SWR: Chapter 565/567

Chapter 565: I Hate You

Allardyce panicked!

He never expected Manchester City's attack to be this fierce all of a sudden. It completely caught him off guard.

Was that bastard Gao Shen playing the fool to prey on the unsuspecting?

They had been so underwhelming in the warm-up matches, yet in the official game, they suddenly turned it up a notch and played with such intensity?

But after thinking it through, Allardyce realized something, Manchester City hadn't fielded their full starting lineup in those warm-up matches. Especially in midfield and attack, their formations had constantly shifted.

This proved that Gao Shen really hadn't cared about those matches. He had used them purely for tactical experimentation.

But when it came to a competitive fixture where results mattered, he deployed what he believed to be his strongest lineup.

More importantly, Manchester City must have extensively practiced their offensive strategies and tactics in training.

What was even funnier was how so many media outlets and fans had been completely fooled by him!

Especially Suarez—one goal, one assist—he was playing out of his skin!

Allardyce quickly rushed to the touchline, signaling for his Blackburn players to fall back and adopt a defensive stance.

Only then did they manage to stabilize the situation.

But having conceded two goals in quick succession, Blackburn had lost their fighting spirit. They were now in an extremely unfavorable position.

At that moment, Allardyce suddenly recalled what Mainz's head coach, Tuchel, had said during the warm-up match. He had mentioned that Gao Shen was trying to improve the weaknesses he had at Napoli while at Manchester City. Now, it seemed that wasn't just a flattering remark, it was spot on.

The attacking combination of Suarez, Robinho, Robben, David Silva, and Rakitic was no weaker than Napoli's offensive lineup last season.

If David Silva replaced Biglia in midfield, he would play higher up the pitch, and his passing would be even deadlier.

So far in the match, he had already delivered several dangerous passes.

More importantly, Robinho and Robben weren't even fully integrated into the system yet. Compared to Napoli's former wing duo of Sanchez and Di Maria, they were still far from their best.

But everyone knew how good those two were. If they fully adapted and reached top form, wouldn't Manchester City's attack reach an entirely new level?

Thinking about this, Allardyce really wanted to grab all those pundits—especially Alan Hansen—and force them to watch this game.

Was this what they called "too basic"?

If this wasn't enough, then every single head coach in Europe—no, in the entire world—should just resign in shame.

…

As the match progressed, Allardyce's unease grew.

Even with Blackburn sitting deep, they still looked incredibly vulnerable.

Manchester City controlled the ball, controlled the tempo, and dictated the flow of the game. Their players were constantly moving, interchanging passes, pulling apart Blackburn's defensive shape, probing for weaknesses.

The moment a gap appeared, Manchester City's pass would arrive right on cue.

And the key issue? These players were ridiculously talented!

Suarez was the biggest surprise of the game so far.

Robinho and Robben were both world-class wingers with established reputations. Even David Silva, who had already been impressive at Valencia was playing in a completely different manner.

Back at the Mestalla, he never had this much possession or control.

Now, he was Manchester City's midfield maestro.

He dominated the ball, and Blackburn's players couldn't dispossess him. What shocked Allardyce the most was Silva's strength in physical duels. Before the game, he had assumed Silva would be easily knocked off balance due to his smaller frame.

But instead, the Spaniard held his ground and protected the ball superbly.

His ability to escape pressure was terrifying!

Several times, Blackburn had sent two or three players to press him, yet Silva still found a way out.

At this point, the veteran English manager wanted to cry.

Damn it, just what kind of monster was Gao Shen?

How had he assembled such a team?

It would have been bad enough if they only relied on individual quality, ball control, and passing. But they also pressed relentlessly and ran their socks off, how was anyone supposed to cope with that?

At first glance, this Manchester City team resembled Guardiola's Barcelona.

But on closer inspection, they weren't the same.

Manchester City used more direct passing, played more long balls, and had a greater variety of attacking patterns. Their players also had more freedom to express themselves.

