Chapter 926: I Want Both
Gao Shen's coaching style has always been characterized by his desire for players to obey, but not follow blindly.
He prefers to explain to his players what he wants them to do and why.
This way, no matter how the situation on the field evolves, the players are able to adjust in time and adapt to the changing circumstances.
Many believe that under Gao Shen's leadership, several outstanding head coaches will emerge in the future.
Like many great coaches, he always encourages his players to think and explore for themselves.
Thus, he begins by deconstructing the opponent's tactical system, clearly explaining their strategies, and then gradually reveals his own tactics, showing the players what he expects from them during the game.
Just like this time.
"It will be difficult to visit the Camp Nou, but this is our general principle."
As soon as Gao Shen finished speaking, Carlos Vargas had already put the PowerPoint presentation he had prepared on the screen behind him.
"When Barcelona has the ball, we should not rush blindly to press them. We must let them have possession, especially when their center-backs have the ball. Do not rush to steal it. Let them play their game, let them do as they please."
"What should we do then?"
"Everyone, get back to your positions as quickly as possible. Our two wingers must return to the midfield. This will make our formation resemble a 4-5-1, with only one center-forward up front."
"Even our center-forward's task is not to press their central defenders, but to follow Busquets."
Gao Shen turned around and circled Busquets on the screen.
"Remember, this point is very, very important."
As Gao Shen spoke, he first looked at Benzema, then HiguaĂn and Morata.
At this point, he had yet to announce the starting lineup, and these were the three center-forwards available to him.
The three of them nodded seriously, sensing that the head coach was speaking directly to them.
"Barcelona will certainly try every means to draw us out, but our job is to maintain order. When defending, one of the five midfielders can push forward at any time, but remember to get back into position quickly after attacking."
"Our first priority is to keep our formation compact and flexible, rather than trying to steal the ball."
At this point, Gao Shen made it very clear to the Real Madrid players, "When facing Barcelona, ball possession is not important. That's their strength. If we try to compete with them for possession, we'll only play into their hands and rhythm."
"So, we shouldn't focus on stealing the ball, we shouldn't focus on controlling the ball. We should just concentrate on maintaining our overall formation."
"Once the wingers drop back, they are responsible for pressing Barcelona's full-backs, assisting the full-backs, and locking down the wings."
"If the opponent's center-back has possession, fine. But if they want to move the ball forward, they'll have to push it. The center-forward and the two central midfielders closest to the ball will press, while the others maintain the formation."
By now, many of the players were glancing at Ronaldo, knowing that the coach's tactical plan was likely going to downplay his offensive role. This wasn't just about asking him to defend more actively, but also about asking him to retreat and stay away from the goal.
No Real Madrid coach had ever dared to do this in recent years, not even Mourinho.
They had expected Ronaldo to be upset, or at least show some signs of frustration. After all, the Portuguese star was known for his strong-willed nature.
But surprisingly, he looked remarkably calm, even nodding in agreement.
Was he actually in agreement with the coach's approach?
Everyone was stunned.
Some players who were more perceptive or had a deeper understanding quickly guessed the reason.
The head coach must have already discussed this with Ronaldo before the meeting.
When they thought about it, the Real Madrid players felt reassured.
Outsiders might not understand, but after only a few months working with Gao Shen, the players had developed a deep trust in him. They noticed how their coach subtly managed to handle difficult situations that seemed impossible for outsiders to resolve.
âŠ
"Defense in the mid- and low-post is just the first step of our game. It's just the beginning."
"Once we win the ball, we need to speed up the game immediately. We have to use all our strength to launch fast breaks, focusing on attacking the opponent's wings and central areas."
As he spoke, Gao Shen switched to another PowerPoint, which displayed a roadmap of Real Madrid players pressing forward to counter Barcelona.
Everyone could clearly see that Gao Shen had invested a lot of effort into planning the counterattacks. His plan involved players pressing forward in waves, forming a rotational attack to break down Barcelona's defense with quick transitions.
"Remember, our counterattacks won't be a one-off thing. We need to play fast, accurate, and ruthlessly to dismantle Barcelona's defensive system and threaten their goal."
Next, Gao Shen explained and analyzed the team's counterattack routes, focusing on Benzema's role as a center-forward and the wingers.
