SWR: Chapter 959/961

Chapter 959: No Suspense

The start of the second half unfolded exactly as Gao Shen had predicted.

Dortmund launched a fierce pressing assault on Real Madrid from the very first minute, and it immediately led to danger.

Just four minutes into the half, Grosskreutz delivered a cross from the left. Lewandowski, left unmarked on the left side of the penalty area, fired a shot but failed to control the ball properly. It flew high over the crossbar.

The attempt made everyone at Real Madrid break into a cold sweat, though the shot itself lacked quality.

Gao Shen angrily shouted at Pepe from the sidelines.

It was his failure to track back in time that allowed the connection between Grosskreutz and Lewandowski.

The responsibility lay squarely on the Portuguese center-back.

Casillas also scolded Pepe furiously, urging him to stay sharp and stop making such mistakes.

But only a minute later, Dortmund created another threat.

This time, after Real Madrid regained possession in their own half, Ramos attempted a long pass toward Benzema. Subotic headed it back, picked up by Gündoğan, who passed it to Götze.

Dortmund launched a quick counter. Götze played a through pass, but Ramos intercepted it and cleared it back.

Before Toni Kroos could control the ball, Gündoğan intercepted in midfield and passed to Reus. Reus then played a backheel pass. Lewandowski sprinted diagonally into the right side of the penalty area, received the ball, and took another shot.

Casillas reacted superbly, tipping the ball over the crossbar with both hands.

From the sideline, Gao Shen shouted urgently at his players, demanding they stay focused, especially in defense.

Real Madrid had been trying to control the ball from the start of the second half. Possession was indeed over 60%, but Dortmund's pressing was relentless, forcing frequent passing errors.

In the 56th minute, Dortmund won a throw-in on the right side of the attack—Real Madrid's left.

Piszczek took a quick throw. Reus outpaced Nacho and passed to Lewandowski near the edge of the box.

The Polish striker nodded the ball back into the right side of the area, perfectly timing a header for Reus, who had made a diagonal run.

After receiving the ball, Reus crossed in front of Ramos.

The ball was aimed for Grosskreutz on Real Madrid's right, but at the crucial moment, Carvajal intervened.

The right-back flew into a sliding tackle, blocked Grosskreutz's shot, and sent the ball out for a corner, sliding off the pitch himself.

The entire Bernabéu roared with applause and cheers for Carvajal's heroic effort.

Gao Shen also applauded on the sidelines, but he was clearly not satisfied with the team's performance since the start of the second half.

All three of Dortmund's chances had been extremely dangerous.

"Actually, it's not too bad. Dortmund are just really strong," Zidane sighed.

Hierro agreed. "At least we didn't concede. That shows we can still hold under pressure."

Real Madrid had never been known for defensive resilience, but under Gao Shen, their defense had improved significantly. That was also true during Capello's tenure, and Mourinho—Gao Shen's predecessor—was famous for his defensive tactics.

Now, Real Madrid's defense was clearly solid.

"This Dortmund team is definitely strong enough to reach the semi-finals. If they perform well, even the final is possible," Gao Shen said firmly.

He knew this from experience in his past life, so he spoke with confidence.

Zidane and Hierro were both a little surprised, but after thinking it over, they nodded in agreement.

The key was that this Dortmund side played with incredible intensity.

Just like the beginning of the second half, the Yellow and Blacks went all in with their pressing, swarming forward with reckless abandon.

Even though Real Madrid had decent possession, they lacked dangerous attacks and had been placed in three difficult defensive situations.

Of course, that also exposed Dortmund's limitations.

Those three chances had seemed dangerous, but they were always just slightly off.

Lewandowski's first effort missed due to poor control, mainly because Grosskreutz's cross lacked quality.

Casillas saved the second shot because it came in at too narrow an angle.

In other words, Lewandowski didn't have a great shooting opportunity.

As for the third chance, Reus' pass was good, but Carvajal's positioning and timing were even better.

Sometimes, these seemingly minor details reflect the true nature of a match.

Real Madrid's defense may have looked under threat, but it was never truly on the brink.

From those three close calls, it was clear that Real Madrid's defensive performance was solid, and the players were putting in great effort.

Gao Shen looked at the clock—57 minutes.

"Hold firm. They're about to run out of steam," he said.

Dortmund had pressed aggressively from the start of the second half, but they couldn't maintain such an intense tempo forever.

