Having been drawn into the "Group of Death" for three consecutive seasons and now facing Manchester City and Dortmund one after another, the whole world lamented Real Madrid's terrible draw luck. At the same time, conspiracy theories began swirling — was UEFA really trying to get rid of Gao Shen?
With four Champions League titles to his name, Gao Shen is the most successful coach in world football today.
Throughout his coaching career, Gao Shen has been placed in the Group of Death for four straight Champions League seasons.
Once with Napoli, twice with Manchester City, and now it's Real Madrid's turn.
But in his column, AS editor-in-chief Alfredo pointed out that Real Madrid's unfortunate draw was practically inevitable and irreversible the moment they dropped into Pot 3.
In the past two seasons, one could argue it was just bad luck. But now, after dropping into Pot 3, what more is there to say?
This isn't Gao Shen's first run-in with bad draws.
Back when he coached Napoli, he faced a Serie A team early in the Coppa Italia. At Manchester City, he was thrown into the Group of Death two years in a row in the Champions League, but both times he advanced as group winner.
Even with Napoli, he performed admirably in the Group of Death.
But this season is different.
Italian legend Arrigo Sacchi wrote in his column that the challenge facing Gao Shen this season is far more difficult — because he doesn't have time.
Sacchi broke down today's top-level coaches into two main types. The first adapts tactics based on individual players, such as Ancelotti or Heynckes. The second imposes a complete tactical system of their own, like Guardiola.
Gao Shen is one of the rare few who combines both approaches.
But at Real Madrid, it's clear that he's aiming to build a complete tactical framework — and that takes time.
"In Naples, he first spent a year in Serie B shaping the team, then a year in Serie A, and finally had an excellent run in the Champions League in the third year."
"At Manchester City, Gao Shen also spent a season grinding in the Premier League before shining in Europe."
"But at Real Madrid, he simply doesn't have that luxury."
Sacchi believes that Real Madrid's decline in recent years has left Gao Shen with almost no time to patiently polish his squad and system. He must deliver results quickly and lead the club out of its slump as soon as possible.
That's a massive challenge for any head coach, even Gao Shen.
"It took Pellegrini a year and Mourinho two years, and neither succeeded. To expect Gao Shen to do it in one year is really asking too much."
Even so, Sacchi still believes Real Madrid's situation is urgent. After being drawn into the Group of Death, Gao Shen has effectively been pushed into a corner with no room to retreat.
"Many speculate this could be Gao Shen's first Waterloo, but I don't think so."
"Gao Shen is incredibly resilient. The more pressure he faces, the more determined he becomes."
"To support the team, Gao Shen once said that Real Madrid would become a team with tremendous endurance."
"Let's wait and see!"
…
On September 2nd, in the third round of La Liga, Real Madrid hosted Granada at the Bernabéu.
This match had special significance — Marcelo was back.
After taking part in the London Olympics, Marcelo returned to the team and had been training with Buenaventura and Pintus, focusing on his fitness. Because of this, he hadn't played in any matches yet.
Marcos Alonso had started the last two matches and delivered average performances. No major issues, but nothing particularly outstanding either. That's already decent for a young player.
But now, Marcelo was back.
Marcelo and Ronaldo — this was the left flank that Gao Shen had carefully constructed for Real Madrid, and it was finally coming together.
Unfortunately, this would be their only match together before the international break, when the squad would be temporarily disbanded for national team duty.
Another noteworthy change was that Gao Shen replaced Higuaín in the starting lineup with Benzema.
In other words, the trident of Benzema, Ronaldo, and Di María was finally reunited.
Benzema had scored in two consecutive appearances off the bench, including a crucial equalizer in the last match. Gao Shen had every reason to start him again.
The midfield remained the trio of Toni Kroos, Modrić, and Xabi Alonso.
On the right, Arbeloa and Carvajal were still waiting for their chances on the bench.
In goal was Courtois.
In the last away match against Getafe, Casillas made some uncharacteristic errors and conceded twice. It was only logical for Courtois to keep his place.
Gao Shen had been closely monitoring the atmosphere in the dressing room, particularly the players' moods.
At present, everything was running smoothly.
…
After kickoff, Real Madrid took the initiative to attack Granada.
Granada had clearly learned from past experiences. Playing at the Bernabéu, they deployed a 4-2-3-1 defensive setup, looking to disrupt Real Madrid's rhythm early and then settle into a solid defensive counterattack.
Gao Shen has always found this type of approach frustrating.
