October 14, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid.
In the third round of the Champions League Group D, Real Madrid faced Manchester City at home.
In the 7th minute of the game, Manchester City center-back David Luiz made a long pass to the front to find Suarez.
The Uruguayan striker, pushed from behind by Pepe, could not control the ball and pushed it too far.
Toni Kroos, tracking back, reached the ball first and sent a diagonal pass to Di Maria, who was in space on the right side. The Argentine winger controlled the ball, cut inside, and then made a diagonal pass with his left foot, sending the ball straight to the left edge of Manchester City's penalty area.
Ronaldo got to the ball first, drove into the penalty area, and faced Kompany one-on-one.
The Manchester City captain kept retreating, but Ronaldo, with skill and boldness, beat Kompany.
The Portuguese drove into the box and feinted repeatedly, forcing Kompany off balance. Then he suddenly pulled the ball back onto his right foot and unleashed a powerful shot.
The entire process, from controlling the ball to striking it, happened in an instant. Although Manchester City goalkeeper Neuer made a save, he still failed to keep the ball out of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
The Portuguese superstar turned and sprinted away to celebrate.
1-0!
The entire Bernabéu erupted into deafening cheers.
This is the power of a superstar!
They can stay calm and take their chances at decisive moments when opportunities appear.
…
On the touchline, Gao Shen secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Real Madrid was taking a big risk tonight.
Goalkeeper: Casillas.
Defense: Marcos Alonso, Pepe, Varane, and Ramos.
Midfield: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín, and Di Maria.
Marcelo had undergone surgery, which went smoothly, but he will be out for at least three months.
Arbeloa is also injured and will miss at least three weeks.
Benzema's injury is not serious, but he also needs to rest and is only on the bench tonight.
With so many injuries, even a careful arrangement of players has been severely affected.
He didn't even dare to start Carvajal on the right, because he couldn't imagine the outcome if Carvajal had to face Gareth Bale directly.
The reason for choosing Casemiro in midfield is because the Brazilian has performed well in training. He has strong defensive ability and great physical fitness, exactly what Gao Shen needs.
Especially since Manchester City are using Yaya Toure and David Silva today.
Xabi Alonso cannot handle Yaya Toure.
With so many injuries, Gao Shen has no choice but to take a risk, so he brought out his best plan and started with an all-out attack from the first whistle, forcing Manchester City into a very uncomfortable situation.
And just now, after only seven minutes, Ronaldo has already scored.
This was Real Madrid's third shot of the game.
"Hey."
Gao Shen walked to the sideline and called out to the players who were celebrating.
"Stay alert, one goal is not enough. Push forward and try to score another. Understand?"
"Ronnie, calm down, play steady."
"Pay attention to protecting the midfield, and stay organized when pressing. Don't get messy!"
Gao Shen kept directing the team from the sidelines.
The Real Madrid fans in the stands shouted with excitement because of the goal.
Who would have thought that before the game, when Real Madrid was written off by countless people due to a long injury list, they would be the first to score?
Gao Shen's deployment is always unexpected. He knows Manchester City inside out, and he knows how to hit them.
…
The game restarted.
Real Madrid continued their attacking pressure on Manchester City and even increased the intensity of their pressing in midfield and up front.
Just two minutes later, Ronaldo got another chance.
Higuaín passed from the middle, Ronaldo took the ball on the left, dribbled past Kompany again, and shot with his left foot.
But this time, Neuer made a superb save.
If that wasn't a good chance, then just after, in the 13th minute, Di Maria retreated into space in the middle, received a pass from Modric, turned and sent a ball behind with his heel.
Ramos surged up from the right, controlled the ball, entered the penalty area, but his shot was awful.
The best chance came in the 17th minute.
It was Di Maria again, retreating to midfield and delivering a direct pass. Higuaín beat the offside trap, one-on-one, but was intimidated by Neuer, who came off his line, and his touch went straight to the German keeper.
Neuer was ruthless, charging to the penalty spot to snatch the ball.
On the sideline, Gao Shen held his head with both hands, his expression pained.
That was a one-on-one!
"Damn it!"
Gao Shen turned back to the coaching bench, looking extremely dejected.
Not just him, but Carlo, Zidane, Hierro and the others all looked the same.
"If we had just taken one of those chances, it would be 2-0!" Gao Shen said bitterly.
He knew very well that he couldn't fully blame the players because Manchester City's players are simply too strong.
Gao Shen knows this better than anyone. These Manchester City players were all developed under his coaching, and he knows their abilities inside out.
In such a strong match-up, for this injury-hit Real Madrid to press Manchester City like this is already remarkable. The players are giving everything.