If they pushed beyond their limits, Real Madrid wouldn't mind.

At worst, Dortmund might get a goal.

But the bigger question was, would they still be able to run after the 70th minute?

By that point, the game would swing back to Real Madrid's control.

Gao Shen quickly relayed his instructions to the players on the pitch, and they understood exactly what their coach wanted.

Stay patient, control possession and tempo, and wait for Dortmund to retreat on their own.

…

The signs that Dortmund were struggling became obvious.

When Real Madrid had the ball in their own half, Dortmund's forwards began dropping back instead of pressing high. This proved the Yellow and Blacks were starting to run out of energy.

They were trying to play more conservatively.

But at that moment, Gao Shen signaled Xabi Alonso, Modric, and the others to push forward.

The time was right.

After absorbing Dortmund's opening pressure, now it was Real Madrid's turn to attack.

When the opponent advances, we retreat. When the opponent retreats, we advance.

That was a refined tactical principle.

Real Madrid gradually pushed forward, and Dortmund continued to fall back.

Even as Real Madrid's defensive line moved up to the halfway line, Lewandowski began pressing again.

Pepe received the ball near the center circle and passed to Ramos, which gave Lewandowski a window to press.

Ramos sent the ball to Nacho on the left. Reus made a feint from a distance but didn't truly apply pressure.

Nacho advanced a few steps, pulling Reus as wide as possible, then passed back to Ramos.

Ramos gave it back to Pepe.

Dortmund's defensive shape shifted from left to center and right.

Pepe dribbled diagonally to the right, crossed the halfway line, and passed to Modric, who had found space on the right channel.

The Croatian stood near the right touchline but cut inside upon receiving the ball, evading Dortmund's midfield press and entering an unguarded zone.

That was Modric's brilliance. He always attacked the opponent's weak spot.

As soon as he entered the gap, Dortmund's defense tightened and began to shift.

At that moment, Benzema dropped deeper.

Modric played a diagonal pass with the outside of his foot toward Benzema's movement. The French striker, facing away from goal, used his right foot to flick the ball behind him without stopping it.

Di Maria burst forward between Piszczek and Subotic and reached the ball before either Dortmund defender could intervene.

In an instant, Di Maria had a one-on-one chance.

The entire Bernabéu held its breath.

Countless Real Madrid fans screamed with anticipation.

Di Maria carried the ball into the right side of the penalty area. With Weidenfeller charging out and Subotic chasing back from the center, Di Maria didn't shoot.

Instead, he used the outside of his left foot to curl a diagonal pass.

The ball curved between Weidenfeller and Subotic and rolled toward the far post.

Ronaldo arrived at the perfect moment, met Di Maria's pass, and struck it into the net with his left foot.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"A brace!!!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"Real Madrid 3-0!"

"My God! What an incredible result. Real Madrid are now 3-0 up at the Santiago Bernabéu!"

"Dortmund's defense has been completely exposed tonight, not because the Yellow and Blacks are weak, but because Real Madrid's attack is simply too powerful and precise!"

"This goal will be a huge blow to Dortmund."

"Because we're now in the 64th minute, which is usually when Dortmund starts to fade."

"Real Madrid scoring a third at this point is absolutely devastating for the Yellow and Blacks."

"3-0!"

"Real Madrid, under intense pressure, have put three past Dortmund at the Bernabéu in front of over 70,000 fans!"

The entire stadium erupted into a frenzy.

Countless fans chanted Ronaldo's name in unison, their voices rising and falling like waves, echoing through the night sky.

Gao Shen was also overjoyed on the sidelines. He turned and embraced Zidane, Hierro, and the rest of the coaching staff, all in high spirits.

On the pitch, the Real Madrid players ran to the touchline to celebrate with Ronaldo after his brilliant goal.

3-0!

This was undoubtedly an epic win for Real Madrid.

It didn't just shift the momentum in the group stage. More importantly, it instilled massive confidence.

It proved Real Madrid's strength and helped the players believe that under Gao Shen's leadership, they could not only escape the group of death but also reach the knockout stage.

Many of them had never played in the Champions League knockouts wearing a Real Madrid shirt.

"No suspense now," Zidane declared.

Gao Shen nodded firmly.

At 2-0, Dortmund still had hopes of a comeback in the second half.

But now, with the score at 3-0, those hopes had been crushed.

To come back, they would need to score two goals without conceding again.

