On the eve of the Champions League final, Yvonne arrived in Paris and indulged her feminine instincts with a shopping spree on Boulevard Haussmann. She even treated herself to a luxurious beauty treatment in the evening.
Ah, women. Despite having countless outfits, they always feel they have nothing to wear. Even with enviable figures, they chase perfection, and no matter how beautiful or plain their faces might be, they believe there's still room for improvement.
After Millwall's FA Cup victory, the entire team boarded a flight to Paris the very next day. With three days until the final, the schedule was set: one day to rest, one day to prepare, and the final day—a battle for glory.
Surprisingly, Aldrich felt more relaxed heading into this, their second Champions League final. Over the years, the team had played in numerous finals, collecting trophies with an ease that belied their achievements. No matter their age, the players had learned to handle the tension and pressure leading up to big matches. Once in Paris, the team prepared diligently and avoided any unnecessary drama.
The entire European media descended upon the city. At the pre-match press conference, Aldrich spoke confidently, showing no signs of pressure.
"Of course, we've come here for the trophy. No one reaches the final to be satisfied with second place. A treble? We've achieved that once before. If we can replicate it this year, it will certainly surpass the last. My players are ready for this moment."
When asked about the impact of Klose and Makelele's absence on the team, Aldrich was honest: "Makelele's absence is definitely significant, I won't deny that, but I believe Gattuso has reached a pivotal moment in his career. If he can handle the pressure and perform at the level we know he's capable of, he'll make an invaluable contribution to the team. I trust him, and so do his teammates. As for Klose, he got injured a few days ago and couldn't even make the substitute bench, which is a huge loss for us. He's understandably frustrated, and I've spoken with him, reassured him that he's still young, and there will be other opportunities in the future, because we are a strong team. For today's match, on the bench, we have Gronkjaer, Larmore, and Villa—all forwards who can step up when needed. I believe we'll be able to handle whatever challenges come our way in this game."
When asked about their opponents Valencia, Aldrich was in a good mood and said with a smile:
"At this stage, favorites don't matter. In 90 minutes—or even just one minute—the winners will be hailed as strong, and the losers as weak. Valencia didn't reach the final by chance. In fact, they had a much smoother path than we did.
"We fought tooth and nail over 180 minutes against Real Madrid, while they settled the tie in the first leg with a 4-1 victory at home. And that was against Barcelona, a team performing better than Madrid in the league. Valencia boasts a roster of exceptional players like Mendieta, Gerard, and López, led by an outstanding coach.
"If Millwall lets its guard down in the final and Valencia lifts the trophy, no one would be surprised—provided we play poorly. But this season, I've always believed one thing: if Millwall plays to its full potential, we can win any match. Our biggest enemy is ourselves."
May 24th Stade de France, Paris
Before the Champions League final officially kicked off, the Stade de France hosted a series of cultural performances to entertain the fans.
As the performances ended, the stadium quickly transitioned into a pure footballing atmosphere.
The energy in the stadium was unprecedentedly electric. From an aerial view, the scene was awe-inspiring, destined to become an iconic moment in Champions League history.
The pitch was divided into two halves: Millwall's lion crest adorned the left, while Valencia's bat emblem graced the right.
In the stands, the fans of both teams created dazzling visual displays.
On one side, Millwall supporters used their blue jerseys to craft the image of a roaring lion, as though their emblem had come alive in the stands.
On the other, Valencia fans formed a massive bat symbol, representing their team's guardian spirit.
Both sides, refusing to back down, showcased their support with overwhelming passion, creating a spectacular prelude to the decisive battle.
In the locker room, Aldrich waited as the players finished getting ready. His tone was calm, almost nonchalant, as he addressed them:
"This is Millwall's second Champions League final in three years. It's an honor for the club and an honor for you. Half of you were here two years ago. For some of you, this is your first time on such a grand stage. I won't stand here giving lofty speeches about fighting for the fans or the club's glory. Right now, think about yourselves.
Victory means holding two Champions League trophies. For some, it's the first. Either way, it should ignite your hunger for more. Think about your families—how proud they will be. Think about your children—how they'll look up to you in the future. That's your motivation. That's the determination you need to beat your opponents. Let your names shine across Europe. Make your careers unforgettable. Leave no regrets today!"
With those words, Aldrich turned and walked out, leaving the locker room to the three captains who would be starting the match. They, with their experience and the credibility of having lifted the trophy two years ago, would inspire their teammates. Players like Henry, Gattuso, and Ronaldinho—stepping onto this stage for the first time—needed that guidance.
