The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 213: The Ultimate Showdown

On the evening of May 11, at Rotterdam Airport, located six kilometers northwest of the city, a group of people in blue jerseys eagerly awaited in the arrivals hall, gazing expectantly at the exit.

The plane from London had just landed, and soon, a figure stepped out first.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, Aldrich walked confidently with his left hand in his pocket and his right hand pulling a suitcase, leading the group with a steady and upright manner.

Behind him were the coaching staff and the entire Millwall squad, all impeccably dressed in suits, exuding charisma and elegance.

The fans who had been waiting anxiously suddenly erupted in cheers!

"Look! Millwall is here!"

"Aldrich Hall! It's really him! The most famous young coach in Europe! He looks even better than on TV!"

"Larsson! Nedved! Shevchenko! Schneider! It's really them!"

"Larsson! Larsson!"

...

The scene quickly turned chaotic as hundreds of fans surged towards the Millwall team, some seeking autographs, others presenting flowers, and some enthusiastic female fans boldly wrapping their arms around their favorite players, planting kisses on them.

Aldrich, who had fought many battles on English soil, had never experienced such a scene. The local fans were familiar with Millwall, and whether on television or in the stands, they were always present.

Even in Paris during their European encounters, they hadn't encountered such enthusiasm, as they were not a popular team.

But today was completely different.

After Millwall clinched the Premier League title and advanced to the final of the European Winners' Cup, ousting Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, their reputation in Europe skyrocketed.

As fans outside began to grow curious about the team, many quickly became fans of Millwall—or perhaps of a particular player.

Just Aldrich alone had garnered as much popularity as a celebrity.

"He's young, handsome, tactically astute, and carries himself with poise on the sidelines, sometimes revealing a youthful wildness that captivates everyone. He is England's pride."

This was the assessment of the rising star among English Premier League managers by The Times.

Aldrich's highlights rivaled that of any star player, especially in the final two minutes of the Premier League season, when he raised his right hand, confidently directing the goalkeeper and center-backs forward to attack, then made a cheeky invitation to old rival Ray to take an unguarded shot. After his team scored a dramatic winner, he flashed a charming, devil-may-care smile as he left the field, footage of which was replayed across major British television stations, sending his popularity soaring and establishing him as one of the new generation's icons!

However, Aldrich himself was unaware of his star status; it wasn't until their arrival in Rotterdam that he truly felt the warmth of the fans. There weren't many security personnel among the staff traveling with them, so thanks to the airport security maintaining order, the entire Millwall team was able to exit the airport smoothly.

Aldrich was the first to board the bus. He turned to the players, who were still recovering from the initial shock, and said, "If you guys are willing, feel free to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. We can wait for half an hour before we leave."

Outside the airport, even more fans gathered, surrounding the bus under the watchful eyes of the security personnel.

The players of Millwall were accustomed to local fans at their training ground, but they never expected such popularity abroad. They realized the fans had waited a long time, which touched them. They stepped outside the bus to take pictures and sign autographs, much to the delight of many fans.

That night, they stayed in a five-star hotel in Rotterdam. Aldrich didn't impose strict rules on the players; they were free to wander around, but they had to return to the hotel before 11 PM to rest.

With three days before the match—May 12, 13, and 14—Millwall planned to rest on the first day, train on the second, and do a light practice on the third, followed by the match on the 15th.

The players had varying preferences; some disliked the practice on the pitch, seeing it as a waste of time, while others preferred to keep themselves active to maintain their form. But Aldrich had to cater to the entire team, establishing a plan that prioritized the collective over individual preferences. Regardless of personal likes or dislikes, this was a team, and the will of the individual had to align with that of the team. Every decision from the head coach wasn't just random; it was always well-informed and considered.

Rotterdam, known for its unique scenic beauty as a famous port city in Europe, provided a stunning backdrop for the team. On the second day, the players ventured out in pairs, reveling in the wonders of this foreign land.

On the same day, the Barcelona team arrived in Rotterdam, creating an even bigger stir than Millwall's arrival!

Major media outlets from across Europe flocked to cover the event, tracking the developments of both teams in the lead-up to the game.

This match was referred to by the media as the "Future Summit Clash!"

The word "future" had two meanings: one, that the match was yet to occur, and the other, that both Millwall and Barcelona were young teams, filled with rising stars. They represented fresh blood in European football, and undoubtedly, they would be prominent figures on the top-tier stage in the years to come.

The Sun even ran a headline proclaiming, "The English Civil War!"

On one side was the young coach Aldrich, and on the other, Sir Bobby Robson, aged over sixty.

Both were Englishmen, making the British media especially proud.

