Chapter 50

Even Mark莱莱, who was sent off with a red card, was consoled by a few words from Audrich. Others couldn't hear what Audrich said to Mark莱莱, but it was clear that Mark莱莱's mood didn't worsen.

"Claude, you played well today. You were just dragged down by a fool's mistake. Go back to the dressing room and take a shower. Don't take the red card to heart; rest well for the next game."

Audrich wasn't blind. The lack of Beckham's defensive support in the right midfield led to an expansion of vertical space. The experienced Middlesbrough players pressed forward in unison, passing the ball skillfully. Mark莱莱's foul to stop their attack was not something to be criticized; it was just bad luck that they scored from a free kick.

When Beckham was substituted, Audrich crossed his arms and coldly ignored him.

As Beckham walked to the bench, Coach Craig handed him a club-issued warm-up jacket, but Beckham, looking furious, threw the jacket onto the bench canopy.

Audrich, with his back to the bench, didn't know what had happened behind him, but Craig, the entire coaching staff, and the players on the bench were all angry at Beckham's actions!

Beckham was upset: Both goals in the first half were directly related to me!

What's wrong with going forward to assist?

I'm not a defensive player!

What's the problem with conceding one or two goals?

I can create more goals!

Despite being down to ten men, Millwall's players, after contracting to defend their half, formed a solid and unbreakable defense.

With the space in the midfield and defense compressed, Middlesbrough's ground attacks were repeatedly thwarted, forcing them to rely on long balls and aerial bombardments to create chances.

But Millwall wasn't afraid of this simple and brutal attack style. Handling aerial balls was a specialty for Stam and Southgate.

As the remaining time in the game dwindled, Middlesbrough committed more players to attack, pushing their defense further forward to try to equalize.

Two minutes before the end of the game, Hendley took a weak shot from just outside the penalty area, but the ball was too straight and was easily caught by Keller.

After securing the ball, Keller quickly threw it to the left flank. Lucas Neil, receiving the ball, kicked it forward. Pires, without hesitation, delivered a precise, scalpel-like pass from his position.

The ball sliced through the gap in Middlesbrough's defense near the center circle, rolling straight toward the backfield. Larsson, who had already started running from the halfway line, was in perfect sync with Pires. As soon as the ball left Pires' foot, Larsson was ready to pounce.

Larsson sprinted past Middlesbrough's White, leaving him far behind, and was now in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper as he approached Middlesbrough's backfield.

The Millwall fans in the stands, who had been holding their breath for the past ten minutes since Mark莱莱's red card, were now on the edge of their seats, fearing another goal. But now, a one-on-one opportunity was right in front of them.

Goalkeeper Miller had to leave his goal, but he didn't even make it out of the penalty area before he turned back in despair.

From just outside the penalty area, about 35 meters from the goal, Larsson elegantly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

The ball arced through the air like a dazzling rainbow, then gently landed in Middlesbrough's goal.

4-2!

Millwall had killed Middlesbrough's second-half efforts!

The Den erupted in cheers, the fans shouting Larsson's name in unison, followed by a long, thunderous applause for his spectacular chip.

Audrich's tense face finally relaxed a bit. He loosened his tie and let out a long sigh.

Was he happy?

No, just a bit less frustrated.

A victory that should have been easy had turned into a mess, leaving him fuming!

Middlesbrough's bold attacks in the second half and Millwall's counterattacks should have easily sealed the game, but the suspense lasted until the final minutes. It wasn't that Audrich wasn't prepared, but he found out his gun's sight was broken when he tried to pull the trigger!

Middlesbrough, unable to equalize, lost all their fighting spirit. The game ended after three minutes of added time.

"The most anticipated top-of-the-table clash in the 32nd round of the English First Division, Millwall faced Middlesbrough at home. The final score was 4-2. Audrich's team won a thrilling victory at The Den, extending their lead to 16 points with 14 games left. Millwall is almost certain to secure the league title, while Middlesbrough will likely need to adjust their strategy for the promotion playoffs."

