SWR: Chapter 1221/1225

Chapter 1221: Let's Avoid the Fight Between Gods

Given Gao Shen's current status in world football, there are few things that can truly trouble him.

Because of his exceptional standing, everyone must show him respect.

Whenever he speaks with intention, not only national football associations but even UEFA President Ceferin must listen carefully, and sometimes they might even have to act on his words immediately.

After all, Gao Shen's current position is founded on the achievements he has built over the years.

This legitimacy is far more convincing than that of officials like Ceferin, who are elected through votes.

If Ceferin were to show disrespect toward Gao Shen, it would be seen as disrespecting the entire European football system, which could also undermine his legitimacy as UEFA president.

Of course, this premise only stands as long as Gao Shen does nothing to damage his own reputation.

However, there are still matters that Gao Shen finds troublesome.

For example, the European Super League, which has long been a controversial topic within professional football circles in Europe.

Yes, it was the same decision that had caused a storm in domestic news before Gao Shen's transmigration in his previous life. In truth, the concept had existed for many years. Even back in the G14 era, discussions and feasibility plans had already begun, and the idea never disappeared.

After years of experience in European football, and especially now as the owner of Leeds United, Gao Shen has gained a much deeper understanding of this issue.

How should it be described?

Both UEFA and the clubs are ultimately motivated by profit.

From the clubs' perspective, this is the era of globalization. Local income for top teams now represents only a small portion of total revenue. Yet, whether it's the domestic leagues or the Champions League, apart from the Premier League, the top clubs from the other three major leagues have grown increasingly dissatisfied with how their leagues operate and with UEFA's management of the Champions League.

The reason is simple: they have failed to keep pace with globalization.

This is also why the Premier League remains the only dominant force today.

Moreover, the top clubs have long been dissatisfied with both the Football Associations and UEFA.

Veteran football fans are familiar with the G14. Even after its dissolution, the underlying tension has never gone away. Especially after the series of scandals that brought down figures like Blatter and Platini, UEFA's reputation hit rock bottom.

Take the Champions League as an example.

Almost all top clubs feel that while they work tirelessly to compete, UEFA takes a large portion of the money without doing much, while also limiting them with endless rules, adding smaller teams from minor nations just to share in the revenue.

This frustration is particularly evident among clubs like Real Madrid.

After all, it was Real Madrid that initiated the creation of the Champions League in the first place. What right does UEFA have to dictate to them?

Not only the Champions League, but even FIFA was founded through the efforts of these major clubs. So, what qualifications do these officials have to lecture their founding members now?

Indeed, this sentiment is shared among many top European clubs, whose dissatisfaction with UEFA has existed for a long time.

It's not just about scandals or politics, but because UEFA has crossed too many lines and interfered too much.

For instance, recent reports suggest that Ceferin has been studying amendments to the Financial Fair Play regulations to attract more sovereign wealth funds, such as those backing Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, into European football.

Unsurprisingly, many traditional football families are unhappy about this.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are already unsettling enough, yet UEFA wants to bring in more similar investors? How can the old footballing families compete under those circumstances?

Everyone knows why these sovereign funds enter football. They inflate transfer fees and player wages to extreme levels. If they one day pull out and leave behind chaos, who will clean up the mess?

In recent years, UEFA's leniency toward the financial audits of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain is an open secret. Now they actually want to welcome more of them?

So, whenever this happens, rumors about the top clubs forming a European Super League reappear, mainly as a means to pressure UEFA into concessions.

Does it work?

Yes.

For example, not long ago in Monaco, UEFA announced a reform to the prize distribution of the current Champions League season, allocating a larger share of the prize money based on each club's European performance over the past ten years.

This clearly benefits the top teams.

Still, these clubs remain uneasy because they have no influence over UEFA's internal decisions.

Especially now that UEFA is pushing the European Nations League and planning to further expand the Champions League, the interests of the top clubs are being directly threatened. Naturally, the tension continues to escalate.

All the above reflects the perspective of the clubs. But what about UEFA?

From UEFA's side, the situation is equally complicated.

The organization also feels it is being treated unfairly.

Take La Liga as an example. Real Madrid and Barcelona receive hundreds of millions in broadcasting revenue every year, while the remaining 18 teams combined barely earn the same amount.

Similarly, UEFA represents not just the four major leagues, but over 50 member nations.

In elections where each member gets one vote, how many votes do the four major leagues have compared to the combined total of the smaller countries?

From Platini to Ceferin, all have relied on votes from these smaller nations to secure their positions.

And these smaller nations hold deep resentment toward Western European football and the dominance of the big four leagues.

So, when UEFA slightly tilts the Champions League to favor weaker nations, and the rich clubs complain, UEFA can argue that the big clubs have been at the top for years, exploiting talent from all over Europe and the world. Why complain now?

In truth, the expansion of the Nations League and the Champions League is UEFA's attempt to grow its commercial influence, suppress the power of the big clubs, and reinforce its political legitimacy.

At the same time, it serves to repay the smaller nations whose votes keep them in power.

However, both these expansions increase players' workloads, which frustrates the clubs. When players represent their countries, the benefits go to the national teams, FIFA, and UEFA, while the clubs bear the risks and losses.

This contradiction has persisted for many years.

