Chương 184: A Classic Clash
Millwall has turned the score around! Gronkjaer's shot lacked a bit of luck, but after hitting the post, the savvy Trezeguet was quick to capitalize on the rebound. Gronkjaer's performance in the second half has been much more threatening, and Hall's adjustments during halftime proved effective.
After the go-ahead goal, Aldrich stood up, a broad smile on his face as he clapped for his team.
Once he sat down, Benítez asked in confusion, "Why do you insist on having him cut inside? Isn't it standard for wingers to stay wide?"
Aldrich simply shook his head in silence, feeling that this question was difficult to explain in today's football.
In the coming decade, many players in various positions would fade away, often referred to later as "classical" players—classical playmakers, classical wingers, and so on. The term "classical" implies the past rather than the present or future.
The disappearance or sudden decline in competitiveness of classical players is closely tied to the overall development of football, including the posture of team defense. For example, most teams today still prioritize pressing, which gives classical wingers a fighting chance; they thrive against defenders who focus on aggressive tackles—if you dare to press me, I will break past you again and again without hesitation.
Additionally, the growing emphasis on the defensive midfielder role, combined with powerful strikers needing support from the flanks, further diminishes the role of traditional players.
Overmars, as an example, certainly possesses the skill to cut inside. However, the Netherlands national team features several strong central strikers who depend on wing play and require low crosses delivered from the byline to create scoring opportunities.
Over the next ten years, Spain produced wave after wave of outstanding wingers, yet they faced the harshest downturn. Whenever their world-class duo of wingers shone brightly, they consistently fell short in international tournaments, eventually finding the national team door closing on classical wingers. Even if they were called up, they often served merely as supplementary pieces rather than core tactical components.
The disappearance of the classic trequartista is fundamentally due to the fact that the static style of play does not align with the mainstream trends in European football.
Returning to the pitch, after conceding the lead, Liverpool descended into a frenzy, resembling an enraged beast. The first seventy minutes had not worn them out; instead, they seemed to run with even more vigor.
The fans in the stands held their breath, aware that it had been a long time since they felt this kind of pressure and tension at home. They feared that Liverpool could score at any moment.
The relentless wave of Liverpool attacks relied on their teamwork and aggression, suffocating Millwall, leaving them gasping for breath.
Aldrich felt a strange sense of delight watching the scene unfold. Today, he felt grateful towards Liverpool, but it was a sincere admiration. The pressure they were exerting on Millwall was something the team had never experienced, even against Manchester United. This pressure was greater than any they had witnessed, making it the highest intensity of running that Millwall had faced from any opponent.
The overwhelming strain began to take its toll on the players. Makelele even made a costly mistake during a tackle that almost allowed Little Redknapp to equalize with a long-range shot.
Aldrich had to make a substitution; He signaled for Gattuso to warm on the sidelines and brought him on for Trezeguet with just 13 minutes left in the game to strengthen the defense.
The formation shifted to 4-3-1-2. Makelele, Ballack, and Gattuso took on the responsibility of front-line interceptions, with Nedved linking play from midfield.
As the match dwindled to under ten minutes, Liverpool threw everything they had at Millwall, moving rapidly to receive the ball and reclaim possession immediately after losing it. The sight of those red shirts charging like a pack of wolves toward the Millwall players made Aldrich see the iron-willed Red Army in action!
Yet, Millwall limited Liverpool's attacking space. Makelele focused on interceptions, Ballack squeezed any openings, and Gattuso swept across the field effectively, creating significant problems for Liverpool's attacking organization.
Though Little Redknapp's passing was precise, he didn't stand out in terms of creativity. Players like him are often praised in ordinary circumstances, yet when compared to top-tier playmakers, the difference is glaring. Accurate passing is basic; the artistry lies in knowing when to pass, where to pass, and how to use that pass to break the defense.
As the attacking space squeezed, Barnes also struggled to find an outlet. Surrounded by defenders, he hesitated to pass to overlapping full-backs and opted to dribble instead, skillfully deceiving Gattuso. But just as he accelerated, Makelele came in from the side, cleanly sweeping the ball away from Barnes and sending it out to the right.
Barnes dashed toward the left side where Schneider, despite his poor form throughout the match, remained calm enough to deliver an exquisite diagonal long pass straight into the forward line, drawing cheers from the crowd.
All eyes shifted to Millwall's half as Gronkjaer sprinted over the halfway line. He gathered the ball, took a couple of touches, and noticed Liverpool's back line was vulnerable, with only two center-backs in position. Babb began to retreat, yet Skrtel made a bizarre decision to step forward to press Gronkjaer.
This time, Gronkjaer chose not to attack directly; instead, he spotted the vast space in the center. Nedved was making a run alongside him as Gronkjaer played a diagonal pass into the middle. Nedved received the ball and took a few steps forward before easily threading it through to Larsson, who was dangerously open. Babb would have needed wings to catch up!
