Chapter 7
Chapter 7
The match unfolded exactly as Yang Hao had anticipated.
Van Gaal's team launched an all-out offensive right from the kickoff.
With their 3-3-3-1 formation, Barcelona fielded four forwards—Kluivert, Rivaldo, Zenden, and Figo—supported by Cocu and Xavi driving the attack from midfield. The Blaugrana committed at least six players forward in their relentless pursuit of goals.
As soon as the whistle blew, Barça's attack surged like a tidal wave, crashing toward Atlético's defensive line.
The Atlético defense, stationed near the halfway line, stood firm like deeply rooted stakes, resisting Barcelona's flood of attacks.
Yang Hao, watching nervously from the sideline, began to understand why heart disease was considered an occupational hazard for football managers. The constant, nail-biting action left him teetering on edge.
Barcelona's superstars showcased their flair with intricate plays and near-flawless coordination, repeatedly coming close to breaking Atlético's defensive structure. But the Atlético players held their ground, even resorting to fouls and tactical disruptions to deny Barça the final breakthrough.
Pushing Barcelona Out of Their Comfort Zone
Yang Hao's defensive setup kept Barcelona's most dangerous attackers—Kluivert, Rivaldo, Zenden, and Figo—away from the critical zones around the penalty area.
Barcelona's attack was undeniably dazzling, but it had a critical flaw: a lack of speed.
Zenden was fast, but Kluivert, Rivaldo, and Figo were more technically skilled than fleet-footed. Allowing them into Atlético's penalty box would have been disastrous, as their technique and creativity could easily produce scoring opportunities. Instead, Yang Hao's strategy of pushing the defensive line higher and forcing Barça's attack to operate farther from the goal paid off.
The one exception was Zenden's pace on the left wing, which Yang Hao addressed by assigning Gaspar to mark him closely.
Ahead of Gaspar, Yang Hao placed Fresnedoso, a versatile player who could both defend and transition to offense. His role was twofold: to offer additional coverage against Zenden and to support midfielders Pablo García and Baraja, who were tasked with containing Rivaldo and Cocu's forward runs.
Barcelona's midfield presented another exploitable weakness. Guardiola orchestrated from a deep-lying position, but Xavi, still just 20 years old, was far from the midfield maestro he would later become. At this stage of his career, his passing was inconsistent, and he lacked the composure and confidence to dictate play.
Instead, Cocu took on the burden of joining the attack from midfield, making him a key player in Van Gaal's setup.
Yang Hao's decision to start Fresnedoso wasn't just to strengthen the defense; it was part of a bigger plan. By keeping Aguilera rested on the bench, he was preparing for a decisive substitution in the second half—a substitution that would unleash his trump card.
The Psychological Transformation of Atlético
In recent days, pundits and fans alike had been analyzing the dramatic turnaround at Atlético. How had a team that had gone three months without a win suddenly racked up three consecutive victories?
For Yang Hao, the answer was simple:
The team had found a stable and effective tactical approach.
The players had rediscovered their confidence.
Their attitude on the pitch had undergone a complete transformation.
This newfound confidence translated into greater tactical discipline and higher intensity on the field.
Under previous coaches Ranieri and Antic, Atlético's tactics were serviceable, but the players lacked unity and morale. As the saying goes: "When the heart is gone, the team is lost."
No matter how well-designed the tactics or how talented the roster, a team with a fractured spirit cannot perform.
Now, however, things were different. The Atlético players weren't just going through the motions—they were fighting for every ball, every tackle, and every clearance.
This transformation was vividly displayed on the pitch at Camp Nou.
Every Atlético player was giving their all, playing with a sense of urgency and commitment that hadn't been seen in months. Even Valerón, not known for his physicality, was diving into tackles and getting his kit dirty within minutes of the match starting.
Their collective effort was palpable. They weren't just defending; they were defending with purpose.
Resilience Against Barcelona's Onslaught
Barcelona had hoped to replicate their Champions League heroics against Chelsea—an explosive start to overwhelm their opponents.
But Atlético refused to be intimidated.
Every time Barcelona surged forward, they encountered a defensive wall that shifted and adapted in unison. The players communicated constantly, covering for one another and closing gaps before Barcelona could exploit them.
On the sidelines, Yang Hao found himself in an unfamiliar position—he had nothing to add.
His players were executing the game plan flawlessly. Each tackle, clearance, and interception was a testament to their determination.
The energy in the team stemmed from the humiliation and frustration they had endured earlier in the season. Those experiences had lit a fire within them, driving them to prove their worth.
Even Barcelona's stars—Rivaldo, Figo, Kluivert—struggled to find a way through. They tried everything: individual dribbles, quick one-twos, diagonal through balls, overlapping runs, long-range shots.
But Atlético held firm.
Yang Hao stood on the sideline, his heart swelling with pride.
The hard-fought victories over the past three matches had reignited a passion within his team. The players had rediscovered their fighting spirit, and they were channeling it into every aspect of their game.
This wasn't just about tactics anymore. This was about belief.
The Match's Turning Point
Barcelona dominated possession and pressed relentlessly, but Atlético absorbed the pressure without breaking.
As halftime approached, Yang Hao began to prepare for his pivotal substitution.
The second half would bring fresh challenges, and that's when his trump card, Aguilera, would be unleashed.
Barcelona threw everything they had at Atlético, yet they still failed to truly threaten Molina's goal.
As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the air became palpable. Barça's players, sensing the clock working against them, began to show signs of frustration.
Hasselbaink's Close Call
In the 33rd minute, Barcelona once again found themselves tangled in a midfield skirmish with Atlético. Under pressure, they were forced to pass the ball back to Frank de Boer. The Dutch defender, rushed by the situation, failed to control the ball properly.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pounced.
Stealing the ball cleanly, the powerful Dutch striker immediately surged forward on a solo counterattack. His pace and strength carried him past the scrambling Barcelona defense, and in a flash, he was face-to-face with goalkeeper Ruud Hesp.
But at the decisive moment, Hasselbaink squandered the chance. His shot went wide.
Yang Hao couldn't help but feel a mix of exasperation and relief. Hasselbaink's ability to waste opportunities sometimes felt as prodigious as his knack for scoring.
Still, the counterattack served its purpose. It sent a clear message to Barcelona: Atlético could strike back at any moment.
The warning was effective. For the rest of the first half, Barça's relentless aggression showed signs of hesitation.
Halftime Adjustments
At halftime, Yang Hao reiterated the importance of maintaining their defensive shape and discipline. His primary instruction to the players was simple: don't lose focus.
As the second half kicked off, Barcelona launched another wave of attacks. But the cracks were beginning to show. Atlético's players, emboldened by their first-half resilience, were growing increasingly confident.
Van Gaal's Tactical Gambit
By the 60th minute, Louis van Gaal had seen enough. Realizing that his initial game plan wasn't breaking through Atlético's defense, he made two quick substitutions.
First, he brought on Simão Sabrosa to replace Zenden, hoping to inject more pace and creativity down the left flank.
Next, he introduced Luis Enrique, replacing the young Xavi in midfield.
The formation shifted again—this time to a 3-2-3-2, with Cocu and Guardiola anchoring the midfield, Luis Enrique operating centrally, and Rivaldo joining Kluivert as a second striker.
Watching from the sideline, Yang Hao couldn't help but marvel at the star power in Barça's ranks.
Van Gaal, Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Xavi—all future Barcelona managers.
De Boer and Cocu—destined to become prominent names in European football.
It was a testament to the talent within Barcelona at the time. Yet, despite all these brilliant minds working together, they still couldn't find a way past Atlético's unyielding defense.
Yang Hao allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction.
He imagined himself posting this match result online in 2023. Just the thought of the ensuing discussions filled him with giddy pride.
But there was no time to revel. The game wasn't over yet, and he had a decisive move to make.
The Trump Card: Aguilera
In the 75th minute, Yang Hao made his move.
He substituted Aguilera for Fresnedoso. On the surface, it seemed like a simple one-for-one swap. Fresnedoso, having played two grueling matches in quick succession, was visibly exhausted.
But Aguilera's introduction was more than just a change of personnel. It was a deliberate tactical shift designed to exploit a specific weakness in Barcelona's defense.
Targeting Barcelona's Left Flank
Barça's back line had a glaring vulnerability:
Reiziger, a right-footed player, was deployed as the left center-back. This unnatural positioning left him ill-equipped to handle swift, incisive attacks down his flank.
Aguilera, with his energy and precision, was the perfect weapon to exploit this weakness.