At this stage, it is nearly impossible to define who is right or wrong.

But from the current situation, UEFA is indeed becoming more powerful. This is evident in their continued promotion of the Nations League and plans for Champions League expansion and financial reform.

Reports suggest that Ceferin has already reached a consensus with Andrea Agnelli, the president of the European Club Association and chairman of Juventus. The two share a strong personal bond, with Ceferin even being the godfather of Agnelli's youngest daughter.

Wherever Ceferin goes, he seeks to consolidate more support for himself.

The Slovenian UEFA president presents himself as a diplomat, claiming to have received an Eastern European education and to be a firm supporter of disadvantaged groups.

In the past, Gao Shen had little to do with such "battles of the gods," but things are different now.

He is not only the most respected manager in world football but also the owner of Leeds United.

In recent years, Leeds United has been performing better and better in Europe. UEFA has praised the club as a rising force capable of breaking the established hierarchy among top European teams.

Most importantly, because of Gao Shen's influence, even the elite clubs led by Real Madrid can accept Leeds United's rise.

However, as Leeds United continues to grow, the ongoing conflict between UEFA and the giants has become increasingly unavoidable.

When it comes to the struggle between UEFA and the top clubs, Gao Shen's stance is to side with neither.

UEFA has indeed become more authoritarian and corrupt, making reform and oversight necessary. On the other hand, the European Super League proposed by the top clubs should also not be supported, as it strays from football's original spirit.

In fact, many fans might not realize that in Europe, especially in the Premier League, football clubs are deeply tied to their local communities. This connection goes beyond fan support and match attendance.

For example, among Leeds United's local sponsors in the UK, the most popular players are not global superstars like Mbappé, but homegrown heroes like Harry Kane in the past, and now Vardy and Kalvin Phillips.

Because they are local heroes.

Every month, Leeds United arranges for many players to participate in community activities. This is a way to give back to the local community and maintain that emotional bond between the club and its supporters.

Leeds United now treats not only the city of Leeds as its base but also extends its reach across Yorkshire, striving to expand and nurture its local fan base.

But if the European Super League were to be established, that emotional connection would be destroyed. Football would become nothing more than a playground for capital.

According to the Super League model from Gao Shen's previous life, a dozen wealthy clubs would play in a closed system without promotion or relegation, and every team would be guaranteed profits. How long could such a league possibly last?

Because neither side has clean hands, Gao Shen and Leeds United must tread carefully between them.

When Ceferin and Boban came to speak with him, Gao Shen couldn't avoid them, so he responded tactfully.

He adopted a strategy of deflection and neutrality, maintaining a consistent tone. No matter what was said, he simply nodded and agreed vaguely.

Express his opinion? No, he had none.

Show support? Sorry, Leeds United is just a small club. Our words carry little weight.

Don't believe it? Just listen to the Barcelona fans and Catalan media. They can curse and mock us thousands of times in a single day with endless creativity.

My opinion? I have no opinion.

Is it necessary to take a stance? Well, matters like this require caution, caution, and more caution. At most, we can try to win broader support from other clubs.

As for recommending him to join UEFA? That was out of the question. Gao Shen enjoyed being a head coach too much.

Gao Shen handled the matter very carefully, refusing to make any clear response no matter what Ceferin said.

Leeds United couldn't afford to offend either the top clubs or UEFA.

Besides, it was better to leave such public battles to the truly powerful.

But at the end of the conversation, Gao Shen made one thing clear.

"We can win this game tonight."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1222: He Is Too Fast

When Gao Shen saw Pochettino's starting lineup, his first reaction was to laugh.

But it wasn't a particularly happy kind of laugh.

Mainly because Pochettino was still not bold enough.

This was actually quite ironic.

As a head coach, Gao Shen had always been known for his stability. Even when he took risks, he pursued progress through steady means. But as a fan, he wished Pochettino would be more aggressive.

Anyway, he wasn't the coach tonight, so there was no pressure on him.

Goalkeeper: Alisson.

Defense: Robertson, Rúben Dias, De Ligt, and Alexander-Arnold.

Midfield: Rodri sitting deep, with Bruno Fernandes and Kalvin Phillips ahead.

Forwards: Mbappé, Milinkovic-Savic, and Ousmane Dembélé.

As expected, Pochettino had the same idea as Gao Shen, using Milinkovic-Savic as the front runner.

The Serbian midfielder's running ability and tactical discipline made him perfect for the role. Letting him push forward to suppress Busquets was indeed a clever move.

Everyone knows that when facing Barcelona, the key is to target Busquets.

By pairing Kalvin Phillips with Bruno Fernandes in midfield, Leeds United's strategy for the night was clear.

A solid defense with swift counterattacks.

Rodri would hold his position, while Phillips would press aggressively. His physicality was more than enough in the Premier League, let alone against Barcelona. His role was crucial in containing Coutinho.

Barcelona stuck to their usual 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Cillessen.

Defense: Alba, Lenglet, Piqué, and Roberto.

Midfield: Busquets sitting deep, with Coutinho and Vidal in front.

Forwards: Felipe Anderson, Agüero, and Messi.

Barcelona's attacking trident, all South American players, each possessed strong individual skills. Their one-on-one ability gave them a huge advantage, and if they combined effectively, their threat would multiply.

