Starting With Real Madrid

That's it.

Gao Shen stood calmly in front of the visiting team's coaching area, outwardly composed as though indifferent to the events unfolding on the pitch. But inside, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He couldn't help but feel like he had returned to the Bernabeu as a hero.

Tonight, he had emphatically proven his coaching credentials to the Real Madrid faithful.

He still remembered when he left Real Madrid, how some had fought to keep him, while others questioned his ability. Over the past two or three years, he had silenced most of the doubters with his outstanding achievements. Yet, there were still a few diehards who dismissed his success, saying: "If you're really that good, come back to the Bernabeu and prove it!"

Well, now he was back.

And no one could have imagined that Real Madrid would no longer be able to match his level.

Gao Shen was honestly surprised by how the game played out tonight. The opening twenty minutes were within his expectations, but what followed? Completely unexpected.

Where was Schuster's tactical awareness? As a head coach, wasn't he supposed to know his team inside out?

After conceding the first goal, how could Schuster not recognize Napoli's game plan? How could he fail to see the calculated strategy behind it?

Even if he missed it in the first half, what about the second?

But no. He remained obstinate. And football doesn't forgive stubbornness.

Without the ability to back it up, stubbornness only accelerates your downfall.

Gao Shen glanced at the clock. There were still more than ten minutes left. He turned to the bench and called out to Parejo and Callejon, signaling them to warm up.

"No need to warm up, boss! We're ready!" Parejo replied with a wide grin, his excitement barely contained.

Gao Shen froze for a moment, puzzled by their enthusiasm. Why were these two so eager?

Would this turn into another situation like Eto'o or Morientes, where former players haunted their old clubs?

"Take it slow. Don't get too carried away," Gao Shen warned them.

As for tactical specifics? At this point, was there even a need? Napoli had completely subdued Real Madrid. Although the home team occasionally mounted counterattacks, they barely posed any threat.

Higuain and Van Nistelrooy were isolated, with Raul valiantly trying to link the two together. But Napoli's defense was compact, forcing Real Madrid to play in the wide areas. Even now, they hadn't come up with a response to Napoli's tactics.

Was this really a counterattacking threat? Unless Napoli made a catastrophic mistake, there was little for them to fear.

Even David Luiz, often the most unpredictable player on the pitch, was playing it safe tonight. The significance of the game wasn't lost on him or the rest of the team.

Gao Shen glanced again at Parejo and Callejon. He had promised them before the match that if things went well, they would get their chance to play in front of their home fans. With Real Madrid now fielding three defensive midfielders, there shouldn't be much risk, right?

After a brief moment of hesitation, Gao Shen made the substitutions.

---

Parejo replaced Rakitic, who had been excellent.

Callejon replaced Di Maria, another standout performer.

The two young players stepped onto the Bernabeu pitch brimming with energy, eager to make their mark.

Immediately, Napoli's ball control improved.

Parejo, in particular, impressed with his technical finesse. His ability to hold the ball, dribble, and pass with precision caught everyone's attention. His vision and delicate touches elevated Napoli's midfield play.

Callejon was equally dynamic. His dribbling and movement off the ball showed confidence, and he made himself a constant option for his teammates.

In the stands, the sight of these two former Real Madrid players shining for Napoli stung the home fans.

"Napoli's substitutes are playing with extra motivation against their old club," a commentator observed.

"It's no surprise. Former Real Madrid players often perform well when facing Real Madrid. It's happened so often that the club later started including clauses in loan deals to prevent such scenarios."

"These two didn't make an impact at Real Madrid and never got a chance in the first team. But at Napoli, they've become valuable squad players, delivering consistently strong performances."

"Tonight, they're clearly determined to prove themselves in front of the Bernabeu faithful. Maybe they're hoping Real Madrid will take notice and give them another chance in the future."

With the introduction of three defensive midfielders, Real Madrid's defense finally stabilized.

While they were still on the back foot, at least they weren't conceding as they had earlier in the match. The pace slowed, and Napoli's attacking waves became less frequent.

This wasn't due to any brilliance on Schuster's part, but rather the nature of Napoli easing off with the scoreline so lopsided. Real Madrid had shown they could defend but only if their tactics were correct.

So why had they conceded six goals in the first place?

That question would have to be answered by Schuster.

---

As time ticked away, neither team showed interest in using their final substitution.

Real Madrid's players were deflated. Being torn apart at home was a disaster, and they had lost all belief. For them, just holding on until the final whistle was a victory of sorts.

But for Parejo and Callejon, this was a golden opportunity. The two substitutes played with intensity, eager to leave their mark.

In the 86th minute, Real Madrid intercepted the ball in their defensive third and passed it to Gago.

The Argentine midfielder carried the ball forward, looking to spark a counterattack. But before he could make much progress, Parejo closed in and pressed him.

Gago hesitated. Instead of passing quickly, he tried to shake off Parejo with a sudden turn.

It was a mistake. Parejo lunged and poked the ball away, leaving Gago spinning in place while the ball was already gone.

Parejo seized the loose ball and threaded a precise through pass between Ramos and Cannavaro, targeting the space Napoli had exploited all night.

Callejon sprinted into the gap, outrunning Cannavaro. The veteran defender, desperate to stop him, lunged for the ball but mistimed his tackle.

Callejon went down inside the penalty area, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

The Bernabeu erupted in boos. It wasn't clear whether the jeers were aimed at Cannavaro, Callejon, or the referee, but the frustration was palpable.

The referee booked Cannavaro with a yellow card, but the Italian defender didn't argue. He simply turned and walked away, shoulders slumped.

---

On the sidelines, Gao Shen stared in disbelief as the penalty was awarded.

He turned to Zidane and Carlo, who both shook their heads with wry smiles.

"I swear I've already gone easy on them," Gao Shen muttered.

But Real Madrid's players couldn't stop compounding their own misery.

Take Gago, for example. Once touted as the next Redondo, he had lost his way. He was neither a midfield maestro nor a defensive enforcer.

And Schuster's insistence on using him as a defensive workhorse had stunted his development.

Now, instead of being the team's creative fulcrum, Gago was fumbling in a role he was never meant to play.

"It's out of my hands," Gao Shen said with a shrug, turning back to the bench.

"I'd like to score fewer goals, but my strength doesn't allow it," he joked, drawing bitter laughs from Zidane and Carlo.

Real Madrid's performance tonight was abysmal, and even the coaching staff could only shake their heads in disbelief.

---

Parejo, the architect of the penalty, stepped up to take the spot kick.

Facing Casillas, Parejo remained composed. The referee blew the whistle, and Parejo sent a precise shot into the bottom-right corner.

Casillas guessed wrong and dived in the opposite direction.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

7-0!!!

Sparse applause began to ripple through the Bernabeu. It started hesitantly but quickly grew louder as more fans joined in.

Within moments, the remaining fans were on their feet, clapping in unison.

The applause was a bittersweet symphony.

It was sarcastic, directed at Real Madrid's dismal performance, from the management to the coaching staff to the players. But it was also a standing ovation for Gao Shen and Napoli, acknowledging their masterclass.

No one had expected such a historic victory. Napoli had shattered records and handed Real Madrid their worst home defeat in history.

As the final whistle approached, Napoli's players stood tall, soaking in the applause of the legendary Bernabeu.

For them, this night would be unforgettable.