Van Gaal quickly recognized the threat. Cocu was instructed to drift left to provide additional cover.
Yet, even with this adjustment, Aguilera's fresh legs and relentless movement began to stretch Barcelona's defense to its limits.
The Decisive Blow
In the 82nd minute, the moment arrived.
Baraja launched a long pass intended to target the space behind Reiziger. The Dutch defender managed to intercept the ball, but under pressure from Aguilera, his clearance lacked distance and accuracy.
The ball fell to Valerón, who picked it up on the right edge of the penalty area.
Barcelona's defenders converged on Valerón—Guardiola, Cocu, and De Boer all moved in to close him down. The Spanish playmaker, however, shielded the ball brilliantly and bided his time.
Then, with a deft touch, he threaded an inch-perfect through ball into the penalty area.
The pass bypassed everyone, landing precisely at the feet of Aguilera, who had darted into space on the right.
Aguilera's first touch was immaculate. It took him past the onrushing goalkeeper Hesp. His second touch—a powerful strike with his left foot—sent the ball rocketing into the back of the net.
Goal!
Aguilera wheeled away in celebration, arms outstretched, as his teammates rushed to join him.
Game Over
The late goal shattered Barcelona's hopes.
Even with their star-studded lineup and tactical ingenuity, they had been outplayed by an Atlético team that was disciplined, determined, and perfectly prepared.
From the sideline, Yang Hao pumped his fists in triumph. This victory wasn't just a tactical masterclass; it was a statement.
The final whistle blew moments later. Atlético Madrid had sealed their place in the Copa del Rey final.
As expected, the match unfolded just as Yang Hao had anticipated.
Van Gaal's team immediately launched a fierce offensive from the start. The 3331 formation, with four attackers up front and the active support and pressure from Cocu and Guardiola behind, saw Barcelona commit at least six players to the attacking half.
When the whistle blew to start the match, Barcelona flooded Atlético's defense like a dam bursting.
Atlético, however, positioned their defense near the midfield line. All the players stood firm, like posts hammered into the ground.
As Barcelona's offensive onslaught surged, Atlético's defense remained unshaken.
Yang Hao stood nervously on the sideline. He now fully understood why heart disease was considered the "career disease" of professional managers. The tension was unbearable. Especially with Barcelona's star players occasionally pulling off intricate plays, almost breaking through Atlético's defense, but the Atlético players were showing incredible resilience. They fouled, made small fouls, and just wouldn't allow Barcelona to break through.
As Atlético positioned themselves near midfield, Barcelona's attacking quartet—Kluivert, Rivaldo, Zenden, and Figo—were pushed out of their most dangerous areas.
Barcelona's attack was indeed star-studded, but there was one key issue: speed. While Zenden had pace, Kluivert, Rivaldo, and Figo weren't known for their speed.
This was one of the reasons why Yang Hao had opted not to position the defense inside the penalty box. There, the proximity to the goal would have given Kluivert, Figo, and Rivaldo the chance to strike. Instead, pushing the defense further away from the goal gave Atlético a safer buffer.
On the left flank, Zenden's speed was a threat, so Yang Hao deployed Gaspar to strictly defend against him, thus nullifying his influence.
Up ahead of Gaspar, Yang Hao continued with Fresnedoso to support both defense and attack.
Baraja and Balahá formed the two defensive midfielders, having to track both Rivaldo and Cocu's late runs, which added considerable pressure. Fresnedoso was crucial in assisting.
Barcelona's midfield setup was another point of focus. Guardiola often stayed back to organize, while the 20-year-old Xavi still struggled to find consistency. Cocu had the freedom to make more offensive runs, but Xavi was still young and learning.
The Switch to 451 and the Late Tactical Move
By the 75th minute, Yang Hao made his tactical change, bringing on Aguilera for Fresnedoso.
At first glance, this looked like a simple substitution, but it had significant tactical implications. Fresnedoso had been heavily involved in both defensive and offensive duties, and Aguilera's fresh legs were to be used on the right flank, where Barcelona had a noticeable weakness.
The move was a calculated effort to exploit Barcelona's defensive imbalance, specifically against Reiziger playing left-center back.
Van Gaal quickly responded with changes of his own. He swapped out Zenden for Simão and Xavi for Luis Enrique, shifting Barcelona to a 3-2-3-2 setup. With Kluivert and Rivaldo leading the attack, this new formation was designed to create more attacking pressure.
Despite the adjustments from both sides, Aguilera's energy and Atlético's overall defense continued to create opportunities.
The Crucial Goal
Then, in the 82nd minute, the breakthrough arrived.
Baraja sent a long ball toward the space behind Reiziger, who intercepted it but mishandled the clearance under pressure from Aguilera. The ball fell to Valerón, who was surrounded by Cocu, Guardiola, and De Boer.
However, Valerón skillfully shielded the ball and made a deft pass through the two defenders. Instead of targeting Hasselbaink, he found Aguilera on the right side of the penalty area.
Aguilera's first touch took him past the goalkeeper, and his second touch—a well-placed shot—sent the ball into the net.
Goal! Atlético had taken the lead, 1-0!
The crowd erupted in celebration as Atlético's players swarmed Aguilera.
After the Final Whistle
As the final whistle blew, Yang Hao had no time to celebrate. He saw Van Gaal walking towards him and immediately went to greet him.
Whether in his past or present life, Yang Hao had deep respect for Van Gaal.
It was clear that Van Gaal was a man who could accept both victory and defeat with grace. Despite the challenging situation at Barcelona, with many expecting him to leave after the season, he remained dignified.
"Hey, Yang, you played very well tonight," Van Gaal said with a calm smile.
Yang Hao shook his hand and hugged him, replying, "Thank you."
Before letting go, Van Gaal suddenly held on tighter and continued, "But your tactics tonight were... a bit too cautious."
Yang Hao couldn't help but smile, suspecting that Van Gaal had almost said too conservative but had stopped himself from saying something harsher.
"It can't be helped, you are Barcelona," Yang Hao replied.
Van Gaal looked at him with a probing gaze, "Are you afraid?"
Clearly, he didn't believe Yang Hao's words.
"Honestly, I've been studying your recent matches with Atlético. Tactically, you're still a bit inexperienced as a head coach, but many of your ideas, the way you set up the team... it's really interesting," Van Gaal said, shaking his head. "I don't fully understand it, but that's probably because you're still new."
Yang Hao didn't correct him. After all, he had the advantage of being a time traveler, using his knowledge of the future to make his moves.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what you can do with a full season in charge," Van Gaal added sincerely. "I believe you have potential."
Yang Hao smiled awkwardly. He wasn't quite sure how to handle the compliment, especially from someone he respected so much. It felt odd to be praised by a manager he admired.
Van Gaal chuckled at Yang Hao's reaction. "Back-to-back losses in the Cup... but we will be aiming for a win in the league this weekend. Watch out!"
Yang Hao nodded. He believed that after this defeat, Van Gaal would certainly place even more importance on the upcoming league match.
As Yang Hao said goodbye to Van Gaal, he ran into José Mourinho, who came over with a big smile to chat. The two had a pleasant exchange, though it was obvious that Mourinho was trying to get closer to Yang Hao.
After the conversation, Van Gaal turned to Mourinho and asked, "Do you know him well?"
Mourinho, clearly confused, replied, "I've only met him during the matches."
"Then why does he seem so familiar with you?" Van Gaal asked, puzzled. He had noticed something odd during their first match and now again.
Mourinho was equally confused. "I don't remember ever meeting someone named Yang Hao. But he seems really familiar with me, especially the way he talks, like an old friend."
Van Gaal grumbled, "This kid is up to something. He's definitely got a scheme."
Having lost two games, he wasn't in the best mood.
As Van Gaal left, Mourinho turned back to glance at Yang Hao, who was celebrating with his team. It seemed like a normal victory celebration.
"Maybe it's because I'm so handsome?" Mourinho joked to himself, rubbing his face.
Van Gaal's approach clearly showed that he wanted to regain some dignity.
Of course, it might also have been a way to boost morale for the upcoming 35th round of La Liga.
So far this season, in just over half a month, Barcelona had already lost twice in a row to Atlético Madrid. Such defeats dealt a heavy blow to the players' morale and put them under significant psychological pressure.
Heading to the Calderón Stadium with this mindset would leave Barcelona's players at a disadvantage.
At this point, the result no longer mattered.
Understanding this, Yang Hao didn't hold back and opted for an entirely conservative approach.
He substituted Valerón with Beiber, switching to a three-defensive-midfield setup and transforming the team's tactics into a 4-5-1.