Though Real Madrid's wingers had dropped back into the midfield, Barcelona's full-backs still pushed forward boldly, leaving large gaps behind them. This was the opportunity Real Madrid planned to exploit.
Gao Shen clearly told the Real Madrid players that Barcelona's form had been declining this season, particularly Xavi's.
As Gao Shen had explained, in Barcelona's tactical system, Xavi and Iniesta were key to controlling the ball and maintaining rhythm, but they also acted as protective barriers for Busquets in defense.
Without Xavi and Iniesta, Busquets' weaknesses would be exposed, and Barcelona's defense would become paper-thin.
Right now, Iniesta was still fine, but Xavi was nearing thirty-three and was no longer able to maintain the work rate and form of his peak years.
After winning almost all the honors he could, it was difficult for him to maintain the physicality required.
In this situation, the best move for Barcelona would be to change their style of play. But if they did, they would no longer be the Barcelona everyone knew.
The once proud passing and controlling system had now become a shackle for Barcelona.
From management to coaching, there was a severe lack of flexibility and a determination to reform.
This was a deep problem within Barcelona's overall strategy.
Looking at it from this perspective, Gao Shen felt that the five titles won under Enrique in his previous life were more like a final hurrah before the inevitable collapse.
âŠ
At the end of the meeting, Gao Shen pulled up a quote from NBA legend Michael Jordan on the screen.
"Talent may win games, but teamwork wins championships!"
Gao Shen pointed to the words and looked at the Real Madrid players in front of him, speaking earnestly.
"All of you here at Real Madrid are the best players in the world. You're all geniuses, recognized by everyone. But I want everyone to truly understand the meaning of this quote."
Everyone gazed at the screen, lost in thought.
Gao Shen paused before continuing, "Yesterday, I had a conversation with Ronnie."
As he said this, Gao Shen smiled and pointed to Ronaldo, who awkwardly smiled back.
Everyone turned to look at Ronaldo. Many of them wore expressions of "as expected," while others seemed to suddenly understand.
The head coach must have discussed the tactic with Ronaldo beforehand.
"I asked Ronaldo one question: if he had to choose between a good individual performance and beating Barcelona, what would he choose?"
Gao Shen said it in a relaxed tone.
The room was immediately filled with murmurs. That was a tough question to answer.
If he chose the latter, did that mean sacrificing his personal performance?
"His answer was simple. He said, 'I want both!'"
The room burst into laughter, and some players clapped and cheered.
Ronaldo is just like that. While ordinary people can make a choice, he wants both!
"I agree with him. Team and individual are not mutually exclusive. It's just a multiple-choice question where you can choose one or the other. As Jordan said, genius also needs a team."
Everyone nodded.
"Barcelona is undoubtedly a very team-oriented side. Sometimes, I feel that in this team, other than Messi, the players suppress their own personalities and talents, molding themselves into mere components in the passing and control system. I wonder if that makes Barcelona less and less creative."
"Or is it that their so-called creativity is simply the result of their passing and control system?"
So the question becomes: can creativity that is created truly be called creativity?
Remember, destruction is always easier than creation.
What can be created can also be destroyed.
"I can tell you this: at Real Madrid, we won't play the same football as Barcelona. Not only because we don't have the passing and controlling gene, but because we won't let ourselves become complacent. We will be more open, more inclusive, and at the same time, more creative."
"A solid defense in the middle and low positions, the fastest transition between attack and defense, and a storming high-position attack will be the direction we pursue and work hard for in the future."
With this, Gao Shen had thoroughly laid out his tactical ideas for Real Madrid and shared his vision for the future. This wasn't just about what they were playing nowâit was the direction they would strive for in the years ahead.
"Finally, I want to say one last thing to everyone."
Gao Shen stood tall, looking confidently at the players before him.
"In my coaching career, I've faced Barcelona several times, but I've never lost to them. I can proudly say that I have the best record against Barcelona among all current coaches."
"Now, I can also tell you that if you want to beat Barcelona in the upcoming ClĂĄsico, you only have one choice: listen to me and do as I say. I will lead you to a victory at Camp Nou and bring us back to Madrid in triumph!"
The players were all fired up, cheering loudly.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with Gao Shen.
Gao Shen had another meeting ahead to discuss the Barcelona game plan with Butragueno, so this session concluded...
"Oh, by the way, everyone should prepare a pair of earplugs for the trip to Barcelona."
