SWR: Chapter 574/576

Chapter 574: Making History

Manchester City thrashed Everton 6-0 at home!

As soon as the match ended, it caused a sensation across the British internet, triggering massive discussions throughout Europe and even worldwide. Countless fans were stunned by this game.

Their 5-0 win over Blackburn in the first round was already impressive enough, but now, they had dismantled Everton 6-0 at home. Manchester City's start to the new season was simply unbelievable.

Even more astonishing was Gao Shen, who deployed two different tactics and two completely different lineups in just two games. What else could be said except that he was a tactical genius?

The internet was flooded with overwhelming praise for Manchester City, especially for Gao Shen, who was being hailed as a mastermind.

A Manchester City fan left a comment under Gao Shen's tweet:

"When we saw you take over at Manchester City, we saw light and hope. You are our Ultraman!"

This comment quickly gained widespread approval from fans on Twitter.

In English, "Ultraman" is pronounced similarly to "altan," and Manchester City's English abbreviation is "Man City." Additionally, "alt" means "everything" in Danish and "high" in Catalan. This Manchester City fan cleverly played on these meanings, sparking heated discussions and enthusiastic support online.

Despite having only played two games, Manchester City under Gao Shen had already become one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League. They had scored eleven goals and conceded none. This remarkable start not only put them at the top of the league but also made history.

This was the first time in Manchester City's history!

Manchester City fans were celebrating wildly, and even neutral football fans, aside from those supporting City's rivals were full of praise. Many believed that the attacking football displayed in these two matches had left an unforgettable impression.

Beyond fan discussions, journalists sought reactions from prominent football figures such as Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, and the crew of Match of the Day.

Little did they know, not long after the game ended, the BBC headquarters erupted into cheers from the Match of the Day production team.

…

"According to online public opinion monitoring, ever since we clashed with Gao Shen, discussions about us have remained at a high level. The peak was reached during tonight's match, and the interest is still surging."

Steve Turnbull, the online editor of Match of the Day, was responsible for managing public discussions and handling the program's official Twitter account. He played a crucial role in influencing online narratives.

A top graduate from the Department of Media Studies, Turnbull joined the BBC straight out of university and had been part of the Match of the Day crew since 2006. Over the years, he had become an integral member of the team, driving their online engagement strategy.

"Right now, a large number of fans are demanding that we issue an apology. Personally, I suggest we do it in tomorrow's episode."

Turnbull turned to Alan Hansen as he spoke.

Everyone else, including Lineker and Alan Shearer, also fixed their eyes on Hansen.

The Scotsman shrugged nonchalantly. "I can apologize anytime. That's not an issue. But my question is, will an apology affect the show's popularity?"

"That's the key point," added the show's producer, Ian Finch, his expression serious.

Turnbull pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "There's no definitive way to measure whether an apology will impact viewership. However, public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of it. Hansen promised on air that he would apologize if Manchester City topped the table. I believe we should fulfill that promise now. If City loses their lead later, we can adjust our approach accordingly."

Ian Finch nodded. "Alright, then we'll proceed with the apology. Hansen, get ready."

Alan Hansen showed no hesitation. "Fine, I'll prepare my apology."

The room burst into laughter.

"Tonight, we'll post some promotional images on Twitter. Tomorrow morning, we'll reach out to our usual newspaper and online media contacts to create buzz. This should generate a lot of attention. I already have an idea, one of our promotional images will show the three hosts in suits, but Lineker's jacket will be missing."

As soon as Turnbull finished speaking, Ian Finch clapped in approval. "Brilliant idea! I'll get in touch with the newspapers right away."

"We could even turn this into a series," Turnbull continued. "If Manchester City wins their weekend match, we'll remove another item from the picture. If Gao Shen's team actually manages to win six games in a row, then…"

Before he could finish, the room erupted into laughter as everyone turned their gaze toward Lineker. It was as if they were already imagining him in a progressively more casual outfit. Many wondered how the former footballer had maintained his physique so well after retirement.

"Stop looking at me with envy, okay?" Lineker said coolly. "I'll tell you now—this is impossible."

"If you told me that Ferguson's Manchester United could win six in a row, I might believe you. But Manchester City winning six straight in the Premier League? No way. It's incredibly difficult, especially when facing teams like Arsenal and United."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After all, Manchester City was still a developing team. No matter how capable Gao Shen was, he had only led them to two impressive wins against Blackburn and an Everton side missing key players. But when the season progressed and they encountered powerhouses like Arsenal and Manchester United, the true test would begin.