Take this moment in the 19th minute, for example.

Blackburn had just won possession in their own half, preparing to launch an attack.

However, David Silva immediately pressed, not directly going for the ball, but cutting off Andrews' passing lane to the flank.

As soon as the ball was forced wide, Manchester City triggered an aggressive press.

A fierce battle for possession ensued down the wing. The duel was intense, and in the end, Felipe managed to poke the ball away before quickly playing it into the middle, finding Javi Martinez in space.

The Spanish midfielder controlled the ball calmly before passing it to David Luiz.

Then—

The Brazilian center-back launched a pinpoint long pass into the penalty area.

Suarez timed his run perfectly, darting in behind the defense.

With his chest, he brought the ball down before attempting a lob from a tight angle on the left side of the six-yard box.

It was a breathtaking move, but unfortunately, his chipped shot just missed the target.

The angle was simply too tight!

Even so, the attack sent a wave of panic through the Blackburn squad. In the stands, their fans collectively held their breath.

Allardyce rushed to the sideline, urgently reminding his defenders, especially Samba and Givet to pay close attention to Suarez's movement.

The cunning Uruguayan was unpredictable, constantly drifting around, making him a nightmare to mark.

By this point in the match, Allardyce had fully realized the gravity of the situation.

And deep inside, he was cursing the FA officials who had scheduled this fixture.

Why did Blackburn have to be the first team to face this Manchester City side?

Wasn't this just using them as guinea pigs to warn the rest of the Premier League?

Realizing the severity of the situation, Allardyce abandoned all other concerns. He marched to the touchline and urgently signaled his players to reinforce the defense. At the same time, he instructed Pedersen and Diouf, the two wide midfielders, to drop back and support defensively, while the two strikers were also asked to retreat.

His priority now was to hold the defense steady for the remainder of the first half.

At halftime, he would make changes!

And as for Gao Shen—damn it, I hate you!

…

While Allardyce was drowning in anxiety, Gao Shen remained calm.

However, he wasn't entirely satisfied with the performances of Robinho and Robben on the flanks.

Suarez, David Silva, and the others had executed their roles as planned, but the two wingers weren't as active as he wanted.

So, after the 25th minute, Gao Shen gestured to Felipe and Zabaleta, urging them to push forward and get more involved in the attack to support Robinho and Robben.

Since Manchester City had complete control of the game, their full-backs could afford to be more adventurous.

Following Gao Shen's adjustment, both full-backs became more aggressive, taking turns pushing up to join the attack.

In the 37th minute, Felipe surged forward, receiving a pass from David Silva on the left side of Blackburn's defensive third. Without hesitation, he played a sharp through ball to Robinho, who had his back to goal.

As soon as he released the pass, David Silva sprinted into the left side of the penalty area. Robinho, instead of controlling the ball, cleverly flicked it back into Silva's path, allowing the Spaniard to glide into the box in one seamless motion.

Andrews was caught off guard and desperately lunged into a sliding tackle just outside the area. But he was too late—David Silva was already through.

As Silva dribbled into the box, he was immediately double-teamed by Samba and Jacobsen. But just as they closed in, he lightly flicked the ball behind him with his heel while using his body to shield it.

Right on cue, Robinho arrived. Without breaking stride, he met Silva's pass with a first-time shot, drilling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Blackburn's goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, was completely stunned. He didn't even have time to react as the ball rippled the back of the net.

"Goooooooaaalllllll!!!!!!"

"Three-nil!!!"

"Manchester City have struck three times in the first half!"

"Unbelievable! What a brilliant piece of play! David Silva's backheel was pure genius, and Robinho's timing was impeccable! The intricate link-up between these two technical wizards completely dismantled Blackburn's defense!"

"Three-nil! At this rate, Allardyce might actually cry!"

…

The moment Robinho's shot hit the net, Gao Shen leaped into the air in excitement.

Allardyce's feelings didn't matter to him. What mattered was Manchester City's performance!

