Volume 4 The Storm Chapter 103 King's Landing
"Forest! Forest! Nottingham Forest! β
"Champion! Champion! We are the champions! β
"Aren't you trying to turn us around? Come on, Italian bastards! Let's reverse it! β
Amid the overwhelming cheers, the Italian commentator was still cheering for AC Milan, after all, this is the team that represents Italian football.
'There are seven minutes left, at least ten minutes including stoppage time. Don't give up, AC Milan! Don't give up! β
The England commentator next door has already begun to prepare a congratulatory message for Forest's third triumph.
"AC Milan wants to turn it back, it's even harder than turning the sky upside down! They're not just playing against any team, they're up against Nottingham Forest! It's Tony. Donn's Nottingham Forest! This is a team that will never give up and never give the opponent a chance to turn the tables! β
The Forest's frantic stacking of arhats on the sidelines was only stopped by referee Vandel's intervention in the past.
This time Van Del pulled the Forest players up one by one and saw Tony who was pressed down again. Dawn. His suit was crumpled, his tie had fallen somewhere, two buttons had fallen off his shirt, his hair was messy, and his face was flushed...... It looks like someone has raped her.
The poker-faced Van Del couldn't help but laugh, he had officiated countless games, and he had never seen a manager so miserable by his players.
"!" Don got up from the ground with a swear word in his mouth, and he straightened his suits, and found that they were still crumpled no matter how they were organized.
The people next to him were laughing, with a "nice to see Tony like this" expression.
In Nottingham City, for example, the fans who watched the game in the bar burst into laughter when they saw Donn on TV.
Sometimes they don't feel like Donn is the head coach of a team. It's an ordinary person around them, their friend. Sit in the same bar, drink and chat with them, make pornographic jokes, and laugh rudely.
They like Don as much as they like their friends.
"Hey! Tony! Come back and we'll treat you to a drink! The best of the best wine! β
With all the players back on the pitch, the AC Milan people have been waiting impatiently for a long time, and they even think it is a deliberate attempt by the Forest team to delay the game. Ancelotti was disgruntled and negotiating with the fourth official. In response to his suspicions, the fourth official could only ask the referee to tell the crazy group of Nottingham Forest players to get away from Donne.
This indirectly saved Donn's life.
Donn gasped and said to Chrislac, who was still laughing, "Try it next time you are below?" β
Chris Rac hurriedly waved his hand: "That's not good, the players pushed you down, it means that you are popular, Tony." β
Don glared at him, looked at the field, and then said to Don on the other side: "Go and call Arteta back." β
It was his last substitution.
"AC Milan only scored two more goals in 10 minutes and kept Forest from continuing to score. There is hope that the game will be dragged into extra time. It sounds like an impossible task...... But you always have to try it to find out how it turns out. β
The game restarted, and AC Milan took advantage of the opportunity to hit the Forest pair of goals with a bang.
They had no choice at this time, even if they knew that such a pressing attack would leave the rear empty, which was a very dangerous thing, they could only bite the bullet.
It's not a question of losing one goal or two. It's a matter of life and death.
AC Milan, who did not want to give away the title, launched a final charge.
Andrea Pirlo is in charge of Milan's attack and is now keen to get the ball straight to Forest, but Gilardino is not a strong centre-forward with headers, and he has shown little since he came on. Check it out now. It's better to keep Inzaghi on the field, even if he can only wait for opportunities in the opponent's penalty area because of physical exhaustion, he is better than Gilardino.
Andrea Pirlo suppressed the idea of sending the football directly to Forest's goal, or honestly organised the attack and looked for loopholes for Forest. He knows that the more this time, the more he must stay calm, the other party is excited now, maybe he will show flaws. If you miss this opportunity because you didn't do it well, you really become a sinner.
He's still patiently looking for opportunities, while his team-mates are desperately trying to create opportunities for him.
Just as he found the void, he was knocked down.
The person who committed the foul was Dmitrio. Albertini.
The former Milan player doesn't miss the old love at all. When he saw Andrea Pirlo temporarily take his attention off the ball at his feet, he rushed up decisively and knocked Pirlo down to stop an attack from AC Milan.
