While the Premier League was in full swing, Gao Shen returned to Madrid and immediately joined Real Madrid's winter break preparations.
After a brief adjustment in Madrid, which mainly included a detailed medical check for the players, the team set off for Doha in the Middle East to play a warm-up match.
Their opponent was Paris Saint-Germain.
The first league match after the break was scheduled for January 6. After assembling, Real Madrid flew to Doha for the warm-up game. The club was truly proving to the world what it meant to be "smarter than you and more hardworking than you."
Of course, Real Madrid was also working hard to make money.
Gao Shen objected to the trip, but the offer was simply too generous.
Emirates Airlines was not only a sponsor of Real Madrid but also the financial backer of PSG. They wanted to use this opportunity to build momentum in the Middle East, and Gao Shen could not refuse.
This was a big-money sponsor. Offending them was out of the question.
There was no choice but to go.
Unlike Real Madrid, PSG had already arranged their winter camp in Doha.
They had been training for a week by the time Madrid arrived.
Of course, as Ancelotti laughed on the phone, it was called a training camp, but really it was half-vacation.
Bring the family, have fun, and call it work.
…
Raúl, Real Madrid's former captain, was now playing for Al Sadd in Qatar.
When the team arrived in Doha, Raúl immediately visited their hotel.
Gao Shen had a special fondness for this player, his favorite during his first spell at Real Madrid and a true club legend.
As soon as they met, they embraced warmly.
Gao Shen asked after Raúl's life in Qatar. Raúl revealed that he had not thought about retiring yet, but when he did, he hoped to return to Real Madrid.
Florentino and José Sánchez had traveled with the team. Hearing Raúl's words, Florentino turned to Gao Shen for his opinion. Gao Shen was slightly stunned, then laughed.
"If I haven't been fired by the time you retire, you'd be more than welcome to join my coaching staff."
Real Madrid TV and Al Jazeera cameras captured the moment as Florentino chuckled.
"No need for ifs. I promise you'll still be here."
Everyone laughed.
Soon Zidane, Carlo, and Hierro joined the conversation.
Later Ramos, Casillas, and others came over too.
Raúl still had deep connections in the squad, especially with homegrown leaders like Ramos and Casillas.
By contrast, players like Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa were more neutral. Arbeloa, once considered a core Real Madrid man, had drifted apart from Raúl, Ramos, and others after various disputes.
As the saying goes: there are no factions, only countless quirks.
Even in a dressing room, cliques form. It was normal.
Gao Shen never expected everyone to think alike. That was unrealistic.
What he wanted was harmony, stability, and cooperation.
…
Doha's winter weather was warm, a perfect backdrop for reunions.
Before the match against PSG, Gao Shen met with Ancelotti and Makelele.
He was not close with Makelele, but Zidane and others knew him well.
Still, Gao Shen respected PSG's management for bringing back the world-class defensive midfielder who once left Real Madrid with regrets.
With Ancelotti, Gao Shen was more informal.
Because it was only a friendly, played on short notice, Gao Shen rotated his squad heavily.
PSG did the same. Both teams played open football without much caution.
Real Madrid began with waves of attacks and frequent shots but failed to score.
Ten minutes later, PSG struck on the counter. Ibrahimović set it up, Matuidi assisted, and Cavani finished in the box.
But soon after, Jesé played a through ball and Morata equalized.
Two minutes later, Morata returned the favor, sending Jesé through to score for 2-1.
The game continued back and forth.
In the 34th minute, Real Madrid lost the ball deep. Ibrahimović dribbled forward and set up Cavani for another tap-in.
2-2.
But five minutes later, Pogba drove through midfield and slipped a clever pass to Jesé, who scored again. 3-2!
After halftime, Real Madrid changed the entire starting lineup, while PSG ramped up their attack.
In the 52nd minute, Marcelo crossed from the left, Benzema controlled with his chest and volleyed with his left.
