SWR: Chapter 1006/1010

Chapter 1006: Real Madrid Tiki-Taka

Gao Shen has always felt that the away goals rule in the Champions League is a great invention.

From the perspective of the rules, it makes the Champions League much more interesting and exciting.

Just like at Old Trafford on March 5, Real Madrid, who had won the first leg at home 1-0, did not adopt a conservative approach away from home. Instead, they started aggressively from the very beginning.

Because the idea was very simple: score an away goal.

Why fight so hard?

Because if Real Madrid scored an away goal, Manchester United would have to score three.

That would be a huge psychological advantage for Real Madrid.

So, on this night at Old Trafford, everyone witnessed a very strange scene.

Real Madrid, who were leading from the first leg and would qualify with just a draw, took the initiative to attack. Manchester United, who were trailing and needed to score at home, fell into a passive situation from the start.

It was a strange and puzzling sight.

I suppose many fans could not help but curse Ferguson in their hearts, thinking that he was being too conservative.

But the reality was, he could not afford to gamble.

In such a high-level clash, if Real Madrid scored an away goal, Manchester United's morale would collapse.

In contrast, Real Madrid had no such concerns, and Gao Shen even encouraged his players to attack freely.

But Real Madrid's attacking display tonight was far from ideal.

Gao Shen set up the team in a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Casillas.
Defense: Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, and Carvajal.
Midfield: Xabi Alonso dropping deep, with Kroos and Modric in the center.
Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema, and Di Maria.

In last weekend's league match at the Bernabeu, Gao Shen rotated nine players against Barcelona in preparation for this trip to Old Trafford.

Manchester United's lineup tonight, however, was a bit unusual.

When Gao Shen first saw the team sheet, he thought it was a 4-3-3. When the teams lined up before kick-off, he thought it looked like a 4-4-2. But when the match actually began, he realized it was neither, not even a 4-2-3-1.

It was a very strange setup.

Goalkeeper: De Gea.
Back line, left to right: Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael.
Midfield, left to right: Nani, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Giggs.
Forwards: Welbeck and Rooney.

It looked like a flat 4-4-2, but in practice it was completely different.

First was Welbeck.

Although listed as a striker alongside Rooney, during the game he mostly shadowed Xabi Alonso.

Wherever Real Madrid's No. 14 went, Welbeck followed.

Ferguson's purpose was clear, using him to disrupt and press Xabi Alonso, creating chaos in Real Madrid's midfield and disrupting their build-up.

The best examples came in the third and fifth minutes, when Welbeck fouled Alonso after he received the ball.

In the fifth minute, he even tracked back from the front and pushed Alonso from behind. The referee only blew for a foul and did not give a card.

The referee seemed a bit lenient tonight.

From this, it was clear that Manchester United's formation was not a simple 4-4-2.

There was another very targeted arrangement, Rafael.

If Welbeck was glued to Alonso, then Rafael was glued to Ronaldo.

And this was tight man-marking.

Gao Shen noticed the problem early on. After several duels, he found it was serious, so he told Ronaldo to move into the middle. But Rafael still followed closely, even abandoning his position on the right flank to track him.

Why?

First, Giggs was not a natural right winger, not even a right midfielder. Whenever Rafael vacated his position, Giggs would immediately drop back to cover the right side.

Second, Real Madrid's left-back Arbeloa, a right-footed player, had some offensive ability but lacked the speed to break through from behind.

The best example came in the 6th minute, when Real Madrid had several throw-ins on the left but created no real danger. The last time, Arbeloa threw the ball to Benzema, who headed it back, but under Giggs' pressure Arbeloa failed to control it and knocked it out of play.

Ferguson knew very well that without Marcelo, Real Madrid's attacking threat on the left would be greatly reduced.

Gao Shen asked Ronaldo to push forward again, trying to move between the full-backs, center-backs, and holding midfielder, but it still did not work.

Against Barcelona, Gao Shen had created a cage for Messi, shutting him down time and again.

Now, Ferguson had built such a cage for Ronaldo.

The key reason was that Real Madrid's left-back was not strong enough.

Ferguson clearly understood that Marcelo's absence had a huge impact on Real Madrid's left-sided attack.

If Marcelo had started instead of Arbeloa tonight, Ferguson would never have dared to set things up this way.

…

"The old knight is really amazing."

Standing in front of the away dugout, Gao Shen could only admit it.

It was not that he wanted to concede defeat, but he had to admire Ferguson's lineup and use of players.

Giggs' role was brilliant.

This Manchester United legend, who seemed to be getting better with age, played on the right wing. His tactical discipline was outstanding, and his awareness was excellent. Just watching how he and Rafael combined to contain Ronaldo explained why Ferguson trusted him so much.

That kind of football intelligence is not something everyone has.

At least in today's Manchester United, Gao Shen could not see anyone who could replace him.

Who would have thought Ferguson would put an aging Giggs on the right, and together with the young Rafael, completely freeze Ronaldo, who had been scoring for fun this season?

