SWR: Chapter 1152/1154

Chapter 1152: We Must Bring Back the Championship Trophy

"Thank you, Gao, for your contribution to the team over the past two years. Now we are on the right track and very close to success, an unprecedented success!"

Real Madrid president Florentino stood on stage, delivering a passionate speech.

"When opportunities lie before us, we must go all out and fight to the end in these final games!"

"When you put on this Real Madrid jersey, you have to fight for it and give your all. This is what I, and the Real Madrid fans, ask of you!"

Gao Shen stood to the side and watched Florentino grow increasingly animated, raising his hands and rallying the players.

This group of young players was clearly inspired.

They had to be in the best mental state to chase a feat never before achieved in Spanish football, the treble.

After Gao Shen finished listening, he gently nudged Real Madrid's chief of staff, Manuel Redondo, with his elbow and asked, "Did you write this speech?"

Redondo nodded calmly. He was still listening intently as the president spoke.

Even though he wrote it, he knew it by heart.

"Well written. Next time you get the chance, write one for me," Gao Shen chuckled.

Redondo smiled faintly. "Forget it. Everyone knows you never need a script to fire people up."

He is famous for his stirring speeches.

"Not really. I have been a little short on words lately," Gao Shen said with a wry smile.

"Is that so?" Valdano found it amusing.

"Think about it. It has been years and so many matches. Do I really have that much to say?" Gao Shen complained.

No matter how eloquent you are, there comes a time when you run out of fresh lines.

In recent years, he had been asked to give motivational talks at least twice before every match, and he felt a bit speechless.

He used to brag he never repeated himself. Now he would not dare say that.

How could there be no repetition?

Valdano and Redondo were both quietly amused.

In truth, Gao Shen's motivational work was already excellent. Most coaches do not have that skill.

More importantly, Gao Shen is genuinely good at talking with players. It is said they can talk about anything.

"If you do not say anything, I will take it as a yes. Help me prepare a few motivational drafts and I will treat you to a meal," Gao Shen whispered.

Redondo did not agree.

Did he really think this kind of speech was easy to write?

Still, Florentino's impassioned address was indeed strong, and team morale clearly rose.

Of course, the huge bonus Real Madrid offered was also a powerful incentive.

…

After the president finished, the players dispersed to have lunch.

To further show his closeness to the team, Florentino and the others would also dine at Valdebebas.

The food at Real Madrid is excellent. The chefs are well-known in Spain. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, and often the coaching staff even provides recipes for the kitchen to prepare.

As for the coaching staff's meals, they are top-notch.

Florentino is 67, not young anymore, so his meals are relatively light. The same went for Valdano. Gao Shen, Zidane, and others ate more.

"How about it? What do you think about the upcoming Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals?" Florentino asked Gao Shen, who sat opposite him, while cutting into his steak.

The others nearby also looked on with interest.

At Real Madrid today, Florentino's word is law.

"I think what Xabi Alonso said to UEFA was quite good. We are on the right path and have been building our advantages for the past two years..."

After a pause, Gao Shen smiled slightly and said with confidence, "Do not worry. We will bring back both trophies."

Hearing this, Florentino immediately smiled.

If they really won an unprecedented treble, it would be his greatest achievement since taking charge of Real Madrid.

He had always taken the great presidents Bernabéu and Mendoza as his benchmarks. At present, it seemed he had no problem surpassing Mendoza, but there was still a gap to Bernabéu.

At the very least, the stadium bears Bernabéu's name.

This is also why many say Florentino will certainly renovate the Bernabéu.

He wants to write his own page in Real Madrid's history.

If Real Madrid could win the treble this season, it would undoubtedly kickstart that legendary journey early.

This mattered greatly to Florentino.

"If you need anything, let us know. I have already notified the administration. The club's top priority is ensuring the first team's matches and preparation."

Gao Shen nodded, then glanced at José Sánchez, Valdano, and Butragueño, and found them all nodding.

Clearly, they would follow the president's orders without compromise.

"Then I suggest the team go to Lisbon as soon as possible to find a good hotel," Gao Shen grinned.

Everyone smiled.

That was real confidence.

The semi-finals had not even started, and they were already booking hotels.

"Actually, the semi-final draw is not bad. Among the three teams, Bayern are the easiest to deal with right now," Gao Shen explained.

