AC Milan widened the score again, causing Inter Milan's players to feel a growing sense of urgency.
Just when it looked like Milan's defense was about to collapse under pressure, Ronaldo's goal sparked new energy — this was the power of morale.
Even some Inter fans joined in.
Truth be told, aside from a handful of hardcore loyalists, many fans still supported Šuker — especially because of his Huaxia heritage.
Some were even ready to switch sides.
A stadium that was supposed to be neutral — Šuker had turned it into a home game atmosphere for AC Milan.
Inter Milan players started complaining to the referee, saying Šuker was taking too long celebrating.
But after a short discussion with the earpiece, the referee said nothing.
He didn't even warn Šuker.
Because he knew — yes, Šuker was delaying — but this wasn't just a competitive match. It was a spectacle, and making it more exciting and talked about was the real priority.
That was the instruction from the Italian Football Federation.
Šuker played with the fans for a while before finally walking back, completely satisfied.
"Dragged it out for two minutes," he thought, pleased.
He'd hoped for one minute — two was a bonus. Even the ref didn't stop him.
Eventually, he felt embarrassed himself and jogged back to midfield.
Just as Šuker had expected, the game had shifted from a competitive battle into a performance match.
The Italian Football Federation wanted money — and they would allow any excitement that boosted engagement.
Less than 30 minutes in, and already three goals.
The match atmosphere was electric.
If it had been one of those slow, grinding 90-minute games with one goal or none, the Huaxia fans would've been yawning.
But this? This was beyond their expectations.
And it was only getting better!
Minute 32 — AC Milan attack again.
"Šuker is dribbling down the wing again, bursting through! Maicon is left behind — that's the second time he's been outrun by pure speed! Šuker crosses — ahhh! Unfortunately, Samuel clears it in time!"
Minute 35 — Inter Milan counterattack.
"Figo crosses! Zlatan jumps — header! Dida saves it! The ball's still loose — Crespo shoots from a tight angle! Dida again! Double save! Nesta clears! Oh my god, Dida — the Brazilian wall — comes up big with two consecutive saves!"
Minute 39 — Šuker again on the wing.
"Is he about to burst again? He stops — change of direction! Again! Again!! Triple cut in tight space — Maicon falls down! Šuker crosses — Kaká heads — oh, too straight. Inter keeper Júlio César catches it easily."
Minute 43 — Šuker breaks through once more.
He dragged Maicon laterally, then suddenly cut diagonally forward.
This time, Maicon panicked. Afraid of being beaten again, he stuck out a leg and tripped Šuker.
WHISTLE!
Maicon is shown a yellow card.
Maicon was panting heavily, his expression dazed.
He'd lost count how many times he had been beaten this half.
The right side of Inter's defense — once its most reliable flank — had been torn apart by Šuker like a hornet's nest.
Šuker kept attacking. Maicon kept leaking.
He wasn't totally broken, but it was close.
Now, just seeing Šuker raise a leg to dribble made Maicon flinch.He was terrified of being beaten again.
And the more scared he was, the worse it got.
But luckily, they held on.
They didn't concede another goal in the first half.
Halftime whistle blows.
AC Milan 2 - 1 Inter Milan.
"I need backup."
Inside Inter's locker room, Maicon said seriously.
He never imagined himself uttering those words.
He used to look down on fullbacks who asked for help — thought it showed weakness.
But after being shredded for an entire half by Šuker, he had no choice but to ask for assistance.
If they let Šuker keep going, Inter's defense was going to implode.
Inter manager Roberto Mancini fell silent.
Indeed... Šuker could only be stopped by overwhelming numbers.
One man was not enough.
"Srna, can you stop Šuker?" Mancini asked.
Srna looked stunned.
You're dreaming!
"Yes!" he answered quickly, not daring to say no."But I need help — two people with me!"
In other words, he couldn't do it alone.
Mancini sighed — just as he expected.
Maicon had strength, but couldn't stop Šuker.Srna knew Šuker well, but wasn't good enough.
"Second half — three men on Šuker!"
Mancini decided: time to use a crowd defense to suppress him.
Halftime ended. As Mancini finished giving orders and walked out of the tunnel...
He heard news.
AC Milan made a substitution!
Ronaldo off — Gilardino on.
What?
Ronaldo off meant... Šuker would now play center forward!
BANG!
Mancini punched the wall in frustration.
That sly fox Ancelotti tricked him!
At the same time, Ancelotti walked out, locking eyes with Mancini.
Their gazes clashed briefly — it felt like sparks flew.
Ancelotti sat down in Milan's dugout.The substitution wasn't ideal — but it was necessary.
They needed to maintain attacking threat.
Milan now had to rob Peter to pay Paul — attacking harder to cover for defensive weakness.
They needed Šuker's destructive runs to collapse Inter's defense before they could organize.
It was kill or be killed.
If it had been two seasons ago — with Šuker in top form, Milan's legendary backline, and a deep bench — Ancelotti could've swept Europe with ease.
But now, the backline was falling apart.
Milan had become offense-heavy and defense-weak, relying on sheer firepower to survive.
By minute 55, Ancelotti planned to sub out Maldini.
The old captain just couldn't run anymore.
The remaining two subs were reserved for defensive reinforcements.
With Gilardino on, Milan shifted to a 4-4-1-1 formation.
Kaká and Seedorf became the wide midfielders.Gilardino slotted into attacking midfield.Šuker led the line as the lone striker.
This allowed Milan to shake off Inter's intense marking of Šuker, while also improving defensive shape and ball progression.
Only one condition — Kaká and Seedorf had to track back constantly, covering the flanks end to end.
Second half begins.
Teams switch sides.
Inter Milan kicked off.
They were still trailing, but continued applying pressure with Zlatan, Figo, and Crespo.
Especially Crespo — after leaving Milan, he had become even more dangerous.
Milan's defense was being repeatedly tested, and Šuker could only watch anxiously from the front.
He was playing as a striker — he couldn't drop deep to help defend.
"Come on, win the ball back! Let me counterattack, damn it!"
Šuker was getting frustrated.
Milan had started sitting deep, showing how much pressure Inter was applying.
Last season, it hadn't been this tough.
But this year, Milan's backline was clearly weaker.
Then it happened.
Zlatan rose above Simunic, powered through, and headed it into the net.
SWISH!
Ball in the back of the net.
Minute 53 — Inter Milan equalized.