home

search

Chapter 81: What Do I Need This Face For?

  (4/6)

  Maer United in the 1995-1996 season marked the beginning of a legend, but it was also a cssic tale of highs and lows.

  Through their deep narratives, figures like Lucas and Bueura veyed the myriad challenges Ferguson and his Maer United overcame during that period, particurly iurning Newcastle.

  The world often remembers only the outes, rarely delving into the legendary process.

  The misinformation about overing a twelve-point deficit was widely circuted.

  As practitioners of football, both Lucas and Bueura knew how daunting, if not nearly impossible, it would be to replicate Ferguson and Maer United's feats.

  They suddenly realized that Gao Shen had been quietly doing his homework.

  "We ese have a saying: 'When you've traveled y miles, you're only halfway there.' Gao Shen looked at his twht-hand men and tinued, "It means that reag the st ten kilometers is harder than the first y."

  After a pause, Gao Shen admonished, "Our current situation is simir. It seems we're close to Bara, just two points behind, but any slip-up, any pse in vigince, and it could all unravel."

  This is the reality fag Real Madrid, the pursuer, and Bara, the leader.

  The difference lies in Bara's stronger overall strength and higher margin for error.

  "Uood," Bueura nodded solemnly. "I'll focus on the pyers' training status. Additionally, I'll pay close attention to their emotional and psychological adjustments."

  Gao Shen nodded. "Real Madrid isn't Maer United, and I'm not Ferguson. None of us guarahat, if we face a setback like Maer United did, we'll bounce back the way they did."

  As he cluded, Gao Shen emphatically tapped his right index finger in front of Bueura and Lucas.

  How resilient must oo rise again after such a devastating fall?

  Gao Shen recalled a former cssmate who chose to retake the college entrance exam after initially failing. Initially fident that ara year of study would lead to better results, he ultimately succumbed to the pressure and failed again.

  In his career, Gao Shen had entered successful businessmen arepreneurs who, in their moments of triumph, exuded fidend sometimes arrogance, oblivious to the challehey once faced.

  "People who have never fallen or fallen hard often don't uand how arduous the climb back up be!"

  Real Madrid, fragile at the moment, might seem under trol now, but only if they tinue winning. A signifit loss, however, could dash all hopes once more, leaving Gao Shen in a situation worse than Luxemb's.

  That's the truth.

  Ultimately, Maer United was Ferguson's team, whereas Real Madrid cks such seasoned resilience.

  "I pn to speak with Beckham soon. He experienced Maer United's eback firsthand. I hope he share his insights with us."

  This idea struck Gao Shen after studying Ferguson's tactics the previous night.

  Ferguson approached coag from a head coach's perspective; Gao Shen sought insights into pyer dynamid locker room morale.

  "Before that, our coag staff must be fully prepared psychologically. Each uping match will only get tougher!"

  Both Lucas and Bueura nodded in agreement.

  Especially Bueura, who seemed reinvigorated by the profound insights gained since joining forces with Gao Shen.

  Meanwhile, far from Madrid, in Turin, Italy, at Juventus' training base, Capello and his assistants analyzed the ret "tury derby."

  Prior to the mato one expected Real Madrid to defeat Bara 1-0 away and narrow the points gap successfully.

  Eveimistically ined Capello had not foreseen su oute.

  "Ronaldo," Capello pondered over the hat surprised him.

  Before the game, no oicipated Gao Shen would deploy Ronaldo, especially as a substitute.

  "Irospect, I suspect Gao Shen's decision was based on various siderations. Ronaldo's fitness may not have sustained a full match, especially with the required running and pressing," specuted assistant coach Italo Gabbiati, delving into the matter.

  "Since Ronaldo couldn't mahe full game, Gao Shen opted to use o exhaust Bara's defense. Puyol was rec from injury, and Oleg ati were under tinuous pressure. It was nearly time to exploit Ronaldo's substitution advantage."

  Capello nodded, sharing the same view.

  "Beyond Ronaldo's goal, I find Gao Shen's timing of substitutions intriguing," tinued Gabbiati. "He waited, clearly anticipating Bara's move. Only when Rijkaard made a ge did he act."

  "Because Bara couldn't settle for a draw at Camp Nou!" Capello remarked.

  "Exactly. It was a face-off game," Gabbiati said, elig a chuckle from Capello.

  From this perspective, Gao Shen's approach seemed audacious indeed.

  "Why? No one say for sure if Gao Shen would have acted without Rijkaard's move, but from his prior as, he projected a steadfasto py through."

  It wasn't surprising that many had criticized him as overly cautious, servative, or even the worst coa Real Madrid's history.

  "It lightened his burden and allowed him to release," Gabbiati said with a ugh.

  However, Capello disagreed, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, Italo, even under pressure, I believe he would have acted boldly. He reminds me of myself." He chuckled again.

  "In fact, he truly uands the professional game of football."

  Fans have varied expectations—some desire offensive dispys, others crave tactical analysis, while some prefer stability, adventure, or fir.

  But for a head coach, success is measured solely by victories!

  "This is a high-risk profession. A head coach who fails to lead his team to victory will iably face dismissal."

  At a young age, Gao Shen already grasped these nuances, yet he cked the seasoned coag experience. His tactical yout and in-game decisions still needed refi.

  "I think he should e to Serie A for a few years to gain experiend refine his tactical a and strategies," Gabbiati suggested, surprised by Capello's profound insights.

  "How do you think he'll fare at the Bernabeu?" Gabbiati inquired.

  Capello reed in his chair, nearly tilting it back, with one leg casually resting on the desk.

  "That kid believes he's hiding his iions deep, but from his formations, in-game decisions, and every move, it's clear he's eager to seize trol. At Camp Nou, he couldn't wait to make a strategic substitution in respoo Rijkaard's."

  "He cimed to have identified our weaknesses, yet I've watched our st match five times and found nothing amiss. I'm curious—is he bluffing or has he truly dised something?"

  Capello was astute, knowing that even experts overlo mistakes when reviewing their work, much like students who miss obvious errors until the teacher hands back their papers.

  "Why? Do you think he'll take the initiative?" Gabbiati asked.

  Capello smiled and nodded. "Absolutely, ohousand pert. Rijkaard won't settle for a draw at Camp Nou, and this kid won't wara time against us at the Bernabeu, g the necessary leverage."

  "So, what's our pn?" Gabbiati queried.

  Capello grinned, "Tonight against Treviso, we'll field a reserve squad, recharge our batteries, and observe what tricks he has up his sleeve at the Bernabeu. I hope he won't disappoint me."

  Juventus currently held a fortable lead in Serie A, eight points ahead of A and thirteen points clear of Inter Miranda.

  Capello aimed not only for the Serie A title but also coveted the Champions League.

  "We must win against Real Madrid Wednesday!"

Recommended Popular Novels