NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Chapter 15
"Boss, have you ever forced yourself to do something you really didn't want to do?"
It seemed that Yang Hao's empathetic demeanor had gradually opened up Evra's heart. Finally, the Frenchman voiced the question that had been plaguing him for so long.
Yang Hao was delighted to hear it. He smiled warmly.
"Of course. In the adult world, who hasn't?"
Evra, just 19 and newly stepping into adulthood, found himself surprisingly in agreement with Yang Hao's words.
"Yeah," Evra said, his tone contemplative. "My mom once told me that all her hard work was just so we could stay alive."
Yang Hao realized this was the first time Evra had ever willingly brought up his family. Playing his role as a listener to perfection, Yang Hao let him continue.
"I was born in Dakar, Senegal—the city famous for the rally. My father was a diplomat, and he and my mother had 24 children together."
As he said this, Evra grinned, showing his white teeth as though anticipating disbelief.
"It's true. At one point, I remember there were at least a dozen kids living at home."
"When I was six, my father pulled every string he could and landed a job in Brussels, Belgium. Not long after that, we moved to Paris, and our family lived off his earnings."
"But when I was ten, he couldn't take it anymore. He divorced my mother and took everything valuable from the house when he left—our beloved TV, the sofa, chairs, the dining table..."
Evra's voice trailed off, leaving Yang Hao to imagine the heartbreak that must have come with such a departure.
"My father was resolute when he left," Evra continued. "In hindsight, I kind of understand him. He must've been in so much pain, working tirelessly at the embassy for a meager salary while trying to support my mom and so many kids. He had to count every penny just to make ends meet."
Evra paused, his voice softening.
"Back in Senegal, everyone lived like that, so it probably didn't seem like a big deal to him. But when we came to Europe, to Paris, he saw a completely different world. I understand now why he made that decision, and so does my mom. She always taught us to be forgiving and understanding."
"If it weren't for him, we'd still be in Senegal. We wouldn't have any of the opportunities we have now."
A Glimpse Into Evra's Struggles
Yang Hao listened quietly, his heart heavy.
From the fragments of Evra's story, he could sense the inner conflict and pain that must have haunted his father. The decision to leave wasn't one of callousness but likely a desperate attempt to escape the weight of responsibility.
Evra's story painted a vivid picture of the struggles his family endured.
"In our neighborhood," Evra continued, "gun violence and murders were just part of life. As my brothers and sisters grew up, they'd leave home one by one to fend for themselves."
"My mom wasn't very capable. She worked late hours every day, always exhausted. But she was amazing at keeping us happy. She'd sing songs from our homeland, dance with us, and make sure we always had something to smile about."
"Out there, I had to act tough. If you weren't, kids like me—small, Black, and poor—would get bullied every day. I got into fights, I learned to steal, and I even begged on the streets just to get a few francs for a sandwich to share with my mom and sister."
"But at home," he said with a nostalgic smile, "we were truly happy."
Evra's story was undeniably heart-wrenching, but there was a resilience in the way he spoke—an unshakable pride in the joy his family had managed to preserve despite their circumstances.
The Dream of Football
"When I was little, people in my neighborhood kept telling me to play football. They said there were guys who'd made it out of our area, moved to safer neighborhoods, and lived in big, bright houses because of football."
"So, on my first day of school, when the teacher asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, I said I wanted to be a footballer."
Evra chuckled as he remembered the moment.
"All my classmates were saying they wanted to be lawyers or doctors, but I said I wanted to be like Romário—a forward who was small, fast, and agile like me."
Yang Hao couldn't help but think back to a recent match against Deportivo La Coruña when Evra had scored and run to the opposing bench to shout at their coach: "I'm a forward!"
That desire had been burning in his heart since childhood.
A Winding Journey
"I thought I was talented. From a small club in the Paris suburbs, I moved to a bigger one, then joined Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy. I even dreamed of playing in Ligue 1 someday."
"But after a year at PSG, they let me go. They said I wasn't good enough. So, I ended up playing indoor football, clinging to whatever chances I could get."
"One day, a restaurant owner saw me playing and asked if I wanted to try out for a team in Turin, Italy. Of course, I said yes. But the trial didn't work out. They thought I was too short."
"Then, someone from a third-division club in Sicily—Marsala—spotted me and invited me there."
Yang Hao had read about this chapter of Evra's life in his previous world. At just 17, Evra had traveled alone from Paris to Sicily. After arriving in Milan, he got lost, missed his train, and ended up homeless for a night.
Fortunately, a Senegalese stranger took him in, gave him shelter, and helped him catch his train the next morning.
In Marsala, Evra was the only Black player on the team. He experienced both warm hospitality and harsh racism. During away games, fans often made monkey noises or mimicked eating bananas to humiliate him.
A year later, he moved to Serie B side Monza. Throughout this journey, he remained a forward.
Even when he arrived at Atlético Madrid this summer, he thought he'd continue playing up front.
But Yang Hao had other plans: he wanted Evra to become a defender.
Evra's story resonated deeply with Yang Hao. Despite the setbacks, the racism, and the heartache, Evra had persevered.
Now, he just needed to reconcile his past dreams with his current potential—a challenge Yang Hao was determined to help him overcome.
At first, Evra was furious. He couldn't accept being transformed from a forward into a defender. It completely shattered his dreams and violated everything he had ever wanted. That anger became his driving force on the field, a way to vent his frustrations.
But over time, as he took the pitch in the Spanish Super Cup, in La Liga matches, and watched players like Pandiani, Adriano, and Torres dominate as forwards—when he observed the forwards and strikers from other teams—he began to ask himself:
Could I ever match them?
In Monza, his performances as a forward were far from stellar.
On one hand, there was the dream he had clung to since childhood, now broken into pieces by the harsh reality. On the other, there was a future he had never wanted but which now seemed so bright.
How was he supposed to choose?
Evra's Inner Struggle
Evra's dilemma was painfully familiar to Yang Hao, mirroring a battle Yang himself had faced in his past life.
This was not an issue anyone else could solve for him. It was a mental battle—a sickness of the heart—that Evra had to conquer on his own.
After hearing Evra's story, Yang Hao didn't respond with grandiose speeches or empty reassurances. Instead, he met Evra's conflict head-on with an unwavering truth:
"Patrice, playing as a forward, you have no future. But trust me, if you commit to being a left-back, you'll become the best in the world."
Yang Hao's certainty wasn't baseless. He had witnessed Evra's transformation in his previous life, so he spoke with complete confidence.
"Patrice, right now, your job isn't to shut yourself away and agonize over this. It's to take a step forward, open your heart, embrace this change, and find joy again."
Yang Hao spoke from personal experience. When he had faced similar challenges, he had spent countless hours exploring, adapting, and carving out a path that balanced his own talents with what the world needed from him.
"It's hard," Yang Hao admitted. "But it's possible. Life offers many paths, and there's never just one way to succeed."
He leaned forward, his tone softening. "Your mother is a wise woman, Patrice. She was right—you need to be happy."
Evra took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "I understand, boss. I'll try."
It wouldn't be easy, and the transformation wouldn't happen overnight.
"I'll make you a promise," Yang Hao said firmly. "I have faith in you, Patrice. No matter how long it takes, I'll believe in you, and I'll wait for you to find your way."
In that moment, Evra felt truly moved.
"Thank you, boss."
A Frustrating Trip to Denmark
Playing an away game in the UEFA Cup was a logistical nightmare.
Getting to Herfølge felt like an endless odyssey. Atlético Madrid had to fly from Madrid to Frankfurt for a layover before arriving in Copenhagen. From there, they boarded a bus and drove over an hour south to the port city of Køge.
Herfølge was located just a few kilometers southwest of Køge.
But the travel wasn't the worst part.
The real challenge was the temperature. The team went from the mild 15–20°C weather in Madrid to the biting 3–5°C chill of Denmark. By nightfall, the temperature hovered near freezing.