"I honestly hope City keeps winning," Ian Finch said. "It's so hard to generate hype nowadays. Gao Shen's current popularity is a rare opportunity—we can't waste it."

The room was filled with nods of agreement.

Right now, Gao Shen was the hottest figure in English football.

Last weekend, Match of the Day hit its highest ratings in recent seasons, largely due to Alan Hansen's bold comments about Gao Shen.

Now, after Manchester City's crushing victory over Everton, public interest had soared even higher. With Hansen's apology and the ongoing "Lineker undressing" bet fueling discussions, the show's ratings were bound to hit another record high.

The competition in British sports media was intense.

Aside from Sky Sports, other TV stations that owned broadcasting rights were also taking things seriously. The battle for top football pundits was fierce, with networks frequently trying to poach each other's talent.

And it wasn't just Match of the Day paying close attention, other major broadcasters had also taken action.

Reports suggested that Sky Sports had been attempting to secure an exclusive interview with Gao Shen for some time but had yet to succeed.

Interestingly, since arriving in England, Gao Shen had not granted any formal interviews to UK media, no television appearances, no newspaper interviews, and no magazine features.

Yet, he was undeniably the biggest sensation in the Premier League right now!

…

After leading the team back to Carrington, Gao Shen checked Twitter and saw the latest posts from Match of the Day, Lineker, Alan Hansen, and others.

They seemed worried that Gao Shen might not notice, so they even tagged him directly.

At times, Gao Shen truly admired these British media professionals. They had a remarkable ability to create and shape public narratives, expertly guiding and leveraging public opinion to their advantage.

Of course, this also worked in Gao Shen's favor.

Even though they were capitalizing on his popularity, they were simultaneously helping him build his brand, increasing his commercial value and influence.

And most importantly, the initiative was still in Gao Shen's hands.

If Match of the Day ever did something to upset him and he lashed out, they would likely just take it in stride, spin it into another story, and continue generating headlines.

Of course, if it ever reached that point, it wouldn't benefit Gao Shen either.

Right now, they were riding the wave of his popularity, but at the same time, they were also helping him gain even more exposure and recognition. This was a win-win situation.

As for whether Lineker would actually go through with his streaking bet on live TV, that wasn't something Gao Shen needed to concern himself with.

If anyone should be worried, it should be Match of the Day—or Lineker himself.

Manchester City's two consecutive wins had put them at the top of the table, providing a massive morale boost for the squad. However, beneath these victories, many underlying issues remained.

For instance, Robinho and Robben had yet to fully integrate into the team, and their performances were far from ideal, especially Robben.

He was still adjusting to playing on the right wing and was at a crucial stage in finding his rhythm. What he needed most right now was patience and support.

Gareth Bale played as a left-back in this match. He started off strong but gradually faded as the game progressed. Gao Shen knew he needed to sit down with him, offer encouragement, and help rebuild his confidence.

After all, Bale had been incredibly unlucky.

At Tottenham, he had made 24 appearances without winning a single game. His luck had been downright miserable.

Gao Shen had spoken to him before the match, and now, after City's 6-0 thrashing of Everton, Bale had finally broken free from his winless streak. This was the perfect opportunity for Gao Shen to have another conversation with him, to reinforce his confidence and help him develop faster.

Gao Shen also planned to explore the possibility of pushing Bale further up the pitch in a more advanced role, but that would require careful consideration.

Then there was Henderson, another issue that needed addressing.

Physically, he had the height and strength to play as a defensive midfielder. His ball control and passing were decent, but somehow, he just wasn't performing as expected.

Gao Shen had already spoken to Henderson multiple times. He genuinely liked the young English midfielder.

And it wasn't just about his passport, he truly appreciated him as a player.

How to put it?

Henderson and Rakitic were actually quite similar. Both were disciplined professionals who would execute the manager's instructions to the letter, without complaints or excuses. Even if they were assigned roles they weren't entirely comfortable with, they would still give their all and do everything in their power to fulfill their tasks.

What manager wouldn't love a player like that?

At their current age, their skills could still be improved through training, but mentality and work ethic were much harder to change.

That was why Gao Shen was keen on experimenting with Henderson, to see if he could adapt to the No. 4 role or develop his own unique playing style.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 575: Challenge the Premier League

August 19, 2009, was destined to be a sleepless night for many Premier League managers.

