As the weekend match approached, Mostar Zrinjski continued their active preparations.
Their high-pressing training became increasingly skilled, especially in multi-player coordinated pressing and interceptions.
Swish!
Suker executed a sliding tackle, successfully intercepting the ball.
This wasn't a forced interception like before, but a very stable control of the ball at his feet.
Intercepting the ball in the opponent's half allowed him to directly turn and launch a counterattack.
Suker repeatedly demonstrated this type of interception in the match.
"Suker's form is getting better and better, not only in attack, but also with his active running, cooperating with teammates to intercept the ball multiple times, and successfully completing the counterattack."
Assistant coach Vandir nodded in praise.
Van Stejak also nodded: "Suker's retreat and positioning during defense are very reasonable. He can always appear in a position where the opponent wants to pass, restricting the opponent's passing route, and then press forward, cooperating with his teammates to intercept."
"Although limited by his physique, it's difficult to make tackles independently, but with his teammates' cooperation, his interception efficiency is still very high."
Assistant coach Vandir: "Modrić's pressing in midfield is also very active."
Approaching the match, the coaching staff was most pleased that the high press, based on Suker and Modrić's performance, had become very effective.
And under the impetus and running of these two young men, the overall performance was also excellent.
"Let's end today's training here. Today, we'll head to Sarajevo!"
Van Stejak called a halt to the practice match.
The players also stopped training and returned to the locker room to wash up and pack their bags.
"Sarajevo, it's my first time going!"
"Me too!"
"I wonder if there's anything fun to do."
"We're going to compete, not to play!"
The players chatted as they packed their bags.
Mostar is, after all, a small town, and Sarajevo, as the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, naturally made the players yearn for it.
Suker put his shoes, socks, and shin guards into his backpack, and said as he slung it over his shoulder, "I'm going to the bus first."
The bus was already waiting at the entrance of the locker room. Suker boarded the bus and found a window seat.
Before long, his teammates began to come up one after another.
The seats weren't fixed, but everyone had their own familiar spot.
For example, Suker liked to sit by the window, and Modrić liked to sit next to Suker.
Sarajevo wasn't far from Mostar, about 100 kilometers or so.
Therefore, the team decided to travel by bus.
First, there were about 30 kilometers of dirt road, then the highway.
At first, everyone felt a little uncomfortable from the bumps, and some even experienced motion sickness.
Fortunately, they were traveling a day in advance, so they had time to adjust.
After entering the highway, the road was smooth, and they felt much better.
After an hour and a half, after traversing a mountain ridge, the outline of Sarajevo appeared in a basin.
This was a city of great significance, both for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the whole world.
After entering the city, they drove for about ten more minutes, arriving at a bridge spanning a river.
This was the Miljacka River, which, like the Neretva River, divided Sarajevo in two.
The river water reflected the sunlight, shimmering.
Not far away, there was also an ancient bridge.
Modrić pointed to the ancient bridge and said, "That's the Latin Bridge!"
Suker turned to look.
It was an ordinary bridge, nothing special.
However, a shocking assassination had taken place on this bridge, which indirectly led to the whole world falling into war.
Looking at the peaceful scene before him, it was hard to connect that turbulent era with the bridge standing on the calm river.
The Miljacka River flowed quietly, the scenery on both banks remained the same, and tourists flocked.
The newly renovated Latin Bridge stood still, seemingly connecting the city's past and future.
Occasionally, citizens hurried by, and occasionally, beggars lay on the bridge.
From time to time, a few pigeons flew overhead, flapping their wings and flying over the ancient bridge.
The problems of the era belonged to the era, and the past only remained in memory.
Now, the theme of Sarajevo and the whole world was peace and development!
"I'm exhausted!"
Getting off the bus, Suker stretched his body.
The journey of more than an hour wasn't far, but it was too bumpy, and the space on the bus was a bit cramped, making it difficult to stretch out.
Mostar Zrinjski's bus was still an old-fashioned bus, without air conditioning, and with windows that could be opened.
When driving, the strong smell of diesel was even more uncomfortable.
Fortunately, they had arrived at their destination smoothly.
Under the leadership of Van Stejak, the players completed the check-in procedures, and then walked into their rooms one by one.
Suker and Modrić were still inseparable roommates.
After entering the room, Modrić began to pack his luggage, while Suker turned on the TV.
