SWR: 🎊🎊 Chapter 996/1001

Chapter 996: Ban

"Are you sure?"

The game was over. In front of the visiting team's coaching bench, Carlo looked at Gao Shen in disbelief.

"Three games? Do you know who our opponents are for the next three games?"

"I know," Gao Shen replied calmly.

He had already vented his anger. The match ended 1-1, so there was no point in saying anything more.

But some things had to be dealt with.

Since they had already dropped points, then they had to make the most of these two points lost.

"Barcelona, Barcelona, Manchester United!"

"Exactly, and even knowing that, you still want to suspend him for three games?" Carlo was even more surprised.

Ramos was the backbone of Real Madrid, the captain on the pitch and also the team's vice-captain.

Varane had indeed been performing very well recently, but he was only 19 years old. At the center-back position, where experience mattered so much, he was still young and needed time to grow.

At this moment, Real Madrid truly needed Ramos.

"I understand what Gao means, I support you," Zidane said firmly.

Carlo was a little confused. He turned to Zidane, wanting to ask: Why are you also making trouble?

Hierro thought about it and nodded. "If we can use these three games to exchange for a more mature Ramos, it will be worth it."

Even Hierro, who had always supported Ramos, expressed agreement. Carlo understood then that this decision had to be carried out.

It was not that he didn't understand Gao Shen's reasoning, he simply felt it was too risky.

An away game against Barcelona, a home game against Barcelona, then an away game against Manchester United, were these matches so easy to play?

Among them, the least difficult was the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. Because of the advantage in the first leg, Real Madrid had basically secured qualification. While not guaranteed, that game was at least relatively manageable.

But Copa del Rey red cards could not be carried over to La Liga.

Therefore, Ramos' suspension would last until the 26th round of La Liga, which was a home game against Barcelona.

That was a decisive battle in the league.

Originally, Real Madrid was only 2 points behind Barcelona. According to Gao Shen's plan, they wanted to turn the tables in that game.

But now, after dropping points at the Riazor, if Barcelona beat Sevilla, Real Madrid would be 4 points behind. The Bernabeu clash would still be crucial, but its significance would be diminished.

And as for Old Trafford against Manchester United, that needed no explanation.

The 1-0 lead from the first leg was anything but safe. Going away, they had to strengthen their defense, right?

But Gao Shen still insisted on punishing Ramos for three games. Who would he use then?

Varane was going to play all three matches in a row?

"Well, I suggest a two-game suspension. That is already severe enough," Carlo proposed.

For a player like Ramos, a two-game internal suspension was far from lenient.

Zidane and Hierro considered it and felt Carlo's suggestion was mature and cautious.

After all, the game against Manchester United was extremely important.

But Gao Shen's stance remained firm.

"Three games, definitely three games. No room for negotiation."

"Why?" Carlo asked in confusion.

"Because I want him to understand that in this Real Madrid team, there is only one person who is indispensable. And it is not Ramos, nor anyone else."

Gao Shen's voice was steady and filled with certainty.

"That person is me."

Carlo, Zidane, and Hierro all understood, though they were also surprised by Gao Shen's determination and courage.

"So, I want him suspended for three games because I don't want him to take part in those three matches. I want him to see that without him, we can still win and beat strong opponents."

"So I must win these three games."

This was a contest of wills.

Ramos respected Gao Shen, but to say that he unconditionally obeyed and worked without complaint was unrealistic.

He was human too, always weighing his own interests.

But now Gao Shen wanted to show Ramos, and the entire Real Madrid squad, that no matter who was missing, Real Madrid could still win.

If after three games his attitude was still poor, then so be it. He could continue sitting out.

Gao Shen was not Villas-Boas or Mourinho, he would never be lenient.

Even though everyone knew Ramos was his trusted man.

Seeing Gao Shen's determination, Zidane and the others stopped trying to persuade him.

After all, they too were furious with Ramos' actions.

…

The locker room was dead silent.

Ramos, who had only played half an hour, had already showered, changed into dry clothes, and greeted his teammates as if nothing had happened.

The game had ended in a draw. As a professional player, one had to have a big heart and know how to let go.

If you lost, you couldn't dwell on it.

Ramos had always been like that, and the players were used to it.

At most, they would complain, blaming him for making the team drop two points.

"Originally, we could have won."

Ramos chuckled. "I know, I know. I'll help the team win two more games as an apology."

No one said more.

Ramos was still very popular in the locker room.

"If you ask me, don't think first about how to help the team win. Think about how to face the boss," Xabi Alonso warned him, seeing his nonchalant attitude.

"Boss, is he angry?"

"On the contrary, he wasn't angry at all."

"Impossible. When I came off the pitch, he was so angry he didn't even want to see me. During halftime, he ignored me completely. How could he not be angry?" Ramos knew the situation.

He was well aware of Gao Shen's tactical plan, especially the strategy of taking points in key matches.

But now, his red card had ruined it. It would be strange if Gao Shen wasn't angry.

"He was very angry at first, but later he calmed down," Casillas said.

He had been sitting on the bench the whole time and saw everything clearly.

Ramos also sensed something was wrong.

Having been with Gao Shen for a while, he understood his personality.

If you made a mistake and he scolded you, then congratulations, you were one of his own, and the matter was over.

If he encouraged you, then congratulations again, because he held high expectations for you.

But if he didn't react at all, that was the real danger.

Ramos sat down awkwardly, starting to feel uneasy.

"I've told you many times, don't waste time, don't waste time. Did you listen? The boss reminded you again and again that if you got another card, you'd be punished severely. And in the end, you ruined his entire points strategy this season," Casillas said angrily.

In the current Real Madrid locker room, Spanish players and foreign players were balanced, all relying on Gao Shen as head coach.

This created a delicate equilibrium.

But Ramos' reckless play had ruined it all.

Just then, Gao Shen, Zidane, and the others entered the locker room.

Immediately, every player turned toward the head coach.

Everyone noticed Gao Shen's expression. It wasn't good, but it wasn't as bad as expected either.

