All teams participating in the Champions League final have strict schedules and controls on the day of the match.
In fact, these controls may be implemented one or two days in advance.
The reason is simple, to avoid accidents.
During Gao Shen's years of coaching, he has heard more than once of a key player suddenly suffering an accident before a big match, including but not limited to a sudden high fever or gastrointestinal issues.
The human body is incredible, especially under high pressure. Sudden incidents are more likely to occur.
Therefore, control is particularly important.
Real Madrid even control the players' meal ingredients, chefs, and drinking water. Everything is brought from the club. Some fresh ingredients were airlifted from Madrid early this morning.
These may seem like minor details, but if not handled properly, they can affect the players' performance.
For example, Ferguson once said that on the eve of Manchester United's Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the hotel's poor soundproofing caused the players to sleep badly.
Perhaps that could be seen as an excuse after losing a final, but it still has an impact.
In any battle, logistics are everything.
…
Whether it is Gao Shen, the coaching staff, Real Madrid, or the players, they are all familiar with the Champions League final. Everyone clearly knows what to do. Most of them are very experienced.
There are also established routines for when to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat.
After a rest, the team held a meeting.
This was the final preparation meeting before the match, focusing on the key details for tonight's final.
While the players rested, Gao Shen and the coaching staff also held a smaller meeting.
Carlos Vargas had already compiled and analyzed the latest public information that morning, including what Atletico said and trained yesterday. He collected everything and placed it in front of the staff.
Simeone places great importance on set pieces, but he did not arrange any set-piece drills in yesterday's familiarization session on the pitch. He only revealed at the pre-match press conference that set pieces are a key tool Atletico use to repeatedly defeat strong opponents.
"Note this and remind them later," Gao Shen told his assistants.
Carlo and the others immediately took notes. They would all speak later, reminding the players from their respective perspectives to pay attention to Atletico's set pieces. For example, the goalkeeping coach Lopis would remind Courtois and Casillas about set-piece precautions, including wall setup and Atletico's free-kick habits.
"Carlos, I asked you to prepare a compilation of Atletico's set pieces from the past two or three seasons. Is it done?" Gao Shen turned to analyst Carlos Vargas.
"It was completed before we left yesterday and has been distributed to every player. I believe everyone has read it."
"Well done," Gao Shen praised.
This is the advantage of working with a familiar partner. You only need to say a word and he already knows what you want and will do it in advance.
Atletico's core weapon is still their extraordinary fighting spirit and superb tactical execution, but Simeone is also very pragmatic.
Gao Shen said at the pre-match press conference that the outcome of this game was 50-50, with Real Madrid and Atletico each having half a chance.
But Simeone denied that, saying Real Madrid are a very complete team and still the best team in the world.
"They have won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and they are defending Champions League winners. We must approach this final with humility."
Simeone also said that Gao Shen has found a great balance, which makes Real Madrid highly competitive.
"Like all other managers, I struggle to find balance, but Gao Shen has achieved it. His football is varied. He can control the game with possession, but also by controlling space and striking on the counter."
"You never know how he will play, so we can only try to contain their football and seize every chance to threaten them."
When Gao Shen saw this, he thought for a moment.
Simeone's mindset is correct, but that is not necessarily good for Real Madrid.
On the contrary, if Atletico were more arrogant and aggressive, they would be easier for Real Madrid to handle.
"There are still several key points, such as transition play and flank protection..."
…
After the small staff meeting, they immediately held a larger meeting with the players.
After the meeting, Gao Shen would also speak to players individually. It might be one-on-one, or with three to five players together. The format depended on the content he needed to discuss.
In the team meeting, Gao Shen emphasized the importance of defending set pieces.
If he remembered correctly, the goal Real Madrid conceded in the previous life's Champions League final came from a set piece.
Real Madrid had repeatedly trained and focused on this over the past period.
The second point was Atletico's rough style.
Gao Shen told the players clearly that they must be mentally prepared for a fierce battle. It would be the toughest match of Real Madrid's season, perhaps of the past few years, because the opponent is Atletico Madrid.
