taleo finally blew the whistle for the end of the game.

  In the final minutes, Atletiadrid unched a desperate attack, aiming to salvage their pride with an away goal at the Bernabeu, but Real Madrid maintained a sheet despite the pressure.

  Woodgate was substituted by Pavin in the 71st minute.

  The English ter-back, a lin of Gao Shen's defense, was substituted as Gao Shen anticipated increased aggression from Atletiadrid in the dying mihis substitution also served to ence Pavin and other young defenders ieam.

  Even with Woodgate off, Real Madrid's tactical cohesion remairong, particurly in midfield. The defense held firm, frustrating Atletiadrid's attag efforts.

  In the 83rd minute, Gao Shen repced De La Reid with Borja.

  Del Reid, who had received a yellow card and expended siderable energy, was substituted. Gao Shen also wao provide Borja an opportunity to showcase his abilities.

  Borja, a teically gifted midfielder adept at passing and anizing py, had struggled to find a role among stars like Zidane, Figo, Beckham, and Guti in the Real Madrid squad.

  If Gao Shen remembered correctly, Borja moved to Real Mallorca after leaving Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a stelr season in La Liga, impressing with his performances.

  After an exceptional season, Borja was signed by West Bromwich Albion for a club-record fee but struggled to replicate his form in the Premier League. He returo Mallor loan after West Bromwich Albion's relegatioalizing his career in La Liga.

  Gao Shen believed that Real Madrid was never g in talent but often struggled to utilize it effectively. Pyers like Eto'o, Cambiasso, Felipe, Parejo, and Juan Mata had all departed prematurely, despite their potential.

  With such a packed schedule, Gao Shehat relying on a single lineup was impractical. He aimed to develop and assess talents like Borja and Pavin.

  ...

  As the final whistle blew, Murcia wao retreat to the locker room, but upon leaving Atletiadrid's coag area, he entered Gao Shen, who greeted him with a sly smile.

  Whether it was a blessing or a curse, Murcia realized he couldn't avoid it.

  "gratutions!" Murcia extended his hand to Gao Shen, aowledgi. "You've won!"

  "Thank you." Gao Shen shook Murcia's hand with a smile, leaning in to whisper, "Now, maybe you'll start notig me?"

  Murcia chuckled awkwardly.

  Indeed, Gao Shen held a grudge.

  "You got lucky tonight; the stars were aligned for you," Murcia remarked, implying that Real Madrid's victory wasn't solely due to their skill but also favorable circumstances.

  Gao Shen remained unfazed. "We didn't just win because we scored three goals; it's also because you failed to score."

  Murcia's expression fell. He knew Gao Shen was right.

  The key differeonight was Real Madrid's defense. Despite occasional errors, their anization was impressive. In attack, they were well-coordinated, with Raul, Zidane, and Beckham leading the charge.

  Without their Brazilian ti, Real Madrid's attag prowess was somewhat diminished, yet this allowed Beckham's crosses to shine more promily than Robinho's dribbling.

  "You're probably cursing me in your heart right now," Gao Shen tinued with a smile. "But that's okay. I don't hide my grudges; I address them head-on."

  Frustrated and embarrassed, Murcia made his way angrily into the pyer tunnel.

  ...

  In the VIP box above the pyer tuhere was a kno the door as soon as the final whistle blew.

  Even before the door opened, Martin's ughter could be heard.

  The new president of Real Madrid practically sprinted into the box, his face beaming with satisfa.

  He had every reason to be proud. A 3-0 victory was an outstandi both in terms of performand scoreline.

  "How did it go, Florentino? Did you experiehe Real Madrid you've been hoping for tonight?" Martin inquired jovially.

  Florentino, always posed regardless of his inner feelings, replied, "It was quite good. Zidane and Beckham pyed crucial roles, and Woodgate—turns out he's not just another injury-prone import."

  Florentino deliberately omitted mentioning Raul, who scored twid was named Man of the Match, as Zidane, Beckham, and Woodgate were all pyers he had personally recruited.

  Martin wasn't oblivious to the uones.

  "No matter how upset you are, Florentino, you always manage a smile," Martin observed.

  "It doesn't matter. , I pn to set further expectations for the team—specifically, to achieve what yinally aimed for but didn't, to do everything possible to promote the Zidanega Pavin polid further develop the young pyers in the squad."

  Florentino's smile froze upon hearing this. Despite beiain that Martin inteo provoke him, he couldn't suppress his anger in that moment.

  "Then you really should sider reiing this young coach. As you mentioned, he's quite capable."

  Florentino's words carried a hint of insiy.

  Even after tonight's match, who would truly believe that Gao Shen's high level of skill could genuinely lead Real Madrid out of their current challenges?

  Perhaps it was just luck or a ce.

  With superstars like Zidane, Beckham, and Raul, wouldn't any team have a ce to defeat Atletiadrid, even if they fielded inexperienced pyers?

  Florentily hoped that Martin would tie Gao Shen down, especially by signing a formal tract. That way, if Gao Shen led Real Madrid into a downturn, Martin would bear the sequences.

  If that happened, Real Madrid fans would despair, and Florentino would be tasked with ing up the mess, right?

  Martin had suffered a setbace but had learned from it this time.

  "You're correct, Florentino. Gao Shen is indeed very talented. I've always valued him, but it's too hasty to reinstate him now. Youngsters need pressure to grow faster."

  After making lofty statements, Martin ged his tone. "If he mao lead the team to victainst Arsenal in the game and ensures smooth adva, I'll seriously sider your proposal. After all, our Champions League performances over the past two years have been truly disappointing."

  Florentino was seething with anger.

  Real Madrid pces immense importan the Champions League, a petition deeply rooted in the club's history. Sis iion, Real Madrid had ched five secutive championships, f a deep-seated affe for the tour, even surpassing La Liga.

  Yet, over the past two years, their Champions League performances had faltered, a sore point for Florentino.

  Now, Martin's mention of this clearly aimed to expose Florentino's vulnerability and poke at his sensitive spot.

  "Thinking of beating Arsenal? Are you being overly optimistic?" Florentino sneered.

  Valdano, beside him, chimed in. "Wenger is astute and ing. He may be aging, but uimating him would be a mistake. Are you certain about challenging Wenger?"

  "I also believe it's unrealistic for him to take on Wenger," Butragueno added.

  They weren't all in agreement with Florentino, but they genuinely felt that Gao Shen's ability to lead the team in a match like tonight's, at his age, was remarkable.

  But to defeat the wily Wenger?

  Martin smirked and hummed softly. "I believe he do it!"

  With that said, Martin lost i in remaining.

  Everyone in the box uood. Martin's fiden Gao Shen was superficial. Deep down, he wao see his good friend Bosque take charge of Real Madrid.

  Gao Shen leading the team to defeat Atletiadrid was ued but not beyond belief.

  Now, the worst-case sario would be losing to Arsenal and being knocked out of the Champions League, with Gao Shen taking the bme.

  Everyone knew Carlo wasn't foolish.

  Frankly, Gao Shen's success iing Atletiadrid surprised Marti, what Martin had just said left him uneasy because he khe task of beating Wenger's Arsenal was nearly impossible.

  How could they hope to overe the fully-equipped star-studded lihat they struggled against at the Bernabeu? Especially with their current squad issues and internal flicts, how could they possibly succeed at Highbury Stadium?