The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 15: The young wild lion is about to set sail.

If Aldrich's team were to play at the Bernabéu, they would undoubtedly face a chorus of boos from the fans; however, at the Den, even in moments where the team seemed disadvantaged, a clearance, a tackle, or a collision—regardless of its legality—would evoke applause from the Millwall supporters.

Though British football hooligans are notoriously infamous, it is undeniable that the fervor of the fans here is unmatched globally.

Fans do not applaud based on whether their team's playstyle is conservative or flamboyant, nor do they abandon their spirited chants when the team falls behind. For them, loyalty—often spanning generations—is unwaveringly pledged to a singular club, irrespective of whether that club finds itself in the depths of despair or basking in glory. The fans who sing, "No one likes us, we don't care!" embody this loyalty particularly well.

The first half, far from engaging and at times lackluster, was nevertheless savored by Millwall's fans, who cheered enthusiastically.

Players such as Makelele, Thuram, Stam, and Nedved swiftly etched their images into the minds of the spectators, with fans on the stands even querying one another for their names.

The reason is simple: this tough, tenacious persona—unafraid to engage in fierce confrontations with opponents—is precisely the representation that fans admire most!

The English, at their core, perceive football as a man's game; they seek blood, intensity, and unyielding commitment!

Should any player shy away from contact or the battle for possession, it would leave the fans utterly disillusioned.

As the first half concluded, Aldrich was the first to stride back down the players' tunnel, with the score at 0-0. Although Millwall was not merely trapped in defensive duty during the first half—they were commendably resolute—there was a distinct lack of effective and fluid attack, particularly given Aldrich's tactical directives that restrained all players except the center-backs from aimless long balls.

Despite being a friendly, Birmingham was evidently intent on instilling confidence by overcoming a Third Division team, particularly one that had finished third last season, to ensure they could return to the Division with rising ambition.

Yet they were disappointed to discover that Millwall's defense comprised a cadre of formidable players!

Even the seventeen-year-old left-back, Lucas Neill, was fiercely tenacious, for he aspired to make a name for himself; the starting left-back position was his battleground against Zambrotta, and thus he was resolute in his efforts.

As for the tower-like Stam, the ferociously aggressive Thuram, and the defensively astute Makelele, combined with the tireless Nedved, Birmingham's perceived offensive onslaught in the first half translated to a total of zero genuine scoring opportunities.

In the locker room, Aldrich awaited his players to come in and rest, maintaining a calm demeanor as he stated, "The first half was commendable; for a friendly, my expectations are modest. Treat it like a training match—but let me reiterate, keep my tactical demands in mind: prioritize defense first. Lucas, in the second half, be mindful of reducing fouls in dangerous areas. You're still young and need to accumulate defensive experience. Don't fret about losing your position; Gareth will cover for you, but ensure you track back promptly once out of position."

Upon hearing the coach mention his name, Lucas Neill felt a flutter of anxiety, fearing he might be substituted. Yet, upon receiving Aldrich's counsel, he nodded vigorously to show his understanding.

In terms of tactics, Aldrich saw little that required alteration; this squad had only been training together for ten days, so asking them to suddenly forge higher levels of cohesion and intuitive understanding was unrealistic. His current requirements were straightforward: maintain their positions, each player responsible for their defensive tasks within assigned zones. With a stable defense as the foundation, the players would naturally find their equilibrium and perform better.

Had he commenced with excessive tasks—both defense and attack, alongside positional interplay—he feared that chaos would ensue, affecting not just the players but himself as well.

This was the time to shape the team, focusing on establishing a solid foundation.

After encouraging his players during halftime, Aldrich clapped his hands to signal them to return to the pitch for the second half, urging them to embrace the game without any burdens.

With the second half underway, Aldrich remained seated on the bench, turning to Jansen to instruct, "Let Richards, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Vieira, Ballack, and Solskj?r warm up. Sub them in at the 60-minute mark. Oh, and Zambrotta will replace Thuram, allowing Lucas to remain on the field. Solskj?r will take over from Larsson—Henrik hasn't gotten sufficient rest this preseason."

