🎊🎊SWR: Chapter 965/969

Chapter 965: I'll take you to win the championship

December 4, Dragon Stadium, Porto, Portugal.

In the final round of the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid faced Porto away from home.

In the 12th minute of the match, Real Madrid launched an attack from the right flank. Di Maria and Modric attempted to break through on the right-hand side but failed and were forced to pass the ball back to Carvajal.

The young player, who had recently secured a place in the starting lineup, controlled the ball, observed the field, and then delivered a right-footed cross-field pass to the open space near the right side of the center circle.

Ramos made a forward run and passed the bouncing ball to Kaka, who had dropped deep to receive it.

The Brazilian superstar had retreated quite far. Ramos gave him a quick heads-up that the surrounding area was safe as he collected the ball.

Kaka calmly brought the ball under control and turned around. He glanced up and feinted as if he was about to dribble to the right. Modric and Di Maria both raised their hands, asking for the ball, putting Porto's defense on edge once again.

From the start, Real Madrid had been heavily focused on attacking down the right.

Even though Porto had no hopes of advancing from the group and were destined to finish bottom, they still relied on their pressing and energy.

After all, this was their home ground, and Porto didn't want to go down without a fight.

Just as Gao Shen had warned the players before the match, although Porto lacked motivation, playing at home meant they would still put up a fight. But if Real Madrid managed to score first, Porto's resistance would be greatly diminished.

Once behind, they would either push forward to attack Real Madrid in an effort to entertain the fans, or simply give up and allow Real Madrid to dominate the game.

That was why Real Madrid came out strong from the very beginning.

Kaka also gave his all in this rare appearance.

While pretending to dribble to the right and seeing Porto's defense already under pressure, Kaka suddenly delivered a cheeky flick with the inside of his foot. But instead of passing it to a teammate on the right, he switched the play to the left side of the penalty area.

It was an unexpected pass, but the speed and execution were perfect.

Almost simultaneously, Ronaldo broke free from Argentine defender Otamendi, beat the offside trap, and burst into Porto's box.

Kaka's pass landed right in front of Ronaldo, with goalkeeper Helton rushing out to close him down. At the crucial moment, the Portuguese forward chipped the ball over Helton, raced past him, and calmly slotted it into the empty net from just outside the six-yard box.

1-0!

Amid the cheers of the home fans, Ronaldo ran to the sidelines and celebrated his goal in front of his hometown crowd.

…

On the sidelines, Gao Shen applauded and cheered the brilliant goal.

It was a crucial moment.

And a stunning play.

"Kaka is playing like a true midfield orchestrator tonight," Gao Shen said, clearly pleased with Kaka's performance.

Zidane and Hierro both nodded in agreement. Having played in midfield themselves, they knew exactly what Gao Shen meant.

Kaka had rarely ventured into advanced positions so far in the match. Instead, he had been staying deeper and feeding balls to his teammates.

Although he no longer possessed the pace or explosiveness he once had, his vision and technique were still there.

That earlier pass was proof of it.

It looked like the ball was heading to the right, but then he effortlessly sent a lightning-fast pass with a low arc straight to the left, right where Ronaldo needed it.

Benzema didn't even react, but Ronaldo got there in time.

That was a link-up between two superstars.

"The defense is still a bit lacking," Hierro said with a touch of regret.

With Kaka's current passing and playmaking abilities, he couldn't really replace someone like Kroos or Modric in midfield, but he could definitely be a rotation player or a substitute.

The issue was that Kaka's body was fragile, and his defensive contribution was weak, which made his role within Real Madrid somewhat awkward.

Midfielders like Kroos, Modric, and Verratti were all capable of defending well. But with Kaka's defensive shortcomings, it forced Real Madrid to increase their defensive support in midfield.

Like in tonight's game, Modric wasn't pushing too far forward, and Carvajal was also told to limit his overlaps. Gao Shen had deployed a midfield trio of Kaka, Modric, and Xabi Alonso.

Kroos had played a demanding game recently, so Gao Shen rested him for this match.

Kaka was brought in because of his composure and intelligence in critical moments, along with his big-match experience.

As a former top star, Kaka could still make an impact when it mattered.

But Gao Shen was in a tough spot.

If Kaka were a few years younger or had better defensive skills, Gao Shen would absolutely keep him in the squad.

If his salary wasn't so high, Gao Shen would be happy to keep him even as a bench player.

But the reality was frustrating.

He was no longer young, lacked defensive skills, and had a high salary. What could Gao Shen do?

Although neither Gao Shen, Kaka, nor the Real Madrid management had said anything publicly, everyone understood what was going on.

This was likely Kaka's last season at Real Madrid.

Gao Shen could empathize with Kaka's mindset. He didn't want to leave the club with regrets, especially not with the embarrassment of failing to qualify from the group stage.

For a former top superstar, that would be unbearable.

Even if he had to leave, he wanted to do so as a champion.

…

Before the match, Gao Shen had instructed Carlos Vargas and the rest of the staff that no one was allowed to mention the result of the other match until theirs was finished.

That was the result of Dortmund hosting Manchester City.

The goal was to create a better atmosphere for the players.

At the very least, they wouldn't be distracted by thoughts of group qualification.

As Gao Shen said before the match, do your best to beat Porto and score as many goals as possible.

Whether they continued in the Champions League or dropped to the Europa League...

"We accept it!"

