At the 55th minute of the second half, both Šuker and Mandžukić were subbed off.
Strinić and Ćorluka came on as substitutes.
This marked Strinić's debut for the national team.
"Let's go!"
"Let's go!"
Šuker patted Strinić's shoulder firmly before exiting the pitch.
"No hat trick again!"
After coming off, Šuker sat directly on the bench, took off his boots, slipped into sandals to make his feet more comfortable, and started complaining.
"You think a hat trick is that easy?" Mandžukić turned his head. "I might not even get one in an entire season!"
Šuker turned to look at him. "Is it really that hard?"
Mandžukić fell silent.
He didn't want to keep chatting with this guy.
"Who are you playing in the Champions League?"
Šuker suddenly asked.
"We're in Group E — Roma, Basel, and Cluj," Mandžukić shrugged. "But they're more interested in playing Milan. Don't know why they're so obsessed with them."
Šuker: "If you got utterly destroyed by a team in two straight UCL campaigns, and now that they're declining and you're on the rise, wouldn't you want revenge?"
Then he shrugged with a mischievous grin: "But you just can't get the chance!"
Bayern Munich was desperate to get matched with AC Milan.
Whenever the Champions League rolled around, talk about Bayern vs Milan never died down.
Bayern even prayed to gods and ancestors alike just to get drawn against Milan. But it never happened.
This season, Milan was drawn into the same group as Real Madrid.
Currently, the two most anticipated Champions League groups:
Group A: Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Werder Bremen, and Twente.
Group G: Real Madrid, AC Milan, Ajax, and Auxerre.
"Once we get back, the Champions League begins — time for double duty," said Šuker.
"It's not too bad though. The early stages of UCL aren't that stressful. The season finale is what really matters."
Then he turned his head: "This is your first Champions League, right?"
Mandžukić gave a sheepish grin: "Can we not bring that up?"
Šuker chuckled.
Still, he had high hopes for Mandžukić.
Future Bayern was going to be strong — at least good enough to win a Champions League.
This guy might become Croatia's fourth UCL-level champion.
"Why are you so quiet?" Mandžukić suddenly turned to cue Dujmović.
Dujmović snapped back: "What's your problem?"
"Oh~~ you're not qualified for the Champions League!"
"First time in UCL and acting smug? At least I've played in European competition before!"
"As a sub, right? A few minutes on the pitch?"
"A few minutes?! Screw you..."
The two started bickering again.
Šuker lay sprawled on the bench. Two goals — not bad. He looked quite satisfied.
Behind him, a soft voice spoke.
"What does playing in the Champions League feel like?"
Brozović asked cautiously.
"What does it feel like?" Šuker blinked. "Well..."
He honestly didn't know how to answer.
He'd played in so many UCL matches, the novelty was long gone.
"Ask Mario. I don't really remember!"
Mandžukić snapped his head around.
"Šuker! You bastard!"
In the end, Brozović didn't get an answer — he'd have to experience it himself.
Back on the pitch, the match was nearing its end.
Croatia was still leading 3–0, with a clean sheet.
After Šuker and Mandžukić were subbed off, Croatia shifted into defensive mode, giving Latvia no opportunities.
Soon, the 90 minutes were up.
Croatia defeated Latvia 3–0, securing victory in their opening Euro Qualifier match.
"Let's congratulate the boys — a comfortable win! This match showed us a new Croatia: more stable, more like a real powerhouse!"
"Of course, the qualifiers are far from over. We hope the Croatian lads will stay in form and continue winning every match!"
As the match ended, players from both sides shook hands.
A bunch of Latvian players swarmed Šuker, hoping to exchange shirts.
Literally a bunch. Most of them asked him, but their striker got to him first — so Šuker swapped with him.
The first Euro qualifier match was done — time to head to the next.
September 10: Greece vs Croatia — Match 2 of the Euro Qualifiers!
The Greek national team, which once pulled off the "Greek miracle," had long been a European powerhouse. But they'd recently been eliminated in World Cup qualifiers by Bosnia.
Still, they remained strong.
At least to Brozović, this was a key match.
After all, Greece was Croatia's only real threat in their group.
With this mindset, Brozović expected a hard battle — but he soon changed his view.
In Athens, Greece's home stadium, by the 45th minute, the score was: Greece 0–3 Croatia!
Another 3–0!
Another first-half 3–0!
But this was Greece, not a weak team like Latvia.
Yet still, Croatia dominated the same way — were they this strong?
"Insane!"