"Oh?" Florentino was a little surprised.

"Guardiola's first season at Bayern has not been very successful. He is still adapting to Bayern, and Bayern are adapting to him. He wants to transplant the Tiki-Taka possession system to Bayern, but it is not fitting the environment well."

"More importantly, Bayern's players are not fully suited to that style, and the squad balance is also an issue."

Many say Bayern's left winger, Ribéry, seems to be playing the role of Barcelona's Messi, but in reality, while they look similar, their characteristics are very different.

Ribéry cannot perform the same refined off-ball movements as Messi. His strengths are in controlling the ball and the actions after receiving it. He needs the ball to be effective.

Without the ball, Ribéry's movement is not particularly intelligent.

Bayern's best off-ball runner is Thomas Müller, which is why he performs best and is most influential in Guardiola's system.

However, Bayern's problem is also serious, namely the lack of a proper No 4.

Although Schweinsteiger was converted to a holding midfielder, he is by no means a natural No 4. Guardiola even tried Lahm and Alaba there, but that sacrifices the width.

This is a very serious issue.

Because the No 4 role is vital in Guardiola's system.

In Gao Shen's previous life, Guardiola even bought Xabi Alonso to use him as a No 4.

Thiago is currently Bayern's most creative midfielder, but he is not a No 4. Moreover, since joining Bayern, Thiago has been frequently injured. After entering April, he suffered a medial collateral ligament injury and was likely to miss the rest of the season.

As a result, Guardiola is stretched.

What is more, Bayern have had defensive problems. Van Buyten is aging, and Badstuber's cruciate ligament tear ruined his season early.

Last summer, Bayern originally wanted to sign Koulibaly from Leeds United, but failed to beat Chelsea to him. They later contacted Jérôme Boateng at Manchester City but could not pry him away. Nor could they persuade Hummels from Dortmund, leaving Bayern's defense barely holding together.

Guardiola even used Vidal as a centre-back at one point, which was the Chilean midfielder's old position in the national team.

He started his career as a centre-back and left-back.

To some extent, Guardiola's tactical system played a crucial role in getting Bayern to the semi-finals, but going one step further would be difficult.

Of course, the draw also played a part.

If Bayern had met Real Madrid, or a team like Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, or Paris Saint-Germain earlier, they might have gone out.

"Do not worry. No one knows Guardiola better than I do," Gao Shen said with a knowing smile.

Florentino and the others also laughed.

Everyone knows Guardiola began as Gao Shen's assistant, and when he coached Barcelona, it was Gao Shen who strongly recommended him.

If anyone in European football knows Guardiola best, it is probably Gao Shen.

Sometimes Gao Shen thinks that Guardiola's Tiki-Taka possession game may not suit Germany or the Premier League. It is a tactical style specific to Spain and Barcelona.

Change the country, the team, and the personnel, and it becomes hard to adapt.

That is why, in Gao Shen's previous life, from Bayern to Manchester City, Guardiola never quite succeeded in the Champions League.

Of course, the system has a high floor and is very stable over a league season, which is an undeniable advantage.

But in the Champions League, Gao Shen is very confident.

…

After the Almería match, Real Madrid took a brief rest at Valdebebas and flew to Valencia on the evening of the 15th to prepare for the Copa del Rey final on the 16th.

Because Madrid is a bit far from Valencia, they needed to travel the night before.

For example, Barcelona is much closer to Valencia, so they could do a same-day round trip.

On the afternoon before departure, Gao Shen held the pre-match press conference at Valdebebas, announced the squad, and answered questions from many journalists.

Regarding the Copa del Rey final, Gao Shen said he and his players were full of confidence.

"It is a very important match, without a doubt, not just because we are playing Barcelona."

"I have said before that our goal this season is the treble, and the Copa del Rey final is our second trophy of the season. We have already won La Liga, and now it is the Copa del Rey's turn."

"We must win, and we will win. We all have that confidence."

"I always believe my team will be the best and most outstanding team."

"We will prove it again in tomorrow's final."

Gao Shen also pointed out the key, "It is very important to score first against Barcelona."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1153: The Last Champion

On the evening of April 16, at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.

In the 2013/14 Spanish Copa del Rey final, Barcelona faced Real Madrid.

Gao Shen stood in front of the visitors' technical area, watching the game in silence.