"I swear right here, even if we drop to the Europa League, I'll lead you to win the title!"

"And next season, we'll storm through the Champions League and wipe away the shame!"

His bold words deeply inspired the players.

Even if they had to play in the Europa League, they would accept it.

What could they do? They were just unlucky.

They simply weren't better than Manchester City.

…

Only three minutes after Ronaldo's goal, Real Madrid launched another attack.

After Porto moved into Real Madrid's half, James Rodriguez tried to dribble forward, but Modric slid in and tackled him, winning the ball cleanly.

The Croatian midfielder got up quickly, dribbled forward, looked up, and sent a diagonal through ball behind Porto's defensive line on the right.

Benzema made a diagonal run to the right, reached the ball first, and drove into the penalty area. Facing the recovering center-back and goalkeeper, he squared the ball to the left near the penalty spot.

Ronaldo sprinted in and easily tapped the ball into the net, 2-0!

With a two-goal cushion, Real Madrid didn't let up.

Porto also started playing with more aggression.

Just as Gao Shen predicted, the home side began to press harder after conceding twice in quick succession, abandoning defensive stability.

This was typical for a home team.

They had already come this far. Why stay cautious?

Rather than getting booed by their fans, they might as well go all out and make it entertaining.

With that in mind, Porto began launching wave after wave of attacks.

In the 31st minute, Real Madrid intercepted the ball again in midfield.

Xabi Alonso won possession and quickly exchanged passes with Kaka, who had his back to goal, then passed the ball to Modric. The Croatian turned with the ball, shook off Fernando, and played a chipped ball behind the defense.

Di Maria burst into the right side of the box, controlled the ball, and calmly placed it into the far corner, scoring again.

3-0!

Real Madrid's quick counters were devastating, especially the tight midfield link-ups.

During halftime, Gao Shen praised the team's first-half performance and encouraged them to keep it up.

Especially Kaka.

Gao Shen thought he was playing a bit too cautiously in the first half.

"We're already 3-0 up. Kaka, spread your wings and enjoy yourself. Treat this like your personal stage."

Kaka was deeply moved by Gao Shen's encouragement, and the other players also supported him.

Ronaldo, Benzema, and Di Maria all urged Kaka to get more involved in attack.

"Don't worry, we've got your back," Modric said with a smile.

Before the second half began, as usual, Gao Shen hugged each player before they returned to the pitch. When it was Kaka's turn, he hugged Gao Shen tightly and whispered, "Thank you, boss!"

"Repay me with a goal," Gao Shen said with a smile.

No one expected that just three minutes into the second half, Real Madrid got a goal kick. It was quickly launched to the front line, but Porto midfielder Fernando headed it back.

Ramos intercepted the ball and passed it to Xabi Alonso, who then played it forward to Ronaldo, who had dropped deep.

Ronaldo controlled the ball, turned inside, and passed it to Kaka.

Kaka adjusted his position and then used his trademark dribbling rhythm and footwork. His pace was slower than before, but Fernando still struggled to dispossess him.

Using his body to shield the ball, Kaka pushed forward to the edge of the penalty area and suddenly unleashed a long-range shot.

The whole action was smooth and elegant, with a strange sense of beauty. The ball flew with incredible speed, just like his earlier pass.

The ball tore through Porto's defense and slammed into the net past Helton.

"Wow!!!!"

"What a strike!"

"Kaka scores!!!"

"The Brazilian lets fly with a sudden long-range shot and finds the back of the net! 4-0!"

"My God, what a goal that was!"

After scoring, Kaka sprinted off the pitch in celebration.

Ronaldo and his teammates rushed over to celebrate with him.

The Brazilian hugged each of his teammates, and as he returned to the pitch, he ran to the visitors' bench and embraced head coach Gao Shen to thank him for the encouragement.

At that moment, Gao Shen was still stunned.

This is what a superstar looks like.

All it takes is a little sunlight, and he shines.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 966: Catch Gao Shen and Don’t Let Him Run Away

December 4, Dortmund, Germany.

In the final round of the Champions League group stage, Dortmund hosted Manchester City.

This was a decisive match concerning qualification from the group and the fight for the top spot, and both sides gave it their all.

Dortmund played almost manically at home.

This well-known European side, famous for their 60-minute intensity, scored the only goal of the match in the 79th minute, just when Manchester City thought they had secured the draw.

Unexpectedly, Dortmund launched a quick counterattack. Reus broke through City's defense and delivered the ball into the box, where Lewandowski fired from close range and found the back of the net.

Then, the Yellow and Blacks dug in and defended fiercely.

Manchester City launched wave after wave of attacks.

Pellegrini intensified the pressure through a series of substitutions, but Dortmund stayed compact and refused to leave any gaps at the back.

The situation became increasingly tense.

Especially in stoppage time, the mood was bleak.

Even if they lost, City would still qualify.

At worst, they'd finish second in the group.

That thought inevitably crossed the minds of many Manchester City players.

And it was understandable.

Because for Manchester City, qualification alone was good enough.

At the very least, it was better than Real Madrid finishing third and dropping into the Europa League, right?

But on the pitch, some players were still fighting with everything they had.

To them, this was not just a game, nor was it just about Manchester City or topping the group. More importantly, it was for Gao Shen!

They knew their "boss," far away in Spain, needed them to score.

