Chapter 140: The Price of Being Scared Out of One’s Wits

"The situation was very dangerous at the time. Janković had already dribbled into the penalty area, and the angle he had was just right for a shot. At that moment, I realized I had to react!" Outside the training ground, Duimović was being interviewed by the media. Because of the recent surge in popularity around the topic of the "bleeding Duimović," he had become somewhat of an "iron-blooded tough guy." Some reporters even came over to interview him proactively. Faced with such an opportunity and atmosphere, how could Duimović just sit still? As Duimović narrated, the female reporter's expression also turned tense. Curiously, she asked, "Then what happened?" "Someone had to step up. At that moment, given the positioning, that person could only be me. No matter what, I had to defend the goal." Duimović glanced at the female reporter's deeply plunging V-neck. His expression turned heavier. "Fortunately, Lady Luck was on my side, I managed it! Even though it came at some cost, I do not regret it." At that moment, Suker walked over from the side, glancing at Duimović. Duimović's body immediately stiffened. The female reporter looked at Duimović and gently touched his cheek. "It hurts, doesn't it?" Duimović's expression was a little embarrassed, but he said righteously: "This kick wasn't about pain, it was..." "What was it?" Duimović looked at Suker approaching him, cold sweat starting to bead on his forehead. He quietly raised one finger. "One meal!" Suker immediately stopped in his tracks. Seeing Suker stop, Duimović's expression turned serious: "It's honor!" The female reporter smiled charmingly: "You're really something. You're a real man. Do you have time tonight?" "Tonight?" Duimović's heart blossomed with joy, and he glanced downward again. That was it! But the next second, he saw Suker approaching him again. Duimović: "!!!" He hurriedly raised two fingers. Suker didn't stop. The two fingers on Duimović's right hand started shaking violently! "Get lost!!" Suker kept steadily moving forward. Seeing Suk erabout to approach the female reporter, Duimović spread all five fingers wide! "Five meals!" Suker turned a corner and left. Duimović finally let out a sigh of relief. The female reporter looked at Duimović's expression and then turned, puzzled: "Is there something behind me?" Duimović quickly said, "Nothing at all, let's talk about the date." Inside the training ground, Suker and the others gathered together. "If that beauty finds out Duimović got scared out of his wits, what do you think she'll do next?" Suker shrugged: "I don't know what a woman would think, but Duimović will definitely come to hunt us down!" Everyone couldn't help but laugh. At that moment, Duimović also walked over. He complained angrily: "Can't you guys let me have some peace? You have to mess things up!" Srna: "Three game discs!" Modrić: "Ronaldo's retired jersey!" Vukojević: "Chanel's latest collaboration jacket!" Pranjić: "One Champions League final ticket!" Suker: "Five meals!" Everyone laughed out loud: "Thanks, boss!" Duimović's face turned purple. These guys are just taking advantage of the situation! Suker said irritably: "That's the price for getting scared out of your wits!" "All your fault!" Duimović protested: "Am I the only one who got scared? Don't you guys have any problems?" Vukojević: "At least I didn't get stunned enough to get smacked in the face!" Duimović: "..." "Enough!" Srna waved his hand and looked at Duimović: "The last game is over. Although we lost, the score difference wasn't too big. We still have the home game chance." Srna said seriously: "If you still perform like this in the next game, we won't be able to help you." Bešić was very dissatisfied with Duimović's performance in the last game. He even talked to him privately. But Bešić wouldn't demote Duimović for one match, though he needed to warn him. "They shined laser pointers in my eyes!" "They said they wanted to take me out." "Several people tried to rush onto the pitch. It was terrifying!" Duimović shivered. Thinking back, the feeling was really scary. God knows what those Serbs would do if they stormed the pitch. "Play well in the next game. We have an away goal, as long as we score one, we will qualify on aggregate!" Suker said. Everyone nodded seriously. After speaking, Suker talked privately with Modrić. "In the next game, you will push up more to organize the offense." Modrić looked at Suker in surprise. Suker pursed his lips: "The situation was chaotic last game. You probably didn't feel it, but there was someone shadowing me the whole time. It's a man-marker." A man-marker, is an extreme one-to-one marker whose sole task is to watch a key opposing player, not the ball, and stick to them no matter what. Suker felt like he met such a guy. Whenever he stepped into the opponent's half, the man stuck tightly, not letting Suker hold the ball or receive passes. Red Star Belgrade was wary of Suker and might assign someone to mark him specifically. Modrić understood the severity of the problem. Suker was the attacking core of Dinamo Zagreb, and if he was marked, the team's offense and organization would slow down. "I've already told the coach. In the next game, you might play as a central midfielder." Suker said solemnly: "If someone really marks me, I'll help create space for you to lead the attack." Modrić nodded. "Don't worry!" Croatian League 2004/2005, Round 4. Dinamo Zagreb VS NK Gorica. Perhaps due to the previous Champions League loss, Dinamo's offense was frantic and pressing from the start, constantly putting pressure on the opponent. Around the 40-45 minute mark of the first half, Dinamo, through Modrić's organization, repeatedly tore open Gorica's defense, and Mandžukić scored twice. After scoring, Mandžukić was extremely excited. He celebrated by taking off his shirt in front of the stands. With his outstanding recent performances, Mandžukić was regaining his lost confidence. As he improved, he grew more spirited. Now, Mandžukić was definitely Dinamo Zagreb's second goal-scoring weapon besides Suk. His strong physique made him a dangerous force inside the penalty area. Even defenders taller than Mandžukić were suppressed by him in aerial duels. This shows just how explosive his physical attributes were. Mandžukić's surge gave Dinamo a second offensive focal point. At the same time, when Suk lost his voice or was restricted, Mandžukić could take on the scoring responsibilities. "Finally trained well!" Coach Bešić sighed in relief. At first, Mandžukić was the offensive core he believed in. However, Suk's performance was too outstanding, and Mandžukić initially couldn't adapt to the team. But now, both players were bursting with form! This also made Dinamo's attack more threatening. With Mandžukić's breakout, Bešić was more confident about the next match. Although currently trailing by one goal, Bešić was confident in Dinamo's attacking power. Davor Suk once said that in terms of offensive ability, this Dinamo Zagreb team had reached the level of mid-tier teams in the five major European leagues. With these youngsters in form, no one could predict how far they could go. Their uncertainty was also their biggest strength. With the right tactical system, this group could create miracles. Though Bešić doubted Davor Suk's handling ability, he never doubted Suk's eye for talent. He could also sense this. When these kids were in form, they seemed unstoppable. But the hardest thing to control was "form"—a mysterious and intangible thing. Woosh!!!!!!!!!! On the pitch, a roar broke out. Bešić looked carefully and saw the ball already in the net. Suker jumped high in the corner and fiercely punched the air. Seeing this, Bešić's smile grew even brighter. Suker was still so dependable! "HNK Gorica still can't resist Dinamo Zagreb. They haven't been affected by last round's Champions League qualifier loss. These youngsters are still playing brilliantly." Commentator Kroushivić also breathed a sigh of relief. He feared the loss might have knocked the young players' confidence, causing a string of defeats. But obviously, they weren't so fragile. Seeing Suker leap high, Kraushivić's eyes filled with fighting spirit. Last round, those Serbs had bullied these kids. Now, it was their turn. Damn Red Star Belgrade! They needed to experience what a hellish home stadium was! Two days later, a large number of Dinamo Zagreb fans began filling the train station, almost packing entire carriages. Inside the carriages, they cheered loudly, heading to Athens, the capital of Greece. Meanwhile, the Dinamo club was making final preparations. They went to Athens a day before the game to prepare.