Capítulo 299: A Battle of Wills
Nedvěd took the towel handed to him by the team doctor and wiped his face, then pressed it against the wound. Accompanied by the team doctor, he walked toward the sideline, where Aldrich approached with a serious expression, wanting to inquire about his condition.
To Aldrich's surprise, as soon as he got close, Nedvěd said solemnly, "Boss, I'm fine! I can continue playing!"
Aldrich didn't heed him, his gaze fixed on the team doctor.
The Lions fans in the Wembley stands were worried, fearing that Nedvěd might not be able to continue, which would be a heavy blow to the team.
Even though they were leading 1-0, the fans couldn't be optimistic.
After Nedvěd left the field, the referee issued a yellow card to Torricelli.
Evidently, Torricelli's remorseful attitude and the Juventus players' initial reaction earned some leniency, and since the game had only been underway for a few minutes, Juventus would lose much of its appeal from a viewing perspective if they were down a man.
The goal was undisputed, and Torricelli received a yellow card.
However, the fans in the stands were displeased, with loud boos filling Wembley as they couldn't understand the referee's decision.
Nedvěd's bloodied face signaled how dangerous the foul had been; a slight deviation could have led to a more severe injury!
Aldrich didn't have time to protest to the referee; he was more concerned about Nedvěd's injury. After the team doctor treated the wound, Nedvěd insisted on returning to the match. The team doctor believed it wasn't a serious issue, but the wound needed stitching. Nedvěd, enduring the pain without anesthesia, urged the team doctor to stitch the wound quickly on the sidelines.
Millwall's medical team was well-prepared, stitching Nedvěd's wound quickly due to his urgency, and then bandaging his head. Despite the team doctor's repeated warnings to avoid heading the ball, Nedvěd didn't respond, quickly changed into a new shirt, and stood on the sideline waiting for the referee's signal to return to the field.
When the referee allowed him back on, Wembley erupted in cheers, and the fans were thrilled. Nedvěd, with a bandaged head, further cemented his heroic image!
Many fans once again waved the flags and posters they had before the match, all featuring Nedvěd. The Lions fans sang songs in praise of Nedvěd, creating a scene that was both thrilling and moving.
Aldrich, standing on the sideline, had only allowed Nedvěd to return to the field based on the team doctor's professional assessment. If the team doctor had said no, Aldrich would have immediately substituted Nedvěd.
Fortunately, Nedvěd was able to continue fighting.
This unexpected event became a turning point!
A turning point that was more favorable to Millwall.
Nedvěd, battling through injury, returned to the pitch with unyielding determination, inspiring every teammate and strengthening Millwall's fighting spirit!
In contrast, Juventus, having witnessed Nedvěd's return, regardless of their inner thoughts, would undoubtedly be impacted. Furthermore, Torricelli's yellow card put them at a disadvantage.
Lippi had seen from the first goal that Millwall had used their front players' speed to execute a deceptive attack.
This was partly due to Juventus' slow adjustment in the away game. The left flank was frequently under threat in the first ten minutes, exposing gaps on the right. Millwall's sudden switch to the left flank and Nedvěd's unexpected run to the front were indeed a well-executed tactical move, not a mere coincidence but a planned strategy.
This is the strength of Millwall; their main lineup doesn't rely on individual prowess to dominate opponents in one-on-one situations but rather on team coordination to overcome them from a broader perspective.
The Silver Fox stood up to relay instructions and made some adjustments.
Juventus' defense quickly tightened, conceding two flanks to their opponents while focusing on protecting dangerous areas, compressing the space for Millwall's attacking players, and reducing their speed advantage in penetration.
With the lead, Millwall shifted their attack to Torricelli's side, pressing hard!
Torricelli, wary of getting another card, didn't dare to be too aggressive. If not for Davis and Conte frequently covering, this side might have been overwhelmed by Millwall!
The Lions fans continued to cheer for their team, finding the match very exciting.
Millwall kept attacking Juventus relentlessly!
It seemed that the Italian giants weren't so formidable after all.
However, the fans didn't know that Millwall was expending unprecedented stamina to establish their advantage!
Juventus, shifting from defense to attack, saw Deschamps pass the ball directly to Zidane.
Zidane controlled the ball well and turned, faking a move against Pirlo, but Pirlo remained unfazed, keeping his low center of gravity.
During the game, Aldrich had analyzed the characteristics of almost every Juventus player in detail, requiring the players to stay focused and avoid mistakes in both offense and defense!
Zidane's strengths were ball control and creativity, not speed, so he wasn't a threat in a sprint.
Pirlo's task was simple: slow down Zidane, ensuring he wasn't passed too easily and disrupting his rhythm.
As Zidane controlled the ball, scanning for options, he frowned.
Millwall's defense was well-targeted, with Makelele positioned behind Pirlo, blocking Del Piero. If Zidane played a lofted ball, Del Piero would be in a contested header situation, giving Millwall's defense more time.
Elgott appeared to be marking Del Piero, but he was actually blocking Del Piero while Southgate trailed behind, keeping a meter's distance from Inzaghi.
