"Suker and Kaká! Their unparalleled performance is defending the honor of San Siro tonight. These two young players are shining brilliantly on this legendary pitch."
"I don't even know how to praise them enough — their display is incredible, Milan is truly lucky!"
"This kind of performance, this ability to seize chances — any team would be thrilled to have one such player, but Milan has two! God! The Milan fans must be over the moon!"
Aldo Serena spoke with heartfelt admiration.
Suker and Kaká's performances this season have already been outstanding.
But tonight, they delivered a shockingly impressive display.
With just one counterattack, these two relied almost entirely on their personal skills to pierce through Manchester United's midfield and defense.
The stadium erupted in cheers.
Milan fans burst into waves of applause, excited, proud, and overjoyed.
Across world football, young stars are emerging rapidly.
Manchester United's Ronaldo, Rooney, Modrić.
Arsenal's Fabregas.
Barcelona's Xavi, Iniesta, Messi.
Atletico Madrid's Torres.
Bayern Munich's Schweinsteiger, Lahm.
…and many more.
Among these young talents, the best are clear.
Suker and Kaká's current form has been absolutely dominant.
Yes!
They have outgrown the "young player" label and are challenging even the veterans and the current stars at their peak.
Modrić's eyes stayed fixed on Suker.
Watching Suker and Kaká retreat amid their Milan teammates, Modrić felt a bit heavy-hearted.
Though they equalized, Milan had pulled ahead again.
He believed their team had no fault in performance — they played just like in the league — but Suker and Kaká's form was even better.
To beat these two, they had to bring their best level.
"Luka! Pass it to me!"
Ronaldo's eyes shone brightly.
He looked towards Milan's half, eyes almost glowing.
Modrić glanced at Ronaldo.
Over the years, he came to understand Ronaldo well.
Ronaldo had an intense competitive spirit, pushing himself constantly to improve, break limits, and grow stronger.
This competitive fire often brought astonishing performances during matches.
Though Rooney and Ronaldo were both top talents, Modrić favored Ronaldo more.
The reason was simple — their mindset and paths were similar.
Unlike Rooney, who sometimes caused trouble, Ronaldo's life was disciplined and straightforward.
Modrić believed these were keys to greatness.
"Those two guys are strong!"
Modrić pointed at Suker and Kaká.
Ronaldo turned, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"Are we weaker than them? Or do you lack the confidence to challenge them?"
Modrić was silenced by those words.
Inhale — exhale —
He took a deep breath, pushed back his rain-soaked hair, and his gaze hardened.
"I'll tell you something: five years ago, I could easily dominate Suker!"
Ronaldo smiled, "Exactly! That's the spirit I want!"
A single match could affect many people, especially those on the pitch.
Faced with setbacks, some complain, some give up — but others fight back.
Clearly, Ronaldo and Modrić were the latter.
Yes!
Though their current play was not as good as Milan's, if they performed better, if they could rival Suker and Kaká, they could win this match.
Some things must be tried!
Giving up before trying is the mindset of the weak.
Suker and Kaká were indeed strong.
Overly so.
But that was no reason for them to fail.
As Manchester United prepared to restart, Suker saw Modrić staring at him intensely, like a burning fire.
Suker scratched his head and looked away.
He saw Ronaldo also staring fiercely at Kaká.
"So dramatic?"
Suker smiled bitterly.
But deep down, he was serious.
Some give up when facing adversity.
Others explode with potential.
Ronaldo and Modrić clearly belonged to the latter.
Beep!
The whistle blew, and the match restarted.
As United began, Suker charged at Modrić immediately.
Modrić moved the ball sideways but didn't pass.
When Suker closed in, Modrić collided hard with him.
Bang!
They crashed heavily.
Suker staggered, but Modrić was more affected, almost stumbling.
Still, Modrić steadied himself and successfully distributed the ball.
"Actively seeking confrontation?"
Suker rubbed his sore chest and looked oddly at Modrić.
This guy was stubborn, often making mistakes.
But this time, he found the right answer.
Modrić played more aggressively in midfield.
He no longer avoided contact but sought it, while maintaining possession.
Of course, this consumed a lot of energy.
But he didn't care.
He started running hard, covering large areas in front and behind the circle.
Organizing, passing, pressing, tackling, intercepting!
Modrić ran with great effort.
He no longer dodged responsibility but took more on his shoulders.
Watching Modrić's change, Ferguson's expression brightened.
As a midfielder — especially a central one — confidence like this was essential.
If the midfield core couldn't hold the ball, who else would?
At the same time, Ronaldo was repeatedly attacking the defense upfront.
Compared to before, he played more fiercely, fighting for every ball, often in awkward positions but never hesitating.
Even if it meant empty runs, he pressured the opponents relentlessly.
Modrić and Ronaldo's changes gradually affected the whole Manchester United team.
The so-called "Red Devils Spirit" is not about brawling, trash-talking, or pressuring referees.
It is an iron will to never give up or abandon the fight.
Bang!
"Got it!"
Gattuso slid and kicked the ball forward to Kaká.
Just as he was about to shout "Counterattack!" someone rushed past his side.
Ronaldo, Rooney, even Giggs — the three sprinted back.
Meanwhile, Modrić, Scholes, and Carrick closely marked their opponents after sprinting back.
Milan was just about to counterattack when Manchester United's defense surged back like a tidal wave.
"Damn it!"
Suker watched the rapid retreat of Manchester United players, especially seeing Kaká immediately surrounded by Modrić, Carrick, and Ronaldo.
Suker rushed to support, but Evra closed in immediately.
At the same time, Giggs intercepted Kaká's passing angle.
Kaká had no choice but to boot the ball away.
Ronaldo seized the chance, lifted his foot, and the ball bounced off his leg, flying out of bounds.
"Fall back! Fall back!"
Ronaldo shouted.
"Hold your position!"
"Mark tightly!"
"Don't let them receive the ball easily! Defense, be alert!"
"Forwards, watch the timing for counterattacks!"
Manchester United players shouted loudly, communicating constantly.
They showed no signs of despair despite trailing.
All were energized, thinking about how to equalize again.
When Milan restarted, Suker and Kaká tried to push forward with their skills.
But under Manchester United's intense pressing, their progress was slow, even forcing them to pass backward to reorganize.
Seeing Milan pushed back, Manchester United players' morale soared.
"Well done!"
"Keep it up!"
"They don't dare break into the crowded areas!"
"Keep pressing!"
Voices rang out loudly from the United players, faces glowing with confidence.
Suker looked annoyed, watching the Manchester United players shout so passionately.
Why so fired up?