章 322: Happy Birthday
Real Madrid kicked off the first half, and while they had more fans in the stands, Millwall's supporters made an even louder show. Under the coordination of their leaders, the Millwall fans sang their club's anthem repeatedly before the match, especially the part that urged, "Millwall, charge, charge, charge!"
And charge they did—Millwall truly came out swinging.
To everyone's surprise, the defensive counter-attack strategy that had been emphasized and anticipated before the match completely vanished!
In Aldrich's memory, the final result of this historic match had been Real Madrid winning narrowly against Juventus, with a goal that was suspected to be offside. The goal had come from a well-executed attack, meaning both teams had lacked clear-cut chances, unlike the next year's final where Bayern was left frustrated by the woodwork.
Playing conservatively in a final is understandable, especially against a team like Juventus, which was known for its defensive counter-attacks.
While Millwall could adopt a defensive approach, Aldrich had no intention of doing so this time.
Real Madrid's attacking line was glamorous; not only were their forwards exceptionally skilled, but even their full-backs featured a dominant player like Roberto Carlos.
However, Real Madrid's defense was not necessarily remarkable. They had gone from allowing just 32 goals in 42 league games under Capello last season to conceding 45 goals in just 38 games this season. It was clear that their defense was not top-notch.
So, if Millwall played defensively and sent few players forward, Real Madrid would undoubtedly relish the opportunity to exploit their frailties at the back.
Today, Millwall was going for an all-out attack!
This tactic was not the safest choice. There's no guaranteed strategy in football, but Aldrich, weighing his options between actively attacking and playing defensively, opted for the former, believing it offered a higher chance of securing victory.
Right from the start, Millwall's aggressive pressing and attacking style astonished the Real Madrid players.
Were they not worried about being hit on the counter?
Worried? What good was that?
In a race of warriors, those with courage would prevail, and today was all about leaving it all on the line!
From the very first whistle, Millwall took the initiative. Using Pirlo to orchestrate the midfield and with their full-backs making timely forward runs, they showcased cohesive team play. With their midfielders holding a deeper position, Real Madrid hesitated to press up, which opened up opportunities for Millwall to dismantle them layer by layer.
In the fourth minute, Pirlo sent a precise through ball down the left flank, where Capdevila controlled the ball and powered through Karembeu. As they raced neck and neck, he passed to the supporting Nedved on the wing. Without waiting for Redondo to press, Nedved returned the ball to Makelele, who found Pirlo just as Raul closed in, sending the ball back to Pirlo.
Pirlo received the ball and sent a delicate through ball into the Real Madrid penalty area. Trezeguet ran to receive the ball. Redondo was attracted away by Nedved, leaving a huge gap in the midfield.
Larsson's diagonal run caught Hierro off guard, and Trezeguet made the expected pass, yet somehow Larsson had slipped past the opportunity—was that a miscommunication?
Of course not!
The ball rolled past Larsson, and at just the right moment, Nedved surged forward, entering the box to unleash a precise angled shot. Ilgner was quick to respond, parrying the ball out for a corner.
Without waiting for Pirlo to trot over, Larsson dashed to take the corner himself, not giving Real Madrid a chance to form a proper defense. After a step-over, Capdevila whipped in a cross, and Shevchenko, at the far post, jumped for a header. Though it went wide, it drew cheers from the Millwall fans.
"Today, Millwall has quickly found their rhythm in the match! No one expected the team that relied on defensive counter-attacks to make it to the final would press Real Madrid so aggressively! Aren't they worried about their back line? Perhaps this is Hall's gamble, but we're yet to see the outcome of it."
In these circumstances, Real Madrid was naturally looking to strike back at Millwall.
Every time they transitioned to attack successfully, they organized a rapid counter. Two minutes later, Redondo received a flicked header from Hierro and quickly launched a long ball, targeting Raul.
However, Raul couldn't meet the pass, getting intercepted by Makelele, who nodded it towards the wing to Schneider.
Redondo, the defensive midfielder, had an excellent sense for interceptions, and his elegant tackles were further amplified by his superb awareness of the match, often providing key passes for the forwards.
Millwall was no stranger to this kind of player; Pep Guardiola had played a similar role when they faced Barcelona.
Whenever Millwall's attacks fizzled out, Trezeguet would immediately seek out Redondo, disrupting him regardless of whether the ball was coming his way, while Nedved sprinted back to position himself in front of Seedorf and Karembeu.
Pirlo partnered with Makelele to form a double pivot, stunting the advancement of Real Madrid's midfielders.