Björn Kuipers' officiating style is relatively lenient. Even with subtle psychological hints, he will still be lenient. That will further increase the scope of Atletico's physical challenges. Real Madrid's players must be prepared, especially when it comes to controlling their temper.
Of course, controlling your temper does not mean submitting to everything. If necessary, they must fight back and even put pressure on the referee, so he understands that if he keeps encouraging Atletico's negative behavior, the situation will get out of control.
By then, the referee will have to make a decision.
All of this requires the players to remain calm and rational.
This is also one of Real Madrid's advantages. Ramos and Pepe are much calmer now.
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Gao Shen also stressed many other details, but he placed particular emphasis on the efficiency of the transition from attack to defense.
In the planned scenario, when Atletico push up, Real Madrid will push up as well, hitting them with long passes and long switches. To do that, Real Madrid's shape will have to stretch, creating as many one-on-one situations as possible.
One-on-one, that is also Real Madrid's advantage.
But that inevitably brings a problem. An open game benefits Real Madrid's attack and helps neutralize Atletico's pressing and pressure, but if the ball is lost, Real Madrid's defensive shape will be loose.
At that moment, everyone needs to complete the transition immediately. Counter-pressing and defensive positioning must happen simultaneously, and everyone must maintain absolute focus and execution.
Otherwise, if any link fails, Atletico's sharp counterattack will punish them instantly.
Gao Shen attached great importance to this and repeatedly emphasized that everyone must pay attention.
"This will be the key to our victory tonight."
…
Gao Shen spent the entire morning in intense meetings and conversations.
He spoke thoroughly with all the starters and substitutes for tonight, received their feedback, and understood their specific physical and psychological conditions.
At lunchtime, Florentino, accompanied by board members, José Sánchez, and Valdano, came to the players' dining area to meet them.
Also with them were Real Madrid legends, including Raúl, Guti, Gento, Amancio, Solari, Morientes, and Camacho, all among the greatest figures in the club's history.
Gento, a key player in Real Madrid's first six European Cups, shared his mentality about winning the Champions League six times, including how to maintain hunger.
Raúl, Guti, and others were very familiar to the current squad and had even been teammates with many of them, so as soon as they arrived, they began chatting with the players.
Raúl has not yet retired. He plans to leave the Middle East for Major League Soccer in the United States. This will be the last stop of his career, and his purpose is clear, to earn money.
Raúl also revealed some news to Gao Shen. He had spoken to Florentino and would return to work at Real Madrid after retiring. He is currently studying for coaching qualifications and is considering becoming a coach.
"Please guide me when the time comes," Raúl said with a smile.
Gao Shen readily agreed.
Hierro will be leaving at the end of this season.
The legendary captain has been with the team for two years and has now accumulated enough experience. He plans to take a position at the Spanish FA, which Florentino and Real Madrid fully support.
In the Real Madrid cheering group, there were two slightly awkward figures, one being the legendary captain Camacho.
Yes, the former Spain head coach who also managed Real Madrid. Both of his stints ended in failure, and one even set the record for the shortest tenure in the club's history.
The other was Mijatović.
This former executive served as Real Madrid's number two under Calderón. After Calderón, he completely faded from view, but thanks to the Champions League he won with Real Madrid as a player, he remains among the club's legends.
This is normal, because Florentino did not pursue responsibility against Calderón and Mijatović later on.
Whether among the legends, in front of the players, or even in front of Marcelo, Pepe, and others he helped bring in, Mijatović was marginalized and largely ignored.
Gao Shen and Real Madrid arranged this visit with a simple purpose, to have this group of Champions League legends inspire the current players and make a point through facts.
Real Madrid has never forgotten the heroes who fought for the club.
Solari, Morientes, and others had their issues during their time at Real Madrid. Morientes even became the so-called Real Madrid killer later, but he is still a club legend.
And if, tonight at Lisbon's Estádio da Luz, Real Madrid successfully defend their Champions League title, then everyone present will become part of Real Madrid's history, just like the visiting legends.
In the future, they will all have the opportunity to work for and serve Real Madrid.
This is a special kind of historical heritage of champions within modern professional football.
(To be continued.)