Years make people grow old!

  When I saw Beckham, this feeling became even more profound.

  Zidane was born in 1972, and Beckham in 1975, making them three years apart. However, unlike Zidane, who hesitated to solemnly promise when faced with profound issues, Beckham didn't hesitate at all. He fidently affirmed his ability to meet the high demands.

  And it was evident from the scrappiness in his appearahat he was ready to give it his all.

  Gao Shen was deeply pleased by this mentality.

  If Real Madrid's superstars could have the same state of mind and desire to win as Beckham, things would be simpler, and Real Madrid wouldn't find itself in its current predit.

  Beckham quickly revealed the source of his motivation as well.

  "This will be my first time pying in Engnd since joining Real Madrid in 2003."

  Gao Shen was momentarily stunned; he hadn't realized this.

  Seeing Beckham's vi, it was clear that he was correct.

  In the past three years, Real Madrid hadn't faced any Premier League teams. No wohey suffered a 0-1 loss to Arsenal at Bernabeu in the first leg. Given Real Madrid's current situation, fag a Premier League team was akin to lighting a mat a p.

  As a former Maer United pyer, Beckham knew Arsenal well, their arch-rivals. But Arsenal had evolved signifitly i years, especially after key pyers like Vieira left, leading to a shift towards teical and youthful reforms, altering their pying style.

  To put it simply, the popur belief that Wenger was only about teical prowess and youth development was inplete. Wenger had previously spent heavily on pyers but was forced to shift focus due to financial straints from building a adium, whiecessitated greater emphasis on youth development and scouting talents.

  After Vieira's departure, Arsenal's pyers frequently faced aggressive challenges, resulting in frequent injuries such as broken legs. Many believed this was Arsenal repaying past grievances.

  When Gao Shen asked Beckham about his thoughts on fag Arsenal, the English midfielder referehe battle at Bernabeu.

  In that game, which he hadn't personally experienced but had watched on video, Arsenal unched a relentless atta Real Madrid from the start. Their fast-paced pressing, a hallmark of Premier League teams, forced Real Madrid into unfortable positions, disrupting their game rhythm and tactical setup.

  Carlo had eveiohat Arsenal's intense pressing early in the game had greatly uled Real Madrid.

  "I believe we o ge our team's style, adopt Arsenal's aggressive attitude, show ce aermination, and avoid pying a slow-paced game if we want to win at Highbury," Beckham suggested.

  Gao Shen listened ily, noddiedly. After Beckham finished, he appuded enthusiastically, "That's excellent! You've articuted exactly what I've been thinking and pnning."

  After a brief pause, Gao Shen's tourned more serious, "But you're aware of our current team situation and the challenges we face after losing the first leg. I'll o make promises and trade-offs. However, your insights have been incredibly helpful and have boosted my fidence."

  Beckham seemed pleased.

  While his circumstances differed from Woodgate's, he too faced unication challenges.

  Unlike Woodgate, Gao Shen could unicate fluently with Beckham in English, and they shared on goals and is, making Beckham increasingly appreciative of Gao Shen. At times, he even pohe idea of tinuing as Real Madrid's head coach.

  "In any case, don't worry. This is the most crucial game of my career at Real Madrid, and I assure you that I'll give my all and do everything possible to help the team win. I dream of wearing the Real Madrid jersey in Engnd again and showg my abilities through the game," Beckham affirmed passionately.

  His determination alpable.

  In 2003, Beckham's departure from Maer United had been acrimonious, and the subsequent three years had been a barren period for Real Madrid. Many believed that Beckham, with his fshy style, was to bme for Real Madrid's struggles.

  Now, he was eager to prove himself anew.

  "Very well said. Your words have reassured me," Gao Shen replied with a smile.

  ...

  ...

  In addition to Raul, Zidane, and Beckham, Gao Shen also individually sulted with several key pyers ieam.

  Pyers like Graveson, Helguera, Woodgate, and Casils.

