Rising Above Revenge

Nedvěd's advantage over Ronaldinho lay in his impact and physicality, but when it came to creativity and the ability to shake off opponents, Ronaldinho held the upper hand.

Leeds United's defensive midfield was their weak link. As long as Ronaldinho didn't laze around waiting for the ball, his partnership with Pirlo — one in front and one behind — would greatly enhance Millwall's control over the midfield and their attacking unpredictability.

In the 26th minute, Ronaldinho, Larsson, and Pirlo produced a breathtaking display of skill and teamwork.

Larsson, finding space on the right flank, received the ball and sent in a high cross.

Perhaps it was a mistake, as the ball's trajectory clearly didn't align with the runs of either Henry or Nedvěd. Instead, it landed further forward, where only Ronaldinho was positioned.

Ferdinand charged forward, determined to intercept the ball or block Ronaldinho's next move.

But Ronaldinho, seeing Ferdinand's aggressive approach, did something entirely unexpected — he charged toward him!

"What is Ronaldinho doing? Doesn't he know how to head the ball?"

Ronaldinho ran past the ball's landing point by a single step, just one step! As his head moved ahead of the ball's trajectory, he suddenly stopped, turning to face Ferdinand with a mischievous smile.

Gasps filled the stadium.

With a slight twist of his body, Ronaldinho used his back to nudge the ball!

Not with his head, but with his back. The ball deflected perfectly, turning into a soft pass that floated gently backward. Its angle and reduced speed made it an ideal setup for Pirlo, who arrived in perfect stride.

Pirlo didn't need to adjust his position. The ball rolled toward him with just the right amount of speed and spin, better even than if it had been stationary.

Boom!

Pirlo unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, sending the ball crashing into Leeds United's net. Their defenders and midfielders stood dumbfounded.

"What an incredible goal! Absolutely brilliant! Pirlo fires in a stunning long-range strike off an assist from Ronaldinho, and how do we even begin to describe this assist? He used his back—yes, his back—to set it up! Just like we always say about Millwall: they are the perfect fusion of European precision and Samba flair! Their tactical discipline and teamwork are unmatched, yet they never shy away from moments of breathtaking creativity. Come on, everyone, let's cheer for this goal, for the sheer artistry of its creation!"

Pirlo didn't waste a second after his goal. He ran straight to Ronaldinho, spun him around, and gave the back of his head a curious pat, as though checking if there were eyes hidden there, guiding that unbelievable assist.

Aldrich was just as ecstatic. His mouth was wide open in laughter, but his expression screamed disbelief.

It's undeniable that Ronaldinho is more creative than Nedvěd. But an assist like this, using his back with such precision—it defies imagination.

If it had been Nedvěd in that moment, he might have managed a clever backheel pass to Pirlo at best, but a back assist? Out of the question.

 But Ronaldinho's creativity made him utterly unpredictable. His instinctive move caused chaos among Leeds United's defenders, leaving them stunned.

If he had waited for the ball to drop before making his move, Leeds United's defense would have had more time to adjust.

Millwall played this game with remarkable ease. Pirlo's composure in midfield ensured the team didn't fall victim to Leeds' aggressive pressing, maintaining control and dictating the game's tempo.

Meanwhile, Ronaldinho in the attacking midfield role disrupted Leeds' defense with sudden bursts of creativity, using his dribbles and imaginative passes to shift the momentum in Millwall's favor.

Leeds United made aggressive moves in the transfer market this season, bolstering their squad significantly. However, the influx of new signings has disrupted the team's stability. Compounding this, the lack of a robust defensive midfielder has left them vulnerable against stronger opponents. As a result, Leeds has become the team with the most losses and fewest draws among the top six.

In other words, they either steamroll opponents or succumb to defeats when countered effectively. Draws are a rarity for them.

Although O'Leary had done an admirable job coaching this team, he couldn't overcome his own inherent limitations. Yet, despite their frequent losses, Leeds United still managed to stay ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in the standings.

But against a side like Millwall, who specialize in sniffing out and punishing their rivals' flaws, Leeds were hopelessly outmatched. All the heart and fighting spirit in the world couldn't dig them out of this hole.

Just before halftime, Ronaldinho, heavily marked, opted not to linger on the ball. After attracting defensive attention, Pirlo advanced slightly, receiving Henry's return pass just three meters from Ronaldinho. Pirlo delivered a precise through ball along a reverse cut route, allowing Nedvěd to beat the offside trap and slot the ball into the net from a 45-degree angle, doubling Millwall's lead.

In the second half, Henry, who squandered several golden opportunities in the previous league match, converted a brilliant assist from Ronaldinho. This performance reassured Aldrich, confirming that Henry could still be trusted.

Aldrich didn't have many options. If Henry's form were to take a catastrophic nosedive, missing crucial chances, it would spell disaster for Millwall. Adjusting the lineup would mean moving Larsson to center-forward, as Klose couldn't fully replace Henry's role. Such a shift would trigger a domino effect on the team's structure—a burden Millwall couldn't afford during the fierce battles of April and May.

Fortunately, Henry redeemed himself with a refreshed performance, proving his worth with a goal and efficient playmaking.

