Chapter 38 PART 1
When the referee Alfonso blew the final whistle, the entire Atlético Madrid contingent waiting on the sidelines stormed onto the pitch in a frenzy of celebration. Even Juanma Lillo stood on the sideline, cheering non-stop.
At the end of this round, Atlético had overtaken Real Madrid by a single point to claim the top spot in La Liga standings.
Although one match remained in the league, everyone knew that the title was now firmly in Atlético's hands.
The 58,000 fans inside the stadium erupted into wild cheers and celebrations.
Everyone except Yang Hao.
He stood quietly by the sideline, watching the jubilant scenes around him. He walked over to shake Vicente del Bosque's hand before heading back to the empty home team dugout and sitting down.
Was he happy? Yes.
Excited? Absolutely.
Thrilled? Very much so.
But at this moment, he felt an unusual calmness and clarity.
This was the first time he had managed a season-long campaign of this magnitude. From the moment Real Madrid signed Ronaldo and Vieira in early July, Yang Hao knew that this season's Real Madrid would be formidable.
Some people might wonder—how could a team with so many superstars not implode from infighting?
This was where Del Bosque's exceptional dressing room management came into play.
But there was another detail, often overlooked: their ambition.
Ronaldo wanted a league title and the Champions League. Zidane wanted the Champions League. Vieira, Figo, and even Makélélé—all of them craved European glory.
These superstars came to Real Madrid for one reason: to achieve the ultimate goal of a treble.
Under this shared objective, Ronaldo and Raúl could coexist peacefully. Vieira could work tirelessly in midfield. Zidane and Figo could adjust their roles for the sake of the team.
All for the championship.
Yang Hao understood this well, but he was also acutely aware of Real Madrid's inherent vulnerabilities.
It was like a massive wooden barrel. The flaws, hidden cracks, and mounting pressure represented the water inside the barrel. As the season progressed, as the schedule became more intense, especially during the high-pressure final stretch, the water level rose, increasing the strain on the barrel.
What seemed unbreakable at first began to reveal leaks, and eventually, it buckled under the weight.
Tonight's Madrid Derby was akin to placing a heavy stone atop the barrel, intensifying the pressure until it gave way entirely.
Everything had unfolded almost exactly as Yang Hao had envisioned last year.
But the journey had not been without challenges, and Yang Hao had endured immense pressure along the way.
So now, as the result was finally in his favor, he didn't share the same ecstatic joy as those around him.
Sitting in the dugout, he felt neither elated nor sorrowful, but his eyes brimmed with emotion.
He couldn't quite describe his feelings at that moment. He had won, and he was happy. But at the same time, it felt as though he had lost something important, dampening his joy.
It was a conflicting and complicated state of mind.
Back in the locker room, Yang Hao packed his belongings and turned on his phone. The first thing he saw was a message from Héctor Cúper.
The Argentine coach had sent only two words: "Thank you."
Seriously? After all this effort to take down Real Madrid, and you give me just two words?
Yang Hao cursed inwardly, then received a call from Luis Aragonés.
The veteran coach had clearly watched the game and showered Yang Hao with praise, commending Atlético's performance and Yang Hao's tactical decisions.
"To be honest, you've finally vindicated yourself. After being overshadowed for so long, you've turned the tables," Aragonés said with a laugh.
He understood Yang Hao's mindset well.
Competing with a team like Real Madrid over a single match meant little in the grand scheme. Their superstar lineup was simply too overwhelming.
But Yang Hao had forced Real Madrid to expose their flaws over a grueling season.
Only a resilient team like Atlético could have endured such a campaign. Any other team might have crumbled midway.
Imagine if Atlético had faltered earlier—would Real Madrid's issues even matter? They would have secured the title comfortably, dominating all three competitions with ease.
"That's not very fair of you, Luis," Yang Hao replied, feigning indignation. "We fought tooth and nail for this win, and you're telling me you didn't benefit from it?"
Aragonés burst into laughter on the other end of the line.
It was evident to everyone that Real Madrid's morale had taken a severe hit.
Crucially, there were only three days between this La Liga round and the Copa del Rey final, leaving Real Madrid little time to recover.
Throughout football history, teams competing on multiple fronts often fell apart after consecutive setbacks during a congested schedule.
Take Arsenal, for example. The Gunners had infamously collapsed across four competitions in just one month.
The logic was clear: Atlético's victory tonight was the first domino to fall, setting off a chain reaction.
Aragonés and Cúper were undoubtedly delighted.
"Alright, I won't keep you. You've got one more match against Real Sociedad. Be careful," Aragonés warned.
Atlético now led Real Madrid by one point, but the league still had one final round to play.
Real Sociedad had performed admirably this season, at one point closely trailing the Madrid giants. Although they eventually slipped down the standings, they still managed to finish fourth.
Celta Vigo and Valencia occupied fifth and sixth places, while Barcelona, despite improving late in the season, sat eighth—a disastrous campaign by their standards.
"Don't worry about us. Focus on your own game," Yang Hao quipped before adding a playful jab. "If you can't beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, I don't know how you'll show your face afterward."
Aragonés chuckled. He was confident, but football is unpredictable.
Real Mallorca, currently ninth in La Liga, were a formidable team, and Aragonés was a skilled tactician. With Real Madrid struggling for form and morale, an upset wasn't out of the question.
After ending the call, Yang Hao's mind turned to another concern.
Would Real Madrid resort to their old tricks and offer Real Sociedad a massive bonus ahead of the final round?
Just like last season when Real Madrid "encouraged" Deportivo La Coruña to take down Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals, such a move was entirely possible.
In the final round, Real Madrid would host Athletic Bilbao, while Atlético would visit Real Sociedad. If Atlético were to lose that final away match, it would turn into a cruel cosmic joke.
Yang Hao quickly composed himself, exhaling deeply.
Whatever their opponent did, however they did it, Atlético had only one path: to defeat Real Sociedad.
In the Madrid Derby, Atlético's 3–0 victory over Real Madrid swept away the heavy clouds that had been looming for months.
