Starting With Real Madrid

The referee, Cantaleo, aged 42, led the players from both teams into the Bernabeu Stadium.

Suddenly, the stadium erupted.

Cantaleo could be considered a friend of Atletico Madrid, having officiated seven matches for them in the past four seasons since their promotion to La Liga. Atletico Madrid's record under his refereeing includes one draw and one loss, including two games against Barcelona.

During the same period, while officiating for Real Madrid, the Galacticos only managed one win out of four games, with the rest ending in draws.

Additionally, he was known for issuing a plethora of cards.

In the 2003-04 La Liga season, during the twenty-seventh round match between Real Madrid and Sporting Santander, he handed out a total of eleven yellow cards and one red card. Out of these, only five were for the home team, Santander Athletic, while the remaining six yellow cards were given to Real Madrid players, including Zidane and Beckham, who received his notorious yellow card. Mejia was also sent off in that game.

The final score was a draw of 1-1. Despite their efforts, the star-studded Real Madrid failed to secure an away victory against their opponents.

This season, under Cantaleo's refereeing, Atletico Madrid also secured a 2-1 victory against Barcelona.

In comparing head-to-head records, Real Madrid found themselves at a disadvantage once again.

...

As Gao Shen followed the players onto the field from the tunnel, the entire Bernabeu Stadium suddenly erupted into thunderous boos.

Seventy-five thousand Real Madrid fans booed in unison to express their dissatisfaction and anger towards the rookie coach.

Their stance was crystal clear, with slogans visible everywhere in the stands.

Various insults and humiliating words coalesced into two simple words: "Get out!"

Rao Shigao had mentally prepared himself for the coaching environment, anticipating perhaps even the possibility of a pig's head being thrown by the Real Madrid fans. Yet, as he emerged from the tunnel into the wave of boos from 75,000 fans, he couldn't help but feel a sense of suffocation, an urge to turn around and retreat.

It was akin to walking down the street and being cursed at by someone. If it were just one person, he might have been ready to confront them, but what if there were five? What if there were ten?

What if everyone on the street was hurling abuse?

Now, Gao Shen was facing 75,000 enraged Real Madrid fans.

He even felt as though it had become difficult to breathe.

Just as Gao Shen walked out onto the field, the Real Madrid fans unfurled a massive banner, 30 meters long and 20 meters high, adorned with a few lines of striking Spanish text.

"Chinese boy, get out! Don't bring shame to Real Madrid!"

"Martin, clean up your mess!"

Upon raising his head, Gao Shen caught sight of this colossal banner. One could only imagine his emotional state as he plummeted into despair.

Similar banners dotted all around the stadium, too numerous to count.

Among the slogans, the mildest expressed by the thirty or forty fans seated in the chairman's box held cards aloft to form a message.

"Son, it's not your fault! But please leave this esteemed club!"

Gao Shen could empathize with the rage simmering in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans, yet he couldn't suppress the humiliation gnawing at him.

It might sound cliché to cry out, "Don't bully the poor," but at this moment, that's exactly how he felt.

The more they cursed him, the more he yearned to prove himself to them, to everyone!

He would indeed depart from the Bernabeu, but not like this.

No way!

Gao took a deep breath, took a step forward, and entered the Bernabeu Stadium.

Amidst the thunderous boos echoing around him, he led the way to the visiting team's coaching bench.

According to tradition, as the home team's head coach, he should have shaken hands with the visiting team's head coach.

Atletico Madrid's head coach, Murcia, had ascended from the reserves to douse the flames. Whether intentionally or not, when Gao Shen approached, he seemed oblivious, nonchalantly seated on the bench with his legs crossed, engrossed in conversation with those around him, until Gao Shen approached and extended his hand. It was only then that an assistant reminded Murcia to "pay attention" to Gao Shen.

"My apologies, I didn't see you there!" Murcia smiled and shook hands with Gao Shen.

Gao Shen couldn't discern if Murcia was genuinely arrogant or merely engaging in psychological warfare, but it didn't matter.

"No worries. Now that you've seen me, you won't forget me in the future!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Gao Shen turned and walked away.

Murcia sensed an underlying barb in those words, feeling he may have provoked the other party, yet he laughed it off.

"After all, young people will be young."

...

"He did it on purpose."

Upon Gao Shen's return to the home team's coaching bench, Lucas greeted him.

"I know," Gao Shen nodded.

Such disregard and disdain were commonplace wherever he went.

The correct approach wasn't to complain or grow angry but to make the other party regret their actions.

"Just wait and see. There will come a time when he'll regret this," Gao Shen declared fiercely.

...

Raul lost the coin toss to Torres, who opted for the side, prompting a chorus of boos from the audience.