It's not the same as Wood's foul. Albertini fouled. Instead of boosing, the AC Milan fans remained silent.
Because this scene made them very uncomfortable. On one side is my favorite team. On the other hand, there is the vice-captain who is recognized as having received unfair treatment from the club. It's not good to help anyone boo......
The referee gave Albertini a verbal warning to pay attention to his defensive movements, and Albertini nodded in acceptance, with a very good attitude.
He then ran over and pulled Pirlo up and patted him on the ground as a gesture of friendship.
Seeing this scene, the Italian commentator didn't know what to say. When Albertini was still playing in Italy, he was very popular in Italian football, and he had a good relationship with players, coaches, commentators, and journalists. Even if he was an opponent of AC Milan and ended AC Milan's hopes of winning the championship in this final, the Italian commentator could not say that he was not a one.
"It's sad,......," he sighed.
The atmosphere in the stadium is getting hotter and hotter, and the Nottingham Forest fans are singing non-stop songs, setting off waves as if victory is in hand.
AC Milan fans were also reluctant to give up, and they also sang the team anthem to cheer for AC Milan. At the same time, pray to God for a miracle at the last moment.
"Two balls away! We still have time, we still have a chance! Calm down! Maldini slapped his team-mates on the back and then rushed up from the back.
Now it's all hands on the off. Anyway, the opponent Nottingham Forest withdrew Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eastwood, and it seems that he doesn't want to fight back, and Maldini is not afraid of going up to assist himself and causing the defense to be weak. In the face of Milan's choppy waves, wave after wave of attacks, do you Nottingham Forest still want to fight back? We're going to make you can't even kick off half the game!
Andrea Pirlo rushed Maldini up from the left. A false shot was flicked, and the ball was passed to Maldini, who was plugged in.
After the AC Milan captain received the ball, there was a huge cheer from the stands.
At this time, when the person wearing the captain's armband is seen holding the ball, everyone will feel that their hearts are settled, as if they see hope.
"Paul. Maldini. Playing in the final of the European Champions Cup for the eighth time, equalling the record of former Real Madrid superstar Hento. At the age of 38 and 331, he also became the biggest goalkeeper in the history of the Champions League final, and this was the third time he played in the Champions League final as captain. He also broke the record of six-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper Ramalez Chinese New Year's Eve 1961 and became the oldest captain in the history of the Champions Cup. He's won numerous honors in his career, he's seen the big stuff, and now he's ...... AC Milan's hope of a miracle lies at his feet. As a young man he used to be a full-back who was very good in defense and assists. Nowadays he rarely appears in the front court......"
The commentator gave a detailed account of Maldini's glory, and in order to reassure the Italian fans, he told them what a remarkable man the AC Milandi captain is. Don't give up, trust him. It's sure to be a miracle!
Maldini adjusted the ball at his feet and he decided to break through with the ball himself. Obviously, the Forest backline is all about preventing his diagonal passes, and no one has pressed it up yet, so what are you waiting for if you don't break through at this time?
He had just started when a red figure suddenly attacked, and he couldn't help but say that it was a fierce tackle.
"Dmitrio. Albertini! β
Caught off guard, Maltibe was tackled out of line by Albertini with the ball, and AC Milan's attack ended there.
The referee's whistle sounded.
Maldini only felt that for a moment, it was as if he had been hit by a heavy truck. There is some pain in the ribs. He lay on the ground and did not get up immediately. At the moment when the two collided, he saw the person clearly.
It was a face that I was once familiar with and could no longer be familiar.
When he was a teammate in the past, he always smiled modestly, so that everyone would like him at first sight. All the little ones who come into Milanello get the best help from him, and sometimes he is more like a captain than me. Despite the fact that he is only a vice-captain......
It's hard to associate this guy with a smile and a midfielder on the football pitch. It was he who changed Italian football, and since then, the Italian national team has its own midfield commander.
I once asked him. What is the greatest wish? His answer was not to win the World Cup. It's not the European Championship either, but plays at AC Milan until he retires.
I say it's simple. You can definitely retire here and say goodbye at San Siro. You are our vice-captain, and AC Milan will not treat each of her loyal servants badly.
Now he's wearing his opponent's globe suit and knocking me to the ground with a hideous face.
