Chapter 94: Start the Game with a Penalty!

Inside the locker room, head coach Besic announced the starting lineup. Mandzukic didn't make the list, and he seemed somewhat dejected about it. However, no one was paying attention to that at the moment. Opportunities are earned individually, and right now, everyone's focus was on the match and victory. "Slaven Belupo isn't a particularly strong team. They've got experience, but their overall tempo is slow. We need to take the initiative!" "Suker and Modric, you two must control the pace of the game. Whether we win or not depends heavily on your performance!" "Defense, stay solid. Forwards, focus on creating space and pulling defenders. Let's stabilize the situation and build up the game one step at a time." Suker immediately raised his hand: "I want to push forward early!" Besic turned to look at Suker. Modric also chimed in, "Suker's speed can create chaos for their backline at the start. And when he drops back to help organize, it adds a deceptive edge!" Besic wasn't a dictatorial coach. He respected everyone's input, as long as it was constructive. Moreover, Suker and Modric had experience together in the Bosnian league, and they had their own insights into early match setups. "Alright then! After kickoff, let Suker go for an early break!" Besic looked at Davor Suker. "Davor, support him!" Davor Suker grinned and nodded in agreement. "Okay, this is most of your debuts for Dinamo Zagreb. You're all handpicked by me, so don't doubt yourselves. Show everyone with your performance that Dinamo Zagreb is entering a brand-new era!" "Go, lads!" Besic clapped loudly. Everyone shouted in unison and followed Davor Suker toward the player tunnel. From the locker room to the tunnel, there was a V-shaped staircase. After descending and walking a few steps, they reached the exit of the tunnel. As they moved down the steps and saw the light ahead along with the roaring cheers surrounding them, each player's heart began to tremble with excitement. At the same time, Slaven Belupo's players were lined up on the other side of the tunnel. When they saw the new generation of Dinamo Zagreb led by Davor Suker, their faces turned grim. Of course, what they feared wasn't the team — it was Davor Suker alone. Once both teams were lined up, the referee did a headcount and nodded, "Ready to enter." Suker took a deep breath and looked ahead. Through that tunnel, he would step into the famous Maksimir Stadium. This was also his debut for Dinamo Zagreb. Suker clenched his fist lightly. Make a statement! He had to make a statement! "This is the 2003/2004 season of the Croatian League, opening match of round one, with Dinamo Zagreb hosting Slaven Belupo!" Starting Lineups: Dinamo Zagreb (4-3-3): Goalkeeper: Grestic. Defenders: Pranjic, Jarni, Stimac, Srna. Midfielders: Dujmovic, Vukojevic, Modric. Forwards: Valjevic, Davor Suker, Suker. Slaven Belupo (5-4-1): Goalkeeper: Joric. Defenders: Laušić, Božić, Palac, Cildurić, Bojević. Midfielders: Zdarek, Grafčić, Malinačić, Milinarić. Forward: Kresnočić. "Facing Dinamo Zagreb led by Davor Suker, Slaven Belupo has lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, clearly aiming for a defensive strategy." "Slaven Belupo barely escaped relegation last season. They finished one place behind Dinamo on the table." "This season, can Slaven Belupo manage to contain Davor Suker, the star striker?" "Many fans may be unfamiliar with most of Dinamo's players apart from Davor Suker, Jarni, and Stimac." "Luka Modric, a promising youth product, is also making his debut for the team!" "And then there's another Suker!" "A 17-year-old Croatian who played last season for Bosnia's Zrinjski Mostar, leading them to a league title and earning Best Newcomer of the season!" "We'll be keeping an eye on this 165 cm tall young Suker's performance." Hearing the stadium announcer, Suker cursed: "Damn it! 166 cm! That's a whole centimeter difference! Are you blind?!" Suker's irritated voice made Davor Suker chuckle. Whenever his height was mentioned, he got really sensitive. "Alright, focus on the match!" Davor Suker quickly tried to calm him. Suker snorted heavily and turned his gaze forward, his eyes burning with aggression. "Captain, you stand deep and draw attention. I'll break through and send it to you!" Seeing the fired-up Suker, Davor Suker was happy to go along. "I'll be waiting for your pass!" Davor had full confidence in Suker's dribbling and pace. He might've struggled in the top five leagues, but here, he was definitely a wing-side threat! The roar of the home crowd grew hotter and hotter. Everyone was waiting for kickoff. Finally, with the referee's whistle, the match began. Davor Suker passed the ball to Suker, who immediately returned it and sprinted toward the wing. He checked the opposing full-back's position. Just as expected — he was moving closer! Perfect! Suker hugged the sideline, waiting for his teammates to push up. "The match is underway! Dinamo Zagreb kicked off and passed back. They're pushing forward. Modric gets the ball — what will he do? Spread it wide?" Just as the commentator anticipated the pass, Modric suddenly burst forward, diagonally dribbling past a midfielder. At the same time, Suker made a lateral run, drawing the full-back closer. Then suddenly, he stopped and pulled back, acting like he wanted to receive the ball. The full-back fell for it! Slaven Belupo's full-back, Laušić, stepped up. That step was the key mistake. Suker twisted, turned, and sprinted down the line. Modric timed it perfectly, slicing the ball between the center-back and full-back. It was a deep pass — perhaps too deep. "Don't panic!" Slaven Belupo's center-back signaled to stay calm, then turned to chase. But behind him, a teammate screamed in panic: "Božić! RUN!!" That voice belonged to Laušić. Božić turned around — a blue blur was already just three meters away! "So fast!" In the moment of shock, Suker closed the gap. And then... The entire Maksimir Stadium exploded in cheers. Commentator Kraljević leapt up and screamed into his mic: "Oh my God!!!!!!! — Suker!! Suker!! He's so fast!! Insanely fast!!" Suker flew down the wing like a mini cheetah. His first burst left the full-back behind. Then a second burst — he passed Božić too! "He's accelerating AGAIN?! Unbelievable!!" Kraljević was in awe. He didn't expect Dinamo Zagreb to strike so aggressively right from kickoff. Pure speed! Absolute explosiveness! Suker sprinted along the sideline, overtaking the defense and catching up with the ball. "Captain!" Suker stopped the ball and immediately turned to shout. Božić stumbled and screamed, "Mark Davor Suker!!" The two other defenders already had Davor covered. Božić rushed toward Suker in desperation. Just as he stretched his leg to intercept, Suker hit a flawless elastico at the byline. The ball rolled just along the boundary. Božić's face turned pale. He looked at the assistant referee — no flag! The ball stayed in play! "Crap!" From the ground, Božić reached out and tripped Suker by the ankle. Aaaaaaghhh!! Suker screamed and fell hard. The fans behind the goal stared in stunned silence. Suker's sprint was completely unexpected — they didn't even have time to react. But now, they had to! "PENALTY!!!!!!!" The 30,000+ Dinamo fans erupted. The referee paused, then pointed to the spot and blew his whistle. Dinamo Zagreb's first attack, Suker's first sprint, and they'd won a penalty. "Well done!!" Head coach Besic pumped his fist hard. He too had been shocked by Suker's explosive burst. He never expected such a small player to have such incredible impact. One burst — and he'd already drawn a penalty! Just two minutes in, and Dinamo Zagreb had a golden opportunity. A precious penalty!