Even Yang Hao, who prided himself on resilience, struggled to adapt after landing in Denmark.
He couldn't help but question the purpose of scheduling matches like this. Was it for the benefit of local fans?
The crowd turnout didn't back that up—only 1,660 fans attended the match, leaving the stadium's stands eerily empty.
And on the pitch, Atlético Madrid played as though they were sleepwalking.
The game had barely started when disaster struck. Just one minute in, Herfølge scored.
Yang Hao had fielded a lineup of pure substitutes for this match, and the backup goalkeeper, Toni Jiménez, failed to stop what should have been a routine save.
The entire team seemed out of sync.
It wasn't until the 43rd minute that veteran captain Aguilera managed to score and equalize, salvaging a 1–1 draw.
The long journey back to Madrid was just as exhausting, and the players had to readjust to the comparatively balmy Spanish climate. The constant travel and sudden changes in temperature were taking their toll—it was more draining than the match itself.
The Super Depor Arrives
There was no time to rest.
Upon returning to Madrid, Yang Hao found himself preparing for another battle. The Avenger, Javier Irureta, had arrived with his formidable Deportivo La Coruña squad, the "Super Depor."
Irureta's team had been wounded by recent results, but they were still a force to be reckoned with—a side brimming with talent and determination.
The battle at the Calderón promised to be intense, with Deportivo looking to reassert their dominance and Atlético seeking redemption after their stumble in Denmark.
The stage was set for a clash of titans.
October 28th, evening, Madrid's Calderón Stadium.
When referee Arturo Ibáñez blew the whistle to start the match, a deafening roar erupted from the stands. Over 50,000 Atlético Madrid fans filled the stadium, cheering wildly for their team.
Deportivo La Coruña kicked off.
Returning to the Calderón for the first time since his departure, Juan Carlos Valerón sent the ball backward toward Naybet at center circle. But as Adriano barreled toward the Deportivo defender, Naybet opted for a long clearance, bypassing Lucio's defensive zone entirely.
In their two-legged Super Cup clash, neither Roy Makaay nor Diego Tristán had much success against Lucio. This time, Deportivo aimed their attack at Atlético's left flank.
Coach Javier Irureta clearly believed Atlético's left side was their Achilles' heel, especially with Evra's recent dip in form.
Aurelio and Víctor Sánchez both leaped for the aerial ball near the flank, but the Brazilian Aurelio got there first, heading it back into midfield.
Gravesen, tracking the ball's path, met it before it hit the ground and sent another header forward in an aerial relay, aiming for Adriano up top.
Adriano used his physicality to shield the ball from César and controlled it with his chest. Spotting Vicente making a diagonal run behind the defense, Adriano attempted a lofted pass, but Scaloni intercepted it mid-flight.
The ball ricocheted into a chaotic midfield scramble, with possession repeatedly changing hands.
From the opening minute, the match had settled into a blistering pace of back-and-forth attacks, heating up the atmosphere at the Calderón.
Yang Hao's Tense Vigil
Standing on the sidelines, Yang Hao wore a serious expression, his eyes fixed on the pitch.
Tonight's game was critical.
In their last three matches, Atlético had recorded two draws and one loss—not disastrous, but far from ideal. What they needed now, more than anything, was a victory.
The stakes were even higher considering the daunting week ahead.
Within seven days, Atlético would face Deportivo, Barcelona, and Real Madrid—a gauntlet no team in the world would relish. Even the strongest clubs risked suffering three consecutive losses in such a brutal schedule.
Despite their midweek European fixtures, Irureta fielded his strongest lineup tonight. Deportivo, the defending La Liga champions, had a disappointing start to their campaign, sitting seventh after six rounds.
Their biggest weakness this season had been their defense, which was glaringly exposed in their 0–3 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Adding to the pressure, Deportivo failed to beat Mallorca at home last week, managing only a 1–1 draw.
Coupled with their Super Cup defeat, Irureta needed a win tonight as much as Yang Hao did.
The Lineups
Deportivo lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation:
Goalkeeper: Molina
Defense: Capdevila, Naybet, César, Scaloni
Midfield: Donato and Mauro Silva as holding midfielders, with Fran, Valerón, and Víctor Sánchez ahead of them
Striker: Diego Tristán
Having learned from the Super Cup, Irureta started Tristán over Makaay, favoring the Spaniard's ability to hold up the ball and contribute to the build-up play.
Yang Hao, meanwhile, had strategically "sacrificed" their UEFA Cup first leg, fielding a rotated squad in Denmark. Tonight, Atlético's starting XI featured their strongest lineup:
Goalkeeper: Van der Sar
Defense: Aurelio, Pochettino, Lucio, Belletti
Midfield: Gravesen and Baraja as the double pivot, with Vicente, Deco, and Joaquín ahead
Striker: Adriano
Both teams deployed similar 4-2-3-1 formations, setting the stage for a tactical chess match.
Yang Hao's game plan focused on heavily fortifying the midfield, particularly targeting Valerón and Fran in the space between the center line and Atlético's defensive third.
The Midfield Battle
Early exchanges saw both teams battling fiercely in midfield, with neither able to create clear chances until the 3rd minute.
Deportivo's Donato sent a lofted pass toward Tristán, who dropped deep to receive the ball and laid it off to Valerón. The playmaker surged forward, but Gravesen anticipated the move, intercepted the ball, and immediately launched a counterattack.
Gravesen's quick pass found Adriano in a pocket of space near midfield. The Brazilian forward held off his marker and passed to Baraja, before sprinting forward to exploit the space.
Baraja relayed the ball to Deco, who took a touch and delivered a precise, lofted pass. The ball arced perfectly between Deportivo's center-backs, Naybet and César, at an awkward height that made it difficult to clear.
A Golden Opportunity
Adriano's pace saw him latch onto Deco's pass, surging into the box. Naybet was trailing just behind, while Molina, Deportivo's goalkeeper, rushed out to close down the angle.
With a deft touch, Adriano slipped the ball past Molina, leaving him stranded.
The goal was at Adriano's mercy.
The crowd held its breath, the Calderón on the brink of eruption.
But then…
Adriano, perhaps too casual or overly eager, overhit his final touch.
The ball rolled harmlessly past the open goal, grazing the far post before trickling out for a goal kick.
The Calderón collectively groaned, and Yang Hao slapped his forehead in frustration.
"An open goal, Adriano! Come on!"
Irureta, on the opposite sideline, let out a sigh of relief, while the Deportivo defenders gave each other a knowing look of disbelief.
A Long Night Ahead
Though the missed chance was agonizing, Yang Hao clapped his hands, shouting encouragement to Adriano and the rest of the team.
The match was far from over, and both sides were determined to seize control.
For Atlético, the path to victory would require not just grit and determination but also a clinical touch in front of goal.
Joaquín made a well-timed overlapping run, cutting into the right channel. Picking up Deco's precise through ball near the edge of the box, he burst into the penalty area.
In a critical moment, Deportivo goalkeeper Molina charged forward.
Before Joaquín could take his shot, Molina had closed the gap, diving to block the ball.
The deflection didn't travel far, though—it stayed within the penalty area. Sprinting at full speed, Adriano was the first to react.
Faced with an almost open goal and with Mauro Silva lagging behind him, Adriano had an easy chance. A straightforward strike with his right foot would have secured the lead for Atlético.
But disaster struck.
In his rapid dash, Adriano hesitated, misjudging the opportunity. He attempted to control the ball to shift it to his favored left foot. Unfortunately, his adjustment pushed the ball to an awkward angle, forcing him into an uncomfortable shooting position.
Off-balance, he swung at it anyway—sending the shot wide of the target.
A collective groan swept through the Calderón.
On the sidelines, Yang Hao spread his arms wide in exasperation, his face frozen in disbelief.
"An open goal, Adriano!"
He muttered under his breath, "That was an open goal! How did you miss that?"
Unable to process what he'd just seen, Yang Hao could only shake his head.
Adriano, now sprawled on the turf, pounded the grass in frustration.