Many glanced at Ramos, who had lowered his head, preparing to act pitiful.

Everyone knew Gao Shen liked Ramos, trusted him, and valued him, so Ramos often dared to act this way.

But this time, Gao Shen ignored him completely.

"I am very unhappy with tonight's game. We should have taken three points, but the red card changed everything."

The atmosphere instantly turned colder.

Ramos tried to speak, but no words came out.

"This was a red card that could have been avoided, yet it happened. Someone must take responsibility. This is our explanation to the team, to the fans, and to everyone else."

Ramos slowly raised his head, realizing he was about to be punished.

Probably a fine.

Well, though he felt reluctant, punishment was punishment.

He would accept it, no matter how much money it cost.

With his salary, it wouldn't be a problem.

"I announce that starting from the next match, Sergio Ramos will be internally suspended for three games, as a warning to others!"

The locker room immediately exploded.

A three-match internal suspension?

Ramos jumped up in disbelief. "Boss, three games?"

"Is there a problem?" Gao Shen asked coldly.

"No, Boss, I…"

"La Liga already suspended you for one game. So this is only a two-game ban. If you feel that is too light, fine, I can add more."

"No, Boss, we're about to play Barcelona and Manchester United…"

"I know," Gao Shen interrupted him, "but that has nothing to do with you. Don't worry, we will win."

"Then I…"

"If you like Camp Nou and Old Trafford, you can travel with us and sit in the stands. If not, you can stay home and watch the broadcast."

Gao Shen's tone was decisive, leaving Ramos no room to negotiate.

Ramos was stunned. He looked at Hierro and Zidane, but they too stayed silent.

Clearly, they had already been informed.

"Any other questions?" Gao Shen asked sternly.

Ramos wanted to say yes, but he knew if he did, their relationship would collapse.

So he shook his head.

"Sit down," Gao Shen ordered.

Ramos returned to his seat.

For the first time, everyone in the locker room felt Gao Shen's aura of authority.

In the half-year since he took charge of Real Madrid, he had always been conciliatory, solving conflicts with a gentle approach.

This was the first time the team had experienced such a storm.

But it was also clear that Gao Shen was truly angry.

Most importantly, Ramos had disrupted his entire plan.

This was not only a sophisticated strategy, but also the hard work of everyone in Real Madrid throughout the season.

"I repeat, I am not Mourinho, nor anyone else. I don't need you pulling unnecessary tricks on the pitch to win."

"What I want is your obedience and execution!"

"Also, from now on, the rules I set will not be challenged for any reason. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the players answered in unison.

Many were shaken.

They had always thought Gao Shen was a gentle, easy-going gentleman. But now that he was angry, they realized how powerful and intimidating his presence truly was.

They had completely misjudged him before.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 997: Barcelona's Gravedigger

Ramos’ internal suspension could not be hidden at all.

No matter how hard they tried to cover it up, once Gao Shen announced the 18-man squad for the Nou Camp and everyone noticed that vice-captain Ramos was not included, the truth was obvious.

Yellow card suspensions in the Copa del Rey and La Liga are counted together, but red card suspensions are served separately.

In other words, the red card Ramos received in the league meant he would be suspended for the next round of La Liga, but it would not affect the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Yet, when Gao Shen needed players, he still excluded Ramos from the squad. The meaning was clear.

Although Ramos was only vice-captain of Real Madrid, everyone knew he was the future captain of both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. Gao Shen’s decision to ban him still caused quite a stir.

Many tabloids even claimed this incident could rival Mourinho’s infamous benching of Casillas last season.

But in reality, it did not create too much turmoil.

Even Casillas himself told the media this was nothing serious. "We had rules in the dressing room. He made a mistake, so he accepts the punishment. That’s all."

Ramos also refused to make a fuss about it publicly. He admitted his mistake and stressed that he hoped it would not affect the team’s performance, especially in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

"I hope that even without me, the team can still defeat strong opponents in the next matches."

He repeated several times that he was ready to answer the call at any time and stand with the team.

Ramos even said he would travel with the squad for the away game.

From his words, it was clear he still believed in his own importance and hoped the coach might reconsider.

But Ramos’ name was not on the list of players travelling to the Nou Camp.

Gao Shen’s stance was firm.

…

In the first leg at the Bernabéu, Barcelona had suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat. Back at the Nou Camp, they still did not give up hope.

As soon as the whistle blew, Barcelona, who kicked off, launched a fierce attack on Real Madrid.

Within 33 seconds, Sánchez cut in from the left half-space and unleashed the first shot of the game.

Real Madrid stuck to the same tactics as the first leg, keeping their lines compact.

Gao Shen deployed Varane and Pepe at centre-back, with Carvajal and Arbeloa as full-backs.

The midfield iron triangle consisted of Xabi Alonso sitting deep, with Kroos and Modric ahead of him.

Up front were Ronaldo, Higuaín and Di María.

Real Madrid’s defensive approach was once again to narrow the space, compress the lines, and focus on the key points.

They tightened the three lines, set their defensive line near the halfway line, gave up pressing Barcelona’s centre-backs, concentrated on blocking Busquets, and squeezed Barcelona’s midfield.

It was essentially the same setup as the first leg.

Barcelona clearly recognised this too.

Acting head coach Jordi Roura adjusted by pushing his centre-backs higher to join in the build-up and attack, with Busquets dropping deeper into the back line when needed.

Barcelona’s first shot came from exactly this change, when Puyol carried the ball forward and launched a long pass.

It was a relatively fresh variation.

But after several attempts, Barcelona gradually reverted to their old habits.

In the opening ten minutes, Barcelona had already taken four shots, showing an aggressive intent. Real Madrid?

Not a single attempt.

The whole team had been pinned deep in their own half.

But gradually, an interesting pattern emerged.

Barcelona’s attack looked lively, their ball movement sharp, and the tempo high. Yet, their chances carried little genuine threat.

At the Bernabéu, their problem was that the ball rarely reached the forwards. Tonight, that problem was solved.