The media swiftly published their analyses and reports on the match.
As Real Madrid's mouthpiece, AS was the first to turn its criticism toward Vicente del Bosque. The paper attributed the loss in this crucial showdown to the coach's poor tactical decisions.
"His ineptitude is costing Real Madrid dearly, just like it did during last season's centenary celebrations," AS's editor-in-chief, Alfredo, wrote in a column. He argued that del Bosque was no longer suitable to lead the team. "He lacks the authority and vision to manage this group of superstars and has failed to deliver performances and results worthy of Real Madrid's squad."
As a staunch Madridista, Alfredo emphasized that in Real Madrid's value system, championships equal justice.
Del Bosque's repeated failures to seize crucial titles, often ceding them to Atlético, were absolutely unacceptable.
Meanwhile, AS also reported on an interview with Florentino Pérez.
The Real Madrid president reiterated his confidence in del Bosque, expressing his belief that the coach could still lead the team forward.
"I don't think losing the derby is the end of the world. We still have the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and one more round of La Liga to play," Pérez said.
"This game was just a minor setback—a little joke played on us by fate," he added.
Pérez declared that if Real Madrid could win the final league match, wait for Atlético to falter, and secure the Copa del Rey and Champions League titles, the season would still be considered a success.
While AS maintained its pro-Real Madrid stance, Marca took a more neutral approach.
In its post-match commentary, Marca stated that Atlético had seized a commanding advantage in the race for the La Liga title. It noted that in the final round, where Atlético would face Real Sociedad, "Yang Hao will not let the championship slip through his fingers."
Marca regarded this potential title as a monumental affirmation of Yang Hao's coaching prowess.
Last summer, Atlético had sold six key players, made minimal expenditures on new signings, and instead promoted several players from their youth ranks.
As a result, many pre-season predictions had dismissed Atlético's chances of competing for silverware.
In contrast, Real Madrid had splashed out to sign superstars Ronaldo and Vieira, assembling what many fans and media outlets described as the strongest lineup in the club's history.
Yet throughout the season, Atlético initially led the table before Real Madrid overtook them. However, the two Madrid clubs remained neck-and-neck in points.
"The clash at the Calderón wasn't just a battle for the La Liga title. It was a contest of ideologies, pitting the superstar strategy against team-oriented football," Marca wrote.
"And Yang Hao and his team secured a resounding 3–0 victory over Real Madrid."
The paper argued that blaming del Bosque entirely for the loss was unfair.
"In reality, during Atlético's counterattacks, Real Madrid's forwards—except for Raúl—often stayed upfield, showing little effort to track back."
"Players like Makélélé, Vieira, and Cannavaro have all previously mentioned the enormous defensive burden placed on them by this tactical setup."
"When Real Madrid's attacking superstars dominated and suppressed their opponents, the cracks in their system were less noticeable. But against Atlético, they hit a wall, and their flaws were laid bare."
Marca analyzed Atlético's defensive performance, praising players like Torres, Reyes, and Joaquín for their defensive contributions. Even offensive talents like Kaká actively participated in pressing and disrupting Real Madrid's play.
This collective effort gave Atlético remarkable cohesion from front to back.
The paper cited Yang Hao's earlier criticisms of Real Madrid, including remarks about the team's disconnect between attack and defense, as well as the vulnerabilities of their superstar strategy.
While these comments had subjected Yang Hao to widespread criticism at the time—many accused him of being jealous of Real Madrid's success—those criticisms now seemed prophetic.
"At this point, Yang Hao's assessments of Real Madrid have essentially all come true," Marca concluded.
It added that the massive scrutiny and backlash Yang Hao had endured had evaporated in the wake of Atlético's victory.
"Yang Hao has led Atlético Madrid to overtake Real Madrid and claim the top spot in La Liga!"
In addition to Marca, other Spanish media outlets, including El País, ABC, and even Catalonia-based newspapers like La Vanguardia, heaped praise on Yang Hao and Atlético. They hailed Yang Hao as the driving force behind Atlético's rise to the top of La Liga this season.
Across Europe, media coverage echoed similar sentiments. Many publications predicted that if Atlético could maintain their focus and defeat Real Sociedad—a team with little left to play for—winning the title would be a mere formality.
As for Real Madrid, their attention shifted to the Copa del Rey final after the humiliating loss at the Calderón.
However, numerous media outlets, fans, and even former Real Madrid legends issued warnings.
Real Mallorca, led by Luis Aragonés, was no pushover, and their tactical expertise in knockout competitions was well-known.
The real challenge for Real Madrid was how to recover from the crushing derby defeat and prepare for Mallorca within just three days.
Three days later, at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium in Elche, the Copa del Rey final kicked off between Real Madrid and Real Mallorca.
To show support for Real Madrid, King Juan Carlos attended the match in person.
The stadium, which normally seated 31,000, had been expanded to accommodate 40,000 fans for the occasion.
Luis Aragonés had invited Yang Hao to attend the match, but Yang politely declined.
He didn't want to make his intentions too obvious. Instead, he stayed at the training center in Majadahonda, watching the match with his coaching staff.
The game began with a golden opportunity for Real Madrid in just the third minute.
Zidane delivered a perfect through ball, setting Ronaldo up for a one-on-one with the Mallorca goalkeeper, Franco. In what seemed like a sure goal, Ronaldo's shot struck the keeper's legs.
Yang Hao shook his head as he watched the replay.
"Something's off," he concluded.
Given Ronaldo's quality, such chances were typically guaranteed goals—especially early in the match when his stamina was still high.
There could only be two explanations: either his form was poor, or his mentality was unsettled.
Or perhaps, it was both.
As the match progressed, Real Madrid's issues became increasingly glaring.
Aragonés shamelessly opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation, defending with everything they had. Up front, only Eto'o was left to spearhead the counterattack, supported by Ibagaza just behind him.
