On August 29th, Croatian internationals returned home one after another to prepare for the ninth round of the European Cup qualifiers, hosting Greece at home.

A victory in this match would secure Croatia's qualification for the 2012 European Cup as group leaders, making it a crucial game.

"When did you buy the plane?"

"How much did it cost?"

"I want one too!"

As the players returned, the training base gradually became livelier.

Suker, Modrić, Srna, and others gathered to chat and joke around.

Of course, there was also the sulking Rakitić.

Some people took a private jet back to participate in the match, but these guys forgot all about him!

Are we even teammates?

Can't we get along properly?

I'm definitely hitching a ride back!

"Where's Daniel?"

Suker suddenly asked.

He hadn't seen Pranjić this time, and there was no reason for him not to show up.

Hearing this, Modrić sighed. "He's injured. I heard it's quite serious and might need rest for a while."

"A major injury?" Suker asked.

Modrić nodded. "He's already had surgery. I went to see him specially, and his condition isn't great."

Getting injured right at the start of the new season—it's no wonder his condition isn't ideal.

Moreover, Pranjić is already 30 years old, an awkward age.

His body's recovery ability isn't what it used to be, and a major injury at this stage could seriously impact the rest of his career.

Pranjić was out due to injury, but fortunately, Croatia had Ćorluka to replace him.

In the past, Croatia's squad had low tolerance for injuries.

But now, with these young players stepping up, the bench is deep enough.

After all, Ćorluka is also a player in the top five leagues and the starting right-back for Tottenham Hotspur, a Premier League Big Six club.

In fact, Ćorluka had already been threatening Pranjić's position.

Now, with Pranjić injured, Ćorluka would likely secure the starting role.

Suker shook his head. This was the problem with their current batch of players, especially the older ones like Pranjić, Srna, and Vukojević.

Once injured, the consequences could be dire.

Croatia's match against Greece was on September 7th, but they assembled a week early for training.

This time, Besić's purpose for the training camp was not only to further sharpen their form but also to adjust the defensive line.

Šimunić's form had plummeted.

In the latest evaluation of defenders in the Bundesliga, he was ranked at the very bottom.

Especially after joining Hoffenheim, without a solid defensive shield in front of him, his weaknesses were exposed. Coupled with his declining form, his overall performance had become very poor.

Now, Šimunić mostly served as a substitute for Hoffenheim. At the club level, he was benched by a 21-year-old youngster.

At the national team level, Besić also intended to demote the partnership of Šimunić and Kovač.

Besić wasn't one for gradual transitions!

A defensive line combining experience and youth, with veterans guiding newcomers?

In Besić's view, central defensive partnerships also need time to gel. Splitting them up and rebuilding would waste time.

Moreover, Lovren's recent performances had been impressive, and Vida was steady enough.

This young central defensive partnership could solidly anchor Croatia's defense.

Of course, they also needed further integration with the team, hence the week of preparation.

Croatia's entire defensive line:

Šimunić and Kovač demoted.

Pranjić injured.

Except for captain Srna, it was almost a complete overhaul.

Besić hadn't originally planned to make adjustments so quickly, but under various unforeseen circumstances, he decisively made changes.

He intended to use the match against Greece to test these young players' abilities.

Moreover, with Srna's guide, Besić believed there wouldn't be major issues.

"Lovren is a pressing central defender. His lateral movement is very quick, and he excels in duels and pressing. During his best performances, his average tackles per game were two." Van Stoyak said, looking at the data recorded in his notebook. "However, precisely because of this, his aggressive pressing style requires a steady central defensive partner!"

"Vida is even younger. Aside from his tough style, it's hard to find many other characteristics. His playing style is also fairly conventional. For others, he might be a player without standout features, but for us, for Lovren, he is just right."

"Precise judgment of the ball's landing point, well-timed defensive positioning and covering choices. Partnered with an aggressive central defender like Lovren, he is a very suitable sweeper. His drawback is insufficient subjective awareness; he easily falls into slump and needs constant reminders. This is where Srna comes in!"

Snap!

Van Stoyak closed his notebook. "As for Ćorluka, there's no need to say much. In fact, I've long believed that Ćorluka is more suitable for the left-back position than Pranjić."

Besić nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

He knew what Van Stoyak meant by saying this.

Pranjić was part of the same generation as players like Suker, Srna, Modrić, and Vukojević. They had played together since their days at Dinamo Zagreb and won many honors.

They shared a special camaraderie, something even Rakitić couldn't integrate into.

Therefore, whether it was Van Stoyak or the previous coach Besić, they had to consider one thing when benching Pranjić:

Would it anger these players?

Moreover, Suker had a history of undermining authority, so they didn't dare to make changes lightly.