"Wuhu!!"

As soon as he landed, Sarri and Carlo rushed over, wrapping him in a celebratory hug.

The Manchester City coaching staff were all on their feet, cheering for the team's dazzling display.

That was a spectacular goal!

"Allardyce is too rigid," Carlo chuckled. "He should've gone with a more defensive 4-2-3-1 or even a 4-5-1 with three holding midfielders."

Who could have predicted this in the season opener?

Last season, even when Blackburn hosted the Premier League's 'Big Four,' they had still stuck with a 4-4-2. They had won some and lost some, but they had never been as overwhelmed as they were now.

More importantly, Allardyce had been managing in the Premier League for years. When had he ever encountered a team like this?

Arsenal?

Sure, the Gunners excelled in passing and movement, but their players didn't have Manchester City's level of individual brilliance. And they certainly didn't combine such relentless pressing with this much off-the-ball movement.

Here was the terrifying reality, Manchester City had outstanding individual talent, a well-structured tactical setup, and exceptional team chemistry.

And in their very first league game of the new season, they were putting on a masterclass at Ewood Park.

Even Gao Shen himself was a little surprised.

He had expected to win, but to be three goals up before halftime? That was beyond his expectations.

"If I'm not mistaken, Allardyce will definitely make a substitution at halftime," Sarri said. "So—"

Before he could even finish his sentence, they all noticed movement on the Blackburn bench.

Allardyce couldn't wait any longer, he was making a substitution immediately.

Defensive midfielder Steven N'Zonzi was replacing striker Jason Roberts.

Just over thirty minutes into the first half, Allardyce had been forced into a desperate tactical adjustment, sacrificing an attacker for defensive reinforcement.

Sarri, Carlo, and the others exchanged glances before turning to Gao Shen.

Their expressions were complicated.

Allardyce really might be on the verge of tears.

After all, it wasn't every day you got forced into an emergency substitution before halftime…

(To be continued.)

Chapter 566: Brother, Do You Want to Bet That Much?

"Match of the Day" is the flagship football program of the BBC.

This free-to-air television show, which first aired in 1964, has weathered countless challenges over the past 55 years. Even today, with live sports coverage available everywhere and the BBC struggling to compete with Sky Sports, it remains one of the most influential football programs in the UK.

Every British football fan is a die-hard viewer of Match of the Day, and the show boasts a star-studded lineup of hosts, mostly retired legendary players. It airs soon after the conclusion of each day's Premier League matches, providing highlights and analysis.

Its popularity is so immense that it has even sparked humorous debates in British society. Some claim that the UK's declining birth rate is due to Match of the Day interfering with couples' weekend intimacy.

That doesn't seem very scientific, does it?

But jokes aside, it highlights just how deeply ingrained the show is in British football culture.

Over the years, Match of the Day has featured many legendary hosts, including the once-popular Andy Gray. The current presenting team is led by former England star Gary Lineker and Liverpool legend Alan Hansen.

Many still remember Alan Hansen's infamous remark about Sir Alex Ferguson, which originated from this very program.

People initially thought Hansen's words would forever haunt him, but in reality, they became a running joke. Even he embraced it, using the controversy to cement his status as Match of the Day's leading pundit.

…

Following each matchday, Match of the Day kicks off with post-match highlights and expert analysis.

On August 15th, the first matchday of the Premier League season, eight league fixtures were played.

Manchester United's home game against Birmingham and Liverpool's trip to Tottenham were scheduled for the 16th, meaning the remaining eight matches took place on the 15th.

As per tradition, Match of the Day selects the most significant fixture from the day's games as its opening highlight.

There was no doubt—on August 15th, the most anticipated clash was Manchester City's away fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

In fact, Arsenal's visit to Goodison Park to face Everton was also a major talking point, given that both sides were contenders for the Premier League's top four. Additionally, Arsène Wenger and David Moyes shared a long-standing rivalry.

But none of that mattered now.

