Nine minutes into the game, Mostar Zrinjski Iski took the lead thanks to their excellent high pressing, suppressing the opponent and scoring a goal
This was something no one had anticipated before the match.
Despite expecting a fierce contest, the defensive solidity of both sides suggested that goals wouldn't come early, nor would there be many.
But after this goal, everything seemed to change.
Especially Mostar Zrinjski Iski, a team with a completely transformed style.
Was this still the team that only jumped for headers and relied on long balls?
There were so many details in this attack.
From the moment Suk broke through on the wing, Koso Pec and Biljal's runs began to pull apart the opponent's defense, creating a shooting opportunity for the overlapping Modrić.
Although the opponent noticed it, Suk used his nimble footwork to feign a forceful breakthrough on the byline, forcing Ivan Kerić to retreat, once again opening up space for Modrić and ultimately completing the shot.
It could be said that this goal was completely unexpected by Sarajevo.
Especially the pressure Suk exerted on them on the wing, it was simply too much.
Jori Aki got up from the ground, his face full of anxiety.
Suk had beaten him twice in a row, and those two times made him realize how fast Suk was.
He initially thought he could contain him, but after this, he realized he really couldn't keep up.
Torres and Meska Pec also looked solemn.
They had completely lost their previous ease. Although the game had only started nine minutes ago, many unexpected things had happened, catching them off guard.
Suk Bajić, positioned at the forefront, was also serious.
He hadn't received a pass since the start of the game, which was unprecedented.
Both Torres and Meska Pec were good passers and wouldn't let him get into such a predicament.
The two wingers could also break through to the byline and cross, creating opportunities for him to compete for headers.
But none of this had happened in these nine minutes.
Of course, Suk Bajić also looked at Suk, who was celebrating with his teammates on the other side.
This guy with the same name as him was indeed performing very well.
Suk Bajić and the Sarajevo players had to admit that they had underestimated Suk.
"Cheer up! Let's stabilize the situation and get back!"
As captain, Ivan Kerić clapped his hands and loudly boosted morale.
This was not the time to be discouraged. They were playing at home, and it was a battle for the top spot in the league. Losing the game would be truly embarrassing.
"Luka, great goal!"
Suk extended his hand.
Modrić waved his hand vigorously.
Pa!
"Great pass!"
The two laughed and hugged.
At this moment, Modrić's expression was also very excited.
Obviously, he was very happy to score first against Sarajevo.
Of course, they couldn't be careless. There was still a long time before the end of the game.
Suk Bajić stood in the center circle again, this time with a more serious expression.
At the same time, his fighting spirit became even more vigorous.
Behind him, Torres, Meska Pec, and others also dared not to be careless.
When the game restarted, Mostar Zrinjski Iski continued to use the same tactic, rushing forward and pressing hard, trying to create the same situation as before.
However, this time Sarajevo was experienced. Meska Pec retreated very deep to help the defense get the ball out.
At the same time, Torres also retreated to the defensive midfielder position to distribute the ball.
They thought that increasing their ability to hold and distribute the ball in the backcourt would reverse the situation, but they found that they were wrong.
When the ball reached Torres's feet, he encountered even more intense pressure.
This time, it wasn't just Suk and Modrić, but also Biljal pressing.
Faced with the encirclement of three people, Torres looked a little panicked.
Although he was Sarajevo's core player with excellent footwork, he couldn't use his skills when facing the three people's crazy pressure.
He wanted to turn around and pass back, but Koso Pec was already blocking there, giving him no space to pass.
After several struggles, Torres was finally dispossessed by Modrić.
After losing the ball, Torres was also annoyed and wanted to press.
But Modrić immediately passed the ball to Suk on the side.
Torres rushed towards Suk, and Suk immediately passed it back to Modrić.
Torres turned back and rushed towards Modrić.
Before he could run over, the ball was passed to Suk's feet again.
Torres stopped and stared at Suk warily.
Suk blinked. Was he not going to press anymore?
If you don't press, I won't pass!
Suk turned his head and dribbled the ball towards the wing. Only when he encountered pressure from the opponent did Suk leisurely pass back.
Seeing this, the entire stadium fell silent again.
Was this still the Sarajevo they were familiar with?
Was this still the championship team?
Torres, as their core player, had footwork and abilities that were top-notch in the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina league.
