"Thank you, Gao, for your contribution to the team over the past two years. Now we are on the right track and very close to success, an unprecedented success!"
Real Madrid president Florentino stood on stage, delivering a passionate speech.
"When opportunities lie before us, we must go all out and fight to the end in these final games!"
"When you put on this Real Madrid jersey, you have to fight for it and give your all. This is what I, and the Real Madrid fans, ask of you!"
Gao Shen stood to the side and watched Florentino grow increasingly animated, raising his hands and rallying the players.
This group of young players was clearly inspired.
They had to be in the best mental state to chase a feat never before achieved in Spanish football, the treble.
After Gao Shen finished listening, he gently nudged Real Madrid's chief of staff, Manuel Redondo, with his elbow and asked, "Did you write this speech?"
Redondo nodded calmly. He was still listening intently as the president spoke.
Even though he wrote it, he knew it by heart.
"Well written. Next time you get the chance, write one for me," Gao Shen chuckled.
Redondo smiled faintly. "Forget it. Everyone knows you never need a script to fire people up."
He is famous for his stirring speeches.
"Not really. I have been a little short on words lately," Gao Shen said with a wry smile.
"Is that so?" Valdano found it amusing.
"Think about it. It has been years and so many matches. Do I really have that much to say?" Gao Shen complained.
No matter how eloquent you are, there comes a time when you run out of fresh lines.
In recent years, he had been asked to give motivational talks at least twice before every match, and he felt a bit speechless.
He used to brag he never repeated himself. Now he would not dare say that.
How could there be no repetition?
Valdano and Redondo were both quietly amused.
In truth, Gao Shen's motivational work was already excellent. Most coaches do not have that skill.
More importantly, Gao Shen is genuinely good at talking with players. It is said they can talk about anything.
"If you do not say anything, I will take it as a yes. Help me prepare a few motivational drafts and I will treat you to a meal," Gao Shen whispered.
Redondo did not agree.
Did he really think this kind of speech was easy to write?
Still, Florentino's impassioned address was indeed strong, and team morale clearly rose.
Of course, the huge bonus Real Madrid offered was also a powerful incentive.
…
After the president finished, the players dispersed to have lunch.
To further show his closeness to the team, Florentino and the others would also dine at Valdebebas.
The food at Real Madrid is excellent. The chefs are well-known in Spain. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, and often the coaching staff even provides recipes for the kitchen to prepare.
As for the coaching staff's meals, they are top-notch.
Florentino is 67, not young anymore, so his meals are relatively light. The same went for Valdano. Gao Shen, Zidane, and others ate more.
"How about it? What do you think about the upcoming Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals?" Florentino asked Gao Shen, who sat opposite him, while cutting into his steak.
The others nearby also looked on with interest.
At Real Madrid today, Florentino's word is law.
"I think what Xabi Alonso said to UEFA was quite good. We are on the right path and have been building our advantages for the past two years..."
After a pause, Gao Shen smiled slightly and said with confidence, "Do not worry. We will bring back both trophies."
Hearing this, Florentino immediately smiled.
If they really won an unprecedented treble, it would be his greatest achievement since taking charge of Real Madrid.
He had always taken the great presidents Bernabéu and Mendoza as his benchmarks. At present, it seemed he had no problem surpassing Mendoza, but there was still a gap to Bernabéu.
At the very least, the stadium bears Bernabéu's name.
This is also why many say Florentino will certainly renovate the Bernabéu.
He wants to write his own page in Real Madrid's history.
If Real Madrid could win the treble this season, it would undoubtedly kickstart that legendary journey early.
This mattered greatly to Florentino.
"If you need anything, let us know. I have already notified the administration. The club's top priority is ensuring the first team's matches and preparation."
Gao Shen nodded, then glanced at José Sánchez, Valdano, and Butragueño, and found them all nodding.
Clearly, they would follow the president's orders without compromise.
"Then I suggest the team go to Lisbon as soon as possible to find a good hotel," Gao Shen grinned.
Everyone smiled.
That was real confidence.
The semi-finals had not even started, and they were already booking hotels.
"Actually, the semi-final draw is not bad. Among the three teams, Bayern are the easiest to deal with right now," Gao Shen explained.