In his mansion in Wilmslow, Ferguson sat drinking glass after glass of the Chilean wine that Gao Shen had given him. The more he drank, the more he felt it was damn near undrinkable, just like his mood at the moment.

But you could choose not to drink. You couldn't choose not to live. So, he had to swallow it, even if it was with tears.

Seated beside him were two people—his younger brother Martin Ferguson, a scout for Manchester United, and his youngest son Jason Ferguson, who worked as a football agent.

Family ties like this were common in European football, especially in the Premier League.

Allardyce's son was an agent, Redknapp's son was also an agent, and even former Arsenal chairman David Dein's son was involved in the business…

The infamous "bungs" scandal had exposed everything, but in the end, it didn't really change much.

Take 2004, for example. Ferguson had a major dispute with two of Manchester United's biggest shareholders over the Gibraltar Stallion case. In retaliation, they publicly revealed details of Ferguson and his son's dealings at United, including commissions from transfers—£1.5 million from Stam's move to Lazio, more from Verón's transfer…

After the fallout, Ferguson announced that his son would no longer be involved in United's transfer business. But reality? Nothing had really changed.

It was just the way things were. You had to get used to it.

"This kid is something else," Martin Ferguson sighed, shaking his head.

For city rivals like Manchester United, Manchester City becoming stronger was bad news.

"I've spoken to a lot of people. Many were already impressed with him after the first match. Now, after tonight, he's only going to get even more attention," Martin continued, sounding resigned.

Right now, Gao Shen was like a dragon crossing the sea, sharpened in Italy, now in the Premier League to claim his throne!

"Uncle, we've spent nearly €400 million in two years. We practically built a whole new team! If those Americans running United were willing to invest that kind of money, with my dad's ability, wouldn't we be dominating instead?" Jason Ferguson wasn't convinced.

"Besides, it's only the second round. There's still plenty of time!"

Martin Ferguson glanced at his nephew and sighed inwardly. He was still too young.

Over the years, Jason had coasted on the Ferguson name. People showed him respect because of his father. His career had been smooth, his success had come easily, and it had made him a little too self-assured.

"Two rounds or not, experts see the details, while the average fan only sees the excitement. Manchester City might be grabbing the headlines, but there's more to it than that," Martin said patiently.

"What do you mean? Like Andy Gray said, he switched from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. Don't we at United also play 4-4-2 all the time?" Jason still wasn't convinced.

"That's exactly the point!" Ferguson suddenly interjected, his tone sharp.

Jason and Martin immediately stopped talking.

"He's used two different tactical systems in two league games. But knowing Gao Shen, he won't stop there. What's his goal? He's sending a message to the entire Premier League, he's here!"

Jason frowned. "Doesn't everyone already know that?"

The whole world knew Gao Shen was Manchester City's manager. What else needed to be said?

Ferguson looked at his youngest son and frowned. He had spoiled him too much. He hadn't learned much about football, but he certainly knew how to run his mouth.

"4-3-3 is his signature formation, and 4-2-3-1 made him famous. But in the second round, he didn't use either. Instead, he played 4-4-2, even using a diamond midfield. Whose system is that?"

Jason was silent.

"Ancelotti's Chelsea," Martin Ferguson answered.

"Gao Shen was making a statement to Ancelotti: Look, I can play your system too. Not only that, but I execute it better than you do. You should be learning from me!"

The moment Ferguson finished, Jason couldn't sit still. "Isn't that too arrogant?"

"How is it arrogant? He didn't say a word, his football did the talking. And I'll tell you this, his Manchester City did play better than Ancelotti's Chelsea. I wouldn't be surprised if that fat Italian is watching the match tape over and over, trying to figure out what he did wrong. Just wait and see—Ancelotti will probably make changes in the next round."

Jason had no response, though his face still showed his reluctance to fully accept it. Is he really that good? he thought to himself.

"Maybe next time, he'll use our 4-4-2. Then he might switch to Benítez's 4-2-3-1, or something else entirely. This kid is a real problem!" Ferguson said bitterly.

There was no doubt in his mind, Gao Shen had come to the Premier League because of Manchester City's financial backing.

Without that kind of investment, he probably wouldn't have come.

Hadn't the Spanish media said it before?

Gao Shen had rejected Real Madrid because they refused to listen to his input on transfers. He didn't want to go if he couldn't build his own squad.

Looking back, that made perfect sense.

