"If you disappear again this time, just go sit on the bench!"
During the warm-up, Suker complained to Dujmović.
Dujmović retorted, clearly annoyed, "I'm not a coward!"
The others shot him sidelong glances.
"What are you looking at?!"
Dujmović yelled, "Just watch, I'm fired up now. I'll shut them all up!" Official source is novel fire.net
Seeing that Dujmović didn't actually seem scared, Suker finally let out a small sigh of relief.
He really couldn't figure out this guy's strange blend of cowardice and excitement.
Still, things looked pretty good at the moment.
Suker looked over to the other side.
The Roma players were also preparing seriously.
Sartor, Perrotta, De Rossi, Ferrari, Montella—these were all solid Serie A players.
And standing among them was the "The Eighth King of Rome"—Francesco Totti.
With nicknames like The Golden Boy, The Captain, and even The Gladiator, Totti was currently one of the most popular Italian stars.
His ability was beyond question—he was the core player of Roma.
Since entering the Champions League group stage, the overall intensity of matches had skyrocketed.
Dinamo Zagreb was now facing players they'd only seen on TV in the past.
There was some anxiety, but even more excitement.
Suker's eyes gleamed—he was already thinking about how to break through their defense.
"The second round of the Champions League group stage is about to begin. I hope you all can relax a little. Making it this far is already an incredible achievement. Every step forward from here is a reward. Even if we lose, no one will blame you."
Coach Bešić paused, then smiled:"But… have any of you considered losing?"
Everyone roared in unison.
Bešić shouted, "Alright, boys! Show those who doubt us what we're made of! Our goal is—"
The team shouted again.
Bešić clapped his hands, standing at the locker room door, giving each player a shoulder pat of encouragement.
Dinamo Zagreb's players exited the locker room and entered the player tunnel.
After lining up, Roma's players soon walked over under Totti's lead.
Suker turned to glance over.
Then quickly turned back.
Roma (3-4-3):Goalkeeper: PelizzoliDefenders: Luigi Sartor, Dellas, FerrariMidfielders: Aquilani, Perrotta, De Rossi, SartorForwards: Montella, Totti, Corvia
Dinamo Zagreb (4-4-2):Goalkeeper: GrestchDefenders: Srna, Jarni, Štimac, PranjićMidfielders: Vukojević, Dujmović, Modrić, SukerForwards: Jelavić, Mandžukić
"This match sees some changes for Dinamo Zagreb up front. Substitute Jelavić is starting, and he's been performing well in the league. He and Mandžukić are similar types—both can apply pressure to the backline and compete for aerial balls."
"Is Coach Bešić planning to break Roma's defense with a twin-tower strike force?"
"And interestingly, Srna has moved to the right-back position. Usually, he plays on the left and has great chemistry with Suker, but today he's on the right wing. We're not sure what Bešić has in mind, but it's something to look forward to."
Dinamo Zagreb's formation had undergone significant changes.
Two tall center-forwards—clearly intending to hammer the defense with high balls.
Srna and Suker had been split up.
In fact, Srna was more comfortable on the right, but for tactical reasons, the coach had often placed him on the left.
Now back in his preferred position, it was clear Srna would take on more offensive responsibilities.
These big adjustments made the Roma coach visibly tense.
The most troubling thing about facing underdog teams? Their unpredictable tactics.
Who knew what tricks they had up their sleeves?
Still, he believed Roma held the edge in overall strength.
"Let's go! Let's go!"
Suker shouted, "Let's give it our best!"
This match offered him a lot of room to play.
To free him up, Coach Bešić had arranged two "walls" in the front line.
As the whistle blew, Totti took the kickoff and immediately dropped back.
The two forwards surged ahead.
Totti was playing as a false nine—a half-striker.
He operated behind the two center-forwards.
Able to organize the attack or join in later as a finisher.
Totti maintained his usual leisurely pace.
Serie A generally had a slower rhythm, focused on stabilizing the game.
But Dinamo Zagreb didn't want things slow.
Mandžukić and Jelavić immediately pushed up to press.
Their energy was fierce—clearly aiming to cause havoc up front.
Zagreb's midfield line also pushed up aggressively.
This sudden shift caught Roma off guard—they weren't ready for such pressure.
And with only three center-backs in the back, they couldn't afford mistakes.
Dellas shouted. Under pressure, he hurriedly passed to De Rossi.
As soon as De Rossi received the ball, he was pressed by both Srna and Vukojević.
They were right on top of him, and De Rossi looked flustered.
Still, he held it together and passed sideways to Totti.
Totti praised the pass and prepared to receive it—
Suddenly, a figure slid in out of nowhere.
Modrić lunged forward with a sliding tackle and intercepted the ball.
Modrić's heart surged.
The rest of Dinamo Zagreb switched immediately to attack mode.
With a shout, Suker sprinted out wide.
Modrić also began his charge forward with the ball.
"Modrić! Interception!! Brilliant!! This is how Dinamo Zagreb plays—no matter who you are, we will press you, force the game into our rhythm! These lads are fantastic, don't let Roma slow the game down—push forward! Forward!"
Commentator Kraushević was shouting with excitement.
This was why he loved Dinamo Zagreb.
No matter who they played—Real Madrid or Roma—
They always fought hard and never gave up control.
On the pitch, Modrić was sprinting ahead with the ball.
As he lifted his head, Mandžukić and Jelavić were already tying up the defenders.
Mandžukić shouted, battling the defender.
Modrić sent the ball in.
"You're not getting it!"
Dellas stepped in to challenge.
But he couldn't push Mandžukić aside.
Mandžukić had lowered his stance, spread his arms, and held his ground.
Left-back Sartor came over to help.
He laid the ball off and then spun forward.
Modrić chased down the ball again.
Dellas locked onto Mandžukić.
At that moment, Modrić gave a slight smile.
He adjusted mid-air and sent the ball forward to the left.
Rapid footsteps echoed like the drums of death.
"Left side!" Dellas shouted, then froze—"It's wide open!"
Suker sprinted down the left flank into the penalty area.
Commentator Kraushević shouted.
Roma fans' hearts were clenched tight.
How did the left flank get so exposed?!
And Suker was already in the box.
Roma's left-back Sartor scrambled to cover, trying to block the shot.
But Suker calmly nudged the ball with his right foot.
Center-back Dellas rushed in.
Suker made another touch with his right foot—a quick inside cut.
One lateral move, one cut inside—forming an L-shaped dribble through two defenders.
Now staring down the goal, Suk saw the panic on the keeper's face.
He raised his left foot.
Every heart seemed to skip a beat.
Coach Bešić jumped from his seat.
The Roma coach buried his head in his hands.
Even Totti stood stunned.
In this moment, Suker became the center of attention.
Boom!His left foot struck the ball hard.
It flew like a cannonball, grazing the keeper's face and slamming into the top corner.
Just 3 minutes in—and Dinamo Zagreb scored first.
A carefully orchestrated "accidental" goal!