"Oh?" Florentino was a little surprised.
"Guardiola's first season at Bayern has not been very successful. He is still adapting to Bayern, and Bayern are adapting to him. He wants to transplant the Tiki-Taka possession system to Bayern, but it is not fitting the environment well."
"More importantly, Bayern's players are not fully suited to that style, and the squad balance is also an issue."
Many say Bayern's left winger, Ribéry, seems to be playing the role of Barcelona's Messi, but in reality, while they look similar, their characteristics are very different.
Ribéry cannot perform the same refined off-ball movements as Messi. His strengths are in controlling the ball and the actions after receiving it. He needs the ball to be effective.
Without the ball, Ribéry's movement is not particularly intelligent.
Bayern's best off-ball runner is Thomas Müller, which is why he performs best and is most influential in Guardiola's system.
However, Bayern's problem is also serious, namely the lack of a proper No 4.
Although Schweinsteiger was converted to a holding midfielder, he is by no means a natural No 4. Guardiola even tried Lahm and Alaba there, but that sacrifices the width.
This is a very serious issue.
Because the No 4 role is vital in Guardiola's system.
In Gao Shen's previous life, Guardiola even bought Xabi Alonso to use him as a No 4.
Thiago is currently Bayern's most creative midfielder, but he is not a No 4. Moreover, since joining Bayern, Thiago has been frequently injured. After entering April, he suffered a medial collateral ligament injury and was likely to miss the rest of the season.
As a result, Guardiola is stretched.
What is more, Bayern have had defensive problems. Van Buyten is aging, and Badstuber's cruciate ligament tear ruined his season early.
Last summer, Bayern originally wanted to sign Koulibaly from Leeds United, but failed to beat Chelsea to him. They later contacted Jérôme Boateng at Manchester City but could not pry him away. Nor could they persuade Hummels from Dortmund, leaving Bayern's defense barely holding together.
Guardiola even used Vidal as a centre-back at one point, which was the Chilean midfielder's old position in the national team.
He started his career as a centre-back and left-back.
To some extent, Guardiola's tactical system played a crucial role in getting Bayern to the semi-finals, but going one step further would be difficult.
Of course, the draw also played a part.
If Bayern had met Real Madrid, or a team like Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, or Paris Saint-Germain earlier, they might have gone out.
"Do not worry. No one knows Guardiola better than I do," Gao Shen said with a knowing smile.
Florentino and the others also laughed.
Everyone knows Guardiola began as Gao Shen's assistant, and when he coached Barcelona, it was Gao Shen who strongly recommended him.
If anyone in European football knows Guardiola best, it is probably Gao Shen.
Sometimes Gao Shen thinks that Guardiola's Tiki-Taka possession game may not suit Germany or the Premier League. It is a tactical style specific to Spain and Barcelona.
Change the country, the team, and the personnel, and it becomes hard to adapt.
That is why, in Gao Shen's previous life, from Bayern to Manchester City, Guardiola never quite succeeded in the Champions League.
Of course, the system has a high floor and is very stable over a league season, which is an undeniable advantage.
But in the Champions League, Gao Shen is very confident.
…
After the Almería match, Real Madrid took a brief rest at Valdebebas and flew to Valencia on the evening of the 15th to prepare for the Copa del Rey final on the 16th.
Because Madrid is a bit far from Valencia, they needed to travel the night before.
For example, Barcelona is much closer to Valencia, so they could do a same-day round trip.
On the afternoon before departure, Gao Shen held the pre-match press conference at Valdebebas, announced the squad, and answered questions from many journalists.
Regarding the Copa del Rey final, Gao Shen said he and his players were full of confidence.
"It is a very important match, without a doubt, not just because we are playing Barcelona."
"I have said before that our goal this season is the treble, and the Copa del Rey final is our second trophy of the season. We have already won La Liga, and now it is the Copa del Rey's turn."
"We must win, and we will win. We all have that confidence."
"I always believe my team will be the best and most outstanding team."
"We will prove it again in tomorrow's final."
Gao Shen also pointed out the key, "It is very important to score first against Barcelona."
(To be continued.)