Even though it ast midnight by the time we returo Madrid, there were still many Real Madrid fans waiting at the airport to greet the team.

  Before the team departed for London, everyone had lost fiden the game, but ironically, this disappoi only amplified the excitement among Real Madrid fans after the team's turnaround.

  When the chartered pne Madrid Capital Airport, over 3,000 fans had gathered, with more arriving from all dires.

  Tonight, Madrid was in full celebration!

  Gao Shehe team off the pepping into a se of fervor. Fans surrouhe victorious pyers upon their return.

  "Well done, Real Madrid warriors! You've upheld the indomitable spirit of Real Madrid!"

  "We're so proud of you!"

  "Keep going! Let's aim for another Champions League victory!"

  As the head coach, Gao Shen stood promily among the team, fag the fans for the first time.

  Many Real Madrid supporters were surprised and flicted. Surprised because Gao Shen appeared exceptionally young.

  Even standing beside pyers like Zidane and Ramos, who had years of experiend facial hair, Gao Shen looked remarkably youthful. This trast led many fans to questioher such a young figure could lead Real Madrid.

  This doubt had pgued Gao Shen during the past ten days, despite his ret aplishments. However, his tactical prowess iurning Arsenal away and Wenger's subsequent praise at Highbury underscored his capabilities.

  This left Real Madrid fans in a dilemma.

  Gao Shen was a hero, and they wao support him. Yet, his youthful appearance didn't match their image of a seasoned head coach.

  Amidst this flict, the fans redirected most of their admiration towards the pyers, who were receiving their highest praise in years.

  Since 2004, Real Madrid had rarely been uded in such a manner by their own supporters. Finally, the team felt the full force of local fahusiasm and bag.

  This had a calming effeany pyers.

  Local fahe bae of the team.

  Even fiants like Real Madrid and Maer Uhe support of their local fans was indispensable. It wasn't just about match attenda was aional e—a foundation.

  Gao Shen uood this analogy well. Like a man striving in his career, knowing there's someone waiting at home, Real Madrid he support of their fans to thrive.

  ...

  ...

  "I didn't expect this oute at all!"

  In a luxurious vil oskirts of Madrid, Florentino remarked to his assistant Redondo.

  Real Madrid had won, and Martin's gamble had paid off.

  Yet Florentino appeared her bitter nor disappointed. Instead, he seemed genuinely pleased.

  These perceived setbacks that could have humiliated him were insequential in Florentino's eyes.

  "Who would have thought Martin would hit the jackpot with this one? He discovered such talent," Florentino smiled, as if Martin had found this talent and for him.

  "Indeed! Before the match, under public pressure, he led the team to victory over Arsenal."

  Redondo paused, adding, "I've heard that tomorrow, Spain, Europe, and even some majlobal neers will report on this game. Public opinion is turning, especially in Spain, where many media outlets were critical before. Now, they're scrambling to ge their tone."

  "Haha!" Florentino couldn't help but ugh. Seeing these self-procimed kings of football ge their tune brought him immeisfa.

  Let them retract their statements. That had been his goal for the past two years, yet a 25-year-old had aplished it.

  He was genuinely pleased.

  " they truly humble themselves and admit their errors?" Florentino khese media personalities well and was skeptical.

  "As far as I know, Alfredo Del Morena and others are full of praise fao Shen's game. I expect they'll praise him to the skies. Others may not go as far, but they certainly won't revert to their previous stance."

  Florentino nodded. Figures like Alfredo, the chief editor of Aspen, stood on a differeal from other journalists. A true lover of football and Real Madrid, Alfredo's opinions held immense sway and had garnered a vast readership over decades.

  ...

  "Should Martin sider him a traow?" Florentino asked.

  Redondo nodded. "I just received word that Martin spoke to Butragueno while still in London. Apparently, he had a versation with Gao Shen just before calling."

  Florentino smiled again. He found Gao Shen increasingly intriguing.

  "tact Butragueno and tell him to finalize the tract. I'm eager to see what Gao Shen bring to Real Madrid," Florentino instructed.

  "Martin proposes extending the tratil the end of the season."

  "That's typical. It's mid-March already; we really justify a short-term tract? It seems a bit petty!"

  Redondo looked at his boss ily aured, "Boss, it seems you hold him in high regard."

  Florentino looked up, met his assistant's gaze, and smiled. "Manuel, do you know why I've kept you by my side for so long, yet never promoted you?"

  Redondo's expression froze momentarily before he nodded. "Yes, boss, you've told me before."

  "You're diligent, meticulous, and capable in many areas. You're a rare talent, but you ck certain leadership qualities—ce, daring, and guile."

  "Whether in business or at the club, you o achieve results, and sometimes that requires doing things and taking risks."

  "Gao Shen has dohis time. Even against Arsenal, he ighe Brazilian ti. That seems to be what impressed Martin. The team's response also indicates he mahe locker room effectively—a sign of true leadership."

  Redondo fell silent. He had been loyal to Florentino for years, but seeing his boss elevate others while he remaiagnant stung. Yet, he reized his own shortings.

  In trast, Gao Shen—unbeknownst to many—had taken numerous risks and almost failed several times, yet he prevailed, guiding the team to victory over Arsenal aing his pce at Real Madrid.

  "Boss, how long do you think he'll remain in the head coach position?" Redondo suddenly asked.

  Florentino sensed his assistant's petitiveness aance, but he smiled, pretending not to notice.

  As a leader, he weled such spirited petition among his subordinates.

  "petitive sports are always about performance. Martin extend his traow and termi at any time, with minimal severance if need be."

  Florentino paused, shaking his head. "Siaking charge, Gao Shen has faced adversity and appeared troubled, but at least he had clear goals and dire. Now, with victory over Arsenal and a quarter-final spot secured, those goals have bee, and everyone breathe a sigh of relief."

  "Real Madrid looks good today, but iy, we're not in a signifitly better position than before. Earlier crises were visible; now, they're tent, uable. When a team loses its dire suddenly, it's arming. The real test of our resilience is just beginning."

  Redondo listened silently, his earlier skepticism now tempered by empathy.

  Could he hahe plexities that pgued Real Madrid?