The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 606: The Cruel Twist of Fate

Millwall managed to equalize the aggregate score early in the game with an opening goal, and they held the upper hand on the field. However, their attacking fluidity was noticeably inferior compared to the previous match.

The most striking change was Valencia's reliance on tactical fouls to disrupt Millwall's offense.

Within the first 25 minutes, Millwall had five direct free-kicks. Pirlo's three attempts were blocked by the wall, and two soared into the stands.

Standing on the sidelines, Aldrich carefully observed the match, noting every detail. Over time, he began to decipher Valencia's counterattacking strategy.

Unlike the previous game, where Valencia excessively relied on both wings, leading to isolation on the flanks, their approach this time showed notable adjustments.

The key lay in Aimar and the non-attacking flank. For instance, when González launched an attack on the left wing, Aimar would drift over to connect with him. Simultaneously, Mendieta on the opposite flank would cut inside to provide an additional option.

At this level, against a team like Millwall, Valencia couldn't rely on a singular, simplistic attacking method to create opportunities. Against weaker or even some elite teams, their direct attacks down one flank might have been enough to pose a serious threat. However, against Millwall, stubbornly sticking to one side would be like hitting a brick wall.

Thus, Valencia shifted from a dual-wing strategy to a focused single-wing counterattack, aiming to create local superiority and generate chances.

Valencia's approach had its merits, particularly in counterattacking with plenty of space in front of them.

When Aimar clustered with González or Mendieta on one flank, Gattuso faced a dilemma: should he follow Aimar to the wing, forming a 2v2 defense with the fullback, or even a double-team if the winger dropped back?

After a moment's hesitation, Gattuso opted to hold the center, as long as the opponent didn't cut inside into dangerous areas. His primary focus was to track the forward-most player, retreating to compress space and maintain the defensive line.

Gattuso was wary of leaving the midfield exposed. If he vacated his position, the opposing player on the opposite flank might exploit the space by cutting inside, leaving Millwall's defense vulnerable.

Valencia's tactic tested Millwall's midfielders' ability to track back. While their combination play on the flanks allowed them to advance the ball effectively, Millwall's lone fullback couldn't contain the duo's coordinated attacks. However, when it came to delivering the final blow, Valencia clearly lacked solutions.

Once their attack reached the edge of Millwall's penalty area, further combination plays or breakthroughs into the center were met with coordinated defense. The fullbacks and center-backs formed a tight line, and while Pirlo's defensive reliability was questionable, Nedvěd's tracking back provided a significant sense of security.

Having analyzed Valencia's counterattacking pattern, Aldrich couldn't help but respect Cúper's tactical adjustments.

Valencia was simply unlucky. If Nedvěd hadn't regained top form or was still injured, Millwall's defensive quality in midfield would have significantly declined. Under such circumstances, Valencia's single-wing counterattacking strategy, supported by the likes of Albelda or Baraja pressing forward, might have broken through Millwall's defense. Without Nedvěd, Aldrich would undoubtedly have deployed a more defensive-minded midfielder to provide additional cover.

In the 34th minute, Valencia's cross from a flank counterattack was cleared by Materazzi. Gattuso controlled the ball near the edge of the box but was fouled by Aimar, who earned a yellow card amid a chorus of boos from the Lion King Stadium crowd.

This was Aimar's third foul of the half, all subtle tactical fouls in the attacking third. Despite their seemingly innocuous nature, the referee issued a caution.

Two minutes later, Henry's shot was saved by Cañizares, allowing Valencia to counter again. This time, González's cross from the wing was intercepted by Schneider. As Schneider surged forward, González tripped him from behind and was also booked by the referee.

Valencia's counterattack had improved significantly compared to the last match. They advanced closer to Millwall's penalty area, but the final ball or decisive strike continued to elude them.

This growing frustration began to show among Valencia's attacking players, making them visibly impatient.

Millwall's attacking efficiency was apparent: every three dangerous moves seemed to produce a shot on goal. In contrast, Valencia couldn't even muster a single attempt.

In the 42nd minute of the first half, González and Aimar combined on the left flank, working their way to the baseline. However, instead of crossing, they hesitated. Sánchez, stationed in the box, was tightly marked. Aimar, controlling the ball near the sideline, opted to pass back to González, who shifted it centrally to Mendieta.

Faced with Millwall's impenetrable defense, Mendieta found no passing options. Understanding the risks of overhandling the ball, which would surely lead to a counterattack, he decided to attempt a long-range shot.

The result was disastrous.

The shot didn't even head toward the goal but instead struck Materazzi's leg at close range, deflecting harmlessly out for a corner.

"Valencia's offensive approach today is almost identical to their strategy in the last encounter between these two teams. However, their reliance on counterattacks has been completely neutralized by Millwall, posing no real threat. It gives the impression that it's only a matter of time before Millwall scores again. If they don't, then Valencia must have divine intervention on their side."

Valencia took the corner with only three players in or around the box: Sánchez, Mendieta, and Baraja.

González and Aimar executed a short corner. Schneider quickly closed in on González, while Aimar moved back to create space. Receiving the ball from González, Aimar swung it into the box.

His in-swinging cross was poorly aimed, landing just ahead of the penalty spot. Baraja was the only Valencia player in position to challenge for the ball.

