Starting With Real Madrid

"Tired!

Really tired!"

The locker room was so silent that only the heavy breathing of the players filled the air.

Everyone was drenched in sweat, their jerseys clinging to them as if just pulled from a washing machine.

With sweat dripping down their faces, they sat there, catching their breath.

It was clear to everyone that they had given their all.

But the game hadn't gone as planned.

Despite taking the lead, Real Madrid had been overturned by Arsenal in the last minutes of the first half, conceding a penalty.

It was a fair call, no doubt.

Gao Shen didn't rush to speak. He allowed the players time to catch their breath and formulated his thoughts.

Real Madrid couldn't afford to sit back in the second half. They had to keep pushing forward.

The question was how to attack? When to launch their assault?

In the midst of the silence, Ramos suddenly sprang up from his seat.

Everyone was startled by his sudden movement, including Gao Shen, who feared Ramos might say something inappropriate at such a critical juncture. He was about to intervene when Ramos spoke first.

"I'm sorry!" The Sevilla youth lowered his usually proud head and publicly apologized.

"It's my fault. I couldn't stop Henry. His acceleration was too quick. I couldn't keep up, so I instinctively made the challenge. And..."

Elgra also stood up. "Henry started with the ball, trying to draw a penalty, and we fell for it."

It was hard to say exactly what Henry had intended. Perhaps he aimed to score directly, or perhaps he had planned for a penalty from the start.

Everyone, including Gao Shen, was surprised.

Since joining Real Madrid, Ramos had been known for his fearless attitude, unafraid to challenge even the most seasoned opponents. Now, here he was, admitting his mistake.

Gao Shen breathed a sigh of relief secretly, but also felt a surge of confidence.

If even Ramos could admit fault, then the team's morale tonight was certainly not lost!

Gao Shen walked over, placed a reassuring hand on Elgra's shoulder, gestured for him to sit down, then approached Ramos, placing a hand on his shoulder. They were almost eye to eye.

"It's nobody's fault. If there's blame, it's mine and the team's."

Ramos looked at Gao Shen, surprised.

"You and Ivan have both given your best. I know that. Every one of you here tonight did your utmost. I'm proud of your performance in the first half, and I'm sure the Real Madrid fans are too."

The objective reality was clear: age, lack of long-term training, players not at their peak due to various reasons—these were facts that couldn't be changed overnight.

It was a testament to the players' dedication that they were performing as they were.

"But I also know that each of you feels the same frustration and determination as I do right now, don't you?"

Ramos, De la Red, Felipe, Arbeloa... Many nodded, including Raul, Zidane, and Beckham—none were satisfied.

After giving their all to score a goal, they had been equalized just before halftime. Who wouldn't feel aggrieved?

"It's simple: if you're not satisfied, then in the second half, let's seize victory once more!" Gao Shen clenched his fists, his voice firm.

At this point in the game, Real Madrid had no choice but to fight to the end.

After a brief pause, Gao Shen continued, "Before we departed for London, I visited Carlo in the Odaleza district."

"Believe it or not, I truly consider him my mentor. But I didn't go to learn from him—I went to bid him farewell. I told him that if we lose tonight at Highbury, I won't be coming back."

Everyone in the locker room raised their heads in disbelief, staring at Gao Shen.

Gao Shen retrieved a letter from his pocket. "Back in Madrid, I had already penned my resignation letter. If we fail to advance to the quarterfinals tonight, I'll hand in my resignation."

All eyes in the room, players, coaching staff, and support personnel alike, fixed on the letter in Gao Shen's hand. Even his closest confidant, Lucas, hadn't known about this letter, let alone anyone else.

The world might speculate that Gao Shen would be sacked if they lost this game, but until now, it had only been conjecture.

Now, Gao Shen was showing his resolve.

Rather than wait for Real Madrid to dismiss him, he would resign on his own terms.

"I'm not trying to evoke sympathy or stage a melodrama. I just want you all to know that my determination to win this game is as strong as any of yours, because I've staked my future on it!"

The weight of his words hung heavily in the locker room.

For their efforts in the first half, even if they were to lose the game, everyone would understand and forgive. But Gao Shen resigning from his position as head coach—there would be consequences.

"I also understand that many of you still doubt me, and feel I'm not fit to lead Real Madrid. I won't deny that myself. But fate has brought us to this moment. Since we have no choice, let's set aside past grievances and fight together!"

...

Gao Shen's impassioned speech reignited the team's morale and determination. But now, they faced the challenge of how to approach the second half.

The reality of Real Madrid's physical condition was undeniable. They couldn't sustain overtime. Even by the 70th minute, their stamina would be questionable.

To score another goal, they had to bet everything on the opening moments of the second half.

"We'll play the second half as we did the first. Start strong, maintain pressure, control the rhythm, and keep Arsenal pinned in their half. Negredo, your job is to mark Senderos. Focus passes to Zidane—he'll lead our attacks."

"On the right flank, watch Reyes and Henry. Don't press too high. Felipe, you can venture forward on the left and join the attack in the final third."

"In addition, I noticed in the first half that when Zidane moved forward, Gilberto Silva would drop back, leaving gaps in front of Arsenal's penalty area. We can exploit that."

Gao Shen indicated on the tactical board the specific area in front of Arsenal's penalty area where they could capitalize.

Arsenal had thwarted most of Real Madrid's set-piece strategies in the first half. Wenger would undoubtedly caution his players to minimize fouls and avoid giving away advantageous free kicks.

Thus, Real Madrid needed to discover new avenues for attack.

Upon hearing Gao Shen's instructions, all eyes turned to Gravesen.

Gravesen wasn't the typical holding midfielder. Despite his average height, he possessed tenacity and courage, with solid organization, passing skills, and a knack for long-range shooting.

Naturally, everyone assumed Gao Shen meant Gravesen would take those long shots.

But Gao Shen shook his head. "Thomas is well-known to Wenger from his time at Everton. He'll have plans to neutralize Thomas."

Gravesen nodded knowingly. No one understood Wenger's strategies against him better than himself.

If not Gravesen, then who?

"Ruben!" Gao Shen pointed at De la Red. "It's time for us to see your ability to surge forward and unleash long-range shots!"

The entire locker room was stunned. Gao Shen was entrusting this crucial role to De la Red?

Since joining the first team, this young player from the reserves had only featured sparingly, mainly in a derby against Atletico Madrid. Diligent and conscientious, he was cautious to a fault.

Gao Shen, however, saw something more in him.

"Don't doubt yourself, Ruben. I believe in you!"

Gao Shen stepped up to De la Red, patting his shoulder with confidence and encouragement.

Then, with a resounding applause, Gao Shen rallied the team.

"Alright, let's approach the second half as planned. Remember, we have only one goal tonight: victory!"

In unison, the players rose to their feet, shouting, "Let's do it!"

...

...

As the second half commenced, a visibly fatigued Real Madrid initiated a high-pressing game against Arsenal.

Wenger had anticipated Real Madrid's adjustment and made tactical tweaks at halftime.

This allowed Real Madrid to regain possession smoothly and resume their dominance, but the game seemed to reach a stalemate.

After two training sessions, especially after the first half, Real Madrid had implemented Gao Shen's high-pressing tactics more effectively. Despite their physical exhaustion, it was proving effective.

Gao Shen made minor adjustments early in the second half, waiting patiently for a breakthrough.

As a coach, he couldn't step onto the field to substitute players, nor could he match their skill level. All he could do was wait.

The game reached a deadlock, but everyone knew Real Madrid's physical endurance wouldn't last.

If they couldn't break through early in the second half, their chances of winning were slim.