This trio would pose a serious challenge to Leeds United's defense tonight.

Of course, Leeds United were no pushovers either.

The La Liga leaders versus the Premier League champions, tonight's battle was definitely one between giants.

…

When Dutch referee Kuipers blew the whistle to start the match, the entire Camp Nou erupted with deafening cheers.

Among the Leeds United players, only Milinkovic-Savic stood in the center circle, while the two wingers, Mbappé and Dembélé, spread wide on either side.

As soon as the whistle blew, both wingers sprinted forward.

Milinkovic-Savic passed the ball back to Bruno Fernandes and immediately surged up the field.

Bruno Fernandes passed to Rodri, who sent a long ball toward the front.

Milinkovic-Savic made a forward run, used his body to block Busquets, and turned his back to goal. After controlling the ball, he tried to pass to Mbappé but was intercepted by former Leeds player Roberto.

Mbappé fouled Roberto while trying to win the ball back.

The entire Camp Nou filled with boos.

Barcelona fans were clearly trying to unsettle the Leeds United players, especially Mbappé.

Everyone could see that the French prodigy, who had dazzled at the World Cup, was Leeds United's biggest threat tonight.

Then came a scene that reflected Leeds United's tactical setup perfectly.

Roberto took the free kick quickly, but instead of playing it forward, he passed back to center-back Piqué.

Milinkovic-Savic sprinted straight at Piqué, then switched to press Lenglet.

At the same time, Leeds United's midfield and backline pressed forward together.

From their movements, it was clear that Leeds United intended to open with a high press, using the early tempo of the Camp Nou to their advantage.

Just as Gao Shen had said before, Barcelona's possession-based style had one flaw: a slow start.

If the tempo was increased early on, Barcelona could be forced onto the back foot.

Moreover, Barcelona's current midfield lacked the same passing and control ability it had during the Xavi-Iniesta era.

Milinkovic-Savic was nominally playing as a center forward, but whether he could consistently suppress Busquets remained to be seen. Gao Shen believed the high press was effective early, but once Leeds retreated, Milinkovic-Savic should focus on marking Busquets.

Another possibility was that Pochettino wanted Milinkovic-Savic to expend all his energy pressing from the start. But in that case, the Serbian midfielder wouldn't last the whole match, maybe just the first half.

That would mean an early substitution in the second half, which wasn't economical.

Facing Leeds United's pressing, Barcelona reacted quickly.

Alba broke forward from the left. Before Dembélé could close him down, Alba passed to Coutinho. The Brazilian midfielder played it to Messi.

Messi had drifted into the center, drawing Rodri with him, then passed the ball back to the left.

Felipe Anderson received it near the left side of the penalty area and curled a cross with his right foot toward Agüero near the penalty spot, but Alisson came off his line to claim it cleanly.

After catching the ball, Alisson quickly ran to the edge of the box and threw it to Robertson.

Robertson dribbled rapidly up the left flank, crossing the halfway line.

No Barcelona player closed him down until he reached about 30 meters from goal, when Roberto stepped up. Robertson passed the ball to Mbappé.

Mbappé looked for a quick one-two down the flank, but Roberto anticipated the move and slid in to clear the ball out of play.

Only one minute had passed.

The pace of the game was blistering.

…

Both sides transitioned between attack and defense at lightning speed.

Possession changed hands frequently, and neither team appeared conservative.

Players sprinted up and down the pitch relentlessly.

In recent years, this kind of high-intensity football had become more common, and teams unable to keep up were simply left behind.

The physical demands on the players were immense.

Leeds United's pressing up front was aggressive, but it left spaces behind them.

In the 3rd minute, Coutinho threaded a pass into the Leeds United penalty area. Messi chased it, but Rúben Dias blocked him off and cleared it to Alisson.

It was Barcelona's second entry into the Leeds penalty area within three minutes. Though neither posed a real threat, it reminded Leeds that Barcelona's passing and attacking rhythm remained formidable.

Pochettino was on the sideline shouting instructions, especially at Kalvin Phillips.

Coutinho's activity so early showed both his familiarity with Leeds' system and that Leeds hadn't applied enough pressure on him.

That was Phillips' responsibility.

Phillips, wearing his dreadlocks, raised a hand to acknowledge the message.

Alisson threw the ball to Arnold, but Barcelona intensified their high press.

Valverde could see Leeds United's plan clearly.

The White Rose wanted to suppress Barcelona.

But this was the Camp Nou.

Who could suppress Barcelona here?

The live camera suddenly panned to the executive stands. Nearly 100,000 Barcelona fans noticed Gao Shen sitting alongside UEFA President Ceferin.

Instantly, the atmosphere exploded.

Almost all the Barcelona fans began booing Gao Shen. Many near the executive box turned around and shouted at him, telling him to get out of Camp Nou.

If they could, they would probably have rushed up and attacked him.

Gao Shen was perfectly aware of this.

He shrugged helplessly.

"I told you something like this would happen."

His words made everyone around him, including Ceferin, burst into laughter.

No one else could provoke the hatred of an entire top club's fanbase like this.

What else could be said except that he was simply extraordinary?