His final substitution came in the 86th minute, replacing Solari with José Luque.
Unlike Solari, José Luque was a typical Spanish winger with blazing speed.
This substitution made it clear Yang Hao wanted to strengthen the team's counterattack.
Replacing a defender? Fine. I'll hit you on the flanks, with Hasselbaink in the middle. Let's see who comes out on top!
The tit-for-tat substitutions and tactical adjustments by both coaches didn't bring much surprise to the game. In the final minutes, both teams slowed down the tempo.
It was obvious that both sides had accepted the outcome.
Ultimately, with Aguilera's goal off the bench, Atlético Madrid secured a 1-0 away win over Barcelona.
When the referee blew the final whistle, Yang Hao didn't even have time to celebrate before seeing Barcelona head coach Van Gaal walking toward him. Yang Hao quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Whether in his past life or his current one, Yang Hao had genuine respect for Van Gaal.
It was clear that Van Gaal was someone who could handle both victory and defeat gracefully. Even in his current difficult situation at Barcelona, with widespread speculation that he would be leaving at the end of the season, he still carried himself with poise and dignity.
"Hey, Yang, your team played really well tonight," Van Gaal said calmly.
After shaking hands and exchanging a brief hug, Yang Hao replied, "Thank you."
Just as he was about to let go, Van Gaal suddenly held onto his hand and continued, "But you guys played… a bit too conservatively."
Yang Hao couldn't help but laugh. He suspected Van Gaal was on the verge of saying "way too conservatively" but held back from cursing.
"Well, you're Barcelona," Yang Hao said with a smile.
Van Gaal fixed Yang Hao with a penetrating gaze. "Are you afraid?"
It was clear he didn't believe Yang Hao's explanation.
"To be honest," Van Gaal said, "I've studied the matches you've coached since taking over Atlético Madrid. How do I put this? In terms of pure coaching technique, you're still a bit raw. But some of your ideas, your tactical setups—they're… unique."
Van Gaal shook his head emphatically, indicating he couldn't fully understand or predict Yang Hao's methods.
However, he attributed this to Yang Hao being a rookie.
After all, everyone starts somewhere. No one becomes a world-class coach overnight—it's a gradual process.
Yang Hao, of course, didn't tell him that these were future trends he had leveraged as a time traveler to outpace the competition.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing the team you'll develop after coaching a full season," Van Gaal said sincerely, his tone reflecting the genuine sentiment of a professional coach.
Yang Hao smiled shyly. He wasn't used to handling such direct praise, especially from someone he respected. It left him feeling a bit at a loss.
Seeing his reaction, Van Gaal couldn't help but chuckle. "We've lost twice in the Copa del Rey, but we're determined to win this weekend's league match. You'd better be ready!"
Yang Hao nodded repeatedly.
He believed that after tonight's game, Van Gaal would take the upcoming league match even more seriously.
But as Barcelona's head coach, even a world-class figure like Van Gaal had his limitations, particularly when it came to tactical setups.
After parting ways with Van Gaal, Yang Hao ran into Mourinho. He made a point to greet the Portuguese coach with such warmth that it almost seemed over the top.
When Yang Hao left, Van Gaal turned to Mourinho with a puzzled look. "Are you two close?"
Mourinho, equally baffled, replied, "We've only met during matches."
"Then why does he act like he's known you forever?" Van Gaal asked, scratching his head.
He had been puzzled during the first leg, and now he felt the same way.
Mourinho was just as confused. He honestly couldn't recall ever meeting someone named Yang Hao before. But Yang Hao behaved as if they were old friends, especially with the tone he used—like they'd been close for years.
"That guy's full of schemes. He must be up to something," Van Gaal muttered, clearly annoyed.
Losing two matches in a row had left him in a foul mood.
As Van Gaal walked away, Mourinho turned back to look at Yang Hao, who was celebrating the victory with his assistants and players. Everything seemed perfectly normal.
"Could it be that he thinks I'm handsome?" Mourinho said to himself, stroking his face. "That's probably it."
On the evening of April 28, at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in Madrid,
La Liga Round 35 was underway, with Atlético Madrid hosting Barcelona.
From the moment the opening whistle blew, Van Gaal stood anxiously on the sidelines.
He suspected Yang Hao might try something unconventional, but he could never have predicted that Yang Hao would be this bold—choosing to go head-to-head with Barcelona from the start. It seemed like pure madness, a suicidal tactic.
Who were Atlético's attacking players?
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Santiago Solari, Juan Carlos Valerón, and Aguilera.
And Barcelona?
Patrick Kluivert, Zenden, Rivaldo, and Luís Figo.
Looking solely at the star power of the attacking lineup, Atlético didn't stand a chance against Barcelona.
Yet Yang Hao pushed his team forward aggressively, with a clear determination: "If we don't score, we're not backing down!"
Van Gaal had anticipated that Yang Hao would target Barcelona's left side.
Before the match, he had even mentioned to Mourinho that Yang Hao's substitution of Aguilera at Camp Nou to attack Barcelona's left flank was no coincidence. It was a calculated move.
Van Gaal was convinced that upon returning to the Calderón, Yang Hao would once again focus on exploiting Barcelona's left side.
To counter this, Van Gaal adjusted the underperforming Reiziger's position from the previous match, moving the Dutch defender to right center-back, and placing Puyol as a makeshift left center-back. He hoped Puyol's versatility and speed would neutralize Atlético's threat on the right flank.
But he never expected Yang Hao to be so cunning.
Just how cunning?
When Atlético pressed high as a unit, Aguilera practically shadowed Puyol in what seemed like a deliberate "bait-and-switch" maneuver.
In the 6th minute, after a combination play between Valerón and Baraja, the ball found its way to Aguilera.
Atlético's captain controlled the ball, turned to evade Puyol, and delivered a perfectly timed pass.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink muscled his way past De Boer and scored, opening the game for Atlético!
The moment the ball hit the net, the Dutch striker dashed out of the penalty area in wild celebration, greeted by thunderous cheers from the entire Calderón stadium. Fans roared his name in unison.
Van Gaal stood in the visitors' technical area, watching the jubilant Atlético crowd with a deep sense of frustration.
He knew he had been outsmarted.
Caught up in the moment, Van Gaal failed to realize that he had no other choice to begin with.
What frustrated him even more was that before Barcelona could properly adjust, Atlético, emboldened by their success, intensified their high press and repeatedly attacked down the right flank. This forced Cocu to track back aggressively, shifting Barcelona's defensive focus further to their left.
Then, in the 11th minute, Pablo García delivered a stunning overhead pass to the left edge of Barcelona's penalty area. Solari caught up with the ball, controlled it, and whipped in a cross.
Once again, Hasselbaink was waiting in the box. This time, De Boer managed to reach the ball first, heading it clear.
Zenden, positioned outside the box, controlled the ball but was immediately dispossessed by Valerón.
The "Spanish Zidane" slyly stole the ball and laid it off laterally.
Baraja, arriving from midfield, unleashed a ferocious strike from the edge of the box, rocketing the ball into Hesp's net.
2–0!
The game was only 11 minutes in.
Atlético's relentless high press had left Barcelona completely stunned.
Both the opening attacks on the right and the subsequent left-wing assault had Barcelona scrambling.
The three-man backline's inherent weakness on the flanks was fully exposed. Whether it was Reiziger or Puyol, playing a right-footed defender as a left center-back only made the defensive flaws more glaring.
At this moment, Van Gaal finally realized he had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by Yang Hao.
After scoring twice in quick succession, Atlético began to ease off their high press. Barcelona gradually found their footing and regained some control over the game.
The match returned to a more balanced state.
But by then, the "Colchoneros" had pulled back and started executing their trademark defensive counterattacks.
"2–0!"
Yang Hao silently celebrated on the sidelines. Watching his team slow their tempo and shift into a defensive posture only strengthened his confidence.
From the start of this match, Van Gaal had no real choice.
As Yang Hao had previously remarked, while it seemed like two separate matches, it was essentially one long game spread over two legs.
The close scheduling between the matches worked to Atlético's advantage.
At Camp Nou, despite being behind, Van Gaal refused to substitute Kluivert, Rivaldo, or Figo.
Was it because the three players performed exceptionally well?
Not really. While the trio had decent seasons, their performance in that particular match was mediocre.
So why didn't Van Gaal dare to make changes?
Yang Hao speculated that it was due to an agreement Van Gaal had with the trio when reconciling with them earlier in the season.
Such compromises were common—both sides make concessions to maintain locker room harmony.
