<h4>Chapter 223: face your mortal enemy and go all out!</h4>


    The stands at Wembley were buzzing with excitement, a sea of gs filling the view. Fans waved banners emzoned with the crests of Chelsea and Millwall. Compared to Millwall supporters'' rxed and confident demeanor, the Chelsea fans appeared more anxious and filled with fighting spirit!


    In the past, fans faced a disadvantage in their private rivalries, but in terms of club sess, they always had the upper hand over Millwall.. But who could have predicted that since the summer of ''94, Millwall would storm to the Premier League in just a year, Last year, they clinched two trophies and a runner-up finish, and this year, they were on a roll, having already secured the league title and added European honors to their collection. Regardless of how it unfolded, Millwall''s season was destined for glory; it was just a matter of how high they would soar.


    Both managers stepped onto the field. Ruud Gullit had shaved his beard, his face now looking remarkably youthful, like a handsome young man. Aldrich approached the sidelines first and exchanged congrattions with Gullit over Millwall''s double triumph, graciously epting the praise.


    Cameras were focused on Aldrich, and thementator couldn''t contain their excitement.


    "He''s here! The new generation''s coaching genius of Ennd! Undoubtedly a talent! Within just two years, he has transformed Millwall''s trophy cab from empty to gleaming gold. Congrattions, European Champion coach!"


    When Aldrich made his entrance, the stands erupted. Chelsea fans fell silent, watching with cold indifference, while Millwall supporters whistled, pped, and cheered, holding up various pre-made posters in his honor.


    For a club like Millwall, which had gone a century without des, achieving a full set of domestic honors and even European glory in just two years had turned Aldrich into a "god" in the eyes of the fans.


    Consequently, many in the Wembley stands were holding signs proiming "Aldrich - Legend," expressing their reverence for the young manager.


    Today, there was also a stunning sight among the crowd; dozens of girls in their twenties had gathered, each with different signs professing their love. The cameras captured the moment, and thementator couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Aldrich, go out with me!


    I''m prettier than Mnie!


    I cook, you won''t be able to leave me!


    I''m skilled in design, I''ll make you even more handsome!


    I''m an older sister who''ll show you what true tenderness is!


    ...


    Aldrich, I''m starting to envy you!"


    This group of charming girls, each unique in their beauty, donned Millwall jerseys and swayed joyfully,pletely unbothered by the surprised nces from onlookers.


    Aldrich, oblivious to the spectacle, couldn''t possibly take in everything from such a vast Wembley stadium. Besides, the stands were dazzling, and he remained seated on the bench, waiting for the match to begin.


    "The yers are on the field. Although Chelsea is wearing their home kit, the popr team today is, without a doubt, the defending champions, Millwall. Just two days ago, they yed a peak-level match in the Nethends, so their stamina could be a concern. As expected, Gullit made adjustments to his starting lineup. Goalkeeper: Bouet; Defenders: Schneider, El Guerra, Southgate, Zambrotta; Midfielders: Back, Makelele, Nedved; Forwards: Gronkjaer, Van Nistelrooy, Larsson. Chelsea produced a ssic match during their progression this season,ing back to beat Liverpool after being two goals down. Even though Chelsea, with their Italian trio, isn''t expected to win today, they certainly won''t be without a chance. Starting goalkeeper: Grodaz; Defenders: rke, Sinir, Leboeuf, Minto; Midfielders: Petrescu, Di Matteo, Burley, Wise; Forwards: Z paired with Hughes. Rumors suggest a rift between Chelsea manager Gullit and Vialli. It seems true; Vialli still sits on the bench today, while Z shines once again at Stamford Bridge."


    Aldrich had left out the U21 yers who had yed in the European Cup Winners'' Final two days prior, including Capdev, Pirlo, Trezeguet, and Shevchenko.


    Aside from protecting the yers, the move aimed to inject more energy into the lineup.


    Z had already proven himself at Stamford Bridge, even winning over the English fans. Just three months ago, at this very venue, Z helped Italy score ate winner against Ennd, leaving the whole of Wembley silent after his goal.


    Di Matteo was the source of creativity in midfield, while Wise, although a spiritual leader,cked the necessary skill.


    Gullit''s strategy today was "us first," with Di Matteo holding the center while utilizing smaller yers like Wise on the wings for quick impacts. Petrescu, usually a fullback, was utilized as a wing forward due to his strong crossing abilities.


    After the pre-match formalities, both teams lined up ording to their formations. Millwall''s yers let out a fierce roar, which ignited cheers from the stands.


    Lion fans were bursting with pride.


    Just look at our yers, each full of energy and fighting spirit!


    Once the match began, Gullit stood throughout, while Aldrich remained seated. The two young managers were no strangers to one another; Aldrich had already bested Gullit on numerous asions, with a rather dismal track record against him.


    Aldridgepletely inherited the tradition of British football: face your mortal enemy and go all out!


    West Ham and Chelsea were teams Aldrich always approached with a mindset of not just avoiding defeat but absolutely needing to win!


    Millwall was deploying their favored 4-2-3-1 formation today, with Makelele and Back anchoring the midfield, effectively restricting Di Matteo''s ability to create and prate. Wise and Petrescu may not be typical wingers, but they often shifted inside or overhead when receiving the ball. Millwall''s defense was consciouslypact, squeezing the space for Chelsea''s forwards to operate.