With Real Madrid controlling both possession and tempo after 60 minutes, scoring two goals against them would be as difficult as climbing a mountain.

If Dortmund truly had that ability, they wouldn't have been pushed into this position to begin with.

"Now, if the Yellow and Blacks want to get out of the group, they'll have to go all-in against Manchester City," Gao Shen said with a laugh.

From heaven to hell.

That's the brutal reality of the Champions League's group of death.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 960: Evolve

"How does it feel?"

After the match, Gao Shen and Klopp stood on the sidelines. All the Dortmund players walked off the pitch with their heads down, heading back to the locker room, while the Real Madrid players were still celebrating on the field.

The entire Bernabéu was filled with the deafening cheers of Real Madrid fans.

How could the bearded German not hear the teasing hidden behind those seemingly profound words?

"What I want to do most right now is punch you," Klopp gritted his teeth.

Gao Shen just laughed, not taking it to heart.

The two had a great relationship and wouldn't hold a grudge over a single match.

Besides, there was no real controversy in this game.

All three of Real Madrid's goals were clear-cut and earned through quality play. Even Klopp couldn't deny that.

"The constant departures of players have really hit us hard," Klopp said helplessly.

The exits of Sahin and Shinji Kagawa had weakened Dortmund's midfield significantly.

Many might think that since Dortmund is known for its high-pressing style, why would a technical midfielder be so critical?

That's a misunderstanding.

In fact, for teams like Dortmund or Atletico Madrid, a technically proficient midfielder who can organize play is even more vital and irreplaceable.

In contrast, technical sides like Real Madrid and Barcelona have a surplus of organizing midfielders. They can rotate with ease and never worry too much about losing structure in midfield.

"Your performance has fluctuated over the past two seasons, but this year isn't as good as last," Gao Shen said.

Sometimes, that's just how football works.

In 1999, Manchester United wasn't actually the strongest team, but they still won the treble.

Bayern's peak wasn't in 2001, but they won the Champions League that year.

Now, the same applies to Dortmund.

In Gao Shen's previous life, the Yellow and Blacks made it all the way to the Champions League final this season. But in truth, this squad wasn't stronger than the previous season's. Due to various factors—like falling behind Bayern early in the Bundesliga—Dortmund ended up focusing more on the Champions League and produced strong results.

But as Gao Shen pointed out, in terms of squad strength, this year's Dortmund wasn't as solid.

The biggest problem was that no one had stepped up to replace Kagawa's role in midfield.

"Given the current situation, you don't have many options. You'll have to go all in for the final round," Gao Shen said with a smile.

Klopp shot him a resentful look. "Feels like I've been used as one of your pawns."

Gao Shen chuckled and said nothing.

Manchester City had beaten Porto at home—this was the latest update from the other group match.

That made the situation in Group D very clear. Manchester City now had three wins, one draw, and one loss in five matches, sitting top with 10 points.

Dortmund, with three wins and two losses, had 9 points and sat second.

Real Madrid had two wins, one draw, and two losses, giving them 7 points and third place.

Porto were the unluckiest, with only one win and four losses. They sat bottom with 3 points and had already been eliminated from European competition entirely, including the Europa League.

Even if Porto beat Real Madrid in the final round, they couldn't surpass Los Blancos in the standings.

The real drama was in the top three.

Though Real Madrid were in third, their situation had drastically improved.

In the final round, they would face Porto, who had nothing left to play for. Meanwhile, Dortmund would host Manchester City.

Given the current situation, Dortmund had to beat Manchester City to guarantee qualification. A draw would leave both them and Real Madrid on 10 points, assuming Real Madrid beat Porto. In that case, Real Madrid would advance due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Let alone if Dortmund lost.

The one major risk for Real Madrid would be if Manchester City lost to Dortmund. Then, both City and Real would be tied on points, and City would qualify due to a better head-to-head record.

But that scenario was unlikely.

If City finished second, they'd risk drawing a powerhouse like Bayern or Barcelona in the round of 16.

So, to win the group, Manchester City would definitely go all out against Dortmund.

And if Dortmund wanted to advance, they'd also need to go all in.

Right now, Dortmund looked like the team in more danger.

Of course, there was still a possibility that Dortmund would pull off a home win against City.

If that happened, Real Madrid would have to settle for the Europa League.

"I've already come to terms with it. Playing in the Europa League isn't bad. I haven't won that trophy yet," Gao Shen joked, turning the situation into a lighthearted moment.

