Chapter 72 - 70: The Other

Chapter 72: Chapter 70: The Other

The spectacle of a one-man show, combined with his pure speed, sent the fans’ adrenaline into overdrive.

Suk’s performance was electrifying.

"Wind-Chasing Youth! We have a Wind-Chasing Youth too!"

In this era, a spirited young player with incredible speed was often dubbed a "Wind-Chasing Youth."

Michael Owen of the Premier League was a classic example.

And after this match, the fans bestowed that very title upon Suk.

While flashy skills and exquisite passes were certainly a joy to watch, the raw, violent beauty of his absolute speed ignited their passion in a whole new way.

Suk’s rampaging run completely shattered Bijeljina Radnik’s morale.

They were already two goals down, and now the deficit had widened.

And against Mostar Zrinjski’s defense, they couldn’t find any opportunities to score.

’The gap is just too wide!’

The players of Bijeljina Radnik hung their heads, their expressions utterly dejected.

Soon, the 90-minute match came to an end.

Mostar Zrinjski defeated Bijeljina Radnik 3-0, securing a fantastic start to the second half of the season.

And after this victory, Mostar Zrinjski continued their excellent run of form.

The league was now entering the final matches of its second round.

After round 22, the final 11 rounds would mark the sprint to the finish line.

With the championship and relegation on the line, this final stage of the season was bound to be more intense than ever.

"Suk, look here!"

"Suk! Suk! Over here!"

"Look over here, too!"

After the match, Suk was surrounded by the media.

Suk was no longer some unknown kid. He was now a prodigious talent who gave the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina Super League a headache.

And with that fame came much more frequent media exposure.

"What are your thoughts on this match?" a reporter from Sarajevo asked.

Suk spoke to the camera. "Our opponents’ performance was quite good, but we were in better form. Also, the Head Coach laid out the tactics in great detail, which was key to our victory. As for my own performance, I’m very satisfied with it."

The reporter quickly followed up, "Round 23 will be another match against Sarajevo, and it will be your second duel with Suq Bazhi. Before the winter break, Suq Bazhi said he was most looking forward to the match against Mostar Zrinjski and that they were confident they would get their revenge. Do you have any response to that?"

"In their dreams!" Suk grinned, flashing a fist at the camera. "We beat them to a pulp last time, and we’ll do it again!"

...

"In their dreams! We beat them to a pulp last time, and we’ll do it again!"

Suq Bazhi was in a foul mood.

Watching that smug bastard on TV made him want to plant a fist right in his face.

’So infuriating!’

’We lose one game, and this guy gets all high and mighty.’

’Damn it! Fucking damn it!’

It wasn’t just Suq Bazhi; the other Sarajevo players started shouting as well.

"Leave that little brat to me. I’ll be sure to teach him a harsh lesson during the match."

"That little punk! We’ll show him what we’re made of!"

The whole team was fired up.

Just then, the TV replayed several brilliant goals from the match.

Suk had scored one goal and made one assist, an undisputed man-of-the-match performance.

Watching the footage of Suk and Modric, Tolister and Me?kapeci felt a growing sense of urgency.

"As much as I hate to admit it, those two are a huge threat!"

Tolister said.

Me?kapeci added, "And their stamina is insane!"

The thought of Suk and Modric running tirelessly all over the pitch gave them a headache.

Beside them, Jorijac instinctively covered his mouth.

Ever since the last match, the mere thought of Suk triggered an unpleasant physical reaction in him, a powerful urge to vomit.

"Perfect. In this match, we can show them something new, too!"

Suq Bazhi declared with a serious expression, "We’re constantly improving as well. I can make sacrifices for the team. He can drop back, and so can I."

Tolister and Me?kapeci exchanged a look, a hint of helplessness in their eyes.

Lately, spurred on by the new tactics introduced by Van Stiake and the outstanding performance of Mostar Zrinjski, a vigorous tactical revolution had begun to sweep through the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina Super League.

Teams were abandoning their old, simple tactics, moving toward more efficient and threatening strategies.

With the exception of a few old-fashioned holdouts, nearly every other team seemed to be experimenting with new tactics.

For example, Sarajevo Railway Workers had already started to adopt Spain’s possession-based style of play.

Tuzla City was reportedly trying out AC Milan’s Christmas tree formation.

Even Sarajevo itself was practicing drills for a dropping center-forward and a high press.

It was clear that Mostar Zrinjski’s performance in the Super League was having an impact far beyond anyone’s predictions.

However, Tolister and Me?kapeci didn’t think this hasty tactical reform was a good thing.

It all sounded inspiring and proactive on the surface.

