Chapter 50: Declaring War on Barcelona
It’s still that familiar press conference hall.
The last time Gao Shen walked into this conference room, he was still a rookie head coach who was questioned by many people. The whole world felt that Real Madrid's new president Martin made a very ridiculous and even scandalous appointment.
But just ten days later, when Gao Shen walked into the venue again , it was still full of reporters from media outlets around the world stationed in Madrid, and some media practitioners who came all the way from Spain and other parts of Europe.
Since Real Madrid only sent out the invitation yesterday, not many people showed up today, but the venue was still full.
Gao Shen still appeared in front of the spotlight side by side with Martin.
Opposite the interview desk, all the people sitting in the first row are from Real Madrid.
In addition to captain Raul, Casillas, Zidane, Beckham, Ramos, Guti, Gravesen and Woodgate were all sitting side by side, but there were no signs of Brazilian players such as Ronaldo and Carlos.
This is also equivalent to telling everyone that the Brazilian gang is still under a deep ban.
The participation of so many first-team players is enough to prove that Gao Shen has gained the trust and support of the players in just ten days.
Defeating Atletico Madrid and reversing Arsenal away from home, these two epic victories are enough to prove his strength.
Of course, the media will never admit this.
Many media still stubbornly believe that with Real Madrid's strength, they can still win the game even if there is a child sitting in the coaching seat.
As for why Real Madrid couldn't win in the past , they won't tell you.
This is the uncrowned king!
…
The difference from last time is that this time the public relations department did not give Gao Shen a speech script.
They just told Gao Shen that he could decide whether to answer questions from the media, and they would remind him if there was anything inappropriate.
This also proves that they have begun to recognize Gao Shen's identity as the head coach.
At the very least, the head coach of a professional team has to face the media, which is basic skills.
Martin announced the club's decision to sign Gao Shen, but concealed the contract period.
In fact, there is nothing to hide. The media has already revealed that Gao Shen’s coaching contract will end this season.
But Martin believes that this is not a short-term contract, but the beginning of a long-term cooperation.
He still expressed how much he trusted Gao Shen and how optimistic he was about him. In any case, he was still continuing the character of Gao Shen's Bole that he had played before.
Gao Shen sat beside him, occasionally glancing sideways at Martin and finding that he was really enjoying it.
Maybe as he was talking, he actually began to believe it.
After Martin's announcement, Gao Shen also made some remarks of thanks, saying that it was his honor to coach Real Madrid and so on, and it was just a bunch of polite words.
Then the signing ceremony between the two parties began.
At the end of the process, the media entered into a free question session.
The first person to ask a question was a blonde beauty. She was wearing a black suit and a white shirt, which showed off her slender and graceful figure. She was really eye-catching when she stood up.
She is a presenter from Real Madrid TV.
It was also at this time that Gao Shen learned that Real Madrid had its own TV station and would produce some programs, such as interviews with players, coaches, or club executives.
Her questions were also very official. She only asked about Gao Shen's experience in teaching for the past ten days and his outlook for the future.
Gao Shen's answer was also very official and flawless. He said a lot, as if he had said everything, but also as if he had said nothing.
The questions asked by subsequent media outlets such as AS, Marca, El País, ABC, etc. were basically the same. It was truly like listening to your words as you would listen to your words.
But everyone could clearly feel that Gao Shen was very different from ten days ago.
That is, he is no longer the insignificant supporting role.
Now he is the official head coach of Real Madrid!
At the same time, he is the youngest head coach not only in the history of Real Madrid, but also in the history of La Liga, the Champions League in the history of the top five European leagues. He is only 25 years old!
Even younger than most of the media reporters present.
As the interview progressed, the media's questions became more and more in-depth.
When answering reporters' questions about the players, Gao Shen said that he believed all the players of Real Madrid were excellent.
"Everyone present here knows that only the best players can wear the Real Madrid jersey, so every player in our team is the best in the world. Maybe the young players are not yet, but I believe they will be soon."
Gao Shen said that the past two games benefited from the efforts of the players. "Each of us tried to play more perfectly, which made us show a different mental outlook on the court than in the past. Therefore, we created a miracle at Highbury."
Gao Shen's remarks received applause from the media and fans at the scene.
Whether they like it or not, the media has to admit that the battle at Highbury is definitely a classic.
A reporter asked, what is Real Madrid's next goal? Who will be Real Madrid's biggest rival?
Gao Shen said that he was unwilling to think about things that were too far away and would only focus on each of the next games.