Of course, Klopp wasn't fooled.

Manchester City were strong, and even at home, Dortmund had no guarantee of winning.

"Honestly, I'm just unlucky to get drawn into the group of death," Dortmund's coach said bitterly.

Gao Shen smiled and tried to comfort him. "Well, if you end up in the Europa League, work hard and try to win it. That'll boost your UEFA coefficient and help you escape the third- and fourth-tier seeding traps."

As long as you're seeded in pot three or four, it's nearly impossible to avoid being drawn into a group of death.

"Thanks a lot!" Klopp said with an annoyed tone.

After a short pause, he looked at Gao Shen again and said, "I'm off. You... good luck!"

With that, Klopp turned and walked into the tunnel without looking back.

Gao Shen stood there for a moment, watching him disappear.

This is the cruelty of football—there can only be one winner.

But that's also what makes European football so compelling. The fierce competition is what gives it charm.

In his previous life, many top clubs had pushed for a European Super League, but Gao Shen always had a question.

While the Super League would gather the most attractive clubs in the world and draw massive attention, where would the competitiveness come from?

Would there be promotion or relegation?

How would that be balanced?

If there's no relegation, and some clubs are permanent members, what kind of real competition is there?

Without real stakes, how can you maintain the intensity and appeal of the games?

Yes, the Champions League is brutal and filled with upsets—but that's exactly what makes it so appealing to fans around the world.

No one wants to watch a drama series where the ending is obvious from the start.

…

Back in the Bernabéu locker room, Gao Shen showered his players with praise.

He highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo for scoring a brace, saying the Portuguese had demonstrated the quality of a true superstar in a crucial moment. He believed that if Ronaldo could maintain this form, he would be in serious contention for the FIFA Ballon d'Or again.

"I believe you'll be one of the strongest contenders for the award!"

But Gao Shen quickly changed the tone. He said that for Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid would need to claim a major trophy—either La Liga or the Champions League.

Without a meaningful title, it would be hard for Ronaldo to win the vote.

Ronaldo understood and responded firmly, promising to give his best in every match.

"I also sincerely hope we can work together as a team," he added.

Gao Shen nodded. Ronaldo remained the most important figure in Real Madrid's frontline.

Aside from Ronaldo, Gao Shen specifically praised Benzema.

The French forward's performance tonight was outstanding. From his own goal to his assists and overall play, he displayed everything expected from a modern, complete striker.

Gao Shen even told him that this was the ideal direction for his development.

He encouraged Benzema to not only continue his tactical play but also to sharpen his hunger for goals. When opportunities come, he must be ruthless in finishing, while still keeping his awareness to create for teammates.

Di Maria was another standout.

Everyone acknowledged him as Real Madrid's best performer this season—some even thought he had outshone Ronaldo.

Of course, Ronaldo had scored more and received more media and fan attention.

But within football circles, Di Maria's performances were seen as the most consistent and impactful this season.

This was also thanks to Gao Shen's tactical adjustments and how he repositioned Di Maria within the team's system.

Gao Shen also gave praise to Carvajal, Nacho, and Modric.

After a 3-0 win, he had praise for nearly the entire squad.

That was normal. Young players needed confidence and encouragement.

Nacho had started at left-back tonight. He made some mistakes but also showed flashes of promise, which was normal for a young player.

No one reaches their peak from their debut.

Varane was considered the most promising young center-back. Zidane even called him a genius, but so far, he hadn't shown enough to bench Ramos or Pepe.

As for Ramos and Pepe, their reckless tendencies were still a concern. Gao Shen had warned them repeatedly, yet they still slipped at times.

Just like the early second-half lapses—especially from Pepe.

Still, despite the criticism, Gao Shen acknowledged that both players contributed a lot on both ends of the pitch. Their athleticism and passing range were also valuable.

He had often thought that in his past life, Real Madrid let Pepe go a bit too early.

And Ramos? Among center-backs in world football, Pepe had some of the best physical attributes.

Once he evolved from a wild warrior to a composed master, Real Madrid's defense would be near unstoppable.

That would be the peak of their defensive strength.

Of course, Gao Shen couldn't predict the future. But for now, his top priority was to help Ramos and Pepe mature as quickly as possible, so they could bring more consistency and stability to the backline.

Otherwise, he'd constantly be worried about defensive lapses.

Especially on the right, where he was planning to give Carvajal more chances.