After three years in Naples and Serie A, he was desperate to spread his wings.

"Actually, Jason has a point," Martin Ferguson said, throwing his nephew a lifeline. "Gao Shen has great ability, but he's also pushing things a bit far. And let's not forget, Manchester City has plenty of its own issues to deal with."

Ferguson looked at his brother, then at his son, and sighed inwardly. If only he had half, no, a third—or even just a fifth—of my ability, I wouldn't have to worry so much.

"You still don't get it. He's doing this for both personal and professional reasons."

"What do you mean?"

"From a professional standpoint, Manchester City needs to unite as a team. Gao Shen excels at managing the locker room. With City's massive investment and the Premier League's generally unfriendly stance toward them, he's using this outside pressure to bring the squad together."

"On a personal level, Gao Shen has his own ambitions as a manager. Do you really think he came to the Premier League just for the money Manchester City offered? That's too short-sighted!" Ferguson shook his head. "As far as I know, Gao Shen's annual commercial earnings are far higher than his salary at Manchester City. Do you think he cares about that?"

Martin and Jason exchanged surprised glances.

Was being a football manager really that profitable?

"Then why did he come to the Premier League…?"

"It's not just a challenge for himself, it's a challenge to the entire Premier League and every manager in it. He wants to take on the whole league!"

The moment Ferguson said this, Martin and Jason were stunned.

Wasn't that a bit much?

How was that even possible?

This was the Premier League, the most competitive league in the world, home to the best managers.

Sure, Gao Shen had won two Champions League titles, but Ferguson and Ancelotti had also won two each. Neither of them was inferior to him. Then there was Benítez, who had only won one but had reached the final twice. Gao Shen himself had admitted that his 4-2-3-1 setup at Real Madrid was inspired by Benítez's tactics.

And now, just because he was in the spotlight, he was going to challenge everyone?

"Sounds arrogant, doesn't it?" Ferguson asked in a deep voice.

Martin and Jason remained silent, unsure of what he was getting at.

"I'm telling you, if it were me—if I were 20 or 30 years younger—I'd do the same thing. Competitive sports are all about growing stronger by facing stronger opponents, constantly pushing yourself, constantly breaking your limits. If you're always hesitating, afraid of risks, how can you break through? How can you surpass your rivals?"

"Don't be fooled by Gao Shen's polite and humble demeanor. Deep down, he's proud—proud enough to want to crush every manager in the Premier League. That's how he plans to become the best in the world!"

Martin and Jason exchanged looks again, struggling to believe it. It sounded almost unbelievable.

"What should we do then?" Martin asked seriously.

"What else? He's come knocking on our door, so we fight back!" Ferguson declared, his tone firm.

"Young managers should be ambitious, but they also need to recognize whose territory they've entered. This is the Premier League, our league. No matter how strong he is, he's still just a newcomer here."

By the time Ferguson finished speaking, his temper had flared up as well.

Martin and Jason were taken aback.

It had been years since they'd seen Ferguson this fired up.

In the past, when Manchester United pulled off dramatic comebacks in the Champions League, FA Cup, and league, it was Ferguson's tenacity and drive that kept the team going.

But over time, things changed. The failures after signing Verón, Beckham's move to Spain, Mourinho's back-to-back titles with Chelsea—United eventually bounced back, but then Ronaldo left for Real Madrid. And as Ferguson aged, his hunger had seemed to fade as well.

But now, it was back!

…

Ferguson wasn't wrong at all.

In London, Ancelotti and his coaching staff sat at home rewatching Manchester City's demolition of Everton. The Italian manager was in shock.

They were using the same 4-4-2 diamond system, yet Manchester City's play was smoother, sharper, and far more aggressive.

More importantly, City didn't even have a striker like Drogba, yet their attack was still formidable.

The key? Their midfield.

"How's Joe Cole's recovery coming along?" Ancelotti asked, concerned.

Assistant coach Bruno Demichelis shook his head. "Still needs time."

Cole had suffered a serious cruciate ligament tear in an FA Cup clash against Southend United last winter. It had ruled him out for the entire season, and he had yet to return.

Chelsea had tried to sign Ribéry that summer, but Bayern Munich refused to let him leave. They also lost out to Juventus in the race for Diego. Meanwhile, they hesitated on deals for Valencia, Di María, and Sánchez—letting them all slip away.

Now, Ancelotti had no choice but to work with what he had.

Thankfully, Chelsea's match against Manchester City wasn't coming up immediately, so he still had time.

