After passing through the long and narrow player tunnel, they arrived at the bright exit.
The noise from the stadium grew louder and louder, and as they walked out of the tunnel, it surged toward them like a wave.
Gao Shen had long grown accustomed to the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
Since taking charge of Manchester City, the atmosphere at the Etihad had been excellent. Every league match was sold out.
The same was true now that they had reached the Champions League.
Part of this was due to Manchester City's performance, but more importantly, it was because of their beautiful style of play.
In European football, the professional league was also a show.
Even the Italians, who traditionally prioritized defense, loved the attacking storm that Gao Shen brought.
Standing at the tunnel exit, Gao Shen first glanced toward the home bench. Carlo, Brian Kidd, and the rest of the staff were preparing intently. Then he turned to the visitors' bench, where Mourinho stood in plain view.
He walked over with a smile.
"Hey, Jose, welcome to the Etihad!" Gao Shen grinned and extended his hand.
Mourinho smiled and shook his hand. "You might not be smiling later."
Despite their media spats before the match, the two got along fairly well in private.
Of course, when coaching different teams, competition was inevitable.
Especially in this atmosphere, it would be dishonest to say Mourinho didn't want to defeat Gao Shen.
And the same was true for Gao Shen.
"Are you really that confident, taking such a risk with your lineup tonight?"
Gao Shen was referring to Mourinho's starting eleven.
Goalkeeper: Casillas.
Defense: Marcelo, Ramos, Carvalho, and Arbeloa.
Midfield: Xabi Alonso and Khedira as the double pivot, with Di María, Özil, and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead.
Striker: Adebayor.
This lineup wasn't surprising, but it was certainly aggressive.
Mourinho didn't respond directly, only smiling faintly.
"I thought you'd go with three defensive midfielders."
That would be more in line with Mourinho's usual approach.
The Portuguese manager wasn't known for control-based football or dominant attacking play. He was a master of the defensive counterattack.
Everyone had their own strengths, so this lineup was a bit unexpected.
To be blunt, it might work against weaker La Liga opponents, but in a heavyweight clash like this, it was risky.
"I heard you once said the No. 10 role no longer suits modern football, but I don't agree. There's no such thing as outdated tactics. There's no absolute good or bad. Tonight, we're going to prove that."
Gao Shen realized Mourinho was subtly challenging him.
That was perfectly normal. Anyone in Mourinho's position would feel the same.
To Mourinho, coaching Real Madrid was the pinnacle. It was like a man chasing the woman of his dreams—finally winning her over—only to realize she still loved someone else.
Would he be able to accept that "someone else"?
Especially when the situation repeated itself again and again—from Barcelona, to Inter Milan, and now Real Madrid. Even the most composed person would feel resentment.
So yes, Mourinho was angry.
"Well, good luck tonight." Gao Shen extended his hand again.
Mourinho shook it once more, then both men returned to their benches.
As Gao Shen walked away, Mourinho watched him, eyes full of mixed emotions—before quickly steeling himself.
He had to win this match!
…
"They're going all in tonight."
Back at the home bench, Gao Shen glanced across at the visitors' bench. He saw Mourinho animatedly giving last-minute instructions to his players.
By now, both teams were set up in their respective halves.
Manchester City's starting formation was the familiar 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper: Neuer.
Defense: Felipe, David Luiz, Kompany, and Zabaleta.
Midfield: Javi Martinez in the holding role, with David Silva and Rakitic ahead.
Forwards: Robinho, Suarez, and Robben.
Gao Shen had ultimately chosen Robinho, who had asked to start, believing in what Robben had told him.
Players like them were determined to fight Real Madrid with everything they had. They would be more motivated than ever.
What surprised Gao Shen was that David Silva had also been rejected by Real Madrid.
He was from the Canary Islands, where most kids grew up as Real Madrid fans. He had tried out for their academy but was turned away for being too slight. He later made his name at Valencia.
Of course, Gao Shen didn't buy into the "Exiles League" or "Avengers FC" labels the media liked to use. The truth was, Real Madrid's youth academy turned away countless players each year.
