From Madrid to Agadir, Morocco, it is actually not that far.
It is even closer than away trips to the Canary Islands, like Las Palmas and Tenerife.
For Real Madrid, going to Morocco is like a sponsored trip.
But Morocco's security cannot be taken lightly.
After Real Madrid arrived in Agadir on a chartered flight, they immediately received head-of-state level security. The team took a bus directly to a five-star hotel ten kilometers from Agadir.
This place had been cleared days in advance specifically to host Real Madrid during the Club World Cup.
From the moment the plane landed, Moroccan TV stations followed and filmed the entire process. Passionate Moroccan fans also trailed the convoy, just hoping to catch a glimpse of Real Madrid's famous coach and stars.
Especially upon arrival at the hotel, a large number of fans gathered at the scene.
When they saw the Real Madrid bus, they all cheered excitedly.
But from beginning to end, Real Madrid never got off the bus until they entered the hotel.
This was also a request from the local organizers to avoid any accidents during Real Madrid's trip to Morocco.
…
Since the league champions from Gao Shen's home country, Guangzhou Evergrande, were also participating in this Club World Cup, the event carried a strong Chinese presence. Not only did media reporters flock in, more than a thousand fans traveled to Morocco to watch the matches.
Back home, coverage was intense and constant.
After arriving in Morocco, Real Madrid took a short rest, then went to Agadir Stadium in the afternoon for a familiarization session.
As usual, Real Madrid's training was open to the public for 15 minutes.
Most of those present were media reporters from around the world, the majority from Gao Shen's home country. There were also traveling fans, and they were very enthusiastic.
Gao Shen stood on the touchline as usual, leaving Carlo in charge of the session.
Real Madrid are very familiar with the open-training routine, so the 15 minutes were basically rondos. The drill is entertaining and a good warm-up, which is perfect for this window.
As expected, Real Madrid's fast, continuous passing drew gasps from everyone on site.
They then ran a simple pressing drill, which also excited the media and fans.
The key is that this kind of quick passing is very entertaining.
Many fans and reporters had seen similar drills at Barcelona, and they amazed the world. Few realized that not only Real Madrid could do this, but teams like Leeds United had also mastered it.
Gao Shen watched from the side and felt the players were in good physical and mental condition.
After 15 minutes, the media and fans left, and Real Madrid officially began their closed training.
In truth, there was not much to say, it was all routine work.
Agadir Stadium is a very good venue, and it was clear the organizers had put in real effort for the Club World Cup.
The head coach of the Yangcheng team is Gao Shen's old friend Lippi. Gao Shen knows Lippi's level well, but he also knows the level of domestic teams, so his instructions to the squad were simple. More running, more passing and penetration, and ideally take it easy to save energy for the final.
But at the subsequent press conference, Gao Shen realized he might have made a mistake.
…
The press room at Agadir Stadium was not large, and Gao Shen could clearly see everyone from his seat.
The opening questions were normal, about preparations and first impressions of Morocco. Gao Shen responded politely.
For example, he praised the Moroccan organizers and the enthusiasm of the fans.
These are tried-and-true lines that cover all bases.
Gao Shen has long been used to this.
What truly surprised him was a question from a reporter for a Yangcheng newspaper. He said that before departure, the Yangcheng team held a general mobilization, shed mental burdens, and won their first match in Morocco 2-0, a good start.
Facing Real Madrid, Guangzhou Evergrande's players were in high spirits and showed strong fighting spirit. The team's top star Conca even said he hoped to beat Real Madrid and win the Club World Cup.
"I would like to ask, Mr. Gao, facing such a team, what do you think are Real Madrid's chances of winning?"
Sitting at the podium, Gao Shen initially thought he had misheard.
Many in the room were using simultaneous translation and were also stunned. Several people even looked at the young reporter in surprise, wondering if they had heard incorrectly.
But the reporter repeated the question firmly.
Gao Shen turned his head away awkwardly and burst into laughter. After doing his best to calm down, he turned back.
His feelings were complicated.
He suddenly recalled the public discourse in the domestic media before the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
Especially after the group draw, countless outlets were charting the national team's path to the knockouts. Beat Costa Rica first, then draw with Turkey, then lose narrowly to Brazil, and qualify from the group.