But honestly, it would be incredibly difficult for Sarajevo to play like Mostar Zrinjski.

’We just don’t have the right personnel for it!’

First was the high press, which demanded coordinated pressing in the opponent’s half. Coordination was one thing, but stamina was another.

If their stamina couldn’t match their opponents’, they’d likely get exposed and have their defensive line torn apart.

Then there was the dropping center-forward.

Mostar Zrinjski’s use of a dropping center-forward was built around Suk’s unique abilities.

Even Kosopech didn’t drop back to be a playmaker; he was a pivot. His job was to hold off the defensive line and create space for Suk’s forward runs.

But Suq Bazhi was supposed to be a playmaker when he dropped back.

’But the problem is, Suq Bazhi has no playmaking talent!’

This wasn’t an issue that could be solved with one or two good passes. It was a product of overall vision and a deep understanding of the game.

However, Tolister and Me?kapeci’s opinions didn’t matter. The team’s tactical overhaul was proceeding with great fervor, and everyone’s enthusiasm was high.

Voicing objections now would be like pouring cold water on everything.

They weren’t about to do something that would offend everyone.

’Fine, we’ll give it a try.’

They naturally hoped it would be effective.

Round 23 marked the beginning of the third round-robin in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Super League.

Mostar Zrinjski and Sarajevo were set to face each other for the last time this season, a fittingly high-stakes match.

...

「Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.」

At the Dinamo Zagreb training ground, the team’s chief scout, Atgeni, was reporting to their Head Coach, Be?i?.

"Slaven Belupo is tempted. They haven’t replied yet, but they’re very interested in Conchioer. They’d be trading an experienced veteran for a young prospect, and even with a transfer fee involved, there’s a high probability they’ll agree."

"As for Marsona, the summer transfer for Mandzukic is basically finalized."

After speaking, the scout closed his notebook and looked at Be?i?. "Where did you find all these young players?"

Be?i? looked up and smiled. "I took a year off, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing anything!"

"Alright!" Atgeni sighed. "Next season, with a bunch of kids transferring in, plus a Modric, we’re going to be a daycare!"

Be?i? chuckled. "We’re still missing one!"

"There’s more?"

Atgeni said in surprise, "You’re not really trying to start a youth revolution, are you? Man, there are too many uncertainties with young players. If this goes wrong, we could get relegated!"

Dinamo Zagreb’s situation this season was indeed terrible.

The team had been left in shambles by the Mostic brothers; most of the starting players were either sold off or had already left.

What Be?i? inherited was a complete mess.

But Be?i? seemed more motivated than ever. His methods since returning had been drastic; he put a hold on contract renewals with most players and placed several on the transfer list for the winter and summer windows.

He was clearly in the middle of a clear-out.

And this wasn’t just restructuring the team; it was a complete teardown and rebuild.

"Looks like you have a big plan!" Atgeni said with interest. "After selling all these players, who are you planning to bring in?"

Be?i? didn’t hide anything. "Just two people for now!"

"Who?"

"Jarni and Stimac!"

Atgeni was stunned.

"Are you sure? You want to bring in those two old-timers?"

To any Croat, those two names were legendary.

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Croatia, led by the ’Golden Left Foot’ Davor Suker, fought their way to the semifinals. Although they narrowly lost to the France Team, it was the World Cup where Croatia achieved its best-ever result.

And Jarni and Stimac had been the starting defenders in that very FIFA World Cup.

"I have no idea what you’re thinking," Atgeni said, waving his hand. "My work is done. You should let me get some rest."

"No, no, no!" Be?i? waved back. "Your work isn’t finished yet."

Atgeni turned and said angrily, "You’re such an exploitative boss! I couldn’t even go home for Christmas!"

"Me neither!" Be?i? looked up. "I’ve basically been living at the club since Christmas. Pal, you’re the only person I trust right now. So, you’ll help me, right?"

Hearing this, Atgeni softened a little.

If he were the only one suffering, he would definitely be unhappy, but seeing Be?i?’s thick stubble, the heavy bags under his eyes, and the dark circles, he knew the man before him was just as exhausted.

"Fine, where to this time?" Atgeni said, disgruntled. "I can never say no to you."

A smile spread across Be?i?’s face. "I knew you were my best friend! You’d definitely help me!"

"Just tell me the place!" Atgeni waved his hand dismissively.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina! Mostar!" Be?i? said concisely.

"Mostar?" Atgeni paused, surprised. "Isn’t Luka there? You want me to scout Luka? You’re the one who discovered him, is that really necessary?"

"Not Luka!" Be?i? laughed. "The other one!"