This was the problem when the head coach was in a passive position.

However, Besić was different!

He had raised these players himself.

He had a natural authority over the entire team.

Pranjić was his disciple!

Ćorluka was also his disciple!

Even if replaced, Pranjić, Suker, Modrić, and the others couldn't really complain.

After all, there was no concept of favoritism here.

Both were Besić's students, so handling these matters was almost smooth and natural for him.

This was a key reason why Bilić had recommended Besić as head coach back then.

The Croatian national team had its fair share of strong personalities. It wasn't just Suker who was vocal; the others were no pushovers either.

Like when they undermined Bilic, it was done cleanly and efficiently!

Having suffered such a setback, Bilić knew that aside from Besić himself, no one else could keep these players in check.

Especially during adjustment periods, the head coach needed strong authority.

"That's all for today's training. We'll have a practice match tomorrow!"

Besić clapped his hands, signaling the end of the first day of training camp.

The players began heading to the locker rooms in small groups or chatting on the field.

Suker's group always stuck together, forming a clique.

"Besić placed Vida and Lovren in the substitute squad!"

Šimuni said discontentedly.

Croatia's training camp was special. For defenders, being placed in the substitute squad often meant they were being considered for the starting lineup.

The starting defenders would initially face the onslaught and pressure from the main forwards during the early days of training camp. After a few days, they would be adjusted back to the main squad for further integration.

From Besić's actions, it was clear he intended to promote the central defensive partnership of Vida and Lovren.

Šimuni knew his form had declined somewhat.

But after all, he had played so many matches for Croatia. Even if he hadn't performed exceptionally, he had worked hard.

Moreover, he had won the 2008 European Cup with Croatia, so he had contributed.

Being benched just like that, he is unwilling to accept it.

He brought this up with Suker to sound out the opinions of Suker and the others.

But whether it was Suker or the others, they showed no intention of continuing the topic.

Dujmović directly interrupted with a joke, changing the subject and avoiding further discussion.

After dinner, Suker, Modrić, Srna, Dujmović, Vukojević, and Mandžukić gathered in Suker's room.

This group, including Pranjić is the first-generation players from Dinamo Zagreb.

They were the core of the small clique.

"Šimunic seems very dissatisfied."

"After being demoted to the bench, of course he'd be uncomfortable!"

"He even tried to sound out our opinions. What can we do?" Dujmović spread his hands. "If it were Bilić, maybe we could say something, but with Besić, I really don't have the guts!"

Srna also nodded. "He should learn to accept it. Declining form is an undeniable fact. If he can't contribute to the team anymore, the least he can do is not cause trouble. If my form declines one day, I'll directly withdraw from the national team without causing you all any trouble!"

"Suker, what do you think?" Modrić asked.

Suker glanced at him. "No particular thoughts. It's normal. When we climbed to starting positions at our clubs, didn't we also go through various competitions and challenges? How we made it up back then is how they'll do it now!"

"What about Pranjić?"

Dujmović asked. "I'm really afraid that after this major injury, his form might plummet. Injuries are terrifying!"

At their age now, injuries were their biggest fear!

Mandžukić said, "What are you afraid of? Even if you're injured, you'd still be a substitute!"

"You bastard… Can't you speak properly? Be careful, or I'll tear your mouth shut! You went to Bayern and still lost the championship. What were you doing?"

"Is that my fault?"

"If it's not your fault, whose is it? You didn't score, that's why we lost the championship!"

"I scored 20+ goals this season!"

"So what? Didn't you still lose the championship?"

"You bastard…"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh. These two started bickering whenever they met, a pair of cat and mouse.

However, their bond grew stronger the more they argued.

The originally heavy topic quickly lightened amidst the banter.

The next day, Croatia began practice matches to further sharpen their teamwork.

Vida, Lovren, and Ćorluka were the key focuses and primary evaluation targets.

They themselves were well aware of their current situation. To secure starting positions or even become mainstays, they gave their all.

Opportunities didn't come often. If they didn't seize this one, they wouldn't know when the next would arrive.

Therefore, they had to perform in the practice matches.

However, no matter how fierce their determination, facing Modrić's orchestration, Suker's assaults, and Rakitić's dribbling, they were repeatedly forced into desperate defending near their goal.

After 40 minutes, they were drenched in sweat.

"We haven't successfully contained Suker once!"

Vida couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Lovren also nodded gravely, his sense of urgency heighten.

In contrast, Ćorluka's expression was relatively relaxed.

Hearing these two talk about 'containing Suker,' Ćorluka couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Wishful thinking!

Across Europe, even the most formidable defensive lines couldn't stop Suker.

Barcelona was fierce, right?