It was all still vivid.
He never expected that it was already 2013, and there were still people acting the same as ten years ago.
"Lippi is a good friend of mine, and I know him well. He is a very experienced tactician who always builds tenacious teams with excellent defending. I believe it will be the same this time."
Gao Shen tried to soften his tone.
"We are full of confidence in this match, but we must not be careless, and we must not underestimate the opponent."
Gao Shen felt he had done his best to save face.
To be honest, he really did not see much chance of failure in this game.
Real Madrid's players were in good form with a strong lineup. The key point was that the opponent's level is what it is, so how could they lose?
"You are right, Mr. Gao," another reporter stood up. "Lippi has been the best head coach in the world in recent years. He has had plenty of opportunities to face top teams and has always achieved great results."
"Before the game, Lippi revealed he would use a defensive strategy against Real Madrid and that he had studied you thoroughly. In contrast, Real Madrid know nothing about Guangzhou Evergrande. Could this be a hidden danger for Real Madrid, making an upset possible?"
Gao Shen still felt embarrassed.
But he was also a little irritated.
Is Lippi the best head coach in the world?
If this were said elsewhere, not directly in front of Gao Shen, there would be no problem.
But with Gao Shen sitting here, to say Lippi is the best head coach, you should at least add "one of," as a basic courtesy, right?
Nothing? Upset?
"Yes, we did not know much about our opponents in the just-concluded Copa del Rey match, so we encountered some difficulties. But overall, we got through it in the end."
After a pause, Gao Shen looked at the reporter coolly again. "The Club World Cup is an excellent opportunity for exchange. Here, we can compete with the best teams in the world, and it allows us to see our shortcomings and gaps more clearly."
"I believe this will be an exciting game."
After speaking, Gao Shen did not take further questions. He raised his hand in farewell and ended the press conference early.
…
The reporters present were a little confused, especially the two domestic reporters who asked those questions.
"Dude, do you understand what you are asking?"
"Right, the person across from you is the best head coach in the world. Do you not respect him at all?"
"My God, go ask Lippi if he dares to call himself the best head coach in the world."
Even reporters from some authoritative domestic outlets shook their heads.
"I really don't know if you are ignorant or fearless."
But the two reporters clearly did not feel there was anything wrong with their questions.
Is Lippi not the best head coach in the world?
He is a World Cup champion.
A gold-medal coach from the tactical kingdom of Italy.
In terms of credentials and coaching level, is he not the best?
…
Half an hour later.
Lippi arrived at the press room. Before he even entered, his assistant briefed him on what had happened, and the Silver Fox's expression immediately darkened.
"It is over."
He knows Gao Shen very well.
If you confront him head-on like that, he would just flare up and let it pass. But now he said nothing and held it in, which clearly meant he wanted to settle it on the pitch.
"Damn it, where did those two reporters come from?"
"Our local newspaper."
"Go, do not let them ask questions later." Lippi was anxious.
Originally, given his friendship with Gao Shen, as long as both saved face, there would not be any big problem.
In other words, even if you lose, you lose with dignity.
But now it was different. Those two rookies were too ignorant.
Even Lippi wondered whether they understood football at all.
"How did they get here?"
"The boss arranged it to build momentum, right? They invited a lot of media to travel with the team and reimbursed flights and expenses. So many outlets we do not usually work with came along."
Lippi nearly fainted.
"I am telling you, I have tried my best. I cannot control how the game turns out."
"What do you mean?"
Lippi laughed in exasperation. "Just look at La Liga and the Champions League group standings right now."
What kind of people are these?
Oh my God, do you really think Real Madrid's superstars are the same as the so-called superstars on your team?
Are they even playing the same sport?
Please, it is not the same level at all.
No, it is not even the same dimension, okay?
It is fine for the players and head coach to talk big. They are the ones fighting on the pitch. Do they have to show weakness?
But in this situation, do you really think you can win?
Or do you think you can make up the massive gap in strength with fighting spirit alone?
Gao Shen is young, but who is he really?
A famous coach respected by countless professional head coaches in Italy.
Do you really think he is made of paper?
Like some domestic tabloid conspiracy theory that UEFA, La Liga, and European football created a bubble for the domestic market?
(To be continued.)