Chapter 88 - 2: Vampeta’s Dribbling

Chapter 88: Chapter 2: Vampeta’s Dribbling

Mario Mandzukic, also known as Super Mario.

Following in the footsteps of Davor Suker, he was another exceptionally efficient forward on Croatia’s front line.

Mandzukic was a controversial figure in the world of football. Some considered him a second-rate forward, while others saw him as nearly first-rate, though still a fair distance from being a top-tier center-forward.

Mandzukic was a passionate player, but also a stubborn one.

He had clashed with several head coaches over tactical differences, ultimately leading to bitter departures.

But in terms of ability, he was still incredibly tough.

Suk was sizing up Mandzukic, and the latter was sizing up Suk as well.

After Atgeni introduced them, the two exchanged names.

"I’ll let you have the space on the second floor. I tend to move around loudly, and I don’t want to disturb your rest."

Mandzukic said, looking at Suk.

’I didn’t expect him to be so considerate.’

Suk went up to the second floor. It had a private bathroom and bedroom, and the overall environment was extremely comfortable.

As Suk was making his bed, Mandzukic even kindly helped him out.

The two started chatting in the process.

"You guys were playing in Bosnia and Herzegovina before?" Mandzukic asked, slightly surprised.

Although he had never played there himself, he had heard about how barbaric the Bosnia and Herzegovina League was.

He looked at the relatively short and slender frames of Suk and Modric, a flicker of doubt rising in his mind.

’How did they survive in Bosnia and Herzegovina?’

After helping Suk finish with the bed, Modric and Atgeni left.

Suk stayed on the second floor for a while before heading downstairs.

"Mario! Going to the cafeteria?"

Mandzukic was doing jump training to work on his leg’s Explosive Power.

Hearing Suk, he glanced at the time and said, "Wait for me a second."

Once Mandzukic changed his clothes, the two of them headed to the cafeteria together.

They chatted along the way.

"I used to play center-forward, but now I’ve moved to the wing." Suk gestured to his own height. "We’re not competing for the same position."

Suk felt that Mandzukic was a little wary of him.

Mandzukic didn’t deny it, simply nodding his head.

"But you’re in a tough spot," Suk said with a smile. "You have to compete with Davor Suker!"

Suk thought Mandzukic would be intimidated, but the guy replied with a serious expression, "I’ll fight to keep him on the bench."

Suk looked at Mandzukic in astonishment.

Most people would find it hard to even think of competing upon hearing Davor Suker’s name, partly because of the glory Davor Suker had achieved, and partly because of his status in Croatia.

But Mandzukic was clearly not one of them.

For Mandzukic, competing wasn’t an offense; on the contrary, it was a form of tribute.

He wanted to outperform Davor Suker and prove himself at the same time.

"I used to live in Germany and built my football foundation there. I thought I could start my professional career in Germany, but some unexpected events forced my family to return to Croatia. Since then, I’ve been playing for a club in Marsona."

"I have only one goal for coming here, and that’s to return to Germany!"

Mandzukic said seriously, "I will make it to one of the Five Major Leagues in Germany!"

Suk kept his head down and ate, showing no intention of engaging with him at all.

’When it’s time to eat, you eat. Why are you chatting?’

’If I don’t eat enough, I won’t grow taller!’

Suk had a huge appetite, even bigger than Mandzukic’s. Only after eating three full bowls of rice, two steaks, and a vegetable salad did Suk pat his stomach, indicating he was full.

"Did you... always eat this much?"

Mandzukic asked, his face a picture of surprise as he looked at Suk’s completely empty food tray.

Suk was probably the biggest eater he knew.

"I burn a lot of energy, and my body’s absorption is very good."

"If your absorption is so good, why aren’t you growing taller?" Mandzukic asked subconsciously, but he quickly met Suk’s resentful gaze.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

Mandzukic apologized sincerely.

Suk waved his hand. "I’ve already grown a lot! I used to be 150 cm, and now I’m almost 170 cm!"

Mandzukic looked at Suk. ’He’s 165 cm at most. How is he almost 170?’

This time, however, he didn’t say it out loud.

After eating, the two returned to their dorm room.

Suk went straight back to his bedroom on the second floor. The past two days of travel had left him quite exhausted.

But before going to sleep, he had to claim his rewards first.

Suk still hadn’t claimed his seasonal reward, which was the main event of the year.

It was still the card-drawing screen.

There were no major changes overall, and the locked pages were still locked.

However, the ancient patterns on the page had become deeper, and the glow they emitted was now a bit brighter.

’Maybe the card-drawing rewards will be different after the new season’s matches start,’ he guessed.

Returning to the card-drawing screen, Suk immediately initiated the seasonal card draw.

The most anticipated reward was, without a doubt, the Attribute Card.

