The strongest is the weakest!

Gao Shen was increasingly impressed by what Beckenbauer had said back then.

When you use every possible means to create the strongest attacking point, it often becomes your most fatal weakness.

Just like Barcelona's tactical play, where they desperately tried to control possession, in the end it was this passing and possession system that became a rut, preventing further improvement.

Not only was it difficult for players outside the system to adapt to it, but even the players within it were increasingly constrained, losing a clear understanding of themselves and repeatedly making the same mistakes.

In Gao Shen's previous life, many people knew about Barcelona's problems. Even Barcelona themselves were aware of them, yet they simply couldn't change.

Every head coach who tried to make changes ended up with poor results.

The stronger the dominance at that time, the greater the resistance to reform.

This was almost identical to what happened when Ferguson retired from Manchester United.

Now, the same was true for the Barcelona side he was facing.

When Xabi Alonso found himself without any defenders around, the Spanish midfielder's advance put immediate pressure on Barcelona's back line.

Di María cut inside, received Xabi Alonso's pass, and turned forward, forcing Jordi Alba to follow and mark him. At that moment, Carvajal was sprinting up the right flank.

Alba was suddenly caught in a dilemma.

Should he defend Di María or Carvajal?

The result was that Di María passed to the right. Carvajal took the ball in stride to the byline, accelerated at full speed, and charged straight into the right side of the penalty area.

Both of Barcelona's centre-backs had already retreated, but Puyol was forced to shift right, while Piqué kept his focus on Benzema, completely ignoring Ronaldo arriving from behind.

Carvajal whipped in a cross that flew across the penalty area and dropped just beyond the far post.

Ronaldo made a blistering run, leapt high, and powered a close-range header into the left side of Barcelona's net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"In the 19th minute, Real Madrid have scored again!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo with a brilliant header extends Real Madrid's lead."

"2-0!"

The entire Santiago Bernabéu erupted like a festival.

Real Madrid fans leapt from their seats in frenzy, cheering and shouting at the top of their lungs.

So fast, so exhilarating!

From the interception to the goal, the entire sequence unfolded in seconds, catching Barcelona completely off guard.

Even many Real Madrid supporters in the stands didn't clearly see how it happened before the ball was already in the net.

It was this lightning-fast counterattack and goal that drove the home fans into even greater excitement and euphoria.

The whole Bernabéu was shaking with chants of Hala Madrid.

2-0!

Real Madrid had further widened their advantage.

…

Central Park, New York City, USA.

Guardiola and his wife, Cristina Serra, sat in their living room watching the crucial clash taking place in Madrid.

At this moment, hundreds of millions around the globe were tuned in, a testament to the influence of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But in this world-famous fixture, Barcelona had been hit hard by Real Madrid right after kick-off.

In terms of possession, Barcelona had nearly 70%, while Real Madrid held only 30%.

On paper, it looked like Real Madrid were playing far too conservatively.

But looking at the attacking threat and the flow of play, that impression was completely overturned.

Despite dominating possession, Barcelona had barely threatened. By the 20th minute, they had only managed one attempt, and it failed to hit the target.

By contrast, Real Madrid, with less possession, were far more incisive, producing five shots, three on target, and two goals scored. A remarkable level of efficiency.

Behind that efficiency was Real Madrid's deadly counterattack.

When those counterattacks repeatedly tore open Barcelona's defence, the threat level naturally soared, and so did the conversion rate.

"What's going on?" Cristina asked with a frown.

She was also a Barcelona supporter and good friends with Gao Shen, but in this match, their whole family firmly backed Barcelona.

Yet now, Barcelona were being outplayed.

"We've fallen into a fatal trap," Guardiola said helplessly.

"Fatal trap?"

Guardiola didn't explain. To clearly outline Barcelona's Achilles' heel would take a long conversation. Even then, Cristina might not understand, as such things weren't as simple as fans imagined.

In his eyes, Barcelona had not only been targeted at their weak spot, but the players on the pitch also lacked the ability to adapt.

They kept playing at the same rhythm.

By contrast, Real Madrid's rhythm shifted constantly.

In defence, they used one tempo. In counterattack, another.

Even their pressing varied in intensity.

Under such conditions, Barcelona, despite their high possession, found it difficult to dictate the rhythm.

That was truly a dangerous situation.

Cristina didn't dare ask whether things would be better if he were in charge.

She knew well that Guardiola and Vilanova had fallen out.