"Welbeck's role was brilliant too. It also reminds us that more and more teams will recognize Xabi Alonso's importance, and when that happens, they'll all target him," Zidane reminded.

Xabi Alonso had been heavily relied upon by Real Madrid this season and had performed very well, but his role was mainly to stay back to organize, hold position, defend, distribute the ball, and play long passes.

A bit like Carrick at Manchester United.

"Nani's role is also crucial," Gao Shen added, pointing at the winger on the pitch.

"Normally, when our left side is contained, the right side should ease the pressure. But with Nani there, Carvajal is being pushed back."

Nani was definitely underrated, or perhaps he had not reached the level he should have.

But once he was on the pitch, no one could ignore his threat.

Even a technically solid full-back like Carvajal did not dare to press forward recklessly against Nani and had to stay cautious at all times.

"The old knight really is something else," Gao Shen said with a wry smile.

From the initial tactics to the adjustments in the opening 10 to 20 minutes, Gao Shen and Ferguson were wrestling on the tactical level, and neither had gained a clear advantage.

Of course, Ferguson had not gained much either.

At best, Manchester United had contained Real Madrid's attack, but Real Madrid were not allowing them to dictate the game either.

After all, with United focusing so heavily on containing Real Madrid, their own attack was greatly affected.

Especially when it came to ball circulation in midfield.

Giggs was dropping too deep, and Nani was being kept under close watch by Carvajal, so United were forced to rely on long balls.

But once the ball reached the forwards, it was very difficult to pose a real threat.

Real Madrid's center-backs were no pushovers. The partnership between Varane and Pepe was getting stronger with every game, and their performances increasingly solid.

Especially Varane, whose displays in recent matches could be described as world-class.

"What do we do now?" Hierro asked anxiously.

He had a nagging feeling that Real Madrid tonight looked like Barcelona at the Bernabeu, dominating the game but creating little real danger.

Zidane also looked at Gao Shen, his eyes full of questions.

Gao Shen grinned and asked Zidane, "What do you think?"

"If it were me, I'd slow down the tempo. We're playing too fast and making mistakes too easily."

And mistakes were exactly what United were waiting for.

As long as Real Madrid slipped up and United seized the chance, they would counter immediately.

"Just slowing the tempo isn't enough," Gao Shen shook his head.

"So what do you mean…"

"Didn't Ferguson want to play against us like Barcelona?"

Zidane and Hierro looked at each other in surprise.

Gao Shen chuckled with excitement. "Then let's give him a taste of Real Madrid's version of Tiki-Taka."

After a pause, Gao Shen's eyes lit up with anticipation.

As many had said, Real Madrid were a very complete side, able to adapt to different tactical demands.

And Gao Shen's confidence came from his three midfielders.

The trio of Kroos, Alonso, and Modric might not be as defensively strong as Real Madrid's previous midfield trios, but their passing and control were far superior.

More importantly, Real Madrid's possession style was very different from Barcelona's.

This had been evident in several La Liga matches already.

Since United were clearly sitting deep, waiting for Real Madrid to make a mistake, why not flip the script? Real Madrid could tire them out instead.

Thinking of this, Gao Shen walked to the touchline, called out to Alonso, and gave him clear instructions to slow the tempo and control possession.

Not only that, Gao Shen also called Modric, who was closer, and told him to move around more. He also instructed Di Maria to track back and help in defense.

Ronaldo also dropped deeper.

This was not the first time for the Portuguese.

Many had said that under Gao Shen, Ronaldo had become far more of a team player and was no longer just the lone goalscorer he once was.

At the same time, Gao Shen reminded the players to stay patient and not get anxious.

The essence of possession football was patience. Stay calm, do not get dragged into the opponent's rhythm, and play at your own pace.

Besides, it was Real Madrid who were leading on aggregate. If anyone should be anxious, it was Manchester United.

"I really don't believe the old knight can keep defending like this all game."

If it had not been for the goal at the Bernabeu in the first leg, Gao Shen might have been anxious too. But now, he was completely calm.

What was there to fear when Real Madrid still had the ball?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1007: I Just Want One Goal

The away locker room at Old Trafford erupted in chaos the moment the players walked in.

Coaches, staff, and players all had their responsibilities. It looked messy, but there was order in the chaos.

The players sat in their seats, panting heavily, discussing the first half.

Especially when there were problems in their coordination, they would talk it out, even argue about it.

This was not unusual for a team coached by Gao Shen.

Many times, heated debate was also a form of communication, helping to improve cooperation.

By the time Gao Shen entered with Carlo, Zidane, Hierro and the others, everyone was already busy.

Gao Shen checked the time and began his halftime arrangements.

"The first half was a good one. Manchester United's tactics were very targeted, but we also performed well. A 0-0 scoreline is reasonable."

His words set the tone. He neither praised nor belittled the opponent, but gave a realistic assessment.

This was Gao Shen's usual style.

He always spoke based on facts.

"We all know we won the first leg and are leading 1-0. We have a slight advantage on aggregate, so I can tell you with certainty, in the second half Manchester United will definitely take the initiative."

