"Are you sure?"
The game was over. In front of the visiting team's coaching bench, Carlo looked at Gao Shen in disbelief.
"Three games? Do you know who our opponents are for the next three games?"
"I know," Gao Shen replied calmly.
He had already vented his anger. The match ended 1-1, so there was no point in saying anything more.
But some things had to be dealt with.
Since they had already dropped points, then they had to make the most of these two points lost.
"Barcelona, Barcelona, Manchester United!"
"Exactly, and even knowing that, you still want to suspend him for three games?" Carlo was even more surprised.
Ramos was the backbone of Real Madrid, the captain on the pitch and also the team's vice-captain.
Varane had indeed been performing very well recently, but he was only 19 years old. At the center-back position, where experience mattered so much, he was still young and needed time to grow.
At this moment, Real Madrid truly needed Ramos.
"I understand what Gao means, I support you," Zidane said firmly.
Carlo was a little confused. He turned to Zidane, wanting to ask: Why are you also making trouble?
Hierro thought about it and nodded. "If we can use these three games to exchange for a more mature Ramos, it will be worth it."
Even Hierro, who had always supported Ramos, expressed agreement. Carlo understood then that this decision had to be carried out.
It was not that he didn't understand Gao Shen's reasoning, he simply felt it was too risky.
An away game against Barcelona, a home game against Barcelona, then an away game against Manchester United, were these matches so easy to play?
Among them, the least difficult was the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. Because of the advantage in the first leg, Real Madrid had basically secured qualification. While not guaranteed, that game was at least relatively manageable.
But Copa del Rey red cards could not be carried over to La Liga.
Therefore, Ramos' suspension would last until the 26th round of La Liga, which was a home game against Barcelona.
That was a decisive battle in the league.
Originally, Real Madrid was only 2 points behind Barcelona. According to Gao Shen's plan, they wanted to turn the tables in that game.
But now, after dropping points at the Riazor, if Barcelona beat Sevilla, Real Madrid would be 4 points behind. The Bernabeu clash would still be crucial, but its significance would be diminished.
And as for Old Trafford against Manchester United, that needed no explanation.
The 1-0 lead from the first leg was anything but safe. Going away, they had to strengthen their defense, right?
But Gao Shen still insisted on punishing Ramos for three games. Who would he use then?
Varane was going to play all three matches in a row?
"Well, I suggest a two-game suspension. That is already severe enough," Carlo proposed.
For a player like Ramos, a two-game internal suspension was far from lenient.
Zidane and Hierro considered it and felt Carlo's suggestion was mature and cautious.
After all, the game against Manchester United was extremely important.
But Gao Shen's stance remained firm.
"Three games, definitely three games. No room for negotiation."
"Why?" Carlo asked in confusion.
"Because I want him to understand that in this Real Madrid team, there is only one person who is indispensable. And it is not Ramos, nor anyone else."
Gao Shen's voice was steady and filled with certainty.
"That person is me."
Carlo, Zidane, and Hierro all understood, though they were also surprised by Gao Shen's determination and courage.
"So, I want him suspended for three games because I don't want him to take part in those three matches. I want him to see that without him, we can still win and beat strong opponents."
"So I must win these three games."
This was a contest of wills.
Ramos respected Gao Shen, but to say that he unconditionally obeyed and worked without complaint was unrealistic.
He was human too, always weighing his own interests.
But now Gao Shen wanted to show Ramos, and the entire Real Madrid squad, that no matter who was missing, Real Madrid could still win.
If after three games his attitude was still poor, then so be it. He could continue sitting out.
Gao Shen was not Villas-Boas or Mourinho, he would never be lenient.
Even though everyone knew Ramos was his trusted man.
Seeing Gao Shen's determination, Zidane and the others stopped trying to persuade him.
After all, they too were furious with Ramos' actions.
…
The locker room was dead silent.
Ramos, who had only played half an hour, had already showered, changed into dry clothes, and greeted his teammates as if nothing had happened.
The game had ended in a draw. As a professional player, one had to have a big heart and know how to let go.
If you lost, you couldn't dwell on it.
Ramos had always been like that, and the players were used to it.
At most, they would complain, blaming him for making the team drop two points.
"Originally, we could have won."
Ramos chuckled. "I know, I know. I'll help the team win two more games as an apology."
No one said more.
Ramos was still very popular in the locker room.
