Chapter 18

The roar of Millwall's fans echoed for a long time within the Lion's Den stadium, and the match began with a one-sided momentum.

Shrewsbury's attacks came in wave after wave, with the ball mostly flying around in Millwall's defensive half.

Peter waved his arms on the sidelines, continuously issuing offensive commands to the players, as if determined to take the initiative and overwhelm Millwall as a visiting team.

Aldridge stood calmly by the sideline with his hands in his pockets, showing no signs of anxiety on his face.

At least, the situation on the field did not appear as lopsided as it seemed to him.

Shrewsbury played a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with attacks initiated from the midfield or backline. The ball was often sent forward by a long pass from a winger or midfielder, seeking their forwards.

This was the most common tactic in English football, and coincidentally, Aldridge was also using this tactic.

Many criticized the unchanging 4-4-2 formation as outdated, but Aldridge did not agree.

Because players are not static; they do not stand in one place after entering the field. In both attack and defense, the 4-4-2 formation can evolve into many variations, making it highly adaptable.

For example, if one central midfielder advances and the other stays back, the 4-4-2 becomes a diamond midfield. If the wingers tuck in, it can become a smaller diamond midfield, freeing up the full-backs to assist in attack. If the forwards drop back and the wingers advance, it can transform into a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, or even a 4-3-3. The 4-4-2 formation is incredibly versatile.

Judging a team's tactics for the entire match based on their starting formation is superficial. Italian football, known for its tactics, often sees more than three or four formation changes in a single match, adapting to the game's flow. This is one of the charms of football tactics.

"Wow, that kid is amazing!"

"I know, I know, he's Claude Makélélé! He used to play in France!"

"Makélélé! Makélélé!"

Suddenly, a wave of cheers erupted from the stands as the passionate fans shouted Makélélé's name, surprising even Makélélé on the field.

Shrewsbury's manager Peter was anxiously shouting commands on the sidelines.

His team seemed to be mounting relentless attacks, but every time the ball was sent from the midfield or wings to the forwards, Makélélé would use his body to shield Southgate or Stam. As the ball fell in front of them, just as it hit the ground, a lightning-fast figure would swoop in from the side and snatch the ball away.

After a few such instances, Shrewsbury's forwards began to drop back. Even when they managed to turn and face the ball, a low-center-of-gravity, expressionless Millwall player—Makélélé—would immediately appear in front of them.

Shrewsbury's forwards would try to dribble, but Makélélé would intercept the ball with precision. This is why the fans in the stands cheered for Makélélé within just a few minutes.

The black young man's defense was a joy to watch!

Aldridge was not surprised. Modern football emphasizes attack, and people often talk about beautiful and elegant football, but in defense, Makélélé was a top-tier player who could turn destruction into a unique form of beauty.

He was not tall, standing just under 175 cm, and lacked the muscular build that commands attention. His appearance was unremarkable.

But this unassuming player's defensive capabilities were astonishing. His defensive awareness, anticipation, and precise interceptions, as well as his speed in challenges, positioning, and defensive coverage, were nothing short of masterful. At his peak, Makélélé could transform a team's defense, and his counter-attacks after successful tackles were always a pleasant surprise.

This is why Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, recalling the first Galácticos era, said: "If I had to keep one player from that team as my teammate, I wouldn't choose Zidane, Figo, or even Ronaldo. I would choose Makélélé."

With Makélélé on the field, Shrewsbury's attacks often ended in futility. When the forwards tried to hold the ball with their back to goal, Makélélé would steal it. When they dropped back to receive the ball, Makélélé would disrupt them the moment they turned, leaving no chance for a dribble or breakthrough.

Shrewsbury then began to try direct crosses from the wings into the penalty area, hoping to use headers to break through Millwall's defense.

Stam was not yet fully mature, and his biggest flaw was his impulsive tackling. However, with Makélélé as a barrier, Stam never faced a direct challenge from an opposing forward. He could focus on physical battles with the forwards and leap to head the ball away when it came from the air.

With no breakthrough, Shrewsbury's manager Peter began to grow anxious. Although his team was not strong, Peter's coaching experience was extensive. One of the most common features of football is that prolonged attacks without success often lead to a mistake.

