Millwall went to the Champions League with the grievances of four league games without victory. For the first game, they came to Glasgow, the capital of Scotland, as a guest. After several years of fighting, there were almost no places or stadiums in Europe that were unfamiliar to them.
In Scotland, Martin O'Neill led the Celtics to maintain their glory for two or three years after a successful restoration. When they were distracted from the European war and planned to make a breakthrough in the European arena, there must be some distractions at home. Last season, they were defeated by Glasgow Rangers.
Once again, the dominance was overturned. For Scottish football, it was nothing more than a two-man game between two bitter rivals in Glasgow, one ebbing and the other ascending, alternating dominance.
The current coach of Glasgow Rangers is Alex McLeish, who is well-known in Scottish football and is a legend. Like most Scottish coaches, he started in the local league and has a chance to make achievements. Most of them will do so in the future.
Will enter English football coaching.
From the day he took over as head coach of Rangers, Rangers' financial situation has been very unsatisfactory. The impact of the economic crisis in 2002 on the football world has always been lingering. Bankruptcy, bankruptcy, sale, even if it seems that there is no short-term improvement.
No matter how big the problem is, it also lays the foundation for disaster in the future.
In this context, the comprehensive strength of Glasgow Rangers is not taken seriously by European football.
It can be said that Scottish football itself is not taken seriously by contemporary European football, even Scottish giants such as Celtic and Rangers, because since the Champions League was restructured, no Scottish team has been able to break into the top 16 of the Champions League.
Like most coaches, before playing against Aldridge for the first time, McLeish used the media's microphone to express his respect and fear for Aldridge. He was in awe.
In the impression of the outside world, Aldridge has more or less the demonic image of a local snake in England.
Aldrich did not put on any airs and complimented MacLeish in a different way.
It is well known that Aldridge has a close personal relationship with Martin O'Neill, so when Aldridge said in a joking tone: "O'Neill is having a hard time in Scotland. To be honest, I am very happy that he has met an opponent in Scotland. This also makes me
There is a lot of excitement for the upcoming Champions League matches.”
When O'Neill led Leicester City, he did cause trouble for Millwall, although Millwall later became stronger and stronger. Leicester City almost stood still, allowing Aldridge to defeat O'Neill repeatedly, but
In front of super wealthy teams, which team is not an "ATM"?
September 13, Ibrox Stadium.
There is less than half an hour until the first round of the Champions League group stage kicks off.
Aldridge lectured in the locker room. He said calmly to the players: "I like to be honest and speak clearly. Our tradition is to never rest on our laurels, so we can miss what we have gained in the past.
But I will never use it as capital now. We didn't win the league in four rounds before, and I didn't criticize you. If I did that, it would be disrespectful to you. Because we spent a lot of money in the summer.
You need more time to rest, but it has been a month since the Premier League kicked off. In the past month, I have given you more time to rest and prepare for the game. I think we should end it.
In a relaxed state, it’s time to cheer up and go all out for every game. I don’t care who the opponent is, we have to win the game because we are crazy lions and the most powerful team in the world.”
He is a reasonable person.
He will not ask players to make money for the club while also demanding that players ensure 100% competitive performance.
There is something to give and something to gain. Aldrich calculated this account very clearly in his mind.
The players are also used to Aldridge's style of doing things.
To be honest, Millwall players don't know if they feel more lucky to encounter such a "weird" coach.
It is difficult to say that Aldridge's coaching style is completely free from utilitarianism, but his habits of managing the team are absolutely utilitarian.
He is very concerned about gains and losses, but he is not arrogant or unreasonable.
In the locker room, De Rossi, who is the captain of the new season, shouted to his teammates before going out: "Let's go, let's have a big fight!"
"Huuu~!"
Arriving at the court, Aldridge tried his best to keep his attention on the court without being distracted by the stands.
It's not because the atmosphere at Glasgow Rangers' home ground is so terrifying. No matter how terrifying the home stadium is, he has personally experienced all kinds of stadiums called devil or hell.
Compared with this kind of power, his ability to withstand pressure has long been like a mountain, hard to shake. He is afraid that his attention will be distracted to the stands, which will weaken his mentality, and he can't help but show a gentle smile on the sidelines.
Years ago, Millwall's home stand had a permanent trio.
Arthur, Puskas, Ivan.
Three people sit in the fixed VIP seats in the stands to watch the game, which is a special scenery in the stadium.
