Enemies of the Throne
The Lion King Stadium roared with cheers as Millwall and AC Milan's starting lineups marched onto the pitch.
During the pre-match handshakes, Millwall players greeted most AC Milan players with a simple handshake, but when it came to Shevchenko, they opted for an embrace.
Outside the stadium, in the club's museum, Shevchenko's legacy remained immortalized. Visitors could find records of his games, his accolades, and even Staam's controversial departure. While fans might have mixed emotions about their past heroes, history was immutable.
Ronaldinho and Henry had already made the fans forget about Trezeguet and Shevchenko. In Aldrich's vision, the current attacking trident surpassed the previous generation. This second iteration of The Lions, now at their peak, was far stronger than their predecessors.
As the match neared its start, Henry and Larsson stood in the center circle, when suddenly, they heard Ronaldinho's infectious laugh echo across the pitch as he shouted to the team.
'Hey, boys, let's give it everything we've got!'
Henry and Larsson exchanged a knowing glance, both raising an eyebrow in unison. Nedved's lips curled into a rare, slightly menacing smile.
It was clear that behind that smile, there was ambition waiting to be unleashed.
A new season, a new stadium, and new honors awaited them.
The Lions were building a dynasty, determined to carry their momentum forward.
Who would they surpass next? AC Milan? Liverpool? Real Madrid?
No one could say. They only knew one thing: to keep moving forward and fight relentlessly.
As the new season loomed, teams began treating friendly matches with greater seriousness. Though not at full intensity, the match's tempo and focus were markedly different. For Millwall, this day marked a milestone, and from the first minute, they were fully engaged. The game wasn't overly aggressive, but The Lions played with finesse, controlling the rhythm and pressing with intent, leaving AC Milan on the back foot from the start.
AC Milan's owner, Berlusconi, had grown restless even before the previous season ended. Following their league failure and humiliating exit from the Champions League, he loudly vowed to sign big stars to appease the fans.
During the off-season, Galliani inquired about Pirlo and Zambrotta, but Aldrich declined their offers. Instead, AC Milan turned to Madrid, signing Redondo for $17 million. While the fee seemed like a bargain, rumors swirled about Redondo's knee issues, leading some to criticize the deal as a publicity stunt or even a potential money-laundering scheme.
Despite the skepticism, Galliani had brought in several reinforcements, including Kaladze, Brazilian national team defender Júnior, Uruguayan prodigy García, and youth academy talent Antonini. Yet, as Aldrich stated in an interview, a player's ability is one thing, but their fit within the team is another.
"Some talented players lack adaptability," Aldrich had remarked. "If a player cannot blend into the team's style, the signing is bound to fail. It's not the player's fault; it's simply a mismatch."
As for AC Milan's acquisitions this season, the only true success story was Kaladze.
On this day, Júnior became the scapegoat.
By halftime, Millwall led 2–0, with both goals exploiting gaps in Júnior's defensive zone through quick one-twos and incisive through balls.
Zaccheroni, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, subbed Júnior off at the break.
The Brazilian defender's struggles to adapt to Italy's defensive systems, compounded by Zaccheroni's three-back formation, exposed the team's vulnerabilities. Central defenders in such a setup needed to be unshakable, and Júnior was anything but.
Aldrich substituted Lampard and Pedretti in the second half, giving Pirlo and Gattuso more time to rest.
The fans' cheers never ceased. Today's friendly match was their closest chance in two and a half months to watch the team in action. Millwall's excellent performance left everyone thoroughly satisfied.
AC Milan created some threatening opportunities in the second half, but they fell just short of scoring. Villa, who replaced Larsson, scored a goal, sealing the game at 3–0.
Millwall's new stadium inauguration ended on a high note. This victory would be etched into the history of both the stadium and the club itself.
After the match, players from both teams shared a few lighthearted words on the pitch. Shevchenko walked over to Aldrich, congratulating him. The two embraced briefly, and Aldrich whispered a few encouraging words in his ear.
Though AC Milan might be experiencing a decline in Serie A, Shevchenko's time at San Siro remained fruitful. For Milan fans, watching Shevchenko's brilliance on the field was the highlight of any visit to the San Siro.
With the stadium's inauguration ceremony complete, the Lion King Stadium officially entered history. Where there were once only promotional posters outside the venue, giant screens now played videos promoting the new season. Passersby, tourists, and fans alike stopped to watch.