To preserve the peace, Van Gaal had to ensure the superstars' playing time and preferred roles.
Thus, the three superstars had to play, and Rivaldo had to take the central role.
This left Barcelona with two tactical options: a two-forward formation or Van Gaal's signature 3-3-3-1, with Rivaldo in the No. 10 position.
From every angle, the latter option was more likely.
Some might wonder—why not switch to a four-man defense?
The answer is simple: Van Gaal had tried a 4-2-3-1 formation, or variations of it, before, but the results were lackluster.
Whether it was Cocu and Guardiola as a double pivot or any other pairing, the performances were underwhelming.
Moreover, Barcelona's traditional DNA favored a single defensive midfielder—a classic No. 4 role.
Another issue at play was that, after Barcelona's stunning Champions League comeback against Chelsea, Van Gaal and the entire team became enamored with the 3-3-3-1 formation. Losing to Atlético Madrid could easily be dismissed as an anomaly, given the 4–1 loss in the first leg.
Under these circumstances, Van Gaal had no real options.
Barcelona did have a more conventional left-back available—Sergi, a club legend who later retired at Atlético Madrid. While Sergi had excellent attacking abilities, his defensive issues were unforgettable.
The most infamous example came in November 1997, during the disastrous Camp Nou debacle that shook European football. Andriy Shevchenko's Dynamo Kyiv thrashed Barcelona 4–0 at Camp Nou.
One of the key reasons for this disaster was Sergi's repeated forward runs, leaving massive gaps behind him. To make matters worse, in the 47th minute, he deliberately handled the ball, earning his second yellow card and a red card dismissal.
Despite these shortcomings, Sergi remained a starter throughout Van Gaal's tenure, with his defensive flaws consistently criticized.
In the early part of the current season, Sergi played full matches in both La Liga and the Champions League. However, from Round 10 of the league onward, Barcelona hit a rough patch. Between Rounds 10 and 15, they lost five out of six games, including a four-game losing streak.
Sergi became the scapegoat for the team's poor form. After that, Van Gaal refused to start him again, even opting to play Winston Bogarde as a makeshift left-back rather than giving Sergi another chance.
From any angle, it was clear that Van Gaal would stick to the three-center-back system.
And as long as Barcelona played with three center-backs, defensive vulnerabilities on the flanks were inevitable, whether it was Reiziger, Puyol, De Boer, or Cocu playing in those roles.
Aguilera, although a right-footed player, was equally adept with his left foot, capable of cutting inside to shoot or pass.
As Atlético's captain, Aguilera naturally became a focal point in Yang Hao's strategy.
At Camp Nou, Yang Hao had only tested this approach, and it worked brilliantly. For this match, he deployed it more confidently and assertively.
The result? An explosive start.
The 2–0 scoreline itself demonstrated Barcelona's disadvantage.
Even as the game settled into a stalemate, Barcelona's attacks continued to flounder against Atlético's defense.
Since Yang Hao's first match in charge, this defensive setup had repeatedly caused trouble for Barcelona. With further refinements over time and contributions from Juanma Lillo, it had become a solid defensive system.
Trailing by two goals and unable to break through, Barcelona grew increasingly desperate.
Barcelona's most threatening moment in the first half came in the 41st minute when Zenden received a pass from Rivaldo, forced his way past Gaspar, and delivered a cross from the left.
Atlético's two center-backs couldn't keep up with Kluivert, and neither could contest the delivery.
In the end, Molina abandoned his goal and leapt forward to claim the ball, colliding with the Dutch striker in the process.
Following this scare, Atlético began counterattacking with more intent.
In first-half stoppage time, Valerón and Aguilera combined near the right corner of the penalty area. Aguilera dribbled into the box and was brought down from behind by Puyol.
The Barcelona defender was at his wit's end.
Although a right-footed player, Aguilera's relentless cutting inside onto Puyol's weaker foot had driven him to the brink of madness.
In his desperation, Puyol committed the foul.
Yang Hao shook his head from the sidelines.
In the year 2000, tackling from behind wasn't penalized as severely. A few years later, this would have been a red card and a penalty. Now, it was just a penalty with no card issued.
Hasselbaink, who had missed a penalty earlier in the season, saw his veteran captain win this spot kick and immediately volunteered to take it, determined to redeem himself.
After consulting with his teammates on the pitch, they agreed to let him take it.
The Dutch striker calmly placed the ball, stepped up, and fired it into the net, extending Atlético's lead.
3–0!
With halftime approaching, Atlético had effectively sealed the victory.
This was something no one could have predicted before the match.
After their 4–1 win in the Copa del Rey, many dismissed it as a fluke or the result of Barcelona's fatigue from competing on multiple fronts. But now?
Three defeats in a row to Atlético in just over half a month—could that still be called a coincidence?
Van Gaal's face remained a stony mask throughout, making it hard to discern his emotions, though it was clear he was far from happy.
Meanwhile, at another stadium, league leaders Deportivo La Coruña suffered a 2–1 defeat to Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo scored in the 4th minute, and although Deportivo equalized, Juanfran's red card in the 12th minute left them struggling. Despite playing with an extra man for most of the match, Deportivo failed to secure a victory and surrendered their lead at the top of the table.
However, Javier Irureta couldn't have imagined that Barcelona, one of their title rivals, would also stumble in this round.
Barcelona had squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap.
With only three league matches remaining, Barcelona trailed Deportivo by five points. Their title hopes were all but extinguished.
When the referee Omar blew the final whistle, the Vicente Calderón Stadium erupted into a sea of celebration.
More than 50,000 Atlético fans roared and cheered with all their might.
The final score: 3–0. As is customary, the home team's score is listed first.
After scoring three goals in the first half, Atlético Madrid withstood Barcelona's relentless second-half attacks. Despite creating several threatening opportunities, Barcelona couldn't find the back of the net, with Atlético's goalkeeper Molina delivering two brilliant saves to preserve the lead.
In the end, Atlético triumphed over Barcelona at home!
At this moment, countless Atlético fans cheered wildly, with many moved to tears of joy.
They had endured the most turbulent times and experienced the darkest of days with no hope in sight. That's why they cherished this moment all the more, especially this newfound glimmer of hope.
Under Yang Hao's leadership, the team had now achieved five consecutive victories, including three wins against Barcelona.
Worldwide, this was an almost unbelievable feat.
Atlético fans could never have imagined that the coaching change they protested and criticized at the beginning of the month—the young, untested manager they had completely underestimated—would now become the key figure in saving their club.
Gradually, from an unknown corner of the stadium, someone began chanting. Soon, more voices joined in, until the entire stadium echoed with the sound of one name.
"Yang Hao!"
The chants of "Yang Hao" filled the air in accented Mandarin as thousands of fans united in their cheers.
Standing on the pitch, Yang Hao felt his blood boil and a wave of unprecedented emotion surge through him. He was filled with determination.
He walked out of the technical area, raised his arms high toward the fans, and then pointed repeatedly at the Atlético badge on his tracksuit, urging the fans to cheer even louder and give the team more support.
"The revolution is not yet complete, comrades; we must continue to work hard!"
"This is truly unexpected!"
From the VIP stands at the Calderón, a voice expressed surprise.
Miguel Gil turned toward the source of the comment and found it was none other than Enrique Cerezo.
The vice president of Atlético Madrid was known for his steady, low-key demeanor. He rarely made public appearances or voiced strong opinions.
Even when Miguel Gil firmly supported Yang Hao earlier in the season, Cerezo had mostly remained neutral, seldom offering his opinion.
But this time, as the stadium erupted with cheers and Atlético fans showered Yang Hao with praise, even Cerezo couldn't help but speak up.
"Enrique, you didn't expect this either, did you?" Jesus Gil said with a chuckle, surprising Miguel Gil even more.
"It's always been said that leading a team to avoid relegation is the hardest task of all and the ultimate test of a manager's skill. It seems we truly underestimated Yang Hao—myself included," Cerezo said softly.
The 52-year-old Spaniard, wearing glasses, spoke calmly and politely, forming a stark contrast to the fiery Jesus Gil.
Yet, interestingly, Cerezo had been Jesus Gil's longest-serving partner since the Gil family took over Atlético Madrid. He was Jesus Gil's right-hand man and the club's second-largest shareholder.
Jesus Gil trusted Cerezo deeply. Besides Miguel Gil, Enrique Cerezo was the most powerful figure at Atlético Madrid.
"We should be out of the relegation zone now, right?" Jesus Gil asked, his tone filled with anticipation.
After three straight league wins, remaining in the relegation zone would be a nightmare scenario for La Liga.
