The football bounced in front of Kaka. It was a long pass from the backfield. Kaka was ready to head the football away with his head when the ball was at the right height, and then accelerate to break through George Wood.
He was just about to poke his head out when he felt a gust of wind sweep past his forehead.
Wood, who ran over from the side, flew up and kicked the bouncing football high into the air with his big foot.
The two men collided and the referee whistled to signal that Wood had raised his foot too high, which was a threatening move. He awarded AC Milan a free kick in the front field.
Wood felt aggrieved. It was true that most people would not raise their feet to that height, but the football was at that height. What could he do? He could not just do nothing and watch Kaka head the football away with his head, could he? In that case, if he wanted to successfully stop it, he could only rely on shoveling the ball from behind.
Besides, he did not hurt Kaka. Kaka's head was still a distance away from his foot.
Wood wanted to go forward to argue but was held back by Albertini.
"Don't provoke the referee. Be careful of a yellow card on you." The captain shielded Wood behind him and went forward to negotiate with the referee.
He was deliberately delaying the game time and taking advantage of every available opportunity. For example, every time there was a controversial decision, he would argue a few words with the referee.
The AC Milan players in the stands booed in dissatisfaction. They were not unhappy with Wood's foul, but that the referee did not give a yellow card after Wood's foul.
Now everyone knew that Wood had a card on him. One more card and he would be off. Everyone knew very well what George Wood's exit meant to the Forest team.
Albertini was physically exhausted. The Forest team only had one midfield defensive player, Wood. If Wood could be taken down, AC Milan's offense could drive straight in and attack the root of the problem.
Therefore, Kaka's chances of getting the ball had increased.
AC Milan's free kick did not achieve any effect because the location of the foul was too far from the Forest team's goal. The indirect free kick was headed away by Pepe after it was sent out. Maldini and Nesta rushed back to defend again. The Forest team immediately retaliated with a quick counterattack.
Van Nistelrooy's shot eventually hit Dida's arms.
In the 75th minute of the game, AC Milan had wanted to take advantage of the momentum after they scored a goal. They did not expect Nottingham Forest's defense to be more tenacious than they had imagined. George Wood completely ignored the fact that he already had a yellow card on his back. His defense against Kaka showed no signs of slackening. He fouled when he needed to and did not hesitate when he dared to tackle. It seems that unless I find a way to get him off the field, Kaka will always be following this number 13.
However, AC Milan did not give up because of this. The one-goal gap was always stimulating them, telling them that as long as they worked harder and scored another goal, the situation on the field could be reversed. They were the spiritual pillars of AC Milan. At this time, no one was thinking about something as illusory as a "championship trophy." In a match, the only thing to consider was how to win the match. As for the benefits of winning the match, that was something that could only be considered after winning the match.
The football was passed to Kaka again. This time, AC Milan pushed forward as a whole and pressed the Forest team's defense near the penalty area. The disadvantage for Kaka was that he did not have much space to accelerate and break through. As long as Wood stood in his position, Kaka had fewer choices to make.
Not to think that Kaka was not a threat if he did not break through. Wood dared not let down his guard. He held Kaka's feet tightly, and the football was under his feet.
Pirlo and Seedorf were both plugging into the penalty area. After Kaka stepped on the football, he pulled back. Wood thought he was going to use his heel to pass the ball to the plugging Pirlo and Seedorf, so his body moved to the side.
Pirlo ran behind Kaka, but the football did not reach his feet.
Kaka pulled the football back, and then with a flick of his toes, he jumped the football on the spot and volleyed directly!
The football drilled through the gap that Wood had moved away from!
"Kaka's shot!"
This was the second time he broke through Wood's defense, even though it was only a ball.
While everyone was cheering for Kaka's shot, one person chose to say no to such a wonderful goal.
Edwin van der Sar flew over and firmly grabbed the football in the air with both hands. After he landed, he quickly curled up and protected the football in front of his chest. In order to let the football bypass Wood, Kaka pursued the angle too much, and the power and speed of the shot were much smaller.
"Where's our offense?" Edwin van der Sar got up from the ground and hugged the football as he waved his fists at his teammates.
