Chapter 51 - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

"Another quick counterattack by Atlético."

"A pass to the left, looking for Reyes."

"Reyes tries to break through but is blocked. He passes back to Evra."

"Let's see what Evra does here."

"A horizontal pass to Deco."

"Deco dribbles laterally and lobs it behind the defense."

"Baraja surges forward…"

"IT'S IN!!!!!!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"

"3–1!!!"

"Atlético strikes again in the 83rd minute, breaking down Real Madrid's defense once more!"

"3–1!"

"Deco's lob was brimming with creativity, and Baraja timed his run perfectly, finishing with a stunning volley."

"Casillas made a valiant effort to save it, but at the crucial moment, he couldn't stop Baraja's shot!"

"It seems Real Madrid has lost this match."

"It's genuinely disappointing because for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Real Madrid was actually in control."

"Their superstars dominated possession and pressed Atlético back."

"In the 63rd minute, Beckham's magnificent direct free kick pierced Cech's goal."

"But overall, Real Madrid struggled to create meaningful chances in open play. Despite their pressure, they couldn't break through Atlético's defense—and now they've conceded again."

It was clear that after Atlético's third goal, Real Madrid's earlier aggression fizzled out.

The players knew deep down they had no chance of turning the match around. With only minutes left, scoring two goals—let alone mounting a comeback—was impossible.

The superstars on the pitch began walking, deflated and uninterested.

The 20,000 Real Madrid fans who had traveled to Barcelona vented their frustrations from the stands, lambasting the players for giving up.

"How could you quit like this?!"

"Keep fighting!"

But their shouts fell on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, Atlético adjusted their strategy, playing more cautiously.

Yang Hao made his final substitution, bringing on Pepe to replace Lucio.

The Atlético fans applauded warmly.

Pepe had performed well in this season's Copa del Rey matches, despite occasionally showing his inexperience. The coach's decision to bring him on reflected his recognition of Pepe's progress and contributions.

In another match, Yang Hao might have considered starting him, but against Real Madrid, there was no room for risk. This was a must-win game for Atlético, and Yang Hao was determined to field his strongest lineup.

Now that victory was within reach, giving Pepe some game time was a fitting reward for his hard work this season.

Pepe wasn't frustrated about his limited minutes in such an important match—he understood the team's circumstances and Yang Hao's decisions. The coach had explained everything to him before the game, and Pepe respected his reasoning.

Besides, sharing the pitch with players like Ronaldo was an honor in itself.

Unfortunately, with only three substitutions allowed, Yang Hao couldn't bring everyone on. Otherwise, he would have loved to give players like Sergio Ramos a chance as well.

That wasn't possible tonight, but no matter—they were all watching from the stands alongside other first-team and academy players.

Yang Hao had made sure that every player who had contributed to this Copa del Rey campaign, even those from the youth team, was in Barcelona.

They couldn't step onto the podium to receive the trophy or medals, but they were just as much a part of this triumph.

Turning toward the Atlético section of the stands, Yang Hao raised his right fist high, a gesture of confidence and celebration.

The Atlético fans erupted in cheers.

"Is the boss signaling us to storm the pitch and tackle him?" Sergio Ramos joked, laughing loudly to make himself heard above the roaring crowd.

"You wish!" David Silva teased, joining in the laughter.

"It must be incredible to play in a match like this, against Real Madrid. I can't wait for my chance," Luka Modric said wistfully.

The others nodded.

Facing off against superstars—many of whom were their idols—was a dream for all of them.

"Don't worry," Ramos said, flashing a grin. "Give it two years. If we keep working hard, we'll get our shot."

Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "By then, Real Madrid's superstars will be old, and we'll be in our prime. Imagine crushing them—it'll be even sweeter than now!"

The group burst out laughing. Ramos, as usual, was imagining grand scenarios.

"Have you taken your meds today, Sergio?" Messi quipped dryly, catching everyone off guard.

The group exploded with laughter again.

Even Ramos had to laugh, albeit with mock annoyance.

When Messi first joined, his quiet, reserved demeanor made him seem aloof. But as they got to know him, they discovered his sharp wit and sense of humor.

"Leo, with a personality like yours, you'll never win a Ballon d'Or," Ramos teased, pretending to be serious.

"Why do you say that?" David Silva asked, playing along.

"Because I'm going to end him before he even gets close!" Ramos declared, lunging at Messi in mock aggression.

The group dissolved into playful chaos.

Whatever lingering disappointment they'd felt about not being on the pitch vanished in the laughter and camaraderie.

"You don't have to end me, Sergio. If I ever win a Ballon d'Or, I promise to give you one," Messi said with a grin.

"And me?" Di María chimed in eagerly.

"You too," Messi replied.

"What about us?" David Silva asked, joining the playful banter.

"One Ballon d'Or each!" Messi responded generously, making promises about a distant future with uncharacteristic ease.

Unexpectedly, Ramos sneered, "Why wait for you to give it to us? I'll win it myself."

"It's tough for defenders to win the Ballon d'Or, even midfielders have a hard time," Silva lamented, feeling the weight of his position as a midfielder.

"Bullshit! That's just because they weren't strong enough. I'll win one to prove it!"

Ramos turned to Modric with a determined look of camaraderie. "Luka, let's give it everything we've got. We'll each win one."

Modric nodded eagerly, his face alight with ambition.

What talented young player didn't dream of winning the Ballon d'Or? Especially at such a beautifully naïve and idealistic age.

"Don't bother dreaming about it. As long as I'm around, none of you will win the Ballon d'Or," Messi declared with an air of confidence.

But his bravado quickly unraveled when Ramos grabbed him by the ribs, making him burst into uncontrollable laughter as he tried to squirm away.

"Then tonight, I'll make sure you meet an early demise so you won't ruin our Ballon d'Or dreams in the future!" Ramos joked, triggering another round of laughter.

On the stands, as Atlético's young stars playfully sparred, referee Fernando blew the final whistle.

The young players snapped to attention, joining the Atlético fans in the stands in erupting into joyous cheers and celebrations.

As soon as the whistle blew, Yang Hao's coaching staff, substitutes, and players stormed the field.

3–1!

Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid to claim this season's Copa del Rey title!

"Congratulations to Atlético!"

"Based on their overall performance tonight, Atlético fully deserves this championship!"

"Real Madrid had a solid 20-minute stretch in the second half, but in the grand scheme of things, they were outclassed by Atlético. Especially in the first half, when they conceded two goals in quick succession."

"Carlos Queiroz will need to reflect on tonight's tactics, particularly the lackluster commitment shown by the players."

"If Atlético entered the match fully engaged from the start, Real Madrid seemed only to wake up after conceding the first goal. While they eventually found their rhythm in the second half, their sluggish start was disastrous for a match of this magnitude."

"And let's not forget Yang Hao!"

"Since taking over Atlético in 2000, he has amassed a trophy collection in just four years that most managers would envy in an entire career."

"Some say Yang Hao was born for championships, and his success continues to affirm that belief."

"This season's Atlético Madrid is not just dominant but also dazzling, showcasing exciting, attacking football."

"The days when Atlético were seen as underdogs are over. Under Yang Hao's leadership, this team exudes the aura of a champion."

"This squad is arguably the strongest Atlético team in decades. They earned this title, and we can only hope they continue to dazzle in La Liga and the Champions League."

As the commentator finished, cameras cut to Yang Hao being triumphantly tossed into the air by his players—a tradition that had become a staple of Atlético's celebrations.

"A Legendary Copa del Rey Final! A Legendary Atlético!"

This was the headline of Marca's post-match commentary on the Copa del Rey final.

The article lavished praise on Yang Hao's team, calling it an epic final where Atlético emerged as undisputed champions.

"Yang Hao's side won without a shadow of a doubt!"

The article noted the high level of tactical sophistication in the match, though it criticized Real Madrid for failing to find their footing quickly enough.

"Most of the match was fiercely contested, with neither side resorting to overly conservative tactics. The referee also maintained a neutral and fair standard throughout."

Marca pointed out that Real Madrid's shortcomings had been evident even in the Champions League Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Monaco.

"The fundamental issue lies in their squad composition. Real Madrid's reliance on superstars has created a glaring imbalance."

"While their starting lineup is world-class, their bench lacks depth, leaving them vulnerable in a demanding season."

Marca highlighted that Atlético's roster was far more balanced.

"Atlético's squad is a perfect blend of experience, talent, and youth. Players like Deco, Torres, Reyes, and Joaquín are already stars, while emerging talents like Kaká hint at future greatness."

"They also boast a strong core of reliable players, such as Baraja, Xabi Alonso, Marcos Senna, Lúcio, Drogba, Robben, Carvalho, Evra, and Maicon."