Dressed in his signature suit, Aldrich walked steadily through the player tunnel. Apart from staff, no players had emerged yet. He avoided lengthy speeches before games, preferring to keep the pre-match routine consistent, especially on such high-pressure occasions.
The noise from the stadium was already deafening, but Aldrich's steps remained composed. As the brighter light at the end of the tunnel came into view, his expression was calm—not cold, not flamboyant, and certainly not anxious.
What he said in the locker room reflected his own thoughts.
Football clubs had long moved past their origins as community organizations fulfilling public obligations. Fighting for the fans? For the club? Such sentiments often felt like slogans more than genuine motivations.
People are inherently selfish, especially when driven by personal interests.
In the days when playing football paid no more than mining coal, it was easier to see it as a pure honor and to find camaraderie with fans. But in today's world, who can truly ignore fame and fortune?
Whether for money or personal recognition, there's no shame in it—as long as the game is played well. After all, performance on the pitch directly ties to both fame and financial reward.
At 24, stepping into his second Champions League final, Aldrich was making history—a history that was his own. Even if Millwall was set aside, his story would be discussed for generations.
At this moment, selfishness was necessary—for himself and for the team.
Play to win, even if for selfish reasons.
If not for yourself, where else would you find the motivation to triumph?
Such altruistic players do exist, but Aldrich believed they were the exception, not the rule.
Stepping onto the field, Aldrich stood on the sidelines, surveying the stadium he was entering for the first time.
Within moments, the swarm of photographers at the pitch surrounded him, cameras flashing incessantly.
Those professional lenses felt like barrels of cannons, all aimed squarely at Aldrich.
In an instant, he became the focus, the flashes illuminating him like an explosion of light.
The 1999-00 UEFA Champions League final is about to begin. This year, the two teams reaching the final are Millwall from England and Valencia from Spain. Both teams triumphed over Spain's two football giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, in the semifinals. Now, for the first time in history, Valencia has reached the final, while Millwall makes its second appearance in the UEFA Champions League final. These two teams will now compete for the coveted trophy. The match has been dubbed a tactical battle between offense and defense, with Valencia's defense-oriented counter-attacking style, honed by coach Cooper, facing off against Millwall's explosive attacking force, led by Hall. English media has declared that today will be the day Millwall's second-generation Lions will rise to the top of Europe. Unlike Millwall's lineup from two years ago, half of today's starting players are new faces: Shevchenko, Trezeguet, Helguera, Capdevila, and Makélélé are all missing from the squad, with Makélélé suspended. The big question today is whether the second-generation Lions, led by Ronaldinho and Henry, can claim Europe's ultimate prize. This game is truly a milestone event.
As the game is about to begin, Valencia's coach, Cooper, walks onto the field. Aldrich notices him approaching and moves toward him. The two coaches exchange pleasantries before parting ways, as it's unlikely they will meet after the match.
With the Champions League theme song playing, both teams take to the field, filled with energy.
"Now, let's introduce the starting lineups for both teams. First, Millwall, who are nearly at full strength today, except for Makélélé, who is suspended due to a red card.
Millwall's lineup: 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Butt.
Defenders: Schneider, Materazzi, Southgate, Zambrotta.
Midfielders: Gattuso, Pirlo, Nedved.
Forwards: Larsson, Henry, Ronaldinho.
Valencia also has a key player absent due to suspension, with defender Carboni's absence potentially leaving a significant gap in their defense.
Valencia's lineup: 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper: Canizares.
Defenders: Anglomar, Jukic, Pellegrino, Helguera.
Midfielders: Mendieta, Farinos, Gerard, Kily González.
Forwards: Angulo, Claudio López.
When comparing the two lineups, Valencia's disadvantage is not overly obvious, particularly in midfield, where they boast one of the best combinations in Europe. Millwall, however, is known for its well-organized, balanced midfield that excels in both attack and defense. The key to today's match will depend heavily on Valencia's midfield, while Millwall has multiple strengths to rely on. This is why Millwall is considered a favorite to win."
With the Champions League anthem complete, both teams line up and get ready to kick off.
Aldrich stands at the sideline, arms crossed, his expression serious. In the first 10 minutes of the game, he must carefully observe the situation on the field. This period will be crucial in determining the flow of the match, and it will serve as a test to see if the tactical arrangements he made before the game are effective.