Chapter 49

1000 recommendation tickets, here's the update.

In the first half, the game was one-sided, with Millwall firmly in control, scoring two goals. They steadily controlled the pace of the game, and Bryan Robson probably did not expect to encounter a Millwall so different from the one he faced in the first half of the season when he came to the Lion's Den. What changes will Middlesbrough make in the second half? Or will they conserve their strength to fight with the teams behind them in the standings?

During the halftime break, Aldridge returned to the dressing room. The players, having built confidence through their continuous victories, no longer rejoiced at leading at halftime but instead took a gentle and calm rest.

Aldridge praised the team's performance, stating that there was no need to adjust the tactics. They just needed to control the ball and play defensively in the second half to secure the victory. He could foresee that Middlesbrough would fight with their backs against the wall in the second half, which would provide more counter-attack opportunities for Millwall.

However, he still walked up to Beckham, who was smiling, having participated in one attack and provided an assist in the first half, which made him very proud.

"David, we are leading by two goals. You indeed have a talent for attacking, but we must first focus on defense. In the second half, don't rush forward on the right wing. From a deeper position, your long passes will have a surprising effect. If you rush forward, you will lack the space to play, and if you get caught in a counter-attack and can't return in time, we might be penetrated on the flank. Do you understand?"

When Aldridge arranged tactics, he always explained the reasons to the players rather than giving orders. This habit made the players in the team very satisfied.

Beckham wiped the sweat off his face, put away his smile, and nodded to show that he understood.

Aldridge didn't say any more and, after a brief rest, walked out of the dressing room with the players.

In the second half, despite leading by two goals, Aldridge still stood by the sidelines. He knew the importance of this match. If Middlesbrough staged a comeback, Millwall would still lead by 10 points, but with 14 games left, Middlesbrough might be invigorated and threaten Millwall's top position.

After the game resumed, Millwall's fans were already singing songs like "We Are the Champions" and "Playing in the Premier League Next Season."

The stands were filled with laughter and cheers, but Aldridge frowned.

The spirit of Middlesbrough's players changed dramatically in the second half. They showed a fighting spirit that was completely different from the first half.

Aldridge understood that Bryan Robson had planned the decisive battle for the second half. Whether Millwall was leading or drawing in the first half, this was part of his strategy.

A draw might make Millwall anxious to win, while a lead might make them overconfident.

Scoring a goal in a football match is a very short process, perhaps just a few seconds to ten seconds.

Would 45 minutes in the second half be enough to turn the game around? For a team with fighting spirit, it would be more than enough!

Thuram intercepted the ball in the backfield and passed it forward, intending to give it to Beckham. However, he didn't expect Beckham to run forward instead of waiting for the ball, seemingly trying to save time for a quick counter-attack.

Aldridge widened his eyes in disbelief.

Did you forget what I told you during the halftime break?!

Beckham tried to control the ball without turning, but someone in front of him stuck out a foot and easily intercepted the ball, then charged forward.

Curtis Fleming!

It's him again!

Aldridge cursed under his breath, "F***!"

After the ball was intercepted, Beckham quickly chased after it, but his speed was not an advantage. He couldn't catch up to Fleming's jersey.

What was supposed to be a Millwall counter-attack turned into a Middlesbrough counter-attack after the ball was intercepted.

Fleming charged into Millwall's half from the wing, and Makelele quickly moved to intercept. Fleming quickly passed the ball to the midfield.

Middlesbrough's tactic of advancing from the wing to draw defenders and then focusing on the center was clearly well-rehearsed.

Blackmore passed the ball to Masto, who was making a late run, before Nedved could close in.

The two forwards, Hendley and Cavanagh, pressured the defense, making Stam and Southgate hesitant to tackle. Masto took the ball to the edge of the penalty area and unexpectedly took a long-range shot.

Nedved's tackle was a step too late, and he could only watch as the ball was launched like a cannon.

A world-class goal!

The ball, with no spin, shot into the top left corner of Millwall's goal, leaving Cassely-Keller helpless.

After Middlesbrough scored, Cavanagh quickly retrieved the ball from the net and ran back to the midfield. The other players didn't celebrate; they were determined to equalize or even take the lead!

