On the evening of January 30th, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.

When Gao Shen walked out of the home team tunnel, the 80,000 Real Madrid fans inside the Bernabéu erupted into deafening cheers.

They were shouting his name with wild enthusiasm, letting the whole world feel his status and influence at Real Madrid.

Gao Shen was used to this by now, but he still felt proud. He raised his hand and waved to the Real Madrid fans in the stands.

As the home team's coach, Gao Shen made his way to the visiting team's bench to greet Jordi Roura, Barcelona's assistant coach and acting head coach. The two shook hands and hugged.

Not only that, Gao Shen also stood with Roura on the touchline for a moment, asking with genuine concern about Vilanova's condition.

Just a few days before this match, Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova's illness had worsened and he was hospitalized again, reportedly needing another surgery.

Although they were rivals, Gao Shen had sent his best wishes immediately. He not only posted a message of support on Twitter, but also called Vilanova personally to check on him, as a matter of courtesy.

Deep down, however, Gao Shen knew Vilanova's situation was grave.

In fact, many people had guessed as much, but no one wanted to say it aloud.

On behalf of Vilanova, Roura expressed his gratitude to Gao Shen.

After a brief chat, Gao Shen returned to the home bench.

The entire exchange was caught by fans, the media, and the live broadcast cameras.

…

"He is completely different from Mourinho," Jose Sanchez remarked from his seat in the presidential box, as the noise of the crowd continued.

Even though this was only Gao Shen's first season back at Real Madrid, his commercial value was already clear. With the club's commercial department actively promoting him, many sponsors had approached seeking partnerships with Gao Shen.

These deals also brought profits to Real Madrid.

More importantly, Gao Shen's public image was excellent.

Although some of his actions sparked debate at times, his personality and manner of dealing with people were far more widely accepted by fans and media around the world, unlike Mourinho, who often came across as combative and polarizing.

Florentino nodded with a satisfied smile. He had always believed that bringing Gao Shen back to Real Madrid would be one of his smartest decisions.

"Although it's a bit…" Florentino paused, clearly hesitant to say it outright, "Vilanova's absence will have a significant impact on Barcelona. We should be more confident, right?"

Valdano and Butragueño both nodded.

To many outsiders, the head coach's job might seem limited to running training, studying opponents, arranging the starting lineup, and shouting instructions during a match. On the surface, it might seem as though the coach is not essential during the actual game.

But this is a major misunderstanding of the role.

Mourinho, for example, was known to deliberately sit in a visible spot in the stands when suspended, so that his players could look up and see him. He would still direct the team through phones and other devices.

It was not just about giving instructions. It was to tell the players, "I'm here."

Some might not understand why this matters. But think about it: in a classroom, students behave differently when the teacher is present compared to when they are not. In an office, employees often work differently when the boss is there.

The same is true in football.

Whether called a manager in England or a coach in continental Europe, the head coach carries the responsibility of a project leader. He is accountable for the results and cannot shirk that responsibility.

The relationship between coach and players is not merely cooperative, it is one of leadership and trust.

Listen to me, work hard for me, and believe that I can lead you to victory.

When this relationship breaks down, as it did in Gao Shen's previous life when Mourinho clashed with the Real Madrid dressing room and banned Casillas, the entire team suffers.

Barcelona's current situation was unusual. The relationship had not broken down, but with the head coach unable to perform his duties and the assistant stepping in, the authority was simply not the same. The players remained disciplined, but it was not the same as following their actual head coach.

That can easily create problems.

Of course, Barcelona's quality meant they could still beat most teams without a head coach.

But Real Madrid was not most teams.

"I heard Gao Shen has been preparing meticulously for this game and even expressed regret that Vilanova wouldn't be on the touchline," Butragueño said with a smile.

Florentino nodded. "Yes. Without Vilanova, even if we win, it will not feel entirely complete."

Those around them smiled knowingly.

As Barcelona's long-time rival, there was nothing Real Madrid wanted more than to beat them.

In recent years, Real Madrid had suffered enough.

…

Both teams sent out their strongest lineups for tonight's match.

Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas.

Defence: Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal.

Midfield: Xabi Alonso sitting deep, with Toni Kroos and Modric in the center.

Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema, Di María.

Casillas was the first-choice keeper for cup competitions such as the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, while Courtois was used in the league. The two had worked well in rotation.

In defence, Marcelo was in the stands tonight, continuing his recovery training. Gao Shen did not use Marcos Alonso or Nacho, instead starting veteran Arbeloa, a decision aimed at countering Barcelona's style.

Barcelona also played 4-3-3.

Goalkeeper: Valdés.

Defence: Alba, Puyol, Piqué, Alves.

Midfield: Busquets holding, Iniesta and Xavi ahead.

Forwards: Alexis Sánchez, Messi, Agüero.

The three forwards often switched positions between Agüero, Sánchez, and Messi.

Barcelona rarely crossed from the byline, preferring to cut inside. Using Arbeloa at full-back to deal with Agüero and Messi made sense in this context.

The Real Madrid captain's armband was on Pepe's arm. At the coin toss, he gave Barcelona the kickoff.

Messi and Agüero stood in the center circle. When the referee blew the whistle, they immediately played the ball back to Piqué.

Real Madrid's front three pressed forward instantly.

Benzema led the charge, closing down Piqué and Puyol.

Piqué retreated to the top of the penalty area and passed back to Valdés.

Valdés stopped the ball near the six-yard box. Barcelona's familiar build-up shape appeared.

Piqué and Puyol split wide, one in front of the box, one to the side. Busquets dropped deep between them, forming a classic passing diamond in front of their goal.

Benzema did not commit to chasing Piqué or Puyol, instead tracking Busquets. If Real Madrid overcommitted to press the center-backs, Barcelona would bypass them with passes into midfield or beyond, which was dangerous.

After scanning the field, Valdés passed to Piqué, who advanced before Benzema applied light pressure.

Piqué then sent the ball across to Puyol in space.

Puyol drove forward but Real Madrid's defensive shape adjusted quickly.

Benzema dropped back to keep marking Busquets, Ronaldo tracked Alves, Di María followed Alba, and Modric stepped up.

Seeing no opening, Puyol stopped and passed back to Piqué, who now had Xavi dropping deep to receive.

Benzema and Modric, however, stayed focused on Busquets.

It was clear Real Madrid did not care about Barcelona's short passes at the back, nor did they press Xavi deep. Their attention was locked on Busquets, keeping the formation compact.

Xavi turned and advanced. Barcelona pushed forward slowly, Real Madrid dropped in unison.

Suddenly, Agüero dropped deep into the space between Ronaldo, Kroos, and Benzema to receive.

Di María alerted Kroos, who immediately closed in.

Before Agüero could control Xavi's pass, Kroos got tight to him, using his body to shield the ball and poking it away.

Agüero tried to hold him off, but the German's height and reach gave him the advantage. Kroos was no stranger to physical duels, and at the precise moment before Agüero could trap the ball, he stepped in and stabbed it away.

The ball rolled toward Barcelona's defence, but Xavi had already pushed forward. Alves came to collect, yet Ronaldo was quicker, darting in to intercept, pushing the ball past Alves and bursting forward in long strides.

In a flash, Ronaldo was tearing toward the left corner of Barcelona's box.

Piqué moved across to cover, sliding in decisively. Ronaldo reacted faster, slipping the ball into the penalty area in an attempt to beat him one-on-one.

But Piqué's momentum caught Ronaldo's leg, sending the Portuguese winger tumbling inside the box.

The referee's sharp whistle sounded immediately.

(To be continued.)