Millwall's attacking approach is characterized by coordinated forward movement, executing their play with stunning fluidity. Real Madrid's defense was limited to seven players in their own half, while Millwall, including their full-backs, had six players going forward. Despite having one more man, Real Madrid were still dangerous and struggled to maintain a solid defensive formation with Millwall's concentrated attack.
In the ninth minute, Larson interchanged positions with Trezeguet just outside the box, creating gaps in the defenses of Hierro and Sanchez. Trezeguet found space on the left side, thanks to an incisive ball from Nedved aimed at him. Trezeguet's shot, however, was deftly saved by Ilgner.
In the thirteenth minute, Capdevila sent a diagonal long ball, and after Shevchenko faked an inward cut, he drew Redondo out. As Nedved pushed into the box, Pirlo offered support, receiving a back pass from Shevchenko before firing a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Schneider floated in a cross from the right side, and Larson's header aimed for the top corner had Ilgner beaten, but Sanchez cleared it off the line just in time.
The first twenty minutes found Real Madrid utterly unable to respond.
Real Madrid's transition from defense to attack often failed against Makelele, and whenever they slowed down to regain control, Millwall's layered defense and aggressive pressing saw them lose the ball too quickly. .
Watching those relentless waves of attacks from the sidelines, Aldrich wished for goals but couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
These eleven players, some having played together for three years, others for four, had fully matured into a cohesive unit, with their skills, tactics, and physical attributes refined to perfection.
But that didn't mean they were invincible; they had climbed to the peak of their capabilities. If there were any shortcomings left to address, it would take time and experience to evolve from being fierce and brave to becoming shrewd and untouchable veterans—a transformation from roaring lions to cunning old foxes.
Today, Millwall aimed to capitalize on all their advantages.
The stamina required for an all-out attack and the teamwork needed to execute their passing game—Aldrich believed that, in both respects, Millwall was superior to Real Madrid!
The Millwall fans in the stands sighed with disappointment each time their team missed a shot, but after every sigh, thunderous applause erupted. The passionate Millwall fans stood throughout, proud and delighted by the grit and determination their squad displayed today.
Both teams were evenly matched on paper for the championship prediction, but the match flow tilted heavily in Millwall's favor from the very start.
Millwall's overall attacking play reached an astonishing level, forcing Real Madrid into a rhythm that left their players puzzled.
Quick passes, clear movements, and constant threats filled the game.
In the 24th minute, after persistent effort from Millwall, they produced a brilliant combination.
Nedved and Pirlo exchanged passes twice before Pirlo fed an advancing Capdevila. Then, as Pirlo surged forward, Nedved darted into the heart of the box.
Capdevila laid the ball across the center, where Pirlo was poised to control it, and although Redondo was ready to intercept, Pirlo let it pass. Unexpectedly, Shevchenko, tracking back, met the ball with a well-timed through pass. Trezeguet and Larson interchanged runs, leaving Real Madrid's defenders disoriented. Larson cut across from the left to the right, and as he faced the pass, his movement suggested he was going for a shot!
However, as the ball rolled towards the far post, Nedved easily slotted it home into Real Madrid's net.
"Millwall has scored! Nedved opened the scoring for his team, assisted by Larson. The two Millwall stars executed a beautiful cooperative play, leaving a classic case of teamwork in the Champions League final! Pirlo, Nedved, Capdevila, Shevchenko, and Larson all linked up with quick, precise passes. Although Trezeguet didn't touch the ball, his movement drew defenders away, and Shevchenko's perfectly timed through ball slipped through the opposition's defense. Larson's unexpected horizontal pass did not surprise Nedved at all; he'd planned his run with the back post firmly in mind, and the ball arrived on cue! This goal is a timeless beauty!"
In the stands of the Amsterdam Arena, the Millwall fans erupted with joy, bouncing in excitement. The supporters on the sidelines urged Nedved to run over and celebrate, eager to cheer their hero up close.
After scoring, however, Nedved sprinted toward the coaching area, waving to his teammates to follow him.
Aldrich was ready to embrace his players in celebration, but Nedved and the others slowed down as they neared the touchline.
Jansen burst out from behind Aldrich, tossing a jersey to Nedved.
Nedved caught the jersey and held it high, showing the back to Aldrich.
It was a 22 jersey, and above the number was the name: Aldrich Hall.
Below the number were the words: **happy birthday!**
The eleven Millwall starters and the substitutes clearly had a plan. They gathered around Aldrich, chanting in unison, "Boss, happy birthday!"
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