"Additionally, promising youngsters like Iniesta, Gabi, Pepe, and Cech are already making their mark."

"This balanced structure is precisely what sets Atlético apart. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's squad lacks this equilibrium, relying too heavily on superstars."

Marca also praised Atlético's long-term planning, particularly their investment in infrastructure.

"They've built one of Europe's most modern training facilities, admired across the continent. And with further phases planned, Atlético is laying the groundwork for sustained success."

"Off the pitch, Atlético's commercial success mirrors their on-field achievements. While their global reach doesn't yet rival Real Madrid's, it far surpasses that of Barcelona and other La Liga teams."

"All of this revolves around Yang Hao and his vision. Atlético's focus on football as its core, with commercial ventures as a supporting element, is a stark contrast to Real Madrid's approach, where commercial interests often dictate footballing decisions."

Marca concluded by predicting Queiroz's dismissal at the end of the season. However, they warned that unless Florentino Pérez reevaluated Real Madrid's superstar-centric strategy, the club would face further setbacks.

While Marca's commentary was balanced and analytical, AS took a different tone.

Following the loss, AS immediately targeted Queiroz, blaming his tactics for the team's poor first-half performance and the two goals they conceded.

"More importantly, he has clearly lost the ability to motivate the team's superstars. The players are visibly tired of his tactics, and this is the biggest problem facing Real Madrid right now."

AS went as far as revealing that their reporters had interviewed Ronaldo after the match.

The Brazilian superstar publicly complained to AS reporters about the lack of support he received during the game.

"Everyone knows my job is to score goals, but no one can deliver the ball to me. Sometimes, I even have to drop back to midfield to get possession. How am I supposed to score like this?"

AS suggested that Ronaldo's frustration was not an isolated case. Reports from within the Real Madrid dressing room indicated that an increasing number of players were dissatisfied with Queiroz.

Losing the Copa del Rey final?

This was merely the culmination of Queiroz's incompetence.

In response to the contrasting analyses from Real Madrid's two biggest mouthpieces, the Catalan media chose to spectate from the sidelines, abstaining from making any comments.

The truth was, similar grievances had been brewing for a while.

For example, Florentino Pérez's "Zidane and Pavón" policy had fallen apart under Queiroz, who preferred to use Iván Helguera over Pavón and young Rubén. As a result, Florentino's policy had effectively been rendered meaningless.

Then there was the issue of club captain Raúl.

Since Beckham's arrival, Raúl's performances had steadily declined.

While the Real Madrid captain had not openly expressed discontent, many Spanish media outlets were quick to voice their support for him.

"Ronaldo has become Madrid's darling, but the forgetful Real Madrid fans seem to have abandoned their prince entirely!"

This was the most accurate description of Raúl's current predicament.

In the final, Raúl had been one of the most hardworking players on the pitch, actively tracking back and pressing.

Yet post-match, almost every media outlet expressed dissatisfaction with him.

Why?

Because when the team needed someone to step up in attack, Raúl was nowhere to be seen.

AS even published a mock "missing person" notice: "Where are you, Raúl?"

Losing the Madrid Derby and the second competition of the season, Real Madrid fans were furious, leaving everyone at the club scrambling to contain the fallout.

The day after Atlético returned to Madrid from Barcelona, the team conducted a recovery training session. Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil, along with other high-ranking club executives and board members, visited the Majadahonda training complex.

The current Majadahonda facilities were a state-of-the-art, modern training ground, large in scale and equipped with advanced technology.

Cerezo and Miguel Gil first toured the construction site. While much had been completed, there were still finishing touches to be made, such as the players' accommodations, which were being renovated to five-star hotel standards, with plans to hire professional staff for player services.

Additionally, the cafeteria and other facilities were undergoing final adjustments.

After the team finished their recovery training, the board members entered the locker room to meet with the players, personally thanking them for securing the Copa del Rey victory the previous night.

Fernando Vázquez, the club's financial officer, announced that all match bonuses, championship bonuses, and appearance bonuses had been calculated and deposited into the players' accounts, encouraging them to check.

This was met with cheers from the players.

While the club had not organized a celebratory parade the previous evening, fans had spontaneously taken to the streets, particularly gathering at the Neptune Fountain to celebrate the victory in a lively and energetic manner.

However, with the La Liga match schedule looming, and the team soon set to travel to London to face Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, there was simply no time for official festivities.

Toni Muñoz and Aguilera, former Atlético captains and now heads of fan services, conveyed the supporters' praise and encouragement to the players, urging them to continue striving for success in both the Champions League and La Liga.

The players responded enthusiastically to the message.

The board members then expressed their gratitude to the coaching staff and support personnel.

Finally, it was announced that the club would host a celebratory meal for everyone, from players to staff.

In Yang Hao's office, Cerezo, Miguel Gil, and department heads brought unexpected news.

"Florentino Pérez has expelled Marca's correspondent from Real Madrid's inner circle," said news director Andrew Barrasco.

Yang Hao paused, mouth slightly agape in surprise. "What's going on?"

After a moment, he asked again, "Are you sure it was Marca and not AS?"

"Yes, Marca," Barrasco confirmed.

Yang Hao found it bizarre. "Why?"

"Discontent, obviously," Barrasco said with a laugh.

"Marca has been openly clashing with Real Madrid's management for some time now, particularly targeting their policies."

"Look at AS. From the moment the final whistle blew, they aimed their criticism squarely at Queiroz. This morning, they even published a piece outright calling for his dismissal. They're clearly preparing to make him the scapegoat."

As the saying goes, The first thing you do after stepping ashore is get rid of the person who brought you here.

In football, though, the rule is simpler: When a team loses, the first to go is the manager.

"But look at Marca's coverage. It has consistently criticized the management and the Galáctico strategy. It's obvious they're making Florentino uncomfortable. What's their endgame?"

Barrasco's rhetorical question left Yang Hao momentarily speechless.

Yang Hao wasn't naïve; he understood that the Galáctico strategy was a cornerstone for Real Madrid and something Florentino Pérez would fiercely protect.

Was Marca's analysis valid?

Absolutely—it was fair and, in many ways, brutally honest.

But would Real Madrid, or Pérez, be willing to listen?

Not likely.

"It seems insane for Marca to act this way."

"It's not insanity," Barrasco replied, amused.

"Then why? Aren't they supposed to be Real Madrid's mouthpiece?"

"That was true in the past."

Yang Hao blinked, puzzled.

"Now, Marca is Spain's highest-circulation newspaper. They want to appear objective and neutral. And with Atlético's growing fanbase, they can't just blindly side with Real Madrid like AS does."

"Recently, their critiques of Real Madrid have been balanced and fair, but Real Madrid doesn't want to hear it. Florentino even suspects that Marca has been co-opted by opposition factions to undermine him."

Yang Hao nodded, understanding. "And Marca's response?"

"A proportional counterattack."

"What? They dare?" Yang Hao asked, startled.

Compared to a superstar club like Real Madrid, media outlets are inherently at a disadvantage.

Not to mention, Real Madrid has AS backing them.

"Our domestic influence isn't lacking anymore, especially this season," Andrew Barrasco said with a smile.

Yang Hao immediately understood his media director's point.

If Marca had fallen out with Real Madrid, Atlético naturally had an opportunity to step in.

"Marca and Real Madrid won't stay at odds for long. They'll reconcile eventually because Real Madrid is bound to sign another superstar this summer. They've already started making moves."

"Who?"

"Joaquín."

"Bullshit, I'd be the first to know," Yang Hao retorted, eliciting laughter from everyone.

It was true—Yang Hao's control over Atlético was so tight that there was no way such a major development could have slipped past him.

"So they haven't made their move yet. I think you should find some time to have a word with Joaquín," Barrasco advised.

Yang Hao nodded. "Got it."

After a pause, he asked another question: "What's Joaquín's release clause?"

"Eighty million euros. Pretty high."

Release clauses aren't arbitrarily set; the player has to agree to them, and that often involves a trade-off.

For instance, a high release clause usually means concessions in salary or contract length—particularly salary.

In Joaquín's case, €80 million was a staggering amount once you factored in taxes.

"No problem. Let them come," Yang Hao said confidently.

Still, he planned to have a talk with Joaquín soon. In his previous timeline, Joaquín never went to Real Madrid, opting instead to stay with his beloved hometown club, Real Betis.

But Atlético wasn't Betis, so Yang Hao needed to gauge Joaquín's true intentions.

If Joaquín truly wanted to leave, it would be a headache.

Currently, only David Villa could potentially replace him in the squad, but Villa was a scorer, not a winger.

On the flanks, Robben wasn't a natural fit for the right, and while Franck Ribéry could play there, Lionel Messi was still too raw.

