March 8, Iional Women's Day.

  On this day, Gao Shen began with a review.

  Real Madrid's mouthpiece, Marca, issued a final plea on the m of match day.

  "God, save Real Madrid!"

  This phrase nearly shouted the inner plea of all Real Madrid fans, because tonight's csh at London's Highbury Stadium would determihe fate of Real Madrid's Champions League season, and possibly the fate of many.

  Marca penned an article meticulously. On one hand, it detailed Real Madrid's dire situatioly, yet oher, it called for a unified effort to jure miracles on the road, invoking the spirit of Juanito—whether they win or lose, they must embody the indomitable spirit of Real Madrid.

  Closing the article, Marca opihat only diviervention could lead Real Madrid to victory.

  In another pie their sed edition, Marca chastised the interim head coach for his baffling decisions, arguing that omitting top scorer Ronaldo from the London trip was akin to self-sabotage.

  "He is dismantling Real Madrid!"

  Seeing this, Gao Shen couldn't help but smirk.

  Because simir ses were voiced before the match against Atletiadrid.

  ...

  pared to Marca, the ce in Aspen was equally poignant.

  Their front-page feature depicted a se captured at Madrid's capital airport, where numerous Real Madrid fans bid farewell to the team bound for London. One fan, crossing his chest, gazed skyward as he watched the team depart.

  "God, may Wednesday not belong to Henry!"

  This se was echoed by the Real Madrid fan during Aspen's interview. At the Bernabeu, it was Henry who inflicted the agony of defeat upon Real Madrid, and there revailing belief that Henry would tio pose the biggest threat to Real Madrid's defe Highbury Stadium.

  The fan asserted that Arsenal, uletiadrid, was a more formidable oppo—stronger defensively, sharper in attack. This posed a signifit challenge for Real Madrid. Moreover, in the history of Champions League knockouts, aside from Ajax a decade ago, no team had aplished such a turnaround.

  Uhey lose their posure, Real Madrid of today ot be pared to the Ajax team of yesteryear.

  AS cimed that Real Madrid would need divine mercy to triumph at Highbury Stadium.

  ...

  Beyond Mard Aspen, other Spanish media outlets, and even several mainstream European publications, painted a bleak picture for Real Madrid's enter at Highbury. They opihat the ces of a eback were slim, particurly iermath of coag upheaval.

  Acc to El Pais, no one expected a 25-year-old novice to lead Real Madrid iing the formidable Arsenal, especially without Ronaldo.

  Such ses seemed reasonable.

  While mainstream Spanish and European media mented Real Madrid's plight, British media outlets were generally optimistic about Arsenal's prospects at home. Their fidence was rooted in historical prets and Arsenal's current strong form.

  Arsenal's ret 4-0 victory over Fulham underscored their prowess and buoyed the belief that they might even achieve a resounding victory at Highbury to advao the quarterfinals.

  Gao Shen's decision to exclude Ronaldo and Carlos further fueled British media optimism, as they interpreted it as a signal of Real Madrid adopting defeactics.

  Without Ronaldo, the only remaining superstars on whom Real Madrid could rely were Raul, Zidane, and Beckham. However, these three pyers had struggled against Arsenal, particurly Beckham.

  During his eight-year te Maer United, Beckham had pyed at Highbury seven times, winning only twice—a fact that was not lost on pundits.

  Moreover, the size of Highbury Stadium posed another challenge.

  UEFA imposes strict guidelines on Champions League venues, allowing clubs to choose dimensions within specified rahat best suit their tactical preferences. At 101 meters long and 67 meters wide, Highbury Stadium was among Europe's smallest, pared to Real Madrid's Beradium, which measured 105 meters by 68 meters—a 4-meter length and 1-meter width advantage.

  These differences were signifit at the highest levels of Champions League petition, especially between teams of Real Madrid and Arsenal's caliber.

  Additionally, this season marked Arsenal's farewell to Highbury.

  season, the Gunners would relocate to the new Emirates Stadium further north, with Highbury set for demolition and redevelopment into residential space.

  Arsenal was keen to bid farewell to Highbury on a high note, which partly expiheir exceptional performahere this season.