Not just the academy, but the first team too.
Dig deep enough, and nearly every player in the game had once been linked to one of the top clubs.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo had nearly signed for several clubs, including Barcelona, before ending up at Manchester United.
The same was true of Hazard.
Football was a small world—and a complicated one.
"Tell them to stay composed and stabilize the rhythm after kickoff," Gao Shen instructed.
…
The broadcast camera panned to show the full pitch from above. Adebayor and Özil stood over the ball in the center circle, ready for kickoff.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Di María were stationed on the flanks.
Xabi Alonso and Khedira waited just outside the circle, with Real Madrid's defense set behind them.
"This is Real Madrid's starting lineup tonight."
"Manchester City will play in a 4-3-3."
"This is the most expensive matchup ever in football history."
"Real Madrid has spent over €400 million in the last two seasons, and Manchester City has matched that in three. These are staggering figures."
"Now, they meet in the Champions League group stage."
"There's Manchester City manager Gao Shen. He's known for constantly directing from the touchline."
"And there's Mourinho, Real Madrid's manager. Calm and composed, waiting in the away dugout."
With a sharp whistle and the cheers of City fans, the match kicked off.
Adebayor rolled the ball to Özil, who immediately played it back.
Manchester City's front three crossed the halfway line, pressing into Real Madrid's half.
Xabi Alonso took the ball, turned sideways, and passed to Arbeloa on the right. But Robinho was already closing him down quickly.
It was a reunion between two former teammates. Arbeloa passed down the flank to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo dropped back to receive it, Felipe behind him. Before he could turn, Robinho rushed in and launched a sliding tackle, knocking the ball out and sending Ronaldo to the ground.
…
"Hey, Robinho!"
Gao Shen shouted from the touchline, shaking his head.
But Robinho was on the far side, so Gao Shen called over Rakitic.
"Ivan, tell him—if he keeps playing like that, I'll sub him off immediately!"
Rakitic raised his hand toward the bench, acknowledging the order.
With Ronaldo still on the ground, Rakitic rushed over and grabbed Robinho by the head, shouting instructions—likely passing on Gao Shen's warning.
"Damn it!" Gao Shen muttered angrily.
That challenge had been too reckless.
"He's nervous," Carlo said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
Robinho had left Real Madrid under complicated circumstances.
The club had tried to include him in a deal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, but Robinho refused.
Ronaldo never arrived that summer, and Robinho insisted on leaving. Chelsea wanted him, but during negotiations, he ended up at Manchester City instead.
It was no surprise that Robinho lashed out when he saw Ronaldo.
"I warned him several times. He promised me…" Gao Shen was clearly frustrated.
He had worried this would happen.
On the pitch, Robinho realized he had overstepped. He raised his hand to Gao Shen in apology, which slightly eased the manager's anger.
Damn it. You've got arms like noodles, and you still went in like that? If you get sent off, I'll strangle you myself.
…
Real Madrid restarted with a free kick and tried to send it straight into City's box for Adebayor.
But David Luiz stayed tight, and Neuer rushed out to collect the ball cleanly, quickly rolling it to Kompany.
"Hold!" Gao Shen shouted from the sideline.
City's players understood the instruction. They slowed the tempo and passed calmly at the back.
After spotting an opportunity, Kompany hit a long diagonal, aiming behind Real Madrid's defense.
Suarez sprinted forward, but Ramos reached it first and headed clear.
Real Madrid's backline retreated quickly, especially Ramos, who was very mobile.
But City regained possession.
This was the benefit of having technical control in midfield.
Real Madrid pressed with Ronaldo, Adebayor, and Di María all pushing forward, but Javi Martinez, David Silva, and Rakitic maintained fluid positioning. City remained composed on the ball.
On the sideline, Gao Shen watched Real Madrid closely, especially the behavior of their players.
Several of them were highly active, and Real Madrid's early pressing in midfield and up front was effective.
But soon, Gao Shen began to notice the problems.
(To be continued.)
***
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