Should I roll over, grab him by the collar, and angrily ask him about this despicable foul?
Maldini lay on the ground, staring blankly at the night sky.
A hand appeared in his field of vision.
"Don't give up, Paul, you still have five minutes. He said to Maldini in Italian.
Maldini rolled over and sat up, taking the hand he had handed him. "Why did you suddenly encourage the enemy?"
Albertini pointed to the sidelines: "I have to get off the field, I'm done." So, now I can wish you the best of luck. β
Maldini looked over his hand and the fourth official stood on the sidelines holding up an electronic card, which showed not stoppage time, but a substitution.
Under the 4th, on the 14th.
A man in a red jersey stood next to the fourth official. Eager.
Albertini pulled Maldini up with a hard hand.
"Hey, you knocked me down and snatched my championship, do you want to end up so easily? Demy! Maldini asked in a low voice.
Albertini's mouth opened and closed, and without saying anything, he turned away from his former teammate.
"Come back! You say, five minutes left. Stay and kick it out! Did you hear that, Demy! Maldini shouted.
Albertini, however, seemed to have not heard at all, and quickened his pace without saying a word.
"I was supposed to retire at the end of the season, I'm almost 39 years old...... But I've changed my mind now! I'm going to win the championship! You're only thirty-five years old, why did you leave first?! You can keep playing, look at your performance! β
Maldini's retention did not shake Albertini's will, and he walked quickly to Wood, then reached out and removed the gold captain's armband from his arm.
"Demi......" Wood looked at his partner. His teacher, his captain.
"I'm leaving, George. Albertini smiled and placed the captain's armband on Wood's arm.
Wood reflexively tried to dodge, but he heard Albertini bow his head and shout, "Don't move! β
He froze there, leaving Albertini to complete the captaincy ceremony.
"Dmitrio. Albertini...... Thirty-five-year-old veteran. It was the last game of his career and he was substituted in the 86th minute. The Italian narrator sighed. He now represents Nottingham Forest who are 3-1 ahead of AC Milan, the team he played for 12 years. His love for AC Milan is undeniable, but so is his professionalism. What else can we say? One indirect assist, one direct goal in the final. What more could we ask for? This is the best final you've ever played, and you deserve it! Good luck, Demi! Thank you! β
The England commentator was equally emotional: "It's often said that Italian players can't succeed in the English Football League. I don't want to give them an example of Gian Franco. Zola's example, I just want them to see the person in front of them, this legend. Demitrio. Albertini, who arrived at Nottingham Forest at the end of his career, has created a legend of his own. Thanks Tony. Dawn. It was he who kept Demi and then stayed for this season. The Nottingham Forest fans want to thank you, Demy, and I want to thank you too. β
After repeating it again, and finally putting the captain's armband on, Albertini looked up and said goodbye to Wood: "Goodbye, George. β
Wood looked at the man in front of him and turned around with a smile and walked off the field.
At this time, he suddenly remembered that Roy. Keane said to himself in the bathroom at the Wilford training ground:
ββ¦β¦ Albertini, the Italian, is a very good captain, but he will grow old one day. Will be retired. Will leave you and the team ......"
He only woke up from a dream at this time: Demi was really leaving, he was really leaving. Won't be coming back. He, the "acting captain of the field", became the real "captain of the field......
He stood there, staring at Albertini's back in amazement, watching him leave.
He saw Albertini walking to the sidelines, and along the way, both Forest players and AC Milan players came up to shake hands and hug him.
When he reached the sidelines, he raised his arms and applauded the stands.
At this moment, a large number of people stood up in the stands, whether it was Nottingham Forest fans or AC Milan fans, all of them gave a standing ovation and saw off their captains.
Off the pitch, Donn and the entire Forest coaching staff, as well as the players on the bench, also stood on the sidelines and applauded the fans. The same is true on the AC Milan bench.
In this short period of time, everyone forgot about the fierce fighting on the field, calmed down, temporarily put aside grievances, and bid farewell to their mutual friends.
"Thank you......" His squirming lips didn't make any sound, but everyone saw what he was trying to say. ββ¦β¦ Good bye. β
Albertini finally walked off the field, and he walked towards Donn. Wanted to shake hands with the manager who gave him a second youth. Unexpectedly, Don En hugged him.
