Starting With Real Madrid

Compared to Real Madrid's former sports city, Valdebebas boasts world-class hardware facilities.

Not to mention anything else, the conference room provided for the first team players is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, a rarity even among major European clubs.

Currently, Real Madrid's players sit in this spacious and brightly lit conference room, awaiting the arrival of their head coach.

While they casually find seats, the general atmosphere in the locker room can be discerned from the players' seating choices.

Local legends like Raul and Guti occupy the front rows. Some foreign stars like Zidane and Beckham sit towards the front, while Brazilians such as Ronaldo and Carlos are also up front, though their posture suggests a detachment from the meeting, as if it doesn't concern them.

In reality, everyone in the locker room knows that this meeting holds no relevance for the Brazilian contingent.

Relations between acting head coach Gao Shen and them remain strained, so how could he possibly include them in his plans?

Just the day before, assistant coach Maqueda had a private conversation with Ronaldo and Carlos, conveying some thoughts from the head coach. Given the importance of the upcoming Arsenal match and the intense media scrutiny, he requested the Brazilian players, especially Ronaldo and Carlos, to maintain a low profile in the media during this period.

It's well-known that these two have always aimed to exert pressure on the head coach. Currently, there's a strong demand for their return to the starting lineup. If they were to speak out in the media now, it would only put the acting head coach in a more precarious position.

After Maqueda spoke, Raul also conveyed his message through Zidane and Beckham, urging the Brazilian contingent to consider the bigger picture before the crucial match and not create disturbances for the team.

Zidane and Beckham echoed similar sentiments.

Thus, over the past few days, while public opinion has been clamoring loudly, Ronaldo, Carlos, and the Brazilian players have maintained a low profile.

It's not out of timidity—of course, they desire to make a statement and fight for their starting roles. However, they must weigh the consequences. If they were to escalate matters now, they could find themselves isolated within the locker room.

Thus, they endure silently, their protest evident in their subdued presence during meetings.

Had it not been for the afternoon training session, they likely wouldn't have bothered attending.

---

Gao Shen entered the room carrying a thick notebook.

Glancing at those assembled, he smiled faintly and raised a USB drive in his right hand. "I've just received some materials from our scouting team. It's a bit late, my apologies."

No one seemed to mind.

Strictly speaking, Gao Shen wasn't late; rather, they had arrived early.

While his assistant Lucas tinkered with the multimedia setup, Gao Shen addressed the Real Madrid players.

"There's quite a crowd of media and fans gathered at the gates, which I find rather distasteful."

Gao Shen spoke casually, as if discussing everyday matters.

"We all know how pervasive the British media can be, particularly in their focus on players' private lives. They go as far as installing cameras at players' doorsteps, monitoring them round the clock. Many argue that the British media tend to elevate players to unrealistic heights only to tear them down later."

Even Beckham and Woodgate, both Englishmen, nodded in agreement with Gao Shen's assessment.

It's a widely acknowledged truth in English football.

"Real Madrid's situation differs. Since the turn of the millennium, our club's business philosophy has set us apart. Our management operates akin to a formal corporate entity, a structure that offers benefits and efficiency evident in our day-to-day operations."

This owes much to Florentino's influence, a significant but often unnoticed contribution appreciated mainly by the fans.

"However, our club's business strategy exposes us constantly to media scrutiny. It's as though they scrutinize us with a magnifying glass, prying into every detail of our lives. We're left feeling exposed, stripped of privacy, not just as individuals but also within our locker room."

How did details of the spat between Goody and Ronaldo leak? How did news of Ronaldo lobbying Florentino break out? Who revealed the tensions between the local and Brazilian factions in the locker room?

Many suspect there's a mole.

But who is this mole?

An employee? A coach? A player?

One person? Two? More?

Such questions define Real Madrid's philosophy.

Florentino's business philosophy revolves around the eyeball economy, seeking to capture global attention through media, including the recruitment of superstar players—all aimed at this objective.

The benefits are clear. Real Madrid swiftly turned losses into profits, emerging as the world's most financially successful club.

Every word Gao Shen now spoke could be broadcast to the media within minutes. Everyone present, indeed everyone at Valdebebas, could potentially be a source.

In a past life, Mourinho once declared his intent to uncover a mole. How does one unearth such a figure?