Jansen nodded and went to call the substitutes, and soon a group of young players darted onto the pitch to engage in warming up diligently.

The atmosphere on the field remained dull, but Birmingham increasingly realized that Millwall's defense was steadfast. Ten minutes into the second half, they abandoned efforts to construct ground-based penetrative play, opting instead for the simplest method of attack: long balls and aerial crosses.

Aldrich felt elation as he watched the ball soar through the air; he genuinely needed a rival to enhance his team's aerial defense through such traditional bombardments, an essential aspect of defensive work.

Five minutes later, Aldrich replaced numerous substitute players on the pitch, shaking hands with each departing player and offering a compliment with a pat on the shoulder.

Meanwhile, Schneider and Pirès, who remained on the field, exhibited a marked reduction in their initial tension, showcasing superior ball control. Technically, they excelled on the pitch, and during the second half, when Birmingham struggled to break through, Schneider and Pirès frequently generated threats down the flanks; several well-placed crosses almost bore fruit—had Trezeguet been in better form, he would likely have found the net.

As the final moments approached, Solskj?r attempted a long-range shot from just outside the box, skillfully evading an opponent's defense, only to sadly strike the post, rebounding out of bounds.

When the final whistle blew, the score remained 0-0.

Though a rather uninspiring conclusion for a friendly match, it was underwhelming for Millwall, who, as last season's Third Division victors, ought to have shown superiority against Birmingham, who had finished just above the relegation zone. Logically, this might warrant disappointment, particularly given their disadvantage in play; yet, the fans not only refrained from voicing discontent but instead applauded and departed in an orderly manner.

In the subsequent two friendly matches, Millwall not only maintained stable performances but improved remarkably, leaving Aldrich delighted to discover that these players indeed possessed the temperament for significant occasions, exuding a maturity beyond their years. Each match showcased their consistent and stellar displays.

In the second match against Oxford United at the Den, Larsson scored a header following a cross from Schneider in the second half, granting Millwall a 1-0 victory. Although modest in scoreline, Aldrich was even more pleased with the resilience displayed by the backline, which allowed no chances to the opponents.

In the final warm-up match against Oxford United, the team engaged in a refreshing counterattack grounded in firm defense, with both Trezeguet and the substituted Solskj?r finding the net, complemented by a goal from Southgate off a corner. Ultimately, Millwall triumphed with a resounding 3-0 scoreline.

Across the three friendly fixtures, Aldrich had achieved his fundamental objective: solidifying the defense—without conceding a single goal and minimizing the opposition's scoring opportunities. While the rivals may not have been formidable, this bolstered the team's confidence, creating an invaluable intangible reward.

Only three days remained until the commencement of the 1994-95 Division season, where Millwall would open at home against Shrewsbury Town.

That afternoon, following training, Aldrich gathered the players together and instructed them to don their official home match jerseys.

On the sidelines, training staff arranged chairs on the pitch, and Aldrich summoned the first-team coaches to join him. They seated themselves in neat rows while the players lined up behind them in two orderly rows, forming a fan-like shape based on height.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Aldrich sat in the center of the front row, his demeanor warm and slightly smiling, while the surrounding coaches wore relaxed expressions. In contrast, the players behind them exhibited serious countenances, as Adam signaled to the photographer to capture the best angles with the optimal light for the perfect shot.

After the team's "family portrait" for the 1994-95 season was taken, Aldrich changed into a smart suit and removed the chairs. With hands in pockets, he stood before the players, exuding a somewhat aloof demeanor, reminiscent of a young mob boss. The photographer climbed atop the chair to capture the striking image of the proud first-team players alongside their coach from a slightly elevated perspective.

Once the photographs were developed, Aldrich instructed the staff to display the family portrait in the club's corridor while the striking, cool image of the first team with their coach would be enlarged for promotional purposes.

As Millwall fans eagerly anticipated the onset of the new season, they were unexpectedly greeted with posters promoting the new squad outside the club. Each fan who glanced upon them couldn't help but exclaim: "What a young team this is!"

From the head coach to the players, Millwall had undergone a remarkable transformation in less than three months, and while the future remained uncertain, the present appeared undeniably vibrant.