Although the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has more than 60 years of history, it remains the most desirable football ground in the world.
Even if you just stood in a corner of the stadium, watching the bustling crowd outside surging like a tide, you could not help but feel excited and restless.
But as soon as he thought about the match that had just unfolded on this pitch, Ancelotti's mood soured instantly.
This was not his home. This was not his stage.
Standing by the window, looking out at the crowd, Ancelotti wondered. Was it the stadium itself that commanded such awe? Or was it the 76,000 passionate fans? Was it the star power of this team?
Or was it the dazzling golden badge of Real Madrid?
Who could say?
Humans have always been complex, and it is hard to separate such things clearly.
"Sorry, Carlo, I'm late."
As soon as Gao Shen opened the door and walked in, he smiled and apologized.
Ancelotti turned his head and saw his smiling face. Handsome, yes, but irritating no matter how you looked at it.
There was nothing he could do. This man had just won.
"Go on then, I'll give you one minute to explain," Ancelotti said, not bothering with formalities.
Gao Shen was slightly taken aback, then laughed. Instead of explaining, he asked, "Are you sure you want to hear it?"
This time it was Ancelotti who was caught off guard.
Wasn't it obvious?
What excuse did he need for being late right now?
Of course they were celebrating. Why bother asking?
"Alright, you win," Ancelotti muttered, dropping the subject.
Gao Shen quickly stepped forward, opened a bottle of wine, and poured him a glass. For himself, he opened a bottle of water.
The reason he was late was because King Juan Carlos of Spain had gone into the Real Madrid dressing room with Florentino.
Gao Shen had not been prepared and only received the message after the press conference. He had to rush over to meet the King, build rapport, and remind him about that promise of abdication.
It had been years, yet still no action.
How long did he have to wait to see his ambition fulfilled, to unify Europe and build the Spanish royal family with three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines?
…
"Honestly, you made mistakes in the first leg, and your adjustments in the second weren't ideal either."
After a couple of glasses of wine, Gao Shen started talking with Ancelotti.
"Center forward?" Ancelotti asked.
In fact, he already knew.
Gao Shen nodded. "Ibrahimovic's pace is too slow."
Individually, the Swedish forward was outstanding. His ability was unquestionable. But he always played to his own rhythm, and his style was slow.
That was normal.
After all, how could a forward of his size possibly move with quick feet?
This was a common problem with tall center forwards, but most adjusted their style. Ibrahimovic never did.
In his eyes, if he changed, would he still be Ibrahimovic?
"So the rumors about you wanting to sign Ibrahimovic are false?" Ancelotti smiled faintly.
Gao Shen noticed the hint in his expression.
Maybe if Real Madrid really were chasing Ibrahimovic, Ancelotti would be relieved. At least then PSG wouldn't have to deal with him.
In reality, PSG never truly wanted Ibrahimovic. What they wanted was Thiago Silva.
But his wages were so high that AC Milan insisted they sell the pair together or not at all.
At that time, Barcelona were also pursuing Thiago Silva, and there was no shortage of buyers.
Now with both Cavani and Ibrahimovic in the squad, PSG had the problem of who to play and who to leave out.
"I can't handle that gentleman," Gao Shen said with a smile, waving his hand.
The technical team had studied him, but only in the early stages. Gao Shen rejected the idea as it became clear that Ibrahimovic would not suit Real Madrid.
It wasn't a question of quality. It was a question of control. Ibrahimovic was not easy to manage, and Gao Shen wasn't sure he had the ability to do so.
Of course, if Real Madrid wanted to build their entire attack around him, that would be a different story.
…
"I want to ask you something."
Ancelotti suddenly changed the subject.
"A private matter."
Gao Shen nodded. "Go ahead."
"Would Leeds United consider selling Jorginho?"
"Jorginho?" Gao Shen was surprised. "Weren't you after Gündogan?"
The media had already reported it, including L'Équipe, saying that PSG were targeting Gündogan.
Ancelotti chuckled. "Others might not know, but you don't?"
No need for more words.
Gündogan was clearly a midfield talent emerging in German football, but he had flaws.