In such an important game, he did not want to be a regular in the close-up shots of the television broadcast.
※ ※ ※
Albertini patted Wood on the shoulder. His breathing was already as loud as a wind tunnel.
"George, now I don't even have the strength to run up. Don't pass the ball to me again. Let's change positions … "He pointed to the front." You go up during the attack, and I'll pass the ball to you from behind. "
Looking at the captain, who had his hands on his knees and leaned over to talk to him, Wood did not refuse this time. He nodded. "Okay."
"Plug forward when you have the chance. Don't worry that you won't be able to catch the ball. Although I can't run, I still have the strength to pass the ball. During this time, Pirlo and Gattuso have been watching me. If we switch positions, they won't be able to adapt. But the time is very short. With the ability of the AC Milan players, even if the manager does not give instructions, they can adjust themselves. You're not an attacking midfielder who can still make a difference under many people's marking, so you have to seize this period of defensive vacuum. Can you do it, George? "
Albertini looked up at Wood.
Wood nodded again. "Yes."
"Very good." Albertini smiled.
※ ※ ※
The game continued, and AC Milan still did not give up the chance to score. At this time, they had no other way but to strive to score.
Ancelotti replaced the inactive Jankulovski with Kaladze in the 77th minute. AC Milan switched to three defenders, and Oddo was pushed to the midfield to participate in the attack.
Two minutes later, Ancelotti replaced Inzaghi with Gilardino, who was running until he was almost exhausted.
The game was really depressing for Inzaghi. As Nottingham Forest had always carried out Tang En's requirement of not creating offside, they were tighter. When AC Milan attacked, the Forest team's penalty area was full of people. Pepe's technique followed him closely, and it was difficult for him to find a shot. He could only keep running, hoping to find a loophole in the Forest team's defense.
As a result, he did not find a decent chance until he came off the field.
When he came off the field, the television screen showed the distance he ran for the game — 11134 meters. How could he not be depressed after running eleven kilometers without scoring a goal?
Inzaghi panted and left the field with his head down. He high-fived Gilardino on the sidelines and then walked back to the bench with his head down. He sat there with a towel over his head and did not speak.
He knew he did not have many years left in his career. In 2003, he represented AC Milan to win the Champions League title. In 2005, he broke into the final but did not win. The year 2007 was a great opportunity for revenge, but now the score was 1: 2, AC Milan was behind, and he had been replaced because he did not contribute and was physically exhausted. Now he could only be a spectator. He wanted to kill the thief but could not do anything about it …
He wanted to win the Champions League title again, more than anyone else. As a striker, now he could only pray for his teammates to work hard to create a miracle. What a shame it was!
Inzaghi's exit made Tang En breathe a sigh of relief. In his view, Gilardino and Inzaghi were not strikers of the same level at all. Even if Inzaghi did not score, he could run back and forth on the field, and his own rear defensive line did not dare to move. He was afraid to give Inzaghi a chance to grab a shot from an offside position. Ferguson once said that Inzaghi was a striker born on the offside line, and Tang En agreed.
People used to say that Brazil's Ronaldo was the kind of striker who could change the outcome of the game if he was given a second. But in fact, Tang En felt that sentence was more suitable to be used on Inzaghi. He was the striker who could really change the outcome of the game with just one second and one grab. He did not need to dribble too much, nor did he have any fancy skills. He only needed to appear in the most appropriate place when needed, then extend his leg to complete the shot, and the football would fly into the goal.
Seeing that Inzaghi had been brought off, Tang En got up from his seat and walked to the sidelines. He made a gesture there to tell his players that they could consider a large-scale attack.
He did not want to drag the game into overtime. He had never thought about it that way. To end the battle within 90 minutes and use a solid result to tell the world who was worthy of being the king of Europe. Did AC Milan want to defy the natural order? Not a chance!
※ ※ ※
Wood consciously plugged in ahead. He was no longer at a loss like he was a season ago. Now he was very clear about his purpose. He knew how to run, what to do when he went up, and how to do it. These were all thanks to Albertini's careful teaching this year.
He received a pass from Albertini. Gattuso was a little surprised. He did not expect that it was not Albertini who came up this time, but George Wood.
