SWR: Chapter 658/660

Chapter 658: I Really Got It

Gao Shen truly couldn't believe that something this absurd could actually happen in the real world.

But when he saw the little ball marked with a C, it suddenly became all too real.

Yes, the final result of the draw was that Manchester City had been placed in the same group as Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Schalke 04. This group brought together teams from the four major European leagues, all of which were either champions or runners-up from last season.

It was simply unbelievable.

What was this?

Neuer would face his old club. Gao Shen would face his old club. Raul, Metzelder, Huntelaar, and others were also up against former teams.

And Mourinho too.

Was this some kind of joke?

…

The office fell completely silent.

Only Gao Shen was scratching his head in frustration. His hair had grown a bit long, but he'd been too busy lately to get it trimmed.

The head can be cut off, but the hairstyle must remain perfect!

No matter what, the hairstyle mattered.

Everyone else looked at the draw results with bitter smiles, then turned to Gao Shen, only to find that he actually seemed unusually calm.

"Before it was drawn, I was worried it would happen. But now that it's done, there's nothing more to say. Let's just go for it!" Gao Shen said freely and openly.

Carlo, Lucas, and the others smiled wryly and nodded helplessly.

What else could they do?

As coaches now being paid by Manchester City, their most important task was to help the club beat Real Madrid.

Whether they liked it or not, they had to do it.

Otherwise, who in European football would dare hire them in the future?

In fact, in some ways, facing Real Madrid was more exciting for them than playing other teams.

"Alright, I'm heading home first!"

After saying that, Gao Shen turned and left without another word.

The rest of the coaching staff exchanged looks, then also packed up and left.

…

At the Bernabéu president's office, Florentino, Zidane, and Redondo were all stunned.

They stared in disbelief at the TV screen in front of them.

Florentino's first reaction was to call Valdano to ask about the situation at the scene, still holding onto a sliver of hope that something had gone wrong.

But Valdano confirmed it. Manchester City had indeed been drawn.

Moreover, according to the schedule, Real Madrid's first match would be away to Manchester City.

Surprised?

Shocked?

Florentino hung up the phone, eyes closed. His mind was a blur.

"Does this mean we'll have to beat all three other opponents in this damn group, especially the powerful Manchester City, to have a chance at finishing first and qualifying?" Florentino muttered.

Zidane and Redondo looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.

Real Madrid couldn't afford to finish second in the group. Second place meant facing one of the strongest teams in the Champions League Round of 16, which would be highly unfavorable.

The best way to advance smoothly was to win the group.

But looking at this group, finishing first would be incredibly difficult.

This wasn't just the group of death. It wasn't even a super group of death. What should they call it?

Florentino suddenly couldn't find the words.

But he quickly calmed down.

He realized Real Madrid had to bring their best.

Especially in the opening group match, away to Manchester City. That match would be a huge test.

It would be Mourinho's first Champions League match in charge of Real Madrid, against Gao Shen, and it could determine their qualification hopes.

With that thought, Florentino composed himself and made another phone call.

…

In the head coach's office at Valdebebas, Mourinho was in a daze.

They had actually drawn the powerful Manchester City!

Probably no one, except the media and fans, would be pleased with this draw.

That included Mourinho.

He hadn't wanted to meet Gao Shen this early. He still wasn't fully familiar with Real Madrid, the players hadn't fully understood or executed his tactical ideas, and the new signings hadn't completely integrated into the squad.

Carvalho still wasn't familiar with the defensive line. Khedira hadn't adapted fully to the midfield. Kaka returned injured after the World Cup...

Everything had happened too quickly and suddenly.

And now, they had drawn Manchester City!

"Damn it!" Mourinho slammed the table in frustration, nearly shattering the glass coffee table in front of him.

That pretty much summed up his mood at the moment.

Just then, his phone rang.

Caller ID: Florentino.

One of Mourinho's conditions for coaching Real Madrid was the right to speak directly with Florentino.

But the trade-off was that if anything came up, the president would contact him directly.

"Have you seen the draw?" Florentino's voice was as calm as ever, gentle yet carrying a sense of power and pressure.

"I've seen it. We weren't very lucky," Mourinho replied, suppressing his anger.