"In the Champions League, all the teams that have reached the quarterfinals are very strong and will be our strongest opponents. In La Liga, every opponent is also very strong. I think the biggest competitor is Barcelona."
This is obviously also an intentional guidance by the media.
Whether in the Champions League or in La Liga, Rijkaard and his Dream Team II are topics that cannot be avoided.
As soon as Gao Shen finished his answer, a reporter immediately asked a question about Real Madrid's tactics.
In the eleventh round of La Liga this season, Real Madrid faced Barcelona at the Bernabeu Stadium. At that time, Luxemburgo also deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. As a result, Barcelona defeated them 3-0 at the Bernabeu, and the Brazilian head coach was forced to resign.
Now, with the passage of time, Gao Shen has once again used 4231.
The reporter asked Gao Shen, how is it possible to win at Camp Nou with this style of play?
Gao Shen has watched the video of that game. Eto'o scored a goal and Ronaldinho scored twice. What many domestic fans talked about with great relish and the applause given to Ronaldinho by the fans at the Bernabeu happened in that game.
All Real Madrid coaches have to face Barcelona.
Gao Shen is no exception.
"We have to admit that it was a humiliating and painful defeat." Gao Shen summarized the game.
"We didn't play well in that game, and our opponents performed very well, so we suffered a humiliating defeat. But we all know that there are many factors that determine the outcome of a football game. I don't think it's because our players are not as strong as our opponents, but we didn't play to our true level for various reasons."
"There is no doubt that Barcelona is very good. They have top stars like Ronaldinho and talented rookies like Messi, but don't forget that we also have Zidane, Beckham, Raul, Casillas and a group of very good and brave fighters. Our lineup will not lose to Barcelona."
Before Gao Shen finished speaking, a Catalan reporter stood up and said, "But you are now ten points behind Barcelona!"
There was some uproar at the scene. Everyone was surprised. They first looked at the Catalan reporter, and then turned their attention back to Gao Shen and found that he was not angry at all, but was smiling instead.
"Yes, this friend is absolutely right. We are still ten points behind Barcelona."
"This proves that our past performance was not ideal, and we did not perform well, but no one and no team is perfect. We learn lessons from constant failures and grow in adversity. In the first round of the Champions League, we lost 0-1 to Arsenal at home. Everyone sentenced us to death, but what was the result?"
"We beat Arsenal at Highbury and qualified for the quarter-finals, but before that game at Highbury, who believed we could do it?"
The scene fell silent.
Faced with ironclad results, even the most eloquent journalists have no choice but to admit the facts.
"What you mean is, you want to lead Real Madrid to create another miracle like the one at Highbury?" It was the Catalan reporter again.
He seems to be in a fight with Gao Shen.
"Why not?" Gao Shen asked back with a smile, cursing in his heart, it turned out that nitpickers are everywhere.
"Now, there are still 12 games left in the league, and you say that we have no chance of turning the tables on Barcelona. Isn't that the same as you thinking we were doomed to lose before the Highbury battle?"
"Whether it was a humiliating defeat or falling behind by ten points, these all tell us one fact, that is, we are far from being satisfied or celebrating. We still have a long and difficult journey to go, and we are not out of the crisis yet. "
"This world is fair. If we want to gain something, we must work hard, especially when our opponents are also working hard. We need to work twice or even three times harder to have a chance to catch up. This is difficult, but I believe our players can do it."
"They are wearing the Real Madrid jersey, representing the best team in the world. They are the best, bravest and strongest fighters. No matter what difficulties they encounter, they are fearless."
When he said this, Gao Shen glanced at the players in the front row and found that their reactions were different. The younger ones, like Ramos, were so excited that they looked like they were going to stand up and support Gao Shen.
But people like Zidane and Beckham seemed calm.
All this was within Gao Shen's expectations.
This is just the beginning.
He also wanted to make the fire burn more vigorously.
"Just now, a reporter asked me what our next goal is for Real Madrid. My answer was actually reserved, but now, I don't think there is any need to hide it anymore."
"I think we have only one goal, which is to reverse the standings, end Barcelona's dominance of La Liga, and win the La Liga championship this season!"
Gao Shen's words were so powerful and forceful that the media reporters at the scene were completely shocked after hearing them.
No one expected that Gao Shen would suddenly shout out such a slogan.
What is this for?
Declare war on Barcelona?
Last time, it was in this conference room that Gao Shen declared war on Superstar.
Now, he actually declared war on Barcelona.
This is crazy!
