Capítulo 278: Spark of Attacking Football
When Barcelona finally shed their burdens, their performance not only stabilized but also exceeded their usual individual levels.
Barcelona are good at controlling the tempo and pressing forward; they don't retreat into a defensive formation.Therefore, when Millwall approached today's match with the same intent to dominate and attack, the clash between the two teams sparked bright sparks of excitement.
From the fifteenth minute onward, it was as if the audience had entered another realm.
The players on both sides fiercely contested every inch of the field, the pace so fast that even the cameras struggled to keep up. The commentators hardly had a moment to catch their breath.
The ball flew back and forth, with possession changing hands multiple times in a short span. With both teams showcasing high-level play, they exploited each other's defensive weaknesses, launching deadly counterattacks. On average, there was a threatening shot every minute, making the match incredibly thrilling!
In the twenty-eighth minute, Anderson received a cross from Figo but chose not to attempt a powerful header. Instead, he laid the ball off for the advancing Rivaldo.
In the tight space just outside the penalty area, Rivaldo controlled the ball, surging past the defensive squeeze from Elghra and Schneider before volleying a left-footed shot just as the ball was about to hit the ground. The ball rolled past Butt, who was rushing out!
Rivaldo breached Butt's goal, pulling one back for Barcelona!
Eight minutes later, Nedved accelerated past Guardiola and took a shot from distance. Baía scrambled to deflect the ball out, but the rebound landed right in front of Larsson, who executed a stunning overhead kick, sending the ball crashing into Barcelona's net!
3:1
Millwall extended their lead rapidly, and Larsson completed his hat trick!
In stoppage time of the first half, Pirlo committed a foul, leading to a free kick for Barcelona. Figo took the kick, fooling everyone; instead of shooting, he passed the ball sideways. Guardiola slipped in, unleashing a world-class shot that pierced through Butt's defense, striking back with power!
3:2
The teams made their way back to the locker rooms.
As the second half kicked off, neither team showed any signs of backing down or taking a conservative approach.
Just as the second half began, Figo brilliantly combined utility with speed along the wing. Having failed his first three attempts against Schneider, this time he succeeded and delivered a pinpoint cross.
Elghra misjudged the situation, and after mistakenly climbing over, Anderson capitalized with a close-range header, beating Butt with ease!
3:3
They'd gone mad! Absolutely crazy!
Both teams were in a state of frenzy.
Barcelona saw the hope of a comeback, while Millwall faced immense pressure after conceding the equalizer.
The players glanced at Aldrich, who smiled and gave a thumbs-up towards Barcelona's half.
At this moment, there was no turning back, no playing it safe, and certainly no room for second-guessing.
The players quickly shrugged off the disappointment of conceding, reigniting their fighting spirit.
This match wasn't just a high-level spectacle for the fans; it was a dream stage for the players.
They weren't afraid of strong opponents; the stronger the opponents were, the stronger the sense of achievement would be in overcoming them!
As Barcelona continued their desperate assault, Millwall remained calm under pressure, quickly regaining control of the match.
Pirlo made a brilliant pass into the left flank. Larsson, closely marked, deliberately let the ball roll past him. It mysteriously rolled into the open space behind Reiziger, where Zambrotta, arriving without stopping the ball, sent in a high-quality cross to the far post. The Ukrainian powerhouse leaped and attempted a header, which Baía managed to deflect. However, Van Nistelrooy was on hand to pounce on the loose ball, taking a sharp shot into the net.
4:3
The roar of the "king of the goal area" did not shake Barcelona's determination.
From then on, the pulsating action continued, yet both sides sharpened their defensive precision to prevent any minor slip-ups, and the goal-fest seemed to hit a deadlock.
In the last ten minutes, Barcelona fully embraced an all-or-nothing mentality, pushing up desperately. Just five minutes before the end of the match, Millwall launched a devastating counterattack that completely sealed the outcome.
The steel giant Nedved clearly displayed his physical advantage in the final moments, sprinting forward at full speed. After supporting Larsson's counterplay, Nedved found himself one-on-one with Baía.
Nedved struck with a powerful drive, sending the ball into the Barcelona net for the final goal of the match.
5:3
While Millwall didn't dominate every aspect of the game, in such a gripping and passionate match, they showcased their superior qualities and ultimately emerged victorious.
As the final whistle blew, Wembley erupted in applause, cheers rolling like a wave.
The standing ovation from the crowd was not just for Millwall; it was also for Barcelona.
Many old fans of The Lions, witnessing the entire match, couldn't help but reminisce about Millwall's first match in the Premier League, a thrilling 5:5 draw against Manchester United that fans still talk about today.
Millwall's 0:6 thrashing of Manchester United last season, from a spectator's point of view, pales in comparison to the exhilarating 5:5 and today's 5:3.
Clearly, fans have their judgment; last season's undermanned and demoralized Manchester United team was fatigued and posed no threat, which meant that although Millwall won decisively, the match didn't display the intense excitement that football can offer.
