Silence filled Bilić's room.
Bilić turned to look out the window, a clear sign he no longer wanted to talk.
Van Stoyak's face was filled with helplessness.
Šuker kept his head down, his expression equally grim.
He understood better than anyone which tactic was more effective.
Van Stoyak was right — but Bilić's indecisiveness had placed them at a critical crossroads.
The European Championship had now reached the semifinal stage.
Croatia had performed brilliantly in this tournament, and the team's overall form was excellent.
But Šuker couldn't guarantee they could maintain this momentum in the future.
Especially considering that in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euro, Spain would be at their peak. Even with a specific game plan to target them, could Croatia's squad withstand the full force of Spain's tiki-taka?
That was a big question.
Which is why Šuker didn't want to let this opportunity slip away.
"You go out first. I'll speak with him alone."
Šuker said calmly.
Van Stoyak looked at him, nodded, and left the room.
Standing in the hallway, Van Stoyak closed the door and leaned against the wall.
His heart was full of frustration.
Ever since the knockout stage began, his tactical ideas were barely implemented.
Not because his ideas were flawed, but because Bilić had stopped delegating power.
In the past, the two had gotten along fine.
But now that Croatia was in the spotlight, Bilić had become cautious, hesitant to take risks, and this placed the team in a precarious situation.
So this idea of "shared management"?It was all bullshit.
In the beginning, Bilić acted friendly and generous — but in a moment of crisis, he lost his nerve.
Van Stoyak had already prepared the tactics long ago, even during the group stage — he had already been planning how to counter Spain.
It wasn't a last-minute plan.It was something he'd carefully designed.
Something worthy of trust.
But Bilić didn't trust him, and that was the core of the problem.
Van Stoyak waited a while.
The room remained completely silent.
He was curious what Šuker and Bilić were talking about.
But in his view, Šuker was more trustworthy, and there was a greater chance that Bilić would compromise with him.
About ten minutes later, Šuker finally emerged.
"How did it go?"
Šuker's expression looked even gloomier.
Van Stoyak's heart sank.
"You didn't convince him, did you?" he sighed.
Without Bilić's approval, the tactics couldn't be implemented.
But just then, Šuker slowly exhaled and said:
"You go ahead and prepare the tactics as planned. I'll take care of the rest."
"Huh?" Van Stoyak was stunned. "What are you planning to do?"
Šuker asked in return:
"In the 1974 World Cup, when Germany stood at the top of the world — what did Beckenbauer do?"
Van Stoyak paused for a moment, then his eyes suddenly widened.
"You're really going to do that?"
Šuker began walking forward.
"Time is short. I have to move quickly."
Watching Šuker's back as he walked away, Van Stoyak's heart thundered.
In 1974, what did Beckenbauer do? That year, the "Emperor" of German football — overrode the head coach's authority!
Inside Šuker's room, players like Srna, Šimunić, Šimić, Modrić, Pletikosa, and Van Stoyak gathered.
The players looked at each other, confused — they had been ready for bed but were suddenly summoned by Šuker.
No one knew what was going on.
Šuker stood by the window, his expression unusually serious — no trace of his usual cheerful demeanor.
The others realized something serious was going on.
"What I'm about to ask needs your approval."
Šuker began.
Srna asked,
"What's happening?"
Šuker turned to Van Stoyak, who began explaining everything in detail.
As they listened, the players' expressions showed gradual understanding.
But they still didn't quite grasp the significance of Šuker's next move.
"Disagreements over tactics are normal," Šuker said firmly."But we have to consider the context — we're just two days from the semifinal. We don't have time to convince Bilić anymore. So I've made a decision."
"In the worst-case scenario — we need to make Bilić step aside."
The players were shocked.
They understood what Šuker meant now.
There was a tactical disagreement — but time was running out, and Šuker was preparing to seize control.
In the history of the World Cup and Euros, coach-player rifts and internal drama were not uncommon.
Sometimes it led to greatness.
Sometimes it ended in disaster.
But none of them expected that this time it would happen to Croatia.
"There's no more time for hesitation. I need to know — do you support me, or Bilić?"
Šuker's tone was sharp and decisive.
The room fell silent. The situation was too big. Everyone's mind was in turmoil.
Šuker could tell what they were thinking.
Would the tactics work?Would this move even be worth it?
Facing this suddenly, they were all a bit shaken.
"Is this really necessary?" Srna asked."Maybe I can go talk to him."
"I already tried," Šuker replied."Bilić's mind is set. If you go now, he might feel we're pressuring him. It could backfire badly."
"We need to act decisively and swiftly."
"I know you're all worried. I won't promise the tactic will 100% work, but at least both Van Stoyak and I believe in it."
"We're already in the semifinals. If this were the group stage or quarters, disagreement might be tolerable. But now? Just one more win — and we're in the Euro final."
"If we beat Spain, we'll be fighting for the championship."
"Don't you want to win the European Championship?"
Gulp.
Modrić swallowed hard. He wasn't the only one — everyone's eyes showed a strong desire.
It was the European Championship — of course they wanted it.
"Spain is strong. Their passing game is deadly. But I guarantee, if we follow Bilić's plan — we will lose. Van Stoyak's plan is the right one. Remember the Milan vs. Barcelona game in the Champions League last season? We wanted to press high, and Ancelotti thought it was the right move — but in the end, he chose to defend, because Milan couldn't press. But we're different. We're young. We can do it!"
Šuker even brought up Ancelotti for credibility.
Compared to his own words, Ancelotti's name carried far more weight.
Sure enough, Srna, Modrić, and the others started to seriously consider it.
Šimunić and Šimić exchanged glances, both looking uncertain.
They couldn't recall Ancelotti ever saying that — but they wouldn't question Šuker openly. After all, in the club, he was their Eastern European "boss".
"I support Šuker."
Šimunić was the first to speak.
Šuker was surprised — he thought Modrić would be the first to back him.
After Šimunić spoke, Šimić voiced his support too.
Then, Pletikosa sighed and said,
"Alright, I support Šuker as well."
With those three on board, Srna and Modrić didn't even bother saying anything.
"Then let's begin," Srna said directly.
The truth was, they had sided with Šuker from the very beginning.
When it came to choosing between Bilić and Šuker, they knew exactly where to stand.
Šuker nodded.
"I know what Bilić is afraid of. If we fail, I'll step up and take responsibility."
"Don't say that!" Srna cut in immediately."This isn't just your decision. We all agreed — so we'll bear the consequences together. If we lose, I'll be the first to admit fault. I'm the captain, after all. Let them take the armband if they want!"
Šuker was moved:
"Thank you, Darijo. I hope your daughter grows up looking more and more like Mia!"
Srna had just become a father — he had a newborn daughter.
At first, he smiled warmly.
But the more he thought about it, the more wrong it sounded.
"Wait a second! Are you saying I look weird or something?!"
Srna shouted.
The room erupted with laughter.