Ribéry had been solid, but he couldn't yet fully replace Joaquín.

On the left, Robben was excellent and could step in for Reyes seamlessly, especially after years of development at Atlético. Yang Hao had strengthened Robben's weaker right foot and improved his physical attributes, making him much better than in his previous life.

Worst-case scenario, Andrés Iniesta could fill the gap. They could simply switch to a more possession-based approach.

"Be honest with me: how much money do we still need for all our projects this year?"

Once the department heads left, Yang Hao, Miguel Gil, and Enrique Cerezo held a private shareholders' meeting behind closed doors.

Yang Hao was deeply concerned about the club's finances.

Atlético was burning through cash at a breakneck pace, from investments in training facilities to the development of a new stadium. All of it required substantial funds.

"I've asked for rough estimates. We need at least €100 million more," Miguel Gil said.

It was a hefty amount, but not surprising—it was a stadium project worth hundreds of millions, after all.

If they had to sell players, Atlético might need to offload four to cover that sum.

That's because transfer fees are typically paid in installments.

Usually, the installments are spread over two years, but some deals are shorter or longer, depending on the negotiations. For example, Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid from Inter Milan was paid in one year, but the fee was correspondingly lower.

In high-value deals, clubs often use transfer agreements as collateral for loans. However, this comes with interest payments and the risk of default if the buyer doesn't pay up.

Alternatively, if they negotiated higher fees, selling three players might suffice. But in a down market, they'd need to sell more to meet the same target.

"How's Carlos León doing with Emirates?" Yang Hao asked.

"They're interested, but it's hard to close the deal when we don't have much to show yet," Miguel Gil said, sounding frustrated.

Cerezo chimed in, "We've shortlisted five design firms in partnership with MSM. By the end of the season, we should finalize the concept and select the firm to execute the design."

If they could secure sponsorship from Emirates for a longer term, it would provide a significant cash injection.

Meanwhile, they also needed to renegotiate their deal with Nike.

Today's Atlético was nothing like the team of old.

Carlos León had advised that the team's goal this season should be to achieve the best results possible, raising the club's profile. That way, renegotiations with Nike and other sponsors would be much more fruitful.

Without results or influence, sponsors wouldn't pay top dollar.

"Let me handle the money. You two focus on getting things moving!" Yang Hao said firmly.

Miguel Gil and Cerezo exchanged glances before nodding.

While Yang Hao had spearheaded the stadium project, both of them were fully invested in the vision.

At this stage, most of the groundwork was complete, and Atlético was now relying heavily on Yang Hao.

If Atlético couldn't generate significant income through player sales this summer, the club would have to turn to banks for loans, plunging back into debt.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing—moderate debt is common in football. But for Atlético, it carried a stigma.

After all, it wasn't too long ago that they were on the brink of bankruptcy.

If the new stadium plunged them back into debt, the healthy financial image they had painstakingly built could crumble, reigniting fears among players and staff.

This was why Yang Hao had always emphasized that they should only use loans for part of the cost. The bulk of the funding had to come from within.

If they could secure the Champions League trophy, it would provide a massive financial boost.

With that thought, Yang Hao's determination solidified.

After returning from the Copa del Rey final, Atlético Madrid faced Real Betis in La Liga's 29th round.

At the Calderón, Betis gave Atlético a tough fight, and the first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

However, in the 52nd minute of the second half, Kaká broke the deadlock for Atlético.

In the 68th minute, Fernando Torres sealed the game with another goal, making it 2-0!

Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruña secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Murcia at home, thanks to Capdevila's goal.

The biggest surprise, however, came from Real Madrid's match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés.

Bilbao's Blitz Against a Drained Real Madrid

From the start, Athletic Bilbao launched an aggressive attack against Real Madrid.

It was clear that Ernesto Valverde knew Real Madrid had been drained after their grueling Copa del Rey clash with Atlético. Bilbao sought to take advantage by overpowering them early.

The opening minutes saw Real Madrid pushed back into their half, with their defense constantly under pressure and narrowly avoiding conceding several times. This pattern continued throughout the first half.

Just before halftime, two defensive mistakes by Iván Helguera within three minutes resulted in two goals for Bilbao.

Real Madrid rebounded in the second half, with Raúl scoring twice in quick succession to level the score.

But in the 75th minute, Del Horno restored Bilbao's lead with a header from a free-kick play.

Three minutes later, Del Horno struck again, driving into the box from the left, evading Helguera, and slotting the ball home.

The match ended 4-2, with Bilbao pulling off a shocking upset over Real Madrid.

A Shocking Defeat Rocks Spain

Del Horno's brace and his crucial role in defeating Real Madrid turned the left-back into an overnight sensation.

In Yang Hao's previous life, Del Horno later transferred to Chelsea, where his career unfortunately faltered.

This defeat sent shockwaves across Spain. Almost every media outlet turned their criticism towards Carlos Queiroz—not just AS, but even Catalan outlets like Mundo Deportivo.

For instance, Mundo Deportivo laid out a list of Queiroz's failings, one being his excessive reliance on star players, which left Real Madrid with no proper rotation system.

Some reports suggested that Queiroz's tenure at Real Madrid was entering its final countdown.

In the post-match press conference, Queiroz openly criticized Florentino Pérez's "Zidanes y Pavones" policy, which many saw as a direct rebuke to the club president.

A Fragmented Real Madrid Defense

Queiroz's decisions were under heavy scrutiny. For example, he benched Pavón, a symbolic player under the policy, and started Helguera instead—but Helguera failed to shore up the defense.

All four goals conceded had some connection to Helguera's mistakes.

Queiroz defended his player, claiming it was unfair to blame all the goals on one individual:

"Defense is the responsibility of the whole team."

But the superstar players made it clear: defense wasn't their job.

Queiroz's substitutions also raised eyebrows. He waited until the 80th minute to make changes, frustrating several stars. When David Beckham was substituted, he showed visible discontent, refusing to acknowledge Queiroz as he walked off.

Queiroz downplayed the incident, saying:

"Beckham has a strong desire to win and gave his all on the pitch. Losing naturally upset him."

A Dressing Room in Disarray

Solari, who came on as a substitute, directed his post-match comments at the defense:

"We made a few critical mistakes today, conceding four goals to the opposition."

"San Mamés is one of the toughest stadiums in La Liga. Losing two goals there is already a significant challenge, but we fought hard and managed to equalize in the second half."

"But then, the defense collapsed again."

While Solari refrained from naming names, he indirectly criticized the decision to rely on a defender lacking the presence of a proper defensive leader.

Fabio Cannavaro's form had also declined noticeably, much like Patrick Vieira's.

Yet, both superstars still had moments where they could rely on their individual abilities to defend or change the game.

But the weak links in the backline—Helguera, Pavón, and Rubén—consistently became targets for opposing teams, leading to frequent errors.

A Chaotic Real Madrid

All in all, Real Madrid was a mess.

Yang Hao couldn't believe it—Atlético had just won the Copa del Rey, and now Real Madrid had handed them a gift on a silver platter.

After 29 rounds, Atlético led the La Liga standings with 71 points from 22 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses.

Valencia crushed Mallorca 5-1 at home to reach 57 points, tying Real Madrid but surpassing them on goal difference to claim second place.

Real Madrid, with 57 points, slipped to third. Still, they were six points ahead of fourth-placed Barcelona (51 points).

Deportivo trailed closely in fifth with 50 points.

The battle for the top four had reached a fever pitch.

Sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao, buoyed by their victory over Real Madrid, had 44 points but remained six points behind Deportivo.

La Liga's Clear Picture

Atlético held a 14-point lead over Valencia, making the title race all but decided. With nine games remaining, Real Madrid and Valencia were effectively competing for second place, while Deportivo and Barcelona fought for fourth and a Champions League spot.

For Real Madrid, the recent loss severely dented their chances of a comeback. Their erratic form made any reversal seem unlikely.

Even Valencia, consistent as they were, stood little chance of catching Atlético.

Yang Hao admitted he hadn't expected such a comfortable lead. Earlier, when the gap was 10 points, he still worried it might shrink, fearing Atlético could falter in March or April.

Instead, Real Madrid's collapse had been even more dramatic than last season.

Eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16 by Monaco, crushed in the Copa del Rey final by Atlético, Real Madrid was reeling from repeated blows.

Yang Hao, however, claimed no responsibility for their downfall.

"It has nothing to do with us," he joked.

Atlético had merely done their part.

After two days of rest in Madrid, the team flew to London to prepare for their Champions League clash against Chelsea.

March 24th, Stamford Bridge, London.

As Swedish referee Anders Frisk blew the whistle to kick off the match, Christian Vieri tapped the ball to Diego Forlán in the center circle, who passed it back to Frank Lampard.