"Based on the current standings, we should be safe," said Paulo Futre.
The group's mood lightened noticeably.
For months, since Atlético had sunk into the relegation zone, everyone had been on edge, burdened by immense pressure.
Now, although survival wasn't yet secured, the team had finally escaped the relegation zone. It was a weight off their shoulders.
This was especially true for Jesus Gil.
If Atlético were to be relegated, it would undoubtedly be the greatest regret of his life.
For this reason, despite his silence on the matter, Jesus Gil secretly held Yang Hao in high regard and felt a sense of gratitude toward him.
In his younger years, he had been a domineering figure, but after his stint in prison, he had come to realize that the world was no longer his to control.
Seeing how well the coach recommended by his son, Miguel Gil, was performing only deepened his appreciation.
"You need to maintain close communication with Yang Hao. This season's La Liga is unpredictable, and many teams are likely to change managers. Good coaches are in high demand, so we must keep him on our side," Jesus Gil advised, turning to his son.
"Don't worry, I know Yang Hao well. He personally promised me he'd stay with Atlético next season," Miguel Gil replied confidently.
"You can see he's a coach with a clear vision and advanced tactical ideas. I've heard many people praise his work—both Héctor Cúper and Van Gaal have spoken highly of him in the media."
At this point, Jesus Gil recalled the first thing Yang Hao had said when he entered the Calderón meeting room:
"Only I can save Atlético from relegation and, in the coming years, turn us into the strongest team in Spain and even Europe!"
When Jesus Gil first heard this, his initial reaction was: Florentino was right—this guy's a complete fraud.
But now, less than a month later, looking back on those words, they seemed prophetic.
If he hadn't witnessed all this firsthand, how could he have believed that a 25-year-old could achieve what legends like Sacchi, Ranieri, and Antic could not?
"A coach like Yang Hao, with his advanced football philosophy, deserves our respect. This summer, when we're building the squad, we need to listen to his opinions. I'm looking forward to him leading Atlético into a period of resurgence," Jesus Gil said, his final remarks directed not only at Miguel Gil but also at the sporting director, Paulo Futre.
Futre nodded in agreement, but deep down, he felt a bit uneasy.
He knew that based on Jesus Gil's words, his own role as sporting director might be marginalized.
It seemed that, moving forward, Atlético's transfers would be entirely under Yang Hao's control.
True to his style, Jesus Gil remained consistent in his philosophy of trusting the people he chose to work with.
Beside him, Enrique Cerezo also voiced no objections, effectively sealing the decision.
For Paulo Futre, there was little choice but to accept the situation.
After all, Atlético had primarily brought him in as sporting director to appease the fans. His connections with Portuguese agents like José Vega were also a significant factor.
3–0 victory over Barcelona!
Yang Hao was ecstatic. He hugged every single player, affirming their efforts.
He also celebrated with the fans at the stadium.
After leaving the pitch, Yang Hao made it a point to meet Van Gaal and chat for a bit.
The Dutchman, still fuming over three consecutive defeats this season, made it clear that he planned to seek revenge in the future.
It reminded Yang Hao of the wolf in the cartoon who, at the end of every episode, would declare, "I'll be back!" Naturally, Yang Hao didn't take it to heart.
"There are still three matches left. You've got to keep pushing forward," Van Gaal encouraged him.
Atlético Madrid had not yet secured their place in the league for next season.
"Don't worry, once we beat Real Oviedo, we'll pretty much be safe," Yang Hao said confidently.
"Luis Aragonés is no pushover. When Atlético lost faith in Ranieri and looked for a new manager, they reached out to Aragonés, but he chose to stay at Real Oviedo instead of joining Atlético. That shows his sharp judgment."
Of course, at the time, who could have predicted Yang Hao would emerge as Atlético's savior?
"He's the best coach in Spain—possibly without exception," Yang Hao praised.
This statement reflected his respect for Aragonés and his recognition of the coach's abilities.
"Stop worrying about me and focus on yourself," Yang Hao quipped.
After this loss, Van Gaal's position at Barcelona would become even more precarious.
Having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Atlético, with La Liga slipping out of reach as Deportivo maintained their lead, Barcelona's hopes now rested solely on their Champions League semifinal against Héctor Cúper's Valencia. The pressure was immense.
Valencia, under Cúper, excelled at attacking down the flanks. Players like Kily González and Gaizka Mendieta were among the best wingers in Spain, supported by counterattack specialists Claudio López and Angulo up front.
Atlético could afford to defend deep against such a team—but could Barcelona?
Having managed only five matches so far, Yang Hao was beginning to truly grasp a key footballing adage:
The outcome of a match is often decided before the players even step onto the pitch.
While not entirely accurate—performance on the day still matters—it carried significant truth.
Just look at Van Gaal's predicament.
As Yang Hao said his goodbyes, he looked around for Mourinho but couldn't find him. The Portuguese coach had slipped away unnoticed.
Instead, it was Guardiola who approached him for a brief chat.
As Barcelona's captain, Guardiola was struggling with his position at the club. However, he was particularly interested in Yang Hao's tactical ideas.
A mischievous thought had crossed Yang Hao's mind back at Camp Nou: what if he could recruit future legendary managers under his wing? Then, every time those managers were mentioned, it would be noted that they had started under Yang Hao.
With this in mind, Yang Hao tentatively asked, "Have you considered playing somewhere else this summer?"
Guardiola seemed taken aback. "Are you inviting me?"
"Atlético has already offered me a contract extension. We'll secure safety this season, and I'm planning to rebuild the team," Yang Hao replied candidly.
With Atlético in such a strong position, especially after back-to-back wins against Valencia and Barcelona, confidence in avoiding relegation was high—as long as they didn't slip up against Real Oviedo.
However, rebuilding was inevitable after the season.
Many players were already negotiating with other clubs, and some had likely struck private deals.
Yang Hao was particularly interested in Guardiola as a classic No. 4 player.
But after some thought, Guardiola shook his head and said, "Thank you, Yang, but I don't plan to leave Barcelona. I want to retire with this club. Even if I have to leave, I'd rather go to another league so I don't have to face Barcelona as an opponent."
Yang Hao smiled. He had anticipated this response but still felt a twinge of regret.
Currently, Manchester United's Ferguson and several Italian clubs were also keenly interested in Guardiola.
"If you change your mind, you've got my number," Yang Hao said, leaving the matter there.
Guardiola thanked him repeatedly.
"What's going on?"
When Yang Hao returned to the locker room, the results of the remaining matches from La Liga's Round 35 were already in.
Numancia had drawn 1–1 away against Racing Santander, while Real Oviedo played to a 2–2 draw against Sevilla.
As a result, both teams moved to 41 points.
With Atlético Madrid's victory over Barcelona, they also climbed to 41 points.
Now, three teams were tied on points.
"If it's a tie, then head-to-head records should decide the standings. There's no way we'd still be in 18th place," Yang Hao said in confusion. This made no sense to him.
No matter how you ranked them—whether by head-to-head results or even alphabetically—Atlético shouldn't be at the bottom.
"Uh… according to the rules, we are still ranked 18th," Mendióroz explained cautiously.
"That's impossible. We beat Real Oviedo 5–0 in one match. In head-to-head results, among the five matches between the three teams, we have one win, one draw, and one loss. Numancia has one win, two draws, and one loss. Real Oviedo also has one win, one draw, and one loss. But we have the best goal difference in those matches!"
In Yang Hao's understanding, ties among multiple teams should be resolved by examining their head-to-head results.
For instance, in matches between Atlético, Oviedo, and Numancia: Atlético had defeated Oviedo 5–0, but the second leg of that matchup hadn't been played yet. Oviedo had beaten Numancia, while Numancia had beaten Atlético.
This created a tangled web of results.
In such cases, shouldn't the head-to-head results be compiled into a mini-league table to determine rankings?
After hearing Yang Hao's reasoning, Mendióroz shook his head with a wry smile. "That's not how it works."
"Am I misunderstanding something?"
"This kind of situation is rare, but generally, they don't make it that complicated. If there's a scenario like ours, where one match in the head-to-head cycle hasn't been played, head-to-head results aren't considered."
Yang Hao froze. "So, they just go by overall goal difference in the league?"
"Exactly. And our goal difference…"
No need to say more—it was a painful realization.
With all three teams tied on points, Atlético's goal difference was the worst, leaving them at the bottom. Oviedo ranked above them, while Numancia had the best goal difference of the three.
It was a tough blow.
After three consecutive wins in La Liga, Atlético Madrid was still in 18th place, still in the relegation zone.