"Yes, José, but we can't always rely on luck, can we?" Florentino asked.

"I know. Don't worry. I'll do my best," Mourinho assured him.

"I believe in you, and I will fully support you," Florentino said, then shifted the tone. "But José, I hope you understand that this match against Manchester City is very special. You should listen to SER Radio. Our fans are blowing up their hotlines."

Mourinho was slightly surprised, but he had expected it.

Gao Shen had a powerful influence in Real Madrid, in Madrid, and even across Spain.

Maybe it was because he had repeatedly turned down Real Madrid over the years.

What you can't have always seems the most valuable.

It left Mourinho feeling both helpless and bitter.

Why?

"José, I've always believed you are the best coach in the world. I've always believed the best coach should lead the best team, and that's Real Madrid."

Florentino's tone on the phone was sincere, like a kind old man.

"But this is professional football. It's cruel. Our mission is to satisfy our socios and fans. What they want is for us to beat Manchester City away. We can't let them down. Don't you agree?"

Mourinho's heart sank. Florentino's words carried a lot of weight.

But he still took a deep breath and said, "I understand, Mr. Pérez. I will do my best."

"Good. I believe in you, José." Florentino was still gentle. "But you must understand, Real Madrid fans are tolerant, but they're also demanding. They might compromise on other things, but not on this. They will scrutinize the team and this match with the highest standards. Be mentally prepared."

Mourinho understood the underlying message loud and clear.

"I understand, Mr. Pérez. I promise I won't let the Real Madrid fans down."

After hanging up, Mourinho didn't feel relieved. Instead, his heart felt heavier.

Crushingly so.

…

For fans and media around the world, the draw of Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Schalke 04, and Manchester City into the same group was a cause for excitement.

Even fans of the four teams might worry about their chances, but overall, they were still thrilled.

Everyone believed their team was special and would make it through.

But no one could deny that drawing such a group was pure bad luck. It was like opening the door and inviting disaster in.

So what does real good luck look like?

Look at Chelsea.

How lucky were they?

They drew Zilina from Slovakia, Marseille from Ligue 1, and Spartak Moscow from Russia.

Aside from the long trip to Moscow, none of those teams were likely to pose a serious threat. Especially Zilina and Spartak, the gap in quality was massive.

According to the British media, UEFA had practically guaranteed Chelsea a spot in the knockout rounds.

In comparison, other groups had at least one team capable of causing problems, even if not strong on paper.

After being drawn into such a brutal group, Gao Shen was asked about it at the pre-match press conference for the third round of the league. He said Manchester City had no complaints about the draw.

"As I've said before, we never worry about who we'll face. It's all the same to us. The ones who should be worried are the other three teams, because they're about to face the strongest team in European football!"

Gao Shen's words were a bit exaggerated, but he spoke with complete confidence, drawing gasps from the media.

"There's no doubt that our only goal in the group stage is to finish first."

"I don't know what the other teams think, but the moment the draw was announced—sorry—they could only compete for second place. It's harsh, but that's the reality!"

In other words, Manchester City had already locked in top spot in the group.

Gao Shen said he didn't mind facing his old club or reuniting with his old friend Mourinho.

"In fact, my record against Mourinho is quite good. I think I've kept a perfect record so far."

In the opening round, they would face Real Madrid at home, and morale was high. Gao Shen smiled and said this was the challenge and thrill of the Champions League.

"It demands all participating teams to always be ready and in peak form!"

As for Manchester City, Gao Shen said both he and the team were ready.

As if to prove his words, in the third round of the Premier League, Manchester City beat Sunderland, managed by former City boss Mark Hughes, 4–1 away.

Rakitic and Robben scored two goals in the first ten minutes, but Sunderland quickly equalized.

In the second half, Kompany scored from a corner, and Suarez added another.

In the end, Manchester City won 4–1, making it three wins from three.

But Chelsea also beat Stoke City 2–0, so City remained second in the table.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 659: Coward Mourinho

As night fell, the capital entered the evening rush hour.

Su Qing walked out of the ministry gates, pushing her bicycle and saying goodbye to her colleagues.

Just as she entered Hengjie and was about to get on the bike, a man suddenly jumped out from behind and quickly sat on the rear seat.