After the match, Aldrich took his two sons to his parents' house in the eastern suburbs. The grandparents were eager to spend time with the little ones.
Meanwhile, Arthur hosted yet another party in his mansion. His usual rowdy friends had gathered, while Aldrich stood in a corner, plate in hand, chatting with Carter.
"Your son's a bit odd," Carter said with a chuckle, glancing at the two little boys sitting on the ground nearby.
Aldrich wiped his mouth and followed Carter's gaze. Bert was playing alone with a football, clutching it tightly and rolling around on the ground with it.
"Earl, is that who you mean?"
"Yeah. He doesn't seem to care much about football. Didn't he get that passion from you?"
Aldrich responded nonchalantly, "These things aren't set in stone, you know."
Earl sat quietly, watching Bert play. He showed no interest in joining in.
"Let's give it a try."
Carter fetched a smaller football and placed it in front of Earl. Earl glanced at it, then shifted his attention back to his brother. Watching Bert play seemed to interest him more than playing himself.
Aldrich scratched his head. Maybe Carter was right. Bert loved football, but Earl showed no sign of interest, not even the faintest spark.
"Strange. When I used to watch matches with him, Earl seemed drawn to the games on TV. Now he's just not interested anymore."
Carter laughed. "I'm just teasing. Don't take it to heart. You're not expecting him to follow in your footsteps, are you? The Hall family isn't exactly a football dynasty. A non-football-playing football family—now that's unique."
Aldrich nodded, dismissing the thought with a smile.
For three consecutive days, Aldrich's two sons stayed with Arthur and Amelia. Aside from his work at the club, Aldrich spent the rest of his time with them.
The Charity Shield would mark Millwall's final preseason match, although many considered it a legitimate competitive fixture.
In the Premier League's new season predictions, Millwall was the top favorite for the title. Thierry Henry led the Golden Boot race, and Millwall was also favored to win the Champions League.
Millwall had become the Premier League's brightest star heading into the new season, not only due to their star-studded lineup but also because of Aldrich, whose presence was a massive draw across England.
To kick off the season, The Sun released a unique promotional campaign.
In a striking image, Aldrich stood on the left side of a football pitch, facing the right. Opposite him were 19 Premier League managers: Ferguson, Wenger, O'Leary, Vialli, Houllier, Robson, and others.
This digitally crafted image spoke volumes:
Aldrich was now the king.
The other 19 managers seemed united in their mission to challenge this "dictator."
The general public loved football giants. Giants represented prestige and dominance.
However, Millwall's fairytale rise to the top had captivated audiences with its legendary and inspirational narrative. Their triumph symbolized the underdog's victory, resonating with the majority who aspired to overcome life's challenges.
Yet, within the football world, Millwall had made countless enemies.
In the Premier League, every title contender now saw Millwall as their primary target. Across Europe, clubs vying for Champions League glory were equally determined to topple them.
Even Fleet Street's narrative had shifted. Once eager to see Millwall dethrone traditional powerhouses, the media now rallied behind other teams to challenge Millwall's dominance. After all, could the press continue endlessly praising Millwall and singing their hallelujahs?
Even David Miller, a columnist for The Times with a history of supporting Millwall, seemed to waver:
"Millwall's strength is undeniable, but for the sake of the Premier League's competitiveness, I hope to see them face stronger challenges this season. Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds United, Chelsea, Liverpool—these teams must rise to disrupt Millwall's dominance. Otherwise, are we to declare the title race over by January? No one wants that.
If Millwall successfully defends their title this season, it would mark their third consecutive league victory and their fourth Premier League title overall, surpassing Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool in this era. It would be a tragedy for the Premier League if traditional giants cannot match Millwall's determination and resolve."
Miller's remarks ignited a firestorm across Fleet Street. The media, representing various Premier League clubs, echoed his sentiments, rallying in what seemed like a grand alliance to "unite against Millwall."
No more standing idly by as Millwall mercilessly claimed trophy after trophy.
No more surrendering without dignity in the face of Millwall's dominance.
No more...
Millwall's meteoric rise to the throne had left countless casualties in its wake. Now seated firmly on the throne, a new war was brewing—a war to crush any challengers who dared to defy them.
August had arrived, and the Premier League was ablaze with conflict.