With that, Gao Shen left.
The room was left confused.
Why earplugs for Barcelona?
(To be continued.)
Chapter 927: Gao Shen, You Have Successfully Aroused Our Anger
"To be honest, your plan surprised us."
Inside the head coach's office at Valdebebas, Butragueño was visibly taken aback as he read through Gao Shen's plan.
He had rushed over from the Santiago Bernabéu after receiving a call from Gao Shen.
As the club's vice president and current head of public relations, Butragueño was responsible for coordinating any strategy that involved the media or required shaping public perception.
"Are you trying to force Barcelona into a fight to the death?" Butragueño asked curiously.
Gao Shen sat on the sofa, looked up at the ceiling, and laughed. "I hope Vilanova follows the path I've carefully laid out for him. That'll give me a better chance of winning."
His plan was actually nothing too complicatedâit was about building pressure.
By using Real Madrid-friendly media to stir the pot, Gao Shen aimed to create a situation where Barcelona had no choice but to go all-in.
The most direct approach was to hype up his own undefeated record against Barcelona, stirring resentment among their fans, players, and even coaching staffâforcing them into a state where they felt they had to win at Camp Nou.
Normally, Barcelona would be expected to have the upper hand at Camp Nou. But due to Gao Shen's consistent dominance over them in recent years, if Vilanova opted for a more cautious approach, the effectiveness of Gao Shen's tactical trap would be significantly reduced.
So, he wanted Barcelona to take the initiative.
"Are you confident that Vilanova will take the bait?" Butragueño asked, glancing at the printed plan in his hand.
"Absolutely. He's taken over Guardiola's position and certainly doesn't want to remain in his shadow. He'll want to prove that he's better than Guardiola. And the fastest way to do that right now is to beat me."
"If he wins, they go seven points clear in the league. That's a massive advantage. At the same time, he'll be able to proudly declare to the world that he's not Guardiola's successorâhe's Tito Vilanova!"
Butragueño had to admit, Gao Shen's analysis made a lot of sense.
Looking across the football world, the only person capable of making everyone at Barcelona both hate and fear him was indeed Gao Shen.
"Alright, I understand. I'll handle it," Butragueño nodded.
As Real Madrid's PR head for many years, executing a maneuver like this was a routine task.
"Be subtle about it. Don't make it too obvious. Also, I'll make a few remarks at the press conference this afternoon."
With Gao Shen's status and the massive spotlight on the upcoming ClĂĄsico, anything he said would be headline news across major outlets. If he dropped a provocative quote, it was guaranteed to lead the front pages.
This was all part of his psychological game plan.
Gao Shen was no stranger to this.
"Be honest with me. How confident are you about this match?" Butragueño asked with a serious look.
Right now, the situation wasn't ideal for Real Madridâthey were four points behind.
If they lost this match, the gap would stretch to seven points, a margin that could very well decide the title.
Miracles like the comeback of 2006 don't happen every season.
A legend is a legend precisely because it can't be repeated.
"Relax. The team is running smoothly now. No one can stop us!" Gao Shen said confidently.
He wasn't just saying this to reassure Butragueño. He truly believed in his squad.
Especially after the last few matches, the team was performing better and better, and the players were reaching peak form. Gao Shen firmly believed the team was only going to improve further.
"Alright, I'll get started on the arrangements." Butragueño stood up, reassured.
He trusted Gao Shen. Deeply.
"One more thing."
Before leaving, Butragueño suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"For this trip to Barcelona, the president said he wants to lead the team personally."
Gao Shen looked surprised. Butragueño nodded solemnly, "He didn't want us to tell you, but I think you should know. This will be his first time at Camp Nou since 2009."
As Gao Shen had once said, a big figure like Florentino rarely makes personal appearances unless victory is almost certain.
He avoids exposing himself to unnecessary risk or embarrassment.
Going to Camp Nou to oversee an away game wasn't something Florentino usually did. He didn't like putting himself in situations where there was a chance of losingâespecially not in public.
Just like the centenary loss, a defeat witnessed by the world, it had been deeply humiliating.
This time, his trip had been kept under wraps, clearly to avoid placing extra pressure on Gao Shen.
This was a public show of support.
Even if they lost, Florentino would stand behind him.
In success or in failure, they stood together.
