Starting With Real Madrid

With a 1-0 lead, Real Madrid went into halftime with a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.

Gao Shen had just finished a quick meeting with his coaching staff to review the first half before stepping into the players' rest area.

The squad was almost fully settled, all eyes turning toward their head coach.

The first-half situation had played out just as Gao Shen expected.

That was his trademark. His preparation was meticulous. He could deduce every possible scenario, ensuring every player knew exactly how to respond when situations arose during the match.

Panic?

For a mature, well-trained side, it simply did not exist.

"Two things," Gao Shen began directly. Time was too precious for unnecessary words.

Behind him, Zidane had already set up the tactical board, with pieces laid out representing both teams' formations.

"The first is our defense."

Gao Shen pointed at Atletico's front two, No. 9 and No. 19 on the board.

Number 9 was Falcao. Number 19 was Diego Costa.

"In the first half, when Atletico countered, they relied on the simplest two-man combination after winning the ball. Falcao's individual ability is strong, and Diego Costa is dangerous attacking the space behind our back line."

As he spoke, Gao Shen used his pen to mark the gap behind Real Madrid's defense.

It was the classic risk of a high defensive line.

The space in behind.

"There was one occasion where Ramos defended it well, but we must stay alert, especially in midfield."

"Xabi," Gao Shen called, pointing his pen at Alonso. "Foul if you have to. Don't let Falcao play comfortably."

"Just avoid a red card. We don't care about yellows."

After all, this was the Copa del Rey final. A yellow card suspension would only matter in the league. What was there to fear?

The priority now was the two finals. Everything else could wait.

"Atletico will always look for that two-man combination after a steal. If the first wave fails and we win it back, they immediately swarm with a second wave from midfield, like a pack of wolves."

This was something Gao Shen himself used often.

The benefits were obvious.

If the quick counterattack failed, the second line arriving behind could immediately counterpress, recover possession, and launch another attack.

This constant cycle of pressure suffocated opponents, forcing mistakes if they lacked composure.

Real Madrid themselves had racked up big wins this way.

Atletico, under Simeone, had clearly adopted the same method.

So Gao Shen's message was clear: Real Madrid players had to stay mentally sharp, ready for Atletico's immediate counterpress after turnovers.

Real Madrid's passing and composure could withstand their pressing, but only if they kept focus.

"The second point is our attack."

Gao Shen turned and adjusted the tactical pieces, laying out their attacking structure.

Benzema through the middle, Ronaldo and Di Maria on the flanks, Kroos and Modric outside the box, Marcelo and Carvajal providing width, Alonso, Ramos and Pepe anchoring.

"When we attack, we must stretch the pitch. The striker and wingers must attack the penalty area. Full-backs must provide width, to open up spaces out wide."

"We are not Barcelona. Our midfielders are not Messi, Fàbregas, Agüero or Sánchez. Our penalty box threats are Benzema and Ronaldo. Both are aerially dominant, both are world-class scorers."

Barcelona's attack, Gao Shen explained, had an unavoidable weakness: lack of penetration into the box.

Messi, Fàbregas, Sánchez—none offered true penalty-box presence. Agüero was better, but not a traditional center forward.

They played fast and technical, but without a battering ram.

And the world now knew how to defend them.

Real Madrid were different.

Benzema and Ronaldo were powerful, aerially dangerous, and deadly finishers.

Marcelo and Carvajal could overlap or cut inside, depending on combinations.

But the key was width.

"Stretch the play," Gao Shen emphasized.

Then came the switch.

Draw Atletico's defense to one side, then move the ball quickly across to the other.

This was Real Madrid's greatest strength.

No matter how fast Atletico's defense shifted, it could never match Real Madrid's long diagonal passing.

That movement would eventually expose gaps.

"Even our front three can rotate, as they usually do, to create local overloads on the wings, breaking down their shape and creating breakthroughs."

Marcelo and Di Maria, both left-footed, had already shown their chemistry with Ronaldo and Benzema. The same was possible on the right.

"Open the pitch. Switch the play."

Gao Shen looked around the room, his expression firm.

"Remember, we must score again in the second half!"

His confidence lifted the players. Gao Shen's judgment had never been wrong.

This time would be no different.

…

"Atletico's long clearance."

"Pepe wins the header, knocking it back."

"Mario Suarez boots it forward again."

"Ramos battling with Falcao in the air."

"Alonso drops deep, passes back to Casillas, telling teammates to settle."

"The tempo was getting a bit too fast."

"Seventeen minutes into the second half. Real Madrid still lead 1-0."

"Now Real Madrid look to build. They're working down the right."

"Carvajal plays across to Modric, closed down quickly, lays it back to Alonso."

"Kroos drops in for the ball."

"He hits a long diagonal to the left."

"Ronaldo is sprinting hard."

"Real Madrid suddenly change the pace."

"Ronaldo drives into the left side of the box, Kroos' pass finds him perfectly."

"Miranda comes across."

"One-on-one now."

"Ronaldo accelerates, takes it to the byline, and cuts it back."

"Benzema!!"

"Blocked by Godin on the slide!"

"The ball's still alive in the box, Di Maria follows up, left-footed strike!!!"

"The ball is in!!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"63rd minute, Real Madrid score again!!!"

"A breakthrough down the wing, Ronaldo's drive creates the chance, and Di Maria hammers it home!"

"2-0!!!"

"Real Madrid double their lead!"

…

On the sidelines, Gao Shen leapt up from the turf, pumping his fists and roaring in celebration as Di Maria's shot rippled the net.

2-0!

This match was as good as won.

He landed, laughing loudly, before hugging each of his assistants and rushing to the touchline to hail the players' effort.

Especially Ronaldo, whose run had unlocked the defense.

Ronaldo was no longer just a pure scorer. He was more complete, more selfless.

Breaking defenders one-on-one to create goals for teammates had become a regular sight.

"In the past, if he hadn't scored here, he'd have been frustrated," Zidane chuckled.

Ronaldo's competitiveness was a double-edged sword. It drove him, but sometimes made him impatient, forcing too much.

But under Gao Shen this season, he had been reshaped. From preseason guidance, to tactical adjustments, to helping him outscore Messi, Gao Shen had shown Ronaldo the path.

Now, as long as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey and Champions League, even if Messi took La Liga, the Ballon d'Or would belong to Ronaldo.

Gao Shen had made it clear: the team would fully back Ronaldo in chasing that honor.

It was the ultimate motivation for the Portuguese star.

So even when not scoring himself, he was determined to help the team.

He knew well, the more trophies Real Madrid lifted, the higher his own chances for the Ballon d'Or. His goalscoring numbers already spoke for themselves.

Now, every other contribution only highlighted his completeness.

And Gao Shen had reinforced this mindset in private.

"We are in a strong position now. Next comes the Champions League final. This Bayern side won't be easy, but if we maintain our level, I am confident," Gao Shen said calmly.

"In the past, Bayern punished us. Now it is time they feel the power of Real Madrid's youth storm."

His tone was measured, but his confidence was absolute.

Zidane, Carlo and Hierro exchanged glances, smiling.

That was Gao Shen's way.

Even before this match ended, his eyes were already on the next.

But at 2-0 up, victory was nearly assured.

If Atletico wanted to get back in it, they would have to throw numbers forward.

At 1-0, Real Madrid might have feared mistakes. But at 2-0, what was there to fear?

On the contrary, Gao Shen now welcomed Atletico's aggression.

Perhaps they could add another goal or two.

But would Simeone dare?

(To be continued.)