章 207: Super Goal!!!
Bryan Robson led his team to Old Trafford. If any Manchester United fans found themselves free that evening to catch an FA Cup semi-final, there's no doubt they would be supporting Middlesbrough. Besides Robson's illustrious history as a legend with United, the animosity between United fans and Millwall was no secret.
As the main characters Aldrich and Robson greeted each other before the match, the atmosphere was surprisingly cordial. They chatted for a bit, and Robson congratulated Millwall on winning the Premier League title, offering encouragement for their upcoming challenge in the European Cup Winners' Cup final.
Aldrich graciously accepted the compliments. The two then returned to the bench. Although the venue was neutral, Middlesbrough still claimed the home dressing room and dugout; Aldrich didn't mind it at all. It was just a minor detail.
Middlesbrough had struggled in the league, but here they were in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, having also reached the final of the League Cup, despite Robson's unfortunate loss to the up-and-coming Martin O'Neill.
This phenomenon wasn't too surprising; cup competitions were often a breeding ground for upsets. It was quite common for relegation-threatened teams to reach the League and FA Cup finals, and it wasn't new to see lower-division teams clinch the trophy.
The match kicked off under the lights of the "Theatre of Dreams."
Millwall started the match cautiously, relying on their midfield intercepting skills to thwart Middlesbrough's attacks.
Juninho and Emerson's midfield partnership was both reasonable and formidable. Juninho was hailed as one of the most creative midfielders in contemporary Brazil, while Emerson played a more defensive role. Their combination worked well, and coupled with the goal-scoring efficiency of veteran striker Ravanelli, Middlesbrough's lineup was something many Premier League teams envied.
Perhaps driven by a sense of urgency, thinking their prowess could overwhelm their opponents, Middlesbrough performed far below expectations in this match. On paper, they were definitely not the relegation favorites predicted before the season began.
Now in the semi-finals, just one step away from the final and a mere 180 minutes from the championship trophy—this was undoubtedly a critical match.
In such an important game, Aldrich surprisingly deployed a lineup that left experts astonished.
In reality, he was using this match as a training exercise, not primarily focusing on tactics.
Instead, he aimed to develop the team's mentality.
He wanted the seasoned players in the starting lineup to help the younger players adapt to the pressure of a high-stakes match.
A strong team should be patient and composed; they shouldn't let the heightened attention cause an imbalance in their mindset.
He relied on veterans like Nedved, Makelele, and Southgate to bolster the confidence of players like Lampard and Mills.
As a result, Millwall didn't rush forward after the kickoff. They weren't keen on a fast-paced game. Even with the extraordinarily creative Juninho in Middlesbrough's midfield, they found their attacking formation methodically disrupted by Millwall's solid presence of midfielders. Juninho orchestrated the team's offense, but they posed little threat.
Millwall's attacking strategy leaned on individual capabilities. Nedved, Phillips, and Shevchenko combined well in the attacking third, with Lampard or Ballack frequently joining the attack. Their outstanding individual skills allowed them to hold their ground during one-on-one situations. Despite being outnumbered in attack, Millwall created several good chances, but luck was not on their side; Phillips wasted a few opportunities that could have found the back of the net.
Aldrich was positioned by the coaching area, glancing back at Jansen as he pondered whether to tell the players to attempt long passes. However, he also realized there was no center forward in the formation to act as a focal point for the attack. Suddenly, without warning, Millwall found the back of the net.
After struggling to penetrate the opposition's defense, Middlesbrough pressed forward, only to be caught out by a quick counter-attack—their goal was breached.
The goal came from Ballack's swift run through the center, drawing Emerson's attention, allowing him to charge through until the last moment, when he squared the ball to Phillips, who struck with deadly precision.
Aldrich offered Jansen a wry smile as he witnessed the goal.
No need for further discussion.
The match had become easier to handle.
"This conceded goal probably reflects the entire season of Middlesbrough. They possess strong capabilities, but once their attack is thwarted, their mindset becomes impatient, resulting in reckless forward pushes that leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks. In the Premier League, they're seventh in scoring but have the highest number of goals conceded. Even if their defense improved slightly, they definitely wouldn't find themselves in relegation trouble."
After conceding, Middlesbrough tried to stabilize their defense.
But now, what could they do?
Especially since Millwall maintained a steady, composed pace throughout the match, nothing glaring had changed. They patiently sought out weaknesses from their opponents and utilized individual skills to shift the dynamic. Middlesbrough regretted their focused defending after the first half, having wasted over twenty minutes.
In the dressing room, Aldrich praised the team's performance. In knockout matches, mental fortitude was even more apparent. In league play, if both teams were patient, the urgency diminished, and it became meaningless. In league draws, at least points were at stake. In knockout rounds, however, a strong side had to keep their composure. Competing against equally matched opponents highlighted this quality especially.
On the stands at Old Trafford, more than thirty thousand Millwall fans had come to support their team.
Their frenzied enthusiasm completely overshadowed the worried Middlesbrough fans.
While the latter worried about relegation, Millwall's fans were purely emotional.
