much material and topics.
Suker, the best player of the match, became a media target.
But Bešić pulled Suker into the locker room, leaving no chance for reporters.
Inside the locker room, Suker and the team returned with a full load.
Not only did they draw with Real Madrid, they also got the smelly match jerseys.
However, the substitutes looked a bit off.
After everyone sat down, Strinić suddenly stood in the middle.
"Sorry! If it weren't for my foul, we wouldn't have been equalized. I'm willing to take responsibility for this match."
Everyone stared at Strinić in shock.
Srna laughed and said, "Neither the first nor second or third captain said anything, why are you taking the blame!"
"But…"
"But what?" Suker said grumpily, "Is a draw that shameful? Do you think too highly of us, or do you underestimate Real Madrid?"
"But we clearly should have won."
Vukojević said, "Not making that foul would have been a mistake. Any defender would react the same way in such a situation. Just be careful with your tackles next time."
Srna blinked: "Why does this sound so familiar?"
BANG!!!
The locker room door was suddenly kicked open.
Three older men rushed in.
They hugged everyone and shouted loudly.
Davor Suker grabbed Suker in a big hug.
"Wow!!! Your performance was amazing!!"
"Wow!!! That was Real Madrid! You actually drew them!"
Suker covered his ears, feeling like his eardrums would burst.
"Stop shouting! My ears hurt!"
Suker pushed Davor Suker away, who hugged him even tighter.
Bešić also looked unusually excited.
They ran around the locker room.
That was Real Madrid!
The toughest opponent in the group.
Not quite devoured, but at least drawn with.
Such a start was amazing!
Excited Bešić hugged his dear disciples, face full of excitement.
He had to hold back during the press conference.
After all, Real Madrid's coach Camacho's face was almost ink-black.
Now back in the locker room, he could celebrate freely.
Bešić and Davor Suker even hugged each other.
Suker looked amused.
Finally reconciled, huh!
"Hehe! Keep up the good work in the next match. Your advantage is offense, and this game fully proved it."
"Attack relies on creativity, defense on discipline!"
"You've already filled in the most critical parts. Next is to solidify defense and balance offense and defense."
Davor Suker breathed heavily:
"Based on your performance, making it out of the group stage isn't impossible!"
Boban was serious:
"The Champions League tests growth and adaptability. Different regions have different styles and tactics. How to adapt and respond is key."
"Your own strength is important, but gaining experience, adjusting your state, and having the will to win during matches will push you forward!"
"The Champions League is a long process, and maintaining fighting spirit throughout is what you must focus on."
"My advice is to watch more match replays, find your flaws and mistakes, and try to avoid repeating them."
"Step by step, you'll go far."
The news of Zagreb Dinamo's 3:3 draw against Real Madrid spread quickly that night.
The first big upset of the Champions League appeared suddenly.
A team playing in the Champions League group stage for the first time.
A young team that actually held the superstar Real Madrid to a draw.
This amazed everyone.
Europe's major media went wild reporting.
The London Sports Gazette: "Galácticos might lose their way again; Zagreb Dinamo strikes hard!"
Milan Sports Daily: "Crazy attacking battle, a group of young players challenges top stars!"
L'Équipe: "Beckham! Suker! Two men drawing rainbows on the pitch."
Kicker: "First Champions League upset in Group B, Zagreb Dinamo not as weak as they seem."
Manchester Life: "Rhapsody sounds! Group B chaos in Champions League!"
The Sun: "Conflict erupts between Camacho and Real Madrid stars, intense locker room clash!"
After the first round, Zagreb Dinamo became the center of attention in Europe.
This unknown team actually drew Real Madrid in their first Champions League.
And they played so brilliantly.
Most importantly, they were young!
Scouts from many clubs rushed to Croatia, settling in at Maksimir Stadium.