On the evening of April 9th, at the Alpi Stadium in Turin, Italy.
In the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, Real Madrid faced Juventus away.
The game unfolded exactly as Gao Shen had predicted beforehand, with Juventus launching an attack right from the start.
Their 0-3 defeat in the first leg was disastrous, and their only hope was to come out aggressively at home.
They had to try and score against Real Madrid early, suppress their momentum, and disrupt their rhythm. Only then could they hope to turn the situation around, narrow the gap, or even equalize.
If Juventus failed to suppress Real Madrid in the opening stages, the game would become very difficult for them.
In line with the team's tactical needs, Conte also adjusted his starting lineup.
Asamoah and Vucinic partnered with Quagliarella to form Juventus's attacking trio.
On paper, the system was still a 3-5-2, but with stronger attacking firepower up front.
Conte had no choice. He had to go all out.
From the kick-off, Quagliarella and Vucinic didn't pass the ball back. Instead, they charged directly into Real Madrid's half, attempting a direct attack.
But Modric positioned himself well and intercepted.
After winning the ball, Real Madrid quickly exchanged a series of passes to bypass Juventus's high pressing in midfield and attack.
This was part of Gao Shen's tactical plan before the match.
He knew Juventus would attack, so he instructed his players to drop deeper at the start. By controlling possession in the midfield and backline, Real Madrid would draw Juventus forward and then look to counter behind them.
Conte was not blind to Gao Shen's intentions.
This wasn't a hidden plot, but an open and obvious one.
Yet the Italians had no choice.
Their 0-3 loss in the first leg forced them to push for a quick goal, maybe even two.
That's how football works.
If Juventus managed to score once, their confidence would soar, and a second goal might follow soon after.
At that point, Real Madrid would be in real trouble.
But if Real Madrid could withstand the early onslaught and score first, Juventus's morale would take a huge blow and might collapse altogether.
Gao Shen was fully aware of this, so after Real Madrid's initial spells of possession, they immediately launched a counterattack.
Ronaldo carried the ball forward to the edge of Juventus's box and nearly got a shot off.
Barzagli cut him off, but Real Madrid quickly pressed high again, pinning Juventus's three defenders deep in their own area. Modric also stepped up to close down Pirlo.
This strategy had already proven successful in the first leg, but this time Conte had prepared better.
The ball was switched left to Asamoah, who surged into Real Madrid's half.
Real Madrid quickly retreated and reorganized their defense.
At center-back, Varane and Ramos left no room for Quagliarella and Vucinic, successfully snuffing out Juventus's attack.
Still, Juventus refused to give in and mounted another wave.
On the right, Isla drove the ball forward, reaching the edge of Real Madrid's box, before attempting a cross. Marcelo blocked it, and the ball dropped near the area.
Ramos reacted first, sending it long to Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star carried the ball across the left side, near Real Madrid's 30-meter line. Skipping past two Juventus defenders, he advanced toward the right side of midfield. Spotting Di Maria in space, Ronaldo slipped a ball behind him.
The Argentine winger burst forward at full speed, eating up the ground in long strides. He latched onto Ronaldo's pass in Juventus's half and charged straight into their box.
As Di Maria hit the 30-meter zone, Chiellini rushed across. But Di Maria was quicker, cutting a diagonal pass with his left foot into the space behind Bonucci.
Benzema darted past Bonucci and, just as Buffon advanced to the edge of his area, the French striker executed a lob.
The ball dipped rapidly into the unguarded net behind Buffon.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
Amid the stunned roars of Juventus fans, Benzema didn't slow down. He spun and sprinted to the touchline, pumping his fists at the cameras in celebration.
A crucial strike!
The French forward stood at the sideline, waving his fists toward the live broadcast camera.
"Just 2 minutes and 11 seconds into the game, Real Madrid have scored the opener against Juventus!"
"Juventus's early gamble backfired, and Real Madrid's quick counterattack cut through their defense."
"Once again, it started with a midfield interception."
"Ronaldo's lateral dribble was vital, drawing defenders and creating space for his teammates."