Aldridge's face darkened. If there was to be blame for the goal, it was only one person: Beckham!

Thuram was held back by Hignett, and Makelele's move to intercept was normal. What was supposed to be a Millwall counter-attack turned into a Middlesbrough counter-attack because Beckham, instead of holding the ball on the wing, allowed Nedved to run into space to receive the ball. Masto's world-class goal was impeccable, and even with a hundred chances, he might not have scored such a brilliant goal.

But such a goal was not a fluke!

During the halftime break, Aldridge's instructions to Beckham were heard by the other players. After the goal, Southgate ran up to Beckham and sternly said, "Listen to the boss and don't rush forward!"

One mistake could put Millwall's entire defensive system in a passive position, allowing the opponent to find a weakness.

As the English folk song goes:

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost;

For want of a horse, the rider was lost;

For want of a rider, the battle was lost;

For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost!

Seeing Beckham with his head down, Aldridge wanted to say something but couldn't bear to.

After all, he was still a young player, and learning from mistakes was a necessary part of growth.

After the game resumed, Middlesbrough launched a strong counter-attack.

Aldridge sneered inwardly: Do you think one goal will break Millwall? Too naive!

Ten minutes later, Middlesbrough paid the price for their counter-attack.

Larsson moved out of the penalty area and played a brilliant combination with Nedved and Pires. The three players toyed with Middlesbrough's three defenders with a series of one-touch passes. Larsson then received a pass from Pires, turned, and shot without stopping the ball, which hit the far post and bounced into the goal.

At the 63rd minute, Millwall led 3-1 at home against Middlesbrough.

Seeing this goal, Bryan Robson shook his head slightly. This was a difference in player quality!

Aldridge thought that regaining the lead would ease his mind, but unexpectedly, Beckham once again actively moved forward on the right wing to participate in the attack.

He shouted from the sidelines, "David! Get back!"

Beckham, in the front, turned and made a gesture to Aldridge, as if to say, "Boss, relax, don't worry, it's fine, I know what I'm doing!"

Aldridge's face instantly turned extremely ugly!

At that moment, Middlesbrough launched another attack from their left wing.

Bryan Robson had already noticed that the biggest flaw in Millwall's defense was on the right wing, where the young Manchester United player left a large gap behind him.

This time, Fleming didn't try to break through with dribbling. He and left center-back Wicks played a one-two combination.

Wicks' move to assist was unexpected, and Beckham was like a post, being toyed with by Fleming and Wicks.

Then, Fleming once again left Beckham behind.

Middlesbrough used the same tactic again, with Masto making a bold run forward, and Blackmore and Hignett advancing in the center. The ball was quickly passed between them. When Makelele tackled Blackmore from the side, the referee stopped the game, signaled a foul, and showed Makelele a yellow card, followed by a red card!

Makelele already had a yellow card in the first half!

Makelele, with two yellows turning into a red, didn't argue and walked off the field dejectedly.

Aldridge, seeing this, turned and kicked a water bottle on the ground!

"Bernd, Patrick, quickly warm up. After this free kick, you will come on. Patrick will replace Trezeguet and take Claude's position, and Bernd will replace Beckham. Patrick, when you come on, tell Pavel to form a double pivot with him, and both wings will tighten up for counter-attacks!"

Furious, Aldridge quickly made substitutions.

What made him even angrier was that Middlesbrough scored from this direct free kick!

Blackmore's perfect curved shot penetrated the goal defended by Keller.

Millwall's situation on the field was precarious. The 2-0 lead from the first half was gone, and they were now leading 3-2 with one man down!

After this goal, there were still 20 minutes left, and Bryan Robson quickly made adjustments, adding a midfielder and removing a center-back, switching to a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

When Trezeguet was replaced by Vieira, Aldridge went to greet him. Trezeguet, who had scored twice today, was happy, but the game's situation made it hard for him to smile. After hugging Trezeguet, Aldridge walked back to the coaching bench without even looking at the dejected Beckham.

PS: Thanks to "shon1" for the support!

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