The forwards — Sánchez, Messi and Pedro — were all getting touches.

But the end product?

Still toothless.

Or rather, it looked dangerous, but wasn’t truly threatening.

…

"Do you know why I dared to suspend Ramos?"

Gao Shen asked Zidane and Hierro on the bench.

Both assistants shook their heads.

"Because against Barcelona, what matters is collective defence, not the individual ability of one player. Ramos is important, but not indispensable."

His words sounded strange, but Zidane and Hierro understood.

To beat Barcelona, you relied on organisation and discipline, not one man’s talent.

Ramos had great qualities, but Varane wasn’t lacking either.

In fact, the young Frenchman had been improving with every game, looking more and more like a true leader.

"Barcelona’s success came from their possession system. Now, their downfall is because of that same system." Gao Shen analysed calmly.

"Look at our setup. Four defenders, three midfielders. Compact lines, covering the centre and flanks well. Normally, in this situation, teams would go wide, open up the wings, and then cut back inside."

"But Barcelona? Every time they reach the final third, they still insist on going through the half-spaces and the middle."

"This team has lost its wing play. Even full-backs like Alves and Alba just charge into the box."

It was a crucial point.

Not using wingers had been Guardiola’s deliberate choice when tailoring Barcelona’s system.

In Rijkaard’s era, they had traditional wide players, like Giuly.

Back then, Ronaldinho would cut in from the left, link with Eto’o and Giuly, and create combinations that were difficult to stop.

But now?

Cutting inside from the left, cutting inside from the right, always cutting inside.

Long balls? Forget it. Too risky, too inefficient.

Barcelona had become addicted to intricate short combinations to break through compact defences. It was their strength.

But this also made defending them easier.

At the Bernabéu, they had been destroyed by Madrid.

In the Champions League, at the San Siro, they were held to a 0-0 draw by AC Milan.

Now, with Madrid under pressure from a brutal schedule, Barcelona were also suffering.

"In football, there has never been an invincible tactic or system. The only constant is change. If you don’t change, you will be eliminated."

Zidane and Hierro both nodded.

This applied not just to Barcelona, but to every team.

After reaching the peak, you had to dare to evolve. Staying still meant decline.

It sounded simple, but in practice it was brutally hard.

If you didn’t change yourself, sooner or later someone would force you to.

Maybe in a year, maybe in two. But it would come.

And the process would be painful, just like Barcelona now.

Suddenly, it seemed as if every team in Europe could take on Barcelona without fear.

Because everyone now knew how to deal with them.

And Gao Shen had been the key catalyst.

He was the gravedigger of Barcelona’s tactical system.

…

Real Madrid had survived the opening storm, holding Barcelona at bay.

Gao Shen waited patiently for his moment.

On the surface, Barcelona were in control.

But in the 31st minute, it changed.

Sánchez’s ball was blocked by Carvajal and rolled out for a throw-in.

Alba rushed to take it quickly, but his pass was intercepted right on the edge of the Madrid penalty area.

Barcelona tried to counterpress immediately, but Real Madrid’s midfield strung together quick passes.

Modric recycled it, slipped it right to Carvajal, and the right-back instantly launched a ball down the touchline.

Ronaldo burst in behind at full speed, latching onto Carvajal’s pass.

Madrid’s front three had switched positions again.

Ronaldo drove forward into space toward the Barcelona box.

Puyol chased hard, trying to close him down.

But the benefit of the switch showed.

Di María usually played on the right, where Puyol was accustomed to defending him. But now, Ronaldo — right-footed — was running into that channel, and Puyol’s positioning worked against him.

As Ronaldo reached the edge of the box on the right, he slowed, waiting for teammates. Puyol recovered his position inside.

Then, in an instant, Ronaldo exploded again, feinting inside, showing his left. Puyol bit, but the Portuguese shifted right, pushing the ball to the byline with his stronger foot and bursting past him.

Even the experienced Puyol couldn’t adjust, Ronaldo was through.

He stormed into the right corner of the six-yard box and whipped a low ball across goal.

It was perfectly placed, too far from Valdés to claim, but driven hard across the face of goal.

Higuaín darted in front of Piqué and poked it home.

At the back post, Di María threw his arms up in frustration, pointing at himself as if to say, "I was in a better spot, mate!"

But Higuaín didn’t care. He wheeled away, sprinting to the corner flag to celebrate wildly.

Only then did the Camp Nou gasp in shock.

Madrid’s counterattack had been too fast.

So fast that even the fans in the stands hadn’t processed it before the ball was already in the net.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 998: Perfect Threat

In the second half, in the 61st minute, Di Maria and Carvajal combined on the right for a quick counterattack, but Alba blocked the ball out of bounds.

Real Madrid won a corner kick.

As expected, Toni Kroos stepped up to take it, while both teams' aerial threats entered Barcelona's penalty area.

Set-piece defending was another weakness of Barcelona.

The entire Camp Nou was on edge.

Real Madrid's corner setup was very interesting.

Higuain waited at the near post, Di Maria positioned himself at the far post, while Pepe, Varane, and Ronaldo, the three strongest in the air, all started outside the penalty area, bunched together on the left side.

Xabi Alonso and Modric stood just outside the box, ready for the second ball.

When the referee blew his whistle, Kroos ran up and delivered the corner. Players inside the penalty area immediately began their runs.

Ronaldo suddenly sprinted forward from the far-left position at great speed.

With his extraordinary heading ability, he had always been the main target of Barcelona's defenders. Naturally, he immediately drew the attention of Puyol, Busquets, and others. He darted toward the right side of the six-yard box, as if aiming to attack the near post.

Right behind him came Varane and Pepe.

As Ronaldo ran across, the two cut straight into Barcelona's defense.

Varane positioned himself directly in front of Piqué, while Pepe slipped in behind Varane and Piqué, using his body to block Alba.

As Kroos' delivery dropped, Pepe shook free of Alba and charged straight into Piqué.

Inside the six-yard box, Varane and Pepe sandwiched Piqué. The three jumped together, but Piqué was clearly disrupted by Pepe and failed to stop Varane, who was in front.