Just as the fans continued booing Gao Shen, De Ligt passed the ball back to Alisson.

Under Barcelona's high press, Leeds United couldn't find space through Arnold or Robertson, so they recycled possession to their goalkeeper.

After controlling the ball, Alisson saw his center-backs spread wide and full-backs push forward. Understanding instantly, he launched a direct pass through the center before Messi could close him down.

Rodri dropped deep to receive, controlled the ball, turned left, and passed to Robertson.

Vidal was closing in, but Robertson didn't want to get tangled with him. He passed to Bruno Fernandes and sprinted forward.

Bruno saw Vidal charging toward him, so he played the ball back into the left channel.

Robertson caught up, looked up, and sent in a quick cross with his left foot.

Milinkovic-Savic positioned himself behind Busquets. As Lenglet stepped up, he used his body to shield the ball and volleyed it forward before it could touch the ground.

The pass cut through the space behind Barcelona's defensive line.

At that exact moment, Mbappé exploded into a sprint, instantly leaving Roberto behind and slicing through Barcelona's defense like a flash of lightning.

On the left side of the box, Mbappé got ahead of Piqué, pushed the ball forward, and suddenly accelerated again, completely shaking him off.

The entire Camp Nou gasped in shock.

Mbappé was too fast.

The French winger reached the ball on the left edge of the penalty area and, facing Cillessen rushing off his line, calmly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner of the goal.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"Mbappé!!!"

"Leeds United launched a lightning counterattack just over three minutes into the match, and Mbappé calmly finished it."

"1-0!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1223: Messi Can't Do It

"Pochettino's preparations tonight were very detailed."

In the stands, Lucas tilted his head toward Gao Shen with a smile.

After Mbappé's opening goal, the game entered a stalemate.

Barcelona began to counterattack, but Leeds United quickly switched to a defensive strategy.

Unlike the opening stage, when their high pressing left them exposed and repeatedly hit by Barcelona on the break, Leeds United's overall performance improved greatly once they stabilized defensively.

Kalvin Phillips effectively suppressed Coutinho, limiting his influence, which significantly reduced Barcelona's threat through midfield. Although Vidal covered a lot of ground and was good at arriving late into the box, his creativity and passing ability were limited.

At this stage, Messi often drifted into the central areas.

Rodri, Rúben Dias, and De Ligt formed a triangle in front of the penalty area, with Rodri positioned slightly higher, like the tip of a spear, specifically aimed at blocking Messi's path.

As Gao Shen had said before, if it were Kimmich alone defending Messi, it would be difficult. But Rodri was doing an excellent job, and with solid cover behind him, Leeds United's defense looked very secure.

Felipe Anderson, playing as an inverted winger on the left, used his right foot to cut inside. Because of that, Arnold positioned himself slightly narrower when defending.

On the other side, Robertson's approach was different. Since Messi frequently moved into the center, Robertson pushed higher up the pitch. This not only supported Mbappé's attack but also limited Vidal's influence.

The biggest tactical masterstroke, however, was Milinkovic-Savic.

At the start, when he pressed Piqué and Lenglet, many thought he was playing as a striker. But in truth, he was acting as a false nine, with great positional flexibility.

When Leeds pressed high, he directly pressured Piqué and Lenglet. When they dropped deeper, he shifted to mark Busquets.

The key was in transition. Whenever Leeds switched from defense to attack, Milinkovic-Savic was the first to appear in the gap between Busquets and the center-backs, serving as the team's pivot.

Mbappé's goal earlier came precisely from that position.

It was a brilliant piece of tactical design by Pochettino.

"The use of Milinkovic-Savic was very clever," UEFA President Ceferin praised.

He enjoyed sports and often played indoor football, though his understanding of tactics was limited, having previously worked as a lawyer.

But hearing Ceferin's words made Gao Shen feel quietly proud.

Whether it was his initial suggestion to utilize Milinkovic-Savic earlier in the season, or his later prediction that Pochettino would rely on him, both had proven to be spot on.

"On the football pitch, no matter how techniques and tactics evolve, they always revolve around one principle: higher, faster, stronger," Gao Shen said calmly.

Some might ask, what about geniuses like Messi and Ronaldinho?

Go back and watch Messi when he first debuted.

He was frail. Though his technique was excellent, he was constantly bullied physically and suffered frequent injuries. Many feared he would burn out early.

So what changed later?

It was all about building his body.

Being able to hold off defenders in central areas, do you really think Messi is weak?

Even Neymar, a winger known for his flair, possesses impressive physical resilience.

In European football, players who can't handle physical battles get eliminated quickly.

The reason these technically gifted players sometimes appear slight or not overly muscular is because of their style of play.

Imagine if Messi bulked up like Drogba. Would he still be able to execute such quick, intricate moves?

Many wonder why Ronaldo, who had dazzling footwork as a youngster, later became more direct and less flashy.

The answer lies in adaptation. To succeed in the Premier League and carry Manchester United, he had to strengthen his physique. But those very muscles made it harder to execute the same fancy tricks, so his style became simpler and more efficient, leading many to believe he could no longer dribble like before.

In the end, a player's physique serves his role on the pitch.

No matter how football evolves, there will always be one kind of player who never goes out of style:

The kind who can use their body to overpower defenders and create space for themselves and their teammates.

