"Šuker's signature rainbow pass! The ball curves with a dramatic arc toward the far right post — Kaká with the follow-up shot! Ohhh~~ César's save was absolutely crucial, he just saved Inter from danger!"
"Šuker's rainbow pass! Even though we've seen it on TV many times, seeing this beautiful pass live is still incredibly thrilling. That gorgeous arc and deadly precision — we didn't expect Šuker to deliver such a stunner right at the start! He's in phenomenal form!"
The commentator Huang Jianxiang shouted with excitement.
Although he had lost his position as the official Serie A commentator and could no longer broadcast league matches, he had fought to secure commentary rights for this match.
There was no way he was going to miss an opportunity to call an AC Milan game live.
Still, he had been warned to control his emotions.
But really — who could hold back after seeing a pass like that?
In the stadium, Huaxia fans were equally fired up.
This was the legendary rainbow pass!
An authentic, real-time rainbow pass!
Šuker's rainbow passes had become wildly popular in Huaxia. Even in casual pickup games, whenever someone pulled off a curved pass — regardless of accuracy — they'd excitedly yell, "Rainbow pass!"
So, witnessing the real deal up close was a thrilling experience.
"How did he even put that curve on the ball?""I used to think Beckham's passes were the most aesthetic — but Šuker's are something else.""I love seeing Šuker play as an attacking midfielder. He does it all — dribble, shoot, pass! He's incredible!""Kaká should've finished that!""Šuker's definitely going to roast him!"
Sure enough, they saw Šuker pointing at Kaká and shouting from a distance.
The AC Milan fans couldn't stop laughing.
These two — Šuker and Kaká — their banter and chemistry was legendary. Constant bickering, but it was part of the charm.
AC Milan earned a corner. When Pirlo took it, Šuker and Samuel battled fiercely.
Neither won the aerial duel. The ball ricocheted off Samuel's shoulder and out of the box.
Kaká was the fastest to react and regained possession.
Facing the box again, Kaká initially planned to send it back in — but seeing the players' positioning, he decisively passed backward instead.
"No chance!" he shouted.
Šuker and Ronaldo both backed out of the box.
This was good judgment from Kaká. In the past, he would've likely forced the ball into the crowd and gone for a knife-fight play.
But now, his decision-making clearly showed a shift — no more blind aggression.
This kind of game awareness was exactly what a midfielder needed most: situational judgment.
"Pass it!"
After moving the ball, Kaká ran to the next receiving point. He kept rotating and staying involved.
His active role in the midfield helped stabilize Milan's passing game.
However, without turning or breaking through, the possession stayed in Milan's own half.
In other words: they couldn't advance.
Šuker didn't go over to help — this was a problem Kaká needed to solve himself, especially if he was serious about changing his style.
A whole minute passed with Milan making lateral and backward passes.
There was no real forward movement.
Pirlo had the vision to break lines. Simunić also had the ability to launch attacks.
But both kept giving the ball to Kaká.
Clearly, they were helping him adapt to this new rhythm.
To Huaxia fans, this new Kaká felt a bit unfamiliar.
He used to be all about explosive charges forward.
Now it was all about pass, pass, pass — mostly sideways or backward — with zero vertical threat.
"AC Milan's rhythm is starting to drag. They can't get the ball forward!"
Even commentator Huang Jianxiang was puzzled.
But Kaká stuck to his plan, patiently circulating the ball.
Finally, Inter's midfielders couldn't hold back any longer and closed in on Kaká.
He started quick one-touch passes.
But with every pass, he inched forward — slowly advancing past the midfield line.
Like a nail driven into Inter's midfield and defense.
For Kaká, this transformation was essential.
Not because he played poorly — but because his original style left him too injury-prone.
He knew that, deep down. But had avoided the issue for a long time.
Until Šuker called him out directly.
Playing as a wide midfielder was still new to Kaká.
Especially this cerebral style.
He could still dribble and sprint — just not constantly.
He had to learn to use his brain, not just his legs.
So in his downtime, he studied Šuker and Pirlo's play.
These two could teach him a lot.
From watching them, Kaká began to understand things:
How to pull defenders out of position.How to use off-ball movement and passing to create chances.
And now, he was trying to implement this new playing style.
He waited for Inter to bite — for them to finally close in.
At the 14th minute, Inter's players snapped.
"Press him!"
Maxwell shouted.
He, Córdoba, and Stanković charged at Kaká.
But this time, Kaká didn't have his back to goal — he was side-facing.
He took one touch to the side, shaking off Maxwell.
Then, through the tiny gap between three defenders, he spotted an opening.
Straight through to space behind them.
Kaká fired a threaded pass with his right foot.
The ball sliced between the trio and rolled into the gap left by Maxwell.
At that moment, Ronaldo surged forward, arms pumping.
Even though he was far from his prime in terms of pace and explosiveness, he still beat everyone to the ball.
Samuel was marking him from the side — a direct shot would be blocked.
So Ronaldo heel-flicked the ball diagonally backward toward the penalty spot.
And there stood Šuker.
Maicon had one arm wrapped around Šuker's waist, pulling hard — but he couldn't budge him.
Maicon thought: Even if I foul him, I can't let him shoot.
But before he could fully shove, Šuker unleashed a one-touch shot without controlling.
"Šuker takes the shot! This one—"
Huang Jianxiang leapt up from his seat.
He saw Šuker strike the ball toward the top-right corner.
César dove — but he couldn't reach it.
The ball flew past his fingertips into the net.
Despite Maicon's shove, it was too late.
Šuker instantly jumped up from the turf and sprinted toward the stands.
The entire stadium began chanting his name.
ŠUKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arms outstretched, Šuker looked as if he were embracing the fans — or perhaps embracing the entire stadium.
"AC Milan's attack came out of nowhere. Šuker's finish was stunning, but Kaká's role was even more critical."
"He used patient passing to draw Inter's defenders toward him. Then, in that final touch, he split three defenders with a pinpoint through ball. Ronaldo added the flick assist, and Šuker buried it first-time!"
"A wonderfully fluid, synchronized goal. AC Milan takes the lead at the 14th minute!"
"Inter Milan had a few chances, but unlike AC Milan, they couldn't capitalize."
"But it's only been 14 minutes — Inter still has time!"
"With stars like Ibrahimović, Figo, and Crespo, how will they respond?"
Huang Jianxiang said with anticipation:
"Let's wait and see!"
On the field, Šuker celebrated with his teammates, then high-fived Kaká with force.
"Great pass, Kaká!"
Šuker slapped Kaká's chest.
"Two minutes of patience — just to lure Inter's defense onto you."
"And not just that," Kaká added. "The key was making Maxwell commit. I kept moving toward his side to draw him out of position!"
Šuker froze for a moment.
In the past, Kaká never thought this deeply.
Now… he was really thinking like a playmaker.
Who is this guy?!
It almost felt like a sweet, innocent flower had suddenly become a scheming mastermind.