Shrewsbury, playing away, could not afford to concede first!

On the field, Shrewsbury tried another cross from the wing. Their right winger sent a diagonal long pass into Millwall's penalty area before Lucas Neill could close in. The ball's trajectory was good, landing near the penalty spot, a perfect position for a forward to sprint and head the ball.

Shrewsbury's two forwards charged toward the ball's landing point, and the fans in the stands held their breath, tense with anticipation.

"Phew..."

The Millwall fans sighed in relief as Southgate won the aerial duel, heading the ball out of the penalty area, right to Makélélé's feet.

The stands erupted in applause, and the fans who were clapping were surprised when, before their applause had even died down, Millwall launched a counter-attack.

Makélélé turned with the ball, and the opposing central midfielder, positioned forward, tried to tackle him. But Makélélé calmly feinted and passed the ball to Lucas Neill, who was advancing down the left wing.

Lucas Neill did not dribble but instead sent a diagonal pass to Nedved in the center circle.

Peter watched as Millwall's attack unfolded with precision, without any hesitation. He felt a knot in his stomach and shouted from the sidelines, urging his players to stay focused.

Nedved took a few steps with the ball, then, before the opposing defender could close in, passed it to Robert Pires, who was moving from the left wing toward the center.

Pires cut inside from the wing to the edge of the penalty area, and upon receiving the ball, he hesitated slightly.

He remembered Aldridge's tactical instructions from the previous day's training: in the first 30 minutes of the first half, the wingers and forwards should drop back to receive the ball. When the forwards had the ball, they should shoot if possible, without dribbling or attempting to break through. The wingers, after receiving the ball in the center, should also try long-range shots.

Although Aldridge had been diligent in his training and provided many helpful instructions, Pires was puzzled by his tactical setup.

Pires played as a winger, but Aldridge did not want him to dribble and cross, or even to break through. The same applied to Schneider on the other side. For two players with excellent footwork, this seemed to limit their strengths.

Pires's hesitation was brief.

Regardless, he had just joined the team, and he would follow the young manager's instructions for now.

Even if the performance was poor, Pires did not think it was his fault; it was the coach's responsibility to use him effectively.

From the edge of the penalty area, Pires unleashed a powerful long-range shot with his right foot.

However, his shot was too central and was easily caught by the opposing goalkeeper.

The stands first echoed with a sigh, followed by applause.

Shrewsbury's manager Peter's nerves settled. Such long-range shots had already occurred four times in the first 20 minutes, with three by Larsson and Trezeguet, and one by Pires. They were either too central or off target, posing little threat to Shrewsbury.

Aldridge, however, showed no signs of disappointment. Instead, he clapped and nodded in approval of the players' performance.

Seeing this, Peter sneered to himself: Does this kid think football is an archery competition?

But such reckless long-range shots could result in a lucky goal, so Peter ordered his players to expand their defensive area and not give the opposition any opportunities for long-range shots.

After Peter's adjustments, Millwall's attacks were noticeably hindered, especially on Schneider's right wing. His two attempts to cut inside and shoot from distance were blocked by the opposing full-back, posing no threat to the goal.

Seeing the effectiveness of his adjustments, Peter smirked and glanced at Aldridge, who still had his hands in his pockets.

Aldridge was not disappointed by Schneider's two missed shots. Even when the opposing full-back pressed forward to assist, giving Schneider an opportunity to cross, Schneider did not do so, as per Aldridge's instructions.

In the early stages of the team, overall defense was crucial. Each player was a part of the defensive system. If Aldridge allowed the players to attack recklessly, the defense would become disjointed. If the wingers crossed from the wings and were countered, the corresponding flank would be exposed. Before the team's defensive awareness and coordination were fully formed, Aldridge prioritized maintaining the team's defensive structure, ensuring that each player remained in contact with their nearby teammates.

After 30 minutes, Aldridge checked his watch and, during a dead ball, signaled to the field. He confirmed that Nedved, Pires, Schneider, and the two forwards had seen the signal, indicating that they should now follow the pre-match tactical adjustments.

After doing this, Aldridge turned and glanced at Peter, who had calmed down from his earlier anxiety, thinking to himself: Let me make the first move.

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