Starting With Real Madrid

When the match reached the 67th minute, Ronaldo combined with Marcelo on the left flank, forced his way through and won a corner for Real Madrid. Watching from New York, Guardiola let out a long sigh, a mixture of complex emotions.

From the ensuing corner, Xabi Alonso delivered a precise cross to Ramos. The Real Madrid captain's header crashed against the crossbar and rebounded back into the box, sparking chaos in front of goal.

Modrić was the quickest to react in the scramble and struck the ball, but his shot drifted narrowly wide.

A hundred thousand Barcelona fans let out a collective gasp of relief, as if they had just survived a close call.

Guardiola kept shaking his head as he watched.

The score remained 3-0, but Ramos' header had been only inches from going in.

So far, Barcelona had managed just four shots.

Although this was an improvement compared to the first half, it was still far from enough.

Both head coaches began preparing substitutions.

Vilanova was preparing to bring on Agüero to further strengthen the attack.

Gao Shen seemed ready to introduce Higuaín, mainly because Benzema had worked tirelessly up front.

At this stage of the match, the situation was clear. Barcelona would commit everything to attack, while Real Madrid would remain solid at the back and look to counter. Higuaín could play a significant role in that scenario.

"In this game… Barcelona has been completely beaten," Guardiola said after letting out a long sigh.

Cristina Serra glanced at the match and then at her husband. She knew he still could not let go of Barcelona.

And he could not let go of football either.

At the very least, she knew Guardiola had received a phone call from Manchester United's head coach, Ferguson, just two days ago in Manchester.

Everyone knew Ferguson was about to retire, and the question of who would succeed him had become a hot topic.

The godfather of the Red Devils called Guardiola and asked to meet him in New York. Although Ferguson came for Manchester United's commercial activities, who could say whether there was also an intention to invite Guardiola to manage United?

"From the look of it, Barcelona's advantage in possession is still very obvious," Serra said, trying to find some positive aspect.

Unexpectedly, Guardiola smiled bitterly. "We do control the ball, but didn't you notice? The tempo of the game has always been under Real Madrid's control. If they want it fast, it speeds up. If they want it slow, it slows right down."

Serra was slightly stunned, and when she thought about the game, it did seem true.

For example, at the start of the second half, Real Madrid clearly pressed forward, and the tempo of the match sped up.

"Why is that?" Serra asked in confusion.

The ball was clearly under Barcelona's control. How could they not control the tempo?

"Real Madrid may look like they are playing defensively and counterattacking, but in fact, their control is strong, especially in midfield."

Control is not just about possession of the ball. It also involves controlling space, controlling the rhythm, and so on.

Real Madrid's midfield cannot currently match Barcelona's in terms of pure ball control, but that is not because they lack technical ability. It is because they have not yet developed the same understanding and chemistry that Barcelona has from years of playing together.

To exaggerate, Barcelona players can almost pass the ball with their eyes closed.

Under these circumstances, Real Madrid would have no chance if they tried to compete directly for possession.

Gao Shen, on the other hand, used control of space and rhythm to neutralize Barcelona's advantage in passing and possession. That is why Barcelona's possession percentage is high, but their threats are few.

What is the use of controlling the ball in midfield and the defensive third if all it does is raise the possession rate and rack up passing stats?

On the contrary, if you are careless and lose the ball in midfield, leading to a quick counterattack, that becomes a real threat.

In that case, possession becomes like holding a hot potato.

"If that's the case, doesn't that mean Barcelona will be in danger this season?" Serra asked anxiously.

Guardiola nodded. "From what we can see, after losing this El Clásico, the league will become even more dangerous for Barcelona. The only things that can stop Real Madrid are the heavy fixture schedule and injuries."

But over the years, Gao Shen has always been a master of rotation. Right now, Real Madrid's rotation is running smoothly. As for injuries, others might not know, but Guardiola knows very well.

Buenaventura is not only the best fitness coach but also an expert in injury prevention. Pintus is also excellent. The two of them together have made Gao Shen's Real Madrid the team with the fewest injuries in European football.

Not to mention, Gao Shen has always maintained a sophisticated and stable player physical monitoring system.

"Gao Shen's style of play is very similar to Leeds United in the Premier League. It seems he let Sarri test it at Leeds first and then refined it himself. But there are differences."

At Leeds United, both fullbacks push forward aggressively, similar to Barcelona. Real Madrid, however, has Arbeloa on the right, which is probably a compromise Gao Shen made.