At the start of the match, when Ronaldo missed his one-on-one opportunity, it felt like Real Madrid still had their footing and could comfortably secure the win. But as the game unfolded, things took a shocking turn.
What was expected to be a show of dominance turned into an embarrassing display.
Real Madrid's only true threat in the first half was that initial chance!
Sure, Mallorca's defensive setup was solid, but was Real Madrid's attack really this ineffective?
In contrast, Mallorca's two defensive lines were well-organized, while Eto'o continuously used his speed and skill to create chances.
Eto'o alone forced three corner kicks against Real Madrid's defense.
One man, on his own, managing to earn three corners while fending off Real Madrid's backline—Eto'o's performance was a testament to his brilliance.
"No wonder they call him the Madrid Slayer," Yang Hao quipped.
"If this keeps up, by the second half, when their stamina dips, Real Madrid will be in even greater trouble," Juanma Lillo added.
Del Bosque made no changes to his lineup, sticking stubbornly to his superstar formation. It was likely a cautious move—he couldn't afford to risk upsetting the delicate balance of his team.
But such conservatism came at a price. The players had to endure tremendous pressure, especially after their crushing defeat to Atlético. Asking the same lineup to start again just three days later was a heavy burden.
"Word is, this decision came from the Real Madrid management. They're pinning their hopes entirely on the superstars," Parreirales said with a bitter smile.
Judging by the players' performance in this match, they were even worse than against Atlético.
Three days ago, they could still go toe-to-toe with Atlético and even dominate parts of the match.
But now? Against Mallorca's resolute defense, they looked utterly helpless.
When the second half kicked off, the situation remained unchanged.
Del Bosque substituted Makélélé for Morientes, just as he had done against Atlético. But this time, even the commentators couldn't hold back.
"Why is it always Makélélé?"
"Let's not forget, three days ago at the Calderón, without Makélélé, Vieira couldn't protect the backline on his own."
"Why not Ronaldo, who missed that one-on-one chance?"
"Why not Zidane? Or Figo?"
"What about Carlos, who has been ineffective on the left flank?"
Clearly, everyone saw where the problem lay.
Real Madrid's superstar strategy had trapped them in a dead-end. Even when Del Bosque made changes, he only dared to touch the least flashy and least influential player: Makélélé.
It was a sad state of affairs.
And unsurprisingly, the substitution yielded little improvement.
Morientes, who had been publicly shopped around by Florentino Pérez the previous summer, stayed at the club with bitterness and dissatisfaction. Now thrust into this situation, how could anyone expect him to perform well?
Then came the 74th minute.
Ibagaza drew Vieira's attention and passed the ball through midfield. Lluís Sastre delivered a precise through ball, allowing Eto'o to escape his marker. Near the edge of the penalty area, the African striker unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that soared into the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
"1–0!"
"Eto'o!"
"The Madrid Slayer strikes again!"
"Eto'o has been absolutely brilliant tonight. He always manages to rise above and deliver extraordinary performances against Real Madrid."
This goal pushed Real Madrid into a corner.
Del Bosque replaced Pavón with Guti to bolster the attack.
It was a desperate move.
Both on the pitch and through the broadcast, there was a growing sense of unease for Real Madrid. Even Yang Hao and his team, watching from afar, could see from the players' expressions and movements that their form and stamina were failing.
This was especially evident after the 70th minute.
But Eto'o's goal forced Real Madrid to push forward.
In the 84th minute, just 10 minutes after the first goal, Mallorca struck again.
Following a turnover, Mallorca launched a swift counterattack. Ibagaza passed to Eto'o, who single-handedly tore through two Real Madrid defenders. Near the penalty spot, he fired a shot into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
Casillas stood no chance.
"2–0!"
"It's over," Yang Hao muttered, shaking his head.
To him, the result was entirely predictable, expected, and not the least bit surprising.
Aragonés's strategy mirrored Yang Hao's season-long approach: don't fight Real Madrid head-to-head; outlast them.
Want to dominate the early stages? Fine, go ahead.
Even if Ronaldo had scored that one-on-one, Aragonés would have continued defending until the second half. He would wait until Real Madrid's players ran out of gas before seizing the game.
Aragonés didn't make a single substitution until the 87th minute.
His first substitution? Replacing Eto'o, who had scored twice, to shore up the defense.
This was Aragonés's game plan.
He had no surprises or aces up his sleeve. Mallorca's squad simply didn't have the depth for that.
He was upfront about it: head-to-head endurance.
"I feel like Real Madrid is becoming the team everyone can bully," Parreirales joked.
As a die-hard Atlético supporter, he reveled in Real Madrid's misery.
Yang Hao, once a Madridista in his past life, had long since shifted his loyalties. Now a shareholder and coach of Atlético, his allegiance was firmly with the red and white stripes.
He laughed along with the group.
But the idea of Real Madrid being easily bullied wasn't entirely realistic.
Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse.
"Still, this season might be an exception," Yang Hao chuckled.
Everyone burst out laughing.
One loss after another—Real Madrid was in for a rough time.
With their current morale and physical condition, even their upcoming home game against Athletic Bilbao looked far from certain.
If Yang Hao were writing a novel and included a storyline like this, readers would undoubtedly lash out, accusing him of intentionally disparaging Real Madrid.
But reality often proves to be far more absurd than fiction.
Looking back on Real Madrid's performance this season, it was only thanks to their superstars, their immense talent, and Del Bosque's ability to unify the team that they managed to reach the end of the campaign.
In his previous life, many had wondered why Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shocking collapse at the end of their season, going from a potential treble to becoming triple runners-up.
The answer could be found in this season's Real Madrid: they were essentially the superstar version of Leverkusen's infamous collapse.
Just as everyone predicted, the aftermath of the Copa del Rey final brought yet another wave of criticism and finger-pointing at Real Madrid.
As before, the media focused their ire on head coach Del Bosque, accusing him of being overly conservative and relying excessively on his superstars, which led to the team's consecutive failures.
While the superstars escaped the brunt of the criticism, they too were subjected to increasing scrutiny.