During his three years in charge of Manchester City, Gao Shen had been the soul of the team. The squad rallied around him.

Gao Shen had looked after every player, helped them grow, and built tactics suited to their strengths.

Maybe, after his departure, some had started to forget.

That's normal. Out of sight, out of mind.

But not all had forgotten.

Players like David Silva, Suarez, Gareth Bale, Kompany, Rakitic, David Luiz, De Bruyne…

Felipe Luis, despite being injured and substituted, didn't sit quietly on the bench. Instead, he stood on the sideline, shouting encouragement loud enough for the entire stadium to hear.

"Four more minutes, just four more!"

"Push higher, don't fall back, play it forward!"

"Don't hesitate, hurry, we're out of time!"

In stoppage time, Neuer sprinted outside the penalty area to intercept the ball. As he stopped it, he waved his arms furiously, signaling his teammates to push forward.

"Move up! Everyone forward!"

Captain Kompany, vice-captain Rakitic, defensive rock David Luiz…

Everyone was encouraging their teammates.

There was still time. Push on!

Don't be discouraged. Don't give up!

The boss needs us to score!

Tonight, Dortmund were playing like madmen.

But so were Manchester City.

No one expected this match, which many assumed would be a quiet affair ending in mutual qualification, to turn into such a bloody battle.

"Manchester City's players are showing incredible desire tonight, constantly looking for opportunities."

"But Dortmund have given absolutely everything."

"If Klopp's side can maintain this scoreline, they'll advance as group winners."

"Less than four minutes remaining, and City are still pressing."

…

On the sidelines in front of the home dugout, Klopp looked at Felipe Luis, Robben, and the others in front of the visiting bench, so emotional they seemed ready to storm the pitch. Then he looked at the determined Manchester City players on the field.

Klopp understood perfectly.

No one said it aloud. Not even the TV commentators.

But everyone knew why Manchester City were fighting so hard.

They were doing it for Gao Shen.

He had spent the last three years helping them. Now, they were trying to help him in return.

"You know what's most annoying about Gao Shen?" Klopp turned and asked his assistants.

They all shook their heads.

"He always manages to bring together a bunch of annoying players," Klopp said, laughing.

Is it really annoying?

Not at all.

It was more like envy, maybe even jealousy.

In an era of commercialized football, a coach still capable of building such a team—one that would go all out for him even after he left—is truly remarkable. What more could a manager want?

Isn't this every coach's dream?

The game had reached this point, and Klopp had no more cards to play.

Dortmund had nothing left in the tank.

If City did score, Klopp would have to accept it.

What else could he do?

Who could've predicted that Real Madrid, Manchester City, Dortmund, and Porto would all be drawn into the same group?

Even at this moment, Klopp couldn't help but think that if they conceded now, he wouldn't even be angry.

For a team like Manchester City, in a match like this, how could any true football lover hate them?

Some sci-fi fans love to imagine a future where eleven robots play on a pitch.

But Klopp never believed in that.

Because what makes football so moving isn't just winning or losing.

It's the people.

It's the players who sweat and pour their hearts into every moment.

That's something emotionless machines could never replicate.

"I shouldn't be the one who hates Gao Shen the most," Klopp said with a laugh.

It should be Manchester City head coach Pellegrini who feels the most awkward.

His players were fighting with everything they had.

But for their former coach.

That's hard for anyone to accept.

But that's the kind of impact Gao Shen had.

That guy should've been eliminated from the Champions League.

Probably every team in the round of 16 agrees with that.

…

Rakitic slid in outside the penalty area, executing a clean tackle to dispossess Götze.

David Luiz stepped forward and picked up the loose ball. With long strides, he surged upfield.

After drawing the attention of Dortmund's two holding midfielders, David Luiz sent a precise diagonal ball in behind the left side of the defense.

The entire stadium went tense in an instant.

Gareth Bale sprinted from the halfway line with blistering speed. Piszczek couldn't keep up at all. The Welshman was simply too fast!

Even in the 92nd minute, Bale still had the energy to sprint at full throttle. It was astonishing!

After reaching David Luiz's pass on the left side of the box, Bale slowed slightly, paused, then suddenly accelerated again. With Van Persie and Suarez arriving in the middle, Bale shook off Subotic, got to the byline, and whipped in a low cross with his left foot.

Van Persie made a run to the near post, drawing Hummels' attention. Suarez arrived at the back post, timed his run perfectly, and struck the ball first-time with his right foot.

Time seemed to freeze.

Suarez caught the ball flush. It flew with a wicked curve toward the right side of Dortmund's goal.

Goalkeeper Weidenfeller dove, but it was just out of reach.

The ball crossed the line.

A killer blow!

In the 92nd minute, Suarez scored the decisive goal!

The entire Dortmund crowd was stunned.

Suarez roared in celebration, turned, and sprinted out of the pitch at full speed.

All the Manchester City players followed him, even Neuer and Felipe Luis from the bench. They all charged toward the touchline and embraced in celebration, shouting and cheering.

"At the death, Manchester City have scored a vital goal."

"This strike overturns Dortmund and sees City qualify as group winners."

"Suarez's volley at the decisive moment sends Manchester City top of the group!"

City players celebrated wildly.

Everyone could see they weren't just celebrating a goal or securing first place.

They were celebrating what this goal meant for their group.

Dortmund could only lament the draw. Despite finishing with 10 points, they were now level with Real Madrid, who beat Porto away.