The sudden movement startled her so much that her face turned pale. She was just about to scream when she got a clear look at the person.

It was the only one who dared to act like this toward her at the ministry compound.

"You scared me to death!" Su Qing hit his shoulder a few times, half angry and half amused. Each slap was lighter than the last.

Gao Shen laughed and raised the bag in his hand. "Come on, let's go home."

"What's in the bag?" Su Qing asked curiously.

"Don't ask. You'll know when we get home," Gao Shen said mysteriously.

Su Qing felt a little flustered, and her face flushed slightly. Thankfully, it was dark, so no one could see it.

She immediately got on the bike, carrying Gao Shen down the narrow road.

Gao Shen leaned against her back like a bird, arms wrapped around her waist, swaying as she pedaled. Listening to her light complaints, he closed his eyes with a relaxed expression.

He really enjoyed moments like this.

Su Qing grumbled at him for never informing her in advance when he returned, leaving her unprepared with no food at home, making everything chaotic.

Most importantly, he always liked hiding outside to scare her.

"Sooner or later, you're going to get caught by the security department," Su Qing "threatened."

Hearing no response from Gao Shen, she guessed something and continued riding in silence.

Soon, they arrived home.

Back in the familiar space, after locking the door, Gao Shen began to take off his coat.

Su Qing's face reddened, and just as she was about to say something, she saw him pull several things from his bag.

It turned out to be electric hair clippers and a full set of haircutting tools—scissors, combs, and more.

"What?" Su Qing was stunned.

Gao Shen smiled and pointed at his hair.

It was indeed a bit long.

"No, I can't do this."

"This is nothing. It's really easy."

"Why not go to a proper barber?"

"I don't like it. I just want you to cut it."

"What if I mess it up?"

"Even better. That makes it special and unique."

Su Qing tried all kinds of excuses, even suggesting she could introduce a famous stylist named Tony, but Gao Shen rejected them all. He insisted she do it.

He didn't want a fancy cut—just a buzz.

In the end, Su Qing couldn't win the argument, so she picked up the clippers and started carefully.

She was a complete beginner. This was her first time using such tools, so she worked slowly and cautiously, worried she might accidentally shave off a patch.

As the saying goes in her hometown, the haircut looked like a dog had chewed it.

Gao Shen, on the other hand, was completely relaxed. He closed his eyes and sat there, letting Su Qing mess around.

While tidying things up, Su Qing suddenly thought of something.

"How long will you be back this time?" she asked.

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"The team's still in training. I took special leave to come back and get my hair cut," Gao Shen grinned.

Even though she knew he was just joking, Su Qing still felt happy.

She wasn't just happy about what he said but also happy that he came back to her during this time.

"Turns out cutting hair isn't that hard. When I visit you for National Day, I'll bring a set with me and cut your hair again." Su Qing was quite good with her hands, and with her attention to detail, she picked up some skill while cutting.

Not long after, the buzz cut was done.

After wiping off most of the hair with a sponge, Gao Shen looked in the mirror and found that it actually turned out quite well.

"If you ever get laid off from the ministry, we can open a barber shop. You cut, and I'll do the washing. I'm sure we'll have a bright future."

Su Qing looked at her "work" with pride. To be honest, she was pretty satisfied.

"Alright then, super VIP client, let's go."

"Go where?"

"Hair washing. Our shop not only offers that but also foot soaks and massages. And the technicians are beautiful," Su Qing said shyly.

Gao Shen's appetite was instantly whetted, and he quickly pulled her away.

…

Gao Shen stayed in the country for two days.

Strictly speaking, a day and a half.

Then he flew back to Europe.

While he rested, Manchester City's Carrington training ground continued operating. The coaching staff remained at work.

The club's medical team closely monitored player activity, especially those prone to injury like Van Persie and Robben. The two Dutchmen were well known for their fragility.

Particularly Van Persie, whose multiple injuries last season were all linked to international duty.

After Robben joined Real Madrid, his injury situation had improved significantly. Manchester City's investment in him played a major role in that.

Dr. Sala even arranged for staff to monitor Robben's condition daily, running tests and compiling statistics to keep track of his physical state.

Gao Shen's requirement was simple. Robben didn't have to play every game, but he had to be available for the important ones.