Seeing the striker's dejection, Yang Hao decided against venting his anger. Instead, he clapped his hands and shouted words of encouragement.
"Keep going, Adriano! Shake it off and focus on the next one!"
Adriano looked up, raised his left hand in gratitude, and quickly jogged back to his position.
Post-Miss Frustrations
Yang Hao turned back toward the bench, exchanging looks with Juanma Lillo and the coaching staff.
"If that had gone in, this game would've opened up nicely," Yang muttered, shaking his head.
Seated nearby, Lillo tried to manage a smile.
"I don't care what you have to do," Yang said, his tone half-joking, half-serious. "Give him a wooden stick, an iron bar, anything! Just get his right foot working!"
The coaching staff shared a knowing chuckle, though the situation was no laughing matter.
Adriano's weak right foot had long been an issue. That chance was a glaring example. Even a competent right-footed strike would've been enough to bury it.
But no, Adriano had to take an extra touch—ruining what should've been a straightforward finish.
"He's been putting in extra work on his right foot recently," Lillo pointed out, defending the Brazilian.
"Then ramp it up," Yang replied sharply. "Time waits for no one. He needs to improve—fast."
Momentum Shifts
Atlético squandered the golden opportunity from their first attack. Shortly after, they missed another promising chance from a corner kick.
Sensing their opponents' missed opportunities, Deportivo began to grow into the game, gradually asserting control.
Having identified Valerón and Fran as Atlético's key defensive targets, Irureta directed right-back Scaloni to exploit the space on the flanks.
In the 8th minute, Scaloni made a surging overlap down the right wing. Connecting with a return ball from Víctor Sánchez, he delivered a precise cross from deep. The ball floated toward the left side of Atlético's penalty area.
Fran charged forward and met it with a first-time shot.
But Atlético's defense was up to the challenge. Lucio and Van der Sar coordinated perfectly.
Lucio abandoned marking Tristán to close down Fran's angle, while Van der Sar stationed himself near the near post.
Fran's strike thundered directly into Van der Sar's arms. The Dutch goalkeeper fumbled it slightly but quickly recovered, securing the ball under his body.
The Calderón erupted in applause, recognizing the vital save.
Deportivo's Pressing Game
Buoyed by their near-miss, Deportivo turned up the heat, launching a series of high-press attacks.
Irureta's intent was clear: to overwhelm Atlético early and seize the advantage.
Yang Hao, however, stuck to his defensive blueprint. Atlético focused on disrupting Deportivo in midfield, using tight marking and relentless pressing to break up play. This defensive strategy, honed since last season, had proven particularly effective against high-pressing teams.
This season, with a younger, faster squad, Atlético's counterattacks were even more lethal.
Deportivo's wingers, Capdevila on the left and Scaloni on the right, frequently joined the attack, adding to the pressure on Atlético's defense. Despite this, the home team maintained their composure, preventing their opponents from creating clear-cut chances.
Most of Deportivo's attempts came from speculative long shots or crosses into the box, which Atlético's defense managed to neutralize.
Atlético Strikes Back
In the 17th minute, Deportivo mounted an attack down the left.
Capdevila whipped in a curling cross, aiming for Tristán in the center of the box.
Lucio, using his superior positioning and strength, muscled past the striker and headed the ball clear.
The clearance fell to the edge of the penalty area, where Deco was waiting.
Anticipating the ball's trajectory, Deco jumped and headed it further back, shouting, "Rubén!"
Baraja sprinted forward, intercepting the ball before any Deportivo players could react. With a powerful touch, he pushed it forward into space.
Atlético's counterattack was on!
Could Atlético capitalize on their break and turn the tide? With the game still hanging in the balance, the next moments could be decisive.
As Rubén Baraja advanced with the ball, Deportivo's defensive line—anchored by their two defensive midfielders and central defenders—swiftly dropped back into position.
Baraja, the Atlético captain, hesitated.
Deportivo's defensive recovery was lightning fast. Their championship-winning success last season was built not only on their offensive firepower—second-best in La Liga—but also on their rock-solid defense.
The dual defensive midfield pairing of Mauro Silva and Donato epitomized their pragmatic, defense-first approach.
Baraja's thoughts immediately flashed to Yang Hao's tactical instructions:
If the quick counter can't create space or time to threaten, slow it down. Control the tempo, move the ball around, and stretch the defense.
Glancing left toward the center, Baraja instinctively searched for Deco. After months of working together, Baraja trusted that the Brazilian playmaker would always be in the right position to support him.
Sure enough, Deco had stopped his run, causing Valerón, who had been tracking him, to overrun.
"Here!" Deco called out, pointing to the open space ahead of him.
Without hesitation, Baraja delivered a crisp horizontal pass into Deco's path.
The Brazilian deftly advanced with the ball, quickly spotting Vicente's run along the left flank. With a subtle feint to shake off Valerón, Deco played a perfectly weighted diagonal pass that curved just past Donato and into the path of Vicente, who sprinted onto it with electric pace.
Vicente's movement and Deco's precise delivery instantly pulled Deportivo's defense out of shape. As defenders scrambled to close down Vicente, they failed to notice another, faster figure surging up the left side.
It was Aurelio.
The Build-Up
Vicente, now approaching the edge of the box, drew multiple defenders toward him. Everyone anticipated a connection with Adriano in the center or Joaquín on the right.
But instead, Vicente released the ball to the edge of the penalty area, where Aurelio had arrived at full speed.
The Brazilian left-back controlled the ball with his left foot, pushed it forward, and swung in a precise curling cross with his second touch.
In the penalty area, Adriano used his powerful frame to muscle past César and Naybet. Timing his leap perfectly, he met Aurelio's cross with a thunderous header.
The ball glanced off Adriano's head, changing direction and flying into the bottom right corner of Deportivo's net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
The Calderón erupted.
"In the 17th minute, Adriano, who just missed an open goal earlier, redeems himself with a brilliant header! A superb cross from left-back Aurelio!"
"What an incredible counterattack from Atlético Madrid! Quick, direct, and ruthlessly effective, targeting the gaps in Deportivo's retreating defense."
"1-0!"
Calderón Roars
Yang Hao clenched his fists and punched the air in celebration as soon as Aurelio's cross found Adriano's head.
When the ball hit the back of the net, the entire stadium exploded into cheers.
Atlético fans rose to their feet, chanting Adriano's name.
The 18-year-old Brazilian forward was rapidly becoming one of the season's breakout stars. It wasn't just his goals; it was his physical presence, speed, technique, and knack for rising to the occasion that captivated fans.
After scoring, Adriano sprinted toward the directors' box, patting his chest and pointing to the sky before gesturing toward the stands.
This celebration, designed by Adriano himself, was dedicated to his father. The young striker hoped his prayers would help his father recover from illness.
On the Sidelines
"That boy's starting to understand how to use his physique," Juanma Lillo remarked with a chuckle.
Yang Hao grinned. "Credit goes to Oscar."
Sitting nearby, Atlético's fitness coach, Óscar Ortega, gave a humble nod, though he couldn't hide his satisfaction.
Ortega, who had prior experience coaching rugby teams, had introduced a physicality-focused training regimen to Atlético. Rugby players, with their intense body-contact demands, often developed incredible strength and resilience.
Ortega's techniques were especially beneficial for players like Adriano and Lucio, whose physicality was already a strong asset. Under Ortega's guidance, they became even more dominant in physical duels.
The entire Atlético squad, in fact, benefited from the training, ensuring they weren't easily outmuscled in contests.
Deportivo's Response
Falling behind prompted Deportivo to abandon their cautious approach. They began committing more players forward, adopting an aggressive, high-tempo style in search of an equalizer.
Yang Hao remained calm on the touchline, signaling for his players to maintain their shape and stick to the game plan.
"Hold the line! Stick to the zones!" he yelled.
By now, Atlético's players were well-drilled in the art of disrupting opposition attacks.