It doesn't have to be a traditional striker. It could be someone like Milinkovic-Savic or Fellaini.

Because such players are a tactical weapon in themselves.

Unlike Fellaini, Milinkovic-Savic has better footwork, superior passing, and excellent off-ball movement, making him more adaptable to various systems.

Just like now, he can drop back to mark Busquets, press the center-backs, or support the attack in transition by positioning himself where a striker would normally drop deep.

From this alone, it's clear that he's the most important tactical piece for Leeds United tonight.

His presence disrupts Barcelona's passing lanes from the back to midfield, making it difficult for them to find Coutinho or Messi. Combined with Phillips' pressing, Barcelona's forward progression was effectively blocked.

As a result, Messi had to drop deeper to receive the ball.

But by dropping too deep, another issue arose for Barcelona.

In the past, when Messi came deep, Iniesta and Xavi could combine with him in tight spaces to create fluid passing triangles. That was the core of Barcelona's dominance for years.

Now, Messi drops back, but Coutinho, though talented, lacks that chemistry with him. As for Vidal... best not to mention him.

That meant when Messi got the ball, he had no one nearby to combine with.

Left with no options, he had to dribble forward repeatedly on his own.

Even if Maradona himself came back, Messi couldn't do it all alone.

On the pitch, both teams battled fiercely around the halfway line.

Leeds United concentrated their defensive structure in that zone, making it nearly impossible for Barcelona to break through into their defensive third.

Since Leeds dropped back, more than twenty minutes had passed, and the situation remained unchanged.

The White Rose started with more possession, but it gradually tilted in Barcelona's favor.

Now, Barcelona had the ball, but they couldn't find a breakthrough.

"If we can hold this, we'll definitely have a chance before halftime," Gao Shen said confidently.

Lucas and Borrell both nodded.

Having conceded early and failed to score for so long, Barcelona were desperate to equalize before halftime.

If they went into the break trailing by one at home, it would be a huge psychological blow.

Especially since they hadn't been able to threaten Leeds United for most of the half, questions would arise about their attack.

Confidence is everything in football.

If Barcelona wanted to score before halftime, they had to push harder.

But that would open up space, and counterattacks were exactly what Leeds United excelled at.

The situation now was actually more favorable for Leeds United, provided their defense held firm.

…

Thirty minutes passed quickly.

The match grew increasingly stagnant.

Barcelona couldn't find a way through Leeds United's defensive wall, and frustration spread among the home fans at Camp Nou.

This was supposed to be a star-studded team!

And that infuriating man was sitting right there in the stands!

How could they lose face in front of him?

The fans began shouting louder, urging their team to press higher and attack harder.

Whenever the players passed the ball backward, it was tolerated once or twice, but repeated passes drew growing dissatisfaction.

By the 35th minute, Valverde became visibly anxious and stepped to the touchline, signaling his team to increase the press and push harder for a goal.

If they could equalize before halftime, the second half would be much easier.

Pochettino, however, seemed fully confident in his players. He didn't pull them back but instead maintained the battle around midfield.

Rodri, Phillips, and Bruno Fernandes, along with Milinkovic-Savic pressing Busquets, were now operating in perfect coordination, keeping the team compact and balanced.

Kalvin Phillips, in particular, stood out.

His energy and pressing were relentless. Last season in the Premier League, he averaged 2.7 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, and 1.7 clearances per game, while covering the most ground among Leeds players.

Many called him the "big Kante."

In the 39th minute, as the game neared the 40th, Alba pushed forward to join the attack. His pass to Coutinho was rushed and off target.

As Coutinho controlled the ball, Phillips had already closed in, forcing the Brazilian to make a hurried pass. Phillips blocked it with his foot.

Instantly, the midfield turned chaotic.

Phillips reacted first, poking the loose ball to Milinkovic-Savic nearby.

The Serbian midfielder quickly moved forward, used his body to shield Busquets, controlled the ball with his right foot, and passed it to Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese midfielder didn't stop the ball but played a first-time pass behind the defense.

The ball slipped perfectly between Piqué and Lenglet. Barcelona's defensive line had pushed up to about 30 meters, leaving a massive gap behind.

Mbappé was already on his toes, ready to burst forward.

In an instant, the Camp Nou erupted again.

Mbappé surged past Piqué with blistering pace, latched onto Bruno Fernandes' pass at the top of the box, and drove straight into the area.

Goalkeeper Cillessen rushed out, but Mbappé was quicker. He poked the ball past the keeper, then sprinted after it.

At the edge of the six-yard box, Mbappé caught up and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net.

This time, drawing from his previous experience at Stamford Bridge, he struck the ball with full power, losing balance as he fell.

But the ball flew straight into Barcelona's goal.

2-0!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1224: Post-High-Tech Era

"Goalllllllllllllllll!"

"Mbappé!!"

"A brace!"

"The French prodigy from Leeds United has torn through Barcelona's defense with two lightning-fast counterattacks!"

"He's so fast!"

"No one in Barcelona's backline could stop him!"

"Let's look at the slow-motion replay. Leeds United's entire buildup was brilliant. Milinkovic-Savic received the ball with his back to goal and laid it off to Bruno Fernandes."

