Starting With Real Madrid

Some media once conducted a study on the scores in the five major European leagues and came to an interesting conclusion.

In recent years, the most common score in these leagues is 1-0.

In other words, many football matches are decided by just one goal.

The proportion of these matches is almost 25% or more.

The second most common score is 1-1, which occurs about 15 percent of the time.

Next is 2-1, which also makes up nearly fifteen percent of matches.

Following these, 2-0 and 0-0 come in fourth and fifth place respectively, with a ratio of about 8% to 10%.

Seeing these statistics, many would be surprised because it deviates significantly from their own impressions.

But this is the reality.

Fans tend to have selective memories and are naturally more impressed by high-scoring games.

Fernando Lucas once compiled data that showed something very interesting and profound: In the 2002-03 season, which is often regarded as the peak of Real Madrid's offensive play, the team scored 86 goals and conceded 42 in 38 league rounds.

Leaving aside defensive stats, let's focus on goals.

In those 38 games, Real Madrid didn't score in six games and only scored one goal in nine games.

They scored two goals in six games, three goals in seven games, four goals in six games, and five goals in four games.

Among these, they kept a clean sheet in ten games, but only scored three or more goals in two of those games.

Seventeen games had more than three goals. Excluding the two clean sheets, they conceded goals in 15 of these games, many of which saw two or even three goals against them.

This data compilation was meant to comfort Gao Shen, suggesting that he shouldn't worry too much about external criticisms. One-to-zeroism is actually a common phenomenon for a normal team.

Combined with media surveys and Fernando Lucas' data, it becomes clear that scoring a goal in football is actually very difficult.

In a sense, scoring a goal means winning!

This becomes even more apparent in the Champions League knockout stages, where technical and tactical play is at its highest level.

Why didn't Gao Shen dare to attack when they played in Turin in the first leg?

Are away goals not valuable?

No, they are very valuable.

But he couldn't afford to take risks.

If they didn't secure an away goal and Juventus scored, given Real Madrid's current situation, it would likely mean elimination.

Was it conservative?

Yes, a bit.

But when the team can't guarantee both defense and offense, Gao Shen had to prioritize defense.

If being labeled conservative helps Real Madrid win the title, Gao Shen doesn't mind.

Back at the Bernabeu, the first tactical consideration for Gao Shen was to prevent Juventus from scoring.

If Juventus scored once, Real Madrid would need to score twice.

Thus, while Gao Shen appeared aggressive at the start, he was actually seeking stability, capitalizing on Juventus' weaknesses to score a goal.

And then?

Gao Shen signaled the team to continue defending.

Interestingly, after conceding, Juventus attempted to counterattack briefly but were quickly pulled back by Capello.

The reason was simple: Capello didn't dare take risks.

He feared that Real Madrid would further extend the lead.

After Real Madrid scored, Juventus only needed one goal to level the aggregate and reverse the situation with an away goal, but if their attack led to a defensive breakdown, Real Madrid might score again, making the situation even worse.

Thus, for the last 20 minutes of the first half, the game remained deadlocked.

Juventus showed no aggressive ambitions.

...

"Great job, everyone!"

As soon as he entered the locker room, Gao Shen applauded vigorously.

Everyone looked excited, though they were panting heavily.

The game might have seemed dull, but it was very intense, and the players were expending a lot of energy.

Gao Shen looked at the eleven players in the locker room, nodding and showing his admiration without hesitation. This was their well-deserved reward.

"Everyone, I can't predict Juventus' second-half tactics. Will Capello attack right away? Will he make substitutions? But I am certain that the second half will be tougher than the first."

"You all felt how strong Juventus is, but I can proudly tell you that tonight, at the Bernabeu, you will eliminate this strong team and prove with a victory that you are stronger and better!"

Upon hearing this, every player lifted their heads, looking at Gao Shen.

Though still panting and tired, they were all full of fighting spirit.

Eliminate Juventus and they would be in the Champions League semi-finals.

"Next, every minute of the second half will be a tough test for us, whether individually or as a team, technically, tactically, physically, or mentally. I believe you are prepared and will withstand this test."