The French center-back, tall and with superb leaping ability, rose high and headed Kroos' corner directly toward the right side of the goal.

Goalkeeper Valdés had no time to react. The ball flew in.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"2-0!"

"Real Madrid! Real Madrid strike again!"

"The young French defender, Raphael Varane, scores with a header!"

Varane roared in celebration, arms wide open. But instead of rushing to the corner like most goalscorers, he ran straight toward the visitors' bench.

Just as the crowd looked on in surprise, Varane threw himself into Gao Shen's arms.

"Well done, Rafael!" Gao Shen hugged him tightly, just as excited, celebrating the perfect goal.

2-0.

The match was effectively over.

Real Madrid's players caught up, surrounding Gao Shen and Varane on the touchline. To outsiders, it looked like a goal celebration. In truth, they were also celebrating the team's qualification.

With an aggregate score of 6-0, could Barcelona still turn it around?

Zidane, Hierro, Carlo, and the rest also stepped out from the bench, high-fiving and embracing Varane and the others after the goal.

"Varane has been excellent over the past few matches, growing more and more solid at the back. He already shows the qualities of a defensive leader. Tonight, he's continued that form."

"I believe after a full season of growth, Varane will emerge as one of Europe's rising center-backs."

"Gao Shen truly deserves his reputation as one of the world's top coaches!"

"In just over half a year at Real Madrid, he's developed several outstanding young players. This is a massive contribution to the club."

…

The TV broadcast zoomed in on the Real Madrid bench, showing players hugging in celebration. It cut to Gao Shen and Varane, capturing their excitement and joy.

The Camp Nou roared with boos.

Barcelona fans were furious at the result.

Conceding two straight goals, with the aggregate at 6-0, what was left to play for?

Was it true what critics said, that Barcelona could only bully weaker teams?

Florentino had once again come to watch the match, knowing Real Madrid's advancement was almost guaranteed.

By his side were Jose Sanchez, Valdano, Butragueño, while Barcelona president Rosell and vice president Bartomeu hosted.

In the directors' box, Ramos sat as well, sidelined by Gao Shen's internal suspension.

Everyone could see his close ties with Florentino.

The Spanish defender also watched the action unfold.

He realized his absence hadn't hurt Real Madrid much. Varane had filled his place perfectly.

Even scoring a goal tonight.

Was this kid trying to seize his position?

Ramos had always known Varane's strength and potential, as well as how highly Gao Shen valued him. But he never cared too much. After all, he was captain of Real Madrid.

And a captain was indispensable.

Besides, with Real Madrid competing on multiple fronts, three top-class center-backs were barely enough.

So Ramos never thought Varane was a real threat.

But tonight, under the lights of the Camp Nou, he suddenly felt otherwise.

This younger teammate, whom he had watched grow and even mentored, might really take his place.

Ramos was quick and mobile. But Varane was also quick and mobile, especially in recovery runs.

Many assumed tall defenders were slow, but that was a misconception.

Varane's pace was among the best at Real Madrid, and even Ramos admitted it.

More importantly, Varane was calm and composed on the pitch, qualities Ramos often lacked.

Ramos' biggest strength was his long passing.

But Varane had strong technique too, playing smart passes, even if he appeared too disciplined due to his youth training background. He always chose the safe option, without flashy risk.

Gao Shen once said Varane's passing was underrated, and he could become the organizer at the back.

That role was supposed to be Ramos'.

Judging by tonight, Varane was nearly flawless, capped with a headed goal.

Perfect.

Ramos felt a threat.

A very real, very strong threat.

…

From the directors' box, Florentino didn't say a single word to Ramos throughout.

It was deliberate.

Gao Shen had just suspended him. If Florentino publicly interacted with Ramos and it leaked, it would undermine Gao Shen and stir trouble.

As an experienced president running a massive enterprise, Florentino understood management better than anyone.

So he kept silent, letting Valdano and Butragueño sit closer instead.

"If Varane keeps playing like this, he could become the next Carvajal," Butragueño said casually, but loud enough for Ramos to hear.

Carvajal?

Since replacing Arbeloa this season, he had become the undisputed starter at right-back. Reliable in defense, effective in attack, and willing to work tirelessly, Carvajal had earned Gao Shen's complete trust.

"At first, people said Carvajal was the next Courtois," Ramos said sarcastically.

And wasn't that the truth?

The first young player to truly break through was Courtois.

Even Casillas had privately admitted that Gao Shen's original plan was to bench him temporarily and let Courtois take over. As soon as Courtois made a serious mistake, Casillas would regain his spot.

It was supposed to be seamless.

But Courtois never faltered. He seized the chance, displaying strength and consistency, improving every match.

Now, if not for Gao Shen's balancing act, Casillas might have lost even his cup matches.

Even so, it forced Casillas to fight harder, keeping himself in top form.

"I'm not trying to be harsh, Sergio, but you know your boss better than anyone. He hates your recklessness the most. He warned you over and over, and yet you still picked up a red card at the crucial moment," Valdano said heavily.

He was deeply frustrated.

Three days ago, Real Madrid should have beaten Barcelona in La Liga to go top.

Now, that chance was gone.

"What crucial moment?!" Ramos snapped.

"Every match matters on the road to the title. Look at how tight the league is now!" Valdano glared at him.

You made the mistake, and you're still arguing?

"Jorge is right, you deserved the punishment," Butragueño added.

Ramos opened his mouth but couldn't answer.

Didn't he know he had messed up?

If not, would Gao Shen really have suspended him?

"Be careful. If Varane truly establishes himself, no one will care about your protests," Valdano warned.

And wasn't that the truth?

Pepe's physical condition was phenomenal, perhaps the best among all defenders in Europe, and he was growing more consistent by the week. Gao Shen trusted him more and more.

Among Madrid's center-backs, Ramos had become the most unstable factor.

If Varane secured his place too, then Captain Ramos might be left sitting beside Casillas, guarding the water bottles.

That would make them a laughingstock.