According to UEFA's group stage rules, head-to-head results take precedence when teams are tied on points.

Real Madrid had lost 0-1 away to Dortmund but beat them 3-0 at home. The aggregate was 3-1 in favor of Madrid, putting them ahead of Dortmund and into second place.

In this way, Real Madrid leapfrogged Dortmund and advanced from the group.

This was Manchester City's gift to Gao Shen, a show of gratitude for his years of dedication and support.

Even though Gao Shen had left City, the players were still willing to fight for him.

To fight to the very last second!

…

With Dortmund pushing for a miracle, City restarted the match quickly.

Despite the home side's frantic pressure and even Weidenfeller venturing past the halfway line, it was to no avail. Manchester City calmly saw out the final moments and gave Dortmund no further chances.

Exactly like Dortmund had done before.

And when the final whistle blew, City's players erupted as if they had won a trophy.

As the cameras zoomed in on the jubilant celebrations, a few shouts could be faintly heard from the group of players.

"The boss has to buy us a meal!"

"Yeah, a big feast this time!"

"One meal? No way! I'm dead tired. I need at least three!"

"Quick, back to the locker room, someone call him now!"

"Yeah, yeah, he likes to pretend to forget. We need to lock this in right away."

"It's not easy to get a free meal out of him. This time we're not letting him get away!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 967: We are out

"What's the score in Germany?"

As soon as the match at Dragon Stadium ended, the Real Madrid players ran out of the tunnel, urgently asking about the result of the other match.

Real Madrid had beaten Porto, but everything depended on the outcome of the other game.

Carlos Vargas checked the live score immediately, but the match hadn't ended yet. Manchester City was still one goal behind, which left the Real Madrid players disappointed.

The game was close to finishing, but they were still trailing.

A call was made directly to Germany. Real Madrid had arranged for scouts to attend the match in person.

The report came back: the match was nearly over, Manchester City were still trying, but the situation looked bleak.

Everyone felt disheartened, and many sighed.

Actually, if you think about it, it wasn't surprising. Dortmund and Manchester City were both very strong, and it was normal for either team to win or lose.

Gao Shen stood at the edge of the group, silently observing the scene.

Real Madrid had really done their best.

Being drawn into a group with Dortmund, Manchester City, and Porto had placed immense pressure on everyone.

You have to consider, Dortmund would go on to reach the Champions League final this season, Manchester City were two-time defending champions, and Porto was no pushover either.

In such a group of death, Real Madrid had just undergone a restructuring. How easy was it to qualify?

Just as Gao Shen was about to say a few words to comfort the players, a sudden shout came from the phone speaker.

The Real Madrid players, who had been full of anxiety, were immediately drawn to the commotion.

"What happened?" Ramos was the first to shout.

"Manchester City's counterattack, Gareth Bale is so fast!"

"He beat another defender, cross!"

"Back post, Suarez, volley!"

"The ball is in!!!"

"Manchester City! Manchester City scored!!!"

Everyone at Dragon Stadium in Portugal was stunned. Then, a wave of ecstasy swept over them.

All of them wore expressions of disbelief. Then, Ramos and the others erupted in celebration, sprinting across the pitch, letting out all the excitement and emotion bottled up inside.

"1-1! Manchester City equalised!"

"Dortmund now has the same points as us, but we've overtaken them in the head-to-head record!"

"We're through!"

It wasn't just the players celebrating. Gao Shen clenched his fists and felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

It was unbelievably hard.

So unbelievably damn hard.

Before Gao Shen could react, Zidane, Carlo, Hierro, and the others had already surrounded him.

"Great! We made it!"

"That was intense!"

"It feels like a dream!"

Everyone spoke in a tone of disbelief.

Gao Shen even noticed Carlo's eyes were slightly red. The Real Madrid players were almost delirious.

The Porto fans in the stadium had also received the news, but they were filled with frustration.

We're not even going to the Europa League, and you're celebrating Champions League qualification right in front of us?

This is too much.

A chorus of boos erupted at Dragon Stadium.

The Porto fans wanted nothing more than to hurl abuse at the Real Madrid players.

The staff quickly rushed onto the pitch to maintain order, urging the Real Madrid players to leave immediately.

If this kept going, fans from the stands might storm the field and cause a riot.

Back in the locker room, the players broke into another round of celebrations.

…

When Gao Shen returned to the locker room, he found it in total chaos, which made him shake his head.

Seeing that the players were about to start cleaning up, Gao Shen quickly stopped them.

"It's fine. Let the staff take care of it later. Give them some money, and let them handle the cleanup."

As soon as he said this, the players burst into laughter and immediately gave up cleaning.

These guys were all pretending in the first place.

"Let me say a few words."

As soon as Gao Shen spoke, the players quickly returned to their seats and looked toward their head coach.

"First of all, on behalf of myself and the coaching staff, I want to congratulate all of you! We've qualified!"

The players erupted into cheers again.

Gao Shen raised his hand, gesturing for quiet.

"I know exactly how everyone feels right now. It was incredibly difficult for us to qualify. We faced two of the strongest teams in Europe. I said it before, both Manchester City and Dortmund are capable of reaching the Champions League final."

"We encountered enormous challenges, but we made it through. We showed our strength against both Dortmund and Manchester City."

"But it's not enough!"

Gao Shen looked each player in the eyes, his expression turning serious.

