The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 19: Applause and cheers, come more fiercely!

Shrewsbury, as always, played the long ball, yet their forwards appeared markedly dispirited. Confronted by the imposing figure of Stam, they found it impossible to gain the upper hand in aerial contests and were consistently thwarted by Makélélé. Moreover, Southgate's unwavering performance further deepened the despondence of the two strikers as the match wore on, leading them to wander aimlessly in and around Millwall's penalty area.

Once more, an attacking player on the left flank readied himself to deliver a high ball into the box but opted instead for a low cross. Regrettably, in his attempt to break through, he was intercepted by Thuram, who extended his leg and sent the player sprawling onto the grass, while the ball lay abandoned beneath Thuram's feet.

Peter, aflame with indignation, bellowed toward the pitch, "What the hell! That was an obvious foul! Damn it, a foul!"

Yet, the referee remained implacable, displaying no intention of signaling for Shrewsbury's player to rise. Meanwhile, the spectators in the stands erupted in applause, their excitement palpable.

Upon retrieving the ball, Thuram refrained from dribbling and swiftly passed it to the nearest Makélélé, who, sensing the urgency, released the ball before the opposing forward could close in.

Nedvěd received the ball at midfield and promptly executed a long pass that found Pirès on the left flank.

Pirès continued his advance toward the center, while a mere five meters away, Shrewsbury's defenders prepared to close in for a challenge or to disrupt his potential long-range shot.

Calm under pressure, Pirès recalled the gestures made by his coach on the sidelines just moments ago; thirty minutes had elapsed since the match commenced, and his role had shifted.

The tactical instructions from Aldrich from the previous day resonated distinctly in his mind: "Long-range shots in the first thirty minutes will compel the opposing defenders to retreat from the penalty area. If the game unfolds as anticipated, once the wingers approach the center, the two forwards will be poised to exploit any offside opportunities. Robert, you and Bernd are tasked with threading the ball through into the box!"

Observing Shrewsbury's defensive alignment, Pirès was astonished to realize that Aldrich's assessment indeed held true.

The opponent's defense had retreated from the penalty area to diminish Millwall's threat from distance, thereby creating a significant void behind their defenders.

Without a moment's hesitation, Pirès executed a precise through ball, threading it between the center-back and the full-back's positions.

Though the pass had a moderate speed, its accuracy was impeccable. At the precise moment Pirès delivered the ball, Larsen darted forward, eluding the attention of the center-back.

The defenders of Shrewsbury had grown accustomed to Millwall's forwards launching distant strikes during the initial thirty minutes; they were entirely unprepared for this sudden breach. What astonished them further was Larsen's remarkable speed!

The center-back tried to react but found the distance between himself and Larsen only widening, denying him any opportunity to grasp at his jersey.

Larsen successfully timed his run, positioning himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper!

The entire crowd rose in unison, their collective gaze fixed on Larsen as he surged forward.

Watching the unfolding attack from the sidelines, Aldrich felt his heart race with exhilaration, even his hands trembled. The composed facade he had maintained was swept away, replaced by overwhelming anticipation.

Put it in the net, put it in the net, put it in the net!

Aldrich silently urged, though his throat felt parched, rendering him incapable of voicing his desires; he could only gasp heavily, his lips parted as if to speak.

"Shrewsbury's defenders had grown accustomed to facing long-range shots from Millwall's attacking players in the first thirty minutes. They never anticipated that this time the opponent would capitalize on the space behind them. To their astonishment, 拉尔森 speed was astonishing!"

Choosing not to rush out, he instead maintained his position on the goal line, gradually advancing to minimize Larsen's shooting angle.

As Larsen approached the edge of the penalty area, he matched pace with the ball, never faltering. Instead, he adjusted his stride in accordance with the ball's trajectory, and with a gentle flick of his right foot, he caressed the ball toward the left side!

The goalkeeper executed the foundational response to a one-on-one situation, closing down the near post, launching himself horizontally to the right. However, in a moment of futile disbelief, he turned his head back, hope mingling with despair as he wished the ball would not cross the line.

Yet, the ball soared in a graceful arc, elegantly curving past the goalkeeper and nestling into the far corner of the net, coming to rest after a few gentle revolutions within the goal!

The Lion's Den erupted in ecstatic uproar!

Fans in the stands raised their arms in jubilant delight, leaping and cheering with childlike exuberance. Following his goal, Larsen sprinted along the byline toward the corner flag, igniting a wave of celebration among the surrounding supporters.

Millwall's players rushed to join Larsen in his elation, directing their joy toward the stands, where numerous fans held signs displaying their names in various languages, expressing their support.

For the notoriously infamous supporters of Millwall, known for their violent reputation, these actions appeared quite endearing.

Though it was merely the first match, a significant number of fans had recognized them, acknowledging their nationalities and conveying support in their native languages, bestowing upon them a profound sense of warmth and belonging.

Witnessing this goal, Aldrich erupted with boundless excitement, fists clenched and waving vigorously before him. Following suit, Jensen and other coaches vacated their seats, embracing Aldrich as they rejoiced together; the atmosphere filled with laughter and jubilation as they celebrated Millwall's inaugural goal of the season, marking Aldrich's first official victory as coach!

After the excitement, Audrich returned to the sidelines. He clapped to encourage the players and then made a gesture with both hands pushing down to remind them to stay alert and not get complacent.