After the game, Audrich went to shake hands with Bryan Robson, saying apologetically, "Sorry, I have some things to handle, so let's have a drink when we meet in the Premier League next season."

Bryan Robson laughed and replied, "You're definitely going to the Premier League next season, but I'm not so sure."

"Come on, Middlesbrough has the strength to make it to the Premier League. Excessive modesty is just hypocrisy."

"Alright, see you in the Premier League next season."

The two young managers exchanged pleasantries and then went their separate ways.

Audrich maintained a smile for a brief interview and then walked to the players' dressing room, where his face turned cold as ice.

Bang!

He slammed the door shut and locked eyes with David Beckham, who was sitting on a bench, shirtless.

Audrich approached him steadily, his handsome face twisted in anger. When Beckham looked up at him, Audrich exploded, roaring at him.

"What the hell are you doing? Before the game, at halftime, and during the second half, I warned you three times! Are you brainless or deaf?! F**k! Beckham, I know you want to show off, to be in key positions, but football isn't your one-man show. Your selfishness and desire for attention make Millwall look like a bunch of fools!"

Audrich's eyes seemed to spew fire, and his spittle hit Beckham's face.

He had every reason to be angry!

In the first half of the season, Middlesbrough had exploited Millwall's flank. Millwall had learned from that mistake, but they still allowed Middlesbrough to break through their defense through the flank.

If Bryan Robson had some brilliant tactics, Audrich would have accepted the loss, but he couldn't tolerate being outsmarted by the same tactic, especially after warning Beckham multiple times.

Beckham was initially stunned by the shouting. When the dressing room fell silent, he finally came to his senses.

The other players respected Audrich, not just because he was the manager and owner, but because they had improved significantly under his guidance. Mark莱莱, who had switched to a defensive midfield role, had no complaints, and the same went for Southgate. Trezeguet, who had returned to Europe from Argentina, was deeply grateful to Audrich.

But Beckham didn't necessarily respect Audrich.

After all, he was an outsider, destined to leave.

He was also upset, throwing his Adidas shoes to the ground and shouting at Audrich, "What did I do wrong? I'm an attacking player, not a defensive one! What's wrong with going forward to assist?! Are you blind? Didn't you see what I did in the first half..."

Bang!

Before he could finish, Matarazzo pushed him, causing him to collide with the locker.

"Show some respect to the boss!"

Matarazzo roared at him.

At the same time, Southgate, Nedved, and Larsson, the three captains, also stood up.

But Audrich waved them off, not needing their support.

As he pushed Matarazzo back, the big-mouthed Matarazzo still shouted at Beckham, "If you had listened to the boss, we wouldn't have conceded a goal, and Claude wouldn't have been sent off! Idiot!"

"Shut up, Marco!"

Audrich turned and glared at Matarazzo, who, looking displeased, retreated to the opposite bench.

In fact, he had long been annoyed by Beckham.

During training, Beckham liked to show off his skills, occasionally flirting with girls outside the training ground, and even his branded shoes seemed like a show of arrogance.

On the field, his desire to be the center of attention was more than others. As a defender, Matarazzo hated players who didn't return to defend after attacking.

The glory moments were during attacks, but the dirty work and mistakes were always left for the defenders to clean up!

Audrich closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the atmosphere becoming tense.

Yes, Beckham had talent in attack, but the future of football would increasingly emphasize team defense. A player who only focused on attack, whether a winger or a forward, would find it hard to establish themselves in top teams. In the best teams, the defensive system involved all 11 players, with only a few exceptional forwards allowed to play freely.

Audrich's intentions were not understood by Beckham. Audrich felt that further words were futile. Many talented young players were often too lazy to listen to their managers. Even Owen admitted that in his early days at Liverpool, he didn't pay attention to pre-game tactical meetings, and he deeply regretted it, believing it cost him greater success.

Without another glance at Beckham, Audrich turned and walked out of the dressing room, coldly saying, "Since you don't value your playing opportunities here, pack your things and get out of Manchester!"