Starting With Real Madrid

Whenever Real Madrid faces Barcelona, the whole world eagerly anticipates it.

Fans call this match the National Derby, or the Derby of the Century.

Before the game, some media wrote that the first derby of the century in 2006 came at a bad time. Both teams were distracted by the Champions League; Barcelona was plagued by injuries, and Real Madrid was in turmoil, resulting in neither team able to play at their strongest.

However, some argued that such situations reflect the heritage and strength of the two teams even more.

In the past, the Spanish media would start hyping up the national derby two weeks in advance. This treatment was higher than for the Champions League final, showing how much Spain valued this game.

But this year, that wasn't possible.

Before the Clasico, both teams struggled and didn't play well.

Barcelona drew 0-0 with Benfica away in Portugal. Although many said Rijkaard was saving his strength for the national derby, who could be sure? Not scoring away left the risk of an upset by Benfica at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid also had a tough time. After finally reversing Arsenal in the round of 16, they drew 0-0 with Juventus away in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Yes, Real Madrid drew with Juventus.

For almost the entire game, Real Madrid was extremely embarrassed by Juventus, barely retreating with their defense.

Whether against Juventus, in La Liga, or against Arsenal, the current Real Madrid no longer showed even half the style of the previous Galactic Galacticos.

Especially considering they were reusing a 25-year-old rookie as the team's head coach—an unprecedented move.

Before the game, the media of both teams hyped their own sides.

Real Madrid had conceded no goals in five consecutive La Liga matches and won five straight, appearing to have strong momentum. It seemed possible to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou and close the points gap further.

Barcelona's media believed Rijkaard's second dream team would completely tear off Real Madrid's fig leaf at Camp Nou.

If the media's arguments were just talk, the fans who bet at bookmakers put their money where their mouths were.

Three to one!

This was the score favored by nearly half of the lottery players, with the home team first and the away team second.

In other words, nearly half of the fans believed Barcelona would beat Real Madrid 3-1 at home.

Barcelona midfielder Deco said in an interview, "By defeating Real Madrid, Barcelona can win the championship ahead of schedule!"

Captain Puyol also believed that winning this game would allow Barcelona to clinch the championship early, but even if they lost, it wouldn't affect La Liga's overall situation. "Even if we lose, we are still two points ahead, so our mentality will be better than the opponent's."

Kick more relaxed!

This was also emphasized by Cruyff, the godfather of Barcelona, in his column.

Cruyff believed Barcelona had a psychological advantage and could play more easily and calmly.

Five points behind in the standings forced Real Madrid to win at Camp Nou to maintain pressure on Barcelona, which itself was a shackle on Real Madrid.

Cruyff said that apart from injuries, Rijkaard's team had no problems. The team's ability to create opportunities remained strong, including in the game against Benfica and the league draws and losses. They had many opportunities.

"The dominant advantage proves that Barcelona is indeed better than their opponents. The failure to convert the advantage into goals isn't just luck. The team needs to make some adjustments in the details, like playing more directly and efficiently."

Cruyff implied that Barcelona should avoid excessive ball-sticking and attack in a simpler, more direct, and faster manner.

Additionally, Cruyff suggested Rijkaard should pressure Real Madrid's defense more. He even felt the team could use more crosses at the front of Real Madrid's penalty area to create offensive space.

"In small areas, accurate and fast passing is Barcelona's advantage."

In conclusion, Cruyff predicted Rijkaard and Barcelona would give Real Madrid a hard lesson at Camp Nou.

"Even a three-nil victory at the Bernabeu wouldn't surprise me."

…

Whether it was Cruyff or the media, these were external factors.

But as Barcelona's head coach, Rijkaard couldn't think as lightly as they did.

Even on game day morning, he hadn't decided on the starting lineup.

Because he had been pondering a question: Will Ronaldo start?

During the morning meeting with the first-team coaching staff, Rijkaard was frowning the entire time.

"Last night, after Real Madrid arrived in Barcelona, they checked into a hotel by the sea and haven't come out since. According to the information we got, they held a simple birthday party for Ramos at the hotel."

"Wait!" Ten Cate interrupted. "What birthday party?"

A birthday party with the battle imminent?