But it is not enough!
"If Manchester City find their rhythm and settle, we're finished!" Gao Shen knows Manchester City far too well.
This is a very mature and solid team.
Look at them now. Even under heavy pressure and a goal down, are they panicking? Are they flustered?
As Champions League title holders, the mentality of Manchester City's players is completely different.
How to describe it?
They now have a kind of calmness, a detached composure, like masters who are above the fray.
This is the temperament of a strong team.
"You can't keep pressing like this," Carlo reminded from the side.
It has been 20 minutes.
If they continue to play at this intensity, Manchester City will seize an opportunity to counterattack and Real Madrid's lead will disappear.
Of course Gao Shen knows this.
But he refused to back down.
If the squad was complete, he would have the confidence to fight Manchester City toe to toe, but now…
In the 23rd minute, Higuaín held the ball in the front, laid it off, and Ronaldo's shot from the edge of the box was blocked. Toni Kroos followed up with a long-range shot, but Neuer pushed it over the bar.
Corner kick.
Real Madrid's corner failed to create danger, as Javi Martinez headed the ball clear.
Gao Shen knew he had to change his approach.
…
From the 25th minute, Real Madrid gradually slowed the pace and focused on defense.
At this time, the Galácticos were leading 1-0.
Relying on their overall strength, Manchester City gradually took control of the game and began to organize wave after wave of attacks.
The attacking trident of Bale, Suarez, and Robben began to exert their power. With Yaya Toure and David Silva controlling midfield, Manchester City attacked aggressively.
Gao Shen had already arranged for this. Yaya Toure was marked by Casemiro, while Toni Kroos and Modric formed a defensive wall in midfield.
In the 31st minute, Kompany launched an attack. Yaya Toure quickly passed the ball to the left.
Gareth Bale accelerated straight into the left side of Real Madrid's penalty area and fired a left-foot shot, which was saved by Casillas.
This attack made everyone in Real Madrid break out in a cold sweat.
Casillas lost his starting position in La Liga earlier this season, but he has performed very well in national team and cup games.
Manchester City kept up their attack, launching a fierce siege on Real Madrid.
But in the first half, Real Madrid successfully held on to the 1-0 lead.
After the break, Real Madrid once again launched an aggressive attack. But this time Manchester City were ready. The effect was far less than at the start, and they still could not break Neuer's goal.
Instead, in the 66th minute, David Silva switched the play to the right during a counterattack. Robben received the ball, shook off Marcos Alonso, cut inside, and sent a through ball behind.
Suarez ran through the gap between Pepe and Varane, beat the offside trap, entered the penalty area, and calmly scored to equalize for Manchester City.
1-1.
In the 71st minute, Bale sent a diagonal pass from the left. Varane failed to intercept. Suarez dribbled into the box, was closely marked by Pepe, suddenly stopped, and passed the ball to the right.
Robben cut into the box at high speed from the right and shot with his left foot, easily beating Casillas.
2-1!
Manchester City turned it around!
…
As Robben scored, Gao Shen closed his eyes on the touchline.
He had been ready for such a result.
In fact, he was not worried about losing, because he coached both teams.
Gao Shen versus Gao Shen, what else can be said?
Besides, Real Madrid are full of injuries now.
The key issue is, what should Real Madrid do?
Gao Shen quickly opened his eyes again. He already had the answer.
Real Madrid cannot lose this game!
No matter what, they have to fight to the end!
Otherwise, how can they play the remaining three matches?
Would that mean that after Gao Shen took over, Real Madrid would once again be eliminated in the group stage?
"Karim, warm up!"
Gao Shen turned around and shouted to Benzema on the bench.
Benzema, unable to stay seated any longer, immediately ran to the sideline. After a few sprints back and forth, he came back ready.
Soon, Gao Shen made a substitution, replacing Varane with Benzema.
Varane had been involved in both conceded goals, but Casemiro had been much better in midfield.
Of course, Gao Shen understands that Varane is young, and facing a strong striker like Suarez is a huge test. It is unrealistic to expect him to make zero mistakes.
But now, Real Madrid has to attack!
After the substitution, Real Madrid switched to a 3-4-3 formation.
Marcos Alonso was pushed up into midfield, playing as a left winger, while Pepe, Casemiro, and Ramos formed a back three.
Everyone could see that Gao Shen was ready to fight to the death!
The Bernabéu fans were excited!
The real Real Madrid will not be afraid of any difficulties or obstacles, will not be afraid of any strong enemy, and will only become stronger when facing stronger opponents!
Manchester City may be the strongest team in world football today, but here at the Bernabéu, there is nothing more to say.
Go for it!
(To be continued.)
***
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