Worse, Gao Shen might strip them of the captain and vice-captain armbands.

If that happened, their careers at Madrid would be over.

"Take my advice, Sergio," Butragueño said. "Find time to talk to Gao Shen. Be humble, apologize, admit your mistake, and let it pass."

Ramos nodded silently. Of course, he knew.

This was Gao Shen disciplining him.

And it had struck him right where it hurt most.

He had no choice but to bow to his boss.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 999: Ramos, Please Be More Careful

Real Madrid eventually defeated Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou.

In the 79th minute, they scored their third goal.

It came from another quick counterattack. Toni Kroos' long pass sailed over Barcelona's defense and landed at Di Maria's feet. The Argentine, who had swapped positions with Ronaldo, received the ball at the edge of the penalty area and drove forward against Piqué.

Unlucky Piqué, who had just been knocked down by Pepe during the earlier aerial challenge, was still frustrated. He had protested to the referee, but the goal had stood.

Now, facing Di Maria's endless feints, he was tricked again, slipping inside the penalty area. Di Maria broke through on the left side of the box and squared the ball across the goal.

Ronaldo arrived at the back post and smashed it into the net.

3-0.

With that, Real Madrid eliminated Barcelona with a crushing 7-0 aggregate score across the two legs.

…

After the match, the Spanish press exploded with coverage of the world-famous clash.

The national daily El País ran the headline: Real Madrid Conquers Camp Nou!

The report stated that Real Madrid had given Barcelona a vivid lesson at the Nou Camp.

"This is already Real Madrid's third win against Barcelona this season."

"Gao Shen is showing Barcelona, and the world, that football is not only about passing and possession. It is also about strength and efficiency."

El País analyzed the match statistics and found that Real Madrid's possession rate was only 35%, their highest figure across the three meetings this season. Despite that, they created 14 shots, 9 on target, with ruthless efficiency.

Barcelona, by contrast, had 16 shots but only 3 on target, a wasteful performance.

The paper concluded that Gao Shen's triumph at Camp Nou reflected a trend in modern football: Barcelona's possession game was being contained.

Meanwhile, Catalonia's Sport ran a bitter headline: Real Madrid Sweep Barcelona Out of the Copa del Rey.

The article, acting as Barcelona's mouthpiece, admitted that whether at the Bernabéu or Camp Nou, Lula's side had been disorganized.

"Facing Real Madrid's defensive system, they had no solution, only passing back and forth endlessly."

It was not a coincidence, they argued, since the same thing had happened in Madrid.

In recent years, whenever Barcelona met Gao Shen's teams, they were always beaten soundly.

"He is like Barcelona's nemesis!"

Mundo Deportivo urged Barcelona to forget the Copa del Rey, regroup, and lift their heads quickly.

"There is another Clásico this weekend at the Bernabéu, a crucial La Liga match."

Because of Ramos' early red card against Deportivo, Real Madrid had only managed a draw, allowing Barcelona to extend their La Liga lead to 4 points. Even if they lost at the Bernabéu, they would still be ahead.

But with only 1 point separating them, the margin was dangerously slim.

Sport argued Barcelona should aim to beat Real Madrid away, or at the very least secure a draw.

"Lula's team has hit a rough patch, but now is the time to rally."

Mundo Deportivo added, "Barcelona's players can still be trusted. Nothing has been decided yet."

…

Unlike the Catalan press, the Madrid-based media showered praise on Gao Shen.

This was the third victory over Barcelona this season, and Real Madrid's performance was outstanding.

Even though they trailed in La Liga, optimism remained strong. Fans and journalists alike believed the team could turn it around.

At the post-match press conference, Gao Shen expressed confidence ahead of the weekend clash at the Bernabéu.

He firmly believed his team would win again and keep their streak alive.

AS credited Gao Shen as the biggest contributor to the win, with Varane listed second.

The French defender had grown rapidly throughout the season, now displaying the qualities of a top-class center-back.

After the match, not only AS and Marca, but even Catalan papers like Sport and Mundo Deportivo praised Varane's performance, albeit with envy.

AS wrote: "In both attack and defense, Varane has become indispensable for Real Madrid."

"Gao Shen is the best coach in the world at discovering and nurturing young players. He has unearthed a reliable, world-class central defender for Real Madrid."

Varane was praised for his pace, sharp interceptions, accurate passing, and composure in every situation. Adding goals to his repertoire only raised expectations further.

AS even declared: "Varane will be the defensive cornerstone of Real Madrid for the next decade."

Marca agreed, noting Varane's steady rise in form and flawless job marking Messi at Camp Nou.

Pepe too was becoming more consistent. This season he had hardly picked up any yellow cards, let alone reds.

With Varane's emergence and Pepe's stability, Ramos had suddenly become the most worrying piece of Real Madrid's defense.

Marca sent a warning: "Ramos, you had better be more careful!"

If he did not improve, his place at Real Madrid could soon vanish.

The paper also published Gao Shen's response from the post-match press conference.

When asked whether Varane's rise would affect Ramos' role, Gao Shen said Varane was indeed a future world-class defender, but for now, Ramos remained the best in the world.

"I am very happy to have three top-class central defenders. Any manager would consider this a blessing. It allows us to manage the intense schedule more effectively."

…

The day after Real Madrid's 3-0 away win and 7-0 aggregate triumph, Atletico Madrid beat Sevilla 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 away, winning 4-3 overall.

This set up a Copa del Rey final between the two Madrid giants.

But a new problem arose: where should the final be held?

Traditionally, the final was played at a neutral venue, not belonging to either team.

The most suitable stadium outside Madrid was Camp Nou.

This immediately triggered outrage from the Catalan media and fans.

Barcelona had just been humiliated 7-0 by Real Madrid. Hosting the final at Camp Nou, and potentially watching Madrid lift the trophy there, would be unbearable.

President Rosell quickly announced in an interview that Camp Nou could not host the final due to scheduling conflicts.

The excuse was flimsy.