During the international break, Gao Shen and the coaching staff found time to review several of Real Madrid's warm-up matches this season, as well as a La Liga fixture.

In the first round of La Liga, Real Madrid drew 0–0 away at Real Mallorca.

From the tactical setup, Mourinho used a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ever since Gao Shen won the double with that formation at Real Madrid four years ago, many subsequent coaches favored it. But Mourinho clearly hadn't figured out how to maximize Real Madrid's attack.

Interestingly, Di María played on the left while Cristiano Ronaldo was deployed on the right.

This was fairly normal.

Ronaldo often played on the right at Manchester United, and Di María usually played on the left for Napoli.

The advantage of wingers was that they provided width to the attack.

It's worth noting that Real Madrid currently had three center forwards: Higuaín, Benzema, and Adebayor.

In the game against Mallorca, Higuaín started, and Adebayor came on as a substitute to form a front two. At that point, Real Madrid switched to a 4-4-2.

Even so, they couldn't break through Mallorca's defense.

Michael Laudrup's team even performed quite well on the field.

…

"From the warm-up games and La Liga's first round, we can tell that Mourinho's preferred double pivot is Khedira and Xabi Alonso..."

Lucas analyzed Real Madrid's tactics this season. There were major differences between Mourinho and Pellegrini.

In short, Mourinho prioritized defense more.

Mentioning Khedira, Gao Shen immediately thought of the "ball-blind filter" from past discussions.

That perception came from the fact that while Real Madrid's coaches trusted the German midfielder, many fans felt he was ineffective or unnecessary.

In truth, Khedira's strengths lay in his physique, work rate, stamina, tactical discipline, and solid technique—particularly his ability to make deep runs.

He wasn't a pure defensive midfielder, but his presence protected Xabi Alonso and stabilized the midfield.

Currently, there were two midfield roles that seemed set under Mourinho.

The attacking midfielder position, left vacant after Kaká's injury, had been taken over by the No. 23—Mesut Özil, who succeeded Beckham in shirt number. Canales wasn't yet able to compete.

But Özil had a flaw: he rarely contributed to defense.

As Gao Shen pointed out, with Higuaín and Ronaldo already up top, adding Özil into midfield left the team dangerously unbalanced.

That's where Khedira became critical.

Xabi Alonso was also irreplaceable. For now, no one could take over his role or influence.

"As for the back line, Carvalho is the preferred center-back partner. The other slot rotates between Ramos and Pepe. Arbeloa is on the right and Marcelo on the left. There's no real suspense there."

This was essentially Real Madrid's starting lineup.

Despite having many superstars, the playing style remained focused on defense and counterattacking.

At least for now, Real Madrid lacked true midfield control and were most effective when launching quick counterattacks after regaining possession.

This had been true under Pellegrini and remained so under Mourinho.

Looking at Mourinho's current setup, he was still reluctant to let Marcelo push too far up. With Di María ahead of him on the left, Marcelo was often held back.

In fact, Real Madrid originally wanted to bring in Kolarov from Lazio this summer, but that move fell through for various reasons.

"I think when Mourinho visits the Etihad Stadium, he'll still lean toward a solid defensive setup and play on the counter. First, it's an away game. Second, it's the Champions League opener. Most importantly—let's be honest—I don't think he'll risk playing attacking football against us!" Lucas analyzed.

Trying to attack Manchester City head-on at the Etihad would be suicide!

So the smarter option would be to use three defensive midfielders and drop Özil.

But that raised another question—wasn't that a little too timid?

After all, Real Madrid and Manchester City were the biggest spenders in European football over the past two seasons. Real Madrid's investment was even higher.

If Real Madrid's current lineup still didn't have the guts to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City, didn't that suggest Mourinho lacked confidence in his squad?

When the time came, whether he won or lost, Mourinho would never be able to shake the label of being a coward.

Of course, Gao Shen suspected that Mourinho wouldn't care. He was a coach who believed only in winning. As long as he got the result, he wouldn't mind being called a coward.

"Have our scouts gather more intel in Madrid. The analysis team should also collect and assess information on Real Madrid, especially public opinion and fan sentiment in Madrid."

Gao Shen instructed Fernando Lucas, his intelligence expert.

