<h4>Chapter 70: Millwall’s Premier League Debut</h4>


    The South Stand of Old Trafford was the position for television broadcast cameras, housing the most VIP boxes in the entire stadium. Here, the livementators representing various TV stations and streaming tforms were also located.


    Inside the Sky Sports box, the livementators were two seasoned professionals in English football, who would be some of the most poprmentators in the future: Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. Although they were not as famous now as they would be in the future, their expertmentary received widespread acim and even earned them the coveted title of the world''s bestmentary duo.


    However, both men looked somewhat unhappy today.


    Within the ns for the new season''s TV broadcast schedule, the directives issued by the TV executives left them feeling bewildered and even angry.


    Sky Sports had seemingly lost its mind, as in the list of selected matches for live broadcasting during the 38-round season, alongside high-profile games like the Merseyside Derby, the Ennd Derby, Manchester United vs. Arsenal, and the North London Derby, one team was getting a conspicuous amount of attention: Millwall!


    The directives from Sky''s upper management stated that Millwall was the team with the second-highest number of live matches, only behind Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal!


    Moreover, it was mandated that thementary for Millwall''s matches had to be provided by Andy Gray and Martin Tyler!


    Whether or not a match was listed as a key broadcast directly affected the team''s broadcasting revenue. Premier League broadcasting revenue was divided into parts based on team performance, equally distributed portions, and also based on the number of matches broadcasted.


    It was clear that Millwall''s earnings from this segment had already surpassed that of most mid to lower-tier teams in the Premier League.


    At the end of the day, Martin Tyler and Andy Gray were just employees; they had to follow thepany''s arrangement. However, if Millwall''s matches turned out to be dull and affected the viewership ratings, they would then have the grounds to voice their opinions to the higher-ups.


    Little did they know, Bat was driving Murdoch insane!


    Each day, Murdoch regretted not stopping the Hall family from acquiring shares in Sky Sports. During the summer, Bat had made it clear that he wanted Sky Sports to care for Millwall, to hire top-notchmentators, feature them in prime time slots, and ensure maximum exposure for Millwall.


    Murdoch had argued with Bat, but in the end, Bat had delivered a bold ultimatum: if you disagree, fine, but don''t me me if I interfere with the management of Sky Sports. Though Bat held shares, he had previously been just an investor, a hands-off manager. If he wanted to stir things up in the Sky Sports board meetings, his influence was enough to make Murdoch uneasy, especially since Bat was a local Brit and Murdoch was an outsider.


    Aldrich had been unaware of all these undercurrents until everything was settled by Bat, after which he merely epted the news with a smile, having no strong opinions about it.


    Boosting broadcasting revenue was secondary; the rapid increase in recognition was key.


    Television broadcasts were vital for a team''s visibility—fans naturally gravitated towards professionalmentary. Otherwise, even if Millwall yed exceptionally well, amentatorcking any enthusiasm would fail to engage viewers.


    As for whether Millwall would deliver an exciting performance, Aldrich at least had confidence: their y would certainly be more appealing than aimless long balls.


    As both teams lined up to enter the field, Sky Sports'' live broadcast kicked off.


    "Hello, everyone, and wee to Old Trafford," Martin Tyler said. "I''m Martin Tyler, and joining me for today''smentary is Andy Gray. Hi, Andy."


    "Hi, Martin. Today marks the opening round of the new Premier League season. Manchester United, who missed the chance to reim the title against ckburn in thest match ofst season, are facing off against Millwall, who had a stunning performance in the League Onest season. United''s manager, Ferguson, has made significant changes for the new season, fielding a young squad. Andy, what are your thoughts on this?"


    "I believe many fans will have heard n Hansen''sments, who said that Ferguson can''t win any championships with a bunch of kids. Interestingly, Millwall''s starting lineup is even younger on average than Manchester United''s. Hansen alsomented on Millwall, hoping the kids wouldn''t be intimidated by adult football. Haha! Whether Millwall''s kids get scared, I can''t say. However, there''s no doubt thatst season''s Millwall surprised all other teams in League One. Today''s match is a sh of two young teams. Compared to Millwall''s youthful exuberance, United''s lineup seems a bit more seasoned. Ferguson hopes to blend the old with the new in building the next generation of Red Devils."