With determination and confidence in his eyes, Gao Shen clenched his fists and "stared" at the players.

"Trust me, as long as you grit your teeth and persevere, we will advance!"

If the first half hadn't seen a goal, some players might still doubt or lack confidence.

But now, Gao Shen had predicted they would score at the Bernabeu, and they did.

Now, Gao Shen said if they held on, they would win, and they believed it!

...

Leaving aside the individual abilities and characteristics of the players, Juventus' biggest problem was their tactics.

A 4-4-2 flat formation.

Why did Nedved have to move from left midfield to attacking midfielder?

Because there was no one in the center.

From a spatial perspective, the 4-2-3-1 formation uses space more efficiently than the 4-4-2 flat formation, as confirmed by Valencia and Benitez.

Benitez advanced from Ranieri and Cooper's 4-4-2, creating the 4-2-3-1, which helped Valencia win La Liga and Liverpool create the great Istanbul miracle.

After two rounds, Gao Shen had enough confidence in Real Madrid's tactics.

But he couldn't be careless because accidents could happen anytime on the pitch.

So, at halftime, he emphasized minimizing mistakes, especially those due to physical exhaustion.

...

"After the second half starts, we must closely monitor the players' physical performance."

After sending the players out, Gao Shen called Lucas and Buenaventura over and instructed them.

Lucas could get the latest real-time game data, including player running distances, while Buenaventura analyzed players' physical conditions based on this data, providing substitution and decision-making suggestions.

Both knew this was crucial to the game's direction.

"Why not Ronaldo?" Lucas asked curiously.

Ronaldo was in the squad tonight and would definitely come off the bench, but why hadn't Gao Shen put him on?

Gao Shen looked at his friend, smiled, and asked, "Why is the sword of Damocles so deterrent?"

Lucas showed a thoughtful look, while Buenaventura nodded in understanding.

"Because you don't know when it will fall," Gao Shen answered.

The whole world knew Ronaldo would be used, and he was Gao Shen's most important counterattack weapon.

But Gao Shen kept him hidden.

Why was Rijkaard criticized by Cruyff?

Because he adjusted first and was countered by Gao Shen.

As long as Gao Shen didn't use Ronaldo, Capello would be constrained in his substitutions and adjustments.

Of course, Ronaldo would come on, but the timing had to be right.

Time was on Real Madrid's side, and with the lead, it depended on Capello's moves.

Buenaventura watched Gao Shen leave, then looked at Fernando Lucas, who was still half-understanding, and couldn't help but laugh. He patted Lucas on the shoulder.

"You are too honest."

Lucas scratched his head in confusion.

Honest? Is that bad?

...

At the start of the second half, Capello didn't rush to attack but organized his offense orderly.

Real Madrid continued their steady counterattack strategy, shrinking into their own half, letting Juventus press forward.

The Bianconeri were clearly wary of Real Madrid's counterattacks, especially with Negredo's pressing on the backline, limiting Juventus' moves.

Real Madrid's players were increasingly comfortable with Gao Shen's 4-2-3-1 style, making their defense more organized. Juventus struggled to break through and relied heavily on long balls to Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

These two had aerial advantages, but against Real Madrid's tight defense, the efficiency of high ball attacks was low.

Capello finally lost his patience. In the 58th minute, he substituted Trezeguet for Sarayeta.

It was a direct substitution.

Trezeguet had been closely marked and couldn't perform as expected in both rounds.

Gao Shen remained unmoved, continuing to play it safe.

Sarayeta came on and played aggressively but didn't make much of a dent in Real Madrid's defense.

The problem was simple: Juventus' midfield couldn't deliver the ball effectively.

Especially with Nedved unable to move to the center, Ibrahimovic often dropped back to receive the ball but was too impatient and marked tightly by Real Madrid.

Thus, Juventus could only resort to high balls.

As the game approached 70 minutes, Capello, seeing no improvement, finally decided to bring on Mutu.

On the Real Madrid side, Gao Shen immediately instructed Maqueda to warm up Ronaldo upon seeing Mutu warming up.

This made Capello furious on the sidelines.

Damn, if I don't change, you won't either. If I change, you follow.

Gao, do you still want face?