In January, the league resumed.
Dinamo Zagreb also entered an intense phase of preparation.
The Champions League knockout stage would begin on February 23rd.
Dinamo Zagreb had just over a month to get ready.
During this period, aside from league matches, their main focus was on preparing for the clash with Manchester United.
On January 18th, 2004/2005 season, Croatian League Round 18.
In the match where Dinamo Zagreb faced Slaven Belupo, they deployed a brand-new formation.
Dinamo Zagreb (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: Grestic.Defenders: Srna, Jarni, Štimac, Pranjić.Midfielders: Valjević, Vukojević, Modrić, Rakitić.Forwards: Mandžukić, Šuker.
In the 4-4-2 setup, Šuker returned to a front-line striker role.
This was his first time back in this position in two years.
Standing up front again, Šuker was incredibly emotional.
He had always believed that this was the position where he could perform best.
The only downside was that he wasn't playing as a lone striker.
But Mandžukić could provide support on the flank as a shield.
Šuker and Mandžukić were two completely different types of forwards.
This was a tactic that coach Bešić had spent a month painstakingly designing and decided to try out.
Two forwards: Šuker and Mandžukić.
They were vastly different in style.
Mandžukić was the battering ram, constantly putting pressure on the opponent's backline.
Šuker's role was to ghost into space with clever off-the-ball runs.
If the midfield was in trouble, Šuker could also drop back to help.
Rakitić and Valjević operated primarily on the flanks, applying pressure from wide areas.
Modrić and Vukojević took on the responsibility of midfield organization and defense.
When switching to a diamond formation, Modrić could push closer to goal, increasing his threat in the final third.
Even if he couldn't shoot, he could link up with Šuker, using his passing and Šuker's movement to break down the defense.
"The match has just begun, and Dinamo Zagreb is already pushing high up the pitch. Facing this Champions League-hardened Dinamo side, Slaven Belupo is being forced back step by step. But Modrić is already pushing forward."
"We can see that Šuker isn't dropping deep to receive the ball—he's staying right on the last line of defense. Slaven Belupo's center-back Malinarić is forced to pay close attention to him."
Malinarić was drenched in cold sweat.
Šuker starting as a front-line striker directly against him brought immense pressure.
Facing a talent being chased by all of Europe, he dared not relax for a second.
Šuker glanced at Malinarić—he seemed overly nervous.
Šuker took a few steps back, then looked over at Modrić.
Suddenly, Modrić was about to thread a pass forward.
"Don't drop back!"
Malinarić shouted, trying with his center-back partner to play an offside trap.
But Šuker shifted laterally, keeping himself level with the defense, never crossing the offside line, staying onside.
At the exact moment Modrić released the ball, Šuker spun and exploded forward.
"Šuker!! No offside! No offside!"
Šuker's run beat the trap, and he found himself through on goal.
As the keeper came out, Šuker chipped it effortlessly over the top.
Dinamo Zagreb scored in the 15th minute.
"Goal!!! Šuker!! What a smart run!"
"If he had made the run a second earlier, it would've been offside. Malinarić tried to play the trap, but Šuker's lateral movement completely ruined that plan. As Modrić passed, Šuker sprinted—brilliant positioning!"
Šuker laughed and slid toward the corner flag in celebration.
The Dinamo Zagreb fans responded with thunderous applause.
"Dinamo Zagreb is in great form for the second half of the season. We can look forward to even more exciting performances from them in the Champions League."
Commentator Klaušević watched the pitch with pride.
This young Dinamo squad had completely won over the veteran Croatian commentator—he was obsessed with them now.
After all, how could you not love a team full of youngsters who reached the Champions League knockout stage in their first campaign?
"How was the pass?"Modrić ran over and asked.
Šuker gave a thumbs up.
"Perfect!"
Modrić's passes were always reliable.
Over the winter break, Modrić had been expanding his skillset.
Beyond orchestrating play, he'd been working on increasing his threat with incisive passes.
Now that Šuker was staying up front, Modrić had even more creative responsibility.
Of course, if needed, Šuker could drop back to support him—but Modrić preferred to deliver passes to Šuker in attacking positions.
That was their most seamless connection.
After scoring one, Šuker became even more active up front.
His runs, combined with Modrić's vision, made Dinamo's offense unstoppable.
Even when Modrić's passes came a bit late, Šuker's explosiveness allowed him to catch up.
That reduced a lot of pressure on Modrić.
In the 78th minute, Šuker scored his third.
"Šuker! Hat trick!"
"This is Šuker's first hat trick of the season. To give subs more opportunities, he's been focusing more on the Champions League, but he's still Dinamo's top scorer. In 11 league appearances across 18 rounds, he's scored 15 goals."
"His efficiency remains astonishing."
"Of course, we look forward to more magic from him in the Champions League."
Having netted a hat trick, Šuker celebrated wildly.
But not long after, coach Bešić subbed him off.
Šuker had no complaints—he'd done his job.
"Top scorer in the league and Champions League—how does that feel?"Duimović muttered bitterly.
He was jealous.
Being league top scorer was impressive enough.
But Šuker was also top scorer in the Champions League.
In six group-stage matches, Šuker had scored eight goals, leading the scoring chart.
Granted, four of those came in a shootout against Real Madrid.
"Do you think I can win the Champions League Golden Boot?"Šuker asked.
If he did, his market value would skyrocket.
An 18-year-old Golden Boot winner? Unthinkable.
And not impossible.
"Depends if we can win the next game."
Currently in second place on the CL top scorer list was Manchester United's Van Nistelrooy with six goals in five matches.
Šuker grinned.
Yet another reason to beat Manchester United.
Time ticked on.
Dinamo Zagreb steadily tuned up, preparing for battle.
Manchester United would be their toughest opponent yet.
In reputation, momentum, and squad strength—not to mention Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager—United posed the greatest threat yet.
Greater even than Real Madrid.
Madrid's squad might've looked impressive, but the team was a mess inside.
Not so with United.
United had Ferguson.
As long as Sir Alex was there, the team wouldn't fall into disarray.
His presence was everything—he was United's foundation, and also the pressure crushing Dinamo Zagreb.
Of course, the most stressed of all was coach Bešić.
On one side: a legendary manager who led United to a historic treble.
On the other: a rookie coach just guiding his team into the Champions League knockouts.
The gap couldn't be wider.
Still, they had to fight—for the chance at victory.
In February, Croatia saw less snowfall.
But the snowbanks still lined the roads.
In this atmosphere, the Champions League knockout stage approached.
After six grueling group matches, the real test began.
Two legs, home and away. Win and advance. Lose and you're out.
In the group stage, if you're eliminated, you can drop into the Europa League.
In the knockout rounds? Elimination means the end.
So both Manchester United and Dinamo Zagreb were on full alert.
The Champions League fever was coming.
Dinamo Zagreb's knockout debut naturally drew massive attention.
Their performance in the group stage and their upcoming clash with Manchester United were hot topics.
Especially the head-to-head duel of two rising stars lit up European headlines.
Last year, Ferguson spent €12 million to bring the Portuguese wonderkid Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford.
Since joining, Ronaldo had shined and even made the UEFA Team of the Year.
And this season, Šuker had been equally pivotal for Dinamo Zagreb—scoring eight goals in six games to lead the Champions League in scoring.
The two prodigies facing off was a massive story.
The match hadn't even started, but the media hype had already exploded.
Red Devils vs Youth Storm!
Two Talents Face Off!
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Šuker!