"I understand. Thank you," Gao Shen said with a smile.
He could feel Florentino's support and trust.
âŠ
While press conferences at Valdebebas were usually more low-key than those at the BernabĂ©u, this timeâbecause of the ClĂĄsicoâit drew over a hundred media outlets from around the world.
That included Chinese media.
The match would be broadcast live in China, drawing massive attention from fans back home.
Everyone was asking: could Gao Shen's Real Madrid defeat Barcelona?
As with all pre-match press conferences, Gao Shen began by announcing the 18-man squad for the trip to Camp Nou.
The biggest surprise was the inclusion of KakĂĄ once again.
Gao Shen explained that KakĂĄ was an experienced player who could still help the team in many situations. He didn't reveal whether the Brazilian would start.
Although Toni Kroos and Modric had performed well since the beginning of the season, KakĂĄ still had unique strengths as a former Ballon d'Or winnerâparticularly compared to Toni Kroos.
After revealing the squad, Gao Shen answered a number of media questions.
Naturally, many focused on Barcelona.
Asked about Vilanova replacing Guardiola, Gao Shen said he didn't think Barcelona had changed much.
This aligned with the general opinion of fans and pundits.
Gao Shen stated that Vilanova had largely continued Guardiola's system, without introducing any major tactical changes. Therefore, Barcelona remained one of the strongest teams in world football and were still Real Madrid's biggest rival.
The implication: Vilanova's success so far was thanks to the foundation laid by Guardiola.
But then Gao Shen shifted gears and emphasized his own undefeated record against Barcelona.
"For me, beating Barcelona is as easy as breathing!"
The room erupted.
Seriously? That arrogant?
But it was electrifying.
The media lit up instantly.
Who else on Earth dared to say something like that about Barcelona?
And was it even false?
Not really. It had been more than six years since Gao Shen's debut, and he had never lost to Barcelona.
Champions League finals, La Liga, knockout roundsâon every stage, Barcelona had suffered defeat at his hands.
But still, to say it was "as easy as breathing" was a bold stretch.
Not that the media cared.
This was exactly what they wanted.
Clickbait quotes!
The more outrageous and arrogant Gao Shen was, the more the press loved him.
Reporters continued asking questions, but they all received the same answer.
Mention that Barcelona is still undefeated and currently leading La Liga?
Gao Shen: "I remain undefeated against Barcelona."
Mention that Barcelona's lineup is more mature and stable, and their team is stronger?
Gao Shen: "I remain undefeated against Barcelona."
On and on it wentâŠ
Eventually, even the Catalan media couldn't take it and bluntly asked Gao Shen if he could stop flaunting his record.
Gao Shen simply smiled and replied, "Why should I? I am, after all, still unbeaten against Barcelona!"
Infuriating!
To Barcelona's fans, and the Catalan media, this guy was unbearable.
God, how could someone be so smug and insufferable?
âŠ
Just how much did Barcelona fans hate Gao Shen?
Once the media spread his press conference remarks, the internet exploded. Countless Barcelona fans were so enraged they joked about hiring someone to keep him from ever stepping foot in Camp Nou.
That evening, when Real Madrid arrived in Barcelona, nearly a hundred radical fans swarmed the airport and blocked the team bus. Some even hurled stones, smashing one of the windows.
Fortunately, the Barcelona police quickly arrived and restored order, safely escorting Real Madrid to their hotel.
But even then, Barcelona fans weren't done.
They gathered in even greater numbers outside the hotel, forming a relentless rotation to harass Real Madrid's players all night longâhurling insults, jeers, and all kinds of abuse, especially aimed at Gao Shen.
Only then did the players finally understand why their coach had told them to bring earplugs.
Boss⊠you really know Barcelona well!
And Gao Shen?
He didn't get angry at all. Instead, he pulled out his phone, filmed the scene, and posted it directly on Twitter, mocking the Barcelona fans.
Naturally, this only further enraged them.
Unbelievable arrogance!
Even some Barcelona players expressed outrage in media interviews.
Piqué spoke up, reassuring fans that the team would avenge them at Camp Nou.
"We're going to crush Real Madrid at Camp Nou!"
"5-0! We'll make them pay the ultimate price!"
The score he mentioned carried special significance in the history of El ClĂĄsico.
Puyol and others echoed the sentiment, saying they were confident of winning.