Deco, Vicente, and Joaquín occasionally pressed higher up the pitch to relieve pressure on Adriano. While the young forward was physically imposing, Yang Hao was keenly aware of the toll constant pressing could take on his stamina.
Deportivo pushed hard down both flanks, with Capdevila and Scaloni frequently joining the attack. Their presence created moments of danger, but Atlético's disciplined defense held firm.
In the 17th minute, Capdevila sent in a curling cross from the left. Tristán leapt to meet it, but Lucio used his strength and timing to neutralize the threat, heading the ball clear.
The clearance fell to Deco near the edge of the box. Without missing a beat, the Brazilian playmaker nodded the ball back toward Baraja, who surged forward and launched yet another rapid counterattack.
The game was heating up, and Atlético had the lead—but Deportivo was far from done.
Rotations were critical.
In the 23rd minute, Atlético Madrid showcased a dazzling sequence of one-touch passes on the right side of their own half. Belletti, Lucio, Baraja, Deco, Joaquín, and Adriano combined in a flowing display of technique and teamwork.
Deportivo's players, clad in their blue jerseys, looked like headless chickens, chasing shadows, while the ball weaved through them like a butterfly.
Unfortunately, the attack ended with Adriano flagged for offside.
Despite this, the Calderón erupted in applause for the exquisite interplay. Yang Hao stood at the sidelines, clapping vigorously and shouting his approval.
"Great job! Keep it up!"
From a broader perspective, Yang Hao knew Atlético's passing game still had room for improvement.
Deportivo, in contrast, was far more polished in their ball movement. Even a new addition like Valerón seamlessly integrated into the "Super Depor" system.
Atlético, however, was a young team undergoing reconstruction while adapting to Yang Hao's tactical demands. Their lack of cohesion was evident at times, but it also highlighted their enormous potential.
The team could execute brilliant passing combinations when needed—but they also weren't afraid to get direct and physical.
Adriano's Power Play
In the 31st minute, Van der Sar launched a quick goal kick with a booming long pass down the left flank.
Adriano and Naybet sprinted toward the ball, with the Deportivo defender positioning himself to shield it out of play near the left edge of the penalty area.
But Adriano, charging full tilt, bulldozed into Naybet with raw strength, knocking the Moroccan defender off balance and taking control of the ball.
With his left foot, Adriano sent a low cross into the box, but neither Deco nor Joaquín could get a decisive touch on it.
Frustrated, Adriano jogged back, shouting to his teammates, "Trust me! Run faster!"
Meanwhile, Naybet shook his head, visibly annoyed.
Damn it, this guy is ridiculously strong!
Despite holding the better position, Naybet was left helpless against Adriano's brute force.
Deportivo's Adjustments
"Tonight's Atlético is noticeably stronger than they were during the Super Cup," remarked Deportivo assistant coach Francisco Melo to his boss, Irureta, with a mix of admiration and concern.
The memory of Atlético's 3-0 thrashing in the Super Cup still stung.
Irureta begrudgingly nodded.
He had approached this game with utmost caution but was still caught off guard by Atlético's early goal.
Through the first 30 minutes, it was clear that Atlético had created more dangerous chances, and their aggressive midfield pressing had disrupted Deportivo's usual passing rhythm.
Even Valerón and Fran were making uncharacteristic errors under pressure.
Admittedly, Atlético's approach wasn't without controversy. Their physicality and aggression bordered on rough play, epitomized by the combative Danish midfielder, Thomas Gravesen.
"Gravesen is a bargain," Melo added.
Signed for just €2.5 million, the Danish international had proven to be a complete midfielder—strong in tackles, accurate in passing, and composed in organizing play.
By contrast, Deportivo had spent big to replace Flavio, who had left for Real Madrid. They shelled out €13 million for Duscher from Sporting Lisbon, €9.6 million for Emerson from Tenerife, and €1 million for César Sampaio from Palmeiras. Combined, the three cost over €20 million.
Yet none had made the impact of Gravesen. Duscher hadn't even debuted, Emerson was still a backup, and Sampaio was largely anonymous.
Irureta couldn't help but glance at Yang Hao on the Atlético sidelines.
How does he find these players?
Gravesen, Adriano, Deco—none were household names before joining Atlético.
It was only after Atlético signed them that people took notice and started recognizing their talent.
Irureta's Tactical Adjustment
Despite his frustration, Irureta quickly composed himself.
"We'll stabilize in the first half," he told Melo. "Second half, we'll bring on Makaay. First, we equalize, then push for the win."
Irureta had anticipated the possibility of conceding early and had already planned his adjustments. Deportivo would need to press harder in the second half.
But before Melo could relay the message, Deco disrupted their plans once again.
Deco Strikes
In the 38th minute, Deco received the ball in the final third, tightly marked by Deportivo's defensive midfield duo.
Twisting and turning, he wriggled out of their double team and flicked a delicate lobbed pass toward the right edge of the penalty arc.
Adriano, using his frame to shield the ball from Naybet, brought it down with his chest and prepared to turn.
Naybet, finding no other option, fouled Adriano.
The referee immediately awarded a free kick at the top-right edge of the penalty box.
Deco stepped up to take it.
He struck the ball with precision and finesse, sending it curling over the wall and brushing past the right post before nestling into the back of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"Deco! What a sublime free kick! Atlético doubles their lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute!"
"This is a nightmare scenario for Deportivo. They've been outplayed for most of the first half, and now they're two goals down!"
Irureta's Dilemma
On the sidelines, Irureta was visibly stunned.
Two goals down in the first half?
That wasn't part of the plan.
"I wasn't ready for this," he muttered under his breath.
After the game, the press room at the Calderón Stadium was packed with journalists from across Europe and beyond.
Reporters rushed over immediately after the final whistle, eager to secure a spot. Early arrivals managed to find seats, while others had no choice but to stand, cramming the room to its limits.
The room buzzed with conversation about the match that had just concluded.
Atlético Madrid had secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory against Deportivo La Coruña, a game where neither side could afford to lose.
Deportivo's recent form had dipped, and Irureta was desperate for a win to steady his ship. On the other hand, Atlético needed to rebound from their 2-draw-1-loss streak, as their position at the top of La Liga had come under threat.
Most importantly, Atlético faced a daunting week ahead: midweek against Barcelona, followed by the Madrid Derby against Real Madrid.
Securing three points against Deportivo was not just important—it was a massive morale boost.
When Yang Hao entered the press room, accompanied by Atlético's public relations head Andrew Balasco, the room broke into applause.
Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, Yang Hao smiled and waved at the gathered media, exuding the aura of a leader on a triumphant inspection.
Internally, Yang Hao couldn't help but feel a bit smug about the moment.
Yang Hao's Analysis
Reflecting on the match, Yang Hao expressed satisfaction with his team's overall performance, stating that Atlético had deserved the win for playing better in most parts of the game.
"But," he added, with a playful shrug, "we need to address our defensive lapses, especially during set pieces. Sometimes, we make mistakes that are… how should I put it… completely unexpected."
The room erupted in laughter at his self-deprecating humor.
Deportivo had indeed mounted a strong second-half offensive, especially after Irureta brought on Makaay and switched to a two-striker formation.
However, they failed to create many clear-cut chances.
Their lone goal came from a stroke of luck: Fran's cross led to a scramble in the box, with Lucio inadvertently redirecting the ball towards his own goal. Van der Sar made an instinctive save but failed to hold the ball, allowing Makaay to pounce and score.
Other than this fortuitous moment, Deportivo struggled to breach Atlético's solid defensive setup.
Irureta, speaking at his own press conference earlier, begrudgingly admitted that Atlético had defended well. However, he refused to concede that his team had been inferior, arguing instead that Deportivo's superior shot count proved they deserved better.
Yang Hao Responds
Yang Hao didn't hold back when addressing Irureta's comments.
"Come on," he said with a grin, "if we're talking about playing rough, Deportivo isn't exactly angels themselves. And by the way, even Valerón seems to have picked up a yellow card since joining them!"