"I don't even rule out them attacking right at the start of the half."

The players nodded, agreeing with his sharp analysis and judgment.

Gao Shen pulled over the tactical board, where Zidane had already laid out the formations of both sides.

He focused on two players: Giggs and Welbeck.

Manchester United's targeted tactics in the first half had been effective, largely due to these two.

Especially Giggs.

His defensive work was important, and when United transitioned from defense to attack, his ball-carrying runs on the right gave them an outlet.

Gao Shen's adjustment was to drop Toni Kroos slightly deeper.

On the one hand, he could help suppress Giggs, and on the other, he could assist Alonso, or even take over as the deep-lying organizer, ensuring Real Madrid's midfield continued to function.

In the first half, Real Madrid's play had revolved around midfield control.

Gao Shen even told Alonso to loosen up a little.

"Doesn't Welbeck like following you? Then let him. Try to drag him away, cut off his connection with United's front three, especially Nani and Rooney."

United's attacks in the first half had come mainly through those three, often using long passes.

That was because Giggs had been forced to drop deeper.

Real Madrid's superiority had forced United into caution.

Without Giggs' cover, United would not have been able to defend their right flank.

The left, where Ronaldo operated, had always been Real Madrid's strongest attacking side.

Gao Shen also reminded Arbeloa that he could push forward more, since Giggs was retreating and there was less pressure on that flank. If Arbeloa advanced, he could at least provide an extra option in attack.

"In the second half, we need to maintain our advantage in possession, and do our best to stretch Manchester United's defense."

He began explaining tactical adjustments, emphasizing two points: more short and backward passes around United's 30-meter area.

That zone was highly dangerous. If Real Madrid could circulate the ball there, United's defense would eventually collapse and the chance would come.

The other point was counterattacks, Real Madrid's traditional strength. Gao Shen wanted Benzema to drift to the flanks more, hold up play, and wait for the second wave of attackers.

"Manchester United only has one holding midfielder, Carrick!"

"As long as we attack their box and keep the ball moving around it, there will always be space outside their penalty area. That's our chance. We must take it."

He adjusted tactical details carefully, making targeted plans.

If United dared to attack, Real Madrid would strike back.

"If they push forward, we kill them!" Gao Shen said, smacking his left palm with his right fist.

"If they sit back, then we slow the tempo, control possession, and wear them down. If they press, we meet them head-on. We have to trust our strength, especially our attack."

His words lifted the team's spirits.

Simply put, his strategy was: if United advanced, Real Madrid would go toe-to-toe; if United retreated, Real Madrid would hold the ball and grind them down.

But Gao Shen also pointed out one danger, Welbeck's pace.

The United striker was fast, and several of their threats in the first half came when he dribbled past Alonso. Especially when Rooney dragged a center-back away, Welbeck's bursts became very dangerous.

Gao Shen reminded Varane and Pepe to stay tight on him.

"And Rafael."

He circled United's right-back on the board.

"Did you notice, late in the first half he made a forward run?"

The players looked puzzled.

"He didn't cross halfway," Kroos said.

Gao Shen turned to him, smiling and nodding. Toni Kroos really had an intelligent football mind.

"Exactly. He didn't even get past the center line before you stopped him."

It was praise from Gao Shen.

"But it wasn't a coincidence. I saw Schneiderlin covering on the right, which means it was planned, not improvised."

It was a small detail, but Gao Shen picked it up.

The players thought about it and realized it made sense.

Sometimes, in big matches like this, the difference was not in the big picture, but in these subtle details.

Real Madrid were stronger, but not by enough to ignore such things.

If they failed to pay attention, they could be punished.

"I feel Rafael's forward run was a signal. In the second half, United might attack more down his side. If it's only Nani on the left, our defense can handle it. But if they suddenly add attacks on the right…"

Gao Shen drew an arrow from United's right straight into Real Madrid's box.

Giggs and Rafael, together, could do this.

"You need to be alert."

He turned and pointed at Kroos. "Tony, in the first half, your role was breaking their defense. In the second half, when you win the ball, look to hit back quickly."

If Rafael and Giggs pushed forward, their flank would be open and Ronaldo would get his chance.

"I understand," Kroos nodded.

Gao Shen also instructed Modric to press Carrick when going forward, but also to support Alonso when dropping deeper, and to keep the ball moving.

"In short, tonight we are taking a win away from Old Trafford!"

"And we're only one goal away!"

"As long as we score, the game is over!"

"Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" The players rose and shouted in unison.

…

With a coach like Gao Shen, supported by his staff and especially the data analysis system he had developed, their predictions had become very precise.

At the start of the second half, Ferguson launched an attacking wave, even creating a few shots, but Casillas was solid.

Real Madrid quickly countered.

Just as Gao Shen had set up, when United pressed high, Madrid dared to hit back.

The second half began with fierce exchanges, neither side willing to give an inch.

But Real Madrid's attacks looked more dangerous, especially in the 53rd minute. Di Maria forced his way past Evra on the right, drove into the box, and sent a left-footed cross across the face of goal.