More and more media outlets and fans began to voice their concerns:
Could Real Madrid hold on in the decisive final matches of La Liga and the Champions League final against Inter Milan?
Many fans couldn't help but ask:
What happened to the unstoppable Real Madrid, who had seemed destined to claim the first treble in La Liga history?
The sudden collapse defied explanation.
In the end, many concluded that it was Del Bosque's lackluster leadership, especially his inability to handle critical moments, that led to Real Madrid's series of meltdowns.
Yet, even amidst the backlash, Florentino Pérez continued to stand by Del Bosque, expressing the board's confidence in the coach. He called on the team to regroup, take La Liga's final round, and secure victory in the Champions League.
This calm and composed stance earned praise from some fans, who appreciated the management's restraint during a time when the Champions League final loomed largest.
However, Yang Hao had gathered insider information through media channels suggesting that the narrative was being carefully controlled. Much of the media coverage avoided targeting the superstars. But with the team losing so frequently, someone had to shoulder the blame.
Thus, Del Bosque's rotation decisions and tactical missteps became the perfect scapegoat.
And Del Bosque himself? He said nothing in his defense.
The weekend arrived, marking the final round of La Liga.
As per tradition, all matches kicked off simultaneously.
Atlético Madrid traveled to face Real Sociedad.
After a week of rest and preparation, Yang Hao's team displayed unrelenting determination on the field.
Building on their stellar performance at the Calderón, Atlético knew that a win against Real Sociedad would secure the title.
From the first whistle, Atlético launched an aggressive offensive against Real Sociedad.
Their 4-3-3 formation, with Xabi Alonso, Baraja, and Deco controlling the midfield, ensured Atlético dominated possession and dictated the tempo.
Real Sociedad, however, proved no pushover. They defended resolutely and looked for counterattacking opportunities.
The first half was a grueling battle that ended 0–0.
But just six minutes into the second half, Torres latched onto a pass from Reyes to break the deadlock.
Eight minutes later, Torres returned the favor, setting up Reyes for a second goal.
2–0!
Finally, in the 76th minute, Deco delivered a pinpoint pass that allowed Joaquín to seal the victory with a third goal.
Atlético triumphed 3–0 against Real Sociedad, earning a decisive away win.
Yang Hao's team had delivered when it mattered most, securing the league title. The away fans erupted in euphoric celebration as Atlético crowned their brilliant season with the La Liga championship!
Meanwhile, at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Ronaldo gave Real Madrid an early lead with a ninth-minute goal, assisted by Roberto Carlos.
Athletic Bilbao's coach, Jupp Heynckes, quickly adjusted his team's tactics.
By the 36th minute, Athletic had equalized.
The two sides traded attacks, but the Basque Lions primarily stuck to a counterattacking strategy.
In the second half, Real Madrid continued to pile on the pressure, often pinning Athletic Bilbao deep into their own half.
Notably, Karanka—a center-back who left Real Madrid for Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer last summer—delivered an outstanding performance. This only added to the frustration of the Bernabéu faithful.
The fans shouted themselves hoarse, urging the players forward. Initially, the team managed to maintain some control.
But as the match wore on—especially after the 80th minute—Real Madrid's players began to falter.
Then, in the 82nd minute, Heynckes' team executed another lightning-fast counterattack, once again breaching Real Madrid's defense.
2–1! Athletic Bilbao had completed the comeback.
The Bernabéu erupted in chaos.
Real Madrid fans jeered relentlessly, directing their anger at both the players on the pitch and the coaching staff on the sidelines.
They couldn't comprehend how a team with such a lavish, star-studded lineup could collapse so dramatically.
It was one thing to lose to Atlético, but now they had fallen to teams like Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca.
What were they even doing?
Did these players deserve to wear the iconic white jersey?
"Get out!"
"Every single one of you who doesn't deserve this shirt, get out!"
"Del Bosque, resign! You must take responsibility for this disastrous collapse!"
The match ended amidst the fury of Real Madrid's supporters.
Athletic Bilbao's players quickly left the pitch, leaving behind Real Madrid's defeated superstars, Del Bosque, and the mess strewn across the stadium.
It was once said that Real Madrid fans were the most elegant in the world.
At the end of matches, it was said, you'd struggle to find even a single piece of litter at the Bernabéu because fans would dutifully clean up after themselves.
But anyone saying that clearly hadn't witnessed tonight.
The Bernabéu was a disaster zone, from the stands to the pitch, littered with trash thrown by furious fans.
They were utterly enraged.
They couldn't understand why the more superstars they had, the worse their results seemed to get.
The media's analysis made sense: Del Bosque was too soft.
He had already failed them during last season's centennial celebrations, losing one of the most important matches in the club's history.
And now?
After last year's La Liga title seemed to justify keeping him on, this season had ended in utter disaster.
The cost of keeping Del Bosque?
This unparalleled squad of superstars—what had he turned them into?
"Del Bosque, resign!"
"Del Bosque, get out!"
"Get out of the Bernabéu, Del Bosque!"
"You're not worthy of being Real Madrid's coach!"
The fans' anger was wholly directed at Del Bosque, standing in front of the home dugout.
But he said nothing. His face remained calm, serene, composed—and perhaps even... at peace with himself.
Silently, he bore the brunt of the blame, the scathing words, and the fury. He sent the players one by one into the players' tunnel.
Just as he was about to step into the tunnel himself, he suddenly paused.
Turning around, he took one last deep look at the stadium.
Over 70,000 Real Madrid fans were cursing him, shouting for his resignation, and their cries seemed as if they might drown him in an ocean of disdain.
Yet, he felt a deep longing for this stadium and everything that had happened here.
After a helpless sigh, Del Bosque decisively turned and walked into the players' tunnel.
Three Straight Losses
In just one week, Real Madrid lost two competitions and two titles.
A week ago, the Galácticos had been the center of attention in the football world—the envy of every fan, a club others could only dream of emulating.
Now, everything had completely evaporated.