Lampard immediately launched a long ball toward Atlético's defensive line.

Lucio intercepted with a header, clearing it back into play.

This was clearly part of Chelsea's plan. They quickly pressed high, forcing Atlético to play under pressure.

Barely 53 seconds into the match, Chelsea created their first chance.

Vieri nodded the ball to Forlán, who unleashed a long-range shot from just outside the penalty arc.

Petr Čech dived to his left, firmly clutching the ball to keep it out.

The Stamford Bridge crowd erupted in cheers.

The stadium was packed with over 40,000 fans. Among the spectators were England's national team manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and his girlfriend.

Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, attended alongside his wife, fueling rumors that Eriksson might be lined up to take over Chelsea.

Near the home bench, Claudio Ranieri signaled to his team to play more cautiously.

However, the Chelsea players were like untamed stallions, charging forward with reckless abandon.

On the sidelines, nobody was holding them back either.

Yang Hao moved to the touchline and called out to Xabi Alonso, signaling him to keep a closer eye on Diego Forlán.

The Uruguayan, a former Atlético player, was someone Yang Hao knew intimately, and he was well aware of Forlán's capabilities.

The area outside the penalty box was Forlán's hunting ground—he had to be marked with care.

The match had started at a frantic, typically English pace.

Chelsea's strategy was clear from the outset: push high and attack directly.

Lampard's early long ball felt almost provocative, as if Chelsea were handing the ball to Atlético and taunting, "Here, you take it. We'll win it back and shoot at your goal!"

Chelsea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation:

Goalkeeper: Carlo CudiciniDefense: Wayne Bridge, John Terry, Marcel Desailly, William GallasMidfield: Damien Duff, Claude Makélélé, Frank Lampard, Scott ParkerForwards: Diego Forlán, Christian Vieri

Yang Hao had prepared his team with specific defensive priorities.

Vieri, despite approaching 31 and struggling in the Premier League, was still Vieri—underestimating him was risky.Forlán's shooting ability couldn't be ignored.Duff's speed on the left wing was a major threat.And finally, Lampard's late runs into the box needed attention.

Chelsea, having reached the Champions League quarterfinals, were undoubtedly a strong side. Ranieri's tactics had molded them into a cohesive unit, with the 4-4-2 formation optimized for their exceptional forwards—many of whom were former Atlético players, including Forlán and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Yang Hao's game plan focused on maintaining possession, slowing the tempo, and using Atlético's technical control to dismantle Chelsea's defense and create chances.

However, Ranieri's aggressive approach surprised him.

In Champions League knockouts, the away team usually aims to secure goals, while the home side typically opts for stability in the first leg.

Yet Chelsea seemed intent on going toe-to-toe with Atlético, employing an aggressive high-tempo game right from the start.

This seemed counterintuitive, but with the match underway, Yang Hao had no time to dwell on Ranieri's motives.

If Chelsea wanted a direct fight, so be it—Atlético would gladly play along, aiming for those crucial away goals.

Yang Hao made a tactical adjustment for the game: José Antonio Reyes started on the right wing, while Joaquín moved to the left.

Up front, Didier Drogba led the attack.

The midfield trio of Deco, Rubén Baraja, and Xabi Alonso remained unchanged, with Alonso operating in the deeper role.

Atlético's use of inverted wingers wasn't groundbreaking—players like Zinedine Zidane on the left or Damien Duff on the right were familiar examples. Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Juventus's Alessandro Del Piero also excelled in such roles.

Reyes justified Yang Hao's decision within three minutes.

In a counterattack, Reyes received the ball on the right flank.

Instead of driving forward, he cut inside, taking two touches before delivering a diagonal pass.

His precise ball split Chelsea's defensive lines and found Joaquín, who had made a diagonal run into the left side of the box.

Joaquín struck a low shot that narrowly missed the far post.

Atlético's first shot of the game had Chelsea on edge.

From the touchline, Yang Hao applauded enthusiastically, praising the connection between Reyes and Joaquín.

He then urged his team to maintain their pressing, keeping the game in Chelsea's half.

Reyes wasn't a traditional winger like Vicente. On the right flank, he provided a different dynamic, having previously served as Joaquín's backup.

Soon, Atlético created another opportunity.

Joaquín cut inside from the left, gliding past Gallas and delivering a cross to the edge of the box.

Baraja reached the ball ahead of Makélélé, firing a long-range shot that sailed over the bar.

Chelsea responded in the 9th minute with a lightning-fast counterattack.

Forlán, playing as a pivot, laid off a ball into space for Duff, who surged forward at blistering speed.

Despite carrying the ball, Duff was too quick for Maicon to catch, forcing Lucio to step in and cover.

As Duff attempted to square the ball to Vieri, Ricardo Carvalho intercepted and cleared the danger.

The Stamford Bridge crowd groaned in unison, disappointed to see the chance go begging.

From the touchline, Yang Hao encouraged his players to keep pushing forward and remain fearless.

He had anticipated such counterattacks. Duff's pace made him an ideal outlet for quick transitions.

Atlético's attacking press inevitably left space for Duff to exploit, and this was only the beginning.

However, Yang Hao also instructed Lucio to provide cover and monitor Duff's runs closely.

The moment reminded Yang Hao of a game years later, where Maicon would infamously struggle against a similar pacey opponent.

Here, Lucio's timely intervention highlighted the importance of defensive organization—a single defender couldn't withstand the assault alone.

Defense, after all, was always a team effort.

Relying on individual brilliance was a recipe for collapse, even for the best defenders.

The battle raged on as Atlético and Chelsea continued to trade blows in an electrifying opening phase.

As the match progressed, Atlético Madrid began to gain control of possession and dictate the tempo on the pitch.

From the 15th minute onward, Chelsea shifted into a defensive counter-attacking posture.

Claudio Ranieri didn't have many solutions for this; overall, Chelsea's quality was still inferior to Atlético's, especially when the Colchoneros dominated possession.

In the 19th minute, Atlético crafted another opportunity. Deco passed to Joaquín on the left flank.

The Spanish winger carried the ball diagonally into the box and, facing pressure from William Gallas, delivered a pass toward the left edge of the penalty area near the baseline.

Patrice Evra surged forward with blistering speed, beating Gallas to the ball, and swung in a left-footed cross.

Inside the box, Didier Drogba, under heavy marking from John Terry and Marcel Desailly, managed to get his head to the ball, but his effort lacked accuracy and flew over the bar.

Three minutes later, Drogba attempted a long-range strike from outside the box, but it also missed the target.

Chelsea, however, were not mere spectators.

In the 26th minute, Claude Makélélé launched a long pass forward. Vieri nodded it down into Scott Parker's path, who unleashed a shot from distance. Though it didn't test the keeper, it posed a minor threat.

The match was evenly contested, with neither side able to fully impose their rhythm. Atlético's attempts to control proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by Chelsea, making it difficult for the visitors to create clear chances.

The entire first half was a grinding affair, with both teams struggling to carve out decisive opportunities.

Yang Hao couldn't help but acknowledge Ranieri's coaching prowess. From Valencia to Chelsea, the Italian had laid strong foundations for his teams.

Halftime Team Talk

"It's fine! It's fine!"

As Yang Hao entered the locker room at halftime, he clapped his hands and smiled at his players.

In the players' tunnel earlier, he had patted each one on the back, offering words of encouragement. Now, he continued to boost their morale.

"Before this match, I told you it would be a tough battle. And we were prepared for that, weren't we?"

The players nodded in agreement. Yang Hao had emphasized multiple times before the game that playing at Stamford Bridge would not be an easy task.

He reiterated the need for patience and caution, especially in difficult moments like this.

Chelsea had entrenched themselves defensively, relying on counter-attacks, which indeed posed challenges for Atlético. Particularly in midfield, progression was arduous.

Makélélé operated like a ball-recovery machine, and with Frank Lampard providing additional defensive support, Chelsea's midfield was formidable.

Yang Hao's response was straightforward: outlast them. This was a battle of patience and endurance, one that relied heavily on Atlético's superior quality.

"Stretch the play, switch the ball often, and keep the flanks alive," he instructed.

"We need to create opportunities when we can. If that doesn't work, switch sides."

He specifically addressed Joaquín and Reyes, urging them to operate more in the half-spaces and leave the wings open for overlapping full-backs. The combination of Joaquín and Evra on the left had been particularly effective in the first half.

"When we have possession, the full-backs can push forward more boldly," he said.

Turning to Reyes and Maicon, he added, "You didn't put enough pressure on Bridge in the first half."

In Chelsea's defense, Wayne Bridge was arguably the weakest link, compared to Gallas on the right and the central pairing of Terry and Desailly.