But at this time, Torres was being embarrassingly toyed with.
Compared to the morale-boosting Mostar Zrinjski Iski, Sarajevo was a chaotic mess.
Mostar Zrinjski Iski was pressing very fiercely, and at the same time, they completely disrupted the opponent's midfield rhythm.
Possession once again came to the feet of Mostar Zrinjski Iski, and they passed it continuously, putting Sarajevo in a very passive position.
"I didn't expect Sarajevo to play so passively. In the last game, Tuzla Sloboda was slaughtered. We thought it was just an accident, but judging from the current situation, this Mostar Zrinjski Iski has completed its transformation and come up with a tactic that is both unfamiliar and powerful to us."
The commentator Baso Dakić said seriously at this time.
He had thought this would be a fierce battle.
He had also thought it would be an intense game.
He had even thought that Sarajevo would make targeted tactical arrangements against Mostar Zrinjski Iski as before.
But he never thought that the game would turn out like this.
Sarajevo, with a Bosnian and Herzegovinian national team defense, two midfielders who had played in the top five leagues, and the genius Suk Bajić, was actually being toyed with.
Moreover, Mostar Zrinjski Iski had already begun to rely on positional warfare, gradually approaching forward.
Ten minutes later.
"Left! Left!"
"Hold on!"
Bang!!
"Don't worry about him!"
"Stick to him!"
"Don't let him shoot!"
Bang!
"Go up! Go up!"
"Bastard!"
Mostar Zrinjski Iski was bombarding Sarajevo.
They used Modrić and Suk as the core passing points, constantly applying pressure around the opponent's defense.
During this period, Sarajevo also had counterattacks.
They threw the ball to the retreating center forward Suk Bajić through the goalkeeper's throw, and Suk Bajić resisted the opponent, waiting for his teammates to push forward.
But his teammates didn't arrive. Instead, they were met with the pressing of Modrić and Suk.
It was another three-man encirclement. Although Suk Bajić had a strong physique, he was still brought down by the combined efforts of the three, and Mostar Zrinjski Iski was always able to use this method to limit the opponent's counterattacks.
Suk Bajić got up from the ground, his eyes full of anger.
This game was too frustrating.
"A defensive counterattack depends on the speed of the transition between offense and defense. We have Suk and Modrić as two active running points. They are always able to take the lead, which is why Sarajevo's counterattack can't be launched!"
Van Stejak crossed his arms.
At this time, although they were already leading by one goal, it was still not enough to be safe.
If they could score another goal...
No sooner said than done.
Mostar Zrinjski Iski made several consecutive passes near the edge of the penalty area.
Suk and Modrić used their passing cooperation to penetrate the opponent's defense and disrupt their defense once again.
After completing the final pass, Suk directly moved forward at a 90-degree angle, drawing away the defensive force.
Modrić met Suk's pass, and he ran in the opposite direction, his entire body tilting towards the inside of his supporting foot. His right foot pulled back sharply, his instep straightened, and he slammed into the ball.
"Wow!"
Suk exclaimed.
Modrić's signature outside-of-the-foot shot.
The ball flew over the crowd in an arc towards the upper right corner.
Sarajevo's goalkeeper tried his best to save it. He only managed to touch the ball, but failed to push it out.
Finally, the ball went into the net.
Modrić scored twice.
Mostar Zrinjski Iski led Sarajevo 2:0.
This goal gave Sarajevo a huge blow.
They were already one goal behind, but they had been extended again.
"Don't let him shoot. Don't you know the threat of his long shots?"
Goalkeeper Ivanci got up and started complaining frantically.
His tone was full of discouraged emotions.
Anyone who had been playing so passively since the beginning would feel the same way, especially since this opponent was once firmly suppressed by them.
The tables had turned, and now Sarajevo had become the one being suppressed.
And the situation was extremely bleak!
In the 33rd minute, Mostar Zrinjski Iski relied on Modrić's signature outside-of-the-foot shot to extend the score again.
Modrić scored twice, which also made this game completely become Modrić's solo performance.
Modrić celebrated with his arms open, his expression extremely excited.
He played very happily in this game, more happily than any previous one.
Modrić was in high spirits.
The reporters on the stands also pointed their cameras at Modrić, the Croatian genius, and took pictures frantically.