This is what it means to coach a top club. Many times, you must compromise rather than act on impulse.

Arbeloa is not only a Spanish international and a captain at various youth levels, but also captain of Castilla and an important part of the national team. He has just helped Spain win the European Championship. How could he not be used?

This situation is a bit like Casillas and Courtois, except that Arbeloa has temporarily held off Carvajal in the competition, so he remains a starter.

"Selling Özil, Khedira and others and bringing in Toni Kroos and Modrić — Gao Shen's current midfield setup is very interesting," Guardiola analyzed with interest.

No one knew exactly what conclusions he drew in his mind, but it was obvious he had learned a lot from this meticulous Real Madrid.

The tactical philosophies may differ, but they ultimately reach the same destination.

…

This highly anticipated El Clásico ended amid protests from the Real Madrid players.

Just before the final whistle, Real Madrid launched a threatening attack.

Di María and substitute Higuaín combined on the right side of the penalty area. When Higuaín struck the ball, it hit Puyol's arm, and the Barcelona captain's arms were spread wide.

Real Madrid players thought it was a clear handball, but the referee did not blow his whistle.

A few minutes earlier, Real Madrid had launched another dangerous attack. Marcelo combined with Kaká on the left and crossed to the back post. Higuaín volleyed from close range unmarked, but his shot went straight out of play.

Because of this, Higuaín was particularly frustrated about the handball.

How could he accept failing to take advantage of two excellent scoring chances?

But the referee showed Higuaín a yellow card and still did not call a handball.

Real Madrid had no choice but to give up.

Shortly after play resumed, the referee blew the final whistle.

This basically made the referee's stance clear.

The score was already 3-0, so just leave it at that and stop thinking about extending it.

When the whistle blew, Camp Nou erupted in a chorus of boos.

The Barcelona fans showered Real Madrid with boos, venting all their frustration on their biggest rivals rather than their own players.

Especially towards Gao Shen.

Since this man's arrival, Real Madrid had completely reversed their fortunes in El Clásico.

In recent years, Real Madrid had been unable to beat Barcelona, even suffering four consecutive losses in a single season — two legs in the Copa del Rey and two league meetings. They lost all of them.

But now, Real Madrid had turned it all around!

…

"Looking at the stats, Real Madrid's possession was just around 30%, far behind Barcelona."

"But in terms of creating chances, Real Madrid had 14 shots, 6 on target, and scored 3 goals, while Barcelona only managed 5 shots, 2 on target. Their dangerous attacks were far fewer than Real Madrid's."

"From these numbers, we can see that Barcelona's advantage lies in possession and passing, but Real Madrid's attack was sharper."

"This was Gao Shen's first El Clásico since taking charge of Real Madrid. It is also worth noting that this season's match came earlier than usual, scheduled for early October, whereas in previous years it was often in late October, November, or even December."

"The earlier the match, the more it favored Barcelona. Real Madrid had just been rebuilt. On top of that, in the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid was placed in a group of death and the schedule was extremely tough."

"But even so, Gao Shen's team beat Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou, with a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Di María."

"This is a precious victory! It is also an important turning point for Real Madrid!"

"I believe that after tonight, everyone will see the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry in a new light."

…

Gao Shen did not hear the television commentators' summary because he was on the pitch.

But he did meet Vilanova.

The Barcelona coach's expression was even worse than at the start of the game.

As he approached, it felt as if someone was forcing him forward with a knife to his back. His face was full of unwillingness, and his glare at Gao Shen looked as if he wanted to fight to the death.

This made Gao Shen slightly wary. Was he planning to pull a Mourinho stunt?

Better not come too close, or don't blame me for being rude!

I've learned Wing Chun!

In the end, Vilanova suppressed his anger, gritted his teeth, forced a smile, muttered a few perfunctory words to Gao Shen, and then turned and left.

For Gao Shen, this felt even better than scoring another goal.

It was not because he bore any grudge against Vilanova, but because he thrives on challenging strong opponents.

For him, the greatest joy of coaching today lies in meeting tough rivals.

He genuinely enjoys the sense of accomplishment from defeating strong opponents through hard work and effort.

Just like now.

Especially when he walked to the sideline to greet his Real Madrid players as they left the pitch and saw the pride, satisfaction, and joy on their faces, Gao Shen felt that everything he had done carried extraordinary meaning.

Professional football has never been just about winning matches or getting three points.

Football has long since carried a higher meaning.

(To be continued.)