The quip drew laughter from the room.
As for Irureta's point about shot count, Yang Hao offered a sharp retort:
"Well, our league ranking is higher than Deportivo's."
The press room erupted in laughter once again.
Yang Hao's cheeky remark may have been a bit harsh, but it was undeniably true.
Maintaining Momentum
With this victory, Atlético now had 5 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss from their first seven games, maintaining their place at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid also won their game, beating Real Sociedad 4–1 to match Atlético's 16 points, though they trailed on goal difference—thanks to Atlético's big wins in the opening two rounds.
Despite being in first place, Yang Hao took the opportunity to poke fun at the media.
"I told you all before—we're not a relegation team. But it seems like you didn't believe me," he said with a sly grin.
The gathered reporters squirmed uncomfortably.
This wasn't the first time Yang Hao had called them out, but it certainly stung each time he did.
Alright, fine! We underestimated you at the start of the season. Can you let it go already?
Still, some in the room couldn't help but think about the bookmakers who had also doubted Atlético. Those who bet on Atlético early in the season were likely celebrating their winnings by now.
Focused on the Future
After his playful jabs, Yang Hao shifted to a more serious tone, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded.
"We're a very young team. In fact, we're one of the youngest teams not just in La Liga but across Europe. That means we have to stay vigilant at all times."
"We're not thinking too far ahead. Our focus is on taking things step by step, one game at a time."
But despite Yang Hao's measured words, it was clear to everyone that Atlético's ambitions were no longer limited to mere survival.
Their sights were set much higher.
For Yang Hao, the ultimate goal was clear: the La Liga title.
The Road Ahead
The victory against Deportivo marked a critical first step in what promised to be a grueling week.
Up next was Barcelona at Camp Nou.
For Yang Hao, there was no doubt in his mind:
"At Camp Nou, we need the win more than Barcelona does."
After the match, Yang Hao and his Atlético Madrid dominated the headlines of Spanish media and even graced the pages of prominent European outlets like L'Équipe (France), Bild (Germany), Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy), and The Times (UK).
At just 25 years old, Yang Hao had taken a young Atlético side from being relegation candidates last season to holding the top spot in La Liga for several weeks—a feat that stunned football fans and pundits alike.
Words like "transformation" and "rebirth" barely captured the essence of what had happened at Atlético in such a short span of time.
Yang Hao, once hailed as a miracle worker for securing Atlético's survival and defeating Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last season, had now firmly established himself as one of European football's most intriguing coaches.
However, amidst the praise, dissenting voices emerged.
Criticism from Catalonia
Catalonia's Sport dismissed Atlético's position at the top of the table, claiming it was nothing more than a lucky streak and predicting their eventual downfall.
El Mundo Deportivo echoed the sentiment, citing complaints from Deportivo players about biased refereeing in the recent match. They even suggested that the Spanish Referees Committee investigate Atlético's relationship with match officials, insinuating that the club had benefited from favorable calls.
Atlético swiftly rebuffed these accusations as "nonsense."
De La Morena, the outspoken Atlético loyalist and one of Spain's most influential media voices, used his show to launch a counterattack.
"If we're talking about investigations, perhaps Barça should explain why, after securing back-to-back La Liga titles in the mid-90s, they were caught rewarding Tenerife's president with a gold medal. Back then, Gaspart was Barça's vice president, so he surely knows all the details."
De La Morena's comments hit a nerve.
Gaspart, now Barcelona's president, was quick to defuse the situation, praising Atlético's strong start to the season while diplomatically adding:
"But I remain confident that we'll win at Camp Nou. We need this victory more than ever."
A High-Stakes Encounter
"Gaspart's right about one thing—Barça does need this win," Yang Hao remarked during a coaching staff meeting.
"Desperately."
The room chuckled, but Yang Hao remained serious as he analyzed Barcelona's current predicament.
Barça's Struggles
In the UEFA Champions League group stage, Barça was in trouble. Drawn into a tough group with AC Milan, Leeds United, and Beşiktaş, their performance had been inconsistent:
Matchday 1: Barça started strong with a 4–0 win over Leeds at home.
Matchday 2: A shocking 0–3 loss away to Beşiktaş.
Matchday 3: A 0–2 home loss to AC Milan.
Matchday 4: A 3–3 away draw against AC Milan.
Matchday 5: A 1–1 draw away to Leeds.
As it stood, AC Milan had already secured qualification with 10 points, Leeds sat second with 8, Barça trailed with 5, and Beşiktaş were bottom.
The final group stage fixtures saw Barça hosting Beşiktaş while Milan faced Leeds. Rumors suggested Gaspart had been lobbying Milan to defeat Leeds, which, combined with a Barça win, would allow them to qualify on head-to-head advantage over Leeds.
Pressure Mounting on Barcelona
Meanwhile, Barcelona's league form suffered as they focused on Europe. In their most recent La Liga outing, they lost 2–0 away to Mallorca, with Samuel Eto'o scoring early in the match. After seven rounds, Barça languished in 8th place.
With their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread and their domestic form faltering, the pressure on the club was immense.
"This is why Barça needs this win more than anyone else," Yang Hao reiterated.
Barça's Vulnerabilities
"Still," Yang Hao continued, "we can't ignore the toll this has taken on them. Their players are exhausted after such a grueling schedule."
Barça's insistence on maintaining a small first-team squad—often around 20 players—was puzzling, especially given the demands of competing on multiple fronts. This was an issue even during Yang Hao's previous life, when Guardiola's squad at one point had only 19 players.
Adding to the chaos was Barcelona's head coach, Ferrer, a former youth coach thrust into the role after a three-year absence from frontline management. Having previously managed lower-tier sides like Mallorca and Real Betis, Ferrer faced the monumental challenge of controlling a squad that even Van Gaal had struggled to manage.
Yang Hao saw this as an opportunity.
"At Camp Nou, we need the win more than Barça does!"
The room erupted in laughter, but there was no mistaking Yang Hao's determination.
The Bigger Picture
The upcoming clash at Camp Nou wasn't just about securing three points—it was about solidifying Atlético's position at the top of the table and proving to the doubters that their success was no fluke.
For Yang Hao, this was more than just another game. It was a statement.
"We are more than just a football club!"
This iconic phrase is repeated by everyone associated with FC Barcelona, from the club president to its most casual fans. And there's some truth to it.
For instance, no other football club has ever organized an art competition, let alone received submissions from a surrealist painter as renowned as Salvador Dalí, who was famously known as the "King of Surrealism."
Legend has it that more people visit Barcelona's club museum annually than Picasso's.
In Phil Ball's book Morbo, he described Barça as the flagbearer of Catalan nationalism, adding:
"In 1992, when the Dream Team won the Champions League, it felt more magical than any other victory."
"At that moment, even the toilets at Camp Nou smelled like roses."
Since then, every time Barcelona plays a team from Madrid at Camp Nou, the Catalan fans chant slogans targeting their rivals:
"The flagbearers of Catalan nationalism versus the brutish, barbaric Madridistas!"
This is why, ahead of Atlético Madrid's away game at Camp Nou, the Catalan press ramped up their rhetoric. They vilified Atlético as crude and wild, echoing their frequent accusations of referee bias favoring the team.
In the past, this kind of treatment was reserved for Real Madrid.
But this season, Atlético seemed to have earned the same "honor."
When Yang Hao led his team onto the sacred grounds of Camp Nou, the stadium roared with the chants of over 90,000 Barça fans. Their fierce slogan echoed through the air, creating a chilling, breathtaking spectacle.
Facing the collective hostility of 90,000 opponents—it was a moment that made Yang Hao's heart race with excitement.
The Woes of Ferrer
Llorenç Serra Ferrer was neither a Catalan nor a Barça insider. Hailing from Mallorca, his connection to Barcelona was relatively new.
Before joining the Blaugrana, Ferrer had guided Mallorca to promotion and achieved a respectable third-place finish with Real Betis, earning a spot in the UEFA Cup. His results were impressive enough to attract Barcelona's interest, not as a head coach but as La Masia's academy director.