"If you ask me, don't think first about how to help the team win. Think about how to face the boss," Xabi Alonso warned him, seeing his nonchalant attitude.
"Boss, is he angry?"
"On the contrary, he wasn't angry at all."
"Impossible. When I came off the pitch, he was so angry he didn't even want to see me. During halftime, he ignored me completely. How could he not be angry?" Ramos knew the situation.
He was well aware of Gao Shen's tactical plan, especially the strategy of taking points in key matches.
But now, his red card had ruined it. It would be strange if Gao Shen wasn't angry.
"He was very angry at first, but later he calmed down," Casillas said.
He had been sitting on the bench the whole time and saw everything clearly.
Ramos also sensed something was wrong.
Having been with Gao Shen for a while, he understood his personality.
If you made a mistake and he scolded you, then congratulations, you were one of his own, and the matter was over.
If he encouraged you, then congratulations again, because he held high expectations for you.
But if he didn't react at all, that was the real danger.
Ramos sat down awkwardly, starting to feel uneasy.
"I've told you many times, don't waste time, don't waste time. Did you listen? The boss reminded you again and again that if you got another card, you'd be punished severely. And in the end, you ruined his entire points strategy this season," Casillas said angrily.
In the current Real Madrid locker room, Spanish players and foreign players were balanced, all relying on Gao Shen as head coach.
This created a delicate equilibrium.
But Ramos' reckless play had ruined it all.
Just then, Gao Shen, Zidane, and the others entered the locker room.
Immediately, every player turned toward the head coach.
Everyone noticed Gao Shen's expression. It wasn't good, but it wasn't as bad as expected either.
Many glanced at Ramos, who had lowered his head, preparing to act pitiful.
Everyone knew Gao Shen liked Ramos, trusted him, and valued him, so Ramos often dared to act this way.
But this time, Gao Shen ignored him completely.
"I am very unhappy with tonight's game. We should have taken three points, but the red card changed everything."
The atmosphere instantly turned colder.
Ramos tried to speak, but no words came out.
"This was a red card that could have been avoided, yet it happened. Someone must take responsibility. This is our explanation to the team, to the fans, and to everyone else."
Ramos slowly raised his head, realizing he was about to be punished.
Probably a fine.
Well, though he felt reluctant, punishment was punishment.
He would accept it, no matter how much money it cost.
With his salary, it wouldn't be a problem.
"I announce that starting from the next match, Sergio Ramos will be internally suspended for three games, as a warning to others!"
The locker room immediately exploded.
A three-match internal suspension?
Ramos jumped up in disbelief. "Boss, three games?"
"Is there a problem?" Gao Shen asked coldly.
"No, Boss, I…"
"La Liga already suspended you for one game. So this is only a two-game ban. If you feel that is too light, fine, I can add more."
"No, Boss, we're about to play Barcelona and Manchester United…"
"I know," Gao Shen interrupted him, "but that has nothing to do with you. Don't worry, we will win."
"Then I…"
"If you like Camp Nou and Old Trafford, you can travel with us and sit in the stands. If not, you can stay home and watch the broadcast."
Gao Shen's tone was decisive, leaving Ramos no room to negotiate.
Ramos was stunned. He looked at Hierro and Zidane, but they too stayed silent.
Clearly, they had already been informed.
"Any other questions?" Gao Shen asked sternly.
Ramos wanted to say yes, but he knew if he did, their relationship would collapse.
So he shook his head.
"Sit down," Gao Shen ordered.
Ramos returned to his seat.
For the first time, everyone in the locker room felt Gao Shen's aura of authority.
In the half-year since he took charge of Real Madrid, he had always been conciliatory, solving conflicts with a gentle approach.
This was the first time the team had experienced such a storm.
But it was also clear that Gao Shen was truly angry.
Most importantly, Ramos had disrupted his entire plan.
This was not only a sophisticated strategy, but also the hard work of everyone in Real Madrid throughout the season.
"I repeat, I am not Mourinho, nor anyone else. I don't need you pulling unnecessary tricks on the pitch to win."
"What I want is your obedience and execution!"
"Also, from now on, the rules I set will not be challenged for any reason. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" the players answered in unison.
Many were shaken.
They had always thought Gao Shen was a gentle, easy-going gentleman. But now that he was angry, they realized how powerful and intimidating his presence truly was.
They had completely misjudged him before.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)