The left flank had been more productive, with Joaquín and Evra creating some danger, but the right side had been relatively quiet.

Maicon expressed concerns about Duff's counter-attacks, acknowledging the winger's blistering speed.

Baraja chimed in, "I'll keep an eye on Duff in the second half."

Yang Hao nodded. "That works. Honestly, against Chelsea, shooting from range isn't yielding much. Let's free up Maicon to support the attack."

"Be more aggressive on Bridge in the second half!" Yang Hao urged.

Reyes and Maicon exchanged glances and nodded.

Then Yang Hao turned to Deco, who quickly straightened up to receive instructions.

"You played a bit conservatively in the first half. In the second, I want you to push forward more. Look at Lampard—he's constantly advancing. You need to do the same."

Deco nodded firmly. "Got it."

Late runs from midfield could effectively disrupt Lampard and Makélélé, creating more space in the half-spaces for Atlético's wide players.

"Alright!" Yang Hao clapped his hands again, rallying his team.

"This is the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal, and we're away. It's a tough match, no doubt.

"The first goal in matches like this is always the hardest. It breaks the deadlock and shifts the balance of the game.

"But the tougher it gets, the more focused and patient we need to be.

"You've asked me before if I have confidence. I said I do. But now I'm asking you—do you have the determination?"

"This is where our determination will be tested!"

"Believe me, guys, Chelsea are not terrifying. They're just stubborn. We've faced teams like this before, and we'll face even tougher ones in the future.

"So trust yourselves, and trust me!"

"Lastly, let's pick up the pace a bit in the second half. We're here to score an away goal!"

"Got it!" the players roared in unison.

Second Half

As the second half kicked off, Chelsea tried to launch an aggressive push.

The tempo visibly quickened.

But in the 48th minute, Atlético intercepted the ball in their own half.

Xabi Alonso quickly spread the ball to the left flank, where Evra surged forward. Linking up with Joaquín in a one-two, Evra advanced to the edge of the box and sent in a diagonal cross.

Drogba, pressured by Terry, couldn't reach the near post, but Reyes clashed with Desailly at the back post.

Reyes went down in the box, and the ball rolled into Carlo Cudicini's hands.

Atlético players protested, demanding a penalty, but the referee waved play on.

Replays showed both players had tangled arms, making it a 50-50 call.

Yang Hao vented his frustration on the touchline.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Atlético steadily pushed forward.

In the 51st minute, Lampard launched a long ball into Atlético's half, but Čech confidently raced out of his box to clear the danger.

The Czech goalkeeper charged to the edge of the penalty arc and headed the ball to Lucio, who then spread it to Maicon on the right flank.

Maicon controlled the ball near midfield, but Duff immediately pressed him.

"Chelsea are pressing higher in the second half," the commentator noted.

Atlético were about to engage in another tactical duel, as the stakes at Stamford Bridge continued to rise.

"It's clear that Ranieri has realized that as long as Chelsea remains pinned in their own half, their counterattacks will lack threat. Tonight, their most dangerous moment came from Duff's counter, but it didn't even result in a shot on target."

"Now Chelsea is trying to push their formation higher, at least battling Atlético closer to midfield."

"This will significantly shorten their attacking distance."

"Look at Duff closing in on Maicon."

"Maicon passes the ball back to the retreating Reyes."

"Reyes halts, pivots, and starts cutting inside along the half-space."

As soon as Maicon noticed Reyes' pivot, he surged forward at full speed.

Duff hesitated momentarily before giving chase.

As Atlético pushed into Chelsea's 30-meter zone, Maicon called out to Reyes.

The rest of Atlético's players pressed forward, putting even more pressure on Chelsea's defensive line.

Reyes carried the ball to the edge of the penalty area on the right. Spotting Bridge moving in to block, he immediately passed it out wide.

Maicon sprinted along the right touchline, nudged the ball forward with a powerful touch toward the baseline, and quickly caught up with it. While in stride, he glanced up at the penalty area.

At the penalty spot, Drogba signaled for the ball with a raised hand.

Duff, chasing relentlessly, arrived just as Maicon was about to deliver his cross.

However, Maicon struck the ball first, launching a curling cross into the air.

Duff's outstretched leg missed by a margin.

The ball sailed toward the far post.

Both Drogba and Terry craned their necks, tracking its descent while shuffling to adjust their positioning.

Terry remained focused on blocking Drogba's direct path to goal, positioning himself to deny a clear header.

Both players leaped simultaneously. Drogba, in a slightly better position, adjusted to the ball's trajectory. But rather than heading toward goal, he opted for a deft flick with his forehead.

A header back across goal!

Drogba's header didn't aim for the net, as Desailly had retreated to cover.

Instead, it landed in the open space near the penalty spot's right side, just ahead of Desailly.

At the same moment, Reyes, who had been lingering on the edge of the box after his earlier pass, began his run forward.

Recognizing that Drogba wouldn't have a clean shot, Reyes moved decisively.

The ball dropped into the space left by Desailly, and as it reached the ground, Reyes arrived, cushioning it with his left foot.

His touch expertly redirected the ball into a central position at the penalty spot, perfectly bypassing Desailly's lunge.

This was where Reyes' technical brilliance shone.

His touch was precise and delicate, the ball rolling obediently into the danger area, just as if it were under his command.

With Desailly now behind him, Reyes followed up with a quick left-footed strike.

The shot was low, driven straight, and skimming the grass as it sped toward the bottom right corner of the net.

Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini sprang into action.

Standing at 1.84 meters tall, Cudicini wasn't the tallest keeper but was known for his reflexes and agility—traits that had served him well in his younger years.

But now, against Reyes' laser-focused shot aimed just inside the right post, Cudicini could only stretch desperately. He was a fraction too late.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"52nd minute—Reyes!!!"

"Atlético Madrid has broken the deadlock at Stamford Bridge!"

"A crucial away goal, and what a goal it was! Reyes delivers a superb strike to put Atlético ahead!"

"1-0!"

On the touchline, Yang Hao clenched both fists in jubilation, clapping and shouting his approval for the team's brilliant execution.

In the Stands

"This Atlético team is impressive," Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich remarked to his wife, seated beside him in the Stamford Bridge stands.

Despite the match's stakes, Abramovich didn't seem overly concerned about the result.

He understood Chelsea's current limitations. Competing for titles against teams like Arsenal or Manchester United domestically—and now facing a formidable Atlético Madrid in Europe—was always going to be an uphill battle.

From what he had seen so far, Atlético was clearly the superior team, creating more attacking opportunities and playing with a flair that was hard to ignore.

Their possession-based style, reminiscent of Arsenal, stood in stark contrast to Chelsea's reliance on long balls.

Chelsea had been leaning heavily on long passes throughout the season.

"Pini, is it possible to bring their coach here?" Abramovich turned to Pini Zahavi, the renowned football agent seated on his other side.

"You mean Yang Hao?" Zahavi clarified.

Abramovich nodded. "So that's Yang Hao."

The name was familiar; Abramovich had heard of him even in Russia. Yang Hao was already a renowned figure in global football.

"Yes, not only is he Atlético's coach, but he's also a shareholder in the club," Zahavi explained.

"Poaching him would be extremely difficult."

"Is it possible at all?"

Zahavi shook his head slightly. "Not likely. I'd suggest considering the Portuguese manager, Mourinho. His abilities are on par with Yang Hao's, and he's been performing well in this season's Champions League."

"I've watched one of his games. It felt overly defensive," Abramovich commented.

What Abramovich wanted for Chelsea was an attacking style that dazzled—similar to the breathtaking football Real Madrid had played against Manchester United in the previous year's Champions League.

That match had left a lasting impression on him.

"Building a powerhouse club takes time," Zahavi said, gesturing toward the pitch.

"Look at Atlético. Yang Hao took over in 2000, won the UEFA Cup three times, and has a Champions League and La Liga double under his belt. But even now, they're still not quite considered a true European powerhouse."

"Would joining the G14 make them a powerhouse?" Abramovich asked.

Zahavi chuckled and shook his head. "It's not that simple. Remember when we floated the idea of Chelsea joining the G14? How did the old boys' club react?"

Recently, Chelsea had publicly expressed interest in joining the G14 but was promptly rejected.

"Yet Arsenal, Leverkusen, Lyon, and Valencia—clubs without Champions League titles—were allowed in. Why not Atlético? What's the difference?" Abramovich pressed.

"The criteria are controlled by them. The last four additions were dominant forces in their domestic leagues in recent years. As for Atlético? There were rumors that Real Madrid may have opposed their entry. Who knows?"

"At the time, whether Valencia or Atlético deserved that spot more was genuinely a matter of debate."