Although Guardiola had helped while Vilanova recovered, a fallout was still a fallout.

"If you were managing this match, would you have a chance of winning?" she asked from a different angle.

Guardiola shook his head. "No."

The answer was short and clear.

"Barça have a very strong squad."

"Really not!" Guardiola repeated firmly.

Cristina still didn't quite understand.

"Gao Shen can get Real Madrid to play this kind of defensive counterattack, but no one can get Barcelona to play it," Guardiola said with a sigh. "That's the gap between ideals and reality."

Even if he were Barcelona's head coach, he wouldn't employ defensive counterattacks.

But he had to admit that against Barcelona, a defensive counterattack was the smartest approach.

Who in the world could outdo Barcelona in possession and attacking play?

However, Guardiola now had another pressing question — how to deal with this powerful Real Madrid?

It was obvious they had been honed to perfection.

What Gao Shen needed next was to further refine and strengthen his team.

With his meticulous nature, he could easily play around with different systems at Real Madrid, whether it was the 4-3-1-2 he had used before or other tactical variations.

Gao Shen had never been a restrained coach. On the contrary, he was more daring and spent more than anyone else.

But he was also highly pragmatic and never gambled recklessly with results.

"Do you regret accepting Bayern's offer?" Cristina asked.

Not long ago, Guardiola had met with Bayern's top management in New York for the second time, finally accepting the invitation of Rummenigge and Hoeness. After Heynckes announced he would retire at the end of the season, Guardiola had agreed to take over.

It was Ferguson who had facilitated the contact. At the time, Ferguson was in the United States for a Manchester United commercial event, and arranged for Guardiola to have dinner with Bayern's executives.

At the time, Guardiola thought Ferguson was going to invite him to manage Manchester United.

But now, coaching Bayern didn't seem like the ideal choice.

Because this powerful Real Madrid was about to rise.

"No, you're wrong, Cristina," Guardiola said, shaking his head.

His expression was solemn, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes.

"I can't wait any longer. I need more pressure to figure out how to counter Gao Shen's tactics. For that, I must manage a top club that can face Real Madrid."

After speaking, Guardiola couldn't help but laugh.

"In my coaching career, Gao Shen is like a towering mountain. I must surpass him!"

His eyes shone with determination.

…

The first half ended with Real Madrid leading 2-0.

This was largely because, after conceding twice, Barcelona became more cautious.

While Barcelona held the advantage in passing and possession, Real Madrid played steadily and didn't rush to win the ball back.

Gao Shen had repeatedly reminded his players before the match that the most important thing against Barcelona was unity, and no one could act alone.

Either stay in position, or if you move, the whole team moves together.

When the players walked off the pitch, they were visibly excited. As they high-fived Gao Shen, they wore satisfied smiles, clearly pleased with leading Barcelona 2-0 at home.

Gao Shen was also pleased with the result.

Barcelona had created a few chances, the most dangerous being a direct free-kick from Xavi, but Casillas pulled off a fine save.

This confirmed that Gao Shen's decision to let Casillas play in the cup and Courtois in the league was an effective way to motivate both keepers, keeping them disciplined and in form.

So far, Gao Shen's handling of Casillas had been praised unanimously by the club's management, fans, and media. Considering the disputes Casillas had with Mourinho last season, Gao Shen's approach was excellent.

More importantly, Casillas's girlfriend had barely been in the headlines lately.

It was clear Casillas had also reined her in.

This love-struck guy needed some pressure.

Gao Shen didn't hesitate to give praise.

Back in the dressing room, the first person he complimented was Casillas.

Varane had also performed superbly, earning Gao Shen's approval.

The young defender had worked tirelessly tonight, especially in keeping Messi under control.

Gao Shen encouraged him to keep it up and try to keep Messi scoreless in the second half.

"If you can shut down Barcelona's attack through the middle, I'll give you the credit for tonight's game!" Gao Shen said with a smile.

Ronaldo was the first to respond, promising to treat Varane to a meal.

The others quickly joined in, shouting that everyone should get a share.

Everyone knew Ronaldo had scored already, and if Barcelona and Messi stayed goalless, it would be a win in every sense.

In high spirits, the Portuguese forward agreed.

Gao Shen then addressed a few issues from the first half, but stressed that the second half would be even more important.

"Once again, until the final whistle, everyone must stay 100% focused and follow the tactics. Only then can we beat Barcelona!"

"I'm very confident we can score more goals in this game!" Gao Shen said firmly.

(To be continued.)