God Save Madrid
March 8, International Women's Day.
On this day, Gao Shen began with a review.
Real Madrid's mouthpiece, Marca, issued a final plea on the morning of match day.
"God, save Real Madrid!"
This phrase nearly shouted the inner plea of all Real Madrid fans, because tonight's clash at London's Highbury Stadium would determine the fate of Real Madrid's Champions League season, and possibly the fate of many.
Marca penned an article meticulously. On one hand, it detailed Real Madrid's dire situation presently, yet on the other, it called for a unified effort to conjure miracles on the road, invoking the spirit of Juanito—whether they win or lose, they must embody the indomitable spirit of Real Madrid.
Closing the article, Marca opined that only divine intervention could lead Real Madrid to victory.
In another piece in their second edition, Marca chastised the interim head coach for his baffling decisions, arguing that omitting top scorer Ronaldo from the London trip was akin to self-sabotage.
"He is dismantling Real Madrid!"
Seeing this, Gao Shen couldn't help but smirk.
Because similar sentiments were voiced before the match against Atletico Madrid.
...
Compared to Marca, the coverage in Aspen was equally poignant.
Their front-page feature depicted a scene captured at Madrid's capital airport, where numerous Real Madrid fans bid farewell to the team bound for London. One fan, crossing his chest, gazed skyward as he watched the team depart.
"God, may Wednesday not belong to Henry!"
This sentiment was echoed by the Real Madrid fan during Aspen's interview. At the Bernabeu, it was Henry who inflicted the agony of defeat upon Real Madrid, and there was a prevailing belief that Henry would continue to pose the biggest threat to Real Madrid's defense at Highbury Stadium.
The fan asserted that Arsenal, unlike Atletico Madrid, was a more formidable opponent—stronger defensively, sharper in attack. This posed a significant challenge for Real Madrid. Moreover, in the history of Champions League knockouts, aside from Ajax a decade ago, no team had accomplished such a turnaround.
Unless they lose their composure, Real Madrid of today cannot be compared to the Ajax team of yesteryear.
AS claimed that Real Madrid would need divine mercy to triumph at Highbury Stadium.
...
Beyond Marca and Aspen, other Spanish media outlets, and even several mainstream European publications, painted a bleak picture for Real Madrid's encounter at Highbury. They opined that the chances of a comeback were slim, particularly in the aftermath of coaching upheaval.
According to El Pais, no one expected a 25-year-old novice to lead Real Madrid in defeating the formidable Arsenal, especially without Ronaldo.
Such sentiments seemed reasonable.
While mainstream Spanish and European media lamented Real Madrid's plight, British media outlets were generally optimistic about Arsenal's prospects at home. Their confidence was rooted in historical precedents and Arsenal's current strong form.
Arsenal's recent 4-0 victory over Fulham underscored their prowess and buoyed the belief that they might even achieve a resounding victory at Highbury to advance to the quarterfinals.
Gao Shen's decision to exclude Ronaldo and Carlos further fueled British media optimism, as they interpreted it as a signal of Real Madrid adopting defensive tactics.
Without Ronaldo, the only remaining superstars on whom Real Madrid could rely were Raul, Zidane, and Beckham. However, these three players had struggled against Arsenal, particularly Beckham.
During his eight-year tenure at Manchester United, Beckham had played at Highbury seven times, winning only twice—a fact that was not lost on pundits.
Moreover, the size of Highbury Stadium posed another challenge.
UEFA imposes strict guidelines on Champions League venues, allowing clubs to choose dimensions within specified ranges that best suit their tactical preferences. At 101 meters long and 67 meters wide, Highbury Stadium was among Europe's smallest, compared to Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, which measured 105 meters by 68 meters—a 4-meter length and 1-meter width advantage.
These differences were significant at the highest levels of Champions League competition, especially between teams of Real Madrid and Arsenal's caliber.
Additionally, this season marked Arsenal's farewell to Highbury.
Next season, the Gunners would relocate to the new Emirates Stadium further north, with Highbury set for demolition and redevelopment into residential space.
Arsenal was keen to bid farewell to Highbury on a high note, which partly explained their exceptional performances there this season.