Wood looked at the situation in front of him and passed the football to Ashley Young. He did not choose to dribble the ball to break through. He knew that it was not his forte. It was better to leave this kind of work to the professionals.
After passing the ball, Wood did not run back. Instead, he pulled Gattuso and ran up with him.
After AC switched to three defenders, the Forest team's two flanks had more space. After Ashley Young received the football, he resolutely broke through and crossed the ball from the byline. His pass was headed out of the end line by Nesta. The Forest team received a corner kick.
Gattuso glanced to his side. Wood was gone. He did not take it to heart. In the past, Wood would run back to defend against those corner kicks. This time should not be an exception.
Albertini did not come up for the corner kick. The person who ran over was Gareth Bale.
The football was sent out, and the penalty area was in chaos. It was not van der Vaart, Pepe or Piqué who leaped high in the crowd to throw the ball toward the goal. It was …
"George Wood!"
Number 13 was very conspicuous in the air against the red background. He did not jump on the spot. He rushed in from outside the penalty area and took off. He jumped higher than anyone else. When the football found him, he did a powerful lion's head flick!
Dida did not react, but the football smashed onto the crossbar!
"Phew —" The AC Milan fans let out a loud exclamation.
"Why is he there?!" Off the field, Ancelotti could not help but ask such a question. The Forest team had received a few corner kicks in the previous games. Each time, Wood was ready to guard against the opponent's counterattack in the second half of the field. It was not only this game. In previous Forest games, the center-backs and full-backs had all gone up, and the player in charge of defense in the backfield was George Wood.
There was no mention of Wood's participation in the corner kick attack in any of the intelligence reports. Everyone did not know what use his header and bounce would be in the offense. This time, they saw it.
Seeing the football smash onto the crossbar and bounce out of the end line, Wood did not grab his hair in frustration in front of the opponent's goal. He turned around and sprinted back to the defensive zone.
AC Milan's goal kick was fired very quickly. The football had just bounced out when the ball boy threw in the spare football. Dida set the football up and watched everyone push out of the penalty area before he kicked a long ball to the front.
If Wood was still upset that he did not score, the Forest team might concede another goal. He was not a striker who could use this action to fight for television appearances after he missed the opportunity.
Dida's long ball was blocked by Albertini and given to Pepe.
Pepe made a long pass and shook off Gilardino, but chose to directly dribble the ball to break through.
His intention to dribble the ball was seen through by Kaka, who intercepted Pepe's ball in advance. The center-back's goal concede was a blow to the Forest team's defensive line and also a great opportunity for AC Milan. The AC Milan fans in the stands let out loud cheers.
The sound had not dissipated when Kaka lost the ball.
The mantis stalked the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
He intercepted Pepe's ball, but Wood, who had returned to defend, poked the football away.
When Kaka was about to speed up, he found that the ball under his feet was gone. His first reaction was to turn around and chase. After eighty minutes of entanglement, he already knew that if he lost the ball, it would be Wood's doing.
Kaka turned to chase Wood, who had no intention of passing the ball out.
On the one hand, his teammates were too far away from him, and on the other hand, there were not many defenders in front of him. Gattuso and Ambrosini did not rush up immediately, which gave him a chance to break through.
There was another reason he wanted to break through — Kaka was hot on his heels.
How did AC Milan score that goal? Did Kaka not start to run all the way from the center circle so that he could not break it even if he wanted to?
He finally found a chance to fight back.
Come and intercept my ball, Kaka!
Kaka caught up and he did want to intercept the ball. But when he wanted to stretch out his foot to intercept the ball, he was bound to slow down, which would give Wood a chance to open up a distance.
Kaka suddenly understood how Wood felt at the time.
Wood's basic dribbling skills were good. His dribbling was standard and not slow. This was thanks to the basic training he had been insisting on every day since he entered the Forest team's training base.
He knew he had switched to football halfway and was not a player who had received professional training since he was a child. Tang En also knew this. Therefore, the two men were very strict with their basic training.
Wood had self-awareness and Tang En's strict supervision had trained Wood's ability to dribble the ball so that Kaka could not make a move.