Larsson took a touch into the area. James stepped forward but only got an eyeful of Larsson's well-placed shot. The ball arched effortlessly, introducing a twist to the rhythm of the high-energy game.
The crowd watched in awe at the beautiful arc, as if they had been granted a momentary reprieve from the intense atmosphere.
James looked back just in time to see the ball skim under the crossbar and into the net. The magical rainbow had sailed over him, compelling him to bend over and sigh in resignation.
"What a stunning goal! Larsson has sealed the game at 3-1 with under three minutes remaining. For Liverpool, escaping the Lion's Den now seems almost impossible!"
Liverpool's players stared at their opponents celebrating near the corner flag, bewildered.
"We've been around longer than them and, on paper, our strength should overshadow Millwall's players."
So why were Millwall playing with such control? Their attacks flowed seamlessly, and their transitions from defense to offense appeared effortless.
In the last three minutes, Aldrich again used a substitution to waste time. Gronkjaer left the field to applause from the fans.
His performance today had been eye-catching, yet in terms of efficiency, it had been dismal. His passing and crossing success rates had been alarming low. However, he made the right choices when it counted, showing his growth.
Liverpool poured every last ounce of energy into the match but couldn't change the scoreline. At the final whistle, Aldrich took the initiative to applaud. Today's Liverpool deserved respect; they had at least begun to limit Millwall's effectiveness. However, their players lacked the attributes to make that tactical approach flawless. If only one of their midfielders had been a dedicated defensive midfielder, the balance of their attack and defense would have surely benefited.
Millwall, too, was growing. Once this batch of players became adept at tactical shifts, their individual abilities would play a key role in determining matches.
The crowd rose to their feet, applauding both teams. Although the Lion's Den fans exuded a victorious mindset, they were still generous in their appreciation of such a fierce contest.
Aldrich met with Evans, and after a handshake, they exchanged a few more words.
Evans apologized for Collymore disrespectful gesture, and Aldrich graciously accepted his apology, commending Liverpool for their performance that day. They then departed from the pitch.
Since it had been a clash of titans, especially with Millwall holding a high position in the Premier League table, the post-match proceedings were more than just simple mixed-zone interviews; a press conference awaited.
While the players headed for mixed-zone interviews with the media, Aldrich faced a throng of reporters.
Most journalists speculated that, given Millwall's victory today, especially in light of the Collymore incident and Jensen's red card, Aldrich would unleash his frustration on Liverpool.
However, when asked for his thoughts on Liverpool's performance, Aldrich surprised everyone.
"Today's Liverpool was one of the strongest teams Millwall has faced in the last two years. Although they lost the match, they didn't lose their spirit or momentum. If they can maintain this level of play, they will end the season with a respectable league position and be competitive in the future. Conversely, I believe our players were a bit lackadaisical at the start of the game, showing insufficient focus and respect for our opponents; this put us on the back foot right from the start and resulted in an early goal against us. Thankfully, they adjusted quickly, and while I'm pleased we turned it around and won, I hope we don't have to rely on falling behind to re-energize ourselves in the future."
The reporters pressed with further questions, eager to hear Aldrich criticize Liverpool.
Yet Aldrich's demeanor was notably different; rather than ridiculing Liverpool as he had in the past, he offered high praise for the players. Even Little Redknapp, who had his shortcomings, drew respect in terms of his effort and focus during the match.
"Did you see what Collymore did?"
The discussion inevitably turned to the controversial figure from the match.
Aldrich lightly brushed it off. "I didn't see it; someone just told me about it. Honestly, I don't really care. Even if it was directed at me, he seems to have forgotten that when he did that, he was wearing a red jersey with the badge of a club recognized in England, Europe, and across the world. Only those with distorted values would think such actions are cool. Is he insulting me? Is he insulting Millwall? Haha, I think he turned himself into a clown. He's the one bringing shame to Liverpool, not Millwall. When we want to humiliate an opponent, we do it through victory. A resounding win is the way to make sure they remember us. That's the correct way to express oneself on the football pitch."
Aldrich had a laid-back perspective on such matters. People who dislike him would find various ways to insult him; should he get worked up because a player gestures inappropriately on the pitch?
When playing away from home, the sheer quantity of vulgar gestures from countless fans would have a much stronger impact than one individual's gesture, compounded by the stream of insults raining down from the stands. If you can't handle that, perhaps you shouldn't be a head coach in the first place.
The psychology in the football world can be strange; if you fail, people laugh at you, succeed, and some will hate you, be mediocre, and you'll still face criticism.
Millwall's rise was already ample reason for resentment.
In a world where the spotlight shines brightly, no team is universally liked.
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