Yang Hao had never studied this kind of multi-team tie-breaking scenario before, especially one with such convoluted calculations.
It turned out his understanding had been incorrect.
With this in mind, the next match against Real Oviedo became even more crucial.
Numancia would play at home against Espanyol, who were currently a mid-table side with nothing to fight for, making it likely that Numancia would secure three points. In Yang Hao's past life, Numancia had indeed avoided relegation.
If Atlético failed to beat Real Oviedo, they could very well be pushed down further.
With this realization, Yang Hao couldn't sit still.
He walked to the center of the locker room and clapped his hands loudly, signaling for everyone's attention.
Yang Hao first displayed the league table and analyzed the current standings for the players, explaining the team's precarious position in detail.
"Once we step out of this locker room, forget tonight's victory and all our past matches. Remember, our survival battle is only halfway done. The upcoming match against Real Oviedo is the most important relegation battle we'll face."
This relegation clash would pit them against Spain's "wise elder," Luis Aragonés.
The nickname alone spoke volumes about Aragonés's coaching prowess.
"We've worked incredibly hard to get here, and every single one of us has contributed immensely," Yang Hao said, making eye contact with each player to convey his determination.
"We are just three matches away from survival, from becoming legends, from creating a miracle. We cannot falter at this critical moment. We must seize momentum, defeat Oviedo away from home, and climb out of the relegation zone!"
"Do you have confidence?" Yang Hao shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Yes!" the players roared back.
Despite three straight wins—including victories over Valencia and Barcelona—Atlético Madrid remained in the relegation zone.
This sent shockwaves across Spain and even the broader European football world.
La Liga's 1999–2000 season had become incredibly chaotic, a mess unlike any other.
At this point in the season, Atlético had already amassed 41 points, which would have guaranteed survival in most other seasons.
But not this time.
Spanish media and fans alike began to view Atlético Madrid in a new light. Especially after their win over Barcelona, Atlético's impressive performances had once again showcased their strength.
Yang Hao had become the talk of Spanish football. Everyone was beginning to recognize that this 25-year-old young manager was leading Atlético Madrid to create an improbable legend.
Achieving survival against all odds was remarkable enough, but Atlético had also reached the Copa del Rey final.
Marca reported that after the Barcelona match, Atlético's president, Jesus Gil, told the media that regardless of whether the team avoided relegation this season, Yang Hao would remain as head coach.
"His leadership has transformed the team, earning unanimous approval from the management. We all believe he's the most suitable coach for us at this stage," Jesus Gil stated confidently, expressing his belief that the team would secure safety.
However, Marca also speculated on an intriguing possibility:
If Atlético were relegated but won the Copa del Rey final against their city rivals Real Madrid, they would become the first Segunda División team to represent Spain in the UEFA Cup.
For now, though, with Atlético's hopes of survival looking brighter, this scenario was becoming increasingly unlikely.
Yang Hao still didn't appear at the post-match press conference, but his spokesperson, Mendiado, spoke to reporters and expressed that Atlético Madrid's locker room was full of confidence about avoiding relegation.
"In the remaining three matches, we'll do everything to win them. By then, we'll have 50 points."
"If that's still not enough to stay up, then there's nothing more to say."
Mendiado's words clearly implied that as long as Atlético Madrid won all their matches, survival was guaranteed.
The 36th round of La Liga, with Real Oviedo hosting Atlético Madrid, would become the critical battle for relegation this season.
As for Real Betis, coached by Guus Hiddink, they suffered a devastating 0-4 defeat against Mallorca in the 35th round, falling five points behind Atlético Madrid.
It was clear that the moment Betis fell into the relegation zone at Atlético's hands, their confidence in survival completely crumbled.
Following the crushing loss to Mallorca, Hiddink announced his resignation.
Yet another renowned coach was dismissed!
This piece of news added another dramatic chapter to an already chaotic La Liga season.
Yang Hao was stunned when he heard the news.
This was Guus Hiddink!
A manager revered by so many fans in the future as a miracle worker—not just for leading South Korea to the World Cup semifinals, but also for his impressive spells with PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, and the Russian national team.
And yet, here he was, a future world-class manager, failing to save Betis from relegation and getting sacked...
This wasn't about Hiddink's coaching ability or lack of experience. After all, the Dutchman was 54 years old, in the prime of his managerial career.
The lesson Yang Hao took from this was that for a manager to succeed, they need a well-functioning management team behind them.
While player squads and tactics are visible to fans, the unseen management team within the club is what truly matters.
As Ferguson once said, to manage a team, you must be the boss in the locker room.
But Yang Hao believed that being the boss in the locker room wasn't enough. A manager also needed the unwavering trust and full support of the management.
Otherwise, no matter how great a manager was—even someone like Hiddink—they could still end up sacked.
This season's La Liga had truly become a Waterloo for famous managers.
After the match against Barcelona, Yang Hao locked himself in Atlético's training base in Majadahonda again, immersing himself in tactical research.
With a week's rest following the 35th round of La Liga, Yang Hao gave his players a day off.
But he didn't rest at all, focusing instead on studying Real Oviedo's matches under Luis Aragonés. He meticulously analyzed strategies and prepared for the decisive battle a week later.
Preparations within the team proceeded smoothly. The initial days were focused on recovery and adjustments, with a slight increase in intensity midway to stimulate the players' physical condition, ensuring they were in peak form for the weekend match.
These training regimens followed predictable patterns, though each team's fitness coaches had their own methods, leading to varying results.
Atlético's fitness level wasn't ideal at the moment. Yang Hao had already informed Miguel Gil that a better fitness coach would need to be hired over the summer to meet his requirements for the new season.
Additionally, Yang Hao was highly impressed with goalkeeper coach Pedro Jaro. A former player, Jaro had retired as a backup goalkeeper and had spent years training under the Spanish Football Federation.
The Spanish goalkeeper training manuals, written by Van Gaal's assistant Frans Hoek, were deeply influenced by Dutch football and produced goalkeepers with a modern flair.
Pedro Jaro, however, had also trained for a year under Claudio Ranieri's assistant, Giorgio Pellizzaro. The Italian school of goalkeeper training had its own distinct style, markedly different from the Dutch approach.
Pedro Jaro had previously discussed with Yang Hao his attempts to combine the strengths of both systems, a move Yang Hao wholeheartedly supported.
With Pellizzaro set to return to Ranieri after this season, Yang Hao believed Pedro Jaro could step up as Atlético's full-time goalkeeper coach.
As for Yang Hao's junior assistant, Parales, Yang Hao planned to send him for further training during the summer. Upon his return, Parales would continue as the team's physiotherapist, though his responsibilities would inevitably increase.
Yang Hao initially thought Juanma Lillo would be the most difficult case. After all, Lillo, who was now Yang Hao's right-hand man, had previously coached independently and had only come to Atlético for a short-term role.
Surprisingly, when Yang Hao explained his blueprint for the new season, Lillo agreed on the spot to stay and continue assisting him.
With that, Yang Hao's coaching team for the next season was beginning to take shape.
However, the Spanish football world was shaken by an earthquake.
Barcelona's legendary president, Josep Lluís Núñez, has stepped down!
This news sent shockwaves through the footballing world.
When Yang Hao heard about it, he was momentarily stunned. He knew Núñez would resign this year, but the timing came earlier than expected.
In his previous life, Núñez had stepped down at the end of the season. But now, following back-to-back defeats to Atlético Madrid and a season of locker room turmoil, Núñez couldn't withstand the pressure any longer.
According to media reports, one key reason for Núñez's early resignation was the relentless pressure from the opposition faction, led by Joan Laporta, the president of the Blaugrana Supporters' Club, and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.
Núñez and Cruyff's relationship was a classic case of love turned sour.
Starting in 1978, Núñez had served as the president of Barcelona and was instrumental in the club's rise to prominence. Cruyff, among others, had been a close ally, and the "Dream Team" coached by Cruyff enjoyed Núñez's full support.
However, things soured after Barcelona's 0–5 defeat to Jorge Valdano's Real Madrid, which led to Cruyff's dismissal.
In the turbulent years that followed, Núñez had sought to bring the highly successful Louis van Gaal from Ajax to Camp Nou. But the world knew Cruyff and Van Gaal had a notoriously poor relationship.
Once Van Gaal became Barcelona's manager, Núñez and Cruyff's relationship fractured completely. Cruyff shifted his allegiance to the opposition faction, aligning himself with Laporta, who was just starting to make a name for himself and needed a figure like Cruyff to boost his credibility.