Benzema in the middle and Ronaldo at the back post both failed to connect, and the chance went begging.

United quickly realized that if they kept attacking like that, they risked conceding first.

In the 56th minute, Di Maria crossed again, Benzema laid it off across the edge of the box, and Kroos curled a shot toward the top right corner. De Gea made a desperate save.

Two consecutive chances warned Manchester United of the danger.

Ferguson signaled his team to slow down and steady the defense. Real Madrid then used the chance to slow the tempo and control possession.

The match returned to the rhythm Gao Shen wanted.

But it also became a stalemate.

Both managers kept adjusting, each trying to shift the balance.

But every time one side gained a slight edge, the other quickly adjusted, and things leveled again.

The game was deadlocked.

However, as Gao Shen had said in the first leg, opportunities often appear during stalemates.

During this phase, Real Madrid showed their technical superiority, especially in possession.

In the 61st minute, they completed 15 consecutive passes. Modric played a through ball outside the box, Di Maria cut in diagonally into the right side of the penalty area. He could have shot with his right foot, but instead he controlled with his right and struck with his left.

That hesitation gave Vidic time to slide in and block the shot.

The veteran center-back was old, but still formidable.

"Di Maria still needs to improve his finishing. Such a pity!" Gao Shen said regretfully.

If he had shot with his right foot immediately, it would have been a goal.

Zidane nodded in agreement.

Real Madrid were now showing their dominance, creating more and more danger. But Manchester United also displayed great resilience, holding firm and waiting for Madrid's mistake.

Now it was only a question of who would slip first.

Real Madrid? Or Manchester United?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1008: Ronnie I Love You

The game entered the 70th minute.

The score was still 0-0.

Neither side had made substitutions, and the deadlock continued.

Taking advantage of a dead ball, Toni Kroos ran up to Ronaldo and whispered, "Boss said, don't keep chasing Rafael too hard. Slow down a bit and let him have the ball."

Ronaldo looked a little surprised and turned toward the touchline.

He saw Gao Shen nodding at him from in front of the away dugout.

The Portuguese star nodded back to signal his understanding.

"Also, don't take the first shot."

Ronaldo froze for a moment, then immediately understood what the coach meant.

Gao Shen was treating him as the main attacker.

Everyone knew that against Manchester United's tight defense, the first man to shoot would often be surrounded with little chance of success. But in drawing defenders, he could create opportunities for teammates.

By asking him not to take the first attempt, Gao Shen wanted him to be the finisher at the decisive moment.

"I understand." Ronaldo patted Kroos on the shoulder.

The two separated quickly.

The match resumed.

…

After some fine-tuning, Real Madrid began deliberately shifting the ball toward Manchester United's right side.

In truth, it was not hard for them to do this.

United soon gave the ball to Rafael.

Ronaldo appeared to be strolling, casually "walking" over.

This kind of loose pressing, known as "eye defense," was common among superstars.

Rafael sensed an opportunity and pushed the ball forward, motioning for Giggs to overlap.

United wanted to attack from the right.

Kroos kept retreating, letting Rafael cross the halfway line.

The German pressed but deliberately left a gap.

Rafael played the ball into Giggs, and Kroos immediately abandoned him to close Giggs down. The nearby Real Madrid players followed in support.

Modric in particular stepped up high, cutting off Giggs' option to pass back to Carrick.

Rafael kept running forward into the open space, raising his hand for the return pass.

Giggs stopped suddenly, shielded the ball, turned, and passed back to Rafael.

But just as the Brazilian full-back was about to control it, Arbeloa suddenly surged forward, got around him, and cleared it away.

The ball rolled to Kroos, who had recovered defensively. With Giggs right behind him and his back to goal, the German did not hesitate and immediately laid it off to Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish midfielder had been harried by Welbeck all game, but since United had committed numbers forward, Welbeck could not close him down this time.

Alonso controlled the ball and, with his right foot, instantly launched a long pass over the top.

The ball curved through the air and dropped on the left side of the box.

Benzema had already anticipated it, positioning himself in front of Ferdinand. He used his body to shield the defender and brought the ball down on his chest.

Ferdinand, once among the best defenders in the world, was caught off guard. Benzema beat him to it, but the Frenchman could not turn toward goal directly.

In the penalty area, Ferdinand did not dare risk a rash challenge, instead using his body to block Benzema and force him wide.

Benzema, feeling the pressure from behind, stumbled slightly but reacted quickly to keep the ball under control.

Just as he looked set to be forced out of the box, Benzema suddenly flicked a backheel.

The ball rolled across to the left side of the penalty area.

At that moment, Ronaldo shook off Schneiderlin and sprinted forward.

The Portuguese's greatest weapon was his explosive acceleration. He burst free in an instant.

Schneiderlin lacked pace and was left behind immediately.

Ronaldo cut inside, perfectly timing his run to meet Benzema's backheel.

Before Carrick could close him down, he struck a curling shot with his right foot.

The stadium erupted with a thunderous crack, as if lightning had split the air. Seventy-five thousand United fans were stunned.

