Starting With Real Madrid

The day after Real Madrid won the Champions League at Wembley Stadium, Barcelona defeated Espanyol 1-0 away with a goal from Sánchez, winning the city derby.

This goal came in the 84th minute, and Barcelona won in a very precarious way.

Three days later, Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 3-1 away.

This was also Real Madrid's 37th-round La Liga match after the Champions League final.

On June 1, the 38th round of La Liga took place.

Real Madrid defeated Osasuna 5-1 at home, establishing an early advantage.

But Barcelona also defeated Málaga early at Camp Nou, beating their opponent 4-1.

Finally, the La Liga title was decided.

Real Madrid had to give up the championship with a 1-point deficit, becoming one of the most unfortunate runners-up teams in La Liga history.

With Real Madrid's current performance, they would have been champions in almost any other La Liga season.

But this season Real Madrid encountered an unusual Barcelona.

The illnesses of Vilanova and Abidal had a huge galvanizing effect on Barcelona.

After lifting the title at Camp Nou, Barcelona captain Puyol admitted in an interview that Vilanova and Abidal were like spiritual leaders in the dressing room, and everyone wanted to do their part for them.

This was why Barcelona had been so tenacious this season.

Regarding the intense clashes, especially the four consecutive defeats against Real Madrid, Puyol said the team was also reflecting.

"I believe that in the new season, we will be able to perform better and better!"

The Catalan media gave high praise to Barcelona's La Liga title. After all, Real Madrid had performed very well this season. The fact that Barcelona were able to beat Real Madrid to the title was in itself proof of Barcelona's outstanding season.

However, Daily Sports also suggested that the club should increase its recruitment efforts this summer.

Because the advanced Real Madrid has reached its peak, the Galácticos will only be stronger next season than they are now.

If Barcelona fails to respond soon, they could end up empty-handed next season.

"Gao Shen has already brazenly announced Real Madrid's goal for next season. He wants to win all the championships!"

"Barça must respond!"

In response to calls from the media and fans, Barcelona president Rosell also made a positive statement, saying that the team was actively recruiting and had made very significant progress.

For example, the Brazilian prodigy Neymar.

The talented forward had made it clear that he was willing to join Barcelona, and only the final contract details remained to be negotiated.

"We can tell the fans with certainty that in the new season at Camp Nou, they will be able to see Neymar and Messi dancing together!"

Rosell's remarks further excited the Catalan media and fans, who were generally enthusiastic about it.

Neymar is a super talent recognized worldwide.

Now that he is coming to Camp Nou, Barcelona will only be stronger next season.

More importantly, the whole world knows that Real Madrid were also pursuing Neymar but lost out to Barcelona.

In the Champions League, Copa del Rey, and even La Liga, Barcelona did lose to Real Madrid, but in the transfer market, Barcelona winning Neymar was a heavy blow to Real Madrid.

After all, Real Madrid had been pursuing Neymar for three years.

By beating Florentino to sign Neymar, Rosell's reputation at Barcelona was further enhanced.

Everyone was also looking forward to how Barcelona, with its star-studded team, would launch a magnificent attacking storm next season.

…

Frankly speaking, failing to overhaul Barcelona in the league standings was already within the expectations of Gao Shen and Real Madrid's management.

That was why the club arranged the victory parade after the Champions League final. This clearly told everyone that there was basically no chance of winning La Liga.

Before playing Osasuna, Gao Shen also told everyone very clearly not to think too much about the results or the match at Camp Nou, but to focus on enjoying the football at the Bernabéu.

It was precisely because Real Madrid had a clear understanding of the situation that, even when Barcelona won the title in the end, Real Madrid were not too disappointed.

In an interview, captain on the field Ramos bravely took responsibility and said that it was because of several of his mistakes that the team dropped points they should not have, and he would learn from it.

"I promise that next season, we will definitely win the title back!"

The day after the match, the whole team gathered for the final time at Valdebebas.

All of Real Madrid's games this season were officially over.

Next, the players would go their separate ways, either on vacation or reporting to their national teams.

The Confederations Cup would be held in Brazil this summer, and many Real Madrid players would participate.

Gao Shen did not say much, he simply reminded everyone that whether on vacation or playing in tournaments, they should take care of their fitness.

He specifically reminded Marcelo and a few others who were not very self-disciplined.

"If I find that you are overweight when the training camp opens in early July, I can only say, I am sorry."

Faced with this blatant warning, the players said they were truly scared.