Kaka wanted to rely on his speed to forcibly overtake and leave plenty of time to tackle the ball, but he found that Wood was just as fast. He had no better way than to run.
"George Wood's dribbling! It's a rare sight. Wood actually dribbles the ball to the front field himself, and Kaka follows him to intercept the ball. "
Kaka looked ahead. Gattuso and Ambrosini had noticed Wood's intentions and planned to come over to encircle him.
It looked like Wood could not escape.
"Watch out for his pass!" Maldini roared from behind, which made Gattuso and Ambrosini pause at the same time.
How could they forget how Wood could dribble the ball directly to the enemy's base? It had to be a pass!
Wood also saw the situation in front of him. He was very close to the two defensive midfielders.
He could not understand what Maldini was shouting, but he had no intention of passing the ball. It was not that he was confident in his breakthrough, but because he had no time to care about where his teammates had gone.
Seeing that there was still a gap between the two men's encirclement, Wood did not hesitate to push the football forward.
The football rolled between the two men, Gattuso and Ambrosini. At the same time, Wood suddenly accelerated and rushed over while the encirclement had not yet closed up.
"Ah, ah, ah! A beautiful breakthrough! One over two! George Wood's speed is daunting! Is he really just a defensive midfielder? "
Kaka knew the situation was not good when he saw Gattuso and Ambrosini pause. He was not at all worried that Wood would pass the ball. There was only one thought in his mind — this kid will definitely break through. He will definitely break through!
Sure enough.
Wood relied on his speed to force his way out of Gattuso and Ambrosini's encirclement. Kaka was not at all surprised. He bypassed his two teammates and sped up to catch up.
He followed Wood all the way. He did not believe he could not find the right opportunity to intercept the ball. In addition, if it was really dangerous, he did not mind fouling immediately and risking a card to stop the Forest team's attack.
He did not expect Gattuso and Ambrosini to break through. Maldini and Nesta were stunned for a moment.
It seemed that they had underestimated Wood's speed and determination to break through.
I can't let him go any further!
That was Nesta's only thought after he reacted. He rushed up.
※ ※ ※
From the moment Wood began to dribble the ball forward to break through, Tang En stood up from the technical area. When he saw Wood rely on his speed to break through the defense of Gattuso and Ambrosini, he could not help but run in the direction of AC Milan's goal, as if that would help Wood break through AC Milan's blockade more smoothly.
As he ran, he murmured to himself, "
"Como _ on, George …"
The voice grew louder and faster as Wood ran, as if responding to the drumbeat of Wood's footsteps.
※ ※ ※
Nesta decided not to let Wood break through from his side. He meant what he said!
Because he wanted to break through Gattuso and Ambrosini, Wood kicked the football out and away from his body. Now he had to speed up his pursuit. After all, he still did not control the ball. Under such circumstances, the rules believed that the offensive and defensive sides each had a fifty-fifty chance. If there was a physical collision, it would not simply be attributed to the defensive side's foul.
Nesta wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. He used himself as a wall for Wood to hit.
Kaka saw that Wood and Nesta were about to meet. He believed that Nesta's defense would force Wood to slow down or even stop completely. That would be his chance.
He was ready to intercept the ball.
But … he found that Wood still had no intention of slowing down!
※ ※ ※
“Come_on！ George! "
Tang En roared.
Sprinting at full speed, Wood and Nesta collided without any suspense.
"God …" The commentator let out a wail.
Kaka wanted to pick up the missed ball, but where was the football? He did not see it. It was not beside Nesta, nor was it beside Wood. The football disappeared?!
The Nottingham Forest fans in the stands suddenly burst into a deafening cheer. If you listened carefully, you would hear that they were shouting a man's name.
"… Wood … Wood … Eastwood! Eastwood!! "
Wood made reasonable use of the rules before he collided with Nesta to default that the offensive and defensive sides each had a fifty-fifty chance. The physical collision would not result in a foul. He shoveled the football to the front before Nesta fell to the ground.