"I can't wait to see Gao Shen walk off the Camp Nou pitch in humiliation," Vilanova publicly declared to the media.
Clearly, Gao Shen had successfully ignited the rage of all of Barcelona.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 928: Tonight, Camp Nou Will Be Gao Shen's Waterloo
On matchday mornings, Gao Shen usually spends his time chatting.
Real Madrid's players had heard about this habit before, and now they were used to it. After spending time together, most of them actually enjoyed talking with Gao Shen. Many times, they even used these chats to bring up small issues they were facing, and Gao Shen would do his best to help them resolve them.
This had always been his approach to managing players.
Although the head coach is not a babysitter, ensuring that players can play with peace of mind is part of a manager's responsibility.
Through these interactions, Gao Shen maintained great relationships with his players. No matter the team, he had never had any major locker room problems. The players were always willing to fight for him.
On the morning of the ClĂĄsico, the first person Gao Shen spoke to was Casillas.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper had gradually accepted his current role within the team. Especially at the beginning of the season, he had made several errors after coming on, which allowed Courtois to take over the starting spot in La Liga.
It wasn't that Gao Shen hadn't given Casillas a chanceâit was just that the Belgian was too consistent.
It was as if he never made mistakes. He was incredibly steady.
There was nothing else to be done. Casillas could only focus on the Champions League now.
But this was the ClĂĄsico, not an ordinary match. Given Casillas' awkward situation, Gao Shen had a private chat with him, mainly to explain why Courtois would continue as the starter.
There really was no other option.
Courtois had started the previous few matches and performed well. Dropping him for the ClĂĄsico would be difficult to justify. How would Courtois feel? How would the others feel?
Who would be convinced?
Casillas understood. Even though he was eager to play, he had no choice but to accept it.
The main issue was still those mistakes early in the season.
With Casillas on the bench, the captain's armband was handed to Ramos.
Gao Shen called Ramos next. He reminded him to fully embrace his role as captain on the pitch and to maintain good communication with the refereeâespecially to remain rational and calm.
Gao Shen was most worried about Ramos and Pepe. He feared these two might lose their tempers and get sent off, putting Real Madrid in a difficult position.
But you couldn't restrict them too much either.
As defenders, if you overly restrict their actions and make them hesitant, it's ultimately detrimental.
So for Gao Shen, the key was to keep a clear head and avoid unnecessary fouls.
"You've seen the situation. Iker can only play in the Champions League and cup games now. You have to take responsibility. Both I and the higher-ups have great confidence in you. The only issue is that you need to correct this flaw."
"You're a smart guy, Sergio. And smart people don't make stupid mistakes. Understand?"
Ramos nodded repeatedly.
Since Gao Shen reorganized the defensive structure this seasonâespecially with more investment from the midfield and forward line in defenseâthe pressure on Real Madrid's back line had significantly decreased. Ramos and Pepe's errors had also gone down.
It just proved once again that defending requires a collective effort.
The so-called "recklessness" of Real Madrid's center-backs in the past was largely due to them being constantly exposed to direct attacks.
The third person Gao Shen spoke to was Pepe. He delivered a similar message as he had to Ramos, urging Pepe to control his temper. But this time, he emphasized more praise and affirmation.
"I believe that as long as you stay composed, you're one of the best central defenders in the world right now."
That was the truth. Pepe's physical attributes were elite.
In fact, he was one of the most well-rounded physical specimens in world football.
Speed, flexibility, technique, leaping ability, strength in duelsâhe had it all.
It reminded Gao Shen of Koulibaly from Leeds United. Both players were the type you could instantly tell were top-level talents.
For Courtois, Gao Shen focused mainly on encouragement.
The Belgian keeper possessed a maturity and steadiness beyond his years. Even though this was his first ClĂĄsico, he showed no nerves. On the contrary, he looked eager to take the stage.
The focus of the morning's discussions was on Modric and Toni Kroos.
These two positions were not only crucial to Gao Shen's tactical system but also essential in tonight's ClĂĄsico. Especially Kroos, who would be directly facing Xavi.
Gao Shen's talk with Kroos felt more like a tactical seminar.
Kroos first raised several questions, all based on possible in-game scenarios. Gao Shen answered them one by one and shared his own thoughts.
For example, if Benzema pinned down Busquets, Xavi might drop deep to receive the ball.
