"The full-time whistle blows, the aggregate score is AC Milan 3:3 Barcelona."
"Although Barcelona won the second leg 3:1, Milan has a precious away goal!"
"Suker's goal became the key, granting AC Milan the qualification to the semifinals!"
"After this fierce battle, Milan finally defeated the strong Barcelona."
Aldo Cerella shouted excitedly, but his tone soon turned serious: "However, we must also pay attention. This season, Barcelona has already shown terrifying potential. Milan's victory was partly due to the tactical surprise and restraint, and partly because Barcelona's team cohesion is still incomplete."
"Under Guardiola's leadership, Barcelona has fully displayed their potential this season. Next season, they will undoubtedly be one of the top contenders for the Champions League!"
"I believe next season, Barcelona will be even more terrifying."
"But for now, we can still celebrate this victory, celebrate this great win!"
On the pitch, Suker was tightly embraced by Maldini.
"What a great guy! You did awesome!" Maldini's voice trembled with excitement.
Despite Milan's difficult circumstances, their victory in this match was due to Ancelotti's strategy and the team's cooperation.
One could say the right time, place, and people were all indispensable.
And the most crucial was Suker's away goal.
Though he scored only this one goal over two legs, it was enough to change everything.
This is what being the key player means!
"Well done!"
Ancelotti also patted Suker's shoulder.
At this moment, Ancelotti felt somewhat unreal.
Tactics are tactics, but the actual effect depends on the players' performance.
In these two legs, AC Milan truly demonstrated strong tactical execution and team unity—key factors in winning the match.
Of course, Suker's contribution was undeniable.
"Go, go do your interview!"
Ancelotti pointed toward the sideline.
Suker turned and saw a group of reporters eagerly looking at him.
"Suker, I'm from the Catalonia newspaper."
"I'm from Milan team news!"
"I have questions."
One reporter after another scrambled to get the interview.
Suker raised his hand to signal: "I'll respond all at once."
"First, this was a tough victory, a pyrrhic victory!"
"I think you can see it yourselves. Across two legs, we received two red cards; Kaká and Gattuso were suspended. That's terrible. Pirlo is also injured. I want to dedicate this win to Pirlo—his efforts deserve this."
"Second, Barcelona put enormous pressure on us this match. They are still a newly assembled team, and their tactical system still has some rough edges. This also contributed to our victory. If we meet them next season, the result would be really hard to predict."
Hearing Suker's words, the expressions of the Catalonia and Spanish reporters softened somewhat.
"What are your expectations for the upcoming matches?" asked a Milan reporter.
Other reporters listened intently.
Suker hesitated a moment, then sighed, "The situation is bad, but we must pull ourselves together. We will give our all for every victory, we will fight with everything—that's all we can do right now."
In the evening, on the bus returning home, the Milan players wore heavy expressions.
Although they won and advanced to the Champions League semifinals,
the current situation basically told them the Champions League journey was over.
The midfield was almost entirely lost.
Gattuso and Kaká's red cards!
Pirlo's thigh wrapped in bandages, season over.
The league was still manageable, but the Champions League was really too difficult.
Gattuso would be suspended for the first leg of the semifinals.
Kaká also suspended for two matches, missing the semifinals.
The current final four in the Champions League:
AC Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea.
The same four as last season.
But last season, AC Milan still managed to defeat three of them, ultimately avenging Liverpool and lifting the trophy.
This time, they were directly worn down by Barcelona.
With the midfield fallen, it would be difficult to play against any team.
Moreover, Manchester United and Liverpool were eager to beat this half-broken AC Milan.
At the front of the bus, Ancelotti sat quietly.
He looked down at the list of final four teams and sighed deeply after a long moment.
No matter how great a tactician he was,
No matter how clever he was,
With the current AC Milan, there was no chance against any of these three teams.
Liverpool signed the Spanish prodigy Fernando Torres at the start of the season.
Just joining the Premier League, he already had 22 goals, second only to Ronaldo on the scoring chart.
This guy's style suited Liverpool perfectly, and he was in scorching form.
Chelsea needs no explanation—Mourinho's team is probably the most defensively solid club in world football right now.
Even Suker would find it extremely difficult to break through their defense.
Moreover, Chelsea had the beast Drogba up front!
A striker like Drogba could crush AC Milan's aging defense.
Manchester United was even tougher.
They were title favorites.
If they faced Barcelona first, then Milan, they might have hope.
But Milan was already worn down by Barcelona.
Against Manchester United, they might even be slaughtered.
Ancelotti was very conflicted.
No hope in the Champions League, but giving up was too regretful.
In the league, they still had to compete for the title.
Ancelotti had a huge headache.
That was why, despite beating Barcelona, he couldn't feel happy.
They won at a terrible cost!
After returning to Milan, Ancelotti received the news:
AC Milan's semifinal opponent was decided.
The London Blues—Chelsea.
Mourinho's Blues would finally step onto San Siro's pitch.
Compared with Liverpool and Manchester United, this might be the best result.
Not that Chelsea was weak,
But Milan wouldn't be hunted for revenge by United or Liverpool.
If targeted by those two, Milan wouldn't survive without scars.
"Semifinals against Chelsea!"
Kaká shook his head: "You ready?"
Suker shook his head: "Not sure, but I know one thing."
"What?"
Suker sighed, "Mourinho will definitely use fouling tactics. They will rough me up badly!"
Mourinho's ironclad Chelsea!
Their defense might be the toughest in the world right now.
Ashley Cole, Essien, Terry, Carvalho—
All world-class defenders, trained by Mourinho for perfect coordination and high fighting spirit.
If Kaká and Pirlo were healthy, Suker might have had an easier time.
But in the next Champions League match, it looked like Suker would have to fight solo.
Suker was confident in his skills but not overly confident to single-handedly break the world's best defense.
Difficult!
So difficult!
"Just try your best,"
Suker shook his head.
He hadn't thought much about the Champions League this season.
Making it to the semifinals was already mission accomplished.
And during that time, they were worn down by Barcelona.
Going up against a fully fit Chelsea with a half-broken team?
Even Suker was powerless.
Probably Ancelotti was already considering shifting focus to the league.
Since the Champions League was effectively lost.
Just try, that's enough.
Losing wouldn't be a big deal.
Milan's state and lineup simply weren't for the championship.
Last season's title was their foundation.
But now, that foundation was depleted.
Could they still expect veterans like Maldini, Cafu, and Dida to perform at their peak?
They were already averaging 37+ years old!
In the upcoming matches, winning would be a bonus.
Losing wouldn't be a loss.
Everyone, including Suker, understood this.
Their Champions League run was over!