With that thought, Ancelotti smirked mischievously.

Poor Wenger… Moyes had his turn, now it's yours.

Hang in there, I'm rooting for you!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 576: Outbreak

August 22nd, afternoon. Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

In the third round of the Premier League, Manchester City hosted newly promoted Wolves.

Just three minutes into the match, Robben pressed high on the right, forcing Wolves' left-back Ward to pass back to center-back Craddock. Suarez immediately charged at him at full speed, forcing a rushed pass to the other center-back, Mancienne. However, the ball was deflected off Suarez's leg.

The intended pass never reached Mancienne. Instead, the ball changed direction and landed in front of Mancini.

The Wolves' defense was caught off guard and quickly retreated.

Robinho was the first to react. He sprinted forward, collecting the ball and driving at Mancini, pushing him back step by step.

The Wolves' defenders kept retreating until they were deep inside their own penalty area with no room left to fall back.

Just as Mancini tried to force Robinho wide, the Brazilian suddenly stopped and flicked the ball behind him to the right. In a swift motion, he darted past Mancini like a slippery eel, cutting inside before unleashing a right-footed shot…

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Robinho! Robinho!!"

"Just three minutes into the game, Manchester City take the lead against Wolves with a goal from Robinho!"

"One-nil!"

"We can see Gao Shen applauding from the touchline—what a fantastic goal!"

"Manchester City's high pressing forced Wolves' center-back into a passing error. Robinho seized the opportunity and launched a decisive counterattack. Using his individual skill, he dribbled past Mancini and found the back of the net!"

"Gao Shen can breathe easy now."

…

In the 10th minute, Manchester City's midfield won possession, and David Silva quickly spread the ball to the left.

Felipe surged forward, dribbling into Wolves' half. Seeing Robinho positioned out wide, he passed to him before making a diagonal run toward the middle.

Robinho understood the movement, controlled the ball, and then played a horizontal pass into Felipe's path.

The Brazilian left-back initially feigned a left-footed shot, drawing Wolves' deep-lying midfielder Carl Henry towards him. But at the last moment, he shifted direction, took a step to the side, and laid off a pass to the unmarked right side of the arc.

Rakitic had already been making a run down the right channel. Arriving at the edge of the box, he met the ball in stride and struck it cleanly with his right foot.

The shot was like an arrow, slicing through the air at lightning speed, curling beautifully before nestling into the right side of the net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Two-nil!"

"Ten minutes into the game, and Manchester City have doubled their lead!"

"The Croatian midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, with a stunning strike!"

"Manchester City's attack is relentless. They look unstoppable!"

"In their first two league matches, they crushed Blackburn 5-0 and demolished Everton 6-0. Tonight, at the Etihad, they've already put two past Wolves in the opening ten minutes!"

"Mick McCarthy needs to be careful!"

"Manchester City are on fire tonight. This could turn into an all-out attacking spectacle. Let's see if Wolves can adjust quickly."

…

"Look at this quick counterattack from Manchester City—again, it's played out to the left."

"Felipe sprints forward, delivering a pass to Robinho on the left edge of the penalty area."

"Robinho, with his signature stepovers, shakes off Stearman before cutting inside and crossing into the box."

"Suarez shields the ball against Mancienne, controlling it with his foot before laying it off."

"David Silva arrives… David Silva, he strikes… and it's in!!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Three-nil!"

"Wolves are collapsing under the pressure!"

"In the 18th minute, Manchester City score their third!"

"Right from kickoff, City have been relentless, especially down the left flank. Robinho is far more involved tonight compared to the first round. He's become City's most dangerous attacking threat on that side."

"And what a smart assist from Suarez! Mancienne, still young, managed to prevent Suarez from turning, but he couldn't stop the Uruguayan from setting up Silva perfectly."

"Manchester City's entire attacking unit is in full flow!"

…

"Robinho again on the left, taking on two defenders at once, forcing his way through with the ball!"

"A beautiful cross into the penalty area."

"The ball is deflected out for a corner."

"Robinho's outstanding performance earns him a standing ovation, and Manchester City win a corner on the left."

"David Silva steps up to take it."

"City's tall players are moving forward."

"David Silva swings in the corner—it drops right in front of goal! Suarez rises… and heads it in!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Four-nil!"

"In the 33rd minute, Manchester City score their fourth goal of the game, a header from Suarez!"

"That's also his fifth Premier League goal of the season!"