At least in this match, everyone saw Carvajal's energy and attacking ability—something Arbeloa lacked.

Gao Shen could now trust Carvajal to start more often.

As long as the right-back didn't let him down.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 961: Selfishness Achieves Greatness

Real Madrid defeated Dortmund 3-0 at home, claiming the most important victory of the group stage.

As soon as the match ended, the result became the focus of media coverage in Spain and across the world. Countless fans celebrated Real Madrid's performance.

Ronaldo scored twice, once again showcasing his ability to deliver in big moments.

But every fan or journalist who watched the game could clearly see one thing: Real Madrid's attack wasn't overly dependent on Ronaldo or his goals.

In fact, based on how the match played out, Real Madrid's offensive approach was extremely concise. It could even be described as pure counterattacking football, and Dortmund had no effective response to it.

German outlet Kicker magazine analyzed the match and pointed out that Klopp's biggest mistake was letting Real Madrid control the rhythm.

"Throughout the match, Dortmund played at a tempo that didn't suit them."

Kicker noted that this was due in part to Real Madrid's control, but it also came down to Dortmund conceding that control.

"If the Yellow and Blacks had played with the same intense pressing and aggression in the first half that they showed at the start of the second, the beginning of the game would have been very different—and so might the outcome."

Still, Kicker believed that the root of Dortmund's issues boiled down to one word: strength.

Real Madrid's overall quality was higher. Gao Shen's steady and cautious tactics made it hard for Dortmund to play their own brand of football, forcing them to engage Real Madrid in a head-to-head battle of strength.

And in that scenario, Dortmund's deficiencies were exposed.

"Klopp's tactics are somewhat one-dimensional. Gao Shen is more familiar with and understands this style of football better than most managers, so he knows exactly how to counter it."

"Once Real Madrid adapted to Dortmund's tempo and rhythm, they had little trouble taking control of the match."

Kicker specifically criticized Dortmund's defensive midfielder Sven Bender, pointing out that it was his header that gifted Real Madrid the initiative.

"As a world-class coach, Gao Shen's in-game adjustments remain a signature strength."

"This was once again proven at the Bernabéu."

"After Real Madrid scored the first goal due to a fortunate opportunity, he capitalized on it and shifted the momentum. From then on, Dortmund played passively and lost control of the tempo."

Kicker also gave high praise to Di Maria, calling him the most important player in Real Madrid's squad. However, he was not a traditional inverted winger.

The magazine even ran a feature article analyzing Di Maria.

In Real Madrid's current tactical system, Di Maria was no longer just a winger. Often, Modric or Carvajal positioned themselves higher than him.

But the Argentine's unpredictability became his biggest weapon.

Especially when he made sudden late runs from deep, catching defenders off guard.

Crucially, Di Maria had outstanding all-around ability—passing, dribbling, and ball control. His only weakness was his finishing.

"In fact, Di Maria could have scored Ronaldo's second goal himself, but he chose to pass."

"That's not what a proper winger should do."

"He lacks the selfishness of a true top-level star!"

That was Kicker's evaluation of Di Maria—both praise and criticism.

For a player of Di Maria's caliber, selfishness is a virtue.

Because only through selfishness can a player push themselves further and truly stand out.

If you're not selfish enough, you'll always be stuck in the shadow of stars like Ronaldo, playing the role of a supporting cast member.

Many people criticize Ronaldo for being selfish, but it is that very selfishness that made Ronaldo who he is. It created a global superstar and countless legendary moments in football history.

Just imagine—if Ronaldo weren't selfish, would he still be Ronaldo?

Although Gao Shen had intentionally or unintentionally restrained Ronaldo's individual heroics, he never tried to suppress his selfishness or his desire to score goals. Because he knew clearly—without those traits, Ronaldo wouldn't be Ronaldo.

…

German media were broadly disappointed by Dortmund's defeat.

When the Yellow and Blacks topped the group of death, the German press celebrated, claiming that the Bundesliga was on the rise. But after losing 0-3 to Real Madrid, they suddenly felt they had been put back in their place.

It wasn't just in Germany. Other media outlets that had mocked Real Madrid earlier were now swallowing their words.

The more doubt and ridicule there had been about Real Madrid, the more embarrassment and frustration there was now.

However, many outlets still focused on Real Madrid's situation—because the Galácticos had yet to secure qualification and still depended on the outcome of the match between Manchester City and Dortmund.