Within two or three minutes of the start, he clearly saw Martino's starting tactics for the night.

Before every match, especially important ones, both head coaches will make targeted adjustments and changes. Some changes are big, such as position switches, and are obvious.

But some are so subtle you might not notice them throughout the game.

As a professional head coach, you must pay attention to the opponent's changes, even try your best to dig them out, and then restrain and respond to them, so as to avoid being targeted by the opponent's tactics.

For example, tonight's Copa del Rey final.

Martino's setup was still a 4-3-3, and the lineup had not changed much.

Goalkeeper: Pinto.

Defense: Alba, Bartra, Piqué, and Alves.

Midfield: Busquets dropping deeper, with Fàbregas and Xavi in the middle.

Forwards: Iniesta, Messi, and Neymar.

At first glance, everyone must have thought, is this not the same tactic used in the previous Clásico?

Neymar plays on the right, and Iniesta drops to support the midfield, ensuring stability in the middle. At the same time, it can also strengthen ball progression and running in midfield, maximizing compensation for Barcelona's lack of running in the middle and consolidating their ball control.

But this style of play had already been beaten by Real Madrid. It had no effect.

Is Martino foolish?

Why bring out the same plan?

This would be the first impression in the minds of ordinary fans, and even TV commentators, when seeing the starting lineup and players' positions after the game began.

Martino had given up.

But what was the reality?

Barcelona showed signs of adjustment in their first attack, and in their second attack the players' positions completely exposed the series of tweaks Martino made for this game.

When Barcelona won the ball in their back line and when Piqué received it, their entire shape became a 4-2-4.

In other words, only Xavi and Busquets were left in midfield.

Immediately afterward, both full-backs pushed high and the shape became 2-4-4.

Where was the change?

In addition to Iniesta, Messi, and Neymar as the front three, Fàbregas also pushed up straight away.

Messi stayed close to Neymar, Fàbregas occupied the central zone in front, and the pass went to Fàbregas.

In other words, Martino was using Fàbregas as the attacking fulcrum.

But what about when defending?

Right after the kickoff, Real Madrid implemented their refined tactical idea, seeking an early goal, and launched an attack. When Barcelona defended, not to mention the back four, both Neymar and Iniesta tracked back, forming a 4-1-4-1 defensive shape with only Messi left up top.

This was the biggest difference between this Barcelona and the previous one.

If you did not look carefully, it would be easy to think it was just player movement. In fact, this must have been a deliberate arrangement by Martino, intended to create more threat in attack.

Messi, Neymar, and Alves basically operated on the right, which is Real Madrid's left.

To some extent, Martino's approach was aggressive, even carrying the momentum of going all in against Real Madrid.

This was a counterattack borne of desperation, with no way back.

But the cost was also obvious, namely issues on the defensive end.

After the start, Real Madrid created several chances in succession. First, Ronaldo's quick counter shot went wide, then Benzema went to the left channel to receive and fed Ronaldo. The Portuguese controlled at the top of the box, turned, and shot, but missed.

But Barcelona persisted.

…

"This is the last trophy Martino can fight for."

Carlo said with a sigh in the visitors' coaching booth.

The cruelty of professional football lies in winning and losing. It is a world where success or failure defines everything.

Only if you win will you be honored. If you lose, you are nothing.

This was true for Martino today, and it would be true for Gao Shen tomorrow.

Therefore, Martino would fight for this trophy, and Barcelona's players would also give it a try.

They could not accept Real Madrid winning the treble.

However, Barcelona's overall strength was now inferior to Real Madrid's.

This was obvious to all.

Only with strength do you have choices. Without strength, you have none.

So for someone like Martino to defeat Real Madrid, he had to go all out, take risks, and seek a surprise blow.

When Gao Shen saw Barcelona's attack gradually improving, he immediately adjusted, signaling the team to drop off, stabilize, take control of the situation first, then decide.

This is the difference brought about by the different player profiles of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Can Real Madrid play like Barcelona, pressing them into their half and battering them?

The answer is yes.

Real Madrid's midfield has the capacity for that passing and control.

But the consequence would be a significant reduction in threat from the front attackers.

Especially Ronaldo. He is a scorer who needs space, and the same is true for Benzema and Di María.

On the other hand, Barcelona's Messi, Iniesta, and others are best at tight combination play in small areas.