In 1997, he took charge of Barça's youth system, coinciding with the arrival of Louis van Gaal as first-team manager.
Ferrer and Van Gaal had a professional but unremarkable relationship. However, Ferrer frequently heard Van Gaal lament:
"We need to be more pragmatic!"
Indeed, Barça was burdened with too many expectations, seen as more than a club, and carrying responsibilities beyond football. This fostered an idealistic culture, as if inspired by Dalí's surrealism.
Even Cruyff's team was called the "Dream Team."
At the time, Ferrer didn't fully grasp the issues facing the first team. But now, as head coach, he found himself grappling with a mountain of problems—many beyond his ability to solve.
A Crisis of Identity and Structure
Figo's move to Real Madrid was a catastrophic blow to Barça, regarded as a betrayal of the highest order. To appease the fans, president Joan Gaspart spent extravagantly:
€30 million on Marc Overmars from Arsenal.
€21.6 million on Gerard from Valencia.
€15 million on Emmanuel Petit, also from Arsenal.
€16.5 million on Alfonso from Real Betis.
But after this spending spree, Ferrer surveyed his squad and was dumbfounded.
Where were the center-backs?
Winston Bogarde had left for Chelsea on a free transfer, while Dani García de la Cuesta was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for €6 million.
The defense, already fragile, was now threadbare.
Ferrer was forced to make do with Frank de Boer and Abelardo, both over 30. Cocu could fill in at center-back, but that was a temporary fix. Ferrer even considered moving Petit to defense.
But Petit publicly declared, "I'm a midfielder, not a defender. Leave me out of this!"
The media pounced on the story, blowing it up into a scandal about locker-room discord.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg:
Newly signed Alfonso and Kluivert clashed over playing time.
Gerard's arrival disrupted the midfield dynamics, creating tension with captain Guardiola.
Rivaldo insisted on playing as a central attacking midfielder, refusing to play on the wing.
Luis Enrique felt sidelined despite believing he still had much to offer.
A struggling Simao returned from Lazio on loan, adding to the congestion in attack.
Young prospect Mikel Arteta was promoted to the first team but found no opportunities to play.
Ferrer was overwhelmed.
The Storm Before the Match
As Yang Hao prepared for the game at Camp Nou, he saw Barcelona's inner turmoil as an opportunity.
Despite their famed motto and storied history, Barça was a club in chaos, lacking both structure and harmony.
But Yang Hao also knew that regardless of Barça's struggles, winning at Camp Nou would require perfect execution from Atlético.
And as the team gathered for their final preparations, he reminded them:
"In the lion's den, we'll roar louder. Tonight, this stadium belongs to us!"
Ferrer was overwhelmed by a flood of problems, each more urgent than the last.
During the summer training camp, things had seemed manageable. But once the season began, the cracks started to show, and the issues only grew more glaring as time went on.
The pressure mounted as results faltered. Ferrer had briefly caught his breath with a victory over Real Madrid, but a looming Champions League exit and a 0–2 loss to Mallorca plunged him back into despair.
The final straw came when club president Joan Gaspart publicly declared a "must-win" mandate against Atlético Madrid.
This put Ferrer in an impossible position. Sure, the opponent was Atlético, but this was the league leader, Mr. President! Could we be a bit more pragmatic?
Apparently not.
After all, who took Atlético seriously?
"Weren't they just a soft target for Barça to toy with in the past?"
"Three defeats last season? That was Van Gaal's failure!"
Whether driven by a thirst for revenge or a desperate need to reverse their slump, everyone—from the president and the board to the fans and even the players—seemed to agree on one thing: this match had to be won.
Club legend Luis Enrique added to the public pressure, declaring, "Our focus must be on Atlético Madrid. The battle at Camp Nou allows no room for failure. Otherwise, the gap at the top will widen, and we'll lose our chance at the title."
Even Frank de Boer, still upset about the club selling his brother, openly criticized Ferrer through the media, saying it was his responsibility to step up during tough times.
With pressure coming from every direction, Ferrer had no choice but to concede.
For the match against Atlético, he decided to stick to his principles and opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Goalkeeper: Arnau
Defense: Petit, Cocu, De Boer, and Puyol
Midfield: Xavi and Gerard as holding midfielders, with Simao, Rivaldo, and Luis Enrique ahead of them
Forward: Alfonso
This lineup reflected the reality of Barça's squad and Ferrer's attempt to cater to the players' preferences. Rivaldo took his desired central role, Luis Enrique and De Boer were on the pitch, and Petit had to continue as an emergency center-back due to the lack of options.
Both Sides Under Pressure
If things were tough for Barça, they were no easier for Atlético.
Yang Hao approached the Camp Nou clash with caution, prioritizing a solid defensive start and letting Barça dominate possession. His defensive focus remained in midfield, where Atlético aimed to disrupt Barça's flow.
Upfront, Vicente, Pandiani, and Joaquín formed a potent attacking trio. In midfield, Yang Hao deployed a trio of defensive midfielders—Cambiasso, Gravesen, and Baraja—creating what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation.
Barça came out aggressively from the start, eager to capitalize on home advantage. Despite controlling the ball and maintaining the initiative, they struggled to create genuine scoring chances, with much of their play confined to long-range efforts.
The first half ended 0–0, with both teams locked in a stalemate.
But just over a minute into the second half, Rivaldo burst through the middle and was brought down by Gravesen.
The referee immediately blew his whistle, booking Gravesen and awarding Barça a free kick just outside the penalty area.
With his trademark precision, Rivaldo stepped up and curled a spectacular shot into the top left corner.
Van der Sar guessed the direction but couldn't stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
1–0!
Barça took the lead.
"Wow, wow!"
The sudden roar of cheers startled Yang Hao.
He turned to see Ferrer, usually restrained, now utterly transformed. The Barça coach bolted out of the technical area, shouting and gesticulating wildly, his emotions completely overwhelming him. Even the fourth official couldn't contain him.
Yang Hao was momentarily stunned.
"All that for one goal?"
Next to him, Juanma Lillo shook his head with a wry smile.
"He's under too much pressure. This job is like standing on an active volcano."
It was hard to blame Ferrer.
After years in obscurity following his Barça departure, Ferrer's subsequent stints with Real Betis and AEK Athens had been underwhelming. His return to management had exposed him to relentless scrutiny and unbearable expectations.
But Yang Hao wasn't interested in Ferrer's struggles. His focus was entirely on the match.
Conceding a goal? That was within his calculations.
When Rivaldo lined up for the free kick, Yang Hao had a sinking feeling, which was confirmed the moment the ball hit the net.
"This is the guy who scored two free kicks against AC Milan in a single game," Yang Hao muttered, shaking his head.
He turned to Lillo and grinned.
"Juanma, get ready. Let's show them what Atlético's heading team can do!"
In professional football, a manager's tactical adjustments during a match can be decisive.
The term "bench warmer manager" might be a joke among fans, but tonight's match was proof that coaching decisions often determine outcomes.
Take tonight as an example:
The entire football world knew about Barça's troubles—overexerted players, poor recent form, Ferrer's shaky hold on the dressing room, internal conflicts, and injuries to key players like Kluivert, Overmars, Zenden, and Guardiola.
It would be easy to write them off.
But underestimating Barça would be a grave mistake.
Barça's Approach
Despite their struggles, Barça's attacking options remained formidable.
Last season's prolific goalscorer Alfonso, paired with Simao and Luis Enrique on the wings, offered firepower aplenty. And then there was Rivaldo, the Brazilian maestro in the No. 10 role—someone whose brilliance could shatter any defense.
Given the setting at the Camp Nou and Barça's personnel, Yang Hao opted for a cautious approach with a three-defensive-midfielder formation. While Baraja had more freedom to push forward, Cambiasso and Gravesen were tasked with breaking up Barça's play and reinforcing the defense.
