Starting With Real Madrid

Before referee Carlos Gomez blew the final whistle, nearly half the fans in the stands had already risen to their feet, singing Real Madrid's anthem and celebrating victory.

This was the first trophy Florentino had lifted since his second return to Real Madrid.

Not only the Madridistas, but even Florentino in the presidential box was visibly emotional, his eyes slightly red, overwhelmed by the atmosphere inside the stadium.

2-0!

Real Madrid had given Atletico Madrid very few clear chances throughout the game.

The Colchoneros fought tenaciously and played well, but Real Madrid were better.

Especially tactically.

Whether in deployment or in-game adjustments, Simeone had been denied opportunities.

Atletico's fighting spirit was admirable, but in terms of overall quality, they were still a step below Real Madrid.

Looking down at the pitch, one could see that the moment the whistle went, the entire Real Madrid bench and coaching staff rushed onto the field, celebrating wildly.

On the pitch, players embraced in groups, cheering arm in arm.

"It's hard to believe our dressing room was in chaos just last season," José Sánchez said with emotion.

Watching the Real Madrid squad celebrating now, who would have thought they were once divided and at odds?

The change came down to one key figure.

Gao Shen had not only brought silverware back to Real Madrid, he had restored unity and stability.

Just like in tonight's game, Ronaldo did not even score, yet he played with maturity and composure, never forcing things.

Ramos and Pepe were calm too, far more disciplined than in years past.

This was something unseen in Real Madrid for a long time.

Even under Mourinho, the team had never been this steady.

And the key was, they still played exciting football with tremendous attacking power.

"I still remember that year in Naples, Gao Shen, Zidane and I sat together in his seaside villa, drinking and talking for hours about football, especially his vision for the future of the game," Valdano recalled, eyes filled with nostalgia.

It had been years ago. Gao Shen was not as renowned as he was now, but Napoli and Guardiola's Barcelona were the two hottest teams in Europe.

Even then, Gao Shen had critiques of Guardiola's Barcelona.

For instance, he believed their defensive organization was weak.

"At the time, Gao Shen argued that high pressing, or total football, could only be a temporary strategy to control matches, not something sustainable for 90 minutes."

"He saw that even with two of the world's top fitness coaches, Buenaventura and Pintus, and tireless players like Cavani, Hamsik, Rakitic and Biglia, Napoli could not maintain that intensity for a full match."

"Not even 75 minutes, let alone 90."

"He realized that Barcelona's high press was designed to mask their defensive flaws. It drained energy up front to compensate at the back."

Valdano's analysis was professional, but the Real Madrid executives around him understood it clearly.

Guardiola's Barcelona could never press relentlessly for 90 minutes.

They eventually leaned on possession, with pressing in bursts to launch quick counters after losing the ball. But if they failed to win it back quickly, their defensive weaknesses were exposed.

It was impossible to keep chasing like madmen.

"In 2009, he told me that no modern team could afford to have two players in attack and midfield who didn't press or defend. He said football had changed."

Back then, even Florentino and Valdano had doubted him.

But Gao Shen had been right.

At Manchester City, he evolved further.

He abandoned full-pitch pressing, dropped his defensive line to the halfway line, and built balance between attack, organization and defense.

The result was a City side that played with stability, attacked fiercely, and defended solidly.

Now at Real Madrid, Gao Shen refined it even more. He built a truly all-round tactical system, with versatile midfielders like Kroos, Modric and Xabi Alonso.

The same balance extended to the wings and attack.

This Real Madrid could press high or sit deep. They could play possession football or unleash fast, direct attacks.

It was a special team.

Sacchi had even said it was the closest thing to a perfect side European football had seen in decades.

So complete and versatile, it seemed to have no single strength, but in reality had strengths everywhere.

"I think you nailed it," Butragueño said, himself once a great professional. He agreed with Valdano.

"Every era produces a great team that reaches the summit."

"People used to say Italian coaches built tactical systems, English football was attacking, and the Dutch and Germans emphasized movement. High pressing came from the Netherlands, which Gao Shen used to challenge Italian football, but he also absorbed the best of Italian defensive organization."

"At Real Madrid, he optimized both attack and defense with Italian tactical principles, rebuilt the squad, and retained players who had both impact and skill, like Ronaldo and Di Maria. He also emphasized work rate, passing, and control."

"He is essentially transforming Real Madrid into a new kind of total football side, blending many philosophies."

"I believe this team has the potential to rival the great Michels Ajax or Sacchi's Milan dynasty."

Butragueño's words shocked Florentino and José Sánchez.

Wasn't that too high an evaluation?

Those were sides that defined an era.

"In 2009, people debated whether Gao Shen's Napoli or Guardiola's Barcelona were more revolutionary. But now, I think the answer might be neither," Valdano added.

"Napoli and Barcelona were just prototypes. The Real Madrid Gao Shen has built may be the true great team that defines the era."

He turned to Florentino, nodding with a smile. "Whether this season or next, we may witness the birth of a great Real Madrid."

At Florentino's age, few things stirred deep emotion anymore.

But as Real Madrid's president, and as a fan who always aspired to follow in Bernabéu's footsteps, Florentino felt his whole body ignite after hearing Valdano and Butragueño.

It was more exhilarating than the thrills of youth.

Because for the first time, he truly saw his lifelong dream within reach.

…

No one in the stadium knew what Real Madrid's top brass were discussing in the box.

No one knew this conversation would push Florentino to a decisive resolve.

All that was visible was Gao Shen lifting his first trophy of Florentino's Galácticos II.

Even if it was "only" the Copa del Rey, it was worth celebrating.

Especially since next Saturday, Real Madrid would head to Wembley in London for the Champions League final.

That was the real stage.

To prepare for it, Real Madrid requested the Spanish FA to adjust their last two league fixtures. The 38th round remained the same, but the 37th round away to Real Sociedad was moved to midweek.

The purpose was simple: to focus fully on the Champions League final after the Copa del Rey.

After beating Atletico 2-0 to claim the Copa, Spanish media exploded with coverage.

Real Madrid-affiliated outlets were especially relentless, trying to build on the momentum and pressure Barcelona in La Liga, hoping the Catalans might slip.

This way, Madrid could dream of a treble.

Barcelona felt the pressure.

In the 36th round against Valladolid at the Camp Nou, they struggled. After conceding first, they came from behind with two second-half goals to scrape a 2-1 win.

They won, but the weight on them only grew heavier.

Even Catalan outlets voiced concern. If Valladolid caused that much trouble, could Barcelona really win their last two matches?

But this time, Gao Shen broke from his usual habit. He stopped playing mind games with Barcelona. Instead, he focused solely on the Champions League final.

The Spanish press saw it differently.

After Madrid's Copa win and Barcelona's narrow escape, media frenzy surged, portraying Madrid as if destined for the league title.

Finally, Gao Shen had Butragueño's PR team step in to calm the noise.

Still, as La Liga neared its conclusion and the Champions League final loomed, Real Madrid was the center of global attention.

Especially Gao Shen. Every move he made was scrutinized worldwide.

But the more the spotlight grew, the more low-key he became. He stayed home, shuttling between Valdebebas and his residence, declining all interviews.

Real Madrid's closed training camp lasted until the day of departure for London.

The squad flew directly from Madrid to London on an Emirates charter.

That evening, they trained at Wembley and attended the official UEFA pre-match press conference.

It was there that Gao Shen came face to face with Heynckes, someone he had not seen for a long time.

(To be continued.)