The day after AC Milan advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals, the same Meazza/San Siro Stadium welcomed Inter Milan's match of redemption.
After suffering a heavy defeat in the first leg away from home, Inter's situation was grim.
This match was their last stand, a do-or-die battle.
In preparation, Mancini fielded his strongest lineup.
Even recently recovered Vieira and Cambiasso, who had an injured arm, were both thrown into the starting eleven.
It showed just how much this game meant to Inter.
In the stands, Inter fans shouted themselves hoarse, trying to apply pressure on Barcelona, hoping to disrupt their performance.
In a quiet corner of the stands, three heavily disguised figures sat low in their seats.
"Hope no one recognizes us."Kaká tugged his scarf up over his face, whispering.
Suker pulled his hat brim down low.
On the other side, Pato was craning his neck around, looking left and right like an excited child.
"So this is Inter's fan section, huh? Feels way less lively than ours!"
Smack!
Suker gave him a quick slap to the back of the head.
"Pipe down!"
If Pato hadn't insisted on coming, Suker wouldn't have brought him at all.
Pato quieted down immediately.
Suker turned his eyes back to the pitch.
Barcelona, in yellow away kits, were facing off against Inter Milan.
At this moment, the scoreboard showed Barcelona 1:0 Inter, and it was the 37th minute.
Barcelona had maintained possession for nearly 6–7 minutes straight.
Inter simply couldn't get the ball back.
Even though they were known for defense, even when they managed to press Barcelona to the flanks, Barça would rely on tight passing and outstanding technique to work their way out.
Sometimes Messi or Iniesta would turn and dribble, breaking through lines and constantly pressuring Inter's defense.
Despite Inter's effort to stay compact, defend deep, and crowd the box—
Barcelona's technically gifted players only needed a sliver of space to break through.And once they started their passing game, they could keep the ball for ages.
Kaká's eyes were filled with awe.
This blend of possession, control, progression, and short-passing interplay was both beautiful and suffocating to watch.
"They're playing so well…"Kaká couldn't help but mutter.
Suker, however, shook his head slightly.
He had been watching closely too—and compared to peak Barcelona, this team still had a ways to go.
Perhaps it was because Guardiola was still new and the squad hadn't fully clicked, or maybe for other reasons.
There was a bit of hesitation and awkwardness in some of the transitions.
Still, individual brilliance covered for those flaws.
And then, there was Messi's ability to break the game wide open.
"Here it comes."
As Suker said that, Messi received the ball and, with just a slight dip of the shoulder, sent Cambiasso tumbling.He angled his run diagonally, drawing the whole defense toward him.
Suker watched, mouth slightly agape.
Srna came over to help block.
"Don't stick your foot out!" Suker muttered.
But Srna did just that—perhaps the pressure was too much.
As soon as his leg extended, Suker closed his eyes.
"It's over…"
Sure enough—Messi slotted the ball right between Srna's legs, darted through the gap, and curled a shot into the far corner.
Minute 43 – Messi scores Barcelona's second!
Inter Milan had no hope left.
Second Half
The teams switched sides again.
Barcelona still dominated possession and midfield control, relentlessly pressing Inter.
Inter looked scared, afraid to press or challenge.
Suker shook his head.
Against Barcelona, once you show weakness, things only get worse.
And sure enough, with continuous passing and movement, Barcelona carved up Inter's defense again—almost scoring.
55th Minute – Substitution
Barcelona made a change.
Messi came off.
The big screen displayed the incoming substitute.
"Seventeen years old? He's younger than me?" Pato exclaimed.
Suker narrowed his eyes slightly.
People often said Messi had broken all the youth records—youngest debut, youngest scorer—until another boy came along and broke all of Messi's records.
That boy was the "Crown Prince of Barça," Messi's successor—
Bojan Krkić.
From a god's-eye view, this moment marked the beginning of the Barcelona dynasty, the rise of the "Dream Team III."
And for Bojan, this was also the turning point of his career.
A good start doesn't guarantee success.
This "Little Prince" with Catalan blood carried massive expectations.
He had the potential for an unlimited future, but ultimately faded into the background.
One of the biggest reasons: his choices.
Bojan's decline was closely tied to anxiety disorder.
He received enormous attention and pressure, which he couldn't handle.
When the Spanish national team invited him recently, he refused.
A young player turning down a national team call-up?Of course, he was labeled arrogant.
Especially as a "genius player."
But what people didn't know was that Bojan was already suffering from anxiety disorder.
This one wrong decision would cost him Spain's favor—And cause him to miss the golden generation of Spanish football.
Suker believed:
"Sometimes, choices matter more than hard work."
He was living proof.
Choosing to join Milan had been a turning point.
If Suker had chosen another club—even Real Madrid—he might never have reached his current achievements.
Looking further ahead, it might've meant falling behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the long run.
Bojan made the wrong choices, and that's why he failed to fulfill his potential.
Suker turned his head.
Pato was the same.
He chose to hang out with Ronaldinho and Robinho, a group of bad influences—And that cost him his future.
Next season, Ronaldinho might be coming to Milan.
Could Pato resist Ronaldinho's temptations?
Suker didn't know if he had already changed Pato's fate.
"That kid's a genius," Suker muttered, glancing at Pato."Every bit as talented as me or Kaká."
Kaká turned, surprised.
Pato's eyes widened as he looked at Bojan jogging onto the field.
To Pato, Suker was too far ahead—even as a goal, it felt distant.
But Bojan was different.
They were contemporaries.Both geniuses. Both the same age.
Pato's competitive fire suddenly ignited.
Suker smiled slyly.
Kaká just grinned and shook his head.
Suker had him wrapped around his finger.
Even after Messi came off, Barcelona's rhythm didn't change.
That's because they had Bojan—whose playing style was nearly identical to Messi's.
He was incredibly talented.
But unfortunately, he was too similar to Messi,and would forever remain in Messi's shadow.
Still, in this game, Bojan played brilliantly.
After coming on, he made several key dribbles.
In the 87th minute, he combined with Iniesta and Xavi for three quick passes, completely tearing apart Inter's defense.
With a quick turn and drag move, he broke through the line and chipped the keeper for a goal, extending the lead once again.
Pato watched in silence.
He believed in himself—But even he had to admit, Bojan played incredibly well.
Then he stood up, brushing off his pants.
"Let's go. No point watching anymore—Inter's done."
As they left, Inter's fans were already starting to file out.
Their faces were grim.
Losing both legs, and in such an ugly fashion, left them ashamed.
Especially with AC Milan defeating Real Madrid and advancing in the same round—
And they? They were utterly outclassed by another Spanish giant.