They lost La Liga. They lost the Copa del Rey. Three consecutive defeats had crushed their morale and spirit.
Real Madrid fans were beginning to fear for the upcoming Champions League final.
Strangely enough, someone began circulating a compilation of Yang Hao's past comments about Real Madrid. Suddenly, everyone realized that every word Yang Hao had ever said hit directly at the heart of Real Madrid's weaknesses.
Real Madrid fans were afraid.
Meanwhile, non-Real Madrid fans began to see Yang Hao in a new light. More and more fans and media outlets began praising him, calling him incredibly prescient.
Yang Hao, however, had no time for the media storm outside.
With the conclusion of La Liga's 38th round, Atlético Madrid's season was over.
This season, Atlético claimed three trophies: the UEFA Super Cup, the Toyota Cup, and La Liga.
The players, along with the three trophies, paraded around Madrid, stopping at the Neptune Fountain to celebrate before returning to the Calderón Stadium.
The club organized a grand banquet to celebrate their La Liga triumph, inviting club legends, sponsors, players, coaches, staff, and their families to join in.
To wrestle the La Liga title away from a superstar-laden Real Madrid was no small feat—it was an achievement brimming with significance.
During his speech, Enrique Cerezo not only expressed gratitude to the players, coaches, and staff but also gave special thanks to Yang Hao.
The Atlético chairman said Yang Hao's persistence had brought the team the La Liga title and even more honors.
Meanwhile, in Majadahonda, Atlético's state-of-the-art training facility was already under construction.
In addition to training pitches and a modern training complex, there would be a dedicated stadium with stands for the reserves and youth teams.
"I've seen the designs—it's like a dream," Cerezo said.
Besides highlighting the first team's achievements, Cerezo also praised the consistent success of Atlético's reserves and youth teams over the past few years. Among them, the U16 team stood out.
How successful were they?
Successful enough to claim a youth treble!
When introducing the U16 team's accomplishments, Cerezo specifically thanked Yang Hao.
"Three years ago, when Yang Hao suggested overhauling our youth system, none of us understood why. We thought it was already perfect, already excellent."
"But now, looking back, we must admit that the transformation of our youth system has been extraordinary."
The room erupted into thunderous applause, all for Yang Hao.
Some players even let out loud cheers, chanting Yang Hao's name.
Yang Hao politely joined in the clapping, though he was inwardly delighted.
The U16 team's success was largely thanks to two players: Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.
This past season, Messi had played 33 matches for Atlético's U16s, scoring 46 goals. These included 10 braces, five hat-tricks, and two games with four goals.
The three titles were the domestic youth league, the youth cup, and the European U16 Youth Champions Cup.
For several seasons, Messi had been outstanding, as had Di María.
The talent of these two Argentine prodigies could no longer be contained.
Miguel Gil and Enrique Cerezo had tried several times to broach the subject of reclaiming full ownership of the two players. However, Yang Hao pretended not to notice, deliberately brushing off the matter.
What a delightful turn of events!
They had once shown little interest, but now they couldn't even hope to reach the same level.
Both Miguel Gil and Cerezo knew they had been in the wrong back then, so they didn't dare pressure Yang Hao now.
In their eyes, it was just a matter of spending a few more million euros in the future. As long as Messi and Di María remained with Atlético, that was all that mattered.
A Celebration and a Promise
After the banquet, national team players began preparing for the upcoming Confederations Cup.
Meanwhile, Yang Hao, along with his girlfriend Jessica Alba and players like Messi, Di María, Sergio Ramos, David Silva, and Luka Modrić, headed to Old Trafford in Manchester.
It was a promise he'd made to his players: if they performed well, he'd take them to watch the Champions League final.
Though Atlético hadn't reached the final themselves, securing tickets wasn't a problem for Yang Hao.
However, what Yang Hao didn't expect was that Héctor Cúper, sticking to his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation, would lead Inter Milan to victory.
Adriano scored twice—once in the first half and once in the second—securing a 2–0 win for Inter at Old Trafford.
Inter Milan had finally achieved their dream of winning the Champions League!
Adriano was once again named the final's best player.
Despite a promising start, Real Madrid's superstars ultimately delivered a deeply disappointing performance.
They were officially the "Triple Runners-Up."
Del Bosque's team became the first in European football history to earn this ignominious title.
"Boss, can I ask you a question?"
After watching the Champions League final at Old Trafford, Yang Hao took the group of young players to a high-end restaurant in Manchester for dinner. It had been recommended by Ferguson, and the food was excellent.
Lionel Messi voiced his curiosity.
"Go ahead," Yang Hao replied, ever eager to teach.
In his past life, when Yang Hao was writing novels, his readers often criticized him for over-explaining things. The most common complaint was: "I'm here for the story, not a lecture!"
Yang Hao had long reflected on this tendency of his. Why did he feel the need to explain so much?
He eventually realized it stemmed from a perfectionist streak, a Virgo trait. If he came across a comment asking, "What does this mean?" it would make him so uncomfortable that he'd feel compelled to provide all the details.
This compulsion made his writing overly explanatory, but thankfully, he was now a football manager, not an underappreciated novelist.
"Why did Real Madrid lose so badly?" Messi asked.
Sergio Ramos, Luka Modrić, David Silva, and the others all nodded in agreement.
Indeed, why?
With Real Madrid's lineup and strength, how could they lose so miserably?
Yet they did.
"I think football is a very democratic sport, but professional football is not."
"Look at the most famous players we know. They're all geniuses, the best of their generation—Pelé, Maradona, Di Stéfano, and so on."
"In my homeland, we have 1.4 billion people, and yet even our best players struggle to make it in the top four leagues. That's because those leagues bring together the best talent from around the world."
"For every player who makes it in professional football, there are countless others who fail. Even the ones playing for relegated teams are already geniuses compared to the average person."
"In short, to succeed in professional football, you need talent—there's no way around it."
Yang Hao's explanation was simple and grounded in common sense.