In a derby match, every inch of ground had to be contested, even the right to the initial kick-off.

Before kick-off, Raul gathered the team together for one final pep talk.

"As the coach emphasized in the locker room just now, many of you are experiencing your first Real Madrid derby, and we don't want this to be your last. So, no matter how much the fans in the stands doubt you, no matter how much our opponents underestimate us, you must not doubt yourselves."

"Show your best performance and prove to everyone that you deserve to be here!"

"Let's do this!"

With a resounding roar from Raul, everyone extended their hands, stacking them atop Raul's, and together shouted "Let's go!" in unison before dispersing to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

...

"We noticed that tonight, Real Madrid has departed from their usual 4-2-3-1 formation and opted for a double pivot midfield. This marks the first occurrence this season."

"In terms of lineup, Casillas is in goal, with the defensive line comprising Felipe Luis, Elgra, Woodgate, and Arbeloa. The double pivot midfield consists of Gravesen and De La Red, with the forward line featuring Raul, Zidane, and Beckham, and Negredo as the lone striker."

"It's worth noting that Felipe Luis, Arbeloa, De La Red, and Negredo are all making their debut for Real Madrid tonight, having been promoted from the reserve team to the first team by coach Gao Shen just four days ago."

"As for Atletico Madrid, Murcia has stuck with their standard 4-4-2 formation, fielding Franco in goal, Antonio Lopez, Pablo Ibanez, Perea, and Velasco in defense, with Petrov, Lucin, Gabi, and Barrera in midfield, and Torres and Kezman up front."

"This lineup represents Atletico Madrid's strongest roster in recent matches. Torres, in particular, has been on a red-hot streak, scoring six goals in the last six rounds. His recent performance has been nothing short of spectacular, including a brace in their last game, a 5-0 drubbing of Malaga."

"In their previous match at Camp Nou, a 3-1 victory over Barcelona, Torres also netted twice, contributing to Atletico's nine goals in three matches, while maintaining a clean sheet. With such impressive statistics, Atletico Madrid appears confident tonight and aims to capitalize on Real Madrid's internal discord."

...

Even the commentators' remarks didn't harbor any secrets.

Atletico Madrid believed it and acted accordingly.

From the moment Cantaleo blew the starting whistle, Atletico Madrid seized the kickoff right and launched a fierce assault on Real Madrid. The forwards, especially Torres and Kezman, pressed aggressively against Real Madrid's defense.

Real Madrid's defensive formation was hastily assembled and lacked cohesion under Atletico Madrid's pressure, resulting in errors by players.

In less than two minutes, Torres stole the ball in the frontcourt and passed it to Kezman. The latter's left-footed shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by Casillas.

In a critical moment, San Iker remained dependable!

Gabi's corner kick found its mark in Real Madrid's penalty area, but Casillas decisively leaped to claim the ball from the air, thwarting Atletico Madrid's scoring opportunity.

Casillas received warm applause from the fans for his consecutive outstanding performances.

Watching from the sidelines, Gao Shen breathed a sigh of relief, particularly pleased to see Casillas not rush to initiate an attack after gaining possession but instead signal his teammates to maintain possession before distributing the ball, deliberately slowing down the pace.

What Real Madrid currently lacked wasn't attacking prowess but rather stability and finding their own rhythm.

"Slow down! Take your time!" Gao Shen shouted loudly from the sidelines.

Atletico Madrid attempted to press again in the midfield and frontcourt, but Real Madrid's players displayed excellent technical skills.

Notably, even someone like Graveson, with his robust appearance, exhibited superb passing ability, while Woodgate, among the central defenders, showcased strong passing skills as well.

After Atletico Madrid's pressing attempt, they realized they hadn't gained possession, prompting them to gradually retreat.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid took deliberate steps to stabilize their position, acclimating themselves to the game's tempo and refraining from hasty attacks.

Yet, this appeared to be a passive scenario.

Despite several attempts to create opportunities on the wings, Real Madrid failed. Upon losing possession, Atletico Madrid swiftly launched counterattacks, playing with speed and urgency.

In the past, Real Madrid often struggled against such rapid counterattacks, but today's team swiftly reverted to a defensive stance.

In the seventh minute, Atletico Madrid's midfielder Lucin was fouled by De La Red from behind as he dribbled, causing him to fall to the ground. Tempers flared as players from both sides rushed in.

The tension on the field escalated.

Gabi's subsequent free kick into the penalty area was met by Woodgate, who outjumped Perea to head the ball clear.

However, Atletico Madrid continued pressing with their midfield and defense, signaling their intent to score.

Real Madrid's goal remained under threat.

Yet, Gao Shen remained steadfast on the sidelines, a pillar of unwavering composure.