Chapter 72

Just 8 votes short of 2500, the extra update is released early. I hope everyone can vote more. I'm off to watch the ball game, and the national team will still strive for a draw and aim for a win!

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there. She was so excited that she couldn't describe the joy in her heart.

Two goals, two goals, we are two goals ahead of the damn Manchester United!

Teammates gathered around, and Larsson turned to point at Nedved. The two embraced, and Pires waved his fists at the stand, signaling the dominance of Millwall.

"Andy, are we dreaming? The team with the best performance since the Premier League was established, facing a newly promoted team, is two goals behind at home after just 12 minutes. Is this Manchester United? Or did the players wear the wrong jerseys?"

"Beautiful goal, beautiful goal, Martin. Look at this Millwall attack. From Makelele's tackle, the ball went through Neil, Pires, Nedved, and Larsson. From successful defense to counter-attack and scoring, five players completed a splendid combination. No one held the ball for too long, and they passed it to their teammates at the right time. The Manchester United defenders didn't even have a chance to foul! Look at Trezeguet's movement. This young man can score and create space for his teammates. Bruce was still upset about the first goal, so he focused on Trezeguet and lost his position. Larsson's shot after his run was a top-level performance. Manchester United has been rumored to be interested in Larsson all summer. What are they waiting for? Isn't this the kind of player Manchester United needs?"

"But Manchester United can only field two forwards. After Cantona returns from suspension, will they put the £6.5 million Cole on the bench?"

"Ha ha, Ferguson can't sit still! He doesn't look good."

When Odrissey and his coaching staff were cheering on the sidelines, he was thoroughly enjoying this moment.

At Old Trafford, over 60,000 Manchester United fans were speechless.

To silence this noisy stadium is itself an achievement!

When his celebration ended, he saw Ferguson standing on the sidelines with a stern face, clearly dissatisfied with his players' performance.

Odrissey glanced at him and then withdrew his gaze, standing calmly on the sidelines, but inwardly he was sneering.

Old fox, don't think you can sit there comfortably and chew gum for 90 minutes to get 3 points!

Millwall is like a grain of rice compared to the moon, but if you underestimate us, you will pay the price!

Ferguson's face was grim. He couldn't help but glance at the calm and composed Odrissey, who had his hands in his pockets. This stylish young man in a tailored suit had undeniable tactical prowess.

Ferguson didn't underestimate Millwall. He focused on Millwall's players, like Nedved. If Manchester United didn't already have Keane and Butt, and Scholes on the bench, he would have inquired about the possibility of transferring Nedved.

Last season, Millwall's front five played brilliantly, with Nedved as the key link. Ferguson had instructed Keane to focus on the Czech player before the match, but he didn't expect Millwall to have a new attacking point.

An unexpected attacking initiator: the full-back!

Last season, Millwall never let their full-backs boldly assist.

But just now, Lucas Neil initiated an attack from the left flank, sprinted forward, and played a smooth combination with Pires, disrupting Manchester United's defense. Although the final pass was completed by Nedved, without Neil's forward run, which drew Keane's attention, Nedved wouldn't have had the chance to assist.

Millwall's attacking combinations are becoming more mature, and now with the addition of full-back attacks, their offensive tactics are even more diverse and varied.

Odrissey is indeed a little fox. Behind that humble smile, he hides a dagger aimed at the enemy's heart!

On the pitch, tactical battles are about attack and defense. The pieces are equal, and the one who can hide the threat deeper has the greatest chance of winning.

It's unrealistic for Millwall to rely solely on their front five to break through Manchester United, especially with two strong defensive midfielders, Keane and Butt. Nedved's organizing role would be minimized, and this situation would become more common in the future, with opponents specifically targeting Nedved's performance. Therefore, Odrissey has been focusing on developing the full-backs' forward runs since the summer training.

In the future, the value of full-backs will increase, and good full-backs will be in high demand. The main reason is that when forwards and midfielders are targeted, their attacking space becomes smaller and less effective. Full-backs, with large spaces and ample time to assist, will become increasingly significant. This is the trend in football tactics.

Ferguson began to stand on the sidelines, and the Manchester United players were seething with anger.