Since Aldridge and Ivan, this landscape has changed. At first, Arthur and Puskas watched the game together. Later, Puskas' condition deteriorated and now he can only live in a nursing home because of his conscious time.
There are fewer and fewer, and someone must watch over him every step of the way.
Before this season, Arthur and Aldrich's two sons mostly watched the game together.
By this season, it was Yiwen and her daughter watching the game in the stands.
Bonnie insists on coming to the stadium to watch Aldrich's games, even away games. She has been called the "Lion Princess" by the busy Fleet Street, and every time she appears in the stands to watch a game, she will wear the same
clothing.
That's the jersey Aldridge wore when he played in Southgate's retirement game, with the number 0 on the back.
Yiwen is happy to accompany his daughter to watch football matches, although sometimes he has to prevent his daughter from being too attached to her father. For example, today's game was a guest at Rangers, and Millwall arrived in Glasgow yesterday. Bonnie was noisy at home.
I also came here yesterday and stayed at the hotel where Aldridge was staying. Of course Ivan would not agree. It would affect Aldridge's work, so I only came here to watch the game on today's match day, simply for the Olympics.
Delic and Millwall cheer on.
Players from Millwall and Rangers walked into the field with their heads held high.
Aldridge also shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with MacLeish.
Aldridge admires MacLeish more.
This is due to the attitude of Glasgow Rangers after the opening game.
In fact, most teams, even at home, would not dare to play too aggressively against Millwall.
However, probably because of Millwall's four-game winless run in the league, McLeish had new ideas.
In this profit and loss consideration, a simple arithmetic problem is that it is too difficult for Glasgow Rangers to break out of this group!
They are the bottom team!
There is a shopping spree with Porto, and in addition, there is a fight with Inter Milan and Millwall for tickets to the top 16.
The difficulty is comparable to climbing to the sky.
But taking a step back, there were two games against the same opponent in the group stage.
What strategy should be used?
At home, if we stick to it and get lucky and score 1 point against Millwall, will McLeish have the confidence to go to the Lion King Stadium, a home ground where Millwall has never lost in European competitions? Will he have the confidence to score another 1 point?
?
But if we get 3 points at home, it will definitely be much more cost-effective than two draws.
And, there will be a chain reaction!
Millwall lost 3 points against them, so naturally they have to ask for more from other opponents!
When Millwall was in great form, McLeish might not have dared to be so bold, but when Millwall was winless in four rounds of the league and its form was criticized as a mess by the outside world, he couldn't help but feel a little bit anxious in his heart.
Therefore, Glasgow Rangers showed a brave attitude after the opening game, daring to fight and fight hard.
Not soft, not cowardly!
Aldridge appreciates the other side, really, not because the other side is doing this to benefit Millwall. If Aldridge is McLeish, of course he will have ideas about the game at this time.
However, Rangers were quickly punished.
After the game at Old Trafford, Aldridge did not hesitate at all and directly changed the team's tactics in the following training.
Let Millwall take a step back from the variety of overall tactics!
In the past they would press all over the pitch and press aggressively high up the pitch.
Now, the defensive focus area is fixed at the midfield line.
In this way, the team's tactics will not be as colorful as in the past.
It is foreseeable that if the previous play style is followed, once the team successfully counterattacks in the midfield and frontcourt, it can launch a fast break that catches the opponent off guard within 3 seconds.
Playing this way now will make the game situation less "accidental".
This is a necessary change, just like polishing, which further stimulates Millwall's greatest advantage, which is the impact of the frontcourt.
Give the opponent a certain amount of space to attack, allowing them to push the attack to the midfield, and then Millwall will block it with all their strength. When switching from defense to attack, they will then make a rapid breakthrough of 30 meters. After 30 meters of advancement, they will basically reach the opponent's goal.
restricted area.
The reason why the changes and richness of tactics have declined is because Millwall's configuration in the midfield and frontcourt during this period, and its individual raid capabilities are much stronger than in the past!
Ronaldinho on the left, Kaka in the middle, Ronaldo on the right.
Just relying on these three people, advancing 30 meters from the midfield, they all have the ability to break through the opponent's blockade, and they have a speed advantage!
This rapid advancement method, combined with the ball in the midfield and backfield, actually reduces the confusion of Millwall's crazy frontcourt changes in the past.
To put it bluntly, I am telling all my opponents: I will charge at you! Can you stop me?
I can stop it once, twice!
If you can stop Ronaldinho, can you stop Kaka?
Can you stop Kaka or Ronaldo? (To be continued...)
