Leverkusen donned their away white kits, while Dinamo Zagreb took to the field in their home blue.
Both sides lined up in the center circle — the battle was about to ignite.
After two group stage matches, Leverkusen no longer underestimated Dinamo Zagreb.
Regardless of media controversy, Dinamo Zagreb had proven their strength by reaching the battle for top spot.
For them, this match was a chance to truly showcase themselves on the European stage.
The Greek referee stepped back from the center circle and blew the whistle to kick off the match.
Leverkusen had the first possession.
"The game has officially begun! Leverkusen kicks off, but the youngsters of Dinamo Zagreb press forward aggressively. Their high pressing is disrupting Leverkusen's passing lanes and rhythm…"
Before the commentator could finish, Leverkusen's cumbersome defenders were already feeling the pressure.
"Berbatov!"
Leverkusen's center-back Brack shouted and launched a long ball forward.
The pass lacked precision, requiring Berbatov to drop deeper to contest the ball.
But before he could reach it, Vukojević had already positioned himself at the drop point.
Using his size and strength, Vukojević firmly held off Berbatov and leapt to head the ball forward to Suker.
"Brilliant!"
Suker shouted in praise.
Back to goal and under pressure, it was hard for him to turn — but that wasn't his plan. He softly laid the ball sideways.
Modrić surged forward at pace, collecting the pass and bursting into the opponent's half.
"Go, Luka!"
Suker shouted behind him.
With Leverkusen's midfield unable to track him in time, Modrić glanced at the distance to goal — and shot from range!
"Modrić!! Long shot!!"
Boom!
The ball rocketed toward the goal like a missile. Leverkusen's keeper Butt reacted swiftly, just managing to tip the shot over the bar.
"What a shame! Modrić's shot was on target, but Leverkusen's keeper Butt was alert and adjusted in time to make the save."
"Dinamo Zagreb earns the first corner of the match thanks to Modrić's effort!"
"Push up! Push up!"
Suker waved his teammates forward to contest the corner.
He himself stood at the top of the box — not a target for aerial battles at just 170 cm. That was Mandžukić's job.
"Let's do this!"
Mandžukić roared, fired up.
Srna sent in the corner, curling it into the box.
Mandžukić, tightly marked, pushed through with brute force and leapt.
"Take that!"
He connected with his forehead, but couldn't get full power — the keeper caught it easily.
No time for frustration, Mandžukić turned and shouted: "Fall back, watch out!"
Just then, he saw his teammates already scrambling back. He was the slowest.
"They're quick!"
Mandžukić grinned and sprinted back.
In the early minutes, Dinamo Zagreb had already created two chances, piling pressure on Leverkusen's defense.
"This Dinamo Zagreb attack is serious — don't let their youth fool you. Their front-line coordination is excellent, and they're dangerous from the wings. Be very cautious!" said a serious German commentator.
The opening minutes had shown what Dinamo Zagreb was capable of.
"They've grown so quickly — especially after those two Champions League games. It's like they've transformed," said Croatian commentator Klaushević.
Previously, Dinamo had a strong offense but leaky defense.
But in the group stages, they'd been adapting, learning, and growing constantly.
Now, while not perfectly balanced, they had made huge progress.
"Mine!"
Vukojević sprinted in and tackled Schneider, cleanly taking the ball.
Unfortunately, the ball fell to Ponk on the right, who immediately crossed it into Dinamo's box.
"Ponk crosses!"
Berbatov dashed forward, trying to contest the header.
But Štimac was tight on him.
In the struggle, Štimac suddenly stepped back, causing Berbatov to lose balance. Seizing the moment, Štimac jumped and headed the ball clear.
"Beautiful! Veteran Štimac, still the aerial king in Croatia's penalty area!"
Štimac grinned.
In a straight-up fight, he wouldn't beat Berbatov. But with experience, he outmaneuvered him — one step back, a shift in balance, and a clean clearance.
He knew his physicality was fading, but he could still rely on brains.
And he wasn't going to let the younger players down in a Champions League match.
"Captain!!!"
"Awesome!!!"
"Beautiful!"
The young players showered him in praise.
"Back to your positions!" Štimac shouted with a smile.
The ball reached Modrić's feet again.
No intention of passing, Modrić drove forward.
At the edge of the box, he feinted a few shots, drawing defenders in. Then at the last second, he cut inside and slipped a perfect through ball to the left.
A laser pass sliced through Leverkusen's defense.
Suker made the run.
"Suker!!"
Klaushević leapt to his feet.
"The pass…"
The crowd of Dinamo fans rose as one, eyes wide, watching Suker sprint into the box.
Parallel to the defender, eight meters from goal, Suker shot with his left foot.
The ball flew toward the right post, slipping through defender Ramelow's legs.
Swish!
It hit the side netting.
15th minute — Dinamo Zagreb take a 1–0 lead over Leverkusen with a nutmeg goal by Suker after a perfect link-up with Modrić on the left!
"Oh!!! A goal! Dinamo Zagreb again!! This isn't the first time!"
"In three consecutive matches — against Real Madrid, Roma, and now Leverkusen — they've scored first every time. Can you still say it's just luck?"
"Open your eyes and watch this group of kids perform — they're making a mockery of Germany's lumbering defense. Modrić's shot feints drew everyone in, freeing up Suker. That final pass was world-class!"
"And Suker, calm and clinical, finished it off!"
"Can you really say this is just luck?!"
The Italian commentator roared with passion.
See?!
Roma's loss wasn't undeserved!
Dinamo Zagreb aren't some pushover!
On the pitch, Suker sprinted to the stands.
Near the fans, he dropped to his knees and slid long.
The crowd erupted in celebration.
SUKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They absolutely adored him.
He had already shined in the league, and now he was delivering spectacularly in the Champions League.
Three games, four goals!(2 in Game 1, Game 2 forfeited with 1 goals, 1 in Game 3!)
With Suker's goal, Leverkusen began to feel the pressure.
"Put pressure in midfield! Don't let their No.10 break through so easily!" Brack shouted.
Schneider sighed.
It wasn't about failing to mark Modrić — Dinamo's counters were too fast. Even the full-backs joined the attack.
Even if you contained Modrić, someone else would slip through.
Dinamo's youngsters happily retreated, having taken the lead again.
But they knew Leverkusen would now ramp up the intensity.
19th minute, Schneider dribbled forward again, only to be cut down by a sliding Dujmović.
"You made me do it!" Dujmović grumbled as he got up.
The referee gave him a yellow, but he didn't mind — as long as Vukojević didn't get carded, it was fine.
He was helping share the pressure.
25th minute, Schneider attacked down the wing again and was brought down — this time earning a dangerous free-kick.
"Wall! Wall!"
Grbešić shouted instructions for the wall.
Even Suker came back.
"Suker, a little more right, closer! Closer!"
"OK! Hold the line!"
Grbešić clapped and readied himself.
Schneider stepped up.
Suker narrowed his eyes, and the moment Schneider struck the ball, Suker leapt.
As expected.
The ball came his way.
Damn it!
You think I'm short?!
Suker jumped high and got a piece of the ball with his head, deflecting it into the air.
"Contest the header!"
Modrić called out immediately.
Berbatov was already under the ball, back to goal — and suddenly, he launched a bicycle kick!
BANG!
The ball slammed into the ground and bounced into the left corner of the goal.
26th minute — Leverkusen equalized 1–1 with a stunning Bicycle kick from Berbatov.