Take Messi, for instance. In Atlético's U16 team, he could lead the squad to victory with ease. But that was at the youth level; in professional football, it was a different story.
"I once read a book by an anthropologist who used his life's work to analyze football. He argued that football is the sport most akin to primitive hunting."
Yang Hao was referring to a book he had read in his past life called Why Football? by British anthropologist Desmond Morris. Morris, a director at the London Zoo's Mammal Pavilion and a prominent researcher, had written extensively on the relationship between humans and animals. His famous work, The Naked Ape, was a landmark in the field.
In Why Football? Morris explored the origins of sports and argued that primitive societies had no need for sports because hunting and survival provided all the physical activity people needed.
With the advent of agricultural civilizations, humans no longer needed to hunt as frequently. Instead, they began raising livestock. However, the urge to channel physical energy remained, leading to the birth of sports.
"Even today, Spain still has bullfighting," Yang Hao noted. "It's another way for humans to release their primal instincts."
Among all sports, Morris argued, football most closely mimics the process of hunting.
For example, archery and shooting simulate the final moments of a hunt—taking the shot. Sports like tennis, badminton, and table tennis involve prolonged exchanges of skill but lack teamwork, resembling lone hunters showing off their abilities.
Primitive hunting was a group activity involving the entire tribe.
Sports like racing, swimming, and running mimic the pursuit phase of hunting but lack the complexity of strategy.
Baseball has both teamwork and strategy, but players spend much of the game stationary, which is far removed from the dynamic nature of a hunt.
What about basketball?
Basketball includes nearly everything, doesn't it?
Morris acknowledged that basketball came close to simulating a hunt, but he believed it failed to fully release primal energy. In basketball, technique often trumps raw power, and emotional release is constrained.
The most thrilling moments in basketball? Dunks.
Dunks are the purest expression of raw, unrestrained power.
Sports like rugby, hockey, and ice hockey require too much specialized equipment, making them less accessible.
In the end, Morris concluded that football is the sport that most perfectly replicates the hunting process. It involves strategy, tracking, technique, and the primal satisfaction of scoring a goal.
Most importantly, football is accessible—any open space will do. If you don't have a ball, any kickable object will suffice, which is why the sport spread so rapidly worldwide.
And crucially, the ball stays low to the ground, mimicking the erratic movements of prey darting through the jungle.
"In that book, the author compared football clubs to tribes. Each tribe wears distinct colors, chants unique slogans, and sings its own songs."
"In primitive societies, hunting was not just a means of survival but also a way to train, bond, and unite the entire tribe."
"So, why did Real Madrid lose?"
"Because they didn't unite their tribe. They only united their superstars."
"Eleven superstars are formidable, but they faced teams like Atlético, Mallorca, and Inter Milan, who mobilized all 25 players in their squads."
Yang Hao's explanation left Messi, Modrić, David Silva, and even Ramos deep in thought. It was evident they had never considered football from such a perspective.
"What's the book called? Who wrote it?" Modrić asked, clearly intrigued.
Yang Hao's heart skipped a beat. Damn, had he gone too far with his explanation?
He wasn't even sure if Morris had published the book by 2003. For all he knew, even Morris himself hadn't yet come up with those ideas.
"I forgot the exact title. It was written by a scholar from Oxford, but it's more about anthropology and sociology than football."
"Boss, you didn't just make this up, did you?" Ramos joked casually.
"Don't be ridiculous. Do I look like someone that knowledgeable?" Yang Hao shot back, trying to stay humble.
He had no intention of passing himself off as a plagiarist, even though in his past life, he'd enjoyed reading works by so-called "literary plagiarists" in online fiction.
"To me, Boss, you're pretty scholarly," David Silva chimed in, slyly flattering Yang Hao.
This kid had potential.
But Ramos' casual remark planted a seed of doubt in the others.
They had genuinely never heard of football being analyzed through the lens of anthropology or sociology.
If Yang Hao had come up with all this on his own, then it was truly remarkable.
At the very least, they could easily derive one clear takeaway from his words: football is a team sport.
Just as in a hunt, even the most skilled hunter needs the support of their tribe to overcome fierce prey.
And Yang Hao wanted to use this opportunity to instill a key principle in his young players:
A team must rely on collective strength to win.
Even the most gifted talents need the support of their teammates.
Upon returning to Madrid from Manchester, Yang Hao received the news that Vicente del Bosque had been dismissed as Real Madrid's head coach.
He wasn't surprised; in fact, this outcome felt inevitable.
With such a star-studded lineup, Real Madrid had finished the season empty-handed, missing out on the treble and instead earning the unenviable title of "Triple Runner-Up." Someone had to take the fall for the fans' and media's outrage.
And the head coach is always the ideal scapegoat.
Yang Hao arranged for a car to take his young players home safely, putting Sergio Ramos in charge of their well-being.
"You guys head back first. I'm going to the Calderón."
He suspected that Miguel Gil and Enrique Cerezo would reach out to him soon.
"Got it, boss. See you later!"
Once he saw Ramos and the others off, Yang Hao hailed a cab and headed directly to the Calderón Stadium.
Oddly enough, he still hadn't developed the habit of driving himself.
Living so close to the club's training ground in Majadahonda, he rarely needed a car to get around.
As soon as he entered the city, his phone buzzed with a call from Miguel Gil.
Upon hearing that Yang Hao was on his way to the Calderón, Miguel Gil refrained from urging him to hurry. Instead, he shared another shocking piece of news: Real Madrid had announced that they would not be renewing Fernando Hierro's contract.
First Del Bosque, now Hierro—another seismic decision.
Many people underestimated Hierro's significance, not only to Real Madrid but also to Spanish football as a whole.
At 35, Hierro was undoubtedly nearing the twilight of his career. His departure had been anticipated for some time.
But the timing was suspicious.
The Champions League final had just ended, and Real Madrid quickly followed up by sacking their head coach and parting ways with their captain. It reeked of blame-shifting. Yang Hao didn't believe for a second that these moves hadn't been premeditated.
