Maldini was the emergency fix. In fact, the old captain's form had declined, but still better than a stunned Šimunić.
AC Milan's substitution showed their desperation: the defense had deteriorated so badly that a 39-year-old Maldini had to come on.
Once Milan's proud defense was now reduced to this state, which saddened many.
"Maldini's on the pitch. Milan simply doesn't have enough strong defenders left. Hopefully, Maldini can hold the line," Aldo Serena said helplessly.
For a 39-year-old nearing retirement to be called into action was very unreasonable—but Milan had no choice.
With Maldini on, Milan's defense finally stabilized, especially as Ambrosini dropped back to help, easing the pressure on Gattuso.
Still, Juventus kept attacking fiercely.
Having scored twice, their morale soared—they wouldn't give up easily.
Ancelotti watched Ambrosini on the sideline, dissatisfaction in his eyes.
At halftime, he had specifically told Ambrosini to drop back more to relieve Gattuso's burden.
But Ambrosini ignored it, only starting defensive work after Šimunić left the field.
It was a selfish move, disregarding the coach's tactical instructions, acting on personal preference.
Though Ambrosini was running hard now, had he acted earlier—especially after the first conceded goal—perhaps they wouldn't have let in a second.
Still, Ancelotti chose not to make a fuss.
Ambrosini was the new captain, and he needed to help maintain locker room stability.
Besides, Ancelotti didn't want to escalate the issue.
Still, some reprimand was necessary.
The key issue now: scoring goals.
Ancelotti's focus shifted fully to Šuker—the strongest pillar of AC Milan.
Šuker was tightly marked upfront, Milan struggling to bring the ball out; waiting helplessly was no solution.
Stay put as the counterattack pivot.
Drop back to help stabilize midfield.
But if he dropped back, no one would be upfront.
Juventus' defense would push up, and Milan would be pinned in their half.
Being pinned? Šuker blinked.
Not all bad. At least the wide spaces behind Juventus' defense could be exploited on counters.
With that thought, Šuker dropped back deliberately.
He swaggered back, expecting Chiellini to follow.
Chiellini did, but wary of Šuker's speed and explosiveness, he kept a 3-4 meter gap.
Beside Šuker was Juventus' defensive midfielder, harassing him.
"Bald bastard!" Šuker cursed and jogged back again.
He hadn't expected Chiellini to hold his distance.
"Remember to tell me which shampoo you use!" Šuker taunted.
Chiellini's cheek twitched; off the pitch, he'd want a fight with Šuker.
Šuker had to wait upfront.
He wasn't a god; he couldn't attack, organize, and defend all at once.
He needed teammates to support and pass the ball to him.
Milan's half still endured Juventus' relentless bombardment.
Trezeguet and Del Piero were firing hard this season, hammering Milan's defense.
Though not always efficient, sustained pressure would cause problems.
He felt he should do something—but wasn't sure what exactly.
"Run! Run, Kaka!" Suddenly, Šuker's voice rang near his ear.
"Run, then you'll know what to do!"
If unsure what to do, standing still wouldn't help.
Šuker had once said early in his career, he used his endless stamina to disrupt midfield chaos.
Chaos could lead to uncertain outcomes.
But could it get worse than now?
Kaka started running.
He charged at Nedvěd, pressing hard.
When Nedvěd passed, Kaka immediately turned to chase the new ball carrier.
He dashed wildly through Juventus' formation, burning energy but better than standing still.
Gattuso clung onto Del Piero, his stamina nearly gone.
Though fighting hard, the pressure was immense.
He was Milan's defensive screen but was aging.
Before, he'd ruthlessly tackle Del Piero from his goal area to the front.
Now, after a tackle, he wasn't sure if he could get up.
Gattuso was cautious—not willing to risk rash tackles.
Del Piero was equally careful.
During their standoff, a shout rang out:
Gattuso snapped out of his daze.
He'd thought Šuker had dropped back.
But then he saw fierce Kaka, like a sticky plaster, relentlessly chasing Del Piero.
"What are you waiting for?!" Kaka glared at Del Piero, not letting him turn, poking for the ball, shouting.
Gattuso hurried into the fray.
Under heavy pressure, Del Piero finally lost the ball.
Kaka grabbed it and passed sideways to Pirlo, then took off sprinting.
Milan's counterattack horn sounded.
"Kaka!! His intense runs are crucial. Along with Gattuso, he stole the ball from Del Piero. Milan's counterattack is on!"
Kaka, Seedorf, and Ambrosini turned and sprinted.
Pirlo slipped the ball to Šuker, who also accelerated.
Everyone focused on Šuker, expecting him to dash forward, but he paused briefly and pushed the ball sideways—drawing Chiellini's attention.
Chiellini wanted to end the threat here, fouling Šuker to stop Milan's attack.
He reached out, ready to grab Šuker.
But Šuker flicked the ball back with the outside of his foot—even as Chiellini pinned him down with a tackle hold.
But that didn't matter.
Milan's counter space had opened wide.
Pirlo took the return and immediately threaded a through-ball.
Chiellini had not retreated, leaving a huge gap.
Pirlo's pass went straight.
Kaka sprinted diagonally from the side.
"Damn!" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novᴇlfire.net
Chiellini was rising.
He saw Šuker hook his waist with both hands.
"Not going anywhere!"
Šuker grinned wickedly.
Chiellini nearly exploded in anger.
Looking up to midfield, Kaka had already received the ball and charged into the penalty area.
Before the fullback could arrive, Kaka shot.
The ball aimed at the lower left corner with a curl.
Buffon guessed wrong, failing to block the left side.
The ball slipped into the net.
Amid the roaring crowd, Kaka tilted his head back, pointed both fingers skyward.
Blue skies and blazing sunshine.
This counterattack seemed to unlock something for Kaka.
He grasped some key insight.
Most importantly—they led again.
71 minutes played, Juventus 2:3 AC Milan.
Milan's attack paid off once more.
They were one step closer to a winning season opener.
Šuker finally released Chiellini, who lay on the ground, giving Kaka a thumbs up and shouting:
Šuker knew this goal was all thanks to Kaka's grit!