Starting With Real Madrid

Martin finally got his wish and got a photo with Gao Shen.

It was after Real Madrid's last training session in Milan, Italy. Accompanied by Butragueno, Martin came to Valdebebas to encourage Real Madrid players to continue their efforts and strive to defeat AC Milan on the road.

In the photo, Gao Shen is standing on one side of Martin, and on the other side is Real Madrid captain Raul. Unlike the captain, who smiled politely, Martin smiled brightly.

This photo was not only posted on Real Madrid's official website, but also sent to major media close to Real Madrid, such as AS and Marca, as strong evidence to clarify the conflict between Chairman Martin and Gao Shen.

When describing the photo on Real Madrid's official website, it said: Chairman Martin had a cordial conversation with head coach Gao Shen, and firmly believed that he could lead the team to reverse Barcelona, win La Liga and the Champions League this season, and achieve the double crown!

Gao Shen still did not attend the pre-match press conference, and Maqueda attended in his place, announcing the 18-man squad for Milan, which also allowed him to avoid the media entanglement.

Now Real Madrid is at a critical moment in the sprint, and Gao Shen does not want an accident at this time to distract the team.

Results are what he cares most about now.

As for his grievance with Martin, when the time is right, he will make an end.

But it must not be now!

...

...

When Real Madrid sat at the Bernabeu, Villarreal equalized the score, and the team was deeply involved in the rumors that Chairman Martin was furious. Far away in Italy, AC Milan also ushered in the thirty-fifth round of Serie A, and challenged Messina away.

Logically speaking, this should have been a game without too much suspense, but who would have thought that in the opening seven minutes, a kick from Kaladze gave Messina a free kick to score a goal, allowing AC Milan to fall behind.

Even more unexpected was the ensuing game.

Messina, far weaker than AC Milan, is fighting for relegation and played very bravely at home. Dangerous fouls and rough tackles abounded.

Kaka was brutally fouled by an opponent in the 14th minute and was taken off the field on a stretcher. Ambrosini came on as a substitute.

Just five minutes later, Nesta strained his muscles and had to come off, with Stam taking his place.

In the 28th minute, Ambrosini, who had just played for Kaka for only 14 minutes, was also injured, and Jankulovsky came on as a substitute.

In less than half an hour, three players were injured in a row, and the three substitution places were used up early, which is unbelievable.

However, AC Milan was also a blessing in disguise. Jankulovsky, who had just come off the bench, plugged in from the back of a rib and scored a volley from a small angle, scoring a goal for AC Milan. It was his first league goal for Milan.

Before the end of the first half, Gattuso's iron tree blossomed, and AC Milan had another goal to reverse the score.

Subsequently, the game was deadlocked until stoppage time in the second half, before Gilardino received Seedorf's assist to seal the victory for AC Milan.

But just after the goal, Messina's defender Aronica fouled when defending Seedorf. The two clashed and slapped each other in the face. The referee sent both off with red cards.

In the end, AC Milan reversed Messina three to one away.

AC Milan managed to close the points gap as Juventus drew with Lazio 1-1 at home.

With three rounds left in Serie A, AC Milan is still three points behind Juventus.

...

Although it is a bit unkind, when Gao Shen heard the news of AC Milan, he felt genuinely happy.

Real Madrid's scouts have been closely following AC Milan, and the news has been passed back to Madrid one after another.

Nesta suffered a groin strain due to excessive fatigue, and it has been determined that he will miss the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Ambrosini suffered a muscle strain. This is the third consecutive season he has been injured in the same area, and he is definitely out of the game against Real Madrid.

Kaka was treated with ice compresses after being lifted off by a stretcher, but his situation was not particularly clear.

Also unclear are Cafu and Shevchenko. Both players were injured. Shevchenko was the main target of Messina's fouls during the game. After the game, his old Achilles tendon injury recurred. Cafu, on the other hand, suffered a knee injury after being violently tackled by his opponent. It was uncertain whether they would be able to play until Real Madrid set off for Milan.

This made Gao Shen wonder if he really was the hero of an online novel.

Otherwise, how to explain that AC Milan suffered such a tragic blow before the crucial decisive battle?

Are you sure it's not that the author is cheating on himself?

However, Real Madrid's situation is not much better. Gao Shen also experienced a false alarm before.

After a training session, Woodgate developed muscle pain, which worried both Gao Shen and the coaching staff.

Elgra has not fully recovered, and his state cannot be guaranteed. Pavin, Mejia, and others are all overwhelmed. If Woodgate is also injured, then Real Madrid's central defense will really be in trouble.