Since the players have different characteristics, the team's tactics cannot be exactly the same.

What Real Madrid are best at is maintaining their shape, concentrating numbers around the halfway line, and seizing the opportunity to deliver a fatal strike.

This is also the style that best suits Real Madrid's current lineup.

It can be said that since signing Ronaldo and Kaká, this route was essentially set.

Thinking of this, Gao Shen walked to the touchline and signaled the team to steady themselves and move more.

…

If we say the biggest change in the team during Gao Shen's two seasons at Real Madrid is not the tactical reforms, but the spirit, especially the on-pitch mentality.

Like at this moment, when Real Madrid were in a relatively balanced situation, they dealt with Barcelona in an orderly way. Everyone did their job and there was no panic.

Barcelona had possession, but could not launch threatening attacks. Occasionally, they created danger through individual ability, but it was still difficult to break Real Madrid's goal.

The right side with Messi and Neymar, plus Alves, was the focal point of Barcelona's attack, and they consistently overloaded that side.

But Real Madrid defended steadily.

The match was quite stalemated.

Learning from previous experiences, Martino made very targeted adjustments, especially with an all-or-nothing mindset, which did have a certain restraining effect on Real Madrid, and the effect was obvious.

But Gao Shen was waiting.

As long as Real Madrid could defend and wait for the chance, Barcelona would be in trouble.

Therefore, even though Barcelona broke into Real Madrid's box several times, created threats, and made everyone nervous, Gao Shen still did not adjust. He kept signaling the team to stabilize defensively, remain patient, and wait for opportunities.

It was not until the 39th minute that Marcelo won the ball on the left side of Real Madrid's defensive third in a scramble. Ramos then played it into midfield. Xabi Alonso hit a long diagonal to the front.

Ronaldo brought it down, but with a Barcelona defender on his back, he had to check back and lay it to Toni Kroos.

Facing forward, the German took it on the half-turn toward the right side of the center circle and saw Carvajal raising his hand near the right touchline at halfway.

So he played the ball out.

Carvajal crossed the halfway line, accelerated forward, controlled with no pressure, then carried it himself.

Iniesta came across to intercept, but Carvajal quickly slipped it into the right half-space.

Modrić stepped up and drove forward with the ball.

At the same time, Di María, initially stationed in the right half-space, decisively changed course and sprinted to the right touchline, which not only stretched the defense for Modrić but also created an open lane for a pass.

When Modrić reached the 30-meter zone, he saw Barcelona's defense still collapsing centrally, so he clipped a diagonal pass to the right flank.

Di María raced onto it. Before Alba could get tight, he suddenly pushed the ball down the line behind him, then burst forward, instantly passing through Alba's zone and heading straight for the byline.

That is Di María's threat.

He is excellent at delivering, so he is not just an inverted winger. He can also go outside.

Alba chased desperately, and Bartra sprinted out of the box to try to block Di María.

The Argentine caught up with his own touch near the corner of the box and byline, then cut the ball back with his right foot toward the right side of the penalty spot.

Ronaldo attacked the six-yard area and was surrounded by several Barcelona players including Piqué. Benzema, who had been lurking outside the box, suddenly made a forward run. Although Busquets chased all the way, the Barcelona midfielder was screened on Benzema's left and the Frenchman claimed the advantageous position.

Di María's left foot is indeed delicate, but his right is not weak. It is less flexible and deft than his left, but it can still deliver passes like this.

The Argentine picked out the target with his right foot, and Benzema surged forward. Having leaned into Busquets, he did not take a touch, but met Di María's cross first time with his right.

Over the past two years, Benzema has received a lot of specialist work from Zidane, such as attacking crosses from wide and finishing centrally.

Benzema, Morata, Jesé, and Di María are all players Zidane often drills in finishing, and Benzema has practiced this type of chance countless times.

The shot controlled the pace of the ball and found a good angle.

Everyone's attention had been drawn by the proximity of Ronaldo, which created the window for Benzema's strike. Although Pinto reacted and flew across, the ball still brushed his glove and nestled inside the right side of Barcelona's goal.

"Goalllllllllllllll!!!!!"

"Benzema has scored!!!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1154: The Glory of the Triple Crown

There are always many firsts in life, and each one has special meaning.

For a team, a club, a league, or even a country's football, a first carries richer historical significance.

