Capítulo 116: No One Can Stop Us!
On the evening of May 3rd, at the Sardinero Stadium.
In the thirty-sixth round of La Liga, Real Madrid played away to Santander.
Gao Shen was always standing in front of the visiting team's coach, enduring the roaring tsunami of sound from the home team fans in the stands.
The sound created by more than 20,000 people was still very shocking.
But this was far less attractive than the attacking storm that Real Madrid unleashed from the beginning.
Gao Shen still used the 4-2-3-1 formation that Real Madrid was most familiar with, but the starting lineup had been adjusted.
The goalkeeper was Casillas, the defense was Felipe, Woodgate, Ramos, and Cicinho, the double midfielders were a combination of Pablo Garcia and Baptista, and the attacking trio in front were Robinho, Guti, and Beckham, with Negredo as the single striker.
Zidane, Raul, and Ronaldo were once again placed on the bench by Gao Shen, and they did not even make it into the squad.
This was mainly because Buenaventura had to adjust the physical fitness and state of every player to prepare for the Champions League final.
...
At the beginning of the game, Real Madrid took the initiative to press, press, and oppress from a high position, mainly counter-attacking, and suppressed Santander.
But it was Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo who took the lead in scoring the first shot of the game for Sporting Santander.
Gao Shen had an impression of this player. He had good strength and was both offensive and defensive, but his long-range shot failed to threaten Real Madrid's goal.
After that, Pablo Garcia responded with a long shot from the outside of the penalty area.
Guti and Robinho both took shots one after another, but failed to score.
With the deepening of the game, Real Madrid's advantage on the court became more and more obvious, the ball possession rate kept rising, and opportunities were frequently created, with the goal getting closer and closer.
In the 26th minute, Robinho dribbled the ball from the left to force a breakthrough, created a foul, and won a free kick from the left of the front court for Real Madrid. Beckham took the penalty and sent it accurately into the penalty area.
The last round of red cards was suspended, and Ramos, who was carrying a heavy burden, jumped high and opened the scoring for Real Madrid, 1-0!
Just six minutes later, Beckham made another quick pass from the right. Negredo threw off the defender and headed the goal, giving Real Madrid another victory, 2-0!
After scoring two goals in a row, Real Madrid played more relaxedly, and Santander did not dare to rashly press the attack.
The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for Real Madrid.
What really excited Gao Shen was the game process.
Real Madrid's passing success rate reached 87%, the highest since he took over, and the ball possession rate also reached an astonishing 72%. The team created 11 shots in the first half and scored two goals.
Perhaps simply looking at the data is a bit vague, but what reflects behind the data is that the Real Madrid players' understanding of the advanced tactical system is obviously more thorough and the execution is more in place.
It's a completely different situation than when he first took over the team.
It can also be seen from this point how difficult it is to train and run a team.
It has been more than two months since Gao Shen coached Real Madrid, and this has barely made the players familiar and adaptable, and he has gone through so many hard battles.
...
After changing sides in the second half, Real Madrid continued to maintain the pressure on Santander.
In the 60th minute, Felipe quickly plugged in on the left, broke into the left rib of the penalty area, kicked the goal, and was saved by the goalkeeper. Negredo followed and grabbed the ball, turned to protect the ball, and passed it back to the point near the penalty spot. Guti quickly followed and pushed the empty goal.
Three to zero!
Leading by three goals, Real Madrid basically sealed the victory.
Gao Shen quickly made adjustments.
Juan Mata came off the bench again, replacing Guti as the team's attacking midfielder.
But no one thought that after this substitution, Mata once again showed an amazing performance.
He pulled straight to the left, cooperated with Felipe and Robinho, and passed the ball after forcing a breakthrough on the left. Robinho ran to the left of the front of the penalty area and received a cross from Mata. The kicker volleyed and once again pierced the goal of Santander.
4-0!
Gao Shen didn't expect that there was an unexpected surprise, and he laughed out loud with joy.
He originally played in a semi-main lineup, thinking about training young players while securing victory. Unexpectedly, there would be such a surprise.
He quickly made a second substitution, replacing Negredo with teenager Daniel Parejo.
After the substitution, Robinho was the striker, Juan Mata was on the left, and Parejo was the midfielder.
Then, Gao Shen replaced Beckham with Callejon.
After several adjustments, Real Madrid's frontcourt was dominated by young players.
Maybe the young players were eager to express themselves, or maybe Santander's morale had dropped after conceding four goals in a row. It was more likely that Real Madrid players were more relaxed. Anyway, on the court, Real Madrid still stabilized Santander, constantly creating opportunities and kicking out a very exciting attacking storm.