When Yang Hao arrived at the Calderón, he found Enrique Cerezo, Miguel Gil, and several department heads already gathered.
Miguel Gil informed him that neither Del Bosque nor Hierro had been informed in advance of these decisions.
In other words, both had been left in the dark while the club finalized its plans.
The media narrative now painted both men as the culprits behind Real Madrid's failures, leaving their reputations in tatters.
Indeed, becoming "Triple Runner-Up" was a disaster by Real Madrid's standards.
"Right now, the two most likely candidates for Real Madrid's next head coach are Portuguese," remarked Atlético executive Andrés Balasco. "Either 50-year-old Carlos Queiroz or Porto's José Mourinho."
"Mourinho?" Yang Hao asked, surprised.
"Yes," Balasco confirmed. "Last season, Mourinho led Porto to the Portuguese league title, the UEFA Cup, and the Portuguese Cup—a domestic treble. He's now one of the hottest names in European football. Many believe he has a bright future, especially since he previously worked under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona."
Yang Hao remembered Mourinho well, though he hadn't realized the Portuguese coach's star had already risen so high.
He had assumed Mourinho's meteoric rise began after his 2004 Champions League triumph with Porto.
Then again, the football world was a small circle, and winning a domestic treble was no small feat.
"Queiroz is currently the favorite," Balasco added. "He has more experience, and he's known for nurturing talents like Figo. He's also great at managing egos, which is crucial for Real Madrid."
"Then Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid must already be a done deal," remarked Carlos Leo, the club's marketing director, with a hint of excitement.
According to Leo, Beckham joining Real Madrid would benefit not just Los Blancos but the entire La Liga, including Atlético.
Queiroz had earned a stellar reputation as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United, where he spearheaded tactical reforms that shaped the club's future. It made perfect sense for Florentino Pérez to pursue him.
For Queiroz, the Real Madrid job was both a challenge and an opportunity.
If he succeeded, his name would be etched in football history. But failure would likely mean no future offers from top clubs.
In Yang Hao's past life, Queiroz had failed. But this time? Who could say?
"What's your take on this, Yang?" Miguel Gil asked.
Everyone turned to Yang Hao, their go-to problem solver in times of uncertainty.
"It doesn't matter if it's Queiroz or Ferguson himself," Yang Hao replied, as sharp as ever. "They'll still have to address Real Madrid's biggest issue: their superstars."
If word got out, critics would once again accuse Yang Hao of envying or resenting Real Madrid's galaxy of stars.
"Their current lineup is relatively balanced," he continued. "Casillas in goal, a backline of Roberto Carlos, Hierro, Cannavaro, and Salgado—that's a solid defense.
"In midfield, they've got Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, and Figo. Up front, they have Raul and Ronaldo.
"This lineup is already close to ideal. All Real Madrid really needs are some targeted reinforcements.
"If Hierro's aging, buy a world-class center-back. If Salgado isn't cutting it, bring in a stronger right-back. If they're unhappy with Morientes, sign a high-quality striker who's willing to sit on the bench.
"With their brand and resources, Real Madrid can easily pull this off.
"Hell, if they're still unsatisfied, they could sell Raul and sign Shevchenko or Henry instead. It's all doable."
The room nodded in agreement.
Selling Raul might seem extreme, but strategically, it made sense. If the new signing outperformed Raul, what was there to argue about?
"But now, Real Madrid is signing Beckham—that's the real issue!"
Many in Yang Hao's past life believed that Beckham's arrival marked the beginning of Real Madrid's downfall.
It was a turning point that shifted their Galáctico policy from structured success to chaotic failure.
Previously, the tension had been between stars and substitutes. But with Beckham's arrival?
Even the stars were now at odds.
Where would Beckham fit in?
With an attack already brimming with superstars, how could they rearrange their midfield?
"To be honest, I personally think signing Beckham isn't as good as signing Ronaldinho," Yang Hao remarked with a wry smile.
This had become a running joke in European football circles.
Rumor had it that Ronaldinho had expressed interest in joining Real Madrid, but Florentino Pérez dismissed the idea, reportedly because he thought Ronaldinho was too unattractive.
Yet Ronaldinho could play in multiple positions in the attacking third and had excellent chemistry with Ronaldo. He would undoubtedly have been a strong reinforcement for Real Madrid's front line.
Beckham, on the other hand, would inevitably create friction with Figo.
This was one of the key reasons Florentino was keen on hiring Carlos Queiroz. He needed someone capable of navigating the tension and competition between Beckham and Figo.
What had Real Madrid done in the past to address such issues?
They sold Makelele and moved Beckham to central midfield.
In theory, this was one solution. Beckham had the technical ability to play as a deep-lying midfielder and contribute offensively. Ferguson had even toyed with the idea of moving him to the center during his time at Manchester United, as it's the most tactically significant area of the pitch.
But defensively?
Beckham paired with Vieira in midfield?
It looked good on paper, but how would it perform on the pitch?
Moreover, how did Vieira end up at Real Madrid in the first place?
Through Makelele and Zidane persuading him to join. And now, with Vieira freshly arrived, Real Madrid turned around and sold Makelele?
What would Zidane and Vieira think of that?
Of course, Makelele's contract was a sticking point. His salary was far too low, at just €1.5 million per year.
Yes, you heard that right. Makelele's annual salary was just €1.5 million.
The irony was that in 2000, Real Madrid signed three top defensive midfielders from La Liga—Flávio Conceição from Deportivo La Coruña, Albert Celades from Celta Vigo, and Claude Makelele. Of the three, Makelele had the least star power and the lowest salary.
Yet he was the one who rose to prominence.
The biggest concern about Makelele was his age: at 30, he was nearing the point in his career where players often began to decline.
In an era when players were considered past their prime at 30, who could confidently predict he'd maintain his level for another five or six years?
Under those circumstances, with Chelsea offering a hefty fee, not cashing in would indeed seem foolish.
While Atlético Madrid had many successes this past season, it also faced challenges.