"Honestly, this is the most humiliating season I've had as a coach."

"Anyone who knows me knows I hate putting my fate in someone else's hands. I like to win. I like to take control. I like to eliminate all obstacles myself."

"But this time, we qualified thanks to Manchester City. Thanks to Suarez's goal. Thanks to Gareth Bale's assist. Thanks to David Luiz's long ball. Thanks to Rakitic's crucial tackle..."

"Do you like this?"

Gao Shen's rhetorical question sent the locker room into silence.

Yes, after the euphoria of qualifying, everyone had to reflect on what had happened during the group stage.

Real Madrid gave everything, but it still wasn't enough.

Professional football and competitive sports don't reward you just for "trying your best."

When you play at this level, when you wear this badge, you have to shoulder all the responsibility.

Just like Cristiano Ronaldo. If he doesn't score, he gets criticised.

So what?

That's what comes with the paycheck.

And Gao Shen was no exception. If Real Madrid had failed to qualify, he too would've deserved criticism, even sacking.

What is there to explain?

No one gets special treatment.

"As Real Madrid players, there's nothing to be proud of from the group stage. On the contrary, I feel deeply ashamed. As head coach, I can't escape blame, but I also hope each of you asks yourselves: have I done well enough? Have I lived up to this jersey?"

After a pause, Gao Shen continued.

"I'm not blaming you. On the contrary, I'm satisfied with your performance. But I want to say, qualification is in the past now."

"Everything is in the past. What we need to focus on is what comes next."

"We must learn from this group stage. We must clearly identify our weaknesses, as individuals and as a team. We must think about how to perform in the knockout stage."

In fact, everyone knew. If Marcelo hadn't been injured, if Arbeloa hadn't been injured, Real Madrid wouldn't have suffered such a blow in the two matches against Manchester City.

Taking just one point from those two games was the main reason Real Madrid dropped to second in the group and nearly missed out entirely.

Even the media and experts, including L'Équipe, wrote articles praising Gao Shen's timely adjustments. The reshaping of the right-wing attack was key to Real Madrid's win over Dortmund.

But so what?

Neither Gao Shen nor Real Madrid could be satisfied with that.

They needed to look ahead.

"As I said before, whether it's the Champions League or the Europa League, my goal is the same — to win the title. Not just for myself, but for Real Madrid."

"Now, we can continue to compete in the Champions League. This is the result of all our effort, but I hope you'll reflect carefully on how we can perform better in the second half of the season. How we can push all the way for the title."

"Our group stage performance was far from convincing. And in the knockout rounds, we might face Manchester City again. When that happens, will we have what it takes to beat them?"

"I've won four Champions League titles!"

Gao Shen raised four fingers to the squad. Among everyone in the room, he had the most Champions League trophies.

"What I want to tell you is this: on the road to the Champions League, never be complacent. Anyone who gets even a little complacent won't make it."

"Lastly, I want to say this..."

Gao Shen looked around at the players in front of him and grinned.

"Congratulations, Real Madrid warriors. Your hard work paid off. I sincerely hope you all hold yourselves to higher standards."

"Because from now on, we're fighting in the Champions League knockout stage. And yes, we're fighting for the Champions League title!"

His words stirred the whole locker room.

Who wouldn't be excited?

Real Madrid hadn't made it out of the Champions League group stage for a while. Now that they had, everyone was fired up, ready to push further and go all-in for the title.

If they held themselves to the same standard as before, how could they possibly go deep into the knockout rounds?

…

Gao Shen finally let out a long breath after walking out of the locker room.

This qualification had come dangerously close to slipping away.

He didn't want to experience something like this again.

But the Real Madrid players really had given their best. If Marcelo and Arbeloa hadn't been injured, the team would've performed more smoothly. But in football, there's no "if."

What Gao Shen had to consider now was the winter break.

How to make the most of that time to adjust and improve the squad was his top priority.

With that in mind, he walked toward the press conference venue.

On the way, he took out his phone and saw a flood of messages.

Opening them, he found a bunch of Manchester City players messaging him, asking for a reward, demanding he treat them to a meal.

Gao Shen burst into laughter.

Sure. No problem. I'll treat you later!

He didn't reply. But in his heart, he made a decision.

If the opportunity comes, I really need to thank those Manchester City players.

Without them, Real Madrid would not have qualified.

He had just heard a colleague in Germany describe the scene at the stadium. Honestly, it really moved him.

Professional football is cruel and pragmatic. People forget you the moment you leave. New leaders replace old ones. That's all normal.

People call it "professionalism."

But a team like Manchester City may not be professional in that sense, but it's full of heart.

At least, Gao Shen was truly touched.

This proved that the time and effort he had invested in these Manchester City players over the past three years was not in vain.

As a head coach, Gao Shen felt proud.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Zeke Ppskin for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 968: Tell me who you want to buy

After advancing from the group stage, Gao Shen's mood improved significantly.

At the subsequent press conference, he responded to every question.

On one hand, according to UEFA regulations, attending the press conference is a responsibility of the head coach. On the other hand, Gao Shen was genuinely happy about qualifying and was also eager to face those media reporters who had previously criticized Real Madrid.

For a gentleman, revenge is never too late.

Gao Shen did not believe Real Madrid's advancement was down to luck.

"It would be a shame if people only see it as luck."

