Tuttosport: "Su Hang's proposal works for any team preparing for a generational shift. It strikes the right balance between developing young players and maintaining the team's competitiveness—Juventus should adopt it!"
Manchester Evening News: "Queiroz strongly endorsed Su Hang's words, saying Manchester United is already applying a similar approach. This will bring United back to the top!"
The Times: "Wenger agrees with Su Hang. Many veterans may have fitness issues, but their ability is still at its peak. Keeping them on the bench is a sign of disrespect to their talent!"
Kicker: "If Bayern had understood this earlier, they wouldn't be facing their current generational gap. Bayern needs a clear-headed captain like Su Hang!"
Su Hang's reputation skyrocketed overnight.
Ball hog?
Impossible!
For the sake of the team, he was even willing to bear that label.
Honestly, it's enough to make you tear up!
Most importantly, Clara's column in Marca directly refuted Luxemburgo's "accusations":
"Su Hang doesn't follow the team's training schedule."
"Because he always trains extra! His workload is the heaviest in all of Real Madrid. Any player, coach, or staff member can testify to that."
"His diet, rest schedule, and monitoring are all specially arranged—well above team standards."
"Since the start of this season, Su Hang's body fat percentage has consistently been the best in the squad!"
"As for claims that he ignores tactics—that's pure nonsense. Su Hang has a deep tactical understanding. Many of Real Madrid's comebacks came after halftime, when Su Hang analyzed the opponent's strategy."
"From last season to this one, there are countless classic examples. Zidane, Figo, Beckham, Raúl, and others have mentioned this repeatedly in interviews."
"Finally, the claims that Su Hang discriminates against black players or South American players are nothing but malicious slander!"
"As an Asian player, Su Hang himself has endured discrimination. Just being free from it is hard enough—how could he possibly discriminate against others? He has always respected all players and fans."
"Don't forget, he once played through injury for a young black fan named Mbappé. How could someone like that be racist?"
"Faced with such blatant defamation, Su Hang's team is already seeking legal action!"
Clara's article forced Luxemburgo to hastily delete his accusatory post.
But the content still spread online.
Real Madrid soon had to step in to contain the damage.
Florentino Pérez personally declared: Follow Su Hang's plan!
At the start of the season, Florentino had treated Luxemburgo and Su Hang equally. But after Luxemburgo led the team to three straight defeats, the balance shifted toward Su Hang.
Now, with two more defeats and a public attack on Su Hang, Luxemburgo completely lost Florentino's trust.
Rumors spread that Florentino had already contacted Serie A legend Fabio Capello to discuss the possibility of him coaching Real Madrid.
Given Capello's stature, he was unlikely to take over mid-season as a stopgap. But after the season ended, there was a real chance he'd take the reins.
Even though Capello's Juventus was performing superbly, the lure of managing the Galácticos was irresistible.
And beyond Capello, the media reported Real Madrid was considering other world-class managers as well.
Luxemburgo's reign at Real Madrid was officially in countdown mode.
This internal conflict further cemented Su Hang's authority in the squad.
Even with the South American clique sticking together, Su Hang had seized control.
On the surface, no one in Real Madrid could oppose him anymore.
Once his training plan was approved, the starting lineup quickly took shape.
Figo, Raúl, and Helguera returned as starters.
Guti, Baptista, and Robinho became key rotation players.
Cicinho and Salgado fought fiercely for one position.
...
October 29th, away at Real Betis.
Back in the starting XI, Raúl and Figo both scored.
Figo added an assist and was named Man of the Match.
Beckham also provided an assist.
Real Madrid comfortably won 2–0.
More than the scoreline, what impressed was Madrid's dominance—65% possession, complete control.
The only blemish: Su Hang failed to score for the third straight game.
Still, Real Madrid solidified their hold on third place and revived their chance of pushing for first.
After the match, assistant coach Simon praised Su Hang's training plan, revealing that over five La Liga clubs had already adopted similar methods.
Though officially still an assistant, Simon had become the de facto head coach after Luxemburgo's collapse.
He handled training, starting lineups, substitutions—practically everything.
Even press conferences were now his responsibility.
After half a year of swallowing bitterness and biding his time, Simon was relieved he hadn't stormed out of the club in frustration.
See? He was back on top!
So yeah—trust Su Hang!
Believe in Su Hang forever!
Su Hang is eternal!
Simon had basically become Su Hang's ultimate fanboy.
Su Hang: "Weren't you already?"
Simon: "True, I've always been a fanboy."
November 1st, Champions League Group Stage, Round 4.
Real Madrid away to Rosenborg.
Zidane returned from injury.
Su Hang drew a free kick, and Beckham buried one of his trademark "banana free kicks" (curling free kicks) into the net.
In the 75th minute, Baptista came on for Figo.
Soon after, Roberto Carlos crossed for Baptista to score.
A simple ground pass was all it took.
2–0.
Real Madrid cruised to another win, dominating Rosenborg with ease.
Su Hang's form was visibly sharp.
After the match, he acquired the "Ground Pass" skill.
A basic player-level ability, it boosted his horizontal passing game.
For strikers who like to drag defenders around, horizontal passing is vital.
Not a cross, but a low, lateral ball.
Crosses usually come from the byline.
But center forwards rarely drift that far wide.
They usually stop in the half-space.
In those areas, lofted passes are ineffective—hard to deliver, harder to receive.
...