Just last season, Barcelona themselves had nearly played a Copa del Rey final at the Bernabéu against Athletic Bilbao. The Federation eventually moved it to Atletico's Calderón after protests.

Now Atletico demanded the final again be played at their stadium.

Real Madrid opposed, unwilling to concede that advantage.

According to AS, the Spanish Federation was considering three venues: Barcelona's Camp Nou, Valencia's Mestalla, and Seville's Olympic Stadium.

But the Catalan media were furious. Some Barcelona fans even threatened that if the final was held at Camp Nou, they would protest in blood.

Clearly, they could not bear to see their arch-rivals crowned champions on their own turf.

…

For Gao Shen, the venue was irrelevant.

After returning from Barcelona, he threw himself completely into preparation.

Only three days separated the Copa del Rey from the 26th round of La Liga.

That was brutally tight for Real Madrid.

The squad returned to Madrid overnight, held recovery training the next morning, and immediately began league preparations.

The Clásico would be played on March 2nd at 15:00, followed by the away trip to Old Trafford against Manchester United on March 5th. Only two days separated the games, and with travel required, there was no margin.

In other words, Real Madrid had no time to rest, moving from match to match without pause.

It was a massive test, not just for Gao Shen and his staff, but also for the players.

If handled poorly, they could collapse at any moment.

Especially with United waiting at Old Trafford, fully prepared.

So, no matter how reluctant Gao Shen was, he had to rotate against Barcelona. And not lightly, but with a strong rotation. Otherwise, how could they face United?

This forced Gao Shen to prepare in training without even rehearsing targeted tactics. Adjustments had to be made directly in the match itself.

That was the harsh reality of fighting on multiple fronts.

No team could stop to rest or adjust. Even when problems were obvious, they had to keep moving forward.

Only after surviving this stretch could they pause, reflect, and learn.

Just as Gao Shen was buried in preparations for the fourth Clásico of the season, Ramos knocked on his office door.

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 1000: Real Madrid’s Central Defender Died

"Boss."

When Gao Shen walked out of the coaches' office and headed toward his own, Ramos, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, lowered his head and called out softly, looking almost afraid to be seen.

Gao Shen glanced at him, then walked straight into his office.

"Come in."

The moment Ramos heard this, he secretly grinned, quickly followed inside, and even closed the door behind him with a playful smile.

"Boss, why don't you just scold me or beat me up?"

Gao Shen, sitting behind his desk, almost laughed out loud when he heard that.

Sometimes, you had to admit, Ramos was a shameless rascal.

His personality was popular, though.

Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, his reputation was excellent.

Not only did the local Spanish players follow his lead, even Cristiano Ronaldo and others held a good impression of him.

But he was also far too restless, too impulsive.

"Tell me, what do you want?" Gao Shen asked with a stern face.

In truth, he already knew what Ramos was up to.

"What else could it be?" Ramos replied without shame, pulling out a chair and sitting directly opposite Gao Shen. The look on his face said it all.

Taking advantage of the situation, as always.

"Boss, look, our team is in a critical moment now. The schedule is tight. I heard you'll need heavy rotation against Barcelona this weekend. We're short on manpower. As a teammate, I feel responsible at a time like this."

After saying that, Ramos put on an innocent smile and looked at Gao Shen.

"Aren't you suspended?"

"Yes, I'm suspended for the league match against Barcelona this weekend. But in the Champions League… hey, boss, that's an internal suspension," Ramos reminded him.

Internal bans, after all, were just a matter of the coach's word.

If Gao Shen wanted, who would dare to object?

"So what you mean is, you want me to go back on my word and change the punishment?" Gao Shen shot back.

Ramos quickly waved his hands. "No, no, not that. I've thought about it. I'll write a self-criticism, really sincere, full of emotion, and apologize to the whole team. Since the squad is short right now, boss, maybe you could just…"

His meaning was clear. He wanted Gao Shen to use the situation as an excuse to lift his ban.

Gao Shen chuckled inwardly.

This kid was cunning and sharp.

But the problem with people like him was obvious: impatient, careless, lacking calm.

"It seems you still don't understand your problem," Gao Shen sighed.

Ramos froze. Something wasn't right. The conversation was going off track.

"Boss, I do understand. Really. I swear I won't make the same mistake again."

He sounded almost desperate.

Gao Shen shook his head. "A promise? Your promises mean nothing. Haven't you promised me enough already? Do you want me to list them out one by one?"

Ramos fell silent. He knew his track record was bad.

"Sergio, let me ask you. How do you think we beat Barcelona?" Gao Shen suddenly changed the subject.

Sitting across from him, Ramos felt Gao Shen's eyes. He knew the boss wasn't angry now, just serious. He stopped smiling and thought carefully.

"Teamwork, solid defense, quicker transitions… and sharp counterattacks."

Gao Shen nodded. "Good. But you've missed the most important point."

Ramos frowned, convinced he hadn't missed anything.

"Precision and efficiency," Gao Shen revealed.

Ramos began to understand.

In three matches against Barcelona this season, they had nearly 70% possession, while Madrid had only about 30%. Yet in that 30%, Madrid created more dangerous chances. That wasn't luck.

Precision and efficiency.

Those were the keys. They made Madrid's defense stronger, their transitions faster, and their counterattacks deadlier. Barcelona could hardly cope.

Without those two elements, Madrid would have posed no real threat.

But Gao Shen wasn't just talking about El Clásico. He was talking about the wider trend in European football.

Nowadays, every team emphasized possession. Defenders who could pass were increasingly valuable.

Just like Koulibaly at Leeds United in the Premier League, already catching the eye of top clubs.

Why the emphasis on ball-playing defenders?

Simple. Because pressing had improved.

The difference between having a center-back who could pass and one who couldn't was massive.

Under pressure, a defender who could stay calm and pick the right pass gave the team control and tactical freedom.

But if a defender lacked composure or passing quality, mistakes under pressure were inevitable, and the whole defensive system collapsed.

That was Koulibaly's current weakness at Leeds: easily distracted, unfocused, impatient.