England had its fair share of famous coaches throughout history—long-ago figures like Clough, Nicholson, and Sir Ramsey, as well as more recent legends like Clough, Paisley, and Revy. However, in contemporary times, few English coaches have remained in the public eye, with Sir Bobby Robson being a notable exception. He crafted the best performance by an England national team since they won the World Cup on home soil. Due to his extensive coaching around Europe and being a cancer survivor, he garnered widespread respect throughout England.

Despite Aldrich's rising fame and popularity in England, it was fair to say he didn't quite compare to Robson.

While Aldrich might have had the edge in popularity, Robson's achievements were unparalleled.

This showdown between the young and the old was heavily dramatized, raising questions of legacy versus new blood, Aldrich's fearless youth versus Robson's seasoned experience. The match had numerous storylines.

The two leading strikers in Europe would face off—Larsson against Ronaldo.

Additionally, the match would showcase a clash of experienced players from both teams.

The day before the match, when Aldrich attended the UEFA final press conference, there were more than a hundred journalists present from various countries around the world.

The allure of this final was almost on par with the UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Juventus!

Amidst the news officer's control, Aldrich expressed his respect for Sir Bobby Robson before the questioning began.

Initially, some mainstream European media inquired about game-related information.

They asked about team form, starting lineups, and game tactics, among other things.

However, as the press conference neared its end, it devolved into a verbal sparring match between Aldrich and the reporters.

Sports newspapers like Marca and Sport, which were Barcelona's leading media outlets, aimed hostile questions at Aldrich.

"Six months ago, you stated that Ronaldo does not deserve to be a finalist for the Ballon d'Or or the World Footballer of the Year. Yet he's scored over 40 goals this season. Do you still stand by that statement?"

The room fell silent; all the reporters understood: It was showtime.

After a moment of silence, Aldrich replied coolly, "Yes, I still stand by it."

"Don't you think that's a ridiculous stubbornness, deceiving yourself?"

"No, I don't think so. First, let me reiterate: both the Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year are not awards for predicting future superstars. Please tell me what honors Ronaldo earned during the 95-96 season? Based solely on his performance during half a season at Barcelona, I don't consider him superior to my players. Of course, if he wins significant honors this season, such as the league title, then he would be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or, I would agree. However, prior to any team honors, please don't excessively praise individuals while neglecting the team."

"You claim Ronaldo is not as good as your players. Who exactly are you referring to that is better than Ronaldo?"

Aldrich chuckled, "That's not interesting. But if you want to know, I'll say this: Although Larsson and Ronaldo are different types of forwards, if we strictly compare achievements, Larsson won more championships last season and scored more goals and had more assists than Ronaldo. This season, Larsson's goals and assists surpass Ronaldo's as well, and we've already clinched the league title. Larsson has helped the team set numerous great records, including an 18-match league winning streak, home and away winning streaks, consecutive scoring matches, and so forth. I don't wish to elaborate further."

"What a joke! Is there any comparability between the Premier League and La Liga? If Millwall were to compete in La Liga, you'd probably struggle to finish in the top three! How much value do those records created in such a league really have? Ronaldo has scored countless great goals, and a hundred years from now, people will still talk about them!"

"Ha ha ha, that's amusing. Well then, let's see Barcelona try to play in the Premier League. It's a ridiculous discussion. I've never denied that Ronaldo's goals are entertaining, nor have I disputed his talent and ability. However, a player's overall value is not just about their ability alone; it's about elevating the team and helping it achieve honors. If we only evaluate players based on individual performance, then what's the significance of the team? Where's the sense of collective honor for the players? While you all are here praising Ronaldo, have you ever considered the value of those who support him? Figo, Giovanni, De La Pe?a, Enrique, Guardiola, and so on. What's their value? Is it merely to serve Ronaldo? If that's the case, then I'm disappointed in Barcelona's football philosophy. But in reality, it's not! You've misconstrued everything. Ronaldo's excellence stems from the strong team in Barcelona. They work together for victory, not for individual glory! When you emphasize Ronaldo's contributions, please give due respect to the other Barcelona players. Without them, Ronaldo is nothing, just like Larsson wouldn't have achieved his current status without Nedved, Trezeguet, Makelele, Southgate, and others."

"We're only discussing forwards, not the entire team!"

"Utterly foolish! Do you think Ronaldo would perform the same way at mid-to-lower-tier teams in La Liga like Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijón, or Celta Vigo? Would he still score all those glorious goals you rave about? Similarly, if Larsson were not at Millwall but stationed at another mid-to-lower-tier club in the Premier League, he wouldn't be producing such standout performances either! I'm ending this discussion here. Millwall has already proven itself in the Premier League, and Larsson has cemented his place in its history as the Golden Boot winner. Ronaldo's individual tally is impressive, but Barcelona is still lagging behind Real Madrid in La Liga—that is a fact. Goodbye."