"Goal!! Here we go again!!"
"Fiery form! The Croatian superstar is unstoppable!"
"History feels like a cycle, returning to the same crossroads from two years ago!"
"It's still Liverpool vs. AC Milan, still 3:0 on the scoreboard!"
"But this time, AC Milan will never repeat the past mistakes. They are no longer the same team — they have endured pain and torment, and want this victory more than anyone else!"
"To that end, they've delivered a shocking performance on the field. Even Liverpool cannot stop Milan's advance."
"Go Milan!"
"Charge towards your glory!"
"Go Milan!"
"Let everything become history; when Milan raises the knife of revenge, no one can stop them."
Crudeli's eyes welled with tears, his voice hoarse.
For two full years after that painful game, they lived under a shadow.
Painful memories, ridicule from outsiders — all made them feel miserable.
But now, the chance for revenge was right before their eyes.
And once again, they led by three goals.
This time, they would not let Liverpool overturn the score.
They needed a triumphant, satisfying victory.
In Italy, commentators and Milan fans were boiling with excitement.
Meanwhile, in England, the British commentators were like ants on a hot pan — frantic and anxious.
"Wake up! Liverpool! You can't keep playing like this! Consolidate your defense! Attack! Attack!"
The British commentator's tone was urgent.
Though two years ago Liverpool pulled off a miracle match, miracles are rare.
Could they really pull off a miracle again?
Besides, Liverpool was playing terribly this time.
Among the Champions League semi-finalists, three were from the English Premier League — Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
But in the end, United got eliminated by Milan.
Now, Liverpool was being shredded by Milan like fruit being sliced.
What the hell was going on?
Was it the Premier League encircling Milan,
Or just Milan encircling the Premier League alone?
"Hold steady from now on!"
Suker turned to shout onto the pitch.
Less than ten minutes remained before halftime, and the situation had to be stabilized.
Milan players understood this well.
The rest of the match, Milan played steadily — no frantic attacking, but a strong, solid defensive formation that repeatedly pushed Liverpool back.
Meanwhile, Suker's speed on counterattacks continuously pressured Liverpool.
In a mansion in England,
Shevchenko was watching the Champions League final,
Seeing Liverpool battle AC Milan.
This was not only Milan's battlefield but also his own inner demon.
Only this time, he could not fight for Milan.
"Are you really going back?"
Shevchenko's wife Christine asked.
After one season joining Chelsea, Shevchenko went from a rising star to a fringe player.
Now, he was no longer Ukraine's 'nuclear warhead' — rarely getting time on the pitch.
After a year of confusion, Shevchenko began regretting his choice.
If he hadn't left Milan, would he be in this state?
"I want to find my old self!" Shevchenko said.
Christine: "Will Milan accept you?"
Shevchenko smiled: "They will! They still love me!"
Christine was silent.
She thought Shevchenko was too naive.
If Milan was struggling, if there was no Suker, if Shevchenko hadn't left at this particular moment,
Maybe Milan would accept him.
"Has your agent heard anything?" Christine asked.
Shevchenko paused, then smiled: "Right now Milan has important matches; they have no time to deal with me. They will respond later."
Christine fell silent.
Was it really no time,
Or just unwilling to respond?
Who knew?
Meanwhile, on the pitch, after the final ten minutes of the first half, the half ended.
Though Liverpool increased their attack tempo,
They still couldn't score.
At halftime, AC Milan led Liverpool 3:0.
"3:0 again! Wake up for the second half!"
Nesta returned to the locker room, visibly excited.
Not 2:0!
Not 4:0!
Just 3:0!
It felt like going back two years.
"In the second half, we must guard the defense carefully. Liverpool's counterattack will be fierce. We can't afford any mistakes."
Maldini repeatedly warned: "Suker, you need to drop back more."
Suker, eating a banana, replied: "Defense in the second half? Who said that!"
Maldini froze for a moment.
Suker pointed behind Maldini.
Maldini turned and saw Ancelotti with the tactical board, tapping it and saying: "Keep attacking for the first 10 minutes of the second half!"
Suker grinned.
Ancelotti finally got it!
Exactly!
The tactics shouldn't suddenly change.
If Liverpool regains a super form, Milan would be overwhelmed.
Last time, they lost by trying to defend too tightly.
This time, Ancelotti changed the approach — maintain the current pace for the first ten minutes, then switch to defense once fully settled.
"Suker! More attacks along the wings in the second half!"
Ancelotti said to Suker.
He no longer questioned Suker's stamina.
This guy never runs out of steam.
If Suker runs out, Milan is done.
The only problem was the lack of a strong target man to open lanes and draw fire for Suker.
Inzaghi was too fragile — just one hit and down, making him a bad pivot.
So it had to rely on Suker's own ability and momentum.
While Ancelotti was setting the tactics, Suker came up to Kaká.
"Your performance in this game is pretty good!"
Suker hooked his arm around Kaká's neck, smiling.
Although not quite 'God-mode Kaká', it was close.
Especially when Suker was tightly marked, Kaká's runs attracted lots of attention, opening Milan's right flank.
"Is there seafood rice?" Kaká asked expectantly.
Suker folded his arms: "One more goal and you'll get it!"
Suker was joking, but Kaká seemed to take it seriously.
His eyes sharpened.
Suker was stunned.
Damn... this guy works so hard just for a meal?
Wait.
Suker thought carefully.
Every time Kaká exploded, it was when Suker hadn't cooked for him,
Or when a big game required strict diet control.
Suker suddenly asked: "How did you get yourself into this form?"
Kaká scratched his head: "I just thought if I don't perform, you really won't make me seafood rice. And no special sauce either!"
Suker's eyes widened.
Damn it!
So this is the real trigger for Kaká's explosion?
Before, Suker was too nice?
He had to starve him a bit to create urgency?
"Kaká!"
Kaká turned to Suker: "What?"
Suker grit his teeth: "You damn—!"
The halftime break ended.
Liverpool players walked out of the tunnel looking energized.
Obviously, their coach Benítez had fed them another batch of motivational 'poison chicken soup'.
Two years ago, Benítez's legendary speech—"Score one! For the millions of lights of Liverpool!"—had pumped the Reds full of adrenaline, Gerrard especially went all out.
This time, Suker was curious about what 'poison chicken soup' Benítez was giving them.
Compared to Ancelotti's straightforward tactics, Benítez was a master of motivational speeches, able to inspire players to play like they were on fire.
But such motivation required fuel.
A goal to ferment the spirit fully.
Once a goal was conceded, morale would plummet instantly.
Kick Liverpool with one decisive blow!