The tipping point came after Barcelona's loss to Atlético Madrid. Catalan media reported that the Blaugrana Supporters' Club was organizing a massive protest to coincide with Barcelona's La Liga Round 36 home match against Rayo Vallecano.
The match itself was unremarkable, but the Camp Nou event was meant to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Núñez's presidency.
With the season already plagued by criticism and overwhelming pressure, the prospect of being publicly denounced by fans during his anniversary celebration was too much to bear. Núñez decided to step down early.
Vice President Joan Gaspart would serve as interim president until the end of the season, when Barcelona would hold elections to choose a new leader.
After 22 years at the helm, the strongman who had ruled Barcelona finally fell.
For Yang Hao, the news evoked a sense of reflection. This moment marked the end of Spain's "Era of Strongmen" in football.
In the years to come, Europe's era of strongmen would also gradually come to a close.
Figures like Núñez at Barcelona, Ramón Mendoza at Real Madrid, and Jesus Gil at Atlético Madrid were all quintessential strongmen. Their personal authority allowed them to lead their clubs through challenges and achieve great successes.
But times had changed.
The strongman approach was no longer in step with modern football.
Take Real Madrid's Lorenzo Sanz, for instance—a direct successor to Mendoza. After taking office, he was unable to reverse the growing financial instability that began under Mendoza, with the club's debt continuing to spiral out of control.
Núñez at Barcelona faced similar struggles, as did Jesus Gil at Atlético Madrid.
Under these strongmen, the clubs became one-man shows, with decisions and operations dictated entirely by the president's will.
This approach worked efficiently in certain periods, but it was no longer sustainable in the modern era.
Consider financial management, for example.
Atlético Madrid's finances were notoriously chaotic. They lacked even basic cash flow management, with their overall financial structure in shambles.
Was Atlético unique in this regard?
No. Miguel Gil once told Yang Hao that this was the case for Real Madrid, Barcelona, and much of La Liga.
Yang Hao recalled a conversation with Miguel Gil, during which he mentioned that during the mid-1990s, the commercial revenue of La Liga's "Big Three" (Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid) was comparable to that of Premier League clubs like Manchester United.
However, in the years since, Manchester United's commercial revenue had skyrocketed, while La Liga stagnated.
"Does Atlético not have a marketing department?" Yang Hao asked.
Miguel Gil responded with a question of his own: "What would we need that for?"
This was the prevailing mindset in La Liga, even among top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Presidents like Mendoza, Núñez, Sanz, and Jesus Gil belonged to an earlier era, one where clubs didn't actively seek sponsorships or market themselves.
Sponsors?
They came knocking on the club's door. And even then, clubs often treated them with disdain.
It was as if the clubs believed: "You're paying us, so you'd better grovel and thank us for taking your money."
Have you ever seen service providers act like this?
Yet this was the dominant attitude across La Liga and much of European football at the time.
Yang Hao likened it to a friend of his in his previous life—a highly skilled artisan who charged exorbitant rates, worked slowly, and often acted aloof.
Many high-end clients sought him out for his craftsmanship. But if you hired him, he'd treat you with indifference, as if he didn't care whether he got the job or not.
One time, while chatting with Yang Hao, the artisan received a call from a client offering him a project. He claimed he was busy and would check back in a few days, even though he had no other commitments.
After hanging up, he sighed to Yang Hao, "Work is so scarce these days. Times are tough."
Yang Hao barely restrained himself from smacking the guy.
This mindset mirrored that of European football clubs at the time. They expected the world's money to line up at their doorsteps without any effort on their part.
At the root of this flawed mentality was the strongman leadership model.
The stronger the leader, the more centralized the authority, and the more micromanaged the operations. When a leader's decisions went awry, their hands-on approach only exacerbated the problems, creating a downward spiral of inefficiency and chaos.
In modern management systems, this kind of approach is a cardinal sin.
The most intriguing figure in this transition is Gaspart, Núñez's successor.
Having served as vice president for 22 years, Gaspart was hailed as the best vice president in Barcelona's history—but that was under the strongman rule of Núñez.
When the towering figure above him suddenly disappeared and Gaspart found himself elevated to the position of strongman, he seemed utterly lost, ultimately becoming one of the worst presidents in Barcelona's history.
This reflects the failure of the club's management system.
Even by 2023, Barcelona still hadn't established a mature and stable modern management structure.
Real Madrid, for all its appearance of stability and modernization, only functions smoothly as long as Florentino Pérez remains in charge. The day he steps down, who can guarantee the club won't fall back into the chaos of the Calderón era?
While Núñez's resignation marked the end of an era, Barcelona's troubles continued.
In Round 36 of La Liga, Barcelona suffered a 0–2 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano, sealing Van Gaal's fate—his dismissal was now a foregone conclusion.
Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruña failed to assert their dominance, drawing 2–2 at home against Zaragoza. They still led Barcelona by six points, leaving a theoretical chance for a title race.
Real Madrid, however, lost 0–1 at home to Alavés.
Some mocked the La Liga title race as a battle of mediocrity.
Others, in kinder terms, called it "intensely competitive."
On the second matchday of Round 36, Yang Hao led his well-prepared Atlético Madrid to an away clash against Real Oviedo.
Once again, Yang Hao deployed his increasingly polished 4-2-3-1 formation, maintaining the high-pressing, aggressive style.
Luis Aragonés, meanwhile, employed his signature 4-4-2, with Oviedo relying on a defense-first approach and counterattacks at home.
However, Yang Hao refused to adopt a conservative approach. Instead, he stuck to his philosophy of pressing high and dictating play, applying pressure on Oviedo with sheer strength and tactical discipline.
The key focus was Oviedo's midfield.
All four of Oviedo's midfielders stood around 1.75 meters tall and lacked physicality. During tactical preparations, Yang Hao emphasized disrupting Oviedo's midfield while ensuring Valerón and others maintained control of possession.
From the outset, Oviedo struggled to cope. They were forced to retreat deep into their own half, barely holding on.
But their resistance lasted only 27 minutes.
Capdevila surged forward, receiving a pass from Solari near the byline, cut into the left side of the penalty area, and unleashed a strike to break the deadlock for Atlético. 1–0!
Atlético didn't let up. They continued their relentless assault on Oviedo.
With a clear superiority in individual talent, a tactical plan that was overwhelming, and the momentum of several consecutive victories, Atlético was in peak form.
Just five minutes later, Valerón received the ball in midfield, turned to evade his marker, and delivered a perfectly timed through ball.
Hasselbaink broke into the penalty area and unleashed a thunderous strike without taking a touch, scoring Atlético's second goal of the night.
This marked the Dutchman's 28th league goal of the season!
The first half ended with Atlético leading 2–0.
At the start of the second half, Yang Hao adjusted his tactics, pulling the team back to a more conservative position around the midfield line.
This adjustment took into account the team's physical condition.
Given the current squad configuration and fitness levels, Atlético couldn't sustain high pressing for the entire match. Retreating slightly allowed Oviedo to push forward, creating opportunities to counterattack.
This wasn't a sneaky ploy—it was an overt tactical shift.
Aragonés's Oviedo, desperate to avoid relegation, had no choice but to press forward despite knowing it was a trap.
Oviedo's determination couldn't be questioned. Their players showed great energy and enthusiasm throughout the match.
However, they lacked the tools to truly challenge Atlético's defense.
The squad had no standout stars, and while the game was physical and intense, Oviedo created few meaningful chances and posed no real threat to Atlético's goal.
It was, arguably, the most straightforward and controlled match Atlético had played under Yang Hao's leadership.
Tactically and in terms of individual talent, Atlético completely dominated Oviedo.
Even after securing the win, Yang Hao showed little visible emotion on the sidelines.
In stark contrast, Aragonés stood bewildered in the home dugout.
He had never seen football like this before.
"Recently, your Atlético Madrid has been a hot topic in the Spanish Coaches Association," said Luis Aragonés.
It was after the match, and the two coaches—who had just been fierce opponents on the field—were sitting together in Aragonés's office at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo. In front of them were glasses of red wine, with an empty bottle and a decanter on the desk.
Before the match, Aragonés had invited Yang Hao to share a drink afterward, a common courtesy in European football—though it was reserved for opponents they respected.
After all, neither Van Gaal nor Héctor Cúper had ever extended such an invitation to Yang Hao.
The Spanish Coaches Association was a powerful institution, so influential that their word alone could spur a nationwide coaches' strike.
"What's there to talk about?" Yang Hao asked with an amused smile.
"You're quite the enigma. Some people say you just appeared out of nowhere, like you sprang from a rock."
