The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 414: Forged in Battle

In the wake of a match loss, especially a significant one, players typically respond in three different ways.

The first is to not care, similar to mercenaries, who live a carefree life.

Such players can't be found at Millwall; if Aldrich spots even a hint of this attitude, he'll quickly clean house, as it negatively impacts team morale and unity.

The second type is deeply affected by the setback, their mental state plunging.

This reaction is normal, but it can lead to a rapid drop in team spirit, ultimately affecting player performance. That's why Aldrich made it a priority to uplift the team right after the Munich loss, minimizing the damage to morale.

The third kind of response is one of anger, a pent-up flame ready to burst. This is often seen as a good sign, igniting a fierce resolve in the team ahead of their next match. Typically, after an unexpected set-back, powerhouse teams will storm back in their next game. Of course, this isn't guaranteed; it depends greatly on who their next opponent is, the reasons behind their recent loss, and how well they can regroup.

Ronaldinho's situation fits the second reaction better. While other players can't say they've completely moved on from the Munich loss, at least their attention is still focused on the upcoming games. However, Ronaldinho didn't play in the following games due to injury after that loss; his mind and attention were still stuck in Munich, like a lingering nightmare.

Aldrich was pleasantly surprised when Ronaldinho apologized to him again and admitted his struggles.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise!

He saw a deep sense of responsibility and honor shining through Ronaldinho!

As a key player groomed to be Millwall's future leader, Aldrich needed Ronaldinho to have that mindset — to feel the pain deeply for losses, to remain passionately thirsting for victories, and to carry the club's flag, embodying both honor and shame!

But perhaps the heartbreak from the semi-final defeat weighed too heavily on Ronaldinho. His emotional response seemed a bit excessive.

After all, their three-year, 31-match unbeaten streak in European competitions was abruptly ended!

Even if Ronaldinho scored the penalty and Millwall won the shootout, Millwall's unbeaten record would be broken because the score after 120 minutes away from home was 1-0. But in this way, everyone can leave with a smile on their face and not care too much about the record.

Feeling solely responsible for the team's elimination, Ronaldinho carried the blame, but Aldrich thought he was being overly harsh on himself.

Or perhaps it was due to Aldrich's unusually strict standards over the years that had influenced him.

Aldrich was not good with words of comfort or consolation. When Melanie was upset, he would either join her for boxing to blow off some steam or take her out for shopping and enjoying nature. He typically preferred to engage in activities that would distract them.

He took the same approach with Ronaldinho.

As both a coach and a player, they spent the night playing video games. As they got lost in the joy of the game, the burdens weighing on their minds gradually faded away.

Afterwards, even if Ronaldinho reflected on it again, he managed to adjust himself, because his boss wasn't wallowing in sorrow; he had spent the entire night enjoying themselves.

At two o'clock the next afternoon, Aldrich, who had played video games with Ronaldinho all night, woke up on the living room floor. It was summer now, and he wouldn't catch a cold if he slept in his clothes.

Ronaldinho was nowhere to be found, and the game console had been put away. The living room looked quite tidy; it seemed that Ronaldinho had taken the time to clean up.

Aldrich scratched his head and jumped in the shower. It wasn't until he sat down with some food in the living room that he remembered the wine Carter had gifted him. He searched the living room thoroughly but found nothing, so he checked the kitchen as well, still coming up dry.

He was trying hard to recall where he'd put the wine last night. His mind had been firmly focused on Ronaldinho, and placing the bottle was done on autopilot—he couldn't remember the details later.

He even checked the garage to see if it had been left in the car, but it wasn't there.

Right up until dinner, he searched for that missing bottle, and then a thought struck him—Ronaldinho.

"Hey, when you were at my place yesterday, did you see the bottle of wine I took home?"

"Yeah, I saw it."

"I took it home?"

"You were definitely carrying a bottle when you left."

"Do you remember where I put it?"

"It's sitting on the shoe cabinet by the door."

Aldrich dashed to the entrance, but all he saw were neatly lined-up shoes—no wine in sight.

"I didn't see that bottle of wine around."

"Ah, I took it back with me when I left this morning. It was delicious, thanks!"

Aldrich stared at his phone, smiled and shook his head.

This guy will never get rid of his bad habit of joking.

A year later, winning the league title was a mental boost for Millwall, softening the blow from the Champions League failure. In training for the FA Cup final, the atmosphere was harmonious, and Aldrich lightened his expectations for the players.

This relaxation didn't mean underestimating the opponent; it was about sparing the players from pressure before the final match. After the final, they were going on holiday, so if Aldrich intensified the training too much at this point, it would not only add stress but also annoy the players.

Boas was still meticulously gathering intel and organizing details, putting together a report for Aldrich prior to the pre-match briefing. Klinsmann and Jensen were analyzing the players' states of play. As a result, Aldrich's job felt easier than ever. After losing two critical members of the coaching team last summer, they were back on course, collaborating with both chemistry and efficiency.