But at 22, he had room to improve. His flaws didn't outweigh his strengths. He was still one of the best young defenders in Europe.

And Ramos?

He was nearly 27.

At 22, impatience could be forgiven. At 27, it was different.

In football, strength is limited by the weakest link.

One reckless, unreliable center-back could ruin everything.

…

Ramos knew this conversation was coming when he asked to meet Gao Shen. He had braced himself.

But the result was better than expected.

Gao Shen told him clearly he wasn't giving up on him. He just wanted him to calm down, reflect, and adapt.

For example, Gao Shen had asked his technical staff to prepare a detailed report on Ramos' defending.

Many people wouldn't believe it, but whether it was Ramos or Pepe, their fouls and cards came largely from Madrid's poor defensive system.

For teams like Madrid and Barcelona, with strong attacks but weaker defenses, the defenders were always under immense pressure.

Why didn't Puyol and Piqué have the same problems?

Think carefully. In Puyol's early years, when Barcelona was struggling, wasn't he similar to Ramos?

What changed was not the player, but Barcelona's system.

Their pressing, possession, and midfield protection relieved the defense. From Rijkaard to Guardiola, Barcelona always had outstanding holding midfielders.

Real Madrid did not.

Since Makelele left, Madrid never had a true world-class defensive midfielder. Lass Diarra and Mahamadou Diarra had spells of form, but never lasted.

Without midfield protection, defenders were constantly exposed one-on-one.

So from Woodgate, Samuel, Cannavaro, to Pepe and Ramos, it wasn't that Madrid's defenders were bad.

It was the system.

Ramos' personal weakness was clear: not tall enough, not strong enough. Against big strikers or nimble forwards, he struggled, often forced into fouls.

Pepe was physically dominant, but still collected plenty of cards.

It was a product of Madrid's system as much as the players.

A center-back didn't need to dribble, but if he couldn't defend cleanly, he was criticized for being dirty.

Still, Ramos was a top defender.

And a top defender didn't mean a perfect one.

There had never been a perfect center-back, not even Stam or Nesta.

Even the elegant Nesta had his share of rash moments. Fans just remembered the graceful ones.

…

"You've seen it yourself. Since I took over, our defensive system is tighter. Our center-backs rarely face attackers one-on-one, even against Barcelona," Gao Shen said confidently.

Ramos admitted it. "I know, boss. We've even said privately that you value defense more than any Madrid coach before."

"This is the foundation. Modern football is brutally realistic," Gao Shen replied with a smile, ignoring the flattery.

"What I want to tell you is this. Before, you had to defend recklessly because you were exposed. But now, you don't. Our defense relies on the team. You must adapt to my rhythm, my system, and change your thinking."

"What I need now is precision and efficiency. I don't need your risky tricks. The risk is too high. If you did that in a key match, what then? What should I do?"

Ramos was convinced.

The detailed report showed how much Gao Shen valued him. The analysis hit the heart of the problem.

Since joining Madrid in 2005, Ramos had always played with fear. As the last barrier, he believed he had to stop attackers at all costs, even if it meant a red card.

That mindset had become deeply ingrained.

Without Gao Shen's guidance, he would never have broken it.

Now he finally understood.

And he knew what he had to do.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Quoc-Anh Vu for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 1001: The Pattern is Small

Ramos walked back to the dugout with a calm expression.

There was neither disappointment nor joy on his face.

This left his Real Madrid teammates, who had been paying close attention, feeling puzzled.

"How did your talk with the boss go?"

As soon as Ramos entered, Casillas asked the question.

The others in the dressing room also stopped what they were doing and looked over.

"Nothing serious, just chatting."

"We talked for nearly an hour, and you say it's nothing?" Casillas clearly didn't believe him.

He even suspected that Ramos had secretly reached some kind of deal with the boss and was keeping it hidden.

"Really, nothing much. Just talked about my own problems and the team's problems."

Casillas wore a look of disbelief. The others were the same.

Could Ramos really have such foresight and insight?

"Seriously, the boss told me I need to change my mindset and accept change. He also talked about the changes and trends in European football over the next few years, and how we central defenders should adapt."

Ramos paused, then smacked his lips. "I think what the boss said makes sense. That vision… is massive!"

Everyone looked at one another. They thought Ramos must have taken the wrong medicine.

"Seriously, Sergio, did the boss drug you?" Pepe teased with a laugh.

Ramos was instantly displeased.

Drugged?

Am I the kind of guy who's easily fooled?

Do I look like that?

"Really, you just don't get it. Your vision is too narrow."

"What situation? Tell us." Modric leaned forward with interest.

The others also nodded and urged Ramos, "Go on, tell us."

Ramos couldn't hide it anymore. With everyone staring at him, he felt itchy inside. He cleared his throat twice. "So, what should I say first?"

Everyone rolled their eyes, signaling him to stop wasting time and speak.

"The boss said he wants to build a team that will be highly competitive in European football within the next three years, or even five years. So he's been constantly adjusting the team's tactics, and we have to keep up with him. If we can't…"

Ramos shrugged helplessly.

Needless to say, those who couldn't keep up would be eliminated and shipped out of Real Madrid.

"In the next five years? Competing for the Champions League?" Even the calm Xabi Alonso looked surprised.

People often ignored the "three years" and were stunned by the mention of "five."

"That's what the boss said," Ramos nodded.

There were many sharp minds in the dressing room. Their first reaction was disbelief.

Nonsense.

It was hard enough for most teams to win the Champions League once. How could you compete for it five years in a row?

In the modern era, where were the teams that stayed at the top forever?

Real Madrid's five consecutive European Cups were in the old days. Since the modern Champions League was reformed, it had become nearly impossible to even defend the title, let alone win three or five in a row. Only Manchester City had done it.

But that team was backed by enormous investment, so it was an exception.

Still, after scoffing, many fell into thought.

Manchester City had defended their Champions League title with a team led by Gao Shen.

More importantly, in recent years Gao Shen had already won four Champions League titles, the most of any manager in history.

If he said it, maybe it wasn't impossible.