The ball flew like a rocket into the top right corner.

De Gea had no time to react. Goal!

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo has scored!!!"

"In the 72nd minute, Ronaldo scores a stunning goal against Manchester United!"

The Portuguese superstar wheeled away, sprinting wildly, screaming at the top of his lungs.

This was his first return to Old Trafford since leaving United.

At that moment, he understood why Gao Shen had told Kroos to pass on that message.

It was not only about making him the focal point. It was also about letting him fulfill a long-cherished wish.

He loved United and respected Ferguson, but he still wanted to score here.

He wanted to show United, Ferguson, and all their fans that he had become stronger since leaving.

More importantly, that Real Madrid was not a circus.

They were Real Madrid.

Ronaldo clenched his fists, roaring toward the stands, releasing years of pent-up emotion.

His teammates swarmed around him in celebration.

In front of the away dugout, Gao Shen completely lost control, almost storming out of the technical area. The fourth official quickly stopped him, reminding him to stay inside.

But Gao Shen could not hide his excitement.

No matter how many times he had been here before, every goal, every victory stirred him up.

Especially tonight, against Manchester United and Ferguson.

"Well done, Ronnie, I love you!" Gao Shen shouted.

Ferguson stood frozen in the home dugout.

What did that mean?

Behind Gao Shen, Zidane, Carlo, and Hierro paused, stunned.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo and his teammates who were celebrating nearby rushed over after hearing the coach. Ronaldo even embraced him directly.

Gao Shen praised Ronaldo again, as well as Kroos, Benzema, Alonso, and Arbeloa, all of whom played key roles in the goal.

With that strike, Real Madrid had one foot in the next round.

…

When Ferguson saw Gao Shen pat Ronaldo's shoulder and send him back onto the pitch, a trace of envy flashed in his eyes.

Every manager dreams of having a player like Ronaldo or Messi.

They were just on another level.

This kind of strength was hard to describe. All that could be said was they were far ahead of their time.

For most players, their peak lasted a year or two. But Ronaldo and Messi sustained theirs year after year, keeping it through entire seasons.

That was the most frightening thing about them.

Just like tonight. Despite all Ferguson's efforts to contain him, Ronaldo still seized his chance and scored.

What could Ferguson say?

"This damn brat is lucky!" he muttered angrily.

It might be the last Champions League campaign of his career, and yet he was losing to this kid.

It felt bitterly unfair.

But what could he do?

Ferguson knew United lacked the strength to dominate Europe now. Even their once-proud defense had declined.

"What a pity," the old knight sighed.

United had lost 0-1 away and failed to grab an away goal. That was why they dared not concede tonight. Otherwise they would be in a desperate position.

And now they were.

With 20 minutes left, United trailed 0-2 on aggregate. They needed three goals.

Even 2-2 would see them eliminated.

That was the cruelty of the away goals rule.

Ferguson both loved and hated it.

But there was no choice. United had to throw everything forward.

…

After play resumed, United immediately made a double substitution.

Ferguson brought on Valencia for Welbeck, and Berbatov for Giggs.

They remained in a 4-4-2, but now it was clearly all-out attack.

Gao Shen also reacted with two changes.

He replaced Carvajal with Marcos Alonso, shifting Arbeloa to right-back and using Marcos Alonso on the left, to reinforce against United's right-sided threat.

Everyone knew Valencia was right-footed and excelled at low crosses.

Gao Shen himself had once developed that weapon for him at Napoli.

Arbeloa, playing on the left, would be at a disadvantage against that.

So he made the switch.

He also replaced Benzema with Higuaín.

The message was clear.

Sorry, Sir Alex. It was time for Real Madrid to defend and counter.

Ferguson fumed at Gao Shen's decisions, but what could he do?

This kid had always been shameless. Against Barcelona, against United, always the same.

Did he have any of the class of a world-renowned coach?

It was disgraceful.

Ferguson felt ashamed to even be compared with him.

But no matter how angry he was, United could not break through.

Real Madrid even threatened twice on the counter.

Higuaín narrowly missed with one angled shot, while Modric saw another effort saved by De Gea.

Both were dangerous moments.

In the end, Real Madrid defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to Ronaldo's world-class strike.

With a 2-0 aggregate score, Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1009: Gao Shen, Go to Bed

"Look at you. You're a world-class coach with four Champions League titles, yet you play so poorly. Aren't you ashamed?"

"What kind of team is Real Madrid? It's an aristocratic team that pursues splendor, nobility, and elegance."

"But you? You've turned Real Madrid into a peasant team. I really feel sorry for the Real Madrid fans."

After the match, in a small conference room at Old Trafford, Ferguson downed two glasses of wine in one go. He complained endlessly, yet still could not vent the frustration in his heart.

The last Champions League match of his career had been lost to this brat. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Sitting opposite him, Gao Shen watched with a playful smile, sipping from the bottle of water he had brought with him.

He had already guessed the old man would be stingy and not even prepare water for him, so he came prepared with two bottles.

Facts had proven: if you do it yourself, you'll never go thirsty.

