Chapter 23

Most English clubs have been using new stadiums built in the late 1990s since the 21st century. This is due to the Taylor Report, which was issued after the Hillsborough disaster, mandating that football stadiums must be all-seated. As a result, most clubs had to rebuild their stadiums in the early 1990s. Millwall had such a plan as well, but it was halted by Audrich because the planned stadium had a capacity of only 20,000, and despite the cost not exceeding £20 million, Audrich was not satisfied with it.

The same was true for Sunderland, the Black Cats. Their new Stadium of Light is still under construction, and their old Roker Park has a capacity of only 10,000. Renovation and expansion were impossible, which was the reality for most English club stadiums in the 1990s. After decades or nearly a century of development, the available land for stadiums had greatly diminished, and most were surrounded by residential areas, leaving no choice but to find new land to build new stadiums.

Millwall and Sunderland had no significant grudges, and the Black Cats' fans were quite restrained. When Audrich stood by the sidelines at Roker Park to direct the game, the stadium was relatively quiet. Occasionally, when Audrich turned his head and saw the fans in the stands, he noticed many of them looking at him with curiosity, but not much hostility.

From the start of the match, Audrich realized he had miscalculated. Almost from the first minute, Millwall took control of the game. Sunderland, playing at home, did not commit many players to the attack. The old-style long-ball tactics often sent the ball from Sunderland's half to Millwall's defensive third. When Millwall's forwards couldn't get the ball, they would organize their own attacks. Sunderland's defense was very conservative, with the defenders holding back and the four midfielders also staying in the back. Although Millwall was the more proactive side, they only had five players crossing the halfway line during attacks, and the few combinations they managed to play lacked fluidity, with the ball often being disrupted by Sunderland.

Audrich frowned and looked at Sunderland's manager, who was also an unknown in the coaching world. He thought to himself, "Is this a feint to appear weak? Are they trying to lure Millwall to push forward?"

Audrich watched the game for a while longer, then walked back to the bench and muttered, "What the hell! What is Sunderland doing?!"

This was their home ground, yet they were playing so conservatively. Could they be aiming for just a draw?

Jensen leaned in and whispered, "I overheard some fans behind us. It seems there are internal conflicts at Sunderland, and the manager next to us is new this season."

Audrich knew they had changed managers this season but was unaware of the internal situation. He turned to Jensen and said softly, "Is Sunderland doing this on purpose? Luring us to push forward?"

Jensen shook his head, unsure.

Regardless, this could lead Audrich to change his tactics. If the game went poorly, the responsibility would be significant.

Audrich continued to watch the game. Trezeguet lost a header, and the ball was cleared by the opposing defender. Pires appeared at the top of the penalty area and took a volley!

Wow!

A murmur of excitement rippled through the stands.

Audrich stood up to watch the beautiful shot, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar and behind the goal.

He sighed silently.

The pace of the game was not fast, but the situation was tense. Ground attacks and combinations were not working, and crosses from the wings into the penalty area were not creating much threat. Occasional shots were very forced.

Thirty minutes into the first half, Audrich confirmed that Sunderland was only aiming for a draw at home, or perhaps they were trying to lure Millwall into pressing forward. Unless Millwall pushed forward, Sunderland would not change their conservative tactics.

Audrich felt a bit helpless. He and his team could not afford to lose at this stage. It wasn't about the league points, but the impact on the team's morale and psychology after a loss.

Gradually, Audrich calmed his anxiety. He was a broad-minded person. The goal was a draw, and as long as they didn't concede, he shouldn't be anxious. If he underestimated the opponent and rashly changed tactics, he might lose even the draw, which would be counterproductive.

Watching the game, Audrich frowned again. The two forwards at the front, Larsson, were always actively positioning and drawing defenders, but Trezeguet became increasingly dispirited, even getting into physical confrontations with the opposing defenders and taking forced shots when he knew there was no chance.

Without changing tactics, Audrich could only use different players. He turned and beckoned to Solskjaer.

Solskjaer, who had been intently watching the game, was surprised to see the manager signaling him. He pointed to his nose, as if asking, "Me, boss?"