"This match is critical for both us and Real Madrid. We absolutely can't afford to lose. So we have to be fully prepared and cover all our bases!"

Carlo, Sarri, and the others all nodded in agreement.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 660: I Am Stronger Than Gao Shen

"To be honest, if we still use two defensive midfielders, it will be hard to stop Manchester City's attack and penetration."

At the Valdebebas training base in Madrid, Mourinho and his coaching staff were holding an intensive meeting to discuss how to prepare for Manchester City's tactics and style of play.

Manchester City's attacking firepower had been clearly demonstrated in last season's Premier League.

Their front line, made up of Suarez, Robben, Hazard, Robinho, Gareth Bale, and Sturridge, had swept through the league. They even completed the second half of the season with a perfect record, an unprecedented feat in the Premier League and across all four major European leagues. With this run of victories, Gao Shen had once again cemented his place as a world-class coach.

If there had still been doubts about Gao Shen's ability to adapt to English football, they were completely silenced by last season's dominance. He had conquered the Premier League and added another title after winning La Liga and Serie A.

At just 30 years old, with league titles in three of Europe's top five leagues, what could be more impressive?

More importantly, Gao Shen was now aiming to lead Manchester City to Champions League glory. If he succeeded, he would undoubtedly become a legend in world football history.

Unfortunately, Mourinho and Real Madrid were now standing in his way.

Faria had a clear understanding of Real Madrid's current condition and had also gathered plenty of information on Manchester City. He believed sticking with two holding midfielders would be risky.

"Gao Shen will never be conservative at home. He'll definitely adopt an aggressive approach. When that happens, we'll likely be forced into a direct confrontation."

As Faria spoke, he glanced at Mourinho, as if to remind him: You need to evaluate this carefully.

Could Real Madrid's attacking strength really match Manchester City's?

But to be fair, when it came to firepower, Real Madrid weren't necessarily weaker than City last season.

Under Pellegrini, Real Madrid scored more than 100 goals in La Liga. Their attacking output was just as formidable.

Now, with Mourinho in charge and bolstered by players like Özil and Khedira, the overall squad had reached a new level. Everyone expected Real Madrid to be capable of surpassing even Barcelona.

Thinking of this, Mourinho realized he didn't really have much room to maneuver.

Why had Pellegrini been sacked?

Because he couldn't deliver the results, especially in the Champions League.

Real Madrid had actually performed well last season, and to this day many people still felt it was a pity Pellegrini was dismissed.

Now Mourinho had taken over, and the pressure was all on him.

"Our attack can match Manchester City's!" Mourinho said confidently.

Faria, Karanka, and the others considered it for a moment, then nodded.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Di María, Benzema, Higuaín, and Adebayor—even without the injured Kaká—Real Madrid's attack was certainly strong enough.

"I've already spoken to Ronaldo and Di María. I trust them. They'll be able to press and help in defense."

Mourinho stood up and walked over to the tactics board, where he quickly laid out the expected starting lineup. It included the attacking trio up front and the midfield configuration.

There weren't many options in midfield. The lineup would revolve around the same three players.

This was Real Madrid's strongest available combination. Unless Mourinho opted for a three-defensive-midfield setup, there wasn't much room for adjustment.

"We'll respond with a 4-2-3-1 formation and apply high pressure in the attacking third. Our midfield can hold off Manchester City. Especially with Di María and Ronaldo pressing from the front, City's full-backs won't have many chances to push forward. The only problem is this flank."

Mourinho circled the left side of the tactical map—Marcelo's side.

"I know Robben well. I used him as a left winger, but at Manchester City he plays on the right. He's very capable one-on-one, and I'm worried Marcelo won't be able to contain him."

Everyone understood what Mourinho meant.

He didn't want to be conservative.

All of them, including Faria and Karanka, couldn't help but think back to Florentino's phone call.

Even though Mourinho hadn't said anything about it, and Florentino hadn't made any specific requests, anyone with eyes could tell the president had expectations.

Recently, both Marca and AS, Real Madrid's two main media outlets, had been heavily hyping up the team. The fans were demanding that the squad perform at their best at the Etihad Stadium.

What was this?