Pini Zahavi couldn't provide more specific insider details about the situation.

Valencia had been dominant in both La Liga and the Champions League from 2000 to the present.

Atlético?

They were the fastest-rising team, and their achievements even surpassed Valencia's. But when G14 extended its invitation, they chose Valencia over Atlético.

There was a theory that when the invitation was issued, Atlético hadn't yet won the Champions League. Meanwhile, Valencia had reached the final twice, making them seem like a more logical choice.

Who really knows?

As they were speaking, Atlético launched another attack.

Reyes received the ball on the right flank, cut inside sharply, and shook off Makelele's defense. He then unleashed a curling left-footed shot.

Cudicini made a crucial diving save, tipping the ball away from the goal.

The entire Stamford Bridge was left stunned!

Everyone was amazed by Reyes' sudden strike, including Roman Abramovich.

"Wow, is that Joaquín?" Abramovich asked, recalling that Atlético's right-winger, Joaquín, was a player Chelsea had scouted for an entire year. Pini Zahavi had once told him that Joaquín paired with Duff could form a "devilish duo" on the wings.

"No, that's Reyes," Zahavi clarified, pointing to the other side. "Joaquín is the one on the left tonight. They've switched positions. Joaquín has also been excellent, creating several chances early on, but our right flank has Gallas defending."

Abramovich nodded. He was familiar with Gallas' quality.

"Atlético's players are quite strong. Diego Forlán is our top scorer this season. And if Hasselbaink weren't past his prime, he'd still be quite formidable," Abramovich remarked, acknowledging the caliber of players Atlético produced.

"I agree; it's worth considering," Zahavi eagerly chimed in.

Last summer, Zahavi had made a handsome profit from transfers. Now, he was itching for Abramovich to burn more cash on reinforcements this summer—preferably in a spree.

Otherwise, why had he gone through so much effort to persuade Abramovich to buy into the Premier League?

As the two men sat in the stands, discussing the players on both teams, they began outlining Chelsea's transfer targets for the upcoming summer.

Abramovich wasn't naive. He wanted to strengthen Chelsea in specific areas of need to quickly build a title-contending squad.

In the 65th minute, Chelsea launched a counterattack. Duff carried the ball forward before passing to Diego Forlán.

The Uruguayan striker, 20 meters from goal, unleashed a long-range shot, which Atlético goalkeeper Čech dived to save.

But the ball stayed loose inside the penalty area.

Vieri tangled with Atlético's center-backs in a chaotic scramble.

Carvalho got to the ball first, clearing it out.

However, as Xabi Alonso prepared to follow up with another clearance, Frank Lampard appeared out of nowhere. He beat Alonso to the ball, controlled it, and from the edge of the penalty arc, unleashed a thunderous shot.

Čech, who had scrambled to his feet, was partially screened. By the time he reacted and dived, Lampard's shot had already ripped into the back of the net.

1-1!

Chelsea had equalized!

Abramovich jumped to his feet with the rest of the Chelsea fans, applauding his team's effort with great enthusiasm.

"This Lampard is excellent!" Abramovich declared, clearly impressed.

Zahavi quickly nodded and added, "My technical team has analyzed him. If we bring in another midfielder to share his workload, it could unlock his full potential."

"Oh?" Abramovich raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"He's vastly underrated," Zahavi affirmed confidently.

Abramovich nodded thoughtfully. "Draft a list. Let's review it."

"Of course," Zahavi replied, elated.

A list?

This wasn't just a list; it was money—piles and piles of money!

Atlético Strikes Back

After Chelsea leveled the score, Yang Hao made a bold substitution.

Kaká replaced Xabi Alonso.

Xabi Alonso's performance had been subpar, not entirely due to Chelsea's pressing, but also because of his own inconsistency.

While Marcos Senna was available on the bench, Yang Hao opted for Kaká, signaling an aggressive push for another away goal.

"Control the ball and tempo. Stay patient!"

"Switch Reyes back to the left wing and Joaquín to the right. Crosses should target Drogba!"

"Let's go!"

Kaká sprinted onto the pitch, relaying Yang Hao's instructions as he replaced Alonso.

Yang Hao gave Alonso a brief embrace and escorted him to the bench.

With renewed tactics, Atlético shifted into attack mode once more.

Reyes quickly made an impact from the left, breaking through and firing a shot from the edge of the box that sailed over the crossbar.

Kaká also had a shot, but it failed to trouble Cudicini.

As the game reached the 70th minute, Chelsea players began showing signs of fatigue, allowing Atlético to gain the upper hand again. With their superior passing and ball control, they pinned Chelsea back into their own half.

Reyes, now back on the left wing, continued to shine.

In the 76th minute, he delivered a precise cross from the left flank into the penalty area.

Drogba rose to meet it, nodding the ball toward the far post.

Joaquín couldn't connect, as Bridge managed to head it clear.

Outside the box, Kaká and Makelele leaped for the ball.

At 1.86 meters tall, Kaká had a significant height advantage over the 1.74-meter Makelele and won the header, directing it to Deco nearby.

Deco expertly shook off Lampard, controlled the ball, and darted into the penalty area.

Facing an advancing Terry, Deco deftly dragged the ball to the side with his right foot, creating just enough space for a shot.

Terry, wary of conceding a penalty, hesitated to tackle, giving Deco the opportunity to strike.

His shot threaded through the crowded box, heading straight for the bottom-right corner of the net.

Cudicini dove desperately but failed to reach it.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"Deco!!"

"76th minute! Deco does it again!!"

"After weaving past Terry with his brilliant footwork, Deco fires Atlético back into the lead!"

2-1!

"Atlético Madrid retakes the lead at Stamford Bridge!"

"Tonight's match has been dominated by Atlético. Chelsea has fought valiantly with solid defense, but they simply couldn't withstand Atlético's relentless attacks!"

On the evening of April 6, the Calderón Stadium in Madrid was electric as Atlético hosted Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

From the opening whistle, Atlético displayed a completely different spirit from their performance at Stamford Bridge.

The starting lineup remained mostly unchanged, but Atlético's midfield control showed significant improvement compared to the first leg.

Xabi Alonso, in particular, appeared far more active.

Taking advantage of the home ground, Atlético quickly seized control of possession and tempo, pinning Chelsea back into a defensive posture.

The Colchoneros created frequent scoring opportunities in the first half, forcing Chelsea to hunker down.

This situation wasn't surprising; it had been widely predicted before the match.

After the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Atlético returned to La Liga. Yang Hao utilized heavy rotation and reserve players for the next two league matches.

As a result, Atlético drew 0-0 away against Villarreal and narrowly edged Real Valladolid 2-1 at home. Neither performance was ideal.

However, the upside was that all of Atlético's key players had ample time to rest.

Media reports even claimed that upon returning from London, Yang Hao had given Xabi Alonso complete freedom to rest, allowing him to take as many days off as he wished.

Xabi Alonso reportedly granted himself three full days off before returning to training.

Other key players also received breaks, with everyone taking at least two days off over the two-week period.

Chelsea, on the other hand?

Ranieri's side relied heavily on a single lineup to handle both the Champions League and Premier League fixtures.

Fortunately for them, they were already out of the FA Cup. Otherwise, their schedule would've been even more brutal.

At home against Wolverhampton, Chelsea managed comfortably. But the weekend before facing Atlético, they encountered fierce resistance in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Though Tottenham ranked only 12th in the Premier League at the time, they fought Chelsea tooth and nail. The two sides battled for 90 minutes at White Hart Lane before Chelsea eked out a 1-0 victory.

In consecutive matches, Chelsea essentially fielded the same starting XI. The only rotation came up front, where Vieri was replaced by Hasselbaink, and Diego Forlán by Guðjohnsen.

Otherwise, the rest of the lineup remained unchanged.

The toll this took on Chelsea's players was evident.

Yang Hao had calculated this exact scenario, adopting a conservative strategy for the second leg.

Secure possession, control the tempo, and stay patient.

The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Atlético dominated 64% of possession, but neither side produced clear-cut chances.

The second half began with the same dynamic. Atlético maintained control, methodically building their attacks, while Chelsea defended doggedly and looked to counter.

At halftime, Ranieri made one adjustment, substituting Jesper Grønkjær for Scott Parker.

The Italian manager clearly hoped Grønkjær would exploit Atlético's left side, but the Dane failed to make much of an impact.

Meanwhile, Yang Hao stuck to his plan, remaining composed.

With a 3-2 first-leg lead, Atlético held the upper hand.

When Xabi Alonso found his rhythm, the entire Atlético midfield came alive. They dominated possession, conserving energy while gradually wearing down Chelsea's fatigued players.

The goalless stretch leading up to the 65th minute was entirely within Yang Hao's expectations.