Finally, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted into the field, "Keep playing as you have been!"

With this goal, the players on the field had already begun to change their perception of Audrich internally.

Peter's face flushed with agitation as he vociferously argued with the assistant referee, firmly convinced that Thuram's interception during Shrewsbury's attack constituted a foul. Had the referee made a decision, the subsequent counter-attack leading to a goal would have been nullified.

Once his fervor calmed, Aldrich slipped his hands back into his suit pockets, reflecting on that splendid goal as admiration for Larsen swelled within him.

The Swedish forward possessed exquisite finishing skills; renowned for his ability to score with both headers and grounded strikes, he showcased remarkable control and finesse, never relying excessively on power. His shots often displayed precision and subtlety, executed with minimal unnecessary movement inside the box, resulting in strikes that were both artistically crafted and elegantly placed.

The recent goal exemplified his exceptional talent, executing a gentle flick toward the far corner without pausing the ball, creating a trajectory that, even should the goalkeeper anticipate, would remain unattainable due to its cleverly obtuse angle.

Following the concession of that goal, Shrewsbury was left with expressions of deep disappointment.

Perhaps they believed that during the opening thirty minutes, aside from a few distant shots, Millwall posed little threat, while they themselves had orchestrated numerous swift incursions into the opponent's half, yet still found themselves conceding despite being the dominant side.

The blow struck hard at the team's morale, prompting Peter to vehemently implore his players to launch an even more fervent offensive.

Even as Aldrich reminded them, Millwall's players maintained their composure, refusing to become overly complacent, continuing their previously established defensive posture.

The increasingly anxious Shrewsbury struggled to mount a worthwhile attack against Millwall's goal, while the latter's offensive display grew progressively vibrant and menacing.

As the first half drew to a close, Millwall's campaign moved ever closer to the opponent's penalty area. David Trezeguet, eager to make an impact, launched himself forward prematurely during a counter-attack, potentially missing an opportunity for a one-on-one chance.

In the stoppage time of the first half, Pirès took a shot from outside the penalty area, but the opposing goalkeeper managed to deflect it out for a corner kick.

The corner was taken by the skillful Schneider, who is known for his exceptional technical ability among his generation of German players. Schneider's crossing and dead-ball skills are truly outstanding.

Millwall's set-piece tactics had been meticulously crafted by Aldrich during over a month of training, considering the array of adept headers within the squad.

The two forwards, Larsen and Trezeguet, not only excelled in aerial encounters but were also particularly astute at seizing opportunities amidst chaotic situations in the box. Meanwhile, Nedvěd, as a midfielder, was also a proficient header, while Stam and Southgate provided solid defensive support, joined by Thuram, whose heading abilities were well-honed.

Makélélé and Lucas Neill remained near the center circle during this corner to thwart any potential counter-attacks, while Pirès roamed at the far post and the perimeter.

Southgate positioned himself in front of the opposing goalkeeper to exert pressure, with Larsen and Stam poised at the edge of the six-yard box. Thuram created confusion at the near post, while Trezeguet remained ostensibly passive in midfield, casually shifting a step as defenders approached, showing no inclination for confrontation.

Schneider stood by the corner flag, raising his hand to signal a clenched fist. The Millwall players in the box understood the gesture implicitly, and shortly thereafter, Schneider initiated the corner.

As the ball sailed from the corner flag, Millwall's attacking players surged toward the center, prompting the defensive Shrewsbury players to instinctively follow suit. A cluster of players in the box shuffled a couple of steps toward the far post; amidst the crowd, one player broke away, navigating the periphery to position himself for a play at the near post!

The corner was taken with blistering speed but lacked height, just clearing the heads of the nearest Shrewsbury defenders before beginning its descent, landing precisely in the vicinity of the near post!

There, a bald player clad in deep blue and white shorts met the descending ball, nearly diving to head it!

Just under two meters from goal, the ball ricocheted off his header and sped into the net before the Shrewsbury goalkeeper even mustered the reflex to react, collapsing onto the ground in surrender!

Once again, the Lion's Den erupted with joy.

The player who rose to his feet was the young David Trezeguet!

After executing the diving header, Trezeguet kept his gaze fixed on the Shrewsbury goal; upon witnessing the ball find the net, he immediately sprang up, beaming with delight as he pointed toward Schneider, rushing over to embrace him. Following closely, Pirès leapt in celebration, resting his hands on Trezeguet's shoulders while joining the exuberant fans, many of whom seemed ready to leap from the stands into the arena.

In the wake of this goal, Aldrich's surprise deepened, especially since the first half stoppage time was fast approaching. He suddenly found himself pondering what to convey during halftime, yet he had not anticipated Trezeguet would score on his debut!

Listening to the thunderous roars of the crowd, Aldrich naturally raised his arms aloft, urging the fans to amplify their cheers.

Jensen, caught between amusement and disbelief, observed Aldrich's animated gestures. In their minds, this young coach ought to have been cautious and apprehensive, yet before them, Aldrich appeared utterly unfazed by pressure.

Aldrich was well aware that the team was very young. The players on the field needed cheers, needed affirmation and recognition; this was crucial for their growth.

So, he stirred up the atmosphere in the stadium.

"Applause, let it be even more enthusiastic!"

"Cheer, let it be even louder!"