Chapter 114: The Comeback

The next day, Suker sat outside the training ground. His entire training suit was soaked; he had trained very diligently that morning. Sitting by the barrier, Suker's gaze was vacant—he was clearly lost in thought. He had spent the entire morning experimenting with the system's newly appeared absorption function. This new interface appeared because Suker had collected all the yellow cards. In other words, only when a card reaches full yellow or higher level does this page unlock. Moreover, only skill cards can be absorbed! Special category cards cannot be absorbed. Suker understood this ability as a way to shorten training time. For example, the skill "Torlist's Short Pass" had already reached 97% completion. This was Suker's own skill, and by polishing the remaining 3%, he could fully absorb this card. The absorption speed was very fast — he could absorb 5% completion per hour. He hadn't tried it on yellow cards yet, but it was assumed to be the same progress rate. That means if Suker wanted to absorb a brand-new yellow card, he only needed 20 hours. With some effort and intense training for two days, he could fully absorb a new card. This ability was practically godlike. After all, these skills were the result of years of training for other players, but Suker could absorb them in just two days — this kind of growth made him incredibly excited. At present, Suker planned to absorb all the skill cards. Based on his own ability, white cards and red cards were absorbed very quickly. As for yellow cards, Suker currently had no plans to absorb them. Absorption required time, and with the league schedule being tight, he needed enough strength. Also, this was not a good time to absorb cards; besides training camps, he also had to play matches. He would accumulate more cards through matches and focus on absorption during the winter break. He intended to get as many yellow cards as possible to push his abilities to a breakthrough level. Suker had always focused on the present, but now he needed to look further ahead. As he became the core player of Dinamo Zagreb, and with his outstanding performance, he also needed to think about the future. ! He's back again!!" "Facing the Zagreb Locomotive, after being down by two goals in the first half, Dinamo Zagreb slightly adjusted their tactics, which led to Suker's explosive performance!" "One assist, one goal! Once again, Suker pulled Dinamo Zagreb back from the edge of the cliff!" "Against this tough opponent, the Zagreb Locomotive has started to lose steam! In the intense confrontations, Dinamo Zagreb grew stronger and stronger, while the Locomotive looked increasingly embarrassed!" At Maksimir Stadium, the cheers crashed like a tsunami. In the stands, wild expressions filled the crowd, each waving their hands wildly, returning their loudest cheers for the crazy goal. Suker!! It's Suker again!! After being two goals down in the first half, they came back to score two consecutive goals, leveling the game. At this moment, this boy under 170 cm tall had become a giant at Maksimir Stadium! Suker ran toward the stands. With his running, the fans erupted in even louder cheers. Reaching the front edge of the stands, Suker quickly took off his jersey, turned it around, and held the large number 10 out to the crowd. 'Suker' '10' At that moment, the cheers from the stands surged again. Everyone was amazed by this young player before them. "Suker is showing off his jersey! In the situation where Dinamo Zagreb was in trouble and Davor Suker couldn't break free from difficulties, Dinamo Zagreb did not give up—they have another 'Suker'!" "Perhaps this is the legacy of the left foot!" "As Davor Suker ages and Croatian football gradually weakens, we now witness the arrival of another Suker!" "18-year-old Suker! I won't say he is better, but he is definitely more passionate!" "Davor Suker has grown old, but we have not lost the 'golden left foot'!" "The younger generation is growing, and these are Croatia's future!" Commentator Kroushvic spoke emotionally. As Croatians, they would never forget the super carnival of the 1998 World Cup. Passion, joy, glory, unwillingness, defeat—all these emotions created a special year. Davor Suker, Boban, Štimac, Jarni, and others— Their aging did not mean the death of Croatian football! Look! What's before you is the best proof. Around Suker were Modrić and other new talented young players. They were still growing! The future certainly held more wonderful moments waiting for them! Now, Suker was eager to see these young players develop, wearing Croatia's checkered jerseys, taking the baton from Davor Suker, leading a new era! "Stay focused! Don't get rattled!" Kalenović anxiously shouted at the back line. From the start of the second half, the rhythm of the game had been disrupted. Suke's breakthroughs were one thing, but Modrić's late half energy, seizing control of the midfield rhythm and repeatedly delivering opportunity balls to Suke, was another. Besides these two, Srna, Vukojević, Duimović, and other young players' runs also applied tremendous pressure. Kalenović was dissatisfied with losing the previous round. They had developed a brand-new counter tactic, and at first, it worked well in the first half. But in the second half, these guys seemed to have figured it out quickly and made adjustments, scoring two consecutive goals to level the game. The advantage they had created in the first half was gone, and now they faced the risk of being overturned. "Mario!" Coach Bešić called out sharply. Mandžukić immediately got up and ran over. "After coming on, stay beside their center backs and look for chances to score." Under Suker's repeated attacks, the opponent's defense was extremely fatigued. This was exactly when physically strong Mandžukić needed to show up. At 72 minutes, Dinamo Zagreb made a substitution. "Go!" Bešić firmly patted Mandžukić's back. Since round eight, Mandžukić's performance had been on track. When coming off the bench, he exerted great pressure on the opposing defense. Especially around the 80th minute, he frequently created threatening chances. In five substitute appearances, he had scored two goals. This efficiency spoke for itself. "Come on!" Davor Suker high-fived Mandžukić, then took a seat on the bench. "Can't run anymore!" Davor Suker sat down heavily. With age, his physical condition declined, and his stamina was most noticeably insufficient. For Davor Suker, a full 90-minute intense match was no longer bearable. Fortunately, Mandžukić's good performance could fill the gap left by Davor Suker. Mandžukić ran all the way to the defense position. Šimunić looked at Mandžukić. Šimunić was a towering 195 cm tall; Mandžukić wasn't short, but he was still about half a head shorter. They had little information on Mandžukić. After all, Mandžukić had little fame or tactical importance in Dinamo Zagreb. Šimunić thought Mandžukić was probably a crashing striker. As Šimunić observed Mandžukić, Dinamo Zagreb started to dribble and advance down the left side. Mandžukić and Šimunić started chasing simultaneously. Mandžukić stepped back a little. He didn't want Šimunić to stick too close and obstruct him. But Šimunić's experience was enough, and he followed closely. "Can't shake him off!" Mandžukić was anxious inside. At this moment, Suker passed the ball. "Mario! Jump!" Mandžukić suddenly stopped, preparing to leap. Šimunić pressed again. "Don't even think about heading it!" The two collided in mid-air, and Mandžukić's body tilted awkwardly. "Got him!" Šimunić was elated. But the next second, he saw Mandžukić slant his body, swing his arms, and somehow maintain his balance. For a moment, Šimunić was stunned. At the same time, the ball almost hit Mandžukić's head and flew toward the goal. Swish!! The ball hit the net. Mandžukić fell to the ground from the air and quickly turned to look at the goal. Goal! "Mario Mandžukić!!! Incredible physical strength! Šimunić failed to knock him down. Despite the mid-air collision, Mandžukić maintained his balance with his powerful core and scored a goal." "Super Mario!! This is his terrifying physical ability!" Suker smiled watching Mandžukić run toward the corner. When one door closes, another opens. Mandžukić's head was not smart, and his tactical understanding was poor. But his physical condition was explosive! With such physical power, he became Dinamo Zagreb's battering ram. Crash every time, and it hits the mark! At 77 minutes, Dinamo Zagreb scored again. Dinamo Zagreb 3:2 Zagreb Locomotive. They came back from being two goals down in the first half, scoring three goals in the second half, completing a brilliant comeback!