Self-reliance has never failed me.

"Sir, don't worry about whether Real Madrid fans are sad or not. You should worry more about your own Manchester United," Gao Shen replied cheerfully.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"That's right. I remember you used to shout about playing attacking football at United. But how did you shrink back like that at the start of the first half? And don't forget, we had more possession, more shots, and more dangerous chances than you…"

So tell me, which of us was more conservative?

"I'm talking about the last 20 minutes."

Gao Shen let out an "oh" as if he suddenly understood, then wore an expression that said he didn't care to argue further.

It was Ferguson's turf anyway. He could have the last word.

Gao Shen just wanted to leave in peace.

"Alright, let's put the game aside and talk about you and me," Ferguson waved his hand, speaking more animatedly.

"I've got more experience than you, right? You said you decided to coach after reading my autobiography. I believed you. But look at what happened? You've already won four Champions Leagues, and now I'm about to retire. Can't you at least be polite?"

Gao Shen looked resentful.

Damn, what else can we even talk about besides football?

"Sir, weren't those just flattering words I used back then to get closer to you, when I was a nobody without influence?" Gao Shen said with exaggerated surprise. "You actually believed them?"

…

Both of them were half-joking.

Ferguson just wanted to give Gao Shen a jab and recover some dignity. Gao Shen refused to yield at first, showing his sharp tongue, but soon "surrendered" tactfully by sending him two more cases of good wine.

He even promised that after Ferguson retired, he would still send him wine every year during the holidays.

"I heard you and Zidane bought a winery in Bordeaux."

"You even know about that?"

Ferguson chuckled with a hint of pride. Little brat, how big do you think our circle is?

There's no way I wouldn't know about something like this.

"A friend of Zidane's. We thought it was a good fit, so we each invested a little. The plan is to supply the Chinese market exclusively."

Ferguson's eyes lit up instantly.

The Chinese market was a huge piece of fat meat.

With a population over a billion, how much wine did they drink every year?

There was nothing wrong with Gao Shen teaming up with Zidane. After all, Gao Shen's company back home was thriving.

In 2012, they even bought a large plot of land in western China to build a winery that combined vineyards, production, sightseeing, and a hotel. It was a massive investment.

As for the Bordeaux winery with Zidane, that was Gao Shen's personal investment.

The old knight was clearly tempted by the thought of the Chinese market, immediately bringing it up and saying he wanted a slice for his retirement fund.

Gao Shen agreed readily, saying he would help however he could.

…

"Honestly, sometimes I feel like telling the research institutes at Cambridge and Oxford to capture you and dissect your brain, just to see what makes it different from ours."

Ferguson suddenly looked at Gao Shen with emotion.

"What do you mean?" Gao Shen asked curiously.

"Varane is outstanding, Carvajal too. Casemiro as well. And then look at Leeds United…"

He trailed off and sighed, then said something that made Gao Shen's heart skip a beat.

"I really want to buy Leeds United outright."

"What do you mean?"

"The players. That group of players is really good. Many are exactly what we need at United."

Ferguson had already taken Schneiderlin from Leeds, and he had been excellent.

United's standard setup now was Carrick sitting deep and Schneiderlin pushing forward, which gave them a solid base in the Premier League.

But Carrick was aging, and a successor was needed. Jorginho was performing very well.

In midfield, Pogba had maintained a high level for two straight seasons, improving visibly.

At the back, Vidic and Ferdinand were both getting old. Koulibaly's physical strength was enviable, and his passing ability even more impressive.

Compared to Salah and Coutinho, who were attracting many clubs, Ferguson was more interested in young substitute Zaha.

His tastes were always unique.

Before, it was Bolasie. Now, it was Zaha. He had a soft spot for pure wingers.

"I've already submitted a proposal to Ed Woodward. We want to bring Pogba back," Ferguson said.

Even though he was retiring soon, he wanted to leave a legacy.

Carrick could last two more years, Schneiderlin was young, and with Pogba back, the midfield would be set for years.

"That's fine. Just talk to Fernando Lucas when the time comes," Gao Shen answered directly.

Ferguson studied him for a while, then shook his head and sighed.

"I regret not signing a buy-back clause for Pogba. I really lost out."

"You can't put it like that, Sir. We've invested huge resources into Pogba over the past few years. What you see is his progress, but what you don't see is our investment."

"In fact, we sell players at a fair, near-cost price."

Ferguson burst out laughing and nearly spat his wine. "A fair price?"

Gao Shen nodded seriously.

"So where did the money for that new training base you're building come from?"

Before Gao Shen could reply, Ferguson went on, "I heard it's a £70 million investment! My God, apart from Manchester City, who else spends like you?"

"Tottenham just built a base too, £45 million," Gao Shen protested.

"That's different," he added quickly. "We have dedicated pitches for the youth teams, plus facilities Spurs don't have. We even have our own logistics department…"

"Right, right. And they didn't hire Norman Foster to design theirs, did they?"

Just the design fees alone put Leeds far beyond Tottenham.

But it had to be said, the result was excellent.