"I don't know how to thank you, Demy. Let me hug you...... You're leaving......" He was surprised to hear the leader's voice choked up!
How did he know that when Don decided to replace him in advance, his heart was like turning over the river and the sea, and it was very uncomfortable.
At this moment, he's not a manager, he's just an ordinary fan. One watched Albertini make his first appearance for AC Milan in Serie A, then the ups and downs. Ordinary Chinese fans who lost the World Cup championship, lost the European Championship championship, lost their beloved Milan, and were forced to leave their homeland and wander abroad in the end, and had no choice but to retire in desolation, and shared the joys and sorrows with him for more than ten years.
He wanted to say to Albertini: "I grew up watching you play, Demy." β
Albertini thought it was just a show of affection from the boss as a friend, and he patted Donn on the back: "You can go to Milan to find me if you want to." Chief. β
Don let go of him and smiled, "You're right, man. Go and say goodbye to them......" he gestured to the people behind him.
Albertini walked up to say goodbye to his team-mates and coaches, and then he ran to the AC Milan dugout to say goodbye to the players.
The game continues.
AC Milan still haven't given up. In the last few minutes, the siege was laid on the Forest goal.
Maldini barely returned to the defense, he was in front of him waiting to be involved in the attack.
Arteta's mission on the pitch was not to organise the attack, but to assist the defence, helping Wood to build the defence in front of the defenders impregnable.
Wood, who wears the gold captain's armband, stands out. Almost everywhere he goes, he makes beautiful tackles, fights with opponents for headers, blocks opponents' powerful shots with his body, and relies on fouls to delay Milan's attack...... He worked harder and harder than any other minute before, as if it wasn't the last minutes of the game, but the first few minutes of the game.
He ran like crazy, defending. Sprint, fight for the top...... It's as if it's not AC Milan that is behind, it's Nottingham Forest.
His idea was simple: AC Milan would not be resigned to defeat and they would launch a last-minute general attack. If you take it lightly, you may be succeeded by the other party. Demi gave me the captain's armband, this title belongs to Nottingham Forest, I can't let him down.
The Forest team recycled the whole line, and the three lines remained in a compact formation. All of them gathered in a 30-metre area in front of the goal. It's the ultimate defensive formation they're most proud of β the wall defense.
AC Milan's players face this "wall of sighs". A desperate charge was launched.
The fourth official held up a sign for stoppage time on the sidelines β four minutes.
Maldini's header was too straight and the ball was confiscated by Van der Sar. The Forest team drove the football straight to the front. AC Milan continued to attack after the break.
Three minutes to go.
Seedorf's long-range shot was deflected by Pepe, and the AC Milan players raised their arms to signal that Pepe was handball, but the referee ignored it, and Gattuso was dissatisfied with the referee's result, which resulted in a yellow card. The Milan fans in the stands booed in dissatisfaction.
Two minutes to go.
Kaka tried to force his way through and was brought down by Arteta on the line of the box. The AC Milan man thought it was a penalty and the referee awarded a free-kick. At the same time, players from both sides clashed at the place of the foul. The Nottingham Forest were looking to keep the clash going up, and Maldini spotted their stalling tactics and pulled away his team-mates, telling them that the most important thing was not to fight with each other, but to stay calm and score goals.
Mikel Arteta and Ambrosini each received a yellow card after the clash.
And the last minute.
In the stands, the Nottingham Forest fans had already set off red fireworks, while the AC Milan fans fell silent. In the close-up of the TV, the Milan fans are silent, their eyes are tearful and their eyes are red, and they hold their scarves in their hands, staring helplessly at the stadium. In the face of the Forest team's tight defense, AC Milan's players on the field were helpless.
Carlo Ancelotti roared and waved his arms on the sidelines. To score two goals in the last minute is about the same as a person being struck twice in a row. But he doesn't want to give up, or he doesn't want to throw in the towel, because his opponent is Tony, who he hates the most. Dawn.
All the Nottingham Forest substitutes and coaches stood arm in arm on the sidelines, cheering and waiting for the referee to blow the whistle to end the game and rush to celebrate.
