The nightmare of the Champions League, that man is here again!
After the decisive match at the Parc des Princes, L'Équipe ran this headline, dedicating it to Gao Shen, who had led Real Madrid to a 2-0 away win over Paris Saint-Germain.
In its report, L'Équipe wrote, "The La Liga giants are now very close to the Champions League final. Real Madrid holds a massive advantage going into the second leg. Gao Shen will once again reach the Champions League final."
The paper reminded its readers, "From his first Champions League final in 2006 until now, Gao Shen has reached four finals and won all four, never once losing."
This means that the fifth coach in history to win five Champions League titles may very well be crowned this season.
"It will be an exciting Champions League final," L'Équipe concluded.
The French outlet gave a glowing review of Gao Shen's record, stating that he had made history in the Champions League, built a brilliant coaching career, and brought outstanding success to every team he managed.
Take Real Madrid for example.
Since their last title in 2006, they had failed to even reach the quarterfinals. In recent years, they even struggled to escape the group stage. Without their star-studded lineup, Real Madrid would have long lost their aura as a European giant.
Yet this season, under Gao Shen, a Madrid side that had slipped to the third tier of Europe's hierarchy beat the Bundesliga champions Dortmund and the Portuguese champions Porto in the "group of death," advancing alongside Manchester City.
In the knockout rounds, they faced the Premier League leaders, Serie A leaders, Ligue 1 leaders...
None could stop Gao Shen and Real Madrid.
L'Équipe analyzed the first leg of the semi-final, pointing out weaknesses in Ancelotti's setup.
Most notably, he didn't start faster players like Lavezzi, Lucas Moura, or Ménez.
When PSG were 0-2 down late in the match, they switched to a 4-3-3 with Lavezzi and Lucas Moura, and their play suddenly became more aggressive, sharper, and quicker.
So why did Ancelotti start with a defensive 4-3-1-2, fielding both Ibrahimović and Cavani?
L'Équipe called this a highly questionable choice.
The paper also highlighted the counterattack in the 61st minute, when Ibrahimović's slow tempo killed PSG's chance.
"He has never performed well in Champions League knockouts," they wrote.
Too much could not be expected of him at this stage.
"Even at the Bernabéu, if PSG want any hope of a comeback, they must drop Ibrahimović and play 4-3-3. This is their only way out."
But L'Équipe admitted such a decision would take immense courage. Ibrahimović was the team's biggest star, and he was never easy to sideline.
"Perhaps Ancelotti should consider selling Ibrahimović to Real Madrid," the paper joked.
This echoed a Spanish tabloid report.
That report claimed Higuaín was leaving Madrid, and the Galácticos were searching for a new striker, with Ibrahimović among the options.
It also recalled how last summer, neither Ancelotti nor PSG had wanted Ibrahimović. With Cavani already signed, there was no need for him. But to sign Thiago Silva, AC Milan had forced PSG into a package deal, and they reluctantly took both.
That compromise was now PSG's biggest headache.
How could Ibrahimović and Cavani adapt together in the Champions League?
…
After the match, Spain's Marca ran the headline: "The madness continues, Real Madrid win 2-0 away at Paris Saint-Germain."
The Madrid-based paper praised the performance, noting that Real had every advantage. Gao Shen's tactical plan gave the Galácticos control, and they struck with two decisive away goals.
"Goals from Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo have all but secured Real Madrid's ticket to London."
However, when Ancelotti replaced Ibrahimović and switched to 4-3-3 late on, PSG launched a frenzied assault. Real were forced to absorb pressure, keeping the return leg at the Bernabéu alive with some suspense.
"Regardless, this was the performance of a top team," Marca wrote.
"The great Gao Shen, leading his loyal Real Madrid, crosses the English Channel and marches toward Wembley Stadium in London!"
The paper noted that the 2-0 away win gave Madrid a commanding lead, allowing them to play with less pressure at home.
"At Wembley, it is highly possible we will see Gao Shen against his old club Manchester City."
In the group stage, Real Madrid had failed to beat City twice, nearly costing them qualification. Gao Shen had been visibly frustrated.
Now, a reunion in the Champions League final loomed, and it promised to be a classic showdown.
"A clash between two sides of such high quality would make for a thrilling final."
Alfredo, editor-in-chief of AS, also wrote in his column that Gao Shen's victory was deserved and had written a new chapter in Real Madrid's history.
He described the win as "extremely convincing," praising Gao Shen's transformation of the team.
"Since Marcelo's return, we have seen a Real Madrid unlike any in recent years."
"With Marcelo and Carvajal on the flanks, and the midfield supporting the front three, Madrid now show an attacking power and control that has never been seen before."
Radio SER's De La Morena went further, saying this Madrid was not yet at full maturity but already dominant. "Given time, this could become an epoch-defining team, one that even surpasses Barcelona."
…
If French and Spanish media reflected their national biases, Germany's Bild took a more neutral view, writing that Real Madrid had stripped PSG of their glamorous facade.
Bild credited Ancelotti for guiding PSG to the semi-finals, while acknowledging the club's huge investment. Many had believed PSG could become a second Manchester City, a rising power in Europe.
But the reality at the Parc des Princes shocked those optimists.
"Simply piling up stars is not enough to build a champion," Bild wrote.
PSG's spending was heavily concentrated up front, leaving their midfield and defense thin. This dragged down the team's overall competitiveness.
They compared PSG to a mercenary squad with no core structure, unlike Napoli or Manchester City, who were carefully built.
Even at Real Madrid, Gao Shen had immediately installed a local backbone: Ramos, Xabi Alonso, and Benzema formed the spine.
"But in PSG, the balance between Ibrahimović and Cavani, the attacking setup, and the backline configuration are all flawed."
Worse still, media had previously reported PSG's shortage of French players. Many of their domestic signings were simply to meet registration rules, weakening the squad.
Bild concluded that PSG looked strong and arrogant, but were fragile in truth.
"At the Parc des Princes, Real Madrid's performance taught them a harsh lesson."
The German paper also reviewed Madrid's journey this season, highlighting their struggles in signings, the group stage, and injuries to Marcelo and Arbeloa.
But Gao Shen absorbed the pressure, trusted young players, and refined tactics, producing a brilliant resurgence in the second half of the season.
Since Marcelo's return, Real Madrid had won three straight knockout ties in the Champions League without conceding a single goal.
"This record is astonishing!"
"Real Madrid now have the strength to win the Champions League and are the top favorites."
But Bild also issued a warning. Heynckes' Bayern and Pellegrini's Manchester City remained major threats.
"Bayern, in particular, have improved after last year's disappointment. With new signings and better cohesion, they look far stronger this season."
"Heynckes' team will be eager for revenge. It is not impossible they eliminate City and then face Madrid at Wembley."
The paper noted that such a clash would bring Gao Shen face to face with Heynckes again, while Kroos and Khedira would meet their old club.
"More importantly, Heynckes is determined to settle scores."
Still, Bayern first had to get past Manchester City.
As the only club to defend the Champions League since its reformatting, City remained formidable. Even after Gao Shen's departure, Pellegrini had guided them strongly.
This was why the British media were broadly optimistic before Bayern's tie with City.
(To be continued.)
***
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