According to several media sources, even if Real Madrid beat Porto away, as long as Dortmund defeated Manchester City at home, the outcome would be the same—Real Madrid would be eliminated and sent to the Europa League.

Some journalists even asked Gao Shen about this scenario after the win over Dortmund.

Gao Shen responded, "I'm not going to think about something so far off. All we can do is play our own game well."

If they did end up in the Europa League, Gao Shen said, "My players and I will still give our all in every match. Whether it's the Champions League or the Europa League, we will fight and perform to our best."

Most Spanish media were optimistic about Real Madrid's chances of advancing, because Manchester City's strength was obvious to everyone.

Aside from an upset loss to Porto in the opening round, City had gone unbeaten in their other four group matches, performing at a consistently high level.

As arguably the strongest club in world football today, Manchester City still had a good chance of beating Dortmund away.

AS editor-in-chief Alfredo wrote in his column that Real Madrid had already prepared a contingency plan.

"Gao Shen and his coaching team are confident that Manchester City will win away, because City will not give up the chance to finish first in the group."

This, in fact, is due to Champions League group-stage rules.

If City failed to top the group and finished second, they could face Bayern, Barcelona, or Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16—each of them a title contender.

Including PSG.

After a series of massive investments, the French club had assembled a formidable squad of star players.

No team wants to face that kind of opponent in the round of 16.

But Alfredo also revealed that Gao Shen had strictly instructed the Real Madrid players after the match not to talk too much about qualification and to focus only on the matches themselves.

"For Real Madrid, talking about qualifying too soon or focusing too much on advancement probabilities is a distraction. The best mindset is to stay pragmatic, focus on the task, and play every match well."

Alfredo also reported that Florentino had convened a high-level club meeting and informed the board that even if Real Madrid failed to progress from the Champions League group stage, Gao Shen would continue as head coach.

"Florentino told the board that under Gao Shen, Real Madrid are playing the most exciting football in Europe. It's the kind of attacking style countless Madrid fans have dreamed of. He's one of the few top managers in the world with the Real Madrid gene."

"The club president believes Gao Shen is the ideal coach who embodies Real Madrid's values, image, and style."

"Even if the team fails to reach the knockout stage this season, they believe Gao Shen will lead Real Madrid to rise again next year."

Alfredo's column made one thing very clear: Gao Shen's job was safe.

All the outside speculation and conspiracy theories could be put to rest.

Coincidentally, Real Madrid's technical director Valdano also revealed in a media interview that the club had no plans to sign players during the winter transfer window.

Previously, some reports claimed that Marcelo's injury had prompted Real Madrid to re-evaluate the summer transfer window—especially dissatisfaction over Gao Shen's decision to sell Coentrão. There were suggestions that a new left-back might be brought in during the winter.

Some outlets even claimed that Gao Shen and club management disagreed on transfer targets.

Gao Shen reportedly wanted Bayern's young full-back David Alaba, while the board preferred Granada's Brazilian left-back Siqueira.

Siqueira had performed well in La Liga this season and would be eligible to play in European competition. He was valued around €10 million, making him a logical signing to cover the gap at left-back.

"But Gao Shen prefers Bayern's youngster Alaba and hopes the club will sign him. However, Bayern have refused to negotiate with Real Madrid and insist the left-back is not for sale."

"More importantly, club executives believe that signing Alaba wouldn't help Real Madrid in the second half of the season, since he's already played in the Champions League and wouldn't be eligible for European matches."

This gave rise to media speculation about tension between Gao Shen and the club hierarchy.

Until now, Valdano hadn't responded to those rumors. But this time, he publicly stated that Real Madrid would not make any signings in January.

"I've spoken with Gao Shen. He's very satisfied with the current squad."

"Yes, Marcelo's injury is a big blow, but we still have Marcos Alonso, Nacho, and several other talented young players. We all believe they can help the team."

Valdano also emphasized that there was no internal discord at the club, and most rumors were baseless.

"I want to make it clear—whether it's myself, the management, or the board, we're all very satisfied with the team's progress this season."

"For any club, being placed in a group with Manchester City, Porto, and Dortmund is an enormous challenge."

"So far, we've performed well in the group stage, and we're still in contention. That's a huge achievement for a team in the midst of restructuring."

"I can tell you with 300% certainty: next season and the one after that, Gao Shen will still be Real Madrid's head coach."

"We're all confident that he'll lead Real Madrid to success!"

(To be continued.)