"Barcelona's defensive line was too high, leaving huge spaces behind, giving Mbappé the perfect chance to showcase his speed."

"This is reminiscent of the France vs. Argentina match in the World Cup."

"Mbappé thrives in situations like this. Whether it's long runs or explosive dribbles, this is where he's at his best."

"2-0, and Barcelona are now in serious trouble."

The live broadcast camera cut to the touchline, focusing on Barcelona head coach Valverde.

It was clear that the moment Mbappé scored, Valverde turned away in agony, covering his face and shaking his head, clearly devastated by the goal.

Conceding two goals in a row at Camp Nou was unacceptable.

Before this match, both the Catalan media and Barcelona's fans had been overflowing with confidence and fighting spirit.

Especially after Vardy's injury, Barcelona's confidence had soared.

But no one expected that Leeds United wouldn't be affected by Vardy's absence. Instead, they surprised everyone by introducing Milinkovic-Savic in the false nine role, a tactical adjustment that stunned everyone.

Milinkovic-Savic was not a newcomer. On the contrary, he had been well-known in the Premier League for some time and had performed consistently for Leeds United. But it was only this season that he truly broke out.

The reason was that after Leeds United sold several key players in the summer, they adjusted their entire tactical structure, elevating Milinkovic-Savic's importance within the squad.

And tonight, under the lights of Camp Nou, he had become a vital tactical piece in Leeds United's system.

The worst part for Barcelona was that they were completely unprepared for this.

…

"2-0," Gao Shen muttered to himself, then shook his head. "We still need to work harder."

"You're still not satisfied?" UEFA's football director Boban laughed when he heard that.

"This is Barcelona," Gao Shen replied calmly. "This is Camp Nou. The moment you feel satisfied, you're already close to failure."

Boban thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Right now, Leeds United were playing freely while Barcelona struggled, but if Leeds became complacent, everything could flip in an instant. Barcelona could seize control, and Leeds United would suddenly find themselves under siege.

Do you really think that players like Messi, Felipe Anderson, Agüero, and Coutinho are just bystanders?

Once Barcelona finds their rhythm, they can unleash wave after wave of relentless attacks, and Leeds United would be in serious danger.

Modern football is no longer about individual brilliance. It is entirely system-driven.

Even a player as great as Messi must operate within a functioning system to be effective.

Once Barcelona's system starts running smoothly, Leeds United's advantage could disappear instantly.

"In the first half, that's exactly how it should go," Gao Shen analyzed confidently. "Pochettino must hold the defensive line and not drop back too deep in the second half. If he becomes conservative, the advantage they've worked so hard for will vanish."

Two goals were nothing to a team like Barcelona. They could turn it around in just a few minutes.

…

While the intense battle at Camp Nou continued, in the president's office of Real Madrid's headquarters north of Valdebebas in Madrid, Florentino Pérez was also watching the match.

Gathered around him were CEO José Sánchez, Butragueño, vice-chairman Tapias, Valdano, and Zidane.

They were all focused on the game.

Every so often, the camera panned across the Camp Nou stands, showing Gao Shen chatting and laughing with UEFA President Ceferin.

He looked to be in excellent spirits.

But that only made the atmosphere in Real Madrid's office heavier.

Because just last night, in Moscow, Real Madrid had suffered a 0-1 away defeat to CSKA Moscow.

They had already lost 0-3 away to Sevilla, 0-1 at home to Atlético Madrid, and now 0-1 away to CSKA Moscow. While there was some element of chance in those defeats, most of it reflected deeper, systemic problems.

And those problems were very serious.

Even worse, their tenth league fixture would be an away match at Camp Nou.

Given Real Madrid's current state, could they even handle Barcelona?

"Actually, if you look at Leeds United's match, Barcelona's form doesn't look that great either," Tapias said, trying to sound optimistic.

"Yes, the World Cup had a huge impact. Our players are generally not in good condition. It's not just us, Barcelona also—"

Before José Sánchez could finish, Florentino interrupted.

"But Mbappé is in great form and just scored twice."

José Sánchez immediately fell silent.

There was simply no comparison.

Last season, Real Madrid also had a poor first half. They even lost twice to Leeds United in the Champions League group stage.

Even the Real Madrid board had considered dismissing him. Though Florentino, Butragueño, and José Sánchez supported Gao Shen, many directors doubted him.

Florentino, despite his authority, didn't wield absolute power. He could make decisions for the club, but not over the board.

It was unbelievable, but why didn't Gao Shen get fired in the end?

Because he made it clear he would never resign voluntarily. If Real Madrid wanted him gone, they'd have to pay an enormous termination fee.

Eventually, the board compromised and allowed him to stay until the end of the season.

Who could have predicted that Gao Shen would lead the team to two trophies — La Liga and the Champions League?

Looking back, Florentino, Sánchez, and everyone else had to admit that the difficult start to that season stemmed from their failure to support Gao Shen in the 2017 summer transfer window, which disrupted the team's renewal process.

Now, in the new season, Real Madrid were struggling again. Their form in La Liga was poor, they were faltering in the Champions League, and internal conflicts were mounting.

Benítez had not spoken to several core players for a long time. There was no communication, which was deeply alarming.