The same is true for Real Madrid, who are aiming for the treble this year.

During Barcelona's most glorious years, from Rijkaard's Dream Team II to Guardiola's Dream Team III, they challenged for the treble again and again, each time determined and confident.

But every time, they failed.

This has been the most painful thorn in Barcelona's heart in recent years.

Now, Real Madrid, their arch-rivals, are also aiming for the treble, and it looks very likely. This has inevitably drawn Barcelona's attention and made them nervous.

From fans to players, from the coaching staff to the management, no one at Barcelona wants to see Real Madrid win the treble.

The better Real Madrid perform, the more painful the blow will be to Barcelona and the greater the damage it will cause.

If they really win the treble, it would be a ruthless blow to Barcelona.

In this situation, whether it is Barcelona's players, Martino who is about to leave, or the Barcelona management present in person, all hope the team can show grit and play with the spirit of Barcelona in the last Clásico of the season, and ideally overturn Real Madrid.

But Real Madrid played with real composure.

Their attack was sharp, their counterattacks swift, and their defense solid and watertight.

Especially after conceding the first goal near the end of the first half, Barcelona fell into trouble.

After 60 minutes, seeing his team struggling to open the game, Martino had to adjust and replaced Fàbregas with Pedro. Barcelona returned to a 4-3-3.

But they still had no good way to deal with Real Madrid.

Especially in the 65th minute, Di María dribbled inside and fed a diagonal pass to the edge of the box. He then slipped a through ball to the right of the penalty spot. Ronaldo arrived and shot from close range in front of the six-yard box, but Pinto saved it behind for a corner. Unfortunately, they failed to extend the lead.

Real Madrid's attacking threat also hit Barcelona's morale.

The Barcelona fans who traveled to support the team were clearly disappointed.

Their team really had no answers against Real Madrid.

…

"No matter how powerful a person is, he cannot defeat time."

In the middle of the presidential box at Mestalla, King Juan Carlos of Spain sighed with regret.

He was the presenter tonight, and no matter who won, the Copa del Rey trophy would be handed over by him.

Sitting next to him, along with the president and officials of the Spanish Football Federation, was Real Madrid president Florentino.

A little further away, Barcelona president Bartomeu and other Barcelona executives were also seated on the podium.

Juan Carlos said this to Florentino. He was not only referring to Barcelona, but also to himself.

Although the King of Spain prided himself on his romanticism, age was a factor.

If last season Real Madrid won the double while Barcelona took La Liga, many people did not notice it, or Barcelona fans were unwilling to admit that Real Madrid had risen and even had the strength to suppress Barcelona.

Then this season, as Real Madrid have become stronger and stronger, from the Spanish Super Cup at the beginning of the season to the current Copa del Rey, Barcelona have not even secured a draw, losing all of them.

At this point in the match, it was clear to everyone that Real Madrid had crushed Barcelona in terms of strength.

In this situation, no matter how stubborn you are, you have to admit the Barcelona era is over.

La Liga is about to usher in the Real Madrid era.

"I went to Valdebebas the day before yesterday, and Gao Shen told me he was very confident of winning the treble," Florentino said with a smile.

Juan Carlos nodded with a smile. "I have always been very optimistic about Gao Shen. I believe he can achieve his goal."

Ángel Villar, president of the Spanish Football Association, nodded in agreement. "Real Madrid's performance this season is indeed dominant, both in Spain and in Europe, and their impression among referees has also improved a lot."

The president of the Spanish FA is a man of great influence in football.

As early as 1998, he joined the FIFA Executive Committee and had a close personal relationship with Blatter. In 2002, he became a FIFA vice president and a UEFA vice president in 2000. He was also chairman of the referees' committee for both FIFA and UEFA.

The bald referee Collina is now Villar's deputy.

It is worth noting that Villar's relationship with Real Madrid was not very good, because in the 2004 Spanish FA presidential election, Florentino did not support Villar but chose his rival, Otero. Barcelona supported Villar.

Because of this, the so-called godfather theory emerged.

Many said Barcelona's rise was due to their support for Villar, and Villar later repaid Barcelona, helping them create Dream Team II and Dream Team III, coinciding with Real Madrid's lean years.

Of course, later, by all indications, the relationship between Villar and Real Madrid was not bad.

