The away locker room at Old Trafford erupted in chaos the moment the players walked in.
Coaches, staff, and players all had their responsibilities. It looked messy, but there was order in the chaos.
The players sat in their seats, panting heavily, discussing the first half.
Especially when there were problems in their coordination, they would talk it out, even argue about it.
This was not unusual for a team coached by Gao Shen.
Many times, heated debate was also a form of communication, helping to improve cooperation.
By the time Gao Shen entered with Carlo, Zidane, Hierro and the others, everyone was already busy.
Gao Shen checked the time and began his halftime arrangements.
"The first half was a good one. Manchester United's tactics were very targeted, but we also performed well. A 0-0 scoreline is reasonable."
His words set the tone. He neither praised nor belittled the opponent, but gave a realistic assessment.
This was Gao Shen's usual style.
He always spoke based on facts.
"We all know we won the first leg and are leading 1-0. We have a slight advantage on aggregate, so I can tell you with certainty, in the second half Manchester United will definitely take the initiative."
"I don't even rule out them attacking right at the start of the half."
The players nodded, agreeing with his sharp analysis and judgment.
Gao Shen pulled over the tactical board, where Zidane had already laid out the formations of both sides.
He focused on two players: Giggs and Welbeck.
Manchester United's targeted tactics in the first half had been effective, largely due to these two.
Especially Giggs.
His defensive work was important, and when United transitioned from defense to attack, his ball-carrying runs on the right gave them an outlet.
Gao Shen's adjustment was to drop Toni Kroos slightly deeper.
On the one hand, he could help suppress Giggs, and on the other, he could assist Alonso, or even take over as the deep-lying organizer, ensuring Real Madrid's midfield continued to function.
In the first half, Real Madrid's play had revolved around midfield control.
Gao Shen even told Alonso to loosen up a little.
"Doesn't Welbeck like following you? Then let him. Try to drag him away, cut off his connection with United's front three, especially Nani and Rooney."
United's attacks in the first half had come mainly through those three, often using long passes.
That was because Giggs had been forced to drop deeper.
Real Madrid's superiority had forced United into caution.
Without Giggs' cover, United would not have been able to defend their right flank.
The left, where Ronaldo operated, had always been Real Madrid's strongest attacking side.
Gao Shen also reminded Arbeloa that he could push forward more, since Giggs was retreating and there was less pressure on that flank. If Arbeloa advanced, he could at least provide an extra option in attack.
"In the second half, we need to maintain our advantage in possession, and do our best to stretch Manchester United's defense."
He began explaining tactical adjustments, emphasizing two points: more short and backward passes around United's 30-meter area.
That zone was highly dangerous. If Real Madrid could circulate the ball there, United's defense would eventually collapse and the chance would come.
The other point was counterattacks, Real Madrid's traditional strength. Gao Shen wanted Benzema to drift to the flanks more, hold up play, and wait for the second wave of attackers.
"Manchester United only has one holding midfielder, Carrick!"
"As long as we attack their box and keep the ball moving around it, there will always be space outside their penalty area. That's our chance. We must take it."
He adjusted tactical details carefully, making targeted plans.
If United dared to attack, Real Madrid would strike back.
"If they push forward, we kill them!" Gao Shen said, smacking his left palm with his right fist.
"If they sit back, then we slow the tempo, control possession, and wear them down. If they press, we meet them head-on. We have to trust our strength, especially our attack."
His words lifted the team's spirits.
Simply put, his strategy was: if United advanced, Real Madrid would go toe-to-toe; if United retreated, Real Madrid would hold the ball and grind them down.
But Gao Shen also pointed out one danger, Welbeck's pace.
The United striker was fast, and several of their threats in the first half came when he dribbled past Alonso. Especially when Rooney dragged a center-back away, Welbeck's bursts became very dangerous.
Gao Shen reminded Varane and Pepe to stay tight on him.
"And Rafael."
He circled United's right-back on the board.
"Did you notice, late in the first half he made a forward run?"
The players looked puzzled.
"He didn't cross halfway," Kroos said.
Gao Shen turned to him, smiling and nodding. Toni Kroos really had an intelligent football mind.
"Exactly. He didn't even get past the center line before you stopped him."
It was praise from Gao Shen.
"But it wasn't a coincidence. I saw Schneiderlin covering on the right, which means it was planned, not improvised."
It was a small detail, but Gao Shen picked it up.
The players thought about it and realized it made sense.
Sometimes, in big matches like this, the difference was not in the big picture, but in these subtle details.
Real Madrid were stronger, but not by enough to ignore such things.
If they failed to pay attention, they could be punished.
"I feel Rafael's forward run was a signal. In the second half, United might attack more down his side. If it's only Nani on the left, our defense can handle it. But if they suddenly add attacks on the right…"
Gao Shen drew an arrow from United's right straight into Real Madrid's box.
Giggs and Rafael, together, could do this.
"You need to be alert."
He turned and pointed at Kroos. "Tony, in the first half, your role was breaking their defense. In the second half, when you win the ball, look to hit back quickly."
If Rafael and Giggs pushed forward, their flank would be open and Ronaldo would get his chance.
"I understand," Kroos nodded.
Gao Shen also instructed Modric to press Carrick when going forward, but also to support Alonso when dropping deeper, and to keep the ball moving.
"In short, tonight we are taking a win away from Old Trafford!"
"And we're only one goal away!"
"As long as we score, the game is over!"
"Do you have confidence?"
"Yes!" The players rose and shouted in unison.
…
With a coach like Gao Shen, supported by his staff and especially the data analysis system he had developed, their predictions had become very precise.
At the start of the second half, Ferguson launched an attacking wave, even creating a few shots, but Casillas was solid.
Real Madrid quickly countered.
Just as Gao Shen had set up, when United pressed high, Madrid dared to hit back.
The second half began with fierce exchanges, neither side willing to give an inch.
But Real Madrid's attacks looked more dangerous, especially in the 53rd minute. Di Maria forced his way past Evra on the right, drove into the box, and sent a left-footed cross across the face of goal.
Benzema in the middle and Ronaldo at the back post both failed to connect, and the chance went begging.
United quickly realized that if they kept attacking like that, they risked conceding first.
In the 56th minute, Di Maria crossed again, Benzema laid it off across the edge of the box, and Kroos curled a shot toward the top right corner. De Gea made a desperate save.
Two consecutive chances warned Manchester United of the danger.
Ferguson signaled his team to slow down and steady the defense. Real Madrid then used the chance to slow the tempo and control possession.
The match returned to the rhythm Gao Shen wanted.
But it also became a stalemate.
Both managers kept adjusting, each trying to shift the balance.
But every time one side gained a slight edge, the other quickly adjusted, and things leveled again.
The game was deadlocked.
However, as Gao Shen had said in the first leg, opportunities often appear during stalemates.
During this phase, Real Madrid showed their technical superiority, especially in possession.
In the 61st minute, they completed 15 consecutive passes. Modric played a through ball outside the box, Di Maria cut in diagonally into the right side of the penalty area. He could have shot with his right foot, but instead he controlled with his right and struck with his left.
That hesitation gave Vidic time to slide in and block the shot.
The veteran center-back was old, but still formidable.
"Di Maria still needs to improve his finishing. Such a pity!" Gao Shen said regretfully.
If he had shot with his right foot immediately, it would have been a goal.
Zidane nodded in agreement.
Real Madrid were now showing their dominance, creating more and more danger. But Manchester United also displayed great resilience, holding firm and waiting for Madrid's mistake.
Now it was only a question of who would slip first.
Real Madrid? Or Manchester United?
(To be continued.)