They once scored 100 goals in 40 games, conceding only 15.

But against Real Madrid, against Suker, they still conceded Six goals in two matches!

So, the proposition of 'containing Suker' simply didn't exist.

Ćorluka believed that Bilić's goal wasn't for them to contain Suker but to execute zonal defense well and show him more defensive coordination.

"There's another practice match this afternoon. Let's try this…"

Vida and Lovren huddled together, constantly discussing.

The core of their discussion was 'how to contain Suker.'

Watching these two drift further off track, Ćorluka helplessly approached them.

"Hey! Focus on defensive coordination. Don't think about containing Suker!" Ćorluka reminded them.

In fact, they were all in the same boat now. If Vida and Lovren were unstable, his own performance would also suffer.

"If we don't contain Suker, how do we play well?" Lovren said.

Ćorluka grinned. "Contain Suker? You really dare to think about it. If we succeeded with our current abilities, shouldn't we just transfer to a top club?"

"Coach Besić placed us in the substitute squad to temper us against the main forwards, to make us demonstrate defensive coordination, not to find ways to contain Suker."

Hearing this, Lovren and Vida exchanged glances.

That seemed to make sense!

With their current abilities, containing Suker was impossible—a false proposition.

"So, what should we do? How do we achieve defensive coordination?"

Lovren and Vida looked at Ćorluka, feeling he was quite clever.

Ćorluka shook his head. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Lovren said irritably. "If you don't know, why act so knowledgeable?"

"I don't know, but someone else does!" Ćorluka said.

"Who?"

Both asked simultaneously.

During lunch, as Srna had just sat down with his tray, he found himself facing Lovren, Vida, and Ćorluka occupying the seats opposite and beside him.

"Captain!"

Lovren grinned foolishly at Srna.

Vida opposite him wore the same expression.

Srna looked bewildered. "What's wrong?"

After lunch, while the players rested, Srna led the three to the training field.

"Defensive coordination?" Srna's eyes lit up.

These guys were quite clever, immediately understanding Bilić's intention.

"We need to work as a unit. The false proposition of containing Suker doesn't hold, but if we can achieve coordination, it should earn us points, right?" Ćorluka said.

Srna nodded. "Defensive coordination is indeed one of the evaluation criteria this time, but it's not the key. The coach wants to see your potential!"

"Potential?"

"Your strengths are Vida's stability, Lovren's decisiveness, and your defensive talent!"

"But these are things we already know. However, your performances with the national team have been somewhat limited. You haven't shown your full capabilities. Actually, we don't expect you to perform exactly as you do at your clubs, but you should at least demonstrate some characteristics."

Srna looked at Vida. "You're stable—stability is your characteristic. But on that foundation, as a sweeper, you have a broader field of vision and can better observe the situation on the field. So, you need to speak up and take the initiative to assume responsibility."

"But Captain, you're the one who commands!" Vida said.

Srna replied, "I also advance forward at times. If I can't track back in time, who will command?"

Vida paused, stroking his chin in thought.

Srna then turned to Lovren. "You're good at pressing, and your speed is quick. But if you can remember your teammates' positions and provide timely cover, that could also be a characteristic. Especially since Ćorluka is tall and relatively slow to turn. Once he encounters a speedy winger, you need to coordinate with Ćorluka in defense, even helping him suppress the flank immediately!"

"All this requires you to have precise positional awareness, even memorizing your teammates' positions in your head."

Finally, Srna looked at Ćorluka.

"Croatian defenders are different from Italian ones, especially full-backs, who bear many attacking responsibilities—passing, advancing, etc.!"

"Due to my role, your opportunities to push forward might be limited, but shouldn't you work on your long passes and short passes?"

Srna smiled. "These are the possibilities—what Besić wants to see."

"Not some specific tactic or idea, but the aspects of yourselves), the possibilities that emerge from your involvement. This requires you to communicate well and then develop your own style. Of course, I'll also be involved because we'll likely be defensive teammates!"

Srna encouraged them, "Keep it up! I believe you can do it!"

After Srna's reminder, the three immediately understood what they needed to do.

They also gained a deeper understanding of the Croatian national team's current state.

Expecting them to operate independently from the midfield and forward lines, forming an ironclad defense?

That was impossible!

They needed to rely on the midfield and even the forward line.

Therefore, at this stage, the coordination among themselves was the first step.

Once they achieved this, they would progress to midfield-defensive coordination and eventually full-team coordination.

But before that, they had to train their skills.

Croatia's intensity was too high, which wasn't very friendly to newcomers like them.

They weren't aiming to immediately assist these incredibly talented players, but at the very least, they shouldn't hold them back, right?

Now that their mind was clear, they knew what to do next.