He explained the dramatic situation Real Madrid had faced in the group of death, emphasizing that the key issue was injuries.

He stated that Real Madrid were still dealing with injuries even now. For instance, Marcelo was still in recovery after surgery, and it remained uncertain whether he would be fit for the knockout stages.

"I've never been one to shift responsibility, but the fact is, injuries had a huge impact on us."

However, Gao Shen quickly pivoted and pointed out that despite the injuries, the team still managed to qualify, and that was due to the efforts of everyone involved.

Especially the young players.

"I'm very happy to see the development of our young players, such as Carvajal, who was our Castilla captain. I think he has the potential to become a top right-back."

"Nacho and Marcos Alonso also have great potential, as do Jesé, Morata, Isco, Vázquez, Varane..."

"I would say that our qualification came not only from our regular starters, but also from the strength of our bench, including this group of young players who represent the future of our team."

Gao Shen reiterated that Real Madrid would be a team full of potential, and that this group of young players had grown significantly from the group stage experience.

"I don't think the difficulties in the group stage were entirely a bad thing. On the contrary, under intense pressure, our team quickly came together. We worked as one and played with unity and cohesion."

"In the coming period, my assistants, the players, and I will carefully review and analyze the schedule, consolidate our strengths, and improve on our weaknesses."

"At the same time, we'll continue to help our young players grow and develop."

"I believe that when the Champions League resumes, we'll be stronger than we were during the group stage."

During the interview, a reporter brought up Kaka.

Gao Shen said that Kaka was still part of his plans.

"He's always known that he plays an important role in my system and that we're all supporting him."

Gao Shen admitted frankly that Kaka had encountered some issues, some of which were complicated and beyond anyone's control. "But he really gave everything he had. I can't ask for more from him."

"I've always believed that his experience and ability can still help the team."

Finally, Gao Shen again emphasized his previous stance that Real Madrid would have enough energy and depth to continue competing in both La Liga and the Champions League.

"I have complete confidence in my players!"

…

Real Madrid narrowly advanced!

News of their qualification spread across the globe within a short period, triggering widespread discussion among media outlets and fans.

Many people were puzzled as to why the powerful combination of Gao Shen and Real Madrid had almost failed to qualify.

But many respected media outlets and analysts praised the team. Advancing from such a difficult group while dealing with an injury crisis was no easy feat.

The team flew back to Madrid from Porto, Portugal that very night.

At Madrid-Barajas Airport, Real Madrid were warmly welcomed by fans and the Spanish media.

They were greeted like heroes returning in triumph.

Gao Shen and the players briefly interacted with fans at the airport, then boarded the bus to Valdebebas, where the squad disbanded.

The following day, nearly every major media outlet in Spain and across Europe reported on Real Madrid's dramatic qualification.

Gao Shen's side had snatched qualification from Dortmund at the last moment, and their entry into the knockout rounds had the potential to reshape the entire Champions League bracket. Especially since Real Madrid would advance as runners-up in their group.

This was obviously bad news for the eight group winners.

Just as Gao Shen had said in the post-match press conference, professionals and pundits widely acknowledged Real Madrid's performance, and most agreed with his assessment that the team had long-term competitiveness.

This also meant that by the time the Champions League knockout stage resumed in late February, Real Madrid would be even stronger than they were during the group stage.

And when that moment came, among the eight group leaders, aside from Barcelona and Manchester City, who could not be drawn against Real Madrid, which of the other six would not fear this Real Madrid side?

L'Équipe even suggested that Real Madrid could become the biggest wildcard in the knockout rounds.

"As the most successful manager in Champions League history, Gao Shen's performances in knockout competitions have always been remarkable."

"With a winter break to correct issues and improve the team, the second-half version of Real Madrid could be the most exciting team in the tournament!"

That was essentially the consensus among mainstream media.

Kicker magazine asserted that Real Madrid's ability to escape the group of death showed they had what it took to reach the quarterfinals, or even the semi-finals.

"They played Manchester City with a depleted squad, but Real Madrid did not perform poorly."

Kicker also advised Bayern Munich, as group winners, to be cautious of drawing Real Madrid.

If possible, avoid them altogether.

…

As for Gao Shen, he was mostly amused by the media coverage and even felt a bit proud.

A man's reputation is like the shadow of a tree.

Both Gao Shen and Real Madrid should feel honored to be so highly regarded by the media and their opponents.

After qualifying, the players' mental state improved noticeably.

This was clearly reflected during the morning's recovery training, where all the players trained with focus and effort.

At the end of the session, Florentino arrived at Valdebebas with José Sánchez, Butragueño, Valdano, and others.

The Real Madrid president went directly to the locker room to greet the players.

Everyone at the club was thrilled about making it to the knockout stage.

This wasn't just about pride. It was also about tangible financial benefits.

For Real Madrid, reaching the knockout rounds of the Champions League meant tens of millions of euros in extra revenue.

Who wouldn't be excited?

Florentino spoke warmly with the players, especially Casillas, Ramos, Ronaldo, and several young talents. He had individual conversations with each of them, offering his praise.

From a results standpoint, Real Madrid had room for criticism. But from the perspective of player development, especially among the youth ranks, the team had clearly made progress.

Carvajal, Nacho, Marcos Alonso, Varane...

Casemiro was also stepping up. Young players like Jesé, Morata, Vázquez, and Isco had all been given chances and delivered notable performances.

