Chapter 45: Prevail

Notts County's strength was becoming undeniable, even against Premier League teams. Their defense stood tall against Blackburn's aerial bombardment, a tactic usually reserved for matches against equally or more formidable teams. The big, tall central defenders in Notts County—especially Westerman and Lescott—had already proven effective at dealing with high balls, making Blackburn's strategy less effective. Despite Blackburn's attempts, they were consistently thwarted by Notts County's well-organized defense.

However, Blackburn's defense was not to be underestimated. Even though Notts County dominated possession in midfield, whenever the ball entered Blackburn's penalty area, it was cleared by their experienced defenders, keeping the scoreline untroubled.

The first half unfolded with both teams cautiously testing each other, neither rushing the play nor looking to make mistakes. From the sidelines, Loew remained calm, knowing that the game was already tilted in Notts County's favor. Even if the match ended in a draw after 90 minutes, the team was in better physical shape—thanks to their rigorous pre-season training and rotation policy—ready to outlast Blackburn if it went to extra time or penalties.

Loew didn't make any major tactical changes at halftime. His instructions were simple: Alonso should increase the tempo when the opportunity arose, catching Blackburn off guard with a faster rhythm. Meanwhile, Souness, sensing the danger, replaced one of Blackburn's forwards with a midfielder, seemingly aiming to solidify their midfield and slow the game down. Loew, however, interpreted this move as an attempt to drag the game into extra time, hoping that Notts County's physicality would eventually fade.

Souness's plan was to capitalize on the possibility that Notts County, with their heavy schedule, might not have the stamina to hold up in a drawn-out match. But Loew was confident that Notts County's fitness was not a weak point. Their pre-season "devil training" had prepared them for these kinds of tests, and with the rotation system in place, they were as fresh as any Premier League team.

As the game reached the 75th minute, Alonso, noticing Blackburn's defensive shift, signaled for a change in pace. The midfielders responded quickly, with players like Ribery, Villa, and Iniesta pushing forward, creating space and making runs into Blackburn's penalty area. Blackburn's defense, still caught in their typical rhythm, seemed unaware of the imminent danger.

The game shifted when Alonso made a sudden, clever long pass to Ribery, who had been moving towards the byline. Ribery controlled the ball with finesse, turning past his marker before driving toward the goal. The sudden offensive caught Blackburn's defenders off guard. A central defender attempted to intercept, but he was too slow. Ribery, ever skillful, made a perfect pass into the danger zone instead of attempting a difficult shot from a tight angle.

The Blackburn goalkeeper rushed forward, hoping Ribery would shoot, as the angle seemed impossible. But Ribery, with a calm head, passed the ball into the penalty area, finding Villa and Hubuner, who both attempted to slide the ball into the net. However, their efforts missed. The fast-moving ball seemed to evade every player on the field until it reached the far post.

There, Iniesta, who had cleverly positioned himself, managed to get a foot to the ball and pushed it gently into the net. Despite the efforts of Blackburn's defenders to clear it, the ball rolled across the goal line. The crowd in the stands, already on edge, erupted in applause. Iniesta's quick thinking and presence of mind ensured Notts County's lead.

On the sidelines, Loew and the rest of the team celebrated, knowing that they had executed their strategy perfectly. Ribery's brilliant setup, the precision of Alonso's pass, and Iniesta's composure all came together in a moment that solidified Notts County's dominance over a Premier League team.

For Blackburn, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow. Despite their experience and Premier League status, they had been outclassed by Notts County's intelligent play and superior fitness. Notts County's victory was a statement to all—this team wasn't just here to compete; they were here to dominate.

As the final whistle blew, Notts County had triumphed, securing a place further in the League Cup. The players, exhausted but elated, knew they had just made a significant step in their journey—one that would cement their reputation as a team capable of challenging, and even beating, the giants of English football.