The Lions were the reigning champions of the FA Cup, and this season, the most important match ahead was stepping into the FA Cup final.
The previous day, another FA Cup semi-final concluded, with one team already securing their place in the final.
That opposing team was none other than Millwall's arch-rival: Chelsea!
Because of this, Millwall's supporters were roaring in the stands, rallying their team.
Eliminate Middlesbrough, then crush Chelsea's dreams of a title in the final!
In the second half, Aldrich substituted Gronkjaer for Shevchenko and Gattuso for Makelele.
Though the formation remained unchanged, the playstyle became much more straightforward and aggressive.
Middlesbrough inevitably had to press all out on their offense.
Aldrich, standing at the sideline, wore a serious expression.
This was a test for the team.
Taking off the key defensive player Makelele was undoubtedly a trial for the team's defense.
Gattuso and Makelele were two entirely different kinds of defensive players. Gattuso relied on his robust physique and stamina to sweep back and forth, but he lacked the keen anticipation of plays in crucial areas that Makelele possessed. In terms of pure defensive technique, Makelele clearly excelled.
However, Gattuso brings a different kind of presence to the field. This intangible mental strength applies pressure on opponents with its aggression, making it a key quality in his play.
Aldrich was satisfied that Gattuso held up under pressure. With the help of Lampard and Ballack, he performed his defensive duties well on the field, but it doesn't stop there; he still has a long way to go before he can truly stand alone.
Middlesbrough's frenzied attacks for twenty minutes yielded little coherence. Aimless high balls simply found their way into the Millwall goal, only to be sent flying back out.
Mills sent a long pass down the right flank.
As Phillips, who had found space on the left, began his run, he stopped mid-sprint, letting out a sigh skyward.
The pass had been utterly terrible, directly sending the ball to the opposing goal. A Middlesbrough defender stopped it and passed it to Juninho, who, impatient for an attack, turned around but failed to notice Ballack closing in. He intercepted the ball effortlessly and quickly back-heeled it to Gattuso without a glance, who didn't take a touch and instead passed it laterally to Lampard.
Lampard took a step and then launched a diagonal long pass to the right, where Gronkjaer sprinted in from the flank. Upon receiving the ball, he expertly controlled it while running and accelerated towards the goal, unleashing a powerful shot.
Bang!
The ball smacked against the crossbar, ricocheting back. Middlesbrough's defenders slammed on the brakes and turned to look just outside the goal, where Phillips, appearing out of nowhere, jumped into the air and executed a stunning volley.
The ball traced a subtle curve as it sailed into Middlesbrough's net, leaving the goalkeeper stranded.
"A world-class strike! A spectacular volley! This is Millwall's super-sub—remember his name, Kevin Phillips! This shot undoubtedly has a chance to compete for Goal of the Year! Millwall's attacking line is the envy of many; Aldrich Hall should give Phillips more opportunities—just look at that goal! Is this a shot that any ordinary striker could pull off?"
Aldrich stood on the sidelines, initially with his hands clasped over his mouth, feeling a bit frustrated after Gronkjaer's long-range shot rattled off the crossbar.
But in the next moment, Phillips' astonishing volley blew his mind.
He moved his hands away from his mouth, his jaw agape in disbelief, as if struggling to comprehend what he had just witnessed.
Though it wasn't a bicycle kick, it felt like one of those incredible moves you'd see in a football commercial.
After all, the ball had been deflected off the crossbar; Phillips had volleyed it without letting it touch the ground. If there hadn't been any other players on the field, it could have served as perfect advertising material—especially that trajectory right into the bottom corner of the net. If given a thousand or ten thousand attempts, one might never replicate such a jaw-dropping effect!
The stands at Old Trafford erupted; the Lions' fans were ecstatic, and even some Middlesbrough supporters applauded after witnessing that brilliant goal.
"Why not keep him? Sometimes you need players who can deliver such unpredictable strikes," someone suggested from the coaching staff.
The coaches ran out to celebrate, discussing how spectacular the goal had been.
Jansen then made a suggestion to Aldrich.
Aldrich's expression transformed from shock to a smile, which eventually turned into a wry grin.
Aldrich really wanted to retain Phillips. Given his age, his technical skills were pretty much solidified, but he required games to keep his edge. If he could mesh with Millwall's main tactical framework, Aldrich would definitely give him at least 25 appearances throughout the season. However, he just couldn't fit in with the team. Like that last goal he scored, it wasn't a result of teamwork; it was purely a product of his individual ability to seize a second-chance opportunity, which makes it hard to maintain a consistent scoring rate.
If Phillips wanted to leave, Aldrich had no intention of standing in his way; it wouldn't be fair to hinder his future. After all, Aldrich couldn't bet that every time he used Phillips, he would respond with a stunning goal.
After conceding a second goal, Middlesbrough appeared deflated, with players gradually losing their motivation on the field.
Because Millwall had shown them no glimmer of hope for victory in the first seventy minutes.
They had only created a few weak chances and taken shots that posed no threat.
In the end, the match finished at 2-0, as Aldrich led Millwall to their second consecutive FA Cup final.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough would now turn their attention fully to the relegation battle.
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