Pagliuca had already taken his position, facing a sea of Millwall's towering players. For Baraja, attempting a header seemed almost impossible with such a narrow angle.

But what followed left the crowd at the Lion King Stadium utterly stunned.

Baraja leaped for the header, but he didn't touch the ball—his motion was perfect, but it was as if his neck fell short by mere inches. The ball brushed past his eyes and, in a cruel twist of fate, slammed directly into Gattuso's head. The ricochet was instant and dramatic, sending the ball spiraling toward the goal.

Pagliuca's reaction was visceral—his pupils shrank, and a muted snarl escaped him: This can't be happening!

The ball, now on an elegant, looping trajectory, drifted toward the far corner, out of his reach. Pagliuca's late dive was futile, and he knew it.

Around him, Gattuso and the rest of Millwall's defenders froze, their expressions a mixture of terror and helplessness as they all turned toward their goal.

The Lion King Stadium erupted—not in cheers, but in gasps of disbelief and exclamations of astonishment.

"That's a goal! Valencia have equalized, 1-1, 1-1! On aggregate, they're now up 2-1 over Millwall, and thanks to the away goal rule, Millwall need to win by two clear goals to stay in the competition. If not, Valencia will knock out the defending champions and march into the Champions League semifinals!

This goal, though—it's got to go down as an own goal. Aimar's cross wasn't going anywhere near the net until Gattuso got his head to it. And what a disastrous header it turned out to be! Poor Gattuso—he's probably glaring at Baraja right now, wondering why he didn't make the clearance!"

Gattuso didn't just want to ask Baraja; he practically wanted to throttle him!

Their leap for the ball had been less than a meter apart. Gattuso had already prepared to turn and watch the outcome of Baraja's header, only for the ball to unexpectedly hit his own head and loop perfectly into the far corner, leaving Pagliuca stranded.

The own goal didn't just leave Valencia's players frozen in disbelief for two full seconds. Even their coach, Héctor Cúper, rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

Afterward, Valencia's players rushed to celebrate. If they could hug Gattuso, they would have done so, kissing him wildly. But instead, they surrounded Aimar for the celebration.

Cooper, too, waved his arms in excitement—this was unbelievably shocking!

He had racked his brains trying to figure out how to create attacking opportunities and solve the problem of getting a decisive shot on goal. His mind was on the verge of breaking down!

Now, the problem had been solved for him, and by none other than their opponents, Millwall!

With that away goal, Valencia just needed to hold on for the remaining time. If Millwall couldn't score two goals, they would advance to the semifinals!

The cheers that had echoed around the stadium since the beginning of the match suddenly ceased, and the whole stadium fell into a deafening silence. Valencia's supporters could hardly make much noise. Compared to before, it was barely louder than the hum of mosquitoes.

The Lions' fans were completely stunned by this own goal.

Everyone knew the situation had taken a turn for the worse. The sudden blow felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over everyone.

The Millwall team remained composed after conceding the goal. Southgate said nothing, simply walked behind Gattuso, patted his head, and gave him a gentle push forward, as if offering him some motivation.

Aldrich suddenly raised both arms on the sidelines. His expression gave nothing away—no sign of disappointment or defeat. He moved back and forth with a calm demeanor, using his body language to try and revive the energy of the stadium.

Seeing their king rallying the atmosphere, the fans immediately resumed their raucous chants, cheering the team on without hesitation.

Nothing more needed to be done—just keep cheering, put pressure on the opponents, and not hold back!

In less than thirty seconds, the atmosphere at Lion King Stadium was back to its fiery intensity.

Aldrich stopped moving and stood by the sidelines, his mind racing.

He suddenly felt that Valencia was an unusually tricky team to face.

Where was the problem in Millwall's defense? There wasn't really one.

That goal, for example, was far from a threatening header. Baraja's header wasn't even in a position to cause real danger, and with a defender blocking his angle, even if he did connect with the ball, the chances of scoring were slim.

But it was just like Carew's "fake-stop" move in the first leg—Baraja's attempt had created confusion by not touching the ball, taking away the task of finishing the play from his teammates. Instead, it was as if Millwall had helped them, delivering the own goal right into their hands.

Things had gotten worse.

From 1-0 to 1-1—it was a complete game-changer.

Now, with the score at 1-1, Millwall not only needed to win but had to win by at least two goals!

Valencia's situation had completely reversed. They would now defend more resolutely, while their attacking efforts, which had previously carried a risk, would undoubtedly taper off. After 1-1, their offensive intensity and commitment would surely decrease.

It was clear from Millwall's restart that Valencia had no player beyond the halfway line. Even forward Sanchez had dropped back to help defend, surrounding the penalty area in a watertight manner.

The first half soon came to an end. In response to Valencia's heightened defensive strategy, Millwall didn't create any threatening attacks in the final minutes.

As the halftime whistle blew, Aldrich turned and walked into the players' tunnel, his mind deep in thought.

Traditional attacking methods would be difficult to execute for the rest of the match. Would it be a matter of relying on luck and hoping for some spontaneous brilliance from the players? n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Just as he reached the locker room door, he halted, raised his gaze, and spoke softly, as if struck by sudden inspiration, "Could this have an unexpected effect?"