    Chelsea struck first with an attack, but Wise''s cross sailed over the end line. Millwall quickly switched to offense, and Chelsea had no time to ck, immediately resorting to a full retreat.


    However, once they made it back to their half, doubts crept in: What''s Millwall up to? Are they really out of steam?


    Bouet''s goal kick was leisurely, seemingly waiting for Chelsea''s yers to be fully back in position before he finally passed to Southgate.


    Millwall maintained apact structure without pushing forward. Nedved led the front three, positioned right around the halfway line, directly marking Chelsea''s attacking yers for defense.


    Millwall still managed to distribute the ball quickly, though most forward passes were scarce. Just as the ball made it forward, they often opted for a back pass instead.


    Gullit crossed his arms, looking puzzled.


    Gullit crossed his arms, his face filled with confusion. Could it be that they really partied hard after winning the championship and now have no energy to run today?


    In the past, Millwall was decisive in prating defenses, but today they consciously employed quick distribution to stretch Chelsea''s defense.


    After two quick horizontal passes, the tension in Chelsea''s backline finally revealed some space on the right side. At that moment, Nedved back-passed to Back, who delivered a diagonal ball towards the right nk. Gronkjaer made a rapid run, and upon receiving the ball, headed straight into the vacant area on the right.


    Minto turned to chase but evidently couldn''t keep up with Gronkjaer''s speed. As Gronkjaer cut in towards the baseline, his pass aimed for Van Nistelrooy lurking at the center, but the ball was intercepted midway by Leboeuf, thwarting the attack.


    It was a near-sessful offensive y, yet Gullit frowned deeply.


    Millwall had sent four yers forward, causing Chelsea to scramble back in a panic.


    Gronkjaer, Van Nistelrooy, and Larsson did not rush the back post. Instead, they looked for opportunities outside the area, with Nedved lying in wait behind Van Nistelrooy. Chelsea had retreated back into their half.


    What was Millwall up to?


    Did they think they could win by individual efforts?


    Gullit had no clear answer but realized his team''s offense was bogged down.


    When Millwall attack aggressively, there are inevitably weaknesses in their defense. Against a team with outstanding individual talent, they are vulnerable to counterattacks and the goal area can quickly be filled with danger. Gullit''s hopes are pinned on Z, hoping that he can seize the opportunity.


    But Chelsea was struggling to control midfield, obstructing effective central progression.


    Di Matteo fell victim to Back''s pressure for the second time, leading to a turnover; the first was due to a misced pass, and the second was a sessful steal from Makelele.


    Each time Millwall transitioned from defense to attack, Chelsea''s yers immediately sprinted back. They dared not pressure too high, fearing being overwhelmed and leaving their backline exposed, especially with Millwall''s ability to exploit numerical advantages—a true disaster waiting to happen.


    Yet today, as they adhered strictly to Gullit''s defensive tactics, they noticed that Millwall wasn''t rushing their offense.


    They maintained solid control of the midfield with two wide midfielders, full-backs, a pair of central midfielders, and an attacking midfielder, establishing a strong advantage. The ball rolled back and forth, with wingers positioning themselves right by the touchline, nearly having one foot out of y and the other in. As Chelsea yers moved in to pressure, they had to align with the sideline too. But Millwall didn''t y around with wide breakthroughs; instead, they focused on long passes to switch the y, effectively using the pitch''s width tounch their offensives.


    This pendulum-like horizontal maneuvering stretched Chelsea''s defensive line to its limits. When even one point disconnected from the line, vulnerabilities emerged.


    Millwall wasn''t disying an overwhelming intensity but ratherfortably controlled the pace of the match.


    Chelsea, filled with fervor to reim a championship, found themselves powerless, dazed by Millwall''s frequent shifts.


    Their urgency turned into rising impatience, leading to increasing defensive gaps.


    Makelele received a pass from El Guerra, sending it left towards Zambrotta, who made an ovepping run. After receiving the ball, Zambrotta delivered a direct pass to Larsson, who found himself besieged between Burley and rke, yet skillfully controlled the ball with his back. In a deft flick, he sent it into space behind him.


    Both rke and Burley were caught off guard; the area was Larsson''s territory, and Zambrotta had not surged forward. Whom was the ball aimed for?


    Nedved!


    The Czech yer advanced into the spaces Larsson frequently upied, suddenly bursting into action. After collecting the ball, he drove down the baseline, sweeping it across the front of the goal.


    Chelsea''s defense was in disarray; Nedved had outrun them using his speed, facing his own. The defenders hesitated, unwilling to make risky tackles, as Gronkjaer charging in at the back post prepared for the shot. Leboeuf slid across to block the attempt but couldn''t clear it in time. Momentster, a Dutchman in white, Sinir, saw the imminent follow-up shot and rushed to stop it.


    However, the crafty Dutchman just yed a clever trick. He coolly dribbled to the side and then, with a quick flick of his foot, sent the ball toward the goal. The ball lifted off the ground; although it wasn''t powerful, it had an incredibly sneaky angle that found its way into the!


    "Van Nistelrooy opens the scoring for Millwall! What a stunning goal! He remained so calm under pressure in front of the goal, executing a simple yet effective move. If he had shot straightaway, it could have been blocked, but he fooled Sinir, smoothly slipping the ball into the. Chelsea is down a goal; they''ve fought hard today but are up against an extraordinary Millwall—patient and utilizing a simple yet effective style! Aldrich and his yers are close to the treble!"