Despite his team's hard-nosed playing style, Luis Aragonés was a personable man. With his glasses giving him an air of wisdom, it was easy to see why he was nicknamed The Wise Elder.
"My résumé is quite simple," Yang Hao replied, unwilling to delve further into the subject.
Aragonés noticed his reticence and changed the subject. "Then tell me about your football philosophy."
Yang Hao felt slightly uneasy under the Wise Elder's piercing gaze and decided to turn the tables. "Be honest, Luis—"
"Just call me Luis. All my friends do," Aragonés interrupted.
"Alright, Luis. You don't seem too worried about your team even though you're still in the relegation zone," Yang Hao said, smiling as he redirected the question.
Aragonés chuckled. "Should I put on a pained, tragic expression to satisfy the vanity and sense of accomplishment of the victor?"
Yang Hao had to admit the old man was sharp-tongued.
"To be honest, I know exactly how much potential Real Oviedo has. So does the management. When they hired me, they said the goal was to avoid relegation—which basically meant they didn't believe it was possible to begin with."
After a pause, Aragonés continued with a self-deprecating laugh. "The day after I accepted the job, before I'd even met the players, they sold last season's starting center-back and Spanish international César Martín to Deportivo La Coruña for €7.5 million."
"I tried to find out where the money went, but no one could tell me. Eventually, the president explained that without that money, Oviedo would've gone bankrupt. So we didn't spend a single cent on transfers all summer."
Last season, Oviedo had barely avoided relegation. This season's dire situation made it clear the club was heading for the Segunda División.
Judging by Aragonés's tone, he had no intention of staying long at Oviedo.
That wasn't surprising.
Over the past five years, Oviedo had gone through a new coach almost every season—including Juanma Lillo, Yang Hao's current assistant coach.
Yes, Lillo had once managed Oviedo but was sacked midseason.
"Don't worry; I'm confident about the last two matches," Aragonés said with calm assurance.
For the first time, Yang Hao felt the sheer confidence radiating from the Spanish veteran—a confidence born not just of his coaching ability, but of his deep understanding of La Liga and its teams.
It reminded Yang Hao of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Many wondered how Ferguson managed to win championships in his later years with seemingly weaker squads.
The answer was simple: Ferguson understood the Premier League inside out. He knew every team's weaknesses and how to exploit them.
Of course, that knowledge was underpinned by his tactical brilliance and managerial skills.
"What about you? You're safe now after this win. How does it feel?" Aragonés asked with a grin.
"It's alright," Yang Hao said, chuckling. "But I still don't feel secure. I hate this feeling of uncertainty."
"That's perfectly normal. Atlético Madrid shouldn't even be in this position, should they?"
He was referring to Atlético's current spot on the league table.
"I've always wondered—when Atlético approached you, why didn't you take the job?"
Aragonés chuckled before replying, "Too familiar."
After a pause, the Wise Elder elaborated: "I started my playing career at Getafe, then moved to Real Madrid in the 1950s. Back then, Real Madrid was unstoppable. They didn't see much value in me, so I was sent out on loan repeatedly. I spent about three or four years wandering between clubs before settling at Real Betis."
"I played at Betis for three years before moving to Atlético Madrid, where I stayed for ten years. I retired in the summer of 1974, but by November, I'd stepped in as Atlético's head coach."
As he recounted his story, Aragonés furrowed his brow, pausing to think. "If I'm not mistaken, I've managed Atlético six times over the years."
Yang Hao hadn't kept count but knew Aragonés was a club legend at Atlético, both as a player and a coach.
"What's funny is that four or five of those times, I was a midseason replacement. Even so, I've spent many years with the club. That lasted until Jesús became president. Back then, he was ambitious and dismissed me, opting instead for César Luis Menotti."
Menotti was a legendary figure in Argentine football, with a profound influence on the global game and especially on Diego Maradona.
"Don't get me wrong—Jesús and I didn't fall out because of that. In fact, we've maintained a good relationship. In 1991, when the team was in trouble, he asked me to come back, and I did. But I understand Jesús very well. I know what kind of person he is."
Aragonés smiled knowingly at Yang Hao. "They say that when you interviewed for the Atlético job, you told Jesús he was the club's biggest problem. Is that true?"
Yang Hao grinned and shook his head. "Not quite so harshly."
The sentiment was accurate, but he hadn't phrased it that bluntly.
"We all know it's true, but no one dares to say it," Aragonés said with a wry smile.
It was clear he had a deep affection for Atlético Madrid. Yet that affection became complicated when Jesús Gil took over, turning the club from a membership-based organization into a privately owned entity.
Now, the team belonged to the Gil family.
From Luis Aragonés's perspective, he understood that this was simply a result of changing times. But emotionally, how could he not have mixed feelings about it?
In Yang Hao's previous life, when Atlético Madrid was struggling in the Segunda División, unable to earn promotion, it was Aragonés who stepped up, took charge of the team, and brought the Colchoneros back to La Liga. Not only that, he helped them survive relegation and stabilize in the top division.
Afterward, Aragonés quietly departed, eventually taking over the Spanish national team and achieving legendary status.
"To be honest, I don't really understand your football philosophy—it feels chaotic," Aragonés said, steering the conversation back to tactics.
Yang Hao realized he couldn't avoid the topic after sharing the wine.
"Alright, ask away. I'll try my best to answer," he said with a resigned smile.
Aragonés laughed, clearly amused.
"I've watched all of Atlético's matches since you took over. From the first match against Barcelona, it was clear you had a strong inclination for high pressing. That, I'm sure, isn't something you picked up from Juanma Lillo. Hiring him as your assistant must have been a coincidence, right?"
Yang Hao nodded in agreement.
"But your philosophy is different from his. I don't know if I'm right, but I get the sense that you're trying to downplay Valerón's role as a playmaker. Why is that?"
"From what I've seen in your matches and match footage, your team passes quickly and plays at a high tempo. But when the ball gets to Valerón, it seems to slow down—that's just his style of play.
"So, I suspect you're trying to do what Barcelona does—shift the playmaking responsibility further back to a deep-lying midfielder, a classic No. 4. But you're using a double pivot system. And right now, you only have Hugo Leal, who doesn't seem to have your full trust. That's why your midfield looks awkward and sometimes a bit messy."
Yang Hao had to admit the Wise Elder was spot on—close to 90% accurate.
"You don't favor the traditional No. 10 role?" Aragonés asked.
"Not at all. The way modern football is evolving, especially with the prevalence of double pivots, I find it hard to rely on a No. 10," Yang Hao replied.
Then, with a chuckle, he added, "Haven't you heard? This summer, Real Madrid plans to sign three or four defensive midfielders in one go."
Aragonés couldn't help but laugh too. It was an extravagant move, but it was typical of Real Madrid.
Rumor had it that Madrid was eyeing players like Claude Makélélé, Flávio Conceição, Albert Celades, and Valencia's Gerard.
Yang Hao speculated that Barcelona's decision to bring Gerard back in his previous life was primarily to block Real Madrid.
"But don't you think this is an opportunity? If Real Madrid scoops up the best defensive midfielders in La Liga, doesn't that create space for attacking midfielders?" Aragonés countered.
From a squad-building perspective, that made sense.
"In the short term, sure. But I tend to look further ahead. I prefer a faster-paced style of play, and for that, any No. 10 I use must be capable of passing, shooting, controlling, and dribbling—all at a quick tempo."
Aragonés thought for a moment. If Yang Hao's vision came to fruition, Atlético's pressing and high-tempo play could reach a new level. With strong wingers to complement the system, the team's overall competitiveness would skyrocket.
"But do players like that even exist?" Aragonés asked, frowning.
Yang Hao grinned mischievously. "Come on, stop trying to fish for information. You'll see once I sign them."
"Oh, so you've already got someone in mind," Aragonés said, genuinely surprised. At his age, it wasn't often that something caught him off guard.
"Players like that don't come cheap, and they'll be highly sought after. Are you sure Atlético can land them?"
Yang Hao pointed at Aragonés, chuckling as he raised his wine glass. "Come on, Luis, don't try to pry. Let's just drink."
Aragonés was momentarily at a loss for words.
What kind of coach isn't obsessed with building their squad? Yet here Yang Hao was, teasing him just enough to spark curiosity before clamming up.
"Don't look at me like that. You asked, I answered, and now you're upset. All I'll say is this: once I've built my squad, next time you'll lose by more than two goals," Yang Hao said with a confident smile.
And the thing was, Aragonés believed him.
(End of Chapter)
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