In the FA Cup final, Millwall faced Newcastle United, and had this been a few years back, it would have promised suspense.

However, under Gullit's management, Newcastle had only secured a 14th-place finish this season. Their journey to the FA Cup final suggested they hadn't been severely tested. Millwall, on the other hand, had eliminated Arsenal and Manchester United to reach the final. Having just claimed the Premier League title, the upcoming FA Cup final looked rather unexciting from the outside.

Thus, the British media were focused on Manchester United's later European showdown with Bayern Munich.

A persistent reporter had the audacity to corner Aldrich outside the training ground to ask for his views on that match.

The folks at Fleet Street were decidedly pessimistic, acknowledging Bayern Munich's strength while deeming Manchester United a shadow of their former self, impossible to escape calamity.

Millwall's hopes of a treble were dashed; Manchester United were also out of the running. The only team in Europe still capable of clinching a treble that season was Bayern Munich, aiming for league victory, the Champions League final, and the DFB-Pokal.

Against this backdrop, Bayern Munich's battle spirit was unquestionable, overshadowing Manchester United's presence in media coverage.

When asked in the interview, Aldrich could only offer diplomatic replies.

"Both teams are evenly matched and have their chances."

...

May 22.

Two days had passed since Aldrich's 23rd birthday, a day on which he had hidden out at his parents' home, intentionally avoiding all social engagements. Over the past year, he had met quite a few new friends, particularly among the "elite" crowd in Britain, who were eager to celebrate his birthday in grand style. Aldrich couldn't help but wonder if these people were just bored and seeking an excuse to have a good time, perhaps a result of pressing work stress.

Fans of Newcastle and the Lions alike flooded into Wembley, with the Lions' contingent noticeably larger.

Even before the match began, cheers erupted from the stands.

After the players warmed up and returned to the locker room, Aldrich glanced at the time and got straight to the point with his players: "Two days ago was my birthday. I made a wish for a pleasant summer. In two hours, let's hope you won't ruin that wish."

The players exchanged glances, raising their brows at one another, but no one spoke.

Aldrich left the locker room without further ado.

Once he was gone, Southgate perked up, saying, "I think the boss is expecting to be a dad in two months."

"Uh, that's what the paper said."

Larsson's comment was confirmed by Butt.

"In that case, we definitely can't mess up his summer holiday."

Henry's remark made everyone laugh.

They all knew what needed to be done.

Let's give it our all!

As the players stepped into the tunnel, it was clear that Newcastle United was under pressure, with Shearer the only player making a significant impact. This isn't to say the others are without skill; Bayard Forrest is frequently considered a genius by English fans. Although he started strong, he quickly leveled off in his performance. Against mid-table teams or fellow premier clubs, the competition might feel level, but when up against the top teams, the disparity is evident. Shearer is really the only one who can be considered a top-tier player.

Aldrich strode into the stadium with his hands in his pockets, lifting his chin confidently as he walked past the opposing coaching staff, making a beeline for the away team's bench.

Standing in front of the home bench was Gullit, his expression serious.

As live cameras captured this moment, the commentators couldn't help but poke fun at Aldrich.

"Hall may say he doesn't care about others' opinions, but come on! He clearly has a chip on his shoulder regarding Gullit. Normally, he would greet the opposing coach with a handshake, but today? He simply plopped down on the bench. He looks so sure of himself that he doesn't even need to stand and direct. Haha, and it's no wonder! Over a month ago, Millwall had slipped to third in the league, and Gullit was backing Chelsea for the title, mocking Millwall's chances of even making the top three. Yet here they are, pulling off a miracle to clinch the Premier League title in dramatic fashion. Now Hall must be thinking: they may not have taken the treble, but defeating Newcastle in the final for the FA Cup would add another trophy. A double this season wouldn't be bad at all. This trophy collector seems set to fill Millwall's trophy cabinet at record speed."

There must be some thoughts in Aldrich's mind, but these thoughts are not the kind of self-promotional thoughts that commentators speculate. Instead, he is in a bad mood.

"Gullit, you really are lucky!

Millwall's two key players are out injured!

Ronaldinho won't be back for another week, and by then, he'll head straight to the Brazil national team for the Copa America.

Nedved is also sidelined today and isn't expected to fully recover until the new season, meaning a complete return to the pitch is still off.

The absence of these two players will certainly affect Millwall's offensive strength, but Aldrich feels that it is more than enough. The facts are in front of us: the players' physical fitness, determination, and experience accumulated in high-level games - especially this season, when almost every game feels like a final in the later stages of the schedule - have further stimulated their accelerated growth.

Now, the first team of Millwall was in a stable state. There might not be a huge leap next season, but they would be more mature, and that was enough."