Because there are many matters where he still needed Real Madrid's help.

For example, the reform of La Liga broadcasting rights.

"I heard the professional league has already drafted a plan?" Villar asked with a smile.

He did not seem too concerned.

Florentino nodded. "I have heard of it, but I have not seen the specific plan yet."

"You at Real Madrid have suffered a great loss in this. Our FA feels sorry for you. We will definitely fight for your support when the time comes," Villar said in an official tone.

Who is Florentino?

How could he not understand Villar's meaning?

The topic of La Liga broadcasting reform has been around for a long time, especially after seeing the sky-high fees in the Premier League. It is mouth-watering.

Of course, this does not include Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Why?

Because they earn more than Premier League clubs.

Take this season as an example. Real Madrid and Barcelona auctioned their rights separately, each receiving 150 million euros. In the Premier League, or even worldwide, which club can do that?

What about other La Liga teams?

Clubs like Valencia and Atlético Madrid earn around 40 million euros. Bottom clubs get about one-tenth of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

This is La Liga's current reality.

Therefore, mid- and lower-table teams are fed up, believing Real Madrid and Barcelona take too much, and demand that, like the Premier League, everyone sells together, negotiates collectively, and grows the pie.

This is a matter of fairness. Even Real Madrid and Barcelona cannot refuse it, but they can negotiate.

But this is a matter between Real Madrid, Barcelona, and LaLiga. What does it have to do with the Spanish FA?

That is the problem.

The FA does not control LaLiga. It only controls the Copa del Rey. In fact, the Copa del Rey was not originally founded by the FA. It was initiated by Real Madrid to celebrate the accession of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, hence the name.

Now, the FA wants to intervene in LaLiga's rights auction. In essence, it wants a slice of the pie.

"Then I have to thank Ángel first," Florentino said with a smile.

"Do not worry. The better Real Madrid perform, especially if they win the unprecedented treble, it will be an honor for the FA. The FA and I will do our best to protect Real Madrid," Villar said bluntly.

He is not only the president of the Spanish FA, but also chairman of UEFA's Referees Committee, responsible for referee selection.

Although Collina handles specifics, Villar can at least ensure Real Madrid do not suffer from refereeing issues.

Of course, Florentino agreed readily, since the situation was still uncertain.

Besides, this matter was not his alone to decide.

When it came to a decision, he still had to consider Real Madrid's interests.

At this moment, Real Madrid intercepted another ball in midfield and launched a quick counter.

…

After Modrić took it from Iniesta, he immediately countered and passed forward to Di María.

The Argentine made a dummy run, nicked it before Busquets, and slipped it to the dropping Benzema.

The French striker peeled out to the edge of the D, dragging Piqué and Bartra with him. With his back to goal, he laid it into the right channel.

Carvajal surged forward at full speed, controlled before Alba, and looked to drive to the byline, but failed and had to roll it back to Di María.

In space on the right edge of the box, Di María took a touch. Seeing Bartra not stepping out, he set his left foot and clipped a lobbed pass.

This ball traveled from the right side of the arc to the left side of the six-yard box, behind Barcelona's defense, dropping next to goal. Sensing danger, Pinto rushed toward the back post, but midway he saw a white shirt flash through at incredible speed, chased by a red-and-blue figure, Alves.

Ronaldo flew in and leapt high.

Although Alves was tight, he could not get off the ground, let alone stop Ronaldo winning the header.

From close range, the Portuguese powered a header toward the right side of the net.

Pinto stretched desperately, trying to reach it, but the header was so well placed that he did not touch it.

The ball sailed past Pinto's hands and nestled inside the right side of Barcelona's goal.

"Goalllllllllllllll!!!!!!"

"In the 67th minute, Real Madrid score again, 2-0!!"

"Oh my god, a close-range header from Ronaldo."

"Real Madrid's attack was very fluid, and Ronaldo's header was very clever. Pinto was helpless."

"With a two-goal lead, Barcelona are now in a very dangerous situation."

The stadium rang with the cheers of Real Madrid fans.

Gao Shen also raised his arms on the touchline to celebrate Ronaldo's goal.

Almost at the same time, Martino on the Barcelona bench made a second substitution.

Sánchez walked to the touchline, ready to replace Bartra.

There was nearly half an hour left, but Martino still wanted to attack.

(To be continued.)