Bara's draw was like a bomb, sending shockwaves through Spanish and European football.

  The previously certain La Liga champion now faced ued twists and turns. Who would have thought?

  In Spain, even media were soul-searg, questioning what had gone wrong with Rijkaard's team retly.

  The Daily Sports devoted two pages to analyzing the match, ultimately attributing Bara's draw to Ronaldinho's absence.

  Real Madrid had been fiercely closing the gap, and Bara took each game very seriously, fearing an ued reversal. Rijkaard did his best, resting only Ronaldinho, who had been pying secutively. The rest of the lineup remained unged, with teenager Rodri partnering with Puyol in defense.

  However, without Ronaldinho, the team struggled to win.

  Despite an astonishing 80% possession, Baranaged only ten shots, with three on target, resulting in two goals. Athletitander, pying at home, had about 20% possession but created eight shots, three on target, and scored two goals, matg Bara's offeput.

  Santander's head coach, Manolo Preciado, was unsurprised by the draw. At the post-match press ference, he expressed fidehat his team could have won if they had pyed slightly better.

  Preciado openly admitted that he had gained valuable experience defending against Bara from the national derby at Camp Nou. "Looking at the match, a two-to-o in our favor would have been reasonable," he said.

  Preciado's remarks attracted siderable media attention. Although he hadn't performed well this season and cked an impressive resume, his extensive football experie 59 years old was not to be uimated.

  Was the Camp Nou match really so instructive?

  Acc to Daily Sports, Santander replicated Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1 tactics, particurly the back line, effectively ralizing Bara's front three. Without Ronaldinho, Bara lost their attag core, leaving Larsoo'o, and Giuli to fend for themselves. Ded Ia were also physically exhausted after tinuous matches.

  Daily Sports pointed out that Ronaldinho had missed six games this season, with Bara winning two, drawing two, and losing two—an unqualified performance for La Liga leaders, undersg Ronaldinho's importance. However, even he needed rest.

  The Daily Sports trasted this with Real Madrid. Despite peting on two fronts, Gao Shen rotated most pyers for the home game against Real Sociedad and still won 1-0.

  While the Baredia took a jab at Gao Shen's servative style, g that most of his games siaking charge had ended with a single goal, they couldn't ignore his effective rotation and decisive use of Brazilian pyers, who tio propel Real Madrid forward.

  The Daily Sports suggested that Rijkaard and his team should strategize for the dual challenges of La Liga and the Champions League, with uping matches against Vilrreal in the Champions League semifinals.

  With Real Madrid fag A and Bareeting Vilrreal, three La Liga teams in the Champions League semifinals highlighted the league's strength but also warned Bara of the challenges ahead.

  ...

  Bara's draw silenced many critics of Gao Shen's servative approabsp;

  Despite frequent one-nil victories, Real Madrid had sistently secured three points, especially through strong defense. Since Gao Shen took over, Real Madrid had gone seven secutive La Liga rounds without g—a visible improvement.

  Some cimed Real Madrid's points were earhrough defense.

  Regardless, Real Madrid was closing the gap, tying Bara on points. With six league games remaining, no one could rule out a Real Madrid eback.

  Spanish public opinion began to shift, with more media praising Real Madrid's defense and pyer efforts.

  A Madrid neer reported that after defeating Juventus, Real Madrid stars did not take a vacation but immediately prepared for the match.

  Uhe Gactic Battleship era, the team usually took a day off after such matches, or at least half a day, allowing stars to rest. These breaks often doubled as opportunities for pyers to earra ihrough business events.

  Historically, the stars' business activities during breaks were a tentious issue, criticized especially when team performance oor.

  However, during Gao Shen's teeam vacations were frequently celed without troversy. Media even published photos of Raul, Ronaldo, Zidane, and Beckham training is post-Juventus, showg a transformed Real Madrid.

  "We don't know what kind of magic Gao Shen wields to and these rebellious superstars, but Real Madrid has normalized under his leadership," o stated.

  "This is the secret behind Real Madrid's seven-game winning streak!"

  ...

  After tying with Bara, Gao Shen still avoided the post-match press ference, letting Maqueda take the spotlight instead.

  The media, dissatisfied, felt slighted. Some reporters even threatened Maqueda, saying, "If he doesn't attend the press ference again, we will boycott Real Madrid!"

  But such threats held little weight. Despite past performance dees, Real Madrid's star power and this season's dramatiarrative made them irresistible to the media.

  Maqueda, unfazed, veyed Gao Shen's message: "I believe Bara will make mistakes again, and we will catch up."

  Looking at his notes, Maqueda hesitated, then read Gao Shen's statement: "There's not much time left. I hope everyone prepares for how to write about Real Madrid winning the championship!"

  Initially, the room fell silent, theed in uproar.

  Such arrogaying Bara in points led some to prematurely assume a championship was within reach. But Real Madrid still ranked sed.

  However, some media pondered deeper meanings. Was this psychological warfare? A motivational tactic for pyers?

  Amidst the buzz, Maqueda felt puzzled. Wasn't it just a casual remark from Gao Shen?

  Despite the media's deep analysis, Maqueda knew ohing: Gao Shen's strategies, though sometimes seeming simple, often had profound impabsp;

  Gao Shen might look young, but his tactid insights made him an enigma, anding resped awe.

  To Maqueda, Gao Shen was like a mysterious monster in the abyss, always a step ahead.