Recently, the match between Mostar Zrinjski and Sarajevo had been hyped up.
In this era, the Internet was not well-developed, and there was no self-media with explosive traffic like in later generations. Many news and channels had to be obtained through the media and television.
When Suker turned on Bosnia and Herzegovina's special sports channel, the first thing that appeared was news about the Champions League.
In this week's Champions League match, the alien Ronaldo, who had just joined Real Madrid this season, scored a long-distance goal, helping Real Madrid beat their opponent 2-0.
In the old-fashioned TV, under the blurred picture quality, Ronaldo, wearing Real Madrid's white jersey, his impact on the defense was still so terrifying.
No matter how the opponent's defenders pulled and tugged, he stood firm, and even carved a bloody path through the crowd.
The shooting angle of the final shot was even more tricky, giving people goosebumps.
"So strong!"
Suker couldn't help but exclaim.
Modrić also stopped what he was doing and looked at the TV, saying, "Such a striker would make any defense feel scared."
Real Madrid was definitely the most eye-catching club in the current football world.
Under the promotion of Real Madrid chairman Florentino, the news that Real Madrid was creating a 'Galactic Battleship' sensationally stirred the hearts of countless people.
Especially in this season's summer window, after Real Madrid introduced the alien Ronaldo from Inter Milan, everyone understood that Real Madrid wasn't just boasting.
Real Madrid's current lineup was already amazing enough, but Beckham, Woodgate, and others would join later, eventually completing the assembling of the Galactic Battleship.
Just as the two were paying attention to the Champions League, the screen suddenly switched, showing the Bosnia and Herzegovina league logo.
Immediately following was news about the 14th round of the Bosnia and Herzegovina league.
"At 3 pm today, HSK from Mostar officially arrived in Sarajevo. They will play a key match against Sarajevo, who is currently ranked first in the Bosnia and Herzegovina league!"
"Mostar Zrinjski has undergone major changes this season. Croatian genius Luka Modrić, who joined Mostar Zrinjski last season, has become the most watched young player."
On the TV, Modrić's image in the game appeared.
The young Modrić directed the rhythm of the midfield, showing excellent midfield organization and dispatching ability.
"And for the young Modrić, he is about to face Meskapeci and Torriste, who have landed in the five major leagues. This is a huge challenge for him. Facing experienced veterans, can the genius still show his performance? This makes us very much looking forward to it."
"Kosopeci has always been a headache for Sarajevo, his existence makes ."
The commentator introduced eloquently, talking about the important players in each position.
But throughout the entire process, he didn't mention Suker at all.
"Not a word? That's too much!"
Suker felt very depressed.
His reputation was certainly not as big as Modrić's, but he should have some characteristics, right?
Didn't this era know how to play with traffic?
Was he, this 160 cm center, so inconspicuous?
The host on the TV couldn't hear Suker's complaints, he continued:
"Suker. Bazić, this is a native of Sarajevo, since he was a child he has shown amazing football talent, and has superior physical fitness, now 18-year-old Suker. Bazić has already led the scorer list with 9 goals, after winning the Bosnia and Herzegovina Super League Silver Boot last season, he began to challenge the top scorer this season."
"Suker. Bazić is currently the most promising young player, he is a rare genius player in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he is also the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina football!"
On the TV, Suker. Bazić's photo hung in the most conspicuous position in the middle.
This was a brown-haired curly-haired teenager, with some freckles on his face, thin lips, and a tall aquiline nose, with a pair of slender eyes, giving a sharp feeling.
Below was the height and weight data about Suker. Bazić.
[Name: Suker. Bazić]
[Height: 191 cm]
[Weight: 85 kg]
Pa da!
The TV was suddenly turned off.
Modrić turned to look, only to see Suker waving his hand and saying, "It's boring, let's get some rest and wait for tomorrow's game."
Modrić looked at Suker, nodded slightly, and then climbed into bed to rest.
Suker had a surge of energy in his heart.
His performance this season was not bad, but they didn't mention him at all, it was all Suker. Bazić, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
Of course, he also knew that Suker. Bazić was from Sarajevo and was a direct descendant of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
But he was just upset!
Taller than himself, heavier than himself, that was already very upsetting.
He had so many assists, but there wasn't a single word, not even worthy of his name appearing?
Suker was angry.
If the other party didn't give him face, then he could only earn it back himself.
Just wait and see!
Another Suker!
Hmph!