Now, the public's perception of Real Madrid's youth talents had changed significantly, and Gao Shen's reputation as a talent developer was being widely praised.

Players like Jesé, Morata, Isco, Nacho, and Varane were already known or showing promise, but what about Carvajal, Marcos Alonso, and Casemiro?

These three had really come into their own, especially Carvajal and Casemiro, who were starting to stand out.

Real Madrid not only had a squad filled with star players, but its youth ranks were also progressing rapidly. This was definitely something to look forward to.

Florentino told the players the board was very pleased with the team's qualification, but he stressed that this was only the beginning. He hoped they would perform even better in the knockout rounds.

It was worth noting that Florentino had long conversations with Casillas and Ramos, but his exchange with Ronaldo was brief, which left the Portuguese forward feeling uneasy.

The main issue was Ronaldo's contract renewal.

Negotiations weren't going smoothly. Mendes was proving very difficult to deal with, and while Ronaldo had been outstanding on the pitch and was clearly the team's star, the club had its limits.

No club would want to lose a player of his caliber.

But realistically, where else could a star like Ronaldo go besides Real Madrid?

Like it or not, the two La Liga giants were the top destinations in world football, and every superstar wanted to play for them.

Ronaldo was asking for a very high salary, but more importantly, he wanted full control of his image rights.

Florentino's position was firm: the current model would remain. The image rights would stay at 50-50, and salary could be negotiated, but not excessively high.

His reasoning was simple. Real Madrid was not Barcelona.

Barcelona could offer massive wages to Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. Real Madrid would not.

Especially considering the higher tax burden involved with a contract renewal.

Naturally, this created friction and made meaningful dialogue difficult.

But Ronaldo remained very professional.

He left the contract talks to his agent. On the pitch, he continued to perform at a high level to improve his bargaining position.

This was a wise move.

After meeting with the players, Florentino and his group left the locker room and visited the coaching office. He chatted briefly with Zidane, Hierro, Carlo, and others.

Finally, they entered Gao Shen's office.

Gao Shen had accompanied them throughout the visit, but he knew Florentino wasn't just here for a casual chat.

Sure enough, once Florentino stepped into his office and closed the door, he got straight to the point.

Real Madrid had ample funds available for the winter transfer window.

It was time to reinforce the squad.

"Tell me. Who do you want to buy?"

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Zeke Ppskin for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 969: I will win either La Liga or the Champions League

The most crucial reason why European football stands at the core of world football is its rigorous and well-structured system.

For instance, the match calendar and the transfer windows.

When Gao Shen was still a football fan in his previous life, he once pondered an interesting question: What would happen if there were no transfer windows?

At that time, when playing Football Manager, he was the typical save/load addict, just to be safe.

If he ran into a team he couldn't beat no matter what, he'd use the BT modifier to injure the opponent's key players before the match. If there was a team he liked, he'd simply transfer their stars to his own squad.

In reality, this poses a real issue.

Without a transfer window, wouldn't wealthy clubs just be able to poach the opponent's key players right before a game?

Wouldn't that throw the entire league into chaos?

That's why the summer and winter transfer windows exist. The summer window, which is long and filled with options, is for squad building. The winter window, much shorter and more limited in choices, is used for emergency reinforcement.

Because of that, most clubs usually avoid winter transfers.

Real Madrid's biggest issue right now is Marcelo's injury, which has left a gap at left-back.

At the same time, the lack of depth in midfield and up front has exposed problems for the team.

For example, on the wings, Ronaldo and Di Maria are the starters, but the backups are all young players like Jesé and Vázquez.

In midfield, Toni Kroos, Modric, Verratti, and Kaka form the main rotation. Isco and Granero barely see any minutes.

This was something that troubled Gao Shen as well.

If Isco is still young and in need of development, it isn't appropriate for Granero to continue sitting on the bench at his age. It would only hinder his growth.

Therefore, Gao Shen's stance was clear: if there's a team interested in Granero, sell him.

After more than half a year of observation, it was clear Granero wouldn't be able to establish himself at Real Madrid.

…

"Ahem."

Florentino cleared his throat and looked at Valdano.

The Argentine understood and gave a slightly awkward smile. "Gao, we're here to talk about bringing players in."

"Yes, selling isn't a problem. We'll help Granero find a suitable La Liga club," Butragueño added quickly. "But signing players is the tough part, especially when it comes to left-back."

Previously, there were rumors that Gao Shen and Florentino were at odds.

There's no smoke without fire. There was some truth to it.

Real Madrid's management was indeed searching for a left-back and had contacted Bayern, but Bayern refused to negotiate.

The biggest difference between Florentino's Real Madrid and Barcelona when it came to transfers was that Real Madrid insisted on the selling club's willingness. They didn't poach players behind the scenes.

Barcelona's behavior had earned them a bad reputation across European football.

The most notable examples were the signings of Fabregas and Alex Song.

Who else would try to poach players by putting a club jersey on them during national team duty?

Who else encouraged players to argue with their clubs by offering big wages from behind the scenes?

Sometimes, Gao Shen thought Barcelona's rising transfer fees were because other clubs were on guard. In essence, they were paying for past misconduct.

Of course, the impulsiveness of Barcelona's management was also a factor.

Even more baffling was how poorly they used the players they fought so hard to sign.

Because of Real Madrid's consistent approach, when Bayern refused to sell Alaba, the club had no other options.