When Foster's design was unveiled, it caused a sensation among media, fans, and architects worldwide. Before construction had even begun, many declared it the most artistic and advanced training base ever.

But £70 million scared off most clubs.

Many said Leeds were being reckless, that the money would be better spent on transfers.

But looking at the Premier League table, Leeds were sixth. That didn't look so bad.

"Honestly, I didn't expect Leeds to last this long," Ferguson admitted.

Many dark horses started strong, then collapsed in the second half of the season.

But Leeds had held sixth, even improving. Some players' progress was obvious.

"Are you planning to expand Elland Road?" Ferguson asked curiously.

There had been rumors in the media, but Leeds had not responded. The uncertainty about the future made it difficult.

For example, they had done well this season, but soon they would face contract renewals and wage increases.

In recent years, wages across European football had soared, along with player valuations.

Russian tycoon Rybolovlev had just bought Monaco and was threatening to splash money in the transfer market.

The trend across Europe was rising wages and transfer fees. It could no longer be contained.

As one of the clubs most affected, Leeds had to find a balance: maintain competitiveness while controlling wages. A difficult task.

If Gao Shen had to choose, he would always prioritize the wage structure.

Even if performance dipped, they could recover slowly as long as they stayed in the league.

But once the wage structure collapsed, it would be a disaster for any club.

Although he had plans, Gao Shen kept them to himself.

"What's the point of expanding? You know me. That's not my style."

Ferguson froze. "You mean…"

"I plan to build a brand-new stadium. Capacity at least 60,000. Once completed, it will be the best football stadium in the world, maybe in all of sport."

Ferguson burst into laughter. "Did you drink too much?"

"To build a stadium of that size would cost at least £300 million at the bare minimum. If you want the best stadium in the world, it's £500 million or more. And you definitely don't have that."

After a pause, he reminded, "And that's in pounds."

"With Leeds' revenue, even if you sold the whole squad, you couldn't raise that much. And no bank would dare lend it to you."

Leeds' foundations were still too weak.

"So, just go to bed. Dreams can be as big as you want."

Gao Shen laughed too. "It's good to dream. What if it comes true?"

"Then take it step by step. There's still a long road ahead."

Ferguson regained some composure.

Gao Shen's dream was beautiful, but reality was harsh.

In Ferguson's view, Leeds would not see a new stadium for at least ten years.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1010: Must Win a Championship
The news that Real Madrid eliminated Manchester United with a 2-0 aggregate score to reach the Champions League quarterfinals spread immediately after the match.

Countless media outlets and fans around the world were full of praise, celebrating Real Madrid's success.

According to the British Times, the most important thing was not only that Real Madrid beat Manchester United 1-0 at both the Bernabéu and Old Trafford, but that Gao Shen had led them through the devilish fixture list of February and early March.

"This is exactly what a super-powerful club like Real Madrid should do!"

The Times listed Real Madrid's matches during that stretch, pointing out that the schedule highlighted the ability, vision, and courage of a top coach.

"Rotation has always been Gao Shen and his staff's strong suit, and this successful rotation at Real Madrid was the perfect example. Gao Shen even rotated nine young players and still beat Barcelona at the Bernabéu."

"If it hadn't really happened, who would believe such a thing?"

The Times also highlighted the rise in Real Madrid players' values this season.

The value of the main players had soared. For example, players like Di Maria, Varane, and Benzema, who were already at the club, had doubled in value. Di Maria's value alone had reached 60 million euros.

And this was only the valuation from Transfermarkt, not his actual selling price.

At just 25 years old, entering his peak years, there was no way the Argentine could be bought for only 60 million.

French media had revealed that Paris Saint-Germain were willing to pay more than Ronaldo's fee for Di Maria.

That meant over 100 million euros.

But Real Madrid had rejected the offer outright and instead begun preparations to renew Di Maria's contract.

The same applied to Varane. Before Gao Shen arrived, his valuation had been 10 million euros. Now, it had soared to 25 million, with expectations that it would soon pass 30 million. That was the value of a top European defender.

How much would Real Madrid have to pay to buy him now?

And it wasn't just them. Players like Carvajal, Nacho, Casemiro, Jesé, Morata, and Lucas Vázquez had all risen sharply in value.

Carvajal, for example, was valued at 5 million at the start of the season, but now had surpassed 30 million.

Today, Real Madrid's right-back was one of the hottest in Europe.

The same was true for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Before joining Real Madrid, Kroos had been valued at around 20 million euros. Now, it had reached 45 million. Modric's had reached 55 million.

After more than half a season of refinement, the strength and value of Real Madrid's midfield were clear to all.

The Times even declared that this was already one of the strongest and most promising midfields in Europe, a midfield Real Madrid could build their future around.

This was consistent with Gao Shen's philosophy.

He who controls the midfield controls the game.

The Times also reminded readers that this was still a depleted Real Madrid.

"Fans who follow Real Madrid will remember that after Gao Shen arrived, he focused on building the left flank with Marcelo and Ronaldo, which became the strongest attacking combination in Europe. Ronaldo scored some amazing goals during that time."