Does Real Madrid's management possess this knowledge?

They likely do.

But having chosen this path, they must bear its costs. Rather than shield players from scrutiny, they inadvertently fan the flames, exposing players not only to public scrutiny but also to immense pressure.

Under such abnormal conditions, who can perform at their best?

Present were Raul, Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, even the young talents from the youth academy—all beneficiaries of the club's business philosophy, yet also victims.

Thus, they sympathized deeply with Gao Shen's grievances, even acknowledging them wholeheartedly.

"Alright, let's proceed with the meeting."

Seeing Lucas had finished setting up the multimedia system, Gao Shen nodded in approval.

---

The focus of the meeting centered on tactics against Arsenal.

Gao Shen had analyzed intelligence from Real Madrid's scouting team, arriving at a conclusion: Wenger likely wouldn't employ a 4-4-2 formation, meaning Arsenal didn't intend to attack Real Madrid.

Instead, they aimed for a balanced approach of offense and defense.

"He anticipates our attack but trusts in his defense. He plans not to sit back but to absorb our attacks and then counter swiftly to score."

"If they manage another goal, we're finished!"

The room fell silent, the gravity of his words sinking in as many nodded in agreement.

Having lost 0-1 at home, the situation was already dire. If Arsenal scored again, Real Madrid would face defeat.

"So, I venture to speculate he'll opt for a 4-2-3-1 setup. This is the lineup my coaching staff and I deduced."

Arsenal's tactical lineup appeared on the screen behind him. In this setup, Lehmann was in goal, with Flamini, Senderos, Kolo Toure, and Eboue forming the defense—their most stable backline.

In midfield, Gilberto Silva and Cesc Fabregas operated as the double pivot, with Reyes, Hleb, and Ljungberg ahead of them. Henry led the line as the lone striker.

This was a calculated lineup but didn't rule out Reyes being replaced by Adebayor.

Ljungberg had performed admirably in the recent derby, and Wenger wouldn't bench him, as it could demoralize the team. In that derby, Ljungberg played as a left midfielder. As for Hleb, whom Wenger held high hopes for this season, he typically played as an attacking midfielder during his Bundesliga tenure.

Currently, Gao Shen couldn't confirm Ljungberg and Hleb's precise roles.

However, Reyes was expected to play on the left.

"We know Arsenal's play often revolves around Cesc Fabregas. So, I need Zidane not only to nullify Fabregas but also to contain Gilberto Silva, necessitating extensive defensive tracking."

"Both Henry and Reyes favor drifting to the left, so when we lose possession, Beckham must drop back promptly from the right to reinforce our defensive structure, forming a back three to shield our defensive lines."

"Abeloa will mark Henry, Ramos will provide timely support on the right, and De La Red must be prepared to drop back into the center to plug defensive gaps."

Through his PowerPoint presentation, Gao Shen illustrated the defensive blueprint, particularly how to stymie Arsenal's left-sided attacks and ensure coordinated defensive movements.

When in possession, the formation would transition to 4-2-3-1; without the ball, it would shift swiftly to a defensive 4-3-1-2. Beckham's role was pivotal here—if he failed to track back, any defensive lapse on the right could expose Delray. His ability to swiftly recover to the defensive line's front positions is especially vital.

Later that afternoon, Gao Shen instructed his coaching staff to organize tactical group drills. The starting defensive line, along with the double pivot and Beckham, underwent rigorous training focused on defensive positioning and movement. They also practiced scenarios simulating Arsenal's left-sided attacks.

Successfully containing Arsenal's left flank would significantly hamper their scoring opportunities.

Gao Shen had detailed plans for other defensive zones as well.

Regarding the burning question outside—what tactics would Real Madrid employ? Gao Shen provided a comprehensive understanding to all players present.

"We find ourselves in a precarious situation. To advance, we must attack. However, both Arsenal and the world know our intentions. The Gunners have set a trap at Highbury, waiting for us to fall into it."

"Should we opt for defense, waiting for Arsenal's mistakes would be too conservative and passive. Arsenal likely won't afford us such a chance. It seems we have choices, but in reality, we have none."

"Therefore, we must dictate the game's tempo and not allow Arsenal to dictate terms!"

The assembled players understood—Gao Shen had made his decision.

It was a decision fraught with uncertainty.