At the start of the show, host Gary Lineker highlighted two matches from the day that were particularly eye-catching and dramatic.

The first was Manchester City's 3:00 p.m. kickoff against Blackburn Rovers, which ended in a stunning 5-0 victory for the visitors.

The second was Arsenal's 5:00 p.m. away clash against Everton, where the Gunners delivered an even more shocking 6-1 demolition of the hosts.

In both matches, the away teams had utterly dismantled their opponents.

What was even more remarkable was that both games had the same halftime scoreline—3-0.

For the first analysis segment, Match of the Day chose to focus on Manchester City's dominant 5-0 victory over Blackburn.

The show's three main pundits—Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, and Alan Shearer—were all legendary English footballers with deep tactical knowledge and sharp analytical skills.

After watching the match highlights, the first topic up for discussion was the pre-game war of words between Alan Hansen and Gao Shen.

Hansen had openly questioned Gao Shen and his Manchester City side, predicting that they would struggle in the Premier League. He had even gone so far as to suggest that the English top flight would be Gao Shen's "Waterloo."

But now, after just one game, Manchester City had dismantled Blackburn 5-0.

The key takeaway? Manchester City had played some breathtaking football.

Blackburn had managed only three shots in the entire match, illustrating just how much they had been suffocated by City's dominance.

"I have to admit," Lineker analyzed, "Allardyce was completely outmaneuvered by Gao Shen. That's why he rushed into making a first-half substitution, it was a desperate move. A poor decision, yes, but one born out of sheer necessity."

"No doubt about it," Alan Shearer added. "Manchester City's performance in this game was unlike anything we've seen in the Premier League in recent years. It's incredibly rare, even in European football. In many ways, they played even smoother and more controlled than Gao Shen's Napoli."

"What really caught my attention tonight," Shearer continued, "was their striker, Luis Suarez. He came in from Ajax, but before today, he hadn't really been a major talking point. Everyone was focusing on Robinho and Robben, but in reality, Suarez was the standout performer."

"And David Silva, he was definitely underestimated before. He is truly the heartbeat of this Manchester City team. Just look at the way he holds the ball, dribbles, and distributes possession—the rhythm, the awareness. I have to say, Gao Shen's use of him is absolutely brilliant."

Alan Shearer was full of praise for Silva's performance in his Manchester City debut.

Alan Hansen, however, only half-agreed.

Players like Suarez and David Silva had indeed performed well, and Allardyce had been completely outclassed by Gao Shen in this match.

"It seems our 'relegation specialist' hasn't taken a beating this bad in years," Hansen quipped.

"But I still think Manchester City has a lot of issues. Take David Silva, for example—sure, he plays some excellent through balls, but I don't think he's fully adapted to the Premier League yet."

"And then there's Robinho and Robben. Yes, they both scored today, but let's be honest, those goals were more about the assists than anything else. They just happened to be in the right place at the right time. More often than not, they still look disconnected from the rest of the team."

"I don't understand Gao Shen's decision to play Robben on the right. He could've put Robinho there and let Robben return to the left, where he's most comfortable. But he didn't. I don't get it."

Hansen insisted it was too early to claim that Manchester City had found their footing in the Premier League. After all, the first round of games always carried a degree of unpredictability, especially when opponents weren't familiar with a new team's tactics.

"I still stand by my assessment. Players like David Luiz, Javi Martinez, and Rakitic have the physicality to adapt to the Premier League. But David Silva, Robben, and Suarez? I'm not convinced yet."

"So yes, I still stand by what I said. This 5-0 win over Blackburn? It was just a fluke."

When host Gary Lineker asked if he would apologize to Gao Shen and Manchester City for his pre-match comments, Hansen refused.

"I will not apologize. If they truly succeed in the Premier League, then maybe I'll consider it. Until then, I don't believe I said anything wrong."

"You're so stubborn!" Alan Shearer laughed.