"Follow him, pressure him, and don't let him pass easily," Gao Shen said without hesitation.
"What about the space I leave behind after stepping up?" Kroos asked, concerned.
Barcelona was known for baiting players forward, then exploiting the space they vacated.
"There's Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Marcelo, and even Ramos. They'll cover for you. Trust your teammates," Gao Shen replied.
Kroos nodded firmly. "Got it."
"But remember, don't get dragged in for too long. Don't get overexcited trying to win the ball. Like Fernando at Portoâhe would always get tricked by Barcelona's passing and movement."
"Don't worry, boss. When I step up to Xavi, I'll cut off his passing options. Once I neutralize the threat, I'll drop back right away."
Kroos had always been calm and composed, and Gao Shen trusted his temperament.
"Remember, switch the play more and hit the wings, especially Di MarĂa's side," Gao Shen emphasized.
Alba and Alves were both aggressive attacking full-backs. They often played like wingers, constantly pushing high up the pitch.
Gao Shen required his own wingers to track back and contain Barcelona's flanks. But when launching counterattacks, they had to push forward quickly if the opportunity arose.
Benzema would also play a vital role.
Busquets was the key point. Benzema's pressure on him could determine success or failure.
Gao Shen spent the entire morning communicating with his players, paying no attention to the chaos outside.
âŠ
There's always been an unwritten rule in European football.
Before a match, the home club's management hosts a meal for the visiting club's leadership.
The life-or-death battle on the pitch doesn't conflict with the cordial exchanges and cooperation off it.
But this time, Barcelona made the event more extravagant.
Because this was the first time Real Madrid president Florentino had personally attended an away match.
Barcelona president Rosell showed great respect for the man widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in European football.
When Rosell had first taken over Barcelona, he considered launching a legal investigation into former president Laporta and even threatened to have him imprisoned.
The incident caused a huge stir at the time.
But when it began spiraling out of control, Florentino personally called Rosell and advised him to drop the case, in order to protect the club's image.
Just like how he never pursued CalderĂłn.
Once such matters become public, they tarnish the club's reputation and open a Pandora's box.
After all, could Rosell's successors one day hold him accountable?
Clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, both run by members, inevitably have all kinds of internal issues.
If you really want to dig into corruption, who's cleaner?
Rosell took Florentino's advice. Now, this time, he was returning the gesture with respect and goodwill.
At the recent Real Madrid members' meeting, Florentino passed a resolution: future presidential candidates must pay 15% of Real Madrid's seasonal budget out of their own pocket as a campaign deposit.
This was clearly aimed at preventing grifters like CalderĂłn.
But everyone knew that with Real Madrid's current budget, 15% amounted to 80 million euros. That wasn't a sum just anyone could produce.
It was an obvious move to secure his re-election.
Rosell found it very interesting and asked many questions about it.
The two men, along with their entourages, dined at a high-end restaurant near Camp Nou. The atmosphere was warm and relaxedânothing like the gunpowder-filled air of the ClĂĄsico. Rosell treated Florentino with full courtesy.
But as dinner ended and the match approached, the conversation shifted to football.
"Gao Shen really shouldn't have encouraged you to come to Camp Nou tonight, Florentino," Rosell said with a smile.
The implication being: this was a losing battle.
Many speculated that Florentino had been coaxed by Gao Shen into making the trip.
"I have full confidence in him," Florentino replied with a calm smile and a firm tone.
"You know, things at Camp Nou tonight won't be pleasant. His remarks and behavior before the match have made him and Real Madrid the most hated figures here. It will be difficult for us to control the situation."
But Florentino still smiled and nodded. "I understand. The fans need an outlet for their emotions."
Rosell didn't know how to respond. He was facing a man who kept smiling but never gave anyone an opening.
"To be honest, I don't think it was a smart choice for him to provoke the Barcelona players, fans, and media before the game. Tonight, Barcelona will unleash an unprecedented level of fighting spirit. The result might disappoint you."
"It's fine. I've already prepared myself for the worst," Florentino replied with a smile.
Rosell felt a bit frustrated. This old man was tough to handle.
But no matter.
Just keep smiling!
Once the match starts and you watch your team get dismantled piece by piece, I hope you're still smiling.
Tonight, Camp Nou will be Gao Shen's Waterloo!
(To be continued.)