But with Marcelo's injury, Real Madrid's left-sided attack had suffered. Gao Shen was forced to develop Carvajal on the right, but Di Maria could not provide the same level of firepower as Ronaldo.

So far, Real Madrid's left had been a weak point.

Even in the Manchester United tie, Ferguson had dismissed Real Madrid's left-back as an attacking threat.

"But Marcelo has already been in training for some time, and his return is getting closer. Once he is back in the starting eleven and finds his rhythm, combine him with Ronaldo on the left and add the right-sided attack… that will be the real Real Madrid!"

The Times concluded that Real Madrid would become even stronger.

Finally, the paper reminded everyone of Gao Shen's words at the start of the season: "Real Madrid is a team with great potential."

"Now, when we look back at what Gao Shen said last summer, we are convinced this is the vision of a world-class coach."

"Perhaps, Real Madrid could be the most unexpected 'dark horse' in this Champions League."

…

While The Times focused on results, Marca, close to Real Madrid, was stunned by the Tiki-Taka style displayed during the match, even claiming that Real Madrid's possession football was no worse than Barcelona's.

"In this decisive clash, Real Madrid had a sequence of 15 passes that left Manchester United unable to touch the ball. On another occasion, they strung together 22 passes. These sequences showed the completeness of this Real Madrid team."

Marca quoted Darwin, the British biologist and founder of evolution theory.

"The species that survive are not the strongest or the smartest, but the most adaptable."

Marca argued that Real Madrid had shown supreme adaptability.

At the start, Real Madrid took the initiative and attacked. It surprised many people, though not Ferguson.

His targeted tactics, especially against Ronaldo and Alonso, disrupted Real Madrid's rhythm. Several of Gao Shen's adjustments were neutralized.

"The duel between the two world-class coaches was thrilling to watch."

But in the end, Gao Shen and Real Madrid proved more adaptable, more flexible in their responses.

When the score was 0-0 in the second half, time was against Manchester United. At that moment, Real Madrid decisively switched to Tiki-Taka, Spain's famous possession style, and used it to frustrate United.

"From the match, we could see that Real Madrid's passing ability was excellent, not inferior to Barcelona's. This was clearly something Gao Shen drilled every day."

"The trio of Modric, Kroos, and Alonso locked down possession and dictated the game, putting United on the back foot."

Marca believed that Real Madrid's choice to tire United out with possession and gradually break their resistance was a clever tactical move.

Later, Rafael's forward run was intercepted because United had grown impatient.

"Two dangerous attacking sequences showed Real Madrid's ability to play under pressure while still creating chances."

"It proves Real Madrid are not unable to play possession, just unwilling."

"At the very least, they are not blindly wedded to possession like Barcelona."

The ability to adjust to circumstances and tailor the approach to the opponent was the essence of deep tactical thinking.

…

Real Madrid fans also lavished praise on the team's performance at Old Trafford.

AS reported that when the team returned overnight to Madrid, more than a thousand fans greeted them at the airport, blocking the players on their arrival.

"Gao Shen addressed the fans."

"He promised Real Madrid would not be satisfied with the quarterfinals, but wanted to go further."

"He said Real Madrid is a team with great potential, and everything is only just beginning."

"League, Copa del Rey, Champions League… Real Madrid fans can dream big!"

AS concluded that Gao Shen had promised the fans at least one trophy, and the supporters had roared back their approval.

Alfredo, AS's editor-in-chief, wrote in his column: "It has been many years since we have seen such a passionate Real Madrid, especially after surviving such a brutal schedule."

He quoted Gao Shen after the Champions League group stage, when the coach said the tough schedule was both a test and a learning experience. Endure it, and the rewards will follow.

"The group of death nearly eliminated Real Madrid, but in the end they advanced, and the team's strength grew."

"Now, after this devilish run of fixtures, Real Madrid has once again shown incredible momentum. In back-to-back big matches, they have a perfect record."

Alfredo noted that the only flaw was Ramos' early red card against Deportivo, which prevented Real Madrid from beating them and climbing past Barcelona to first place in La Liga.

But that was not something Gao Shen could have predicted.

He argued that Gao Shen had crafted a detailed strategic plan for Real Madrid and executed it nearly perfectly, allowing fans to witness the club's growth.

More importantly, whether against Barcelona or Manchester United, Real Madrid had shown versatility, adapting to different tactical demands and switching styles when needed.

"In truth, Real Madrid already has the makings of a great team."

"We have every reason to believe Gao Shen can lead them to even greater achievements."

Alfredo asserted that Gao Shen's promise of "a championship" would surely be fulfilled.

It was even possible that Real Madrid could make history by winning the treble.

But he also cautioned the players to learn from the Deportivo match, avoid arrogance, and remain patient.

He especially advised Ramos to control his temper and behavior.

As Varane's performances grew ever more outstanding, many, including Alfredo, began to wonder if Ramos could still hold his place at Real Madrid, especially after Gao Shen had suspended him for three matches.

(To be continued.)