Inzaghi, the super forward born on the offside line and residing there!
Aldrich couldn't gamble on whether Southgate or Elgott would closely mark Inzaghi in case of a counter-offside.
So today, Southgate played more like a sweeper, trailing behind. Even if Inzaghi got the ball, as long as there was a defender in front, his threat was diminished compared to a one-on-one situation.
Millwall's full-backs also contracted the penalty area during defense, ready to provide support and cover, as Juventus lacked natural wingers. The flanks were managed by Zidane's midfielders pushing forward.
Zidane dribbled and stepped forward, and Pirlo also took a step back. Zidane dribbled again, and Pirlo stepped back once more.
Zidane was frustrated. What is this Italian doing? Isn't he a defensive midfielder? Why doesn't he come up and steal the ball?
He dribbled sideways, faked a change of direction, and Pirlo stepped back again, creating some space but still facing Zidane directly.
Zidane could see it clearly: this kid was definitely not going to press him!
Pirlo, on the other hand, wanted to challenge for the ball, but the boss had emphasized before the match: "No way!" If the defenders kept their eyes solely on the ball and went after it, the chances of getting bypassed by Zidane were too high to contemplate!
Zidane's career is filled with incredible moments where he dribbled past defenders, many of whom rushed to intercept him. Zidane does not rely on speed, instead he uses his balance, agility and excellent ball control to keep those pressing him off balance.
In that split second, he could slip past them effortlessly. Now, Pirlo has been appointed as Zidane's first line of defense, and Aldridge's instructions are very clear: "Don't just watch the ball, follow Zidane! Follow him! Don't lose your position!"
Zidane struggled to find passing lanes, so he chose to dribble forward. Pirlo didn't tackle; instead, he focused on positioning, following Zidane closely. Zidane is a true artist on the ball, not a sapper. So although Pirlo's body may not be an advantage, he is not at a disadvantage when facing Zidane.
Zidane moved sideways and then toward the flanks, realizing Millwall's defensive tactics as he approached the edge of the field.
Pirlo was blocking the inside, while other attacking players had returned to defense!
Zidane couldn't deliver a decisive ball immediately after shifting from defense to attack, so Millwall's attacking players quickly returned to defense, compressing the space with their overall formation. Juventus had to switch from counter-attacks to positional play.
The real challengers were Nedvěd and Trezeguet.
Zidane's ball protection skills are truly elite. Even as Nedved charged in from behind, Zidane simply pivoted, keeping the ball right where it was. Nedved rushed past him, choosing not to make a tackle, but instead positioning himself next to Pirlo to enhance their defensive coverage. They were waiting for Trezeguet to come and assist in applying pressure on Zidane.
Zidane's frustration is evident, but he isn't the type to force a dribble past everyone. With the pressure easing from the back, Davis and his teammates could join the attack, so he opted to distribute the ball to them. The offense might be a bit slower, but at least they were securing possession.
As for Millwall, they were all in today, using their tireless running to enhance both their offensive and defensive play.
Juventus struggled to mount an effective attack, as Millwall's defensive efforts were relentless. Once they crossed the halfway line, they found themselves bogged down in a swamp. Del.Piero had the final touch on this attack, hesitating for a moment before awkwardly taking a shot that was blocked by Helguera, ending Juventus's chance to score.
Millwall responded with a counterattack, their midfielders advancing in an organized manner. Juventus didn't press them in the middle; instead, Pirlo found it easy to transition from defense to attack, receiving the ball and quickly distributing it to the flanks. He then made some well-timed runs to connect with his teammates, using a combination of ground passes to break through the opponent's defense.
Juventus tightened their formation, not allowing Millwall any space for forward runs. When Millwall advanced quickly toward the penalty area, they encountered Juventus's strong defensive resistance.
To threaten their opponents, Millwall started taking long shots, attempting to lure Juventus's defense out of position to create more space behind them.
However, Juventus wasn't afraid of Millwall's long-range efforts. They had three midfielders to protect their backline, all of whom were tough competitors. Even if Millwall attempted long shots, they posed little threat unless they got lucky with a world-class strike. Given Peruzzi's reaction time, the chances of him saving such shots were incredibly high, which could be quite disheartening for any striker.
Juventus found themselves forced to turn their counterattack into a positional battle. Unable to advance through the midfield line, they had to rely on ground passing.
In the duel, Del. Piero was in excellent form and his dribbling was dazzling. Before his injury, he was a forward who expertly combined pace with skill, displaying grace and artistry. While he can beat a single defender with ease, beating multiple defenders is not his strong suit.
Frustratingly for Inzaghi, he was nearly invisible in the first half, with hardly any opportunities to get on the ball. The few touches he had were all thwarted by Millwall's defenders.
As the players headed to the locker room for halftime, Aldrich called over Benitez and Jansen to whisper in the corridor.
With a 1-0 lead, should they attack or defend in the second half?
Aldrich knew this decision would be incredibly tough.
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