To this end, Gao Shen specially arranged a team to take care of Woodgate, take X-rays once a day, and keep an eye on his condition.

It was not until the team went to Milan that Gao Shen got a clear answer from the team doctor. Woodgate's injury was not serious and he could participate in the San Siro game.

At this time, he was relieved.

...

When Real Madrid arrived in Milan, Italian football also set off a wave of support for AC Milan.

Although the first leg was a 0-3 defeat, AC Milan may still have a chance at home.

Former AC Milan coach Zaccheroni said in an interview with *Turin Sports Daily* that the zero-to-three loss was indeed desperate, but it was not without the chance of a comeback at home.

"AC Milan's real strength lies in their offense, while Real Madrid's weakness lies in their defense, so I don't think the game is over. AC Milan is likely to make a comeback at home."

AC Milan's general manager Galliani also accepted an interview with the media the day before the game and answered a lot of questions about the team. He also looked forward to this semi-final, believing that the team might reverse.

"I watched Real Madrid against Villarreal and their defense was a problem. I think we should be more active at home, and I am convinced that the team will continue to fight until the end of the league and the Champions League."

The former AC Milan coach and former technical director of Real Madrid Sacchi remained neutral on the game.

He believes that in the San Siro battle, AC Milan is indeed at a disadvantage because it lost too much at the Bernabeu.

"Comparing the two teams, AC Milan will be more mature, while Real Madrid is more unstable, especially their defense."

Sacchi spoke highly of Real Madrid, where Gao Shen was coached. He believed that being able to lead Real Madrid out of the predicament in times of crisis and achieve the current achievements is amazing enough.

"But that alone is not enough."

"AC Milan have a lot of decisive attackers, such as Kaka, Inzaghi, and Shevchenko, and at the San Siro, they will be a huge test for Real Madrid's defense."

"Ancelotti has no choice; he can only attack!"

However, Sacchi also mentioned that Real Madrid's defensive level has improved significantly under Gao Shen's coaching.

"He brought a brand new defensive concept to Real Madrid. He even allowed the superstars in the frontcourt to actively participate in counter-robbing and pressing, which was unbelievable before, and it also greatly improved Real Madrid's defense."

Sacchi believes that Real Madrid is very likely to advance, but AC Milan has a chance to create a miracle.

...

"Milan have really been doing miracles in the last two seasons."

On the morning of the match day, at Real Madrid's tactical meeting, Gao Shen showed the players freshly released reports from Italian newspapers, many of which were cheering for AC Milan.

When Gao Shen said this seriously, without giving the players a chance to react, he shrugged and said in a very helpless tone: "They have rich experience of being reversed. This is something we must pay attention to."

The players were stunned for a moment, and then the audience burst into laughter.

"Boss, you are too bad!"

Gao Shen didn't think so, but he didn't say anything wrong.

AC Milan is indeed creating miracles. For example, after winning 4-1 at home last season, the miracle was reversed by Deportivo Deportivo at 0-4 on the road, and the miracle of being reversed by Liverpool after leading three goals in the Champions League final last season.

Unfortunately, they are the victims of both miracles.

"Okay!" After Gao Shen waited for the players to laugh, he clapped his hands vigorously, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Despise the opponent strategically, but pay attention to the opponent tactically.

The reason why Gao Shen deliberately stepped on AC Milan is to relieve the pressure on the players, but when it comes to the game, enough attention must be paid.

AC Milan is not a soft persimmon.

"At San Siro, Ancelotti will definitely try to do everything he can to score goals."

The players nodded one after another. Only by scoring goals can AC Milan have a chance.

"According to our information, Nesta is estimated to be unable to play, unless Ancelotti wants to bet on his future in the World Cup. Ambrosini will definitely not be able to play, so their defense will be a lot weaker than in the first leg, and this will be our chance."

The existence of the away goals rule in the Champions League has greatly enriched the excitement of the knockout rounds.

Many people say that it encourages defense in disguise, which is why the saying goes that cups rely on defense and leagues rely on offense.

That's right.

But at the same time, its presence also encourages offense.

For instance, Real Madrid is now 3-0 at home and AC Milan has not scored any away goals. So, when it comes to away games, Gao Shen can let his team play freely and attack without any scruples.

In this case, as long as Real Madrid grabs one away goal, AC Milan must score five goals.

Even if Real Madrid's defense is poor, is it easy to score five goals?

Ancelotti now has to ponder carefully: is he sure that he can prevent Real Madrid from scoring goals while attacking with all his strength?