Brozović overheard assistant coach Van Stoyak muttering.
"Trying to play attacking football against us? Who gave them the guts?"
Van Stoyak was speechless.
Croatia's attacking power was terrifying. With just Šuker and Modrić, they could generate endless pressure.
They were one of the most explosive attacking teams in the world.
But the new Greek coach had lost his mind — trying to go head-to-head with Croatia.
Bešić immediately adjusted the strategy. Since Greece wanted a fight, he wouldn't go easy.
High pressing + relentless attacking = three goals in the first 45 minutes.
Šuker, Dujmović, and Modrić all scored.
Šuker had one goal and two assists — Greece was completely overwhelmed.
In the second half, Croatia made some changes.
But Šuker stayed on.
At the 65th minute, Modrić sent a long pass — Šuker volleyed it in without trapping the ball.
Greece 0–4 Croatia!
Only then was Šuker subbed off at the 75th minute.
"Are they crazy?"
As he came off, Šuker couldn't help complaining.
There's nothing wrong with playing offensively.
But the Greek players kept taunting Šuker.
Trying to provoke a superstar.
Going one-for-one is a common tactic.
But under Bešić's system, Šuker held back a bit, then exploded and turned them all into clowns.
Two goals and two assists — a dominant performance that turned Athens into a library.
Croatia's bench could only shake their heads.
Why did Greece provoke Šuker?
Now they'll pay.
Knowing how petty he was, Šuker would definitely remember this — next time Greece visits Croatia, they might get slaughtered.
This match made a huge impression on Brozović.
It was the first time he witnessed Šuker go all out, up close.
They couldn't stop him!
They couldn't limit him!
They couldn't even slow him down!
Greece's defense was completely broken by him.
Surrounded by three defenders, Šuker bulldozed through — a perfect blend of strength and technique that left Brozović dizzy.
The ball at Šuker's feet danced like it had a life of its own — he controlled it effortlessly, commanding it with precision.
At that moment, in Brozović's eyes, Šuker had activated a "beauty filter," erasing any flaws. All that remained was: cool, handsome, and god-tier.
As they say, if you play football beautifully, even Ronaldinho becomes Beckham.
After 90 minutes, Croatia's September Euro qualifiers were complete.
Two matches.
Croatia 3–0 Latvia.Greece 0–4 Croatia!
Seven goals scored, zero conceded.
Croatia's performance shocked all of Europe.
It felt like a terrifying "Cru-Šuker" monster rising from the Adriatic Sea, its blood-red gaze sweeping across the continent, ready to strike.
"Croatia Scores 7 in 2 Matches — Ruthless Firepower!""Zero Goals Conceded — Greece Couldn't Even Force Croatia to Go All Out!""A More Stable Croatia Is Even More Terrifying!""Bešić Gives Croatia a Tactical Identity!""Croatian Players Averaged 10km per Match — Fitness Monsters?"
With the qualifiers over, Croatia became Europe's new hot topic.
Even though Spain and Germany were also undefeated, they hadn't shown Croatia's dominance.
Croatia was already frightening during the World Cup.
Now, it seemed they'd completed their final pieces — becoming stronger and more stable.
With qualifiers done, the national team players returned to their clubs.
Brozović went back to Dinamo Zagreb's dormitory.
"You didn't even get a sub appearance? Just sat on the bench for two games?"
Kovačić teased — jealousy in his tone.
Brozović calmly looked at him without responding.
Kovačić was stunned.
Normally, Brozović would've exploded.
"What's wrong? Something bad happen?"
Though teasing him, Kovačić was still concerned.
Brozović exhaled. "Mateo, we have to work harder."
"We already train hard! We're at the pitch by 8 a.m., and we do extra sessions at night!"
"Not enough!" Brozović shook his head. "Nowhere near enough!"
"On my first day in the national team, we did a rondo drill."
"That's your specialty!"
"Yeah — but I got nutmegged over 10 times. I ran all afternoon, barely touched the ball!"
Kovačić was shocked. "Seriously?"
Brozović nodded. "After a week of training, I realized how far behind I am — even Rakitic can beat me with a simple shoulder feint. As for Modrić and Šuker? I don't even know how to link up with them."
"Pace, passing, game-reading — I'm way behind."
"When they were our age, they were already playing in the Champions League — beating teams like Real Madrid!"
"If we want to catch up, we have to give everything we've got."
He took a deep breath. "This year, my goal is to get just one substitute appearance for the national team."
"Just a sub appearance?" Kovačić was surprised. "Isn't that aiming too low?"