Just like boxing, it's the back-and-forth that makes it interesting.
And today's 5:3, in terms of sensory quality, is much more enjoyable than the previous 5:5 draw against Manchester United.
Because Millwall is stronger now than they were back then; the team is more mature and has a richer style of play. Today's Barcelona, despite struggling in European competitions, is still stronger than the Manchester United of that time.
At Wembley, England's greatest stadium, a legendary match was born today, becoming a classic in the storied encounters between Millwall and Barcelona.
Barcelona, with just one point from four group stage games, is undoubtedly out of the competition. Millwall, on the other hand, is undefeated with four wins; as long as they don't lose to Dynamo Kyiv in their next match, they will secure a valuable spot in the knockout rounds.
After the match, players exchanged jerseys, honoring each other after such an exhilarating battle.
Larsson and Rivaldo swapped jerseys, Nedved with Figo, Pirlo with Guardiola...
Some are of similar ages, leading figures of European football in this era, while others represent new and old generations, such as Guardiola—a member of the "Fab Four"—and Pirlo, a rising star playing the same position.
After the match, Aldrich turned and walked down the players' tunnel.
He didn't seek out Van Gaal to shake hands; he wasn't the type to say, "I hate you when I lose, but I can be friends with you if I win."
In football, the principles of friendship and camaraderie aren't dictated by the results of a match.
This match shocked the fans in attendance, astounded viewers at home, and even stunned the media.
Attacking football is undeniably the most marketable style.
A team that plays attacking football will garner attention.
When two teams play attacking football, they are often compared.
And when two teams that excel in attacking styles meet, it's like fireworks!
Perhaps before the match, people didn't have high hopes for the spectacle, thinking Millwall could easily secure victory with a defensive counterattack. Once Barcelona conceded a goal, they would likely fall apart.
This is one of the drawbacks of Dutch attacking football; it thrives on maintaining momentum, but easily dwindles.
Yet nobody anticipated that both teams would exceed expectations in their performance.
Millwall played aggressively, and Barcelona didn't give up after falling behind; the two teams showcased a perfect representation of attacking football.
There were countless goals, numerous threatening attacks, and key duels in both defense and attack. Fans would gasp at a brilliant play being shut down and erupt in excitement as a threatening attack led to a goal.
As Aldrich sat at the press conference, it seemed the journalists were still absorbed in the match's drama.
Before the game started, most reporters had their questions scripted.
Most would have been mocking Barcelona's failure, ridiculing their exit.
But after witnessing such a match, it seemed unwise to ridicule Barcelona; they deserved respect.
No matter how strong the lead role is, a good show needs solid supporting characters.
Thus, the journalists tucked away their petty thoughts and turned to more serious discussions about the game.
"Why did Millwall change their tactics today? Why not stick with the defensive counterattacking strategy from the last match against Barcelona?"
Aldrich appeared relaxed, smiling as he replied, "The opponent is the same; it's still Barcelona, but the context has changed, and the situation is different. The beauty of football is that even when the same two teams meet, they won't produce the same match. Even if the score ends up the same, the journey will undoubtedly be different. So, for today's match, I made choices and judgments in preparation, believing that the tactics used today were the most suitable."
"Millwall had two stages in the first half where they led by two goals, at 2:0 and 3:1. During those times, did you think Barcelona would equalize to 3:3? If you had made some changes while leading, perhaps the match wouldn't have had to wait until Nedved's goal to end the suspense."
Aldrich took a sip of water, sighed, and shook his head with a smile, "To be honest, when it was 2:0, I thought Barcelona had surrendered, and that Millwall would completely dominate from that point onward. But I was wrong; Barcelona is a worthy opponent to respect and learn from. When I thought they had lost their fight, they exploded with an unimaginable fighting spirit at the toughest moment. That's something we should learn from. I must admit the players may have become a bit complacent during that period, believing the match was over, but Barcelona's goal woke them up, and then the game continued, the battle continued."
"Given Van Gaal's previous comments, do you still praise Barcelona's performance?"
"Of course, why not? What Van Gaal says represents his opinion; it doesn't define a venerable club like Barcelona. I have no personal grudge against him. Barcelona and Millwall are rivals; our relationship is straightforward. We shouldn't be adversaries but competitors fighting for progression in the group."
"Now that Barcelona is completely out, why do you think that is?"
Aldrich pondered for a moment before answering, "It's because of the first two matches. Losing to Dynamo Kyiv in the first game left them in a vulnerable position. That's why I continually warned the players to take every opponent seriously. In such a fiercely competitive group with so few qualifying spots, the harsh reality means we can't afford to be complacent against any opponent. We must never assume that just because a match hasn't started, we will at least secure a draw or all three points. No one will easily hand you victory; conversely, if you gift your opponent the win, then all subsequent matches will come with additional pressure—mentally and tactically—putting you in a disadvantageous situation."
"Millwall should be able to qualify now; what are your goals for the journey ahead after the Champions League?"
"We haven't secured qualification yet; the goal is simple: give our all in the next match..."
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