The pressure to score was mounting on Chelsea, not Atlético.

Finally, in the 65th minute, Yang Hao made his move.

Kaká came on to replace captain Rubén Baraja.

The substitution sent a clear signal to Atlético's players.

The Calderón counterattack was about to begin.

A Calculated Gamble

Ranieri had anticipated Yang Hao's strategy since the first half.

Atlético aimed to dominate possession, deplete Chelsea's energy, and then go on the offensive once the visitors were sufficiently fatigued.

It was an open strategy—Yang Hao wasn't hiding his intentions.

The gamble relied on Chelsea's lack of squad depth.

Indeed, Chelsea's defense and midfield lacked adequate reinforcements.

This wasn't surprising; Rome wasn't built in a day.

Chelsea had spent lavishly the previous summer, acquiring numerous players. However, they had only managed to assemble a competitive starting XI. As a result, they ranked second in the Premier League, even ahead of Manchester United.

But their lack of depth remained glaring.

Chelsea's defensive depth was virtually non-existent, with Geremi being the only remotely capable backup.

As for the midfield?

Verón and Petit were marquee names on paper.

But Verón, after two underwhelming years at Manchester United, had lost the spark that once made him the world's best playmaker. Petit, at 33, was a shadow of his former self, having stagnated during his time at Barcelona.

The situation wasn't much better up front. Chelsea's reliance on a 4-4-2 formation meant their midfield consisted of only two central players.

Frank Lampard was renowned for his durability and had played in every match of the season. His hunger to play meant he rarely rotated out, embodying the traditional English mentality:

Injury and fatigue are weaknesses. A strong player pushes through with sheer willpower.

This sentiment, championed by the likes of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, often dismissed squad rotation as unnecessary for "real" players.

For Lampard, sitting out wasn't an option.

Similarly, Makelele was Chelsea's midfield linchpin, and he too had played nearly every minute of the season.

In contrast, Verón and Petit were largely relegated to the bench, unable to contribute meaningfully.

Ranieri hadn't even brought them to Madrid.

As soon as Yang Hao introduced Kaká, Ranieri immediately sprang into action, shouting instructions from the sideline.

"Mark Kaká closely!"

He emphasized this repeatedly to Makelele and Lampard, warning them to keep a close watch on the Brazilian.

The second half was entering its most critical phase. Yang Hao was ready to strike, while Ranieri scrambled to contain the inevitable onslaught.

After Kaká entered the field, Atlético noticeably increased the tempo of the game, especially in the attacking third.

Xabi Alonso, acting as the central pivot, began to accelerate ball circulation, particularly to the flanks.

Evra and Maicon also pushed forward with greater aggression.

In the 67th minute, Xabi Alonso initiated an attack down the right.

Joaquín received Maicon's pass and attempted a diagonal cross into the box for Drogba, but Wayne Bridge managed to deflect it.

The ball flew out toward the 30-meter zone.

Xabi Alonso quickly controlled it and switched play to the left.

Evra took possession, delivering a diagonal cross into the box.

Terry managed to intercept it before Drogba could connect, heading the ball clear—but not far enough.

Deco rushed forward, controlled the ball with his first touch, and unleashed a thunderous strike.

The Atlético fans collectively gasped, but the shot narrowly missed the target.

Atlético, however, maintained their high press in the midfield and immediately launched another wave of attacks.

With Torres still on the bench and Baraja subbed off, Xabi Alonso wore the captain's armband. He continuously encouraged his teammates while spreading the play to the wings.

This time, the attack focused on the left.

Evra spotted an opportunity and delivered a diagonal ball behind the defensive line.

Drogba burst between Terry and Desailly, reaching the ball just before goalkeeper Cudicini, trying to chip it into the net.

Unfortunately, he mishit the ball, sending it wide of the post.

Meanwhile, the chemistry between Kaká and Deco in the attacking midfield grew stronger with every passing minute.

In the 72nd minute, a smooth sequence of interplay between the two Brazilians saw Kaká deliver a diagonal pass to Reyes.

Reyes, unable to break through, passed back to Deco.

Deco controlled the ball, cut inside past Grønkjær, and delivered a diagonal pass into the penalty area.

Kaká, with his back to goal, stopped the ball, spun, and fired a quick shot.

While the attempt was on target, it lacked power and was easily caught by Cudicini.

Moments later, Cudicini threw the ball to initiate an attack. Grønkjær, receiving the ball on the right, tried to sprint forward but was caught off guard by a sliding tackle from Deco, who reclaimed possession.

Reyes carried the ball down the left wing, drawing defenders Gallas and Grønkjær into a double team. He passed to Deco, who then laid the ball off centrally to Kaká.

Finding himself unmarked 30 meters from goal, Kaká unleashed a powerful strike.

The shot had excellent technique but sailed just over the bar, denying Atlético another spectacular goal.

A Wave of Attacks

"Since Kaká came on, Atlético has launched wave after wave of attacks," the commentator observed.

"In just seven or eight minutes, they've managed multiple shots on goal."

"While none have found the net yet, Chelsea must take this seriously—continuing to allow Atlético such opportunities will only lead to trouble."

The relentless attacking display had the home fans at the Calderón on their feet, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

If the first hour of the game was intense but lacked brilliance, the final stretch, starting with the 65th-minute substitution, was electrifying.

Attack after attack, each more thrilling than the last, kept the crowd on edge.

Ranieri couldn't stay seated in the technical area any longer. He paced anxiously, gesturing to his players to stay organized.

At this point, he wasn't even thinking about how to score against Atlético.

His sole focus was on shoring up Chelsea's defense and preventing another goal.

But in the 75th minute, Atlético broke the deadlock.

The Moment of Glory

Atlético's center-back had possession, and Vieri advanced to press.

Lucio delivered a sharp pass to Xabi Alonso near the center circle.

Under pressure from Diego Forlán, Xabi Alonso evaded the challenge with a deft touch and shifted the ball to the right, finding Joaquín.

Joaquín, facing away from goal, controlled the ball, turned, and moved it to the right flank.

Maicon, storming down the wing at full speed, took a few long strides and drove toward the byline.

Reaching Chelsea's penalty area, he glanced up and sent a cross into the box.

At the near post, Drogba and Kaká drew the attention of multiple Chelsea defenders.

Drogba, in particular, occupied Terry and Desailly, leaving space behind them.

Maicon's cross, however, bypassed both Drogba and the defenders, sailing over their heads.

The ball dropped perfectly to the unmarked Reyes, charging in from the left side of the penalty area.

Without letting the ball touch the ground, Reyes met it with a thunderous volley.

A resounding thud echoed as the ball rocketed into the bottom left corner of Chelsea's net like a cannonball.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"75th minute!!"

"Atlético finally breaks the deadlock!"

"Reyes!!"

"What an incredible volley from the Spanish winger!"

"Reyes, the homegrown Spanish talent, strikes again!"

Reyes, overcome with emotion, turned and sprinted toward the touchline, shouting in celebration as the Calderón erupted into a frenzy.

1-0! Aggregate: 4-2!

The entire stadium exploded with joy.

Fans poured out of their seats, chanting Reyes' name in unison.

The Spanish prodigy had been in exceptional form over the past few seasons, especially after Vicente's departure. Reyes had established himself as Atlético's undisputed king of the left flank.

In the first leg at Stamford Bridge, his brace had propelled Atlético to victory. Now, he had once again delivered a crucial goal to put Atlético firmly in the driver's seat.

The Vision of the Future

In the VIP box at the Calderón, Enrique Cerezo, Miguel Gil, and several MSM Group executives were hosting a group of very special guests.

Among them were the two founders of Herzog & de Meuron, the renowned Swiss architecture firm, along with their design team.

They had recently signed a contract to design Atlético's new stadium, a transformative project that included the redevelopment of the surrounding area and two towering skyscrapers.

This ambitious venture had already drawn widespread attention from fans and investors worldwide.

Both Atlético and the MSM Group had invested over €100 million into the project, signaling a bold vision for the future.

Watching Reyes' goal, Cerezo turned to their guests, beaming with pride.

"This is the essence of Atlético football!" he declared.

Herzog & de Meuron had accumulated numerous accolades in recent years, most notably the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2001, which catapulted them to global fame. Their subsequent projects included the main stadium for the 2008 Olympics, the 2006 World Cup stadium, and St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

Atlético chose this firm largely because their design for Basel's St. Jakob-Park was not just a football stadium but part of a comprehensive urban redevelopment project.

The rectangular plot in Basel was tightly constrained: a river on the east, a main road on the west, railway tracks to the north, and tramlines and highways to the south.