O'Leary sat expressionless on the bench.

By now, he should have realized, along with Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale: Rome wasn't built in a day.

For Yorkshire's White Rose to bloom and rival the Lions' dominance in Europe, the path remains long and arduous. Effort alone doesn't guarantee success; the journey will be fraught with challenges and setbacks.

The silver lining for Leeds lies in their ability to recover mentally. They must minimize the psychological blow of Millwall's inevitable double victory over them.

On a brighter note, their preseason goals were never about winning the title or defeating specific opponents. The early-season winning streak merely gave the club and its fans unrealistic expectations.

Their initial goal was simply to secure a Champions League spot, reaping its lucrative financial rewards while steadily building toward long-term success. Leeds hasn't fallen out of contention yet. Losing to Millwall isn't the end of the world; as long as they focus on the remaining six matches, they remain in control of their top-four destiny.

After securing a three-goal lead, Aldrich made substitutions to conserve energy for the upcoming Champions League fixture.

The final score stood at 3-0. Millwall completed a season sweep over Leeds, avenging last season's one draw and one loss in their encounters.

At The Den, the fans erupted in celebration over the victory. Many waved banners, cheering the team on as they prepared for their next journey to Munich.

Post-match, Aldrich and O'Leary exchanged a brief handshake before departing. During the press conference, Aldrich responded with formulaic remarks. Manchester United also secured a win this round.

No one believes United can overcome a 12-point deficit in six remaining matches to stage a comeback. At best, they're merely delaying Millwall's inevitable title defense.

Before heading to Munich, Aldrich attended UEFA's official press conference.

Fleet Street and the German media were the stars of the show, eagerly anticipating this rematch between Aldrich and Hitzfeld.

But Aldrich was in no mood to play along. He deftly sidestepped any incendiary questions, either giving vague responses or steering the topic elsewhere.

Just before the team's departure, Arthur showed up at Aldrich's apartment, loudly cheering him on and wishing Millwall a triumphant revenge.

"Why are you like this?"

In the living room, with packed suitcases ready for the trip, Aldrich stood looking at Arthur, his expression perplexed.

Arthur froze, his enthusiasm momentarily dampened. Moments earlier, he had been passionately shouting about taking down Bayern Munich and avenging Millwall's bitter elimination from last year.

"Son, did I do something wrong?"

Aldrich sighed deeply, lowering his head. "The media is like this, the fans are like this, and now even you. It's as if Millwall and Bayern Munich are sworn enemies. This isn't right—it's completely wrong."

Arthur's eyes darted about, and he murmured, "Sometimes, football is war. The losing side always wants revenge."

Aldrich shook his head with a laugh. "Revenge? There's no real grudge to speak of. What we're seeing is Millwall hiding their own fragility. You're just like the fans, going on about grudges and revenge. Be honest—it's just that they can't take losing. Is it because last year's match was our only European defeat in years that it feels so devastating?"

Arthur opened his mouth but seemed at a loss for words to counter Aldrich.

After a long pause, Arthur, like a deflated balloon, muttered, "Son, what do you think then? Should we just pretend last year's loss never happened?"

Aldrich raised an eyebrow. "Of course not. But the mindset we adopt to face failure is what really matters. A flawed mindset won't do us any good. If we hold grudges against every team that beats us, we'll only lose more.

"True winners are accustomed to victory, but they also don't fear failure. When they fall, they rise stronger—not by resenting their opponents or shouting for vengeance. In fact, without strong opponents, there would be no strong selves.

"I don't want to hear any more about revenge. I'm tired of it. Hearing it repeatedly can influence people—it can mislead my team. Most importantly, I don't want you or anyone around me sending Millwall down the wrong path."

Since the quarterfinal draw, the overwhelming narrative surrounding Millwall was one of revenge—revenge against Bayern Munich.

Aldrich loathed this rhetoric.

He acknowledged that meeting Bayern Munich again in the knockout stages was an ideal scenario. But for Millwall, this wasn't about revenge. This was about standing up after a fall, about proving their strength—not some relentless feud with Bayern Munich.

When healthy competition is twisted into hatred, it clouds judgment and distorts reason. That, to Aldrich, was absolutely unacceptable.

The media, always eager for drama, had blown the situation out of proportion, painting Millwall and Bayern Munich as bitter enemies. Fans, meanwhile, were merely venting their emotions.

But as the man leading the team, Aldrich had a singular purpose in Munich—not revenge, but to prove that Millwall was stronger than Bayern Munich. To prove it with results.

Arthur finally saw Aldrich's point and, looking sheepish, said, "Son, I'm sorry. Pretend I didn't say anything. No, wait—remember one thing I did say: Come back with a win!"

Aldrich knew Arthur was simply caught up in the moment. Despite holding the title of club chairman, Arthur was at heart just a passionate fan.

Walking over, Aldrich embraced Arthur and whispered into his ear, "My goal is to make Millwall the undisputed kings of Europe. I can't let emotions like hatred cloud my judgment or actions. I'll do my best."

Arthur closed his eyes, a smile spreading across his face. In a deep voice, he replied, "Make me even prouder."