Lineker, on the other hand, smiled and sided with Hansen, arguing that Manchester City's journey under Gao Shen had only just begun. It was far too early to call them a success. He pointed out that their next match would be against Everton, managed by David Moyes.

"In this round, Moyes' team lost 6-1 to Arsenal at Goodison Park, sending the Gunners to the top of the table. But we all know how unpredictable the first round of fixtures can be, and a heavy defeat doesn't necessarily spell doom for Everton."

"That's why I want to remind Gao Shen and Manchester City, when they return home to face Everton in the second round, they should be prepared for a tough battle. Moyes won't allow his team to suffer back-to-back defeats. He will do everything he can to turn things around."

Alan Shearer agreed with this assessment, but he remained optimistic about Gao Shen and his Manchester City side.

At that moment, Alan Hansen suddenly laughed and held up his phone.

"Gao Shen just tagged me on Twitter—he's asking if I've decided to apologize yet!"

"What's going on?" Hansen chuckled as he looked at his two co-hosts.

"You can ask me to apologize, but at least wait until you're top of the table first!"

Lineker and Shearer both burst into laughter.

After the first round of matches, Manchester City were second in the standings, tied on goal difference with Arsenal. However, since Arsenal had scored six goals compared to City's five, they held the top spot.

"This is getting interesting," Lineker grinned as he straightened his suit jacket.

"I support Alan Hansen, so I'm going to make a bet, if Manchester City keeps winning, I'll take off one piece of clothing on the post-match show for each victory."

"Wow!!!"

Hansen and Shearer both yelled in shock.

"Are you really going that far?"

"Wait, wait," Shearer hurriedly leaned in to check. "How many layers are you wearing right now?"

"Suit jacket, shirt, vest, trousers, underwear…" Lineker listed.

Shearer clapped his hands. "Damn, if City keeps winning, you'll end up streaking!"

"That won't do," Hansen smirked. "The BBC has strict broadcasting standards. We can't allow that."

Lineker let out a dramatic groan, insisting that he didn't believe Manchester City would keep winning.

"You know, if they win five more games in a row, we'll be in the sixth round of the league. And their opponents in rounds five and six? Arsenal and Manchester United."

At this point, Lineker crossed his arms and struck a confident pose.

"I don't think City will win six straight games. I guarantee I'll still have all my clothes on by this time next week."

Hansen and Shearer laughed and told the audience to remember this bet.

"Next week, we'll see if Lineker starts stripping live!"

…

When Gao Shen heard about this, he was still on the team bus, traveling back to Manchester from Blackburn.

His first reaction was: Damn, this is just a publicity stunt…

He had no doubt that the Match of the Day hosts were deliberately stirring up headlines. This bet would definitely be all over the news by tomorrow.

After all, the show had been a ratings juggernaut for 55 consecutive years, it knew exactly how to generate buzz.

They were clearly trying to milk this situation for all it was worth.

But that was fine.

Gao Shen chuckled to himself.

Alright, then. I'll just have to keep winning… Let's see if we can get you to strip on live TV!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 567: Is It Really This Competitive Now?

In the first round of the Premier League, Manchester City thrashed Blackburn 5-0 away from home!

After fermenting overnight, the result caused a massive stir across European football.

Everyone had acknowledged that Gao Shen's managerial skills had improved following his stint at Napoli, but no one expected him to make such a bold statement in his very first Premier League match.

Against Allardyce's Blackburn, Manchester City scored twice within the first ten minutes, had the hosts trailing 3-0 by halftime, and then added two more in the second half, one from Suarez and a long-range rocket from Rakitic to complete a dominant 5-0 win.

The entire Premier League was stunned by Manchester City's performance.

Even though Arsenal had hammered Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park, Manchester City was still the biggest talking point of the opening weekend.

At the post-match press conference, Allardyce admitted that Manchester City had completely exceeded his expectations.

"We prepared well, we took this game seriously, and everyone worked hard. But the result was still frustrating. Manchester City played a type of football we've never faced before. Against a team like this, with such a unique tactical approach, we were simply powerless."