Aside from Arsenal's attributes, all of England seemed to set aside differences and rally behind Arsenal.
Since Liverpool, despite winning the Champions League last season, failed to secure a top-four league finish, UEFA granted them an exception to participate as defending champions, starting from the first qualifying round. This season, five Premier League teams competed, but Everton exited in qualifiers, Manchester United fell in the group stage, and Liverpool and Chelsea succumbed to Benfica and Barcelona, respectively, in the round of 16.
Despite being the league with the most initial entries, only Arsenal remained in the round of 16, a fact that pleased proud British media and fans alike.
The Guardian proclaimed Arsenal as the Premier League's last bastion of dignity!
After Arsenal's triumph at the Bernabeu, all of Britain was convinced of their advancement.
Given the weather, location, and support, Arsenal playing at home seemed destined to win.
How could such a game end in anything other than Arsenal's favor?
...
Each game day bustled with activity and purpose.
From morning meetings to afternoon preparations, every detail was meticulously planned down to the minute.
Even the team's departure from the hotel to Highbury Stadium had been meticulously timed and confirmed repeatedly.
After all, this was Real Madrid. A more meticulous and professional team like Bayern Munich or Manchester United might even send their team bus to the away venue in advance to familiarize themselves with the route.
As Real Madrid's bus approached Highbury Stadium, floodlights illuminated the surroundings, making it as bright as day.
Fans swarmed everywhere, resembling a tide converging toward Highbury Stadium in fervent anticipation.
Spotting the Real Madrid team bus, these fans displayed typical British fanfare. While boos were mild, some even rolled up their sleeves, gesturing confrontationally toward the players.
Real Madrid wasted no time outside. Upon disembarking, they swiftly made their way through the player tunnel and into the locker room.
The next steps were methodical.
Kitting up, warming up, and finally, making final preparations in the locker room before the game.
It was during this critical juncture that Gao Shen produced reports and critiques from various global media outlets, meticulously compiled by Lucas from websites, newspapers, and other channels—all of which were overwhelmingly negative.
Gao Shen laid them out in the locker room, creating a striking tableau.
"Today's reports from mainstream media across Europe on our match. They all seem to have written us off," Gao Shen remarked, a hint of helplessness in his shrug.
"The game hasn't even begun, yet they've already passed their judgment on us."
The dressing room fell silent as everyone perused the reports—some familiar, others new, yet all conveying the same grim outlook.
Real Madrid destined for defeat!
"I don't know when we descended to this level. Looking at European football, it's hard to find a shred of optimism that we can pull off a win. We have Raul, Zidane, David Beckham, Casillas—top-tier superstars, supported by a solid roster."
"Yet, here we are."
A somber atmosphere settled over the locker room.
In truth, this decline had not started recently. Real Madrid's "decline" had been a recurring theme.
Since 2004, Real Madrid had cycled through five head coaches. Camacho's abrupt departure before the season even began was just one example. Gao Shen, a 25-year-old rookie fresh out of school, had stepped into this maelstrom.
Absurdities in football history seemed to repeatedly find their way to Real Madrid over the past two years.
Every coaching change, every setback prompted the stars to declare, "We take responsibility," yet the turmoil persisted, largely unchanged.
"I know none of you wants this. You're all here because you want to change our team's status quo—to rise again and prove yourselves on the world stage."
"Now, an opportunity stands before us."
"Since the world believes we can't defeat Arsenal, let's shatter their preconceptions. Let our victory speak for itself, showing them they were wrong. We can triumph over any adversary, because we are Real Madrid!"
Gao Shen's voice rose almost to a roar, his fists clenched with fervor.
Many players were visibly moved; even the likes of Zidane and Beckham seemed stirred by his words.
Because they were not willing to accept defeat.
"The decisive battle is upon us. Everything that needed to be said, has been said, and everything that needed to be prepared, has been done."
"Right now, I have one message for you."
"Brazilian author Paulo Coelho wrote in 'The Alchemist' that when you pursue a dream with all your heart, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it."
"Now, let's cast aside the past, discard all doubts, and defy the odds. Let's step onto that pitch and conquer Arsenal!"