Barça's coach, Ferrer, made adjustments of his own. Most notably, he pulled Xavi deeper into a holding role and pushed Gerard further upfield.
In 2000, Xavi was still developing into the legendary playmaker he would become, but his passing range and composure were already evident. Ferrer's tactic aimed to bypass Atlético's intense midfield pressure, giving Xavi space to dictate play from deep.
The result? Baraja was drawn out of position to press Xavi, creating gaps for Rivaldo to exploit. It was no coincidence that Rivaldo's free kick, earned through Gravesen's foul, opened the scoring.
Yang Hao's Countermove
Barça's lead only highlighted the urgency for Atlético to adjust.
By the 50th minute, Yang Hao made the first move: Deco replaced Gravesen.
"Your mission is simple," Yang Hao instructed Deco on the sideline.
"Shut Xavi down. Cut off his passing options completely."
Yang Hao outlined his tactical vision:
By neutralizing Xavi, Barça would be forced to rely on long balls or play down the flanks, areas prone to mistakes.
Atlético's counterattacks would focus on the right side, exploiting Petit's makeshift role as a left-back.
Joaquín and Belletti were tasked with launching aggressive runs down the right, while Vicente would keep Puyol occupied on the left.
Aurelio, the left-back, was instructed to push higher during counters, adding width to the attack.
Finally, Yang Hao placed his trust in Baraja to contain Rivaldo, reinforcing his faith with a thumbs-up signal.
Baraja had been exceptional this season. His fitness, tackling, passing accuracy, and late runs into the box had earned him a spot in Spain's national team, replacing none other than Barça's Gerard.
This match was shaping up as a symbolic battle between two Spanish internationals.
Deco's Impact
Yang Hao's substitution bore fruit almost immediately.
Deco's relentless marking suffocated Xavi's creativity. With their key distributor shut down, Barça's midfield lost its rhythm, and they were forced to channel their attacks through the flanks.
Barça's long balls lacked precision, and their reliance on wide play stretched their formation. Both fullbacks, Petit and Puyol, were increasingly drawn forward, leaving gaps at the back.
Yang Hao waited patiently.
Goals, he knew, couldn't be forced—they had to be seized when the opportunity arose.
"Now it's our turn," Yang Hao muttered under his breath.
As the tactical adjustments took shape, Atlético began finding openings on the counter. On the right flank, Joaquín and Belletti combined brilliantly, repeatedly exposing Petit's vulnerabilities.
The moment was coming.
"We'll show them what Atlético's heading team is made of," Yang Hao declared, his eyes fixed on the pitch.
Yang Hao believed deeply in his flanks—Joaquín and Vicente as wingers, with Belletti and Aurelio overlapping from fullback positions. He was certain they wouldn't disappoint.
Atlético began piecing together a few counterattacks, but Barça had prepared well for this.
Barça coach Ferrer knew full well how dangerous Atlético's wing play had been this season. It was impossible for him not to have planned for it.
Having already adjusted Atlético's tactics, Yang Hao could only leave the rest to his players' execution on the pitch.
He remained on the sideline, constantly encouraging his players. Every time a counterattack faltered, he would shout praise and push them to keep their confidence high.
Time slipped away, minute by minute.
At the 83rd minute, Simao attempted a breakthrough down Barça's left flank, but Belletti intercepted with a clean tackle.
The ball quickly found its way to Joaquín, just outside Atlético's defensive third.
By now, Barça's defensive line had pushed deep into Atlético's half. Joaquín stopped the ball, turning to face the field, only to be immediately pressed by Petit.
Gerard also closed in from the flank, ready to join forces with Petit and pin Joaquín along the sideline.
Behind Gerard, Baraja noticed a large pocket of open space. Instinctively, the Atlético captain wanted to burst forward into it, but seeing Barça's players swarming Joaquín, he hesitated.
If Joaquín lost possession in such a dangerous spot, Barça could quickly launch a counterattack.
At that moment, Atlético only had two defensive midfielders—if Baraja advanced, Cambiasso would be left alone to deal with Rivaldo.
Baraja paused, ready to retreat and defend.
Joaquín's Magic Moment
Right on the sideline, Joaquín found himself with Petit pressing from the front and Gerard lurking nearby.
In a flash of brilliance, Joaquín's legs conjured a moment of magic. He flicked the ball past Petit's side, towards the space behind him, while darting inside—a stunning nutmeg and run combo.
The Camp Nou erupted in gasps of disbelief.
Even Gerard hesitated momentarily, stunned by Joaquín's audacious move. By the time he reacted, Joaquín was already in full stride, chasing after the ball.
Baraja snapped back into action, sprinting forward to support.
Joaquín, brimming with confidence, reached the ball first but had to adjust his line to evade Gerard, who was closing in aggressively. The Barça midfielder grabbed Joaquín's arm in a subtle but illegal tug—enough to slow him down.
Forced to stop abruptly, Joaquín cut the ball back sharply, leaving Gerard trailing. But Petit had recovered by this point, charging back into the fray.
From the corner of his eye, Joaquín spotted a red-and-white-striped jersey sprinting into space behind Petit.
Without hesitation, Joaquín threaded the ball forward.
Baraja Takes Over
Baraja surged onto the pass, his powerful strides carrying him toward Barça's penalty area.
Simultaneously, Deco darted toward the near post, while Pandiani held his ground in the center, raising his arm to signal for the ball.
Baraja glanced up briefly and saw the opening. He whipped in a curling cross with his right foot, aiming past Deco at the heart of the penalty area.
The ball arced beautifully, dipping toward Pandiani, who had skillfully positioned himself ahead of Puyol. Shielding the Barça defender with his body, the Uruguayan striker leapt high and connected with a thundering header.
The ball changed direction sharply, nestling into the back of Barça's net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"
"Pandiani! A stunning header from Pandiani!"
"It's 1-1!"
"Atlético finally break through in the 83rd minute! The equalizer comes from their lethal Uruguayan striker, Walter Pandiani!"
"This is why they call him the 'Shotgun!' His finishing is absolutely clinical in crucial moments!"
"But Pandiani owes this goal to his teammates—Deco, who drew the defense, Baraja, whose perfect cross set it up, and of course, Joaquín, with that breathtaking nutmeg to open up the play."
"Look at the replay—Joaquín's skill is just mesmerizing! Petit was left completely flat-footed, and even Gerard couldn't keep up!"
"And Baraja's timing on the overlap was flawless. This is what Atlético do best—blistering counters with devastating precision!"
Yang Hao's Response
On the sideline, Yang Hao exploded with joy, his fists clenched in triumph.
But he quickly composed himself, striding to the edge of his technical area.
"Stop celebrating! Get back into position! Keep pushing for another goal!"
"Stay calm, stay sharp! We can win this! Just like that—stay steady!"
Yang Hao didn't come to the Camp Nou for a draw.
He was here for all three points.
At the 88th minute, Aurelio attempted a cross into Barça's penalty area from the left flank.
Cocu cleared it with a header, but the ball didn't travel far.
Deco, stationed near the edge of the box on the left side, anticipated the trajectory and intercepted the ball just ahead of Xavi. Quickly turning his back to Xavi, Deco used his body to shield the ball while Puyol closed in to assist.
Even as Xavi tried to grab him around the waist, Deco remained unyielding, skillfully controlling the ball under pressure.
As the ball dropped to the ground, Deco stabilized it at his feet. Before Xavi, Puyol, and the incoming Iván de la Peña could trap him in a three-man press, Deco spun swiftly to his left. With the outside of his right foot, he flicked an elegant chip pass between the narrowest of gaps, threading it perfectly between Xavi and Puyol.
The ball landed at the left corner of the penalty box, where Reyes, who had been sprinting at full pace, reached it just in time. He burst past Puyol, dribbling toward the byline.
Reyes barely managed to stay in play, pushing the ball slightly forward to evade De Boer's challenge, before sending a sharp low cross into the box. The momentum carried him off the field.