To Real Madrid fans, Gao Shen was like an unreachable goddess, their white moonlight. They might not fully appreciate their current "partner," but they still hoped he could outshine the one they couldn't have.

Naturally, that pressure fell on Mourinho.

It forced him not to be timid.

"Everyone, I've just taken over Real Madrid, and I said I'd make this team the best in Europe. With superstars like Ronaldo, Di María, and Kaká, we have no reason to fear anyone."

"Even facing Gao Shen and his Manchester City, I believe we have what it takes to compete."

"There's no need to be conservative, even away from home, right?"

Mourinho's words were immediately echoed by assistant coach Karanka.

"Well said. Real Madrid has never been a defensive team. Sitting back and counterattacking isn't our style. If we're timid now against Manchester City, what are we going to do against Barcelona?"

Karanka's comment captured what many at Real Madrid were thinking.

From Florentino to Valdano, to the fans, the media, and even the players.

With a superstar like Ronaldo, any manager should let him focus on attacking, not make him track back and defend.

That would be a complete waste of talent.

"Very good!" Mourinho praised Karanka.

"Then let's start preparing. The match in Manchester is our first Champions League game of the season. No matter what, we must do everything to win and make a strong start. Understood?"

"Understood!" everyone replied firmly.

Mourinho's expression was resolute. He was determined to win this match.

He didn't just want to win. He wanted to win convincingly, especially in the eyes of the Real Madrid board led by Florentino.

He wanted them all to know that José Mourinho was no less than Gao Shen.

He was stronger than Gao Shen!

…

On the afternoon of September 11, in the fourth round of the Premier League, Manchester City hosted Blackburn at the Etihad.

The two-week international break had affected City's rhythm. All of the South American internationals were benched in favor of an all-European starting lineup.

Because of the smooth communication between Gao Shen and the national teams, and close cooperation between City's medical and coaching staff and their national counterparts, Dr. Sala even arranged staff to travel to the Dutch national team to monitor Robben and Van Persie.

As a result, City's players returned from international duty in good shape.

Still, Gao Shen made heavy rotations for the fourth round.

Robben was on the bench, while Van Persie started.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce was a shrewd tactician. He knew City would be distracted by the upcoming Champions League game, so he adopted a very defensive approach at the Etihad, hoping to take advantage and sneak a result.

He was confident City wouldn't go all-out against Blackburn.

But he underestimated one thing—City's bench was still very strong this season.

In the 25th minute, Yaya Touré played a brilliant through ball from deep. Van Persie received it in the box, spun, and smashed a volley past Robinson to give City the lead.

After that, the match settled into a stalemate.

In the 55th minute, Van Persie returned the favor, controlling the ball in the box and laying it off. Yaya Touré burst through and fired a long-range shot to double the lead.

Gao Shen then began making substitutions to conserve energy for midweek.

In the end, Manchester City beat Blackburn 2–0.

…

Four hours after City's match, Real Madrid hosted Osasuna in La Liga's second round.

Mourinho sent out his full-strength lineup, but the game was tight. The first half ended 0–0.

In the second half, Real Madrid stepped up the pressure. In the 47th minute, following chaos from a corner, they launched a second wave of attack. Ronaldo delivered a great pass, and Carvalho scored from close range.

It was the only goal of the game.

Real Madrid won 1–0.

It wasn't a spectacular performance, but Mourinho expressed satisfaction with both the result and the process afterward.

The Portuguese coach said Real Madrid's real focus was on the upcoming Champions League match in midweek.

"This is a very important game. It holds special meaning, both for me and for Real Madrid."

"I don't think it will decide the group, but it will be a great way to start our campaign."

Mourinho said he was very familiar with Gao Shen and the Premier League.

"I know how to fight in the Premier League and how to win in Manchester, because I know that place well."

He emphasized that Real Madrid must play their own way when facing a Premier League team in the Champions League. "Any short-term adjustments could backfire."

"I want to tell the fans, there's no need to worry. We are not cowards. We'll show our courage and determination in this crucial match. We'll beat our opponents and bring home three valuable group-stage points."

"I believe in my players. They won't let us down!"

Finally, Mourinho declared with great ambition that Real Madrid would prove at the Etihad Stadium, "We are the strongest team in European football!"

(To be continued.)