At that moment, he had no time to observe the situation of his teammates around him, but he looked up and caught a glimpse of the Romani Eastwood. Was there an AC Milan defensive player around him? Was he offside? Wood did not have time to think about these situations. He only cared about passing the football to the only teammate in his field of vision. His task was considered complete.
※ ※ ※
The Forest fans were cheering. The AC Milan captain, Maldini, stood on the penalty area line and raised his right hand high, indicating that Eastwood, who received the football, was offside. The attack was invalid!
Just as Wood was about to meet Nesta, Maldini's experience told him that he should move forward and let Eastwood fall into the offside trap at the far end.
So he moved forward. When he glanced at the other side for the last time, he saw that Nottingham Forest's number 11 was still standing in place. He felt that his tactic was successful, so he raised his hand to signal to the referee.
But he did not hear any whistle. Where was the assistant referee?
When Maldini turned his head to look for the assistant referee, he saw that there was another man in front of him and the assistant referee. The man wore the AC Milan white jersey and played in a position that was further back than himself … and Nottingham Forest's number 11!
He was not offside!
Eastwood received the football that Wood shoveled over and turned around. He also specifically looked up at the assistant referee and found that the assistant referee did not raise the flag because AC Milan's third defender, Kaladze, dragged behind!
Dida originally thought that Eastwood was offside and stood in front of the goal line and raised his hand to signal. In the next second, he realized something was wrong and hurriedly attacked.
Eastwood, who was unmarked, swung his right foot and looked like he was going to do a powerful volley. After deceiving Dida into losing his center of gravity, he lightly flicked a shot!
"Scoop!" The Italian commentator exclaimed.
The football flew over Dida's head and easily fell into the empty goal!
“YES！ 3: 1! In the 83rd minute, this is a goal that almost locks in the victory! "The English commentator stood up from his seat and waved his fists vigorously.
"George Wood's sudden plug and forced breakthrough messed up AC Milan's defense! Kaka could only follow and run! " The English commentator and the Italian commentator were next door. This time he could finally vent his anger. "He can't do anything at all. This poor man …"
"Nottingham Forest has once again gained a two-goal lead! Will this be the straw that breaks the camel's back?! "
Kaladze, who lagged behind and caused Maldini to fail to create an offside, stood in place with a blank look on his face. He was only concerned about Wood and Nesta at the time and did not think that Wood could still send the football to Eastwood's feet under such circumstances.
"You have Kaka, we have Wood!" The Forest fans in the stands sang "Wood's Hymn." "We still have Eastwood! We have a forest. You'll get lost when you come in! Want to go out? Want to go out? Leave the championship trophy behind! "
Maldini looked up at the night sky. At that moment, he was also confused. He had experienced countless games in his career, with victories and defeats. He had all kinds of feelings. At this moment, a familiar feeling surfaced in his heart. It was a bad feeling …
He felt that he might lose the championship again.
But the thought only flashed in his mind for a second before he shook it off. No, there are still seven minutes left. I refuse to admit defeat!
※ ※ ※
After the goal, Eastwood turned his head again to look for the referee to confirm. He saw the assistant referee running to the center line, and the referee whistled and pointed to the center circle — the goal was valid.
The goal was valid!
Eastwood turned around and sprinted toward the Forest team's technical area.
He opened his arms and shouted. Behind him were all the Forest players on the field. If they caught him, it would definitely be a human pyramid.
In front of him were the cheering Forest substitutes' bench and the technical area. His target was Tony Twain.
It was the guy who told him that he would become a legendary striker in the future. It was the guy who asked him if he wanted to play professional football when he could only play amateur football. It was the guy who told him that when he was seriously injured and was about to give up in the hospital, it was the guy who told him that fate was a series of choices. Your fate is what you choose.
I listened to him, and I went to play professional football. I listened to him, and I chose not to give up. I listened to him, and I became the Freddy Eastwood of today …
I want to thank you, Boss!
Twain opened his arms and waited to hug Eastwood, but he was knocked to the ground by the Romani who did not stop. The group of people seemed to have planned it and pressed forward together.
A human pyramid with all the players involved was spectacular …
"The team rules don't allow … Ah!"
Twain's screams were drowned in the thunderous cheers.
"Forest! Forest! Nottingham Forest! "
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