The England commentator stopped commenting on the game and began to gush on and on about how Forest won the Champions Cup for the first time 28 years ago. He was still young at the time. Now he is over half a hundred years old.
Van der Sar raised his arms again and again, not knowing if he was preparing for the save or if he was starting to celebrate early.
Wood is still running to fulfill his defensive responsibilities.
Maldini was a complete striker in the final minutes and he was out of the Forest penalty area.
Don clenched his fists, he felt the clenching of his heart for a while, and he didn't even dare to gasp for breath, for fear that his heart would jump out of his mouth. The legs were already trembling slightly, it wasn't nervousness. This is because excitement is a great emotion of imminent happiness, which is indescribable, but wonderful.
With thirty seconds to go, it will be the first championship of his coaching career. It's more exciting and exciting than winning the English League Cup.
Because this is the European champions, we beat six-time Champions League winners AC Milan.
We won 3-1, what could be more convincing?
Who would dare to underestimate us? Who would dare to think that we are not qualified to stand here? Who would dare to laugh at us! Who!
Want to see me jump into the sea? Want to see me make a fool of myself? I'm so sorry to disappoint you guys again!
Thirty seconds to go.
"Almost all of the Italian media swore before the final that Donn would definitely go diving into the sea. Donn has to go diving because Nottingham Forest's opponent is AC Milan, a giant with countless championship experience. No matter how they analyze it, they can't think of the reasons and possibilities for AC Milan's loss. There are even Italian travel agencies that organize tours to Athens to watch the game and watch Donn jump into the sea after the game...... Now, I really want to know the expressions of those Italians! It must be exciting! The England narrator rose from his seat, his arms raised. Wait for the whistle of fate to blow.
In Nottingham City, all the bars have already started the carnival in advance, and they don't believe that AC Milan can score two goals in the last few tens of seconds. Even if God comes, it is not possible!
The guests in the forest bar are taking turns to ask the bar's owner, Kenny. Burns toasted, "Kenny, we thought we would never see this day again!" "These are old guys who can't go to Athens to watch the game.
"Thank God, thank God ......"
"Hey, old guys! You have to thank Tony! A younger voice shouted.
"Ahem...... It's all the same, it's all the same......" the old man coughed, "Tony is God, God is Tony......"
The Italian commentator was silent. The AC Milan players are not running either.
At this time, the football is at the feet of the Forest players. Ribery passes the football to Wood. Wood passes to Ashley again. Young, Young transfers the ball to Arteta. Forest kept passing the ball. Just don't give AC Milan players a chance to press the ground closely.
"The game is over!" Forest fans in the stands shouted loudly. "We are champions! We're the damn champions!! β
The referee is looking at his watch.
Outside the pitch, the Forest players all raised their arms and leaned forward in a sprint.
Ancelotti sat in a chair, surrounded by people who blocked his view. But he doesn't care anymore, it doesn't make a difference whether he looks at the stadium or not. He lost.
A huge noise filled every corner of the stadium, and two people next to each other had to put their mouths to each other's ears to make each other hear.
But in such a noisy environment, the three whistles are still exceptionally clear.
Eastwood, who was backing his foot back and forth, heard the referee's first whistle blow, and he couldn't wait to kick the ball into the air.
Immediately after, a second and a third followed.
It's the whistle at the end of the game!
The people around Don vanished in an instantβthey all rushed forward, hugging them with open arms.
"It's game over! The championship belongs to Nottingham Forest! β
"Hooray! Banzai! A unified shout rang out from the stands.
"From the English second tier to the European champions, Tony. It took Don and his team four years. It's as if we see Brian behind him. Clough's Shadow ...... That glorious team is on our radar again. β¦β¦ It's not an accident, it's a red storm! Nottingham Forest, the team that won the European Champions Cup two years in a row, reigns in Europe for the third time! β
Tang En found that the people around him had run away, so he reacted and rushed onto the court with open arms.
This is my path, paved with championship trophies and countless glory, and the red carpet that represents dignity stretches from foot to ...... It stretches all the way to the horizon, and you can't see the end of it, but you know that it will go on like this.
Some people say that winning the championship is the end and success.
Succeed?
Hey, I'm just on my way!
Champion, how can one be enough!