The cross was awkward—low and fast, but at knee height when it reached the near side of the six-yard box.
Pandiani, however, reacted instinctively. He dove low, almost sliding across the grass, to connect with the ball.
With a sharp deflection, the ball sped past Barça's goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"Pandiani does it again!"
"Pandiani scores a brace to help Atlético complete a stunning comeback at Camp Nou!"
"2-1! The visitors take the lead in the final minutes!"
"This is incredible! Atlético de Madrid have shown remarkable resilience tonight, refusing to give up even as the clock ticked toward the end. They stayed composed, waited for the right moment, and found their opening."
"And Barça… once again, they concede late in a crucial game."
Pandiani lay sprawled on the grass after his diving header, overcome with emotion. He pounded the ground with both hands before his jubilant teammates swarmed over him, burying him under a heap of red and white jerseys.
Yang Hao's Explosion
On the sidelines, Yang Hao had been pacing restlessly, his anxiety palpable.
When Pandiani's header struck the back of the net, all that tension erupted.
Yang punched the air with all his might, as if breaking through every barrier holding him back.
He turned to his coaching staff, who had leapt from their seats and rushed out of the dugout, and raised his fists high, letting out a triumphant roar.
But the home crowd at Camp Nou didn't take kindly to this celebration.
A deafening chorus of boos rang out, mixed with hostile and discriminatory jeers. The main stand behind the visitors' dugout hurled verbal abuse at Yang Hao and his team, while some Barça fans resorted to throwing objects—plastic bottles, water cans—toward the dugout.
A few items landed on the roof of the dugout, far from hitting anyone, but it was clear the fans were reaching their limits.
Yang Hao, however, paid no attention to the chaos. He was consumed by the elation of the moment, reveling in the joy of the late goal and the possibility of defeating Barça at their fortress.
He couldn't help but wonder aloud, though only in his heart:
"So, Barça, you had to win this game, right? Didn't you always look down on Atlético, mocking us as a rough and uncouth team? Well, how does it feel to be trampled underfoot now?"
"Outrageous! Absolutely unacceptable!"
"This is blatant provocation!"
In the VIP stands, Barça president Joan Gaspart had barely managed to process the goal when furious board members erupted in anger.
One of the most vocal among them was Joan Laporta, a lawyer representing the Blaugrana Supporters' Club.
Laporta, a known rival to Gaspart, pointed at Yang Hao on the sidelines and fumed, "How can we allow this man to strut around our sacred Camp Nou like this?"
Laporta's words struck a chord with many in the VIP box, who nodded in agreement.
It was humiliating enough to concede a late goal, but to witness such exuberant celebrations from the opposition coach on their home turf? That was unbearable.
Gaspart, however, said nothing, suppressing his emotions. Laporta's opportunistic behavior annoyed him more than Yang Hao's provocation.
As Laporta ranted on, someone in the stands nearby attempted to throw an object. A couple of plastic water bottles thudded against the visitors' dugout roof.
Fortunately, they landed far from Yang Hao.
Full Focus on Victory
Oblivious to the chaos behind him, Yang Hao remained firmly focused on his players.
"Don't celebrate too much! Get back into position!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Hold your ground! Stay calm and sharp—we can't let them have a chance to equalize!"
Yang Hao wasn't satisfied with just a win at Camp Nou.
He wanted this victory to be the defining moment of Atlético's rise.
Yang Hao hadn't expected that at Camp Nou, he would experience treatment similar to what Figo endured.
After the infamous pig head incident during the match against Real Madrid ten days earlier, Camp Nou had banned fans from bringing such "weapons" into the stadium. Instead, Barça supporters had resorted to hurling water bottles.
This behavior shocked Atlético's coaching staff sitting under the dugout canopy and prompted the fourth official to act immediately.
Security personnel stationed around the stands quickly pinpointed the culprits and escorted them off the premises. As they were being led away, the fans continued to hurl angry insults toward Yang Hao below, their fury unrelenting.
"Sir, you must document this incident! Camp Nou is too dangerous, and I think it's entirely unsuitable for hosting matches," Yang Hao said with a convincingly "furious" expression.
"Hey, Yang, it was you who provoked our fans…" Ferrer interjected hastily.
"I was just standing in my technical area, right here, not doing anything. How exactly did I provoke them?" Yang Hao interrupted, gesturing at Ferrer's feet. "And you, Ferrer, look down at your position. You've already crossed the line."
Ferrer glanced down, only to realize that he had indeed stepped out of his designated area. The discovery nearly made him spit blood in anger, but he quickly retreated to his own technical zone.
"Yang, I have to warn you. Your behavior might make you the most unwelcome person at Camp Nou."
Yang Hao shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm the head coach of Atlético. If Camp Nou fans liked me, that would be a problem. Also, Ferrer, how can you be so sure they're attacking me? Maybe they were aiming for you?"
He pointed to the roof of Barça's technical area.
Ferrer grew even more agitated. His record was already under heavy scrutiny, and Barça fans were indeed furious with him, but surely they wouldn't stoop to attacking their own coach at home?
"The home and away dugouts are far apart. That's impossible!" Ferrer shouted.
"What if they simply made a mistake?"
"Ridiculous! They're not that stupid…"
Ferrer stopped mid-sentence, realizing Yang Hao's smug expression was baiting him into an embarrassing conclusion.
Yang Hao's insinuation was clear: anyone hurling objects at the away dugout was an idiot.
The fourth official, having witnessed the entire exchange, sighed heavily. On the field, Ferrer was no match for Yang Hao. At the sideline, in a battle of wits, Ferrer was still outclassed.
The official finally stepped in, coughing loudly to signal Yang Hao to return to his area. Seeing Ferrer's face turn a dangerous shade of red, he muttered to himself: Dear Lord, if I have to pick enemies, I'll make sure it's never that Chinese coach.
Poor Ferrer!
Full-Time Score: Atlético 2–1 Barça
When the final whistle blew, Ferrer sat slumped in his technical area, seething.
Losing this match wasn't just about dropping three points at home. It meant stagnation in the league standings, further diminishing Barça's title hopes.
For Ferrer, it was a disaster.
His position, already precarious, now felt like it was crumbling beneath him. It was only a matter of time before his tenure ended in disgrace.
And it was all because of that damned Yang Hao!
Ferrer was so livid that he didn't even want to fulfill the customary post-match handshake. He feared he might lose control and take a swing at Yang Hao—a fight he wasn't sure he could win.
The thought of being punched by Yang Hao and humiliated further held him back.
So, Ferrer stayed rooted to his seat, pretending to be unaware of the handshake ritual.
But to his dismay, Yang Hao wasn't one to let things slide.
"Hey, Ferrer, no need to get so worked up. Those fans are just like that; why bother letting it upset you?" Yang Hao approached cheerfully, extending a hand toward Ferrer.
Ferrer felt a surge of rage so intense he almost leapt up.
Who said I was angry at the fans? I'm angry at you, you bastard!
But under the watchful eyes of the crowd—and possibly the cameras—Ferrer had no choice. Even though his heart was bleeding, he forced a thin smile and reluctantly shook Yang Hao's hand.
"Congratulations," Ferrer said through gritted teeth.
"You're too kind. Your team played excellently," Yang Hao replied with a wide grin.
That compliment soothed Ferrer's bruised ego, if only slightly.
At least he has some sportsmanship, Ferrer thought.
But then Yang Hao added, "Of course, we played even better."
Ferrer's fragile composure shattered. He felt blood rush to his head as anger surged once more.
Clenching his teeth, Ferrer managed to suppress his fury. "Let's see if you'll still be smiling next time we meet."
Yang Hao waved dismissively. "Let's hope I'll still see you next time we meet."
That final remark obliterated Ferrer's self-restraint.
As Yang Hao walked off the pitch to celebrate with his team, Ferrer remained frozen in his seat, shaking with rage.
Camp Nou had seen many losses, but none quite as humiliating for Ferrer as this one.
END CHAPTER