Pre-season training had not yet begun. The Real Madrid players had not officially returned to the team, yet they were already starting to feel Gao Shen's unique approach.
Each player was asked to download a new app onto their phones and tablets. After completing background registration and authentication, every player received a welcome message from Gao Shen, followed by the team's locker room rules.
All of this was fairly standard. In the past, these materials would be printed and distributed as booklets. Now, everything was pushed through the app.
But what truly stood out was the app itself.
It began with an intuitive introduction to Real Madrid's current first-team structure. This included a full list of coaches, staff members, and first-team players.
For example, the players could clearly see that 30 individuals would participate in Real Madrid's pre-season training, though two were currently absent due to participation in the London Olympics.
With one click, players could also view their own attendance records.
At the moment, of course, the records were still blank.
According to the app's prompt, attendance would be automatically synced with the Valdebebas attendance system.
But that wasn't the main feature.
The real strength of the app lay in its training and match calendar.
It would push the day's or week's training plan from the coaching staff directly to each player, including personalized training goals, so that every player would know exactly what they needed to work on and what objectives to achieve.
Gao Shen had a habit of summarizing each training session and match with players, but now all of that would be delivered through the app. Players could even access Real Madrid's database through the app to watch training and match analysis videos, which were carefully edited by analysts.
While making the videos, analysts would include detailed annotations based on coaching staff reports, helping players better understand their mistakes and how to improve, and making it easier to grasp the head coach's tactical intentions.
This allowed players to absorb and implement the tactical plans more effectively and efficiently.
More importantly, the app automatically collected and analyzed data. Over time, it would generate trend charts or tables, allowing players to clearly track their own progress in training and matches.
There were also other sections, such as medical and injury reports, directly linked to Real Madrid's backend database. Players could access physical exam data, injury updates, and training stats instantly.
On the coaching side, the app included statistical and analytical tools to evaluate training and match data. On the player side, functions like requesting personalized training plans were also available.
The app even included a communication function for direct interaction between players and coaches.
By the time players logged in for the first time, all of Real Madrid's data from the past three seasons had already been uploaded.
Since Real Madrid hadn't prioritized internal data analytics before, most of it had been acquired from external companies. This included both team-wide metrics and individual performance data.
Everything was presented clearly at a glance.
Some of it even surprised the players themselves, as they hadn't realized such detailed stats existed.
Take Benzema, for example. His heading success rate was shockingly low.
Previously, when Gao Shen mentioned that his rate was only 26%, Benzema had doubted the number, thinking it was ridiculous. But the truth?
That 26% figure from last season was actually one of his better results. It had been even worse the previous two seasons.
In the face of such clear, hard data, no one could argue.
…
The rollout of the app was an eye-opener for the players. It made them realize that Real Madrid's new head coach was completely different from any coach they had worked with before.
And once pre-season training officially started, that difference became even clearer.
Especially during the physical examinations.
These weren't conducted at Valdebebas but instead at La Moraleja, a private hospital nearby and one of Madrid's best, with which Real Madrid had a partnership.
Under the supervision of Buenaventura, Pintus, and the team's doctors, players underwent a full range of detailed medical exams. For those with previous injuries or chronic conditions, the checkups were even more rigorous.
The physical exams alone took the entire morning.
By the time they returned to Valdebebas, had lunch, and took a short break, most players had already received their reports. The turnaround was impressively fast.
All the metrics were listed in black and white. No one could hide anything.
Who had been indulging over the holidays, and who had stayed disciplined, was immediately obvious.
When the team assembled for afternoon training, they were surprised to find they were not going to the pitch but to the meeting room.
Clearly, there were no training plans for today.
The priority was medical evaluation and team meetings.
This was very much Gao Shen's style.
Only with unity of thought could the team move in a unified direction.
The app being used by Real Madrid was developed by Gao Shen himself. It had been tested at Leeds United last season, where it performed extremely well. Now, he had brought it to Real Madrid.
…
The meeting room was silent.
Gao Shen stood before more than 20 first-team players, with his assistants seated behind him.
What he did first surprised everyone again.
"I believe all of you have reviewed the team's and your personal data and performance analysis from last season and even the past three seasons. Now, I'll give you five more minutes. I want each of you to take this time to calmly reflect on those numbers and performances."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room went quiet. Everyone lowered their heads, digging through their memories.
Five minutes later, Gao Shen's voice rang out again.
"I've always believed that memories are a person's most valuable treasure."
"Looking back and connecting the dots helps us find the path forward."
"That path is called belief."
As he spoke, Gao Shen slowly walked into the center of the group.
"Each of us has walked into this conference room today because of different reasons, different journeys."
"I believe that everyone here today should stop focusing on money, fame, and status. What you should really ask yourselves is—why are you sitting here? What do you plan to accomplish here?"
"Because when you answer those two questions, and achieve what you set out to do, then money, fame, status, women... all of that will follow."
Gao Shen's tone was calm, as though he were just chatting casually. But every player was listening intently.
"I know this team has faced a lot of criticism and accusations in recent years. We've had our share of failures and setbacks. But I want you to look back into your past, to the moment you chose this club, and find that belief again!"
"Our time is limited. Let's not waste it worrying about what others think. I hope you cherish what you have now, and believe that the choice you made was the right one!"
"Only by doing that can you keep moving forward and achieve extraordinary greatness!"
Some players were so moved they wanted to applaud, but Gao Shen raised his hand, signaling them to wait.
"In the past few years, our team and every player here has been tested."
"I believe that when you look back, you'll see that your journey hasn't been easy. You've faced obstacles, setbacks, people around you giving up—again and again."
"But the fact that you're still here today proves you are resilient, courageous warriors. You don't back down from challenges. You're not shaken by ridicule. You don't give up after setbacks."
"You are a group of people with belief. Am I right?"
At that, almost all the players nodded.
To be playing for a club like Real Madrid, they were already among the elite in world football.
Gao Shen was right. Every one of them had paid a price to get to where they were.
"Our team needs change. The past few years have been unacceptable. We've failed. That cannot continue. We must have the courage to transform ourselves, to give everything we have to become better and stronger."
"I don't know if any of you have a habit of making daily promises to yourselves, but from now on, I want you to start."
"Each morning, remind yourself that you're a warrior. That you are going to battle your old self—the lazy, distracted, complacent self."
"We must push ourselves. Give our best in everything. Every training session should feel like it's our last. Every match should be played like it's our last!"
"We must pour out our passion, ignite our souls, and fight to improve every single day. Stronger, stronger, and stronger still!"
From the players' expressions, it was clear—his words had ignited something in them.
"Many people say I was born a winner."
"But I've never believed that. I wasn't born a winner. I just do what I believe is right, every single day, and I stick with it. That's my secret."
"I believe every one of you can do the same!"
"You are the best players in the world. You have the best coach in the world. You play for the best club in the world. You should become the most successful players in the world. The kings everyone looks up to!"
"Just like the crown on the Real Madrid badge on your chest!"
"This is what we believe in!"
(To be continued.)
***
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