"Ramos' birthday. It is said that the head coach, Gao Shen, asked the hotel to prepare in advance, and everyone in the team participated."

"Including Ronaldo?" Ten Cate asked again.

"Yes."

Receiving a positive answer, Ten Cate turned to look at Rijkaard, who hadn't spoken the whole time.

"If Ronaldo really starts, we need to adjust our formation, especially at center-back. Oleguer, Van Bommel, and Cocu can't play that position. Let Thiago Motta partner with Puyol."

Rijkaard, arms crossed, stayed silent.

He kept wondering, will Ronaldo start?

Originally, if Real Madrid did not field Negredo but started Ronaldo, he wanted to rest Belletti, move Oleguer to the right, and have Motta return to center-back, partnering with Puyol.

When Van Bommel played with Oleguer against Benfica, their performance was quite average. This time he wanted to try Motta.

This was unavoidable. Both Edmilson and Márquez were injured, and Barcelona was seriously lacking center-backs.

Oleguer had excellent physical condition but lacked speed and flexibility. He could handle Negredo, but Ronaldo would be a problem.

Ronaldo's movements were too cunning.

Belletti had started several consecutive games and was tired.

Rijkaard struggled all night. As time ran out, he decided he could no longer think about it. He looked at Ten Cate and asked, "Do you think Ronaldo will start?"

Ten Cate was stunned, shook his head, and said, "I don't know, but we should plan for the worst and try to score first. Whether Ronaldo starts or not won't be important then."

Rijkaard still frowned but couldn't deny Ten Cate's logic.

"Alright, let Oleguer play center-back with Puyol. Belletti will hold on for one more game."

...

...

Amid the boiling noise, Gao Shen finally walked into the hall dreamed of by fans all over the world.

Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Over 98,000 fans gathered. Except for a few Real Madrid fans in a corner, all were die-hard Barcelona supporters.

When Gao Shen and the Real Madrid players came on the field, the crowd booed loudly.

The sound was like a storm tearing through the stadium.

As soon as Gao Shen walked out of the player tunnel, his first reaction was to look up at the stands above his head, cautiously scanning the area.

"What's wrong?" Lucas was surprised by Gao Shen's reaction.

"I'm afraid of a pig's head," Gao Shen replied.

Lucas, Buenaventura, and the others burst into laughter.

"Don't worry, there won't be a pig's head at Camp Nou," Maqueda said happily.

Sometimes, Maqueda found Gao Shen really interesting.

Of course, when he was forced to act as a stand-in, Gao Shen was particularly annoying.

Gao Shen pouted, showing dissatisfaction.

"It's not that I'm overly cautious. This matter is just eerie," Gao Shen shook his head and muttered.

Tonight's referee was Alfonso Pérez Burrull.

Haven't heard of him?

Exactly.

This guy wasn't a top referee in Spain, but on October 21, 2000, in the sixth round of La Liga, also at Camp Nou, where Real Madrid played Barcelona, Burrull officiated.

It was that night a big pig's head was thrown from the stands.

Six years later, here they were again.

"Gao, you said you're not superstitious," Lucas said with a curious smile.

"Yes, I'm not superstitious," Gao Shen replied.

"Then why believe this?" Lucas was puzzled.

Gao Shen waved him off. "I'm hoping they throw a pig's head at me!"

Now not only Lucas but Buenaventura and Maqueda were all stunned.

"Why?" Maqueda asked.

"If the Barcelona fans throw me a big pig's head, I'll be famous."

Even if he didn't coach in the future, Gao Shen could return to China and tell the media: Back when I coached Real Madrid against Barcelona, the fans at Camp Nou threw a pig's head at me. What a memory!

These days, to be an internet celebrity, you need a memorable story.

It's like famous singers who sing the same song for decades.

Of course, some popular singers who have never been famous for even one song can still become famous.

Lucas, Buenaventura, and Maqueda wouldn't understand Gao Shen's thoughts, even if they knew them.

But Rijkaard, who followed Gao Shen out, was visibly not in a good mood.

Whether it was the lighting or something else, Rijkaard's face looked darker than usual.

Especially when he glanced at Gao Shen in front of the visiting team's coach area, he seemed to be breathing fire.

Why?

Ronaldo didn't start!