If the team were in a more mature phase, with strong chemistry and a solid grasp of the tactical system, this kind of pressing would actually fall into Gao Shen's trap. He enjoys playing against high-pressing teams.
But Real Madrid was still in a very early stage, lacking coordination and understanding. As a result, they were thrown into disarray early on.
It took nearly ten minutes before they began to find stability.
In the 16th minute, Real Madrid created their first real threat of the game.
Ramos sent a straight pass from the backline down the left flank.
Benzema drifted to the left to receive the ball and laid it off to Ronaldo, who was cutting inside. The Portuguese passed it again to Toni Kroos, who shielded the ball with his back before flicking it with the outside of his right foot toward the right edge of the penalty area.
Di María controlled the ball, shook off Siqueira with a quick cut inside, and delivered a reverse pass with his left foot.
Modrić timed his run perfectly and arrived at the right side of the penalty spot. He met Di María's pass with a low shot using his right foot — goal!
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!"
The entire Bernabéu exploded.
On the sidelines, Gao Shen couldn't help but applaud and cheer for the Real Madrid players.
This was exactly what he had envisioned.
No matter how compact your defense is, I'll keep shifting, dragging, and opening up space. Then, I'll make that one sudden killer pass to break through your line.
"Did you see that? At that moment, Benzema, Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, and Modrić were all near the penalty area. As long as Di María made the pass, we had multiple options to receive it."
"Arbeloa was still hesitant tracking back. If he'd been more decisive, Di María's cut inside might not have worked. He would've passed to the right instead, and Arbeloa would've crossed from the byline. That would've been another clear chance."
Gao Shen analyzed the play for Zidane, Hierro, and the others on the touchline.
The critical moment in that entire sequence was when Benzema received the ball, which transitioned play from Real Madrid's own half to Granada's penalty area in one move.
…
With the opening goal, Real Madrid gradually settled into their rhythm.
They continued to follow Gao Shen's tactical ideas, and at one point even strung together a series of horizontal passes inside the box.
Unfortunately, when Benzema received a cross from Ronaldo, he was caught off guard and miscontrolled the ball, wasting a great chance.
But this couldn't really be blamed on Benzema. After all, Ronaldo rarely passes in the box if he has a chance to shoot.
No one expected him to lay it off, especially inside the penalty area. That in itself was a surprise.
But in the 26th minute, another sweeping attacking move came together.
Di María and Modrić combined on the right side, drawing defenders before shifting the ball back to Xabi Alonso, then over to Toni Kroos, who switched it to the left. Marcelo surged forward with the ball, beat his man, and played a sharp pass into the left side of the penalty area.
Ronaldo accelerated past his marker and burst into the box. From a tight angle near the byline, he fired a low shot with his weaker left foot.
The ball slipped between the goalkeeper's legs!
Just that small window, that tight angle, that split-second opportunity…
He nailed it!
With his left foot, no less!
After scoring, Ronaldo sprinted to the touchline, celebrating wildly.
Gao Shen applauded enthusiastically from the sidelines, cheering the Portuguese star for his brilliant finish.
"Well done, Cristiano!"
Ronaldo heard the praise from the coach, especially when he saw Gao Shen giving him a thumbs-up. He grinned ear to ear and high-fived every teammate who came to congratulate him.
"That's already Cristiano Ronaldo's fourth goal of the season!"
"Four goals in three matches!"
…
With the two-goal cushion, Real Madrid kept growing in confidence.
Especially down the left flank with Marcelo and Ronaldo — their chemistry was coming alive.
Just six minutes after Ronaldo's goal, Marcelo delivered another beautiful through ball from the left. Benzema dropped deep, used his body to hold off the defender, received Marcelo's pass, and shot with his left foot.
Unfortunately, it hit the side netting.
The angle was just too narrow!
Ronaldo had scored from nearly the same spot moments earlier, but Benzema fell just short.
This highlighted the difference in individual ability.
In terms of shooting technique and overall quality, there was still a significant gap between Benzema and Ronaldo.
In today's world football, Ronaldo is definitely the only superstar capable of challenging Messi!
Before the end of the first half, Real Madrid had completely encircled Granada. Di María cut inside from the right and took a left-footed shot, but it was blocked by a central defender. Toni Kroos collected the ball and passed it to Marcelo.
The Brazilian, full of confidence and flair, drove into the box on the left. Facing the defender one-on-one, he beat his man and played a cross to the far post from the byline.
Benzema, who had just missed a chance, didn't let this one slip. He met Marcelo's cross with a clean volley and buried the ball into Granada's net.
3-0!
(To be continued.)
***
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