Recovery training the m after a match is crucial.

  Except for special circumstances, such as pyers urgently returning to the national team, m recovery sessions before a game are pivotal for all head coaches because they set the stage for the match.

  Gao Shen remained retively hands-off during training, from the sidelines.

  As per routihe coag staff divided pyers into two groups. One prised those who pyed in the previous match, fog on recovery training. Additionally, some teenage pyers, retly called up from the reserve team by Coach Pal to bolster the lineup, also underwent recovery training—an arra agreed upon by Gao Shen and Pal.

  Despite the term "high-iy training," the presence of pyers like Ronaldo and Carlos ehe sessions remained retively rexed. It was clear that the iy was moderate.

  Gao Shen had reviewed Benitez's training pns iactical archives. Benitez always emphasized setting training iy at levels where pyers could perform optimally. The adjustment depended on the coag staff's capabilities.

  But why this specifitensity?

  It was akin to dangling a carrot before a donkey.

  If the training iy was too high, pyers might struggle, leading to disappoi and diminished enthusiasm. versely, if it was too low, like the current situation at Real Madrid, pyers wouldn't derive full value from the training.

  The ideal training approach would baensity just right—challenging enough for pyers to perform at their peak, f enthusiasm, and enhang their game proficy.

  Currently, however, Real Madrid didn't seem to achieve that bance.

  ...

  After training, Gao Shen had a private discussion with Raul.

  Raul expressed his support and approval of Gao Shen's decision to cel the break and schedule additional targeted training.

  "With our current circumstances, challenging Arsenal at Highbury will indeed be tough," Raul aowledged.

  Gao Shen and Raul strolled slowly side by side across the training ground toward the training facilities.

  "The 0-1 deficit from the first leg means we must score away from home; otherwise, this game holds little meaning. Wenger is undoubtedly strategizing for this," Raul stated.

  Stopping in his tracks, Raul looked directly at Gao Shen. "What's your pn?"

  "I haven't decided yet," Gao Shen admitted didly. "I need more information about the team's dition before making a final decision."

  After a pause, Gao Shen added, "But ohing I'm certain about—I don't io use the Brazilian ti for now."

  Raul's preferred strike partner was a traditional ter forward like Morientes. Currently, Negredo filled that role in the Real Madrid squad, tributing signifitly to their ret 3-0 victory over Atletiadrid by freeing up Raul.

  Introdug Ronaldo at this juncture would iably restrict Raul's tactical freedom.

  Statistics from a previous life showed that Ronaldo was Raul's seost prolific strike partner, behind Morientes and even surpassing Van Nistelrooy in terms of goals.

  But stats didn't tell the whole story. Raul's partnership with Morientes was the most harmonious, while his pairing with Van Nistelrooy, although shorter-lived, matched Ronaldo's goal-sg efficy.

  Currently, Raul was in top form and didn't want Gao Shen to reintroduce Ronaldo.

  Gao Shen's decision provided reassurao Raul. If Gao Shen had given up on the Brazilian ti, it must be food reason.

  "Uood. If there's anything I do to help, just let me know. I'll rey the decision to cel the break to the locker room, and there won't be any issues," Raul assured.

  As captain and iial figure in the locker room, Raul wielded signifit influence.

  "No matter how roach this match, it'll be a tough battle against Arsenal. How are you feeling physically?" Gao Shen inquired, ed about Raul's ret return from injury.

  "I feel great now, pletely rexed. Don't worry, I'll give my all for this game," Raul promised with determination.

  As Real Madrid's captain, he uood the game's significe for the club and the Champions League's importance.

  Gao Shen trusted Raul's itment without doubt, nodding silently in aowledgment.

  ...

  Unlike Raul, Zinedine Zidane's mioward the uping match was more plex.

  Should Real Madrid lose to Arsenal, it would mark the end of his illustrious Champions League career.

  Zidane was a man of pride. Gao Shen believed he would never accept his final Champions League appearanding this way.