The most significant positive was the players' growth.
Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, David Villa, José Antonio Reyes, Kaká, Joaquín, Xabi Alonso, Patrice Evra, and Maicon all gained more opportunities and responsibilities, showing marked improvement.
And there was no need to mention Petr Čech, who had firmly established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper.
However, Yang Hao frequently rotated in Palop to ensure the veteran backup stayed sharp while keeping Čech motivated and avoiding complacency.
Yang Hao believed this group of players could continue to serve as the team's backbone, even carrying greater responsibilities in the future.
But some issues had also emerged.
For example, with Torres and Drogba rising to prominence, Diego Forlán's position in the squad had become precarious. The Uruguayan striker was understandably dissatisfied.
It was hard to blame him.
Forlán had been highly efficient, and his struggles against Adriano for a starting spot were understandable—after all, Adriano was a beast of a player.
But after Adriano left, Forlán had expected to step into the leading role.
Instead, in critical matches, Yang Hao often preferred Torres and Drogba.
The reason was simple: both were better suited to high-stakes games.
Forlán scored plenty of goals, but it was evident that his overall impact on the team was diminishing, especially with David Villa emerging as a formidable talent.
Villa's exceptional skills and finishing ability posed a real threat to Forlán's place in the lineup.
Aware of the competition, Forlán sought clarity about his future with the club.
"He spoke to me," Yang Hao admitted. "He said he's grateful for his time at Atlético but wants a bigger stage and more playing time."
Yang Hao felt conflicted.
It wasn't that he hadn't given Forlán chances, but the Uruguayan's performances in the Champions League and against stronger opponents often fell short of expectations. His tactical contributions were also less significant compared to Torres, Drogba, and Villa.
"And then there's Simeone."
At the mention of Diego Simeone, Miguel Gil raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"At 33, he feels he's struggling to keep up with the team's pace. With the club's recent success, he doesn't want to take up a valuable roster spot. He's mentioned the possibility of retiring and returning to Argentina to wind down his career."
Simeone's decision didn't come as a shock to Yang Hao.
The Argentine midfielder had already hinted at this possibility during previous conversations. However, Yang Hao hadn't expected Simeone to make such a resolute and straightforward decision.
Miguel Gil hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Simeone held a special place at Atlético Madrid, which was why Miguel Gil had fully supported Yang Hao's decision to sign him in the first place.
But time spares no one.
Simeone's choice to leave was a dignified one. Staying another season would likely have put him in an awkward position, especially with Marcos Senna taking on more responsibility and Gabi set to play a bigger role.
The demands on Atlético players had changed dramatically. Once a mid-table side, the club was now chasing titles every season and aiming for Champions League qualification as a baseline.
"And then there's Pochettino," Yang Hao added.
The Argentine center-back had also approached Yang Hao about a potential move, with Espanyol expressing interest in bringing him back.
At 31, Pochettino had fallen to fourth-choice center-back at Atlético, behind even Carlos Marchena.
There was little Yang Hao could do. While Marchena occasionally showed his inexperience, his youth gave him an edge.
Espanyol, however, saw Pochettino as their defensive savior.
"I've agreed to let him leave on a free transfer," Yang Hao concluded.
Yang Hao had already discussed this matter with various departments and consulted with Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil before making the final decision.
Pochettino's three years at Atlético Madrid coincided with the club's meteoric rise. Given his current situation, selling him wouldn't fetch much, so letting him leave on a free transfer was a goodwill gesture.
Both Pochettino and Simeone had decided to leave, opting for free transfers. However, Diego Forlán had yet to make a decision. If he were to leave, it would be essential to secure a satisfactory transfer fee, given his impressive goal-scoring record.
This marked the general outline of Atlético's summer transfer plans: making minor adjustments without any major overhauls.
Yang Hao, after a season of recalibrating the team, was preparing to push for even greater success in the upcoming season. Reinforcements were necessary, and his requirements were clear: they needed to have immediate impact.
Why was this so important?
"The UEFA has been signaling for some time now, and it seems they're planning to reform the second group stage of the Champions League," Yang Hao explained.
In Yang Hao's previous life, after Marc-Vivien Foé's tragic collapse during the Confederations Cup semi-final, FIFA changed the Confederations Cup schedule from a biennial to a quadrennial event. Meanwhile, UEFA announced reforms to the Champions League, eliminating the second group stage in favor of a knockout format, reducing the number of matches by four.
While the Confederations Cup decision was straightforward, altering the Champions League was far more complex, involving negotiations with sponsors, adapting the competition format, and coordinating club and league schedules.
The Champions League reform had been in the works for some time, but Foé's tragic death accelerated its implementation.
Of course, Yang Hao couldn't outright say he knew this from future events; that would be too suspicious. Instead, he used the UEFA's signals as his justification.
Preparation for a revised Champions League would differ significantly.
The most notable change would be the Round of 16 switching from a double-round group stage to two-legged knockout ties, dramatically increasing the chance of upsets.
If one examined the 2003/04 Champions League season, it was full of surprises.
For example, let's imagine Atlético had won the Champions League last season under the old format.
In the second group stage, Atlético had two draws in the opening matches. This indicated that the team's form wasn't ideal during that period.
However, under the double-round group stage format, Yang Hao had time to adjust the team, ultimately leading them to the championship.
What if it had been a two-legged knockout format?
Yang Hao wouldn't have had the luxury of time to recalibrate.
In his previous life, many top clubs suffered because of this reform.
While these elite clubs were still preparing as if it were the old group stage format, Mourinho's Porto and Deschamps' Monaco went all out with high intensity, delivering shocks to the footballing world.
In simpler terms, the reformed format lowered the margin for error.
In two-legged knockout ties, the primary tactical principles were simple: score away goals and concede none at home.
Yang Hao's decision to allow Pochettino and Simeone to leave on free transfers was also an opportunity to bring in younger, more capable players to prepare for the challenges of the new schedule.
As for replacements, Yang Hao already had specific candidates in mind.
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