    "Absolutely! Today we''ll see how the young Aldrich leads his team in Old Trafford. Now, let''s introduce the starting lineups. The home team, Manchester United, is in their traditional red shirts and white shorts. Starting goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel; right-back: Gary Neville; center-backs: Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister; left-back: Denis Irwin. Right midfield: David Beckham; central midfielders: Roy Keane and Nicky Butt; left midfield: Ryan Giggs; forwards: Andy Cole and Brian Mcir. United is set up in their traditional 4-4-2 formation. With Cantona banned and Mark Hughes''s transfer to Chelsea this July, Ferguson has chosen to field Brian Mcir, who has been in declining form over the past two years. He was a top striker bought for just ￡850,000, but he only scored five goals in 40 league appearancesst season, while three years ago he was still scoring over 20 goals a season."


    "United''s front line is worrisome, so let''s take a look at Millwall''s lineup. They''re wearing their traditional blue kits. Starting goalkeeper: Kasey Keller; right-back: Lilian Thuram; center-backs: Jaap Stam and Gareth Southgate; left-back: Lucas Neill; right midfield: Bernd Schneider; midfielders: ude Makélélé and Pavel Nedvěd; left midfield: Robert Pires; and the two forwards are Henrik Larsson and David Trezeguet, who struck fear in their opponents in League Onest season,bining for an incredible 66 goals! They were the kings of efficiency in League One, but it remains to be seen if they can maintain that scoring form in the Premier League."


    "Alright, folks, the first match of the 9596 English Premier League season is about to kick off! We see that Millwall will start with the first ball, attacking from left to right."


    As both teams lined up in preparation for kickoff, Aldrich stood off to the side, looking determined as he murmured, "Come on,ds!"


    "Although he celebrated his neenth birthday merely three months ago, he felt like he had lived almost fifty years in two lifetimes. In his eyes, the Millwall yers were simply youngds."


    As an esteemed referee officiating since 1974, Paul Durkinmanded great respect, and he was the one in charge of today''s match.


    With a single whistle, the match between Manchester United and Millwall officially kicked off.


    Trezeguet gently nudged the ball forward, and Larsson quickly passed it back. The two forwards sprinted ahead, and the ball found its way back to Nedvěd''s feet, while United''s forwards, Cole and Mcir, pressed hard.


    Nedvěd calmly passed the ball back to Makélélé, while the two United forwards continued their pressure. Makélélé pushed the ball forward and smoothly worked with Nedvěd to evade the pressure from United''s strikers.


    Nedvěd turned to find Keane closing in on him, and without hesitation, he made a diagonal pass to the right nk. Schneider, who had sprinted forward immediately after the kickoff, received the ball in space, while Giggs had yet to find his rhythm, allowing Schneider to easily invade United''s territory and control the ball effectively.


    Irwin lowered his center of gravity to guard against Schneider''s breakthrough, but unexpectedly, Schneider stopped the ball and took two steps forward beforeunching a diagonal long pass into the box!


    Larsson darted to the right, pulling Pallister out of position, and the ball soared over both their heads, heading for the far post.


    Trezeguet, who had already formed an understanding with Larsson''s movement, appeared at the far post. Steve Bruce, the aging United captain, did not anticipate the ball arriving there so early. As he positioned himself, Trezeguet dashed past him!


    By the time the veteran captain spun around to give chase, Trezeguet had already soared into the air, leaping to meet the ball with a spectacr header!


    Boom!


    Trezeguet''s shiny bald head made perfect contact with the ball at a precise angle; even at the moment of impact, he kept his eyes wide open, his determined gaze filled with the ferocity of a beast unleashed!


    Here we are at Old Trafford!


    The Theater of Dreams!


    Returning to the European stage from Argentina, I won''t be anyone''s supporting actor!


    What about Manchester United?


    I, David Trezeguet, am determined to be the world''s best forward!


    If we don''t conquer the giants, how can we call ourselves champions?


    As Trezeguet soared into the air for the header, Schmeichel stood there with arms outstretched, surprisingly flustered, his wide eyes reflecting disbelief: How long has it been since the kickoff? The referee''s whistle was still ringing in his ears!


    Trezeguet''s header was as powerful as a shot struck with his foot—not particrly angled, but incredibly fast, hurtling toward the near post.


    The ball soared just over Schmeichel''s head. Realizing it toote, he jumped, raising his arms to block it, but it was all far toote!


    Schmeichel fell back on the goal line as the ball, after making contact with him, slowed down and rolled gently onto the grass inside the.


    Trezeguet, havingnded after the header, kept his eyes on the ball''s trajectory and, upon seeing it go in, stumbled as he tried to get up in his excitement, falling back down again. It took a second attempt for him to stand up, and then he raced towards the sideline, screaming triumphantly toward the away team''s bench.


    "Camera,e to me!


    Focus on me!


    I am the star of the Theater of Dreams!"