  Thus, Gao Shen didn't try to provoke him with words but personally informed Zidane of his decision to cel the break and expined his rationale. Zidane readily agreed and accepted.

  "I think you should sider pying Ronaldo," Zidane suggested.

  Gao Shen stared directly at Zidane, as if trying to dis his thoughts from his expression.

  The Fren hesitated briefly before expining, "I believe Ronaldo would be our most potent on for sg goals right now."

  His tone was calm, refleg his sincere belief.

  "I don't deny his ability to threaten in critical moments," Gao Shen affirmed initially. But then his tone shifted. "But have you sidered whether we merely want to score in this game?"

  Without waiting for Zidane's response, Gao Shen shook his head and tinued, "No, what we truly want is to win!"

  With a 0-1 deficit from the home leg, sg alone wouldn't suffice. Sg was just the prerequisite; winning required more—a solid defense alongside sg goals.

  Introdug Ronaldo wouldn't necessarily weaken Real Madrid's defense, but it couldn't be overlooked that Ronaldo tributed little defensively.

  Ign his attitude, purely from a physical standpoint, could Ronaldo hahe iy required in this match?

  Zidane had no immediate response, aowledging the depth of Gao Shen's s.

  The discussion briefly touched on Ronaldo, but what Gao Shen truly wao explore was Zidane's physical dition aal state.

  "Based on the Premier League matches this past weekend, Diaby will start with Fabregas likely ing off the bench. I anticipate Wenger will pair Fabregas with Gilberto Silva in midfield for the Champions League midweek," Gao Shen tinued.

  This Spanish youth product from Bara's academy was currently one of the hottest prospects globally. After Wenger sold Vieira, Fabregas had been groomed as Arsenal's midfield lin.

  Predig Wenger's approach wasn't difficult.

  "Zinedine, I o know if you tinue iag midfield role, you effectively tain Fabregas?" Gao Shen asked seriously, emphasizing the importance of this matchup for his formation.

  Gilberto Silva typically pyed deeper due to his height, while Fabregas, younger and more dynamic, excelled in passing, ball trol, and attag prowess. Gao Shen needed assurahat his midfield could tain Fabregas.

  Zidane didn't respond immediately, likely due to his ret 80-minute performance against Atletiadrid, which took its toll.

  After a moment's thought, the Fren nodded and replied, "Don't worry, I won't hold back."

  Before turning 30, he could have guaranteed such a performance, but noroag the twilight of his career, he could only promise to give his best.

  "Uood. I trust you," Gao Shen said with a faint smile.

  This response surprised Zidane slightly. Gao Shen's demeanor was uedly uanding.

  However, behind those calm eyes, Zidane perceived trust.

  The retionship between a head coad pyers was plex. It wasn't easy to earn trust—being a superstar alone wasn't enough.

  Take Lusenberg, for example; he was cautious, especially with superstars. He trusted more in tactics, training, and on-field performances, maintaining a degree of wariness.

  Yet, Gao Shen imparted a different impression upon Zidane.

  Without making grand promises, Gao Shen's trust in Zidane was implicit.

  Zidane pohe question: why?

  When Zidane voiced this query, Gao Shen chuckled softly. "Firstly, we share a on goal: winning. Our determination aligns, which is our mutual i. Sedly, you're not oo make idle promises; every word you utter is carefully sidered."

  "So, tell me, why wouldn't I trust you?"

  This time, Zidane was momentarily speechless.

  He hadn't ied with Gao Shen much. Today marked their sed signifit versatio Gao Shen already struck him as unusual—beyond his 25 years, seeming more like a seasoned veteran.

  Zidane was uable. proach did Gao Shen pn to take against Arsenal?

  When the French superstar posed this question again, Gao Shen chuckled again but offered no definitive answer.

  "I haven't decided yet. When I do, you'll be the first to know."

  Zidane didirely believe this statement.

  Gao Shen likely had a pn, albeit perhaps not a perfee.

  Time was short. Did he truly possess a strategy to overe Arsenal and reverse the aggregate score?

  If so, it would indeed be miraculous.

  Could he perform such a miracle?