  Beyond inquiring about their current ditions and their outlook for the game, Gao Shen also delved into their experiences against Atletiadrid.

  A coach's tactics are tailored to suit the pyers. Their fort and feedba the field carry signifit weight, guiding the coach's tactical formations. Thus, Gao Shen pced great emphasis on these discussions.

  While the overall framework remained intact, minor adjustments were necessary. Gao Sheiculously hese adjustments, handing them over to Maqueda for implementation, fog on refining them during training.

  This process took two days.

  Over these two days, Gao Shen engaged with every pyer ieam except for the Brazilian ti, such as Ronaldo and Carlos, in more ih versations than before.

  Instead of heading to Carlo's office after training, Gao Shen would return home, retiring to the tactical library after dinner.

  While Gao Shen held Carlo in high regard, he often found himself at odds with Carlo's ideas and philosophies.

  In essence, Carlo leaowards servatism and stability, whereas Gao Shen leaowards more radical approaches.

  This trast was evident in their handling of the Brazilian ti and their strategy against Arsenal.

  Iactical library, Gao Shen immersed himself in studying the strategisights and tactical maneuvers of Benitez and Ferguson. He focused particurly on their strategiing, formations, and in-game ands in cshes against Wenger, especially their deferategies.

  Indeed, some of the strategies devised by these two tactis proved highly enlightening fao Shen.

  ...

  While Gao Shen worked diligently behind the ses, Real Madrid meticulously executed their training regimen.

  Following Gao Shen's decision to cel their half-day off, the team engaged in targeted drills during their final pre-match training session. This session, scheduled the day before the match, was deemed invaluable, with every minute crucial.

  Prior to this focused training, Gao Shen arranged a tactical meeting. Here, he elucidated the specific tactics for the uping Arsenal match, ensuring each pyer uood their role and the rationale behind it.

  After the meeting, the team would practice again iernoon training session. Gao Shen believed this repetition would enhance effectiveness.

  Post-training, Real Madrid would depart for London as a unit. The following m, they would vene for a tactical meeting.

  From their enter with Atletiadrid to their forthing battle with Arsenal, the entire Real Madrid coag staff and team seemed to wind up like a clock, tirelessly preparing towards a singur objective. Everyone dispyed heightened e and focus.

  All were keenly aware that failure to defeat Arsenal at Highbury would mean another premature exit at the Round of 16 stage for the sed secutive season.

  For Real Madrid, su oute was simply uable.

  More importantly, Gao Shen and the local leaders such as Raul, Zidane, Beckham, Gravesen, and others have early on reached a sensus, with everyone diligently preparing for this game, and others naturally following suit.

  The outside world may not know what Real Madrid is plotting, but they are aware that tensioween Gao Shen and the Brazilian fa have not eased.

  Chairman Martin gave media intervieersonally intervened, hoping to recile the flid reie Ronaldo into the main squad, but Gao Shen deed this initiative and refused all interviews.

  The decisive battle was immi, and a storm seemed to loom, with a palpable tension in the air.

  Specution ran rife about the tactics Gao Shen would employ at Highbury.

  Alfredo, Aspen neer's editor-in-chief, asserted in his n that Real Madrid had no choice but to attack, though Arsenal must also craft their strategy accly. Real Madrid's offensive approach, he likened, was akin to stepping into Wenger's trap.

  How to maneuver?

  Not attag is not an option!

  they defend instead?

  No, because Real Madrid must scoals to advance.

  Not only Alfredo, but even former Real Madrid teical director Sacchi, in a phoerview with Marca, suggested that Real Madrid's ces of winning this game were slim, given Wenger and Arsenal's current strength as one of Europe's top teams.

  Many voices cmored for Real Madrid to recall the Brazilian fa, especially Ronaldo and Carlos. Who else but Ronaldo could be more reliable at this critical juncture when attag prowess is imperative? Could Carlos have a more signifit impact?

  Yet, all of these ses seemed to be submerged and blocked at Valdebebas.

  Outside, a fervent crowd gathered, debating fiercely.