It could be seen that these players were working hard and giving their best. After losing the ball, they counterattacked as soon as possible. After getting the ball, they all rushed forward, appearing very energetic.
What's more, they were all super strong.
Even Parejo, who played for the first time, got rid of the ball in the middle, and even passed two opponents and sent a good pass to left-leaning Mata, but unfortunately, Mata failed to score.
Gao Shen was overjoyed to watch from the sidelines.
He really did not expect that this group of young boys would bring him such a surprise.
But again, it was not surprising.
Although they were young, each of these players would be famous European players in the future, and even the core of a strong team. All of them were of outstanding strength. Once they were given a chance, they would shine immediately.
In the deepest memory, this group of young players had not appeared so early, but now, everything had been changed by him.
This was something to be proud of.
Because everyone would remember that when Gao Shen coached Real Madrid, he discovered these players and gave them a chance to emerge.
Gao Shen was even thinking that, if things go on like this, when it comes to digging out young players in the future, I am afraid that there will be nothing to do with Wenger.
...
Real Madrid finally beat Santander 4-0 at the Sardinero Stadium.
This was the most hearty victory since Gao Shen took charge of Real Madrid.
The ball possession rate reached 73%, and he took 23 kicks and scored four goals.
Whether it was the process of the game or the final result, it was the most satisfying battle since Gao Shen took charge. Regardless of the strength of the opponent, it was even more exciting than the one against AC Milan.
At the post-match press conference, Gao Shen once again challenged Barcelona.
In this round, Real Madrid played first, and Barcelona played a day later.
Gao Shen said at the post-match press conference that Real Madrid had proved to everyone its determination and fighting spirit through wonderful offensive football. He firmly believed that Real Madrid's players would win the remaining two rounds.
"In the last round, Barcelona played a day earlier than us, this round is a day later than us, they have more time to prepare, but I still want to remind our opponents that Vigo Celta is not easy to play at all."
...
I don't know whether it was the deep psychological warfare that played a role, or whether there was a problem with Barcelona itself. In the away game against Celta Vigo, Rijkaard's team was unable to score a goal for a long time.
Whether it was overall strength or on the scene, Barcelona had the advantage, but they just failed to break Vigo Celta's goal.
Even Ronaldinho, this game was surrounded by Vigo Celta and failed to perform.
Until the 75th minute, Eto'o took the ball and sent a good pass in the frontcourt. Then Iniesta, who ran out of the gap, volleyed with his left foot and hit the inside of the left column, bouncing into Vigo Celta's goal.
One to zero!
Subsequently, Rijkaard immediately replaced Ronaldinho with Edmilson, and then replaced Van Bommel with Xavi.
In the end, Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 1-0 away with Iniesta's goal.
...
The game was a bit of a surprise, but Barcelona's 1-0 win was somewhat overshadowed by Real Madrid's 4-0 victory. What's more gratifying is that Xavi came off the bench again.
He played off the bench for two consecutive games, and the playing time was extended from the previous ten minutes to half an hour, which was obviously in preparation for the upcoming Champions League final.
More importantly, defenders such as Marcos and Edmilson have already come back one after another. Today's Barcelona is strong and strong, only missing Messi.
At the post-match press conference, Rijkaard congratulated Real Madrid for their big victory, but also believed that Barcelona could have produced a big victory.
"But our opponents are more tenacious."
For Xavi, Rijkaard expressed satisfaction, whether it was the performance after the comeback or the recovery situation.
"He is a very promising player. I believe he will be of great help to the team. His timely comeback is the greatest help for us."
Another seriously injured player, Messi, has also started training with the team. Reports suggest that Messi is likely to return before the Champions League final. However, Rijkaard stated that he has not yet received an official report from the team doctor.
"I can't give an accurate statement yet, but whether it's me, the players in the team, or even all the fans of Barcelona, they are all looking forward to Leo's return. He will make our front line more offensively potent."
Regarding Messi's potential participation in the Champions League final, Rijkaard remained cautious.
"I can't tell; it depends on Messi's recovery."
Nevertheless, Rijkaard emphasized that if Messi can make it to the Champions League final, it will be a significant boost for Barcelona.
He attributed the team's recent loss of points to numerous injuries and a grueling schedule.
Now, with Real Madrid facing a tougher schedule and Barcelona's injured players returning, Rijkaard is brimming with confidence.
"We will not lose. Whether it is La Liga or the Champions League, we will not give our opponents any chance!"
"This season, we are going to win the double, and no one can stop us!"
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