Late in the match, PSG's Lucas Moura dribbled past two defenders and threaded a perfect pass for Ibrahimović to score.
3-4!
In the end, Real Madrid edged PSG 4-3.
It was an entertaining game, but neither side treated it too seriously.
What really drew attention came afterward, when Gao Shen gave his first winter break interview.
He declared that Real Madrid would not enter the transfer market.
"We are not selling any players. We are not signing anybody. The transfer market is closed for us."
On contract renewals, Gao Shen said it was the right way to stabilize team morale.
As for the upcoming Ballon d'Or, Gao Shen gave full support to Ronaldo.
"He is our most important player. He was decisive in our Champions League and Copa del Rey double last season, as well as the two Super Cups and the Club World Cup.
I think he deserves the Ballon d'Or. He deserves it."
Asked about the FIFA Coach of the Year award, Gao Shen smiled. "I haven't thought about that question."
This La Liga season had shifted from a two-horse race to a three-way battle. Many media outlets believed Real Madrid had a strong chance at the title.
Gao Shen first joked he had never heard of such terms.
"Whether it's a two-man dance or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I think both are wrong. I prefer monologues."
In other words, this was Real Madrid's one-man show.
Because so far, they remained unbeaten.
Gao Shen admitted he did not expect Real Madrid to go unbeaten all season.
"We are mentally prepared for all challenges. We will definitely drop points, but that doesn't scare us.
From where we stand, as long as we keep the initiative, the title will be ours.
If other teams want to compete, they will have to see how we respond."
He was still haunted by losing the league last season.
And once again, Gao Shen made clear the team's aim: the treble and a season grand slam.
"We have the strongest lineup in Europe. In attack, midfield, defense, and goalkeeping, we are the best."
His confidence came above all from the midfield.
Casemiro was maturing, Illarramendi still adapting, but Xabi Alonso remained excellent.
The trio of Kroos, Alonso, and Modric had already proven themselves both offensively and defensively, giving Gao Shen great belief.
With Pogba, Verratti, and Casemiro improving further, his confidence only grew.
Whoever controlled the midfield controlled the match. And Real Madrid's midfield was the best in Europe.
Even Barcelona could not compare.
The only team close was Manchester City.
But their biggest obstacle was Pellegrini.
Of course, bold words meant little. Results would decide everything.
…
After returning from Doha, Real Madrid hosted Celta Vigo in La Liga round 18.
For 70 minutes, Madrid looked sluggish, playing slowly and without sharpness.
The coaching staff had expected it.
On one hand, the winter training under Buenaventura and Pintus had been physically demanding. On the other, the long journey had drained the squad.
This was also why Gao Shen had opposed the Doha trip.
But with sponsors paying the bills, there was no choice.
After the hour mark, Gao Shen made a double substitution, bringing on Illarramendi and Jesé.
The former provided passing and organization, the latter brought attacking spark.
Just a minute later, Jesé pounced in the box and scored.
Five minutes later, he crossed from the left and Benzema converted. 2-0!
In the 82nd minute, Carvajal crossed from the right, and Ronaldo finished at the far post. 3-0!
Before full time, substitute Vázquez crossed low from the right, and Ronaldo scored again from close range. 4-0!
The Portuguese star, hungry for the Ballon d'Or, played with ferocity.
Real Madrid won 4-0.
…
Three days later, in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg, Madrid hosted Osasuna.
Džeko scored in the 18th minute and Di María added another in the 59th, sealing a 2-0 victory.
That weekend, in La Liga round 19, Madrid faced Espanyol away.
The team was still not sharp, but in the 37th minute, Di María fed Ronaldo for the opener.
In the second half, Pepe scored from a corner.
2-0, Real Madrid won away.
Despite scoring six and conceding none over two matches, their form was still short of their early-season dominance.
Gao Shen explained that the team was still readjusting physically.
After the Espanyol game, Real Madrid chartered a private jet to fly Gao Shen, Ronaldo, and others to Zurich for the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
(To be continued.)