"You have to admit, Real Madrid's counterattacking speed is frightening, and their players' individual quality is superb!"
"Often, just two players are enough to carve open the opponent's defense with effective link-up play."
…
After conceding, Juventus didn't back down. They kept attacking.
At this stage, whether out of pride or for the sake of their home fans, they had no intention of giving up.
In fact, they threw themselves forward even harder.
But precisely because of this, Gao Shen's tactics became even more effective.
In the 5th minute, Real Madrid found themselves blocked on the halfway line and recycled the ball to their center-backs.
Juventus pressed again, their two strikers chasing directly at Real Madrid's backline.
Xabi Alonso dropped deep to collect and launched a long pass to the right flank.
Di Maria raced into the right edge of the box, squared it back to the onrushing Carvajal.
The full-back controlled, then sent a diagonal ball toward Benzema and Ronaldo inside the box. Barzagli got there first with a header.
Benzema appealed for a handball, but the referee waved play on.
Two minutes later, Real Madrid attacked again.
Di Maria stopped suddenly on the right, swung in a diagonal cross with his left foot. Chiellini headed clear, but the ball only reached the edge of the area.
Xabi Alonso immediately clipped it back toward the right.
Carvajal drove forward and slipped it into Di Maria, who had returned from an offside position.
The Argentine winger carried the ball laterally, dragging two defenders with him, before threading a pass into the right side of the box.
Modric had made the run, and he whipped a cross toward goal. Ronaldo nipped ahead of Benzema and smashed the ball into the net.
So close that Buffon had no time to react.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"
"2-0!"
"Less than ten minutes in, and Real Madrid have scored twice!"
"This game is as good as over!"
"Juventus's early assault not only failed, it opened them up for Real Madrid's ruthless counters."
"The gulf in strength between the sides is obvious. Even tactically, Conte has been completely outclassed by Gao Shen."
"This is the mark of a world-class coach!"
"Conte may be older, but in terms of coaching ability and experience, he cannot compare with Gao Shen."
"Tonight, Juventus's approach was predictable, and Real Madrid were fully prepared with devastating countermeasures."
…
With two early goals, the tie was finished.
The aggregate was now 5-0. With two away goals, Juventus would need six.
An impossible task.
On the pitch, Juventus's players began to lose focus.
Some still wanted to push, others had already given up, and some simply weren't concentrated anymore.
It created a strange atmosphere.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, didn't go all out.
Once victory was secure, there was little to gain from relentlessly humiliating the hosts. It could even be dangerous.
Anger might flare among the Juventus players, leading to clashes or even violence.
So Real Madrid eased off, slowing the tempo and concentrating on defense.
Juventus kept pushing, but after conceding twice, they had lost their fight. Breaking down Real Madrid's solid defense became near impossible.
Gao Shen stood on the sidelines, but made no further changes. He let his players defend as a unit, countering just enough to remind Juventus not to get reckless.
Like a constant warning.
The first half ended 2-0 to Real Madrid.
At the start of the second half, Juventus tried to rally again, but Real Madrid responded with three quick counters into their box. Though they didn't score, it seemed deliberate, as if they didn't want to completely humiliate their opponents.
It was a gesture to give Juventus face on their home ground.
In the end, the Zebras had to admit defeat.
After the hour mark, Gao Shen began making changes.
Morata replaced Benzema, and Jesé came on for Ronaldo.
It was then that many noticed Higuain was absent from the bench.
This had been Gao Shen's decision before the trip to Turin.
After the win over Levante at home, Higuain, who had played well, personally approached Gao Shen to express his feelings.
He wanted to leave Real Madrid in the summer.
Higuain had once hoped for a starting role, but seeing Benzema's importance this season and the team's performances, he knew it was nearly impossible to dislodge him.
Under those circumstances, he no longer wanted to stay and wait for chances.
Yes, at Real Madrid he could win more titles, but he longed for greater challenges.
Gao Shen hadn't given him an answer right away.
Because it was a complicated issue.
(To be continued.)