"What a performance!"

"In just over 30 minutes, Manchester City have launched a relentless attacking assault. Wolves are completely overwhelmed, unable to do anything but watch their defense get torn apart time and time again."

"Mick McCarthy looks devastated."

"Before the match, he confidently claimed his team could leave the Etihad unscathed. But now, after conceding four unanswered goals, there's almost no way back for Wolves tonight."

…

When City scored their fourth goal, Gao Shen turned around, grinning, and high-fived his assistants one by one in celebration.

But soon after, he turned back toward the pitch, applauding David Silva's contribution while reminding the players to stay focused and not let their guard down.

Even though Wolves were a newly promoted side and not particularly strong, caution was still necessary.

"Robinho is playing brilliantly today," Sarri said with a smile.

Gao Shen nodded. "It's all thanks to Lorenzo and Antonio."

Both fitness coaches waved their hands modestly, but everyone knew their work had made a significant impact.

Robinho's current weight was actually similar to when Gao Shen first took over, but if you compared his physique now to his pre-training photos, the difference was striking. His body was much stronger.

Of course, he wasn't built like a powerhouse, but for his style of play, this was a major improvement.

The benefits were obvious—his speed, explosiveness, and flexibility had all improved, and his footwork had become even sharper. In his goal earlier, he executed a sudden stop, shook off Mancienne, cut inside, and unleashed a powerful, fast shot.

Last season, Robinho had scored plenty of goals, but most were finesse finishes or penalties. Goals like tonight's, where power and speed played a major role were rare.

All of this was a result of the specialized training he had undergone with the fitness coaches.

"Honestly, if he's in the gym, that's our credit. But more importantly, he's the one willing to put in the work," Pintus chuckled.

The group burst into laughter, knowing exactly what Pintus meant.

Truth be told, Gao Shen didn't do anything extraordinary, he just used simple but effective methods.

For instance, competition.

One of the reasons Hazard wasn't against gym work was that Gao Shen often, intentionally or not used his girlfriend as motivation. It lit a fire under the Belgian, and while he wasn't a training fanatic, he still worked hard.

As a direct competitor, Robinho naturally refused to be outdone.

And tonight, Robinho's explosive performance likely stemmed from a conversation he had with Gao Shen the night before.

By now, most people at Manchester City and even back in Naples—knew the pattern: when someone delivered an exceptional performance, it usually meant they'd had a chat with the boss beforehand.

"So, tell me—what did you say to him last night?" Carlo asked, curious.

He wasn't much of a talker himself, so he admired people who could inspire players with words.

Lucas and Sarri exchanged amused glances before laughing.

In truth, the trick Gao Shen used was nothing new.

He deliberately left his office door slightly open. When Robinho arrived, the coaching staff spoke just loud enough for him to overhear.

They discussed how everyone believed Hazard should keep his starting spot, while Gao Shen found himself in a "difficult position" because he had already promised Robinho a start. But in the end, he insisted on giving Robinho a chance.

Afterward, the staff left, and Gao Shen had a private heart-to-heart with Robinho, saying things that couldn't be shared with others. Then, he gave the Brazilian a few motivational speeches.

If Robinho lacked ambition and was content with mediocrity, it wouldn't have mattered. But Gao Shen knew he had awakened the Brazilian's competitive spirit.

How could he let himself be overshadowed by a kid from Ligue 1?

Losing to Messi was one thing—at least Messi was Messi!

But losing to a player from the French league? That was unacceptable.

No matter what, he was still one of Brazil's biggest stars!

And so, tonight, Robinho erupted.

When Carlo asked again, Gao Shen simply smiled.

"Honestly, I didn't do anything. The key is the players' own drive and self-discipline. That's what really matters."

After all, as a man of integrity, Gao Shen would never use any psychological tricks on his players.

That just wasn't the kind of person he was!

…

As Wolves dropped deeper into their own half in the second half, Manchester City eased off the attacking intensity.

Gao Shen, however, made a deliberate shift, focusing more on the right side to help Robben regain his rhythm.

Though the Dutchman's performance tonight hadn't matched Robinho's, Gao Shen could see him gradually finding his form under pressure.

Hazard, Robinho, Sturridge—they had all experienced breakthroughs. There was no way Robben wasn't feeling the heat.

For players at their level, this kind of competition wasn't destructive, it was fuel for motivation.

Gao Shen firmly believed that Robben's moment was coming.

(To be continued.)