Within this dense space, Herzog & de Meuron built a modern stadium with a capacity of 40,000. The south stand was seamlessly integrated with a long, high-rise building that featured both a senior citizen community as a public project and 107 luxury apartments designed for Basel's VIP fans.

Moreover, the high-rise's lower three floors were connected to a shopping center in the southeast corner, creating a bustling commercial district along the street.

In the northeast, the design included Basel's club headquarters—a sleek, modern office building used by the club and available for rent.

While their work on the Olympic and World Cup stadiums demonstrated their architectural prowess, it was the practical integration of the St. Jakob-Park stadium into Basel's urban fabric that resonated with Atlético's current needs.

Interestingly, Herzog himself was a die-hard Basel fan and even served on the club's board of directors.

When Yang Hao learned that Herzog & de Meuron had been commissioned, he immediately approved.

"Allianz Arena, and don't forget the Bird's Nest," he thought.

As for St. Jakob-Park, it wasn't a globally renowned name in his previous life, but now everyone seemed to praise its brilliance.

After the deal was finalized, Herzog and his team traveled to Madrid for site surveys and measurements. They also wanted to experience the passion of Atlético's fans and immerse themselves in the club's football culture.

The Champions League quarterfinal second leg was an event they couldn't miss, leading to their appearance in the stands.

"Playing with such intelligence," Herzog remarked, rubbing his bald head with a smile.

"First, they use possession to exhaust the opponent, then bring on Kaká to intensify their attacks. Chelsea won't hold out much longer."

As a seasoned football fan, Herzog couldn't help but applaud Atlético's tactical ingenuity after seeing their offensive wave following Kaká's substitution.

"And your home atmosphere is incredible. With this level of passion and strength, you have a real shot at the Champions League, maybe even the treble this season."

Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil exchanged knowing smiles.

The MSM Group executives, meanwhile, reevaluated their opinion of Atlético.

It was becoming increasingly clear that the balance of power in Madrid football was shifting.

Real Madrid's dominance was no longer unchallenged. Atlético had risen to become a formidable contender, even overshadowing their cross-town rivals at times.

For the MSM Group, rooted in the Greater Madrid area with ambitions to expand globally, Atlético had become an indispensable strategic partner.

Relentless Pressure on the Pitch

Back on the field, Atlético quickly intercepted a Chelsea pass in the attacking third.

With Chelsea's stamina fading, their passing accuracy began to falter under Atlético's relentless pressing.

After recovering possession, Atlético initiated an attack down the right flank with Maicon surging forward.

However, the right side was quickly shut down.

Joaquín pulled back, passing horizontally to Deco, who lifted a diagonal ball behind Gallas for Reyes to chase.

Reyes reached the left edge of the penalty area and sent a curling cross into the box.

Terry cleared the ball with a header, but it didn't travel far.

Evra intercepted, controlled it, and passed to Deco.

Deco then laid it off to the retreating Kaká.

Makélélé tightly marked Kaká, denying him the chance to turn. With no immediate options, Kaká played the ball wide to Evra on the left.

As soon as Evra received the ball, Grønkjær charged at him, but Evra delivered a sharp through ball.

Reyes collected it on the edge of the box and drove forward.

At the same time, Drogba surged toward the near post, Joaquín angled his run toward the far post, and Deco advanced from the left channel.

Chelsea's defenders scrambled to mark their runs, bracing for a cross into the six-yard box.

But Reyes had other plans.

Instead of crossing into the crowded six-yard box, he sent the ball to the penalty spot.

Chelsea's defenders had retreated too far, leaving an open pocket of space.

Makélélé realized the danger too late. As the ball arrived, he sprinted toward Kaká, but the Brazilian was already there.

Kaká deftly controlled the ball with his right foot, evading Makélélé's lunge, and struck it with his left before it hit the ground.

The movement was seamless—fluid and elegant.

Before anyone could react, the ball had cut through the crowded box and nestled into Chelsea's net.

Cudicini, distracted by Drogba and Joaquín and with his view partially obstructed, reacted too late. Kaká's strike was already past him.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"79th minute!"

"Kaká scores again against Chelsea!!"

"I told you! I just said Atlético would score again!"

"The momentum was clear after the 75th-minute goal. Chelsea looked deflated, their energy sapped, and they simply couldn't keep up with Atlético anymore."

"2-0!"

"The aggregate score is now 5-2!"

"This is clearly a premeditated strategy from Yang Hao. Once Kaká came on, Atlético completely turned the game in their favor!"

The Breaking Point

Nobody expected Chelsea to collapse so thoroughly in the final stages.

Just three minutes after Kaká's second goal, Atlético struck again.

Following an interception near the halfway line, the ball was passed to Xabi Alonso, who delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Deco just outside the box.

With his back to Lampard, Deco controlled the ball, turned, and played a diagonal pass to the left.

Reyes sprinted into the penalty area, beating Gallas to the ball and lofting a cross toward the center.

Despite being sandwiched by Terry and Desailly, Drogba muscled his way into position.

Using his formidable strength, he broke free from their grip and launched himself into the air.

Meeting Reyes' cross with his forehead, Drogba powered a header toward goal with all his might.

The ball was smashed into Chelsea's net once again by Drogba's powerful header!

The Ivorian striker roared in the box, turned around, and dashed to the corner flag, sliding on his knees to leave two long streaks in the grass.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Atlético scores again!"

"82nd minute! A brilliant assist from Reyes, and Drogba with a ferocious and decisive header breaks Chelsea's defense once more!"

"Collapse after collapse!"

"3-0!"

"Ranieri's team simply cannot withstand Atlético's relentless bombardment!"

"They held on for more than an hour, but in these final twenty minutes, they've completely fallen apart!"

"The aggregate score is now 6-2, and there's no chance for Chelsea to mount a comeback!"

Atlético grew more and more unstoppable.

In the 86th minute, Deco moved out to the left wing, linking up with Evra for a clever one-two that allowed Evra to surge toward the left side of Chelsea's penalty area.

Grønkjær and Lampard rushed back to defend, while Reyes cleverly vacated the left flank and positioned himself near the edge of the penalty box, watching Evra's movements to decide on his next move.

When Evra halted the ball, Reyes immediately understood that his teammate lacked the confidence to bypass Grønkjær.

Raising his hand, Reyes gestured for a pass and pointed toward the space in front of him.

Evra didn't pass directly to Reyes' feet. Instead, he delivered the ball precisely to where Reyes had indicated.

Reyes sprinted from the edge of the box, forcing Gallas to step out to challenge him.

As the ball arrived, Reyes sidestepped and used his left foot to flick it past Gallas, turning sharply and accelerating past the defender.

Gallas hadn't anticipated such an unpredictable move. Seeing Reyes streak past him, Gallas reached out to grab his opponent, but Reyes was too quick, evading his grasp.

Reyes burst into Chelsea's penalty area from the left side, catching up to the ball just in time to face Terry, who was charging over to block him.

Terry's angle of approach was oblique, cutting across Reyes' path to the goal. But Reyes reacted instantly.

With a sudden stop, he pulled the ball back with his left foot and veered sideways, cutting inside to leave Terry lunging at air.

Inside the penalty area, even Terry dared not risk fouling.

Unable to intervene, Terry could only watch helplessly as Reyes dribbled past.

Desailly, recognizing the danger, abandoned Drogba to confront Reyes. However, his positioning inadvertently blocked the passing lane to Drogba.

If Reyes aimed too far forward, Cudicini would intercept the ball.

Thinking fast, Reyes shouted, "Right side!"

Before his words fully registered, he pushed the ball with the inside of his right foot, threading it past Drogba toward the right side of the box.

The ball slid past Drogba, who tried to turn and chase it, but a familiar figure darted in.

Joaquín, cutting diagonally into the penalty area, reached the ball at the right edge of the penalty spot. Without breaking stride, he struck the rolling pass with his right foot.

"Joaquín shoots!"

"And it's in!!!"

"Oh my God, 4-0!"

"In the 86th minute, Atlético scores again!"

"4-0!"

"In just over 20 minutes, Atlético has scored four goals!"

"If the first hour of this match felt uneventful, these last 20 minutes have undoubtedly been worth the wait for every Atlético fan in attendance and those watching at home!"

"This is Atlético! This is their relentless attacking storm!"

"Absolutely brilliant!"

"We knew Yang Hao wouldn't settle for a cautious match tonight. We speculated about one, maybe two goals."

"But no one expected Atlético to score four goals in just over 20 minutes. It's almost beyond belief!"

"The tension of the first 60 minutes has been completely eclipsed by the euphoria of this final stretch!"

The Calderón erupted in a frenzy.

Every Atlético fan leapt from their seats, shouting and cheering with all their might.

4-0!

7-2 on aggregate!

What is a rout?

This is a rout!

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