The players huddled together and analyzed carefully. Soon, they saw the pattern.

For example, since Gao Shen took over, why had he strongly backed Real Madrid's academy?

Carvajal, Nacho, Marcos Alonso, Jesé, Morata, Vázquez and Isco had all been given plenty of playing time and had performed well.

Carvajal was already a first-choice starter.

In addition to the homegrown players, there were also young foreign signings like Courtois, Varane and Casemiro.

It was clear that Gao Shen was making use of the established first-team core while also promoting a younger generation for the future. This wasn't just about bench depth, but about long-term development.

In five years, how old would those players be?

Looking at the current starting lineup, in five years most of them would still be able to compete.

From that perspective, what Ramos said about Gao Shen's plan to build a Champions League-contending squad within five years was entirely credible.

The more they thought about it, the more excited the players became.

They had to admit that the bigger vision truly stood higher.

For example, his promotion of young players was something no recent Real Madrid coach had done.

In fact, wasn't the last coach who dared to do this Gao Shen himself?

And history had proven that the players he promoted the first time around became important contributors.

Now, could it happen again?

…

"Oh, by the way, Sergio, did the boss agree to let you play against Manchester United?" Casillas suddenly asked, hitting the heart of the matter.

This was Ramos's true reason for speaking to Gao Shen.

Everyone looked at him, especially Varane and Pepe.

If Ramos returned to the starting XI, they would be the ones affected.

Ramos gave an awkward smile and scratched his head. "The boss flatly refused."

"Why? Aren't you part of his five-year plan?" Xabi Alonso teased.

Ramos glanced at him and shook his head. "No chance. The boss said I deserve my punishment, and he won't change it!"

From his tone, everyone could tell he had hit a wall.

"But it's okay. The boss also said that after the suspension, I'll still have my chances."

As he said this, Ramos turned toward Varane.

"Kid, you'd better fight hard these next two games. Whether it's Barcelona or Manchester United, you can't lose!"

Varane nodded firmly.

Pepe laughed out loud. "Relax, Sergio. As long as you don't play, we won't lose."

The room erupted in laughter.

Ramos was dejected.

Was his reputation really that bad?

Wasn't it just one red card?

Did they really have to mock him like this?

Still, after today's talk with Gao Shen and after seeing the Nou Camp performance, he realized he had to work harder to keep up with the coach.

If he didn't change, who knew when Varane might take his place.

Florentino, Valdano and Butragueño had all said that Gao Shen had the final word on all football matters at Real Madrid.

If it came to that, even Florentino couldn't save him.

So Ramos could only prepare himself for the future and find a way to save his own career.

…

As March began, Spain heated up for the 26th-round Clásico.

Though it was the fourth Clásico of the season, it still captured worldwide attention.

The league table was clear. Barcelona and Real Madrid were the only real title contenders, with Barcelona holding a 4-point lead.

If Madrid wanted to stay in the race, they had to win at the Bernabéu and close the gap.

But Madrid's real problem was the schedule.

After playing Barcelona, they would immediately fly to Manchester to face United away.

With only two days in between, preparation time was brutally short.

First the Nou Camp, then the Bernabéu, and straight to Old Trafford. It was a nightmare schedule.

Gao Shen had already been considering rotation. After the evaluations of Buenaventura and Pintus, he was convinced. Without rotation, Madrid couldn't keep up with Barcelona's tempo.

They could even lose both games if not careful.

Between the two matches, Old Trafford was more important.

A 1-0 home advantage wasn't enough to guarantee progression.

Even if they lost at the Bernabéu, they could still catch Barcelona later. But if they lost at Old Trafford, it was over.

After much thought, Gao Shen decided on heavy rotation.

When the 18-man squad was announced, public opinion exploded.

Everyone understood the decision. No team could play three massive games in such a short span without rotating.

Barcelona, meanwhile, were preparing at full strength, eager to take revenge at the Bernabéu.

According to the Catalan media, this would be the decisive battle for the La Liga title.

They even whispered of sealing the championship early at the Bernabéu.

The biggest advantage, they said, was Madrid's punishing schedule.

But Madrid weren't backing down. The media war was fierce.

Marca ran a lengthy article on Barcelona's decline after Guardiola: poor discipline, weak preparation, lack of authority, no leadership, poor rotation.

All arrows pointed at Barcelona.

Marca concluded that it was no accident they had already lost three Clásicos this season, and they would lose the fourth too.

"Even with a heavily rotated lineup, Real Madrid can still beat Barcelona at the Bernabéu."

Barcelona coach Jordi Roura, at his press conference, admitted the importance of the match.

"I don't know what kind of Real Madrid we'll face, it depends on their manager's choices. But whoever they field, it will be difficult for us to win."

"This game is about three crucial points, it will decide the league outcome. And a victory against Real Madrid would restore our self-esteem and morale."

So far this season, Barcelona had lost three straight to Madrid. The players were insecure.

Especially after being held to a draw by AC Milan away in the Champions League, doubts were rising.

Was their possession football outdated?

Compared with Barcelona, Gao Shen's press conference at the Bernabéu was short and simple.

He gave only one line.

"We're ready!"

(To be continued.)

Wow, I just wanted to end this with a note from the heart. This work holds a special place for me. I started it because there were hardly any good football fics out there, and most of the ones I found ended up unfinished or abandoned. I promised myself back then that I would complete this book because I genuinely enjoy reading it.

Interestingly, my first introduction to the author wasn’t actually this story, but another one: Red Rebel (about a new Manchester United). Trust me, that was a fantastic read as well. But since I started this one first, I had to see it through before anything else.

So here’s my heartfelt thanks to all my supporters who have been with me since day one. I see you, and I’m grateful you’re still here. To all my newer supporters as well, thank you so much. Without you guys, I wouldn’t be here.

So cheers to Super Chapter 1000! With this milestone, we’re slowly approaching the end of SWR, less than 400 chapters left. I’ll try to release as many as possible each day so we can eventually move on to Red Rebel.

Thank you again for all your support. Have a wonderful day!