To settle for second-best, names like Siqueira, Monreal, or even Alex Sandro at Napoli and Kurzawa at Leeds United became potential targets.

But in Gao Shen's opinion, Real Madrid should not sign anyone during the winter break.

He firmly held that view.

"The group of death brought us enormous pressure. It felt like a trial by fire for everyone. A lot of players have made significant progress, like Carvajal, who can now stand on his own."

"Qualifying from the group of death was a massive morale boost. The locker room atmosphere is excellent right now. Everyone is united and moving in the same direction."

Having said that, Gao Shen looked at Butragueño and Valdano.

"You both know this is an ideal situation."

To get results, a team needs quality. But more important is the ability to showcase that quality.

For all eleven players on the pitch to perform at their best, unity and a shared goal are crucial.

The group of death was a trial, but also a catalyst.

Under intense pressure, the Real Madrid locker room became tightly knit.

"I'm confident this will lead to results." Gao Shen made his judgment clearly and confidently.

As the best head coach in the world, no one in the room doubted him.

"There really aren't any suitable players in the market right now. On the wings, Bale, Robben, Messi, Sánchez, Ribéry, even Hazard — none are available to us."

"In midfield, we could consider David Silva, Rakitic, De Bruyne, or Javi Martínez, but realistically, none of them are within reach either."

Gao Shen's requirements for midfielders were clear: excellent technique, versatility, and all-round ability.

But such players were rare. You had to develop them yourself.

Take David Silva. At Valencia, he was a winger. At Manchester City, Gao Shen converted him into a central midfielder and improved his defensive abilities.

Rakitic, too, started as a classic No. 10 but was reshaped into a midfielder under Gao Shen.

The same applied to Toni Kroos, who had played as an attacking midfielder and left-sided midfielder, but under Gao Shen, was now a left central midfielder.

Many saw Kroos as low-key and unremarkable, but he was Real Madrid's midfield stabilizer.

Players like that are hard to find.

"You know our squad is at a very delicate point, and everyone's in sync. But if we suddenly start talking about transfers, the locker room will be unsettled."

"We could buy a left-back, sure. But Marcelo is expected to return in February. Both Buenaventura and Pintus have spoken highly of his recovery. At that point, we'll be overloaded in that position."

"So sure, we can sign someone. But what will Marcos Alonso, Nacho, or even Arbeloa think?"

Gao Shen's concern came from a managerial perspective.

If he didn't sign anyone, he had full control over the squad. But if he brought someone in and created a sense of insecurity, then no amount of talk would settle things.

Sometimes, locker room management wasn't just internal. It depended heavily on outside perception as well.

"As for midfield, Kaka has been playing well and is highly motivated. Isco is also getting chances and is being developed actively. If we sign someone else, we'll be overstocked in midfield."

In Gao Shen's mind, Kroos and Modric were the key players. Verratti and Isco needed nurturing, and Kaka could still contribute when called upon.

Bringing in another midfielder would only heighten internal competition.

But more intense competition wasn't always better. It needed careful balance.

Too much competition would only disrupt the locker room.

Florentino clearly understood that Gao Shen was indirectly addressing him.

"We're mostly concerned about Kaka's age," José Sánchez said.

Gao Shen immediately understood.

Some clubs were interested in Kaka.

Everyone knew Kaka wouldn't be at Real Madrid for much longer.

No club would accept paying a huge salary to a player who rarely played.

So his departure was inevitable.

"Give him half a season," Gao Shen said, turning to José Sánchez.

"I promised him I'd do my best to help him achieve his dream this season. He's been working incredibly hard in both training and matches. I think he deserves proper treatment."

At the end of his words, Gao Shen turned to Florentino.

Back then, Kaka could have joined Manchester City. But Florentino personally intervened, and Kaka stayed at AC Milan.

No one could have predicted that after joining Real Madrid, injuries and poor choices would derail his career.

Publicly and privately, Real Madrid had done their part.

"Do you really believe Kaka can still help the team?" Florentino asked.

"He's important for squad cohesion."

When one rabbit dies, the others feel it. The locker room is no different from an office.

"How confident are you?" Florentino asked again.

"I will win either La Liga or the Champions League," Gao Shen replied firmly.

Florentino thought for a moment, then nodded. "What do you need from me?"

Gao Shen smiled and exhaled. "Just come out and make the club's position clear: no transfers or sales this winter."

Florentino nodded. "Gao, stop saying you'll resign if you don't win La Liga or the Champions League. I won't agree to that. It's not helpful and just causes headaches for the PR team."

Gao Shen chuckled and looked at Butragueño, who was nodding with a bitter expression.

"Also, we're a membership-based club. We can't report profits. It's fine not to sign anyone this winter, but we need to find ways to spend money next summer. Otherwise, I'll be in trouble as president."

Gao Shen nodded. "Then take a look at Alaba, midfielders, and wingers. See if there's anyone suitable."

After a brief pause, Gao Shen smiled again.

"If nothing works out, let's just renovate the Bernabéu."

Florentino was clearly tempted but quickly shook his head. "It's not the right time. If we start renovations without better results on the pitch, and funds run short, you'll be the first one to give me a hard time."

Turns out even being Real Madrid's president could be frustrating.

Gao Shen rarely saw Florentino like this and couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry. The players and I won't let you down!"

(To be continued.)