Especially Bruce, who was at least 1.5 responsible for the two goals.

After Manchester United restarted the game, Ferguson was shocked to find that whenever Millwall had a chance to attack, they would lean towards the left wing, focusing on Bruce's defensive weakness!

Odrissey saw Pires cut inside and easily shake off Bruce for a long shot, which went wide, but he nodded in approval.

Seize the opponent's weakness and hit it hard!

What can you do when Bruce is already 34 years old?

His body can't keep up, his turns are slow, his footwork is slow, and even his judgment can be indecisive. The first two goals were aimed at his side, as per the pre-match tactical plan. The biggest weakness in Manchester United's defense is the young Gary Neville and the aging Steve Bruce!

In contrast, Pallister and Irwin's side was much calmer, and Millwall wouldn't actively pick the hard bones to chew.

After Millwall took a two-goal lead, Manchester United didn't immediately counter-attack. Instead, Millwall's attacks became more frequent, often using the left wing to open up the offense.

Neil's forward runs, Nedved's support, and Pires' combination in tight spaces were a delight to watch. After two successful cuts and shots, Gary Neville began to retreat. When Pires received the ball for the third time, Neville was already prepared to block his cut, but Pires calmly passed the ball to the left flank. As the ball was about to go out of bounds, Neil sprinted forward, leading the ball into the baseline.

At the baseline, Neil crossed the ball into the penalty area.

Trezeguet once again beat Bruce to the ball, but the angle was too narrow, and the header went out of bounds.

After completing the cross, Neil ran back to his defensive position.

At the start of the season, Odrissey had clearly told the full-backs, Neil, Zambrotta, and Capdevila, who would join the first team in the second half of the season, that they would share playing time. Rotation was necessary, and they were young, so they would give their all in every game.

Seeing the left wing's successful attacks, Odrissey specifically looked at Beckham.

See that?

This is the trend in football. Full-backs go up and down the wing. Do you think the main task of wingers is not defense?

Look at how the right wing is being exploited by Millwall.

If you can keep up with Neil's pace and get used to the up-and-down play, you can not only make up for Neville's lack of experience but also earn a better reputation for yourself!

Playing football isn't just about fancy footwork; everyone has to do the dirty work!

Ferguson watched for ten minutes and, with his keen insight, figured out Millwall's attacking pattern. He then took advantage of a dead ball to give his players instructions on the sidelines.

Opportunities and risks coexist.

Beckham couldn't retreat deeper to complete the defense, and Ferguson couldn't transform Beckham with just a few words. He could only compensate for the defensive weakness with the help of the midfield players.

Especially after confirming that Makelele rarely assisted forward, Ferguson instructed Butt to mark Nedved and Keane to cover the right wing.

When Neil moved forward to combine with Pires, he took a big step and was immediately tackled by Keane, who then passed the ball to Beckham.

"What are you daydreaming about? Kid, attack!"

After passing the ball, Keane noticed Beckham's slow handling and immediately roared in anger.

Beckham was a bit dazed after the 2-0 lead. He found it awkward to attack or retreat to defend. If he attacked, the space behind him would be larger. If he retreated, he couldn't match Neil's sprinting or Pires' position.

But now, with the ball, he found the space in front of him wide open.

Yes, Neil is assisting, so Millwall has one less defender on the left wing!

Spurred by Keane's roar, Beckham immediately moved forward. Although his speed wasn't as fast as Giggs', it wasn't slow, and the space in front of him was large.

Makelele, seeing Nedved follow Keane back to defend, immediately went to support the left wing to stop Beckham's attack.

Beckham, seeing Makelele charging at him, stopped the ball by his foot. His experience with Millwall last season taught him that Makelele's defensive skills were excellent, and the smart move was to pass the ball before Makelele got close.

But to whom? Keane was marked by Nedved, and a direct pass to the penalty area would be futile.

At that moment, someone in the center waved, and Beckham immediately passed the ball with a half-high kick.

Butt decisively moved forward to assist, received Beckham's pass, and charged towards the penalty area.

Butt had the ball, Giggs was on the left wing, and Cole and McClair were in the penalty area. Millwall had only Thuram, Stam, and Southgate.

Manchester United's counter-attack, four against three!