Both teams had players who participated in the World Cup, so why were Leeds United's players thriving while Real Madrid's were declining?

Under Gao Shen, whether during the 2014 World Cup or the 2016 Euros, Real Madrid had never been in such disarray.

"What if, I mean if, we can't beat Barcelona in the tenth round?" Florentino asked quietly.

In recent seasons, Gao Shen had never lost to Barcelona, not even at Camp Nou.

Losing to Barcelona had become almost unthinkable for Real Madrid fans.

Gao Shen had raised their expectations to an impossible standard.

It was unfair to his successors, but it was also reality.

Valdano and Zidane both stayed silent, knowing how difficult the situation was.

Florentino's gaze swept across the room and settled on Zidane.

"Zinedine, have you thought about what I mentioned to you earlier?"

At that moment, the halftime whistle blew at Camp Nou, drawing everyone's attention to Zidane.

The Frenchman gave a helpless smile, rubbed his bald head, and said, "I'm not sure I can do better than Benítez."

Everyone fell silent.

But after a moment's thought, it made sense.

Zidane's status and reputation were immense, but among Real Madrid's current players, who didn't have a legendary status of their own?

With so many Champions League and La Liga titles between them, managing that dressing room was one of the hardest jobs in football.

Even world-class coaches like Ancelotti had tried to avoid it. Who would willingly risk their legacy at the Bernabéu?

As long as you stayed out, you could preserve your image. But once you stepped in, you could easily end up like Benítez.

In today's football world, who else besides Gao Shen did these players truly respect?

But Gao Shen was gone, part of the past now.

Real Madrid had to look forward, toward the future — the post-professional era.

"We must fully support Rafa and stabilize the team at all costs," Florentino said firmly. "Both the league and the Champions League are our lifelines. The away match against Barcelona is crucial. We must, at the very least, avoid defeat."

Many times, once fans' anger is ignited, even Florentino, as president, has to act decisively.

Ultimately, though he held immense power, his authority came from Real Madrid's members.

He was a servant of Real Madrid, a representative of its board.

Florentino refused to believe that under his leadership, Real Madrid would fall into decline like Manchester United.

As long as he was in charge, Real Madrid would never become the next Manchester United.

Never.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1225: Conquer Camp Nou

When the players from both sides returned to Camp Nou, everyone noticed that Pochettino and Valverde had made no personnel changes. Clearly, both managers intended to continue with their first-half lineups, though there might be some minor tactical adjustments.

With the whistle from Kuipers, Agüero tapped the ball back to Coutinho.

Almost instantly, Leeds United's front three pressed forward aggressively.

Milinkovic-Savic led the charge. He sprinted straight at Coutinho, and when the Brazilian passed back to center-back Lenglet, Milinkovic-Savic immediately shifted direction and closed him down.

Leeds United's attacking trio advanced step by step, and the midfield and defense pushed up behind them, collectively applying pressure and forcing Lenglet to pass back to the goalkeeper.

Milinkovic-Savic didn't hesitate, charging straight toward Cillessen and forcing the goalkeeper to clear the ball long.

The ball crossed the halfway line, but De Ligt judged it well, stepped forward, and outmuscled Felipe Anderson to head it back.

The two sides then fought for possession in the area between the halfway line and Barcelona's 30-meter zone.

"It's clear that Leeds United's tactics at the start of the second half are still aggressive. They're pressing high again, which is Pochettino's specialty."

"Despite leading 2-0, the Premier League champions obviously don't want Barcelona to control the tempo. They're fighting to maintain it themselves."

"The referee's whistle goes for a foul by Rúben Dias on Messi, but no card is shown."

"Leeds United's central defenders are incredibly young. Rúben Dias is only 21, De Ligt just 19, and even Militão, sitting on the bench, is only 20."

"This youth is one of Leeds United's biggest assets. They play with energy and intensity, and their high pressing in the first half completely disrupted Barcelona's rhythm. It played a crucial role in their dominance."

"But in the second half, did Valverde find a solution?"

As the commentator spoke, a gap appeared on Leeds United's right flank.

Arnold carried the ball up along the sideline, reached Barcelona's 30-meter zone, and suddenly switched play with a long pass.

The ball flew across most of the pitch, landing near the left corner of Barcelona's penalty area.

No one was marking that space.

Barcelona's defense reacted quickly, and Roberto rushed over immediately.

Robertson controlled the ball and passed it back to Bruno Fernandes without hesitation before surging forward.

The Portuguese midfielder understood instantly and chipped a lobbed pass behind the defense.

The pass was slightly overhit. Robertson caught up and managed to keep it in play, but his attempted cross struck the side netting.

"That attack didn't pose a threat, but Leeds United's entire sequence showed organization and creativity."

"Arnold's long diagonal was especially clever. When everyone thought he'd deliver into the box, he suddenly switched to the weak side. Brilliant thinking."

Soon after, Leeds United intercepted in midfield again. Kalvin Phillips cut off a pass and quickly fed Rodri, who relayed it to Bruno Fernandes and then to Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbian midfielder received with his back to goal, turned to his right, and passed quickly to Dembélé. The young Frenchman drove down the right and crossed from near the byline.

Unfortunately, the cross carried too much pace.