  Aside from Arsenal's attributes, all of Engnd seemed to set aside differences and rally behind Arsenal.

  Since Liverpool, despite winning the Champions League st season, failed to secure a top-four league finish, UEFA grahem an exception to participate as defending champions, starting from the first qualifying round. This season, five Premier League teams peted, but Evertoed in qualifiers, Maer United fell in the group stage, and Liverpool and Chelsea succumbed to Benfid Bara, respectively, in the round of 16.

  Despite being the league with the most initial entries, only Arsenal remained in the round of 16, a fact that pleased proud British media and fans alike.

  The Guardian procimed Arsenal as the Premier League's st bastion of dignity!

  After Arsenal's triumph at the Bernabeu, all of Britain was vinced of their adva.

  Given the weather, location, and support, Arsenal pying at home seemed destio win.

  How could such a game end in anything other than Arsenal's favor?

  ...

  Each game day bustled with activity and purpose.

  From m meetings to afternoon preparations, every detail was meticulously pnned down to the minute.

  Eveeam's departure from the hotel to Highbury Stadium had beeiculously timed and firmed repeatedly.

  After all, this was Real Madrid. A more meticulous and professional team like Bayern Muniaer United might eveheir team bus to the away venue in advao familiarize themselves with the route.

  As Real Madrid's bus approached Highbury Stadium, floodlights illumihe surroundings, making it as bright as day.

  Fans swarmed everywhere, resembling a tide verging toward Highbury Stadium in fervent anticipation.

  Spotting the Real Madrid team bus, these fans dispyed typical British fanfare. While boos were mild, some even rolled up their sleeves, gesturing frontationally toward the pyers.

  Real Madrid wasted no time outside. Upon disembarking, they swiftly made their way through the pyer tunnel and into the locker room.

  The steps were methodical.

  Kitting up, warming up, and finally, making final preparations in the locker room before the game.

  It was during this critical juncture that Gao Shen produced reports and critiques from various global media outlets, meticulously piled by Lucas from websites, neers, and other els—all of which were overwhelmingly ive.

  Gao Shen id them out in the locker room, creating a striking tableau.

  "Today's reports from mainstream media across Europe on our match. They all seem to have written us off," Gao Shen remarked, a hint of helplessness in his shrug.

  "The game hasn't even beguhey've already passed their judgment on us."

  The dressing room fell silent as everyone perused the reports—some familiar, others new, yet all veying the same grim outlook.

  Real Madrid destined for defeat!

  "I don't know when we desded to this level. Looking at European football, it's hard to find a shred of optimism that ull off a win. We have Raul, Zidane, David Beckham, Casils—top-tier superstars, supported by a solid roster."

  "Yet, here we are."

  A somber atmosphere settled over the locker room.

  In truth, this dee had not started retly. Real Madrid's "dee" had been a recurring theme.

  Since 2004, Real Madrid had cycled through five head coaches. Camacho's abrupt departure before the season even began was just one example. Gao Shen, a 25-year-old rookie fresh out of school, had stepped into this maelstrom.

  Absurdities in football history seemed to repeatedly find their way to Real Madrid over the past two years.

  Every coag ge, every setback prompted the stars to decre, "We take responsibility," yet the turmoil persisted, rgely unged.

  "I know none of you wants this. You're all here because you want to ge our team's status quo—to rise again and prove yourselves on the world stage."

  "Noportunity stands before us."

  "Sihe world believes we 't defeat Arsenal, let's shatter their preceptions. Let our victory speak for itself, showing them they were wrong. We triumph over any adversary, because we are Real Madrid!"

  Gao Shen's voice rose almost to a roar, his fists ched with fervor.

  Many pyers were visibly moved; even the likes of Zidane and Beckham seemed stirred by his words.

  Because they were not willing to accept defeat.

  "The decisive battle is upon us. Everything that o be said, has been said, and everything that o be prepared, has been done."

  "Right now, I have one message for you."

  "Brazilian author Paulo Coelho wrote in 'The Alchemist' that when you pursue a dream with all your heart, the entire universe spires to help you achieve it."

  "Now, let's cast aside the past, discard all doubts, ahe odds. Let's step onto that pitd quer Arsenal!"