"I don't need your jersey anymore."
Suker looked down at the guy. After not seeing him for a while, he had gained even more weight, looking like a round, soft, white ball.
Other ball boys wore loose jerseys, but on him, it turned into a tight fit.
Justin: "Rowling is dating that blonde bimbo now, and I even gave her so many gifts. Hmph! Women!"
Suker couldn't help but laugh at the chubby kid and reached out to pat his head.
At that moment, the Arsenal players walked into the tunnel, led by Henry.
Suker immediately spotted Fabregas in the squad.
Fabregas also looked toward Suker, eyes wide as if issuing a challenge.
Suker remained unfazed.
Suddenly, Justin raised his hand.
Justin looked thrilled as he reached out for a high five.
Fabregas was momentarily stunned, then turned smugly toward Suker.
'See? Even your ball boy is my fan!'
Fabregas raised his hand for a high five—only to clap empty air.
Justin pulled his hand back at the last second, gave Fabregas a cheeky face, and stuck out his tongue.
Suker couldn't help but laugh.
Fabregas's face immediately darkened.
"Nice one!" Suker said, extending his hand openly.
Justin gave Suker a firm high five.
Thunderous, exhilarating music echoed through the stadium. The drumbeat grew intense, and as the music reached its climax, the cheers of AC Milan fans exploded.
Riding that wave of energy, the two teams entered the pitch, led by the referee.
"We can see both teams have entered the field. This is the second leg of the 2005/2006 UEFA Champions League semifinal. In the first leg, AC Milan defeated Arsenal 3–1 away from home. After a week of adjustments, this crucial match to decide a finalist is here!"
"Today's match will determine the first team to reach the Champions League final!"
"Will it be AC Milan from Serie A, or Arsenal from the Premier League?"
"After a week of preparation, can Arsenal overturn their deficit and win away?"
"Can AC Milan maintain their excellent form?"
The camera caught Wenger, still in his suit, hands in his pockets at the coaching area.
His brow was tightly furrowed, his expression grim.
After losing the home leg, Arsenal were in a dire situation.
For Wenger and Arsenal, this match was a do-or-die battle.
AC Milan (4-3-2-1):Goalkeeper: DidaDefenders: Cafu, Nesta, Stam, JankulovskiMidfielders: Gattuso, Pirlo, SeedorfForwards: Kaká, Shevchenko, Suker
Arsenal (4-2-3-1):Goalkeeper: LehmannDefenders: Eboué, Campbell, Touré, Ashley ColeMidfielders: Hleb, Gilberto, Pires, Fabregas, LjungbergForward: Henry
Henry's expression was somber, even a little fierce.
From that alone, it was clear where Arsenal's mentality stood.
They had to give it everything. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel·fire.net
With a significant deficit, they had to play an extraordinary match—better than ever before.
Arsenal's lineup remained unchanged from the first leg.
AC Milan stuck with their familiar Christmas Tree 2.0 formation and deployed Jankulovski at left-back.
Shevchenko again wore the captain's armband.
In such a crucial match, Shevchenko wearing the armband meant two things:
Maldini was seriously considering retirement.
Shevchenko was the heir apparent to the captaincy.
And fans had no issue with Shevchenko wearing the armband. His performances for Milan had earned their full respect. Despite some past disagreements, those were behind them.
With Shevchenko topping both the Champions League and Serie A scoring charts this season, Milan fans fully embraced him.
After the coin toss, Shevchenko raised his arm high and shouted loudly.
Suker raised both hands.
Shevchenko nodded firmly at Suker.
He then retreated to his position. As usual, Arsenal kicked off first.
San Siro was now filled with an oppressive tension.
In the stands, Milan fans rubbed their hands nervously.
Last season's Champions League final had left them with a wound they didn't want to recall.
Now, they were once again in the semifinals—one step from the final.
This time, they wouldn't allow themselves to fall short again.
Roars surged through San Siro.
With that energy, the match began.
Arsenal kicked off and immediately pushed forward.
AC Milan's players surged ahead aggressively.
"Milan are pressing high again, just like in the first leg! They want to disrupt Arsenal's passing rhythm early and gain the upper hand!"
Suker and the others sprinted forward.
Shevchenko charged the hardest.
Whenever Shevchenko wore the armband, he played like a warrior.
This time was no different. He rushed straight at Campbell.
Campbell quickly passed the ball, but Shevchenko couldn't stop in time, and they crashed into each other.
Both stumbled, but Shevchenko twisted his foot, ignored the pain, and continued his charge.
Suker sprinted at full speed.
The two rushed at Arsenal's defender Touré in a pincer move.
Touré calmly passed sideways. Right-back Eboué advanced and sent it up the wing.
The ball rolled to Hleb.
"He's dropped so deep!" Suker frowned.
Seedorf marked Hleb tightly.
Hleb passed sideways and immediately spun forward, looking to link with Fabregas.
Suker sprinted back hard.
But Fabregas looked up, pulled the ball back, and didn't pass to the wing—instead he passed across to Gilberto.
Suker had misjudged it and was annoyed.
"Don't panic! Take your time! Watch your back!" Pirlo shouted while retreating.
Gattuso charged at Gilberto.
Gattuso slid in and took Gilberto down with the ball.
Beep!The whistle blew. Foul, Milan.
"Fall back! Fall back!" Gattuso barked.
Suker shouted, "Tusso! That was sick!"
Gattuso smirked proudly.
Players need confidence to play well.
That confidence comes from performance—and from teammates' encouragement.
That's why Suker never missed a chance to praise.
From experience, the more he praised, the better his teammates played.
"Just a few minutes in and Gattuso has already taken down Gilberto. This shows Milan's attitude: they won't let Arsenal play easily."
"Push forward! Push forward!"
Fabregas shouted while scanning for passing options.
Henry was the first choice, but Milan weren't giving him any space. A direct pass was pointless—it'd only drain Henry's stamina.
Suddenly, Fabregas passed wide.
Ashley Cole overlapped with a quick run.
"Their full-back is pushing up—watch the half-space!" Nesta shouted while organizing the defense and tracking runners.
Pires moved into the half-space. Nesta followed.
Ashley Cole didn't pass to Pires, but to the overlapping Fabregas.
Fabregas took the ball and slipped it through the gap between Cafu and Nesta.
Ljungberg burst into the box in an arc run, faking a cross but then cut inside.
He passed again to the open Pires.
Pires received and turned.
Henry was still tightly marked.
Pires took a step sideways and fired.
Bang!The shot flew toward the top-right corner.
But the ball shaved the post and went out.
The Italian commentator, Aldo Serena, broke out in a cold sweat.
"Arsenal's attack is extremely threatening. These quick, continuous passes confuse the defense. Milan must hold their positions instead of chasing players aimlessly!"
"Milan need to find their counterattack opportunities. They must not let Arsenal dominate the midfield!"