The Times ran an in-depth analysis of Allardyce's comments.

In truth, Manchester City's dominance was indeed astonishing. They had 68% possession, fired 23 shots, and scored five goals. Their overall performance was nothing short of outstanding.

By contrast, Blackburn managed just three shots all game—none of which troubled Manuel Neuer. In fact, the Times even joked that Neuer's biggest test in the season opener wasn't his shot-stopping but rather his passing and distribution.

Neuer completed 28 passes, more than Blackburn's center-back. Absolutely outrageous.

Even more shockingly, Neuer's pass success rate was a remarkable 82%.

Out of those 28 passes, 23 were accurate, and of the five misplaced passes, three were long balls.

On top of that, Neuer recorded eight interceptions—yes, eight—almost three times as many as Blackburn's goalkeeper Paul Robinson, and even registered a successful tackle.

That's right, he sprinted out of his penalty area to cut out an opponent's pass.

The Times even published a heat map of Neuer's movements, showing that he not only covered his entire penalty area but also roamed well outside it. His total running distance for the game? 5,000 meters.

For context, Blackburn's Paul Robinson barely managed 3,000 meters.

Even among Premier League goalkeepers, exceeding 4,000 meters is considered very high, and 4,500 meters is exceptional. But Neuer? He hit 5,000 meters.

The Times couldn't resist poking fun, humorously writing:

"Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov must be wondering, 'Are goalkeepers really this active now?'"

Aside from his movement, Neuer's passing, defensive contribution, and tactical awareness were all outstanding. His heat map confirmed that his influence extended well beyond the penalty area—he practically commanded the entire 30-meter defensive zone.

"This is something we've rarely seen from goalkeepers before!"

The Times concluded that Manchester City's style under Gao Shen was an evolution of his Napoli team, especially in the frontline and goalkeeper positions.

At Napoli, Cavani had worked hard defensively and contributed significantly, but his coordination with the team's technical players was sometimes off. His movement and decision-making often disrupted the team's rhythm, making him more of a hard-working, high-pressing finisher.

In contrast, Suarez had seamlessly connected with Manchester City's playmakers—David Silva, Robinho, Robben, and Rakitic.

Whether it was the first goal, the long-range strike Silva set up, or the offside trap-breaking chest control followed by a lob attempt, Suarez had shown an exceptional ability to combine with his teammates.

"In both attacks, we could clearly see that Suarez possesses the technical ability to integrate with Manchester City's creative players. Combined with his relentless movement, he makes their frontline far more cohesive."

At the back, Neuer actively contributed to the team's buildup and defensive shape. Up front, Suarez linked up with the midfield and attack. This seamless integration from front to back was what made Manchester City look so dominant.

The Times acknowledged that one game wasn't enough to draw definitive conclusions, but as the season progressed, they expected Gao Shen's tactical blueprint to become clearer.

"We believe that in time, we'll gain a much deeper understanding of this Manchester City team, which has been assembled with heavy investment."

However, the Times also issued a warning to Gao Shen, the next game against Everton would be a brutal test.

"After their disastrous 6-1 defeat to Arsenal, David Moyes will be desperate to fight back in Round 2."

"Everton is never an easy team to play against."

…

With the new Premier League season underway, the battle for supremacy had reignited.

And with the arrivals of Gao Shen and Carlo Ancelotti, the league now boasted five world-class managers, four of whom had won the Champions League, and three of them had two titles each.

How could things not be competitive?

For a time, almost the entire football world had its eyes on the Premier League, especially on Manchester City.

Compared to Ancelotti's underwhelming debut, Manchester City's 5-0 demolition of Blackburn was a statement. Even though Chelsea had come from behind to beat Hull City 2-1 thanks to Drogba's brace, City's performance stole the show.

The most shocking part? Manchester City had looked dreadful in pre-season.

It was almost ironic—the more the media had criticized Gao Shen and his team before the season started, the louder the praise was now.

