Starting With Real Madrid

The game ended with a humiliating scoreline of 0-7, punctuated by warm applause from the Bernabeu faithful.

As per tradition, the home team's score was announced first. Real Madrid, once a team filled with unshakable confidence, had suffered an unprecedented and devastating defeat on their own sacred ground.

What made the result even more astonishing was that it came at the hands of Napoli, a club making its first foray into the Champions League.

Seven to zero—this was not just a loss; it was the heaviest home defeat in Real Madrid's 100-year history.

The applause that echoed for nearly ten minutes from the Bernabeu stands was the final verdict on the night.

It was a sound filled with irony, anger, and frustration.

This was shame in its purest form.

Not just shame for the players on the field but for the management and coaching staff as well. It was a public reckoning for all involved.

Real Madrid was a team in deep crisis, and drastic change was inevitable. Calderon, Schuster, and the entire leadership team would have to face the consequences of this historic humiliation.

This was the Bernabeu's applause.

---

Florentino Perez sat in the VIP box, his emotions in turmoil.

As a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid, he felt sick watching the team he loved be dismantled so ruthlessly by Napoli.

This game not only exposed the glaring weaknesses of Real Madrid but also highlighted the brilliance of Gao Shen and his Napoli team.

"At this moment," Valdano commented softly, "it feels like these two teams are not even on the same plane of existence. It's like watching a child trying to fight an adult."

The difference between the two teams was stark. Napoli's dominance wasn't limited to individual talent or fitness, it was the tactical gulf that made the disparity so glaring. Gao Shen's advanced and cohesive tactical system completely dismantled Schuster's outdated approach.

Even Barcelona, under Guardiola's guidance, was beginning to adopt similar modern tactics, incorporating ball control and positional play. Gao Shen, however, had perfected these ideas to create a system uniquely suited to Napoli.

This was not just a victory. It was a statement.

Napoli had won decisively. Gao Shen had won emphatically.

Yet amidst the disappointment, Florentino felt a small, smug satisfaction.

"Look at this, Real Madrid fans," he thought bitterly. "This is the leadership you voted for!"

In Florentino's mind, this humiliation only reinforced the argument that Real Madrid needed him back. Calderon's presidency had been a disaster. Martin, Calderon, and any other potential candidates were, in his view, unfit to lead.

If Real Madrid were to rise again, Florentino believed only he could bring about that resurgence.

He knew that after tonight, change was inevitable.

Schuster's position as head coach was untenable. Even if Calderon wanted to keep him, the dressing room revolt would make it impossible. Mijatovic, the technical director, would likely be the next to go.

And Calderon himself? This defeat all but sealed his fate. The presidential election was fast approaching, and Calderon had no chance of reelection.

Florentino's path was clear. He had no serious rivals for the presidency. Former presidents like Sanz and Martin were relics of the past. There was no one else.

Ironically, Florentino realized he owed a debt of gratitude to Gao Shen.

Without this catastrophic result, his opportunity might not have come so soon.

His thoughts were interrupted by Valdano's voice.

"Florentino," Valdano began carefully.

"Speak," Florentino replied, his tone guarded.

"Gao Shen is the coach Real Madrid needs," Valdano said bluntly. "His ideas are ahead of their time, and no one else comes close. He's built a tactical system that's both mature and adaptable, something very rare."

Valdano leaned forward, his voice firm.

"If you plan to overhaul the team this summer, Gao Shen is the man for the job. His ability to discover and develop talent is unparalleled. Just look at Cavani, Di Maria, Sanchez, and Rakitic, they've all blossomed under him."

Florentino listened silently.

To Valdano, the solution was obvious. Gao Shen had proven he could rebuild a team quickly and effectively. If Real Madrid hired him, they could restore their place among Europe's elite.

But Florentino's silence spoke volumes.

He didn't want a Real Madrid built by Gao Shen. He wanted a Real Madrid built by Florentino Perez.

His goal wasn't just to be a successful president. He wanted to stand alongside or even surpass the legacies of Santiago Bernabeu and Ramon Mendoza.

And for that, he needed a team that carried his vision, not Gao Shen's.

---

After the final whistle, Gao Shen wasted no time lingering on the pitch.

Schuster, unsurprisingly, didn't come over to shake hands.

It wasn't necessarily out of disrespect. Given all the bravado before the match, Schuster's failure was humiliating enough. Facing Gao Shen now would only deepen his embarrassment.

Gao Shen also chose not to approach players like Raul or Casillas. He respected them too much to put them in an awkward position.

This wasn't the time for pleasantries or condolences. It would only make things more uncomfortable for everyone involved.

Instead, Gao Shen gathered his players, applauded the Napoli fans, and quickly led the team off the pitch.

Even as they left, the applause from the Bernabeu continued to echo.

The irony of the applause wasn't lost on Gao Shen. It reminded him of the time when the Bernabeu applauded Ronaldinho after his masterclass for Barcelona.

Real Madrid fans, furious with their own team's performance, were using their applause as a weapon, a sarcastic ovation meant to shame the home side while acknowledging the brilliance of Napoli.

---

Back in the locker room, Gao Shen's mood lightened considerably.

As was his tradition, he began handing out praise to his players.

Carlo and Zidane, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle.

For over two years, Gao Shen had been building his team's morale by singling out players for praise after victories. His compliments were always genuine and often creative, making the players feel invincible.

Watching their teammates get hyped up, even the assistants felt a sense of joy and camaraderie.

"How does he keep coming up with new ways to praise them?" Carlo asked Zidane with a laugh.

"It's a gift," Zidane replied, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. He had experienced this firsthand during his own playing days under Gao Shen.

"Honestly, it's not even his tactics. It's this. The way he motivates players. That's his real genius," Carlo added with admiration.

Zidane nodded in agreement. Gao Shen's ability to inspire was unmatched.

---

Meanwhile, Schuster was facing the press.

"Napoli's defense was very organized. We just couldn't break through," Schuster said.

He paused before continuing, "It was a difficult night. But tactically, there wasn't much wrong with our approach. We created good chances early on but failed to convert. That's just how football works sometimes."

The reporters exchanged skeptical glances.

Schuster then added, "The players didn't execute as planned. That's the real issue. Some details weren't handled well, and it cost us."

The implication was clear: Schuster was blaming the players.

---

Outside the press room, Gao Shen overheard Schuster's comments.

He shook his head in disbelief.

"Unbelievable," Gao Shen muttered.

Shifting the blame to the players was cowardly, especially after such a catastrophic performance. If Schuster couldn't take responsibility for his own failures, how could he hope to lead?

This wasn't just about one bad game. A coach's reputation is built on how they handle adversity, and Schuster had failed spectacularly.

"You don't abandon your players like this," Gao Shen thought. "Not if you want to keep their respect."

---

At his own press conference, Gao Shen didn't hold back.

"Let me be clear," he began. "Real Madrid's players like Casillas, Ramos, and Raul showed incredible mental strength tonight. But overall, the team's performance was unacceptable. Some players simply aren't worthy of wearing the Real Madrid shirt."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"This isn't just about the players. The management and coaching staff share the blame. Everyone must take responsibility for what happened tonight."

Finally, he delivered the harshest blow.

"Before the game, I never expected this result. I prepared for a tough battle. But after the opening minutes, Real Madrid didn't adapt. That's the truth."

It was a clear indictment of Schuster's tactical ineptitude, leaving no room for doubt.

And Gao Shen didn't care if Schuster heard it. Someone had to speak the truth, especially for players like Raul and Casillas, who deserved better leadership.

***

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