Audrich nodded, and Solskjaer immediately got up and came to Audrich's side. He thought he was going to be substituted, even though it was only the 35th minute of the first half.

Audrich only asked Jensen to make room for Solskjaer and had him sit next to him.

Solskjaer was confused, sitting uncomfortably in the assistant's position. He heard Audrich, still watching the game, ask softly, "Do you want to play?"

Of course!

Solskjaer nodded vigorously and said, "Of course I do!"

"What will you do when you get on the field?"

"Score a goal!"

"How? The ball won't roll to your feet, and it won't fly into the opponent's goal just by touching it."

Solskjaer fell silent. Audrich then turned to him seriously and said, "Ole, you're a smart player. Even sitting here, you can use your football intelligence. Observe the game carefully. Your purpose on the field is to score, but how you score and where the weaknesses in the opponent's defense are, you need to observe carefully. Think about what you will do when you get on the field."

Solskjaer's enthusiasm to play cooled, and he sat quietly next to Audrich, observing the game and listening to Audrich explain the gaps in the opponent's defense and how to create threats with flexible positioning and being in the right place at the right time, even when outnumbered.

The first half ended with a 0-0 score.

Back in the dressing room, Audrich praised the team's performance in the first half and made no tactical changes. Sunderland had more defenders, which was obvious. Unless Audrich pushed Nedved further forward or had the full-backs join the attack, it would be difficult to break the numerical disadvantage. However, such a move would be risky, and with the focus on building a solid defense, Audrich would not do it.

Before the second half began, Audrich pulled Trezeguet aside, and they walked slowly at the back.

"David, you're a striker, the most prominent player on the field. Your goals can crush the entire opposing team, not just a single player. In the second half, don't get tangled up with the defenders. Get away from them, dribble past them, win the ball from them—none of that matters. The only thing that matters is scoring. Other battles are meaningless. Understand?"

Audrich spoke calmly to Trezeguet, who rubbed his bald head, knowing he had performed poorly in the second half of the first half, getting into physical confrontations with the defenders. Sometimes, young players can be impulsive and single-minded, which is normal.

"Boss, I understand."

Audrich patted his back and encouraged him, "Good, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just play as we planned. Go on."

After Audrich's advice, Trezeguet's movement and positioning in the second half were noticeably better.

However, perhaps because Sunderland had already found a good defensive rhythm in the first half, their defense still did not give Larsson and Trezeguet any opportunities.

Until the 55th minute, when Larsson received the ball outside the penalty area and flicked it skillfully, the ball rose and landed at the far post. Trezeguet, understanding the play, moved to the far post and headed the ball!

Before that, Trezeguet's positioning had clearly shaken off the defender marking him. Facing such a good opportunity, Trezeguet headed the ball toward Sunderland's goal.

Audrich stood up and watched the shot, hoping the ball would fly into Sunderland's goal. He thought excitedly, "Goal, goal, it's in!"

Bang!

The ball hit the near post of Sunderland's goal and bounced out of play!

"F**k! What bad luck for Sunderland!"

Audrich cursed under his breath, looking displeased.

Trezeguet, holding his bald head in disbelief, knelt on the ground, feeling dejected after the missed opportunity.

In the 70th minute, Audrich substituted Solskjaer for Trezeguet. He didn't need to give Solskjaer much instruction. As Trezeguet came off, Audrich saw that he was still eager to play and comforted him, "David, I'm basically satisfied with your performance today. You just lacked a bit of luck."

"Boss, give me ten more minutes, no, five, and I would have scored."

Trezeguet said stubbornly.

Audrich smiled and patted his shoulder, "Don't be childish. There are 44 more games in the league. If I let you play 90 minutes in every game, you'd probably only last half a season. Do you want that?"

Trezeguet had to accept the reality. He knew that proper rest was necessary, especially with Millwall about to enter a period of back-to-back matches.

Audrich did not sit back on the bench. He stood by the sidelines, hoping to keep the players alert and continue playing according to the plan. With the game entering the final 15 minutes of the second half, Audrich felt that a draw would be a satisfactory result.

PS: Thanks to "tuotuoxiehei" and "lalawo shi yige damutou" for the support!