Almost the entire British press was singing Manchester City's praises.

But that was the nature of the British media, when they love you, they put you on a pedestal; when they hate you, they tear you apart.

This was the age of entertainment-driven journalism.

More rational and authoritative outlets, such as The Times and The Guardian, issued a cautious reminder to Gao Shen and Manchester City—the second round would be far tougher.

But as the team's head coach, Gao Shen remained clear-headed.

…

The night after returning from Blackburn, the coaching staff held an overnight meeting to analyze the match.

Despite the dominant scoreline, the team had still shown several weaknesses.

The next morning, after a recovery session led by fitness coach Buenaventura, Gao Shen convened a detailed analysis meeting with the coaching staff and players.

The purpose was simple: to actively dissect the first match, allowing everyone, coaches and players alike, to raise questions, pinpoint issues, and even criticize teammates or the coaching staff if necessary.

Of course, criticism was meant to be constructive—it was about the game, not personal attacks.

This open communication culture was something Gao Shen had deliberately fostered during his time at Napoli. It maximized internal discussion, trust, and cohesion within the squad.

But that wasn't enough.

Over the next few days, Gao Shen planned to hold one-on-one conversations with every player to understand their personal perspectives on the game.

Overall, he was satisfied with the performance but there were still gaps that needed fixing.

Lack of activity on the wings – Robinho and Robben had yet to fully adapt.

Robinho was decent – He had a few opportunities but only converted one—the goal assisted by David Silva's backheel.

Robben struggled more – He attempted several cut-ins from the right but failed to hit the target. His crossing from the byline was also inconsistent.

Everyone knew Robben's left foot was world-class, but his right foot? Practically useless.

If he was forced to go wide instead of cutting inside, his effectiveness plummeted.

Blackburn understood this well. As soon as Allardyce saw Robben stationed on the right, he instructed Warnock to close off the inside channel, forcing Robben out wide.

The Dutch winger had no choice but to comply and the results were frustrating.

However, Gao Shen remained patient with both Robinho and Robben.

"I have full confidence in both of them," he stated.

The real issue on the flanks?

The full-backs weren't bold enough.

Felipe and Zabaleta were not attack-minded full-backs like Marcelo or Dani Alves. They were balanced players, capable of contributing to both offense and defense.

Historically, at Deportivo La Coruña and Espanyol, they had been more defensively disciplined not venturing forward too aggressively.

But under Gao Shen's tactical system, they needed to be more adventurous, pushing up to support the wingers and provide additional attacking width.

After discussing these points, Gao Shen wrapped up with a reassuring yet firm message.

"Many of the problems we faced in this game are completely normal," he said with a smile.

He wanted his players to understand his mindset, to feel the balance between optimism and seriousness.

"Winning feels good, but we must still take our weaknesses seriously."

He then identified three key challenges:

1. Some players are still transitioning to new roles.

2. Some players need to adjust their mentality and playing habits.

3. Some players are still building chemistry with teammates and adapting to the tactical system.

All of this took time.

The players and coaches nodded in agreement.

No transformation happened overnight.

But then, Gao Shen paused, looking around at his squad with a serious expression.

Even though some of them were older than him, they all listened intently.

"There's one thing that matters most for both a team and a player, now and in the future—and that is trust!"

Players must trust the coach, they need to buy into the tactics and adjust their style of play accordingly.

Players must trust each other, so they can confidently leave their backs exposed, knowing their teammates will cover for them.

"We might not be perfect now, but this was only our first official game. As we play more matches, our understanding and trust in each other will naturally grow."

After a brief silence, he spoke even more earnestly.

"I want both our coaches and players to cherish the trust we've built among us. It is our most precious asset. And we must protect it at all costs!"

A wave of warm applause followed.

The message had hit home.

…

Everything at Manchester City was under Gao Shen's control.

But what happened on the second matchday of the opening round?

That genuinely shocked him.

(To be continued.)