There was a burst of laughter, but everyone understood the deeper meaning.

Real Madrid will enter a harvest period next season.

Gao Shen would not allow anyone to interfere with his plans and strategy anymore.

After the team was dismissed, Gao Shen had a separate chat with Higuain, Kaka, and Albiol.

They all wanted to leave, and Gao Shen formally agreed, but their situations were different.

Kaka would leave on a free transfer, Albiol had been allowed to go, but Higuain would be put on hold for the time being.

Gao Shen made it clear that the club was working on signings, and as long as the right players arrived, he would allow the transfer.

The Argentine expressed his understanding and said he trusted Gao Shen's promise.

…

The day after Real Madrid disbanded, Gao Shen left Madrid with his family and headed north to Manchester.

Pochettino accompanied him.

All Premier League matches this season had ended as early as May 19.

Leeds United surprised everyone by finishing sixth in the league, which was very impressive.

It was not just Leeds United.

Swansea City finished ninth, newly promoted West Ham United came in tenth, and then Reading were relegated, completing a one-season stay in the Premier League.

The other two relegated teams were Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers.

It is interesting to note.

Queens Park Rangers invested more this season, but the results were worse and they were relegated.

Former Leeds United captain Howson had previously contacted the club through his agent, hoping to return and continue playing in the Premier League, but Leeds United now looked down on the former captain who could not even play for Queens Park Rangers.

Rodolfo Borrell rejected the possibility of Howson returning to Leeds United on the spot, on the grounds that there was no place for him in the current team.

Leeds United's performance was truly shocking, ranking sixth in the Premier League and finishing ahead of Everton and Liverpool.

But if you look at the table, it is not hard to see that Leeds United still had a clear gap with the first tier in front. They were not only behind the two Manchester clubs, but also 10 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

This clearly proved that Leeds United still lacked hard power and confidence.

In the FA Cup final, Leeds United lost to Manchester City without any suspense.

Frustratingly, Leeds United lost to Manchester City in the domestic cup final for two consecutive seasons.

Fortunately, Leeds United won the League Cup, which top teams do not usually prioritize.

In other words, Leeds United can play in the Europa League next season.

However, the value of this competition is not very high, and Leeds United does not place much importance on it. It is more of an additional tournament, an extra stage for development, and more opportunities for players to showcase themselves.

It is worth mentioning that Icardi ranked fourth in the Premier League scoring chart this season, scoring 19 goals, behind Van Persie, Suárez, and Gareth Bale, but one more than Swansea's Michu.

This also made the Argentine striker a household name.

Considering his age, expectations for him are high.

After Leeds United's success, head coach Sarri also wrote a farewell letter to the fans at the end of the league, thanking them for their support over the past two years, but saying he wanted to return to Italy to pursue his dream.

He wants to coach his hometown club Napoli.

Napoli's current head coach Allegri will go to Juventus.

Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that after Sarri decided to coach Napoli, he requested the club sign four Leeds United players, namely Koulibaly, Jorginho, Allan, and Icardi.

He wants to use these four central players to reshape Napoli's tactical system.

When Gao Shen and his party arrived at Manchester Airport and reached the villa in Cheshire, he received a call from Napoli chairman De Laurentiis.

On the call, De Laurentiis asked Gao Shen about the valuations of Jorginho and Allan.

Obviously, De Laurentiis had considered it carefully and knew he could not afford Koulibaly, and for the striker position he wanted the long-famous Higuain rather than Icardi.

To put it bluntly, today's Napoli is no longer the Napoli of the past.

They are a strong Serie A club that can play in the Champions League every season. What they want is no longer young players who are cheap but need time to develop, but established names with proven strength.

Of course, bringing in big names requires higher transfer fees.

Gao Shen joked that he basically does not interfere in Leeds United's operations anymore, leaving them to professional managers. If there were any issues, they could directly contact Fernando Lucas or Rodolfo Borrell.

"You know, I am now the head coach of Real Madrid." Gao Shen reminded him seriously.

De Laurentiis on the other end of the line almost exploded.

Damn, now you are saying you are the head coach of Real Madrid?

So what is your relationship with Leeds United?

Across from Gao Shen, Fernando Lucas and Rodolfo Borrell were sitting, both looking extremely embarrassed.

If Gao Shen is the head coach of Real Madrid, what are they doing now?

Will UEFA and FIFA investigate them?

What if Real Madrid sues them for private contact?

(To be continued.)