"You've never been in the national team, so you don't understand." Brozović clenched his jaw. "Even that's going to take everything I have!"
"Let's go."
"Go where?"
"To train! I learned some things in the national team — let's try them out!"
Spain — Real Madrid training base.
In Mourinho's office.
"These are the players' physical reports. Aside from a few minor injuries from challenges, most are in great shape," said Faria.
"At least we kept most of our starters intact."
International breaks always made club coaches nervous.
You never knew how hard national team coaches would push their prized players.
Thankfully, Pintus' training plan worked.
After two national games, only Marcelo had a minor injury. Everyone else was fine.
His spot could be covered by Srna or Arbeloa at right-back.
Mourinho nodded at the report.
"Šuker scored four goals in two games — still on fire!"
Mourinho smiled faintly.
"Kaká also played well. No goals, but two assists!"
"Pepe picked up a yellow in both games."
"Alonso didn't play — no stats."
"Di María had a goal and an assist."
"Benzema: two games, one goal, one assist."
Faria gave a detailed summary of each player's national team performance.
Mourinho took notes.
Once done, he closed his notebook.
"One day for tactics, one day for recovery — then league match on the weekend."
"Sunday — UCL tactical prep. Monday, Tuesday — recovery. Wednesday — Champions League."
Faria nodded. "Understood."
Mourinho asked, "What are the players doing now?"
Faria scratched his head. "They're having a gathering."
"All of them?" Mourinho frowned.
"Pre-season kickoff party — organized by Šuker," said Faria.
Di María's villa.
Barbecue grills everywhere.
A small celebration before the season officially kicked off. Everyone had a drink or two.
"Why is it your party, but at my house?" Di María asked, confused.
Šuker: "I don't have a yard big enough. What, should we grill on the pitch?"
He'd turned his yard into a mini training field.
Not enough space for all the players, plus their families and girlfriends — it was a huge group.
Benzema was flirting with his new Spanish model girlfriend.
Šuker, grilling meat, couldn't help but get annoyed at the sight.
"I heard you lost to Belarus," Šuker said dryly. "Still in the mood to eat?"
Benzema's smile froze. The meat didn't taste good anymore. Even the hot girlfriend wasn't appealing.
Pepe was laughing loudly nearby.
Šuker walked over.
"How did you end up with one draw and one loss? Losing to Norway is one thing — but drawing with Cyprus? Four goals conceded?"
Pepe immediately deflated.
Watching their gloomy faces, Šuker felt satisfied.
"Your mouth, I swear," said Kaká, walking over with a helpless shake of the head.
Srna ate barbecue calmly. "He's just jealous."
"Jealous?" Šuker scoffed. "My ex was Gisele Bündchen!"
"What about your current girlfriend?" Srna raised an eyebrow.
Šuker rubbed his nose and silently kept grilling.
At that moment, the smell of grilled meat wafted over.
Benzema's girlfriend walked over and smiled at Šuker.
"I heard your conversation — need me to introduce someone?"
Šuker blinked, glanced at Benzema, then smiled.
"I'm focused on football right now."
She blinked: "I have many beautiful friends — great figures too!"
Šuker frowned slightly.
Trying to play matchmaker with me?
At that moment, Benzema walked over, awkwardly led his girlfriend away, then came back.
"She meant no harm."
Šuker nodded. "I know. It's normal."
Model chasing football star — nothing unusual.
With Šuker's fame, wealth, and influence, he was every model's dream.
"By the way, what's up with you guys? Lose to Belarus, then beat Bosnia? That's weird."
Šuker was confused.
Bosnia was stronger than Belarus.
But France's performance was all over the place.
Benzema smiled awkwardly. "Can we not talk about it?"
He was frustrated too.
That Belarus match nearly drove him mad.
France had too many problems — attack, midfield, defense — everywhere.
He tried so hard to set up teammates — but they just wasted chance after chance.
He wanted to go solo, but didn't have Šuker's explosiveness.
By the end of that match, he was ready to dissolve the French team.
It was a mess.
Luckily, they regrouped in the second match and barely beat Bosnia.
But it was still a very dangerous game.
Bosnia's tall striker kept threatening the goal — almost led a comeback.
Around 6 p.m., with delicious barbecue all around, everyone raised their glasses for a toast.
Originally, Casillas was supposed to give the speech, but he passed it to Šuker as the organizer.
Šuker raised his glass and shouted:
"For the new season! For the championship!"
Everyone laughed and cheered:
"Cheers!!!"