"Welcome back to Sky Sports."

The studio camera zoomed in from a wide shot, showing the host and commentator sitting upright in their suits.

The commentator for today's match was former Real Madrid star Santiago Solari.

He played for Real Madrid from 2000 to 2005, during which he won a Champions League title. Coming from a football family, his father and uncle were both Argentine internationals, and his brother-in-law was former Real Madrid legend Fernando Redondo.

In January 2011, Solari officially announced his retirement and soon returned to Spain to attend the Spanish coaching training program.

Now, while completing his coaching studies, he also works as a television commentator.

This is a common path for many former professionals.

The second half was about to begin, and Solari's assessment of the first half was unexpected.

"Ronaldo's free-kick was quite a surprise.

I think all fans familiar with Ronaldo will agree, because in the past we rarely saw him play like this. Now, he gives off the impression of someone with a strong sense of team honour."

"Another surprise was the dominance Real Madrid showed.

Yes, they were at an absolute disadvantage in terms of possession, but judging from the match itself, I think everyone can see that Real Madrid had the upper hand, especially in terms of creating threatening chances."

"Gao Shen has brought about huge changes at Real Madrid, solving problems that have lingered for years."

"I think even the most critical Real Madrid fan would have to admit that."

"He truly shows the value of a world-class coach."

Solari believed Gao Shen was the key factor behind Real Madrid's outstanding performances this season, calling it a textbook example.

"I've been taking coaching training in Spain. Our instructor asked us to analyse Real Madrid's tactics and match preparation. He believes everything Gao Shen has done at Real Madrid is worth studying and learning from for all coaches."

"You know, at the start of the season, when the La Liga fixtures came out, we all knew Real Madrid would have a tough time because the Champions League group stage schedule is fixed. Combining that with the league schedule, there was no escaping a nightmare run. It was brutal."

"But when the Champions League group draw came out, we all went crazy. The schedule was insane!"

"You have to understand, our training class is made up entirely of former professionals, many with international caps. Everyone knows football, but when we saw this schedule, especially after Marcelo and Arbeloa were injured, we all thought it was crazy."

"But Real Madrid still qualified second in their group."

Solari clapped his hands hard, praising them repeatedly. "I can't understand why there are still people doubting them. Criticising is always easier than solving problems, but when you try to actually do it, you realise how hard it is."

"Looking at Real Madrid at the start of the season compared to now, the change is enormous."

"Ramos suspended? Look how well Varane has played. Messi has barely had a good moment tonight. Wherever he went, Varane was there."

"Arbeloa playing left-back is normal for Gao Shen. He did the same when he first took charge. And Carvajal on the right, my God, he's definitely a gem Gao Shen has unearthed for Real Madrid."

"My former teammate Carlos had a falling out with Gao Shen and still hasn't let it go. But after seeing Real Madrid this season, he told me, 'Oh my God, Carvajal is just like me back then.'"

"But what surprised me the most is Real Madrid's tactical system. It is so stable, it doesn't feel like the old Real Madrid at all."

"In recent years, Real Madrid's defence always felt unstable, relying too much on individual ability, which left people uneasy."

"But this season, even tonight, Real Madrid give a sense of security."

"I even have a strong feeling they'll score again in the second half."

As he spoke, the live broadcast showed players from both teams walking back onto the pitch.

The feed switched to the Bernabéu.

…

With the whistle to start the second half, it was clear Real Madrid had made changes.

From the kick-off, they were noticeably more aggressive in pushing forward.

After losing the ball in the final third, they changed the first-half approach, committing more players to counter-pressing near Barcelona's penalty area instead of retreating quickly to the halfway line.

The pressing was coordinated across the whole team, not just a few players chasing.

This was clearly a tactical instruction from Gao Shen.

Barcelona still controlled the ball with their slow passing, but under Real Madrid's pressure they struggled to advance. Even Messi was forced to drop deep to collect the ball and help build up play.

Real Madrid's players worked as a unit. When they saw they could not press further, they immediately retreated to positions near the halfway line.

This brought the match back to the pattern of the first half.

Barcelona tried to move the ball forward repeatedly, looking to push Real Madrid into their defensive third, but Real Madrid maintained heavy numbers between the 30-metre zone and the halfway line, refusing to drop deeper.

As soon as Barcelona's passes entered this area, they were quickly surrounded.

Barcelona were also consciously avoiding playing too much down the flanks.

In the first half, Real Madrid often defended in a compact, fan-shaped formation. On the wings, where space is naturally limited, this was particularly effective, and Barcelona had lost the ball there many times.

In the second half, however, the focus shifted to the middle.

But everyone knows the middle is the most crowded area to attack.

Barcelona kept trying vertical passes and lofted balls, but almost none reached Real Madrid's 30-metre zone. Forced back, they often had to recycle possession.

In just over a minute, the two sides had already exchanged several attacking and defensive sequences.

But Barcelona were pushed all the way back into their own half.

Puyol received the ball without immediate pressure.

The captain took two steps forward before seeing Benzema close him down. Alba had already advanced on the left, but Di María tracked him all the way, preventing Puyol from passing there. He was forced to hold the ball.

At that moment, Iniesta dropped back from the front, raising his hand for the pass.

As soon as Puyol's ball reached him, Iniesta felt pressure from behind. Just as he tried to turn, the two collided heavily.

Iniesta lost his balance, stumbled, and the ball escaped his control.

"Modric with a great interception."

"Iniesta down on the pitch, but the referee waves play on, no foul."

"Benzema beats Busquets to the ball and lays it off to Di María."

Di María brought it in with his left foot and played diagonally towards the middle. Benzema moved to the right, while Ronaldo cut inside from the left channel, ready to support.

Real Madrid's front three combined in perfect synchrony.

Di María took two quick touches, and before Xavi could close him down, passed to the right with his left foot before sprinting into the middle.

By now, Ronaldo had advanced to the right side of the D.

If you froze the frame, you would see Barcelona had seven defenders near the penalty area, while only three Real Madrid players in white were attacking.

Even so, Benzema held off Alba, played a diagonal ball into the right side of the box, and then made a horizontal run into the middle.

Ronaldo burst into the right of the penalty area. Instead of taking the pass for himself, he shielded the ball from Puyol and Piqué and flicked it back with the outside of his right foot into Benzema's path.

Two Real Madrid attackers had broken through four Barcelona defenders.

Benzema received the ball on the right corner of the six-yard box, leaving Alba, Iniesta and others trailing.

Puyol reacted quickly, turning and charging at Benzema to