"Leeds United are pressing very aggressively, while Barcelona are clearly struggling."

"Their midfield progression is stalling, and they can't find space to move forward."

"Leeds United, on the other hand, are building waves of attack. Barcelona must be cautious."

"Mbappé has dropped deeper to receive the ball with his back to goal."

"All three of Leeds United's attackers are rotating and dropping back frequently."

"Now Mbappé holds it on the left. Robertson is already overlapping, waiting for the pass."

"Mbappé doesn't release it yet. He dribbles forward, draws the defenders in, and then passes."

"Robertson collects it near the left edge of the box and sends in a cross toward Milinkovic-Savic."

"He controls it with his back to goal, spins, and shoots!"

"A beautiful move."

"Milinkovic-Savic's shot deflects off Lenglet and bounces out."

"Leeds United recover the loose ball. Another chance here."

"It's sent wide to Dembélé, who finds space down the flank. He drives to the byline and whips in a cross, aiming for Milinkovic-Savic again."

"It's headed clear, but Bruno Fernandes is waiting at the edge of the area. He goes for the volley!"

Gasps filled the Camp Nou.

Nearly 100,000 Barcelona fans held their breath.

Bruno Fernandes' strike was pure quality, but it flew just over the bar.

It was the 52nd minute. Since the start of the second half, Leeds United had relentlessly attacked, pinning Barcelona deep and dominating completely.

Barcelona hadn't managed a single entry into Leeds United's box, let alone a shot on target.

"Barcelona are in real trouble now. Leeds United's aggressive offensive structure is tearing them apart."

"Playing through Milinkovic-Savic in the middle has been incredibly effective."

"And Bruno Fernandes' long-range threat can't be ignored. He scored several goals like this last season. Barcelona need to protect the space in front of their box better."

"Vidal must track Bruno Fernandes more closely."

…

After around ten minutes of intense attacking, Leeds United began to ease off and regroup.

Barcelona gradually regained some possession and started to advance slowly.

That was normal.

The furious tempo at the start of the half had consumed a lot of energy.

If Leeds United didn't manage their stamina, they could tire too early and lose control later.

Even for a physically dominant side like Pochettino's, that level of exertion couldn't last forever.

Once Leeds slowed the pace, they consolidated their structure around the halfway line.

Barcelona stabilized through short passes, circulating the ball before attempting to push forward.

Near midfield, Busquets passed to Coutinho despite Milinkovic-Savic closing him down.

But Kalvin Phillips anticipated it, charging in from the side. Using his body, he nudged Coutinho aside and stole the ball cleanly.

Leeds United immediately counterattacked.

Phillips sent the ball ahead to Dembélé on the right. The winger chested it down, turned, and played it inside to Milinkovic-Savic.

Again, the Serbian positioned himself between Barcelona's defensive midfielder and center-backs. Lenglet stepped up, but Milinkovic-Savic shielded the ball with strength and composure. He waited until Arnold overlapped before releasing the pass to the right.

After laying it off, Milinkovic-Savic burst forward into the box.

Arnold dribbled into the right channel and whipped in a low cross toward him.

Milinkovic-Savic met it at the right edge of the penalty area, controlling it deftly with the outside of his foot before flicking it to Dembélé at the penalty spot.

Barcelona's defense had collapsed inward, shifting toward the middle and right side.

On the far side, Mbappé was unmarked near the left corner of the six-yard box, raising his hand for the pass.

But Dembélé couldn't find room to shoot. Shielding the ball from Busquets, he rolled it back to the edge of the box instead.

Bruno Fernandes was waiting, perfectly positioned. As soon as the ball reached him, he took one touch and drove it forward.

The strike flew through a gap between defenders, cutting across the penalty area before slamming into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Cillessen, distracted by Mbappé's movement and partially unsighted, didn't even see the shot coming.

Bruno Fernandes, who had nearly scored earlier, made no mistake this time.

"Goalllllllllllllllllll!"

"In the 58th minute, Bruno Fernandes scores again for Leeds United!"

"3-0!!!"

"Oh my god, what a sequence! Dembélé's back pass, and Bruno Fernandes hammers it home for Leeds United's third!"

"Barcelona's defense has completely fallen apart tonight, especially in midfield. Leeds United have destroyed their structure."

"Maybe Leeds United's passing isn't as intricate as Barcelona's, maybe their players are young, maybe they don't have world-class stars, but this group of young men have unleashed an attacking storm at Camp Nou."

"Just like last season, when they conquered the Bernabéu!"

"Perhaps we need to rethink our predictions for Group B. Maybe Leeds United are the biggest wildcard, and possibly the favorites to top the group."

"Based on their performance tonight at Camp Nou, we have every reason to expect more from these young players."

"3-0!"

"Valverde must act quickly now."

"Barcelona's performance tonight has been truly disappointing. They don't look like a team determined to challenge for the title."

"Their rhythm has been completely broken by Leeds United. The players have shown no urgency, no hunger, and no determination. Instead, they look lethargic and uninspired."

"That's Barcelona's biggest problem right now."

"In La Liga, they're winless in three consecutive games."

"Nearly 100,000 fans at Camp Nou are expressing their frustration by booing, furious at both Leeds United's dominance and their own team's lack of fight."

(To be continued.)