This type of card, which could directly increase his physical stats, was Suk’s favorite.

Just as he was looking on in anticipation, five cards appeared before him.

"Whoa!"

Suk couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

One Red Card, two Yellow Cards, and two Attribute Cards.

The rewards were simply incredible.

The two Attribute Cards were incredibly exciting, but the addition of two Yellow Cards and a Red Card made him even more thrilled.

He opened the Red Card.

Unsurprisingly, it was: Status Recovery Card +1.

Suk was already used to this. He immediately turned to the Yellow Cards.

There were two Yellow Cards in total.

[Yellow Card (Skill Card): Vampeta’s Dribbling — As a substitute for the Brazil National Team, Vampeta served as a core player for several major teams. He was a nightmare for opponents on the field, possessing exquisite footwork.]

Suk was surprised.

Vampeta was an unfamiliar name to many; after all, he wasn’t a particularly prominent figure in that glorious Brazil National Team.

But to be a substitute for the ’02 Brazil Team, his ability was unquestionable.

This Yellow Card would give Suk a huge boost in his Dribbling.

With such a good start, Suk immediately turned his attention to the other Yellow Card.

He was hoping for another practical card like the first, but when he saw it, he froze completely.

[Yellow Card (Special Card): Balotelli’s Awareness - The Thinker on the Pitch. If Balotelli just focused on playing football, his talent would absolutely be enough to carry him much further. But alas, he thinks too much!]

Balotelli was known as a world-class player from the neck down.

Aside from the "flaw" of having a head, his abilities during his peak were off the charts.

But the problem was, this damn system had given him just the head!

’Balotelli’s head!’

’What’s the use of that?!’

’So I can act like a fool?!’

Suk was speechless.

However, looking at the card, he began to feel a certain impulse. He was actually quite curious to know what went on inside Balotelli’s head.

In the end, Suk managed to restrain his impulse.

Suk pulled up his attribute page.

[Name: Suk]

[Height: 166 cm]

[Weight: 55 kg]

[Speed: 78+15]

[Flexibility: 85]

[Power: 70]

[Explosive Power: 90]

Seeing that his height had increased by another centimeter, Suk couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face.

Finally, he used both Attribute Cards on Power.

His Speed and Explosive Power were already sufficient for now.

Adding more wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Besides, Suk needed to do more dribbling breakthroughs, so his ability to resist physical challenges while in possession also needed a boost.

Having played his way up from the Bosnia and Herzegovina League, Suk had a very deep understanding of this.

He didn’t necessarily have to win the physical battles, but he had to be able to withstand them.

Only then would he have the chance to make his next move.

Just as Suk was allocating his points, a KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK sounded on the door.

Suk quickly got up and went to open the door.

"Wanna watch the game? The Champions League final is about to start!"

Mandzukic invited Suk.

Suk raised an eyebrow slightly and said at once, "Wait for me!"

With that, he quickly rinsed off, changed his clothes, and rushed downstairs.

The 2002/2003 Champions League final was an all-Serie A affair.

AC Milan vs. Juventus!

The match was a veritable constellation of stars.

Maldini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Buffon, Trezeget, Piero, and so on...

With such a dazzling lineup, the pre-match hype was immense.

However, contrary to the fiery pre-match atmosphere, the game itself was dragged into a typical Italian stalemate.

Both sides built their game on defense, cautiously pushing forward.

This led to an extremely dull match. After 90 minutes, the two sides were tied 0-0.

And during stoppage time, there were still no goals.

Extra time was even more agonizingly dull.

The match went to a penalty shootout.

AC Milan’s Seedorf and Kalanze, as well as Juventus’s Trezeget, Salaite, and Paulo Montero, all missed their penalties.

Ultimately, AC Milan won the shootout 3-2, with Shevchenko scoring the decisive penalty to defeat their rivals.

This victory placed AC Milan at the pinnacle of Europe once again.

Suk found it very dull, mainly because the game was so drawn out.

Mandzukic, on the other hand, was ecstatic.

He really liked players like Shevchenko and dreamed of becoming that kind of player himself.

Because of this, he became completely engrossed and extremely excited.

Especially when Shevchenko scored the winning penalty to clinch the match, the guy was shouting nonstop in his excitement.

"That’s Shevchenko! His ability is just insane!"

"That’s what a center-forward should be like—clinching it at the crucial moment!"

Mandzukic was so excited he was practically dancing.

Suk just casually agreed.

Compared to the intense pace of future matches, this game was played too passively and wasn’t very entertaining.

It lacked highlights.

But given the importance of a Champions League final, it was still pretty good.

AC Milan won the Champions League, ushering in an era of glory for Milan.

Little did they know, however, that two seasons later, they would suffer a crazy, massive comeback in Istanbul!