"Ronnie, I trust you?"

  After the m recovery training, Gao Shen called Ronaldo to his office. The Brazilian sat down, and Gao Shen immediately asked the question.

  Ronaldo was surprised and looked up at Gao Shen, realizing the seriousness of the matter. This was no joke.

  "You said," Ronaldo replied, not answering directly. He didn't trust Gao Shen enough to it without knowing why. He feared betrayal from the ing young coach.

  "For this game against A, I he ter forward to suppress their tral defenders and work with the wings to press their bae, like Lyon and Inter Min, but mgressively. Do you uand?"

  Ronaldo pondered and nodded. Aggressive pressi more running, diligence, and harder work, ing signifit energy.

  Ronaldo wao win but wasn't fident in his body.

  "How far?" Ronaldo asked.

  "Go all out. If it goes well, the first half, maybe shorter."

  Ronaldo didn't ask what if it didn't go well. He k would be poio ask.

  "I 't pete for headers like Negredo. Whether it's a, Stam, Maldini, or Kadze, I 't win against them," Ronaldo said.

  Gao Shen nodded. "Uand, you don't o win headers, just limit their balls."

  "And... score a goal?"

  "Right."

  Gao Shen wanted Ronaldo to improve sg efficy, though it would weaken the frontcourt press since Ronaldo couldn't provide Negredo's pressure.

  "What did Lorenzo say?" Ronaldo asked, trusting Bueura.

  "He says your body is fi depends on the pyer."

  It was about the willio fight, to push to the limit without affeg the team's performance. But now, Gao Shen needed Ronaldo to give his all for forty-five minutes.

  Gao Shen asked because it couldn't be forced. If Ronaldo promised but couldn't deliver, it would backfire. Normally, Gao Shen would prioritize Negredo.

  Additionally, Ronaldo risked injury, and with the World Cup looming, an injury could make him miss it.

  But Gao Shen still asked because Ronaldo had expressed a desire to win the Champions League.

  Now, it was about how strong that desire was.

  ...

  Meanwhile, in Min, Ai received a detailed report on Real Madrid's game against Getafe. They had scouts following Real Madrid's games.

  "I think the young coach of Real Madrid is really iing," Ai said.

  Assistant coach Mauro Tassotti nodded. "At 25, it's not easy t Real Madrid to this level."

  The assistant coaches showed a small smile, knowing how far Real Madrid had e under Gao Shen. They were now on par with Bara, in the semi-finals of the Champions League, fag A.

  "Unfortunately, he still 't quer the picky Real Madrid," Ai ughed.

  Real Madrid President Martin hadn't itted to renewing Gao Shen's tract, indig he might miss out this summer unless he won La Liga and the Champions League.

  "But even then, he's not the favorite," Ai noted.

  Gao Shen was fighting for his career. Winning the La Liga and Champions League double could secure his future, but he was still the least optimistic among the semi-finalists.

  "He should find a team that trusts him, let him try his tactics, and prove himself," Ai reflected on Capello's advice to Gao Shen.

  "But which top league team would give him that ce?" Mauro Tasotti added.

  Ai nodded, uanding the dilemma. Fighting fires mid-season and managing a full season were different. Gao Shen o prove himself over a full season.

  "It's too soon for such a young coach," Ai said.

  "But I'm sure he will try to attack us at the Bernabeu. He wants to win."

  Ai smirked. "Prepare the team to focus on defending the sed ball. Negredo is a threat, and if Raul and Zidahe sed ball, they're dangerous."

  Mauro Tasotti down.

  ...

  The Champions League semi-final roag, with Real Madrid and A both winning their ret matches. Real Madrid remained surprisingly calm, with closed training and no media noise.

  Was Real Madrid unsure of this semi-final?

  The day before the game, the teams annouheir 18-pyer rosters without surprises.

  Gao Shen didn't attend the pre-match press ference, letting Maqueda ha. The media made a fuss but were used to it.

  Ai predicted the game before leading the team to Madrid, stating A would aim for an away goal at the Bernabeu.

  "We know what tactics they'll use, but we're fident they won't succeed," Ai said.

  He respected Real Madrid but believed the team was no lo its peak. He wouldn't be servative but would actively seek away goals.

  "We want t goals from the Bernabeu," Ai decred.

  Regarding Gao Shen, Ai aowledged the surprise of his success at such a young age.

  "To be ho, I really like Gao Shen's football cept. He's not servative, but he still ime to polish his team. Unfortunately, he cks time now."

  Ai's implication was clear: he was sure to win at the Bernabeu.