For example, his defensive ability was poor.
Looking at it now, Ancelotti still wanted to play a 4-3-3 with a single defensive midfielder.
In that system, Gündogan was not suitable.
Jorginho, however, had a similar build but much stronger defensive awareness.
It wasn't about who was better. It was about who was more suited.
"As for Leeds United, that's up to them. I don't interfere. The market is the market," Gao Shen replied.
With that, Ancelotti understood.
"You've got a treasure chest of talent on your hands," Ancelotti said enviously.
Leeds had performed brilliantly in the Premier League. As a newly promoted team, even if not as sensational as Napoli once were, they had done incredibly well.
"Don't be envious. I've got a headache. Sometimes I feel the whole world is watching me with greedy eyes," Gao Shen joked.
Ancelotti laughed. "And whose fault is that?"
"From the moment you built that tactical system at Leeds United, you must have known the kind of players European football would be crying out for in the coming years. The players you trained are exactly the rarest type in European football right now."
The more he said it, the more convincing it sounded.
"Take the single pivot defensive midfielder, for example. How many in Europe right now can run the game alone?"
Without waiting for Gao Shen's answer, Ancelotti started counting.
"Pirlo, but he's getting old. Carrick and Xabi Alonso, also aging. Illarramendi has done well in La Liga, but has flaws. Gündogan is a double pivot, not a single. So who's left?"
"I heard Guardiola wants one for Bayern too. He's looking at Thiago and Jorginho."
Ancelotti shook his head slightly.
Didn't Bayern already have Schweinsteiger?
Apparently Guardiola didn't think he fit his system.
Who knew?
"In the end, this is your conspiracy," Ancelotti said, pointing a finger.
"What conspiracy?" Gao Shen asked helplessly.
"You're setting the tactical trends while also producing the players to fit them. Not just Jorginho. Pogba too. Players like that are now the most sought-after in Europe. Even Barcelona might want them."
Barcelona preferred small, quick, agile players. Pogba, tall and slower, might not suit them.
But with his physique and technical ability, it wasn't impossible either.
"Sometimes I wonder what your brain is made of. How are you always ahead of us?" Ancelotti sighed.
People often said European football tactics developed in cycles.
That might be true from a distance.
But managers in reality thought about more immediate things. How to counter an opponent. How to maximize their own side.
Tactics developed in that process.
But Gao Shen? He was always in front.
Year after year, he stayed ahead.
Now, not only the team he coached, but also the team he built, were ahead of the rest.
Ancelotti had even heard Leonardo mention Koulibaly more than once.
Why?
Because he was young, strong, a great passer, and physically excellent.
Any one of those would make him a top prospect. He had them all.
And after proving himself in the Premier League, there was no question about his level.
Why wouldn't every top club in need of a center-back chase him?
"Tell me honestly, are you from outer space?" Ancelotti fixed his eyes on him.
If Gao Shen really came from another planet, Ancelotti would feel better.
At least then, they hadn't lost to another Earthling.
Gao Shen sighed. "So you've finally figured it out."
"Alright, no more pretending. I'm from the Planet of Light, in the M78 Nebula, three million light-years from Earth."
Ancelotti stared blankly, not recognizing the reference.
What did that have to do with anything?
"I was traveling through the universe and saw how poor football was on Earth, so I came to help. Honestly, my mission is almost complete. I may return home any time now."
"And then?" Ancelotti asked, holding back laughter, playing along.
"You'd better cherish the time with me. Treat me well. Buy me more dinners. Lose to me more often. And most importantly, don't reveal my identity. If you do, I'll end up cut open in a lab, and my brothers and sisters will come destroy Earth."
Even without knowing Ultraman, Ancelotti could tell Gao Shen was just messing with him. He laughed so hard he couldn't stop.
"No wonder people say you're the best bluffer. Now I see why your players fall for it."
After a pause, Ancelotti sighed again.
"If you told me you're an alien, I wouldn't believe it. But sometimes I feel like you really can see the future."
Gao Shen's heart skipped a beat.
Damn, you noticed that?
(To be continued.).
***
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