章節 485: Henry's Defining Moment
With a two-goal lead secured, and both goals scored away from home, Aldrich decided it was time to shift tactics. With 30 minutes left on the clock, he adjusted the formation by pulling Nedvěd back into a deeper position, transitioning Millwall into a 4-4-2 midfield diamond.
This adjustment was aimed at steadying the tempo and exerting greater midfield control—a sensible choice given Millwall already held a slight advantage in that area. By deploying Nedvěd further back, the team could dominate possession and dictate the game's rhythm.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich launched a relentless assault. Their attacks down both flanks were fluid and aggressive, but their efforts lacked a focal point in the middle. With Elber as their lone striker, the team's offensive power seemed insufficient. Bayern lacked both a clinical finisher and a target man capable of contesting headers in the box.
Aldrich exploded in anger on the sidelines just as Hitzfeld was preparing to throw everything forward.
He furiously shouted at a player on the pitch, his voice a mix of frustration and rage. Yet, from such a distance, it was hard to tell what exactly he was yelling.
That player was Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian magician, growing more confident with every touch of the ball, relentlessly pushed forward whenever he had possession, showing no signs of hesitation.
His forward surges left Henry, Larsson, and Nedvěd with little choice but to follow, knowing that without their support, Ronaldinho would be stranded and isolated.
This free-spirited playstyle, however dazzling, went entirely against Aldrich's tactical plan. Millwall didn't need to push the pace; they needed to control it. By slowing the game down, they could wear down Bayern Munich, who would grow increasingly desperate as time ticked away. With superior midfield control, Millwall could force Bayern's forwards to drop back defensively and even lure their defenders into risky challenges—creating better opportunities to exploit.
But Ronaldinho's instinct to attack was opening up dangerous counterattacking spaces for Bayern. His youthful exuberance was a double-edged sword, and his lack of tactical discipline under pressure began to show.
As Hitzfeld finalized his substitutions, Aldrich made a bold move of his own.
"Double substitutions from both sides!" the commentator exclaimed. "Bayern Munich is throwing everything forward now—Zickler comes on for Anderson, bringing height and aerial threat to their attack. Sergio replaces Jeremies, as Hitzfeld hopes the veteran's experience can stabilize their midfield. And here's a surprise from Millwall: Ronaldinho, who's been electric today, is being subbed off for Frank Lampard!"
Ronaldinho's face betrayed his frustration as he walked to the sidelines. He turned to Aldrich with a puzzled expression. "Boss, why are you taking me off?"
"This isn't the time for questions," Aldrich shot back, speaking quickly and firmly. "After the match, you and I will have an important talk." He gave Ronaldinho a reassuring pat on the shoulder, motioning for him to take a seat.
Though visibly disappointed, Ronaldinho complied. His youthful enthusiasm was undeniable, but Aldrich's decision aimed to restore balance to Millwall's play.
Following the substitutions, Millwall's attack slowed, but their midfield control grew stronger. Pirlo pushed forward into an advanced playmaker role, while Nedvěd and Lampard operated as dual central midfielders. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, kept hammering away on the wings, resorting to frequent high crosses into the box.
The game evolved into a clear contrast in styles. Bayern attacked with speed and aggression, while Millwall absorbed the pressure, patiently controlling the tempo whenever they regained possession. Despite fewer forays forward, Millwall's attacks grew increasingly dangerous.
At the 79th minute, Henry and Larsson worked a seamless one-two on the edge of the box. Henry then made a bold move, powering past Kuffour and surging into the penalty area. He unleashed a thunderous shot, only to see Kahn make an impressive save. Pirlo latched onto the rebound with a long-range strike, but it clattered against the crossbar and flew out of danger.
"Millwall came agonizingly close to extending their lead! While Bayern Munich's attacks have been more frequent, they seem to be relying more on luck than precision. In contrast, Millwall's offense has been methodical and consistently dangerous. If Henry's shot had been a touch more precise, or if Pirlo had kept his strike down, they could have buried Bayern Munich in a bottomless pit."
The final ten minutes of regular time saw tensions boiling over, as both teams battled fiercely for every scrap of possession.
In the 86th minute, Lizarazu charged down the left flank, feigning a cross as Schneider closed in. With a quick drag-back, he created space and fired a precise low ball into the box. Élber controlled it, pivoted swiftly, and prepared to strike—only to mishit it completely, leaving fans in disbelief!
However, his mis-hit deflected off Materazzi's leg, ricocheting toward the goal. Ziegler, with his long legs, instinctively lunged and pushed the ball into the net.
Even Hitzfeld couldn't have anticipated this goal; Ziegler was subbed in primarily to provide height in the box.
"Bayern Munich has pulled one back! There's still hope! Ziegler, the substitute, scores a fortunate but crucial goal. It's 2–1 now—can Bayern equalize in the dying moments?"
Effenberg rallied his team, urging them to press for another goal.
Aldrich stood on the sidelines, hands on his hips, showing no signs of tension. Even in the worst-case scenario of a draw, Millwall would still have the upper hand.
This was the moment when team spirit and willpower would be tested.
After the restart, Bayern pushed their entire lineup forward, desperate for an equalizer. This aggressive advance left a gaping void in their midfield, and Millwall's forwards immediately began exploiting it.
Lampard passed to Nedvěd, who surged past Sérgio and drove straight down the middle. Effenberg, having just committed to intercepting Lampard, found himself too far behind to catch up.
Unchallenged until he neared the box, Nedvěd initiated a quick sequence. Passing to Pirlo, he pressed forward alongside Henry, while Larsson moved wide to create space.
Pirlo delivered a swift pass to Larsson, who immediately played an incisive diagonal ball toward Nedvěd. The ball zipped through the narrow gap between Kuffour and Linke, tearing the defense apart.
The defenders hesitated, convinced that either Nedvěd or Henry would be flagged for offside. However, Babbel's deep position, as he shifted toward the middle, undermined the trap and left the defense exposed.
On the left side of the goal, Nedvěd decisively delivered a sharp pass to Henry. Kahn, caught off guard, could only stand and watch as Henry calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
"Two goals within a minute! Henry bags a brace and restores Millwall's two-goal lead. Bayern's defense crumbled under the pressure of chasing an equalizer, leaving Kuffour and Linke out of position. At this stage, Millwall's 3–1 advantage is even more significant than 2–0! If Bayern fails to score again tonight, they'll need at least three goals in the return leg in London to advance!"
The Munich Olympic Stadium fell silent. Moments ago, Bayern saw a glimmer of hope; now, they were dealt another crushing blow in less than a minute.
On the sidelines, Aldrich gestured for calm, motioning his players to keep their composure despite the third goal.
Great teams often fall short without resilience, succumbing to such pivotal moments. Conversely, Bayern's mental fortitude was formidable; until the final whistle, Millwall couldn't afford any complacency.
After the restart, Bayern, now cautious, avoided overcommitting. Millwall, taking possession, began to slow the tempo and run down the clock. Aldrich made a series of defensive substitutions to reinforce the backline, ensuring no further surprises.
The match ended with no changes to the scoreline.
"1:3. The final whistle blows, and the result is undoubtedly beyond everyone's expectations. Last season, Bayern Munich defeated Millwall 1-0 in regular time at this very venue, followed by a dramatic penalty shootout victory. Yet, a year later, the same two teams met on the same pitch, and Millwall emerged triumphant with a 3-1 victory in 90 minutes. With this massive lead in the first leg of the semifinals, Millwall has placed Bayern in an almost impossible position. To turn things around in London, Bayern would need to score at least three goals without conceding. That seems like an unattainable mission."
After the match, Ottmar Hitzfeld approached Aldrich to shake his hand.
He had to admit, facing Aldrich a year later, that the Millwall manager had transformed his team into a much stronger force. The three goals scored tonight vividly demonstrated Millwall's improvement, both in tactical discipline and execution—attributes that directly reflected Aldrich's influence.
Aldrich, however, didn't linger on the field for long. On the pitch, Thierry Henry raised both fists in triumph, his face radiating joy. One thing he was sure of: this would be his third Champions League semifinal appearance in three years. With growing confidence, he looked forward to the finals, regardless of who their opponent might be.
Meanwhile, the entire Millwall team stayed on the field, thanking their traveling fans for their unwavering support. In contrast, many Bayern Munich players trudged off early, visibly dejected.
At the post-match press conference, Aldrich dismissed any claims that Millwall had already secured a place in the semifinals.
"The match is 180 minutes long," he stated. "We'll only know the result when the final second ticks away. On the football pitch, even the most improbable outcomes can become reality."
When asked about the key to beating Bayern Munich, Aldrich attributed the victory to his players.
"Their hard work in training, meticulous preparation, self-discipline before the match, and performance during the game—they've proven an eternal truth: you only reap rewards through sweat and effort. This is Millwall's football philosophy. We never assume victory will come easily. Only by working harder and giving more than others can we seize success."
As for criticisms from the German press claiming that Bayern underestimated Millwall and that Hitzfeld's reliance on last year's tactics backfired, Aldrich refrained from commenting.
Blaming Hitzfeld entirely would be unfair. Such remarks would only undermine Millwall's accomplishment. After all, last year, Hitzfeld was the victor, and victors rarely feel the need to change. This is an unspoken rule in football.
Who's ever seen a championship-winning team overhaul its tactics drastically?
And who's ever witnessed a legendary coach overhaul a winning strategy while riding a streak of victories?
It often takes a crushing defeat for a team accustomed to winning to decide on a transformation, entering the cycle of breaking down and being reborn.
Before this loss, Bayern Munich was in formidable form. Today's shocking defeat at home might be a turning point—or perhaps not. After all, they lost to Millwall, not a collection of Europe's elite.
After the match, Millwall swiftly packed their gear and boarded the flight back to London. Most players began calming their adrenaline-fueled minds once they were on the plane. Some buried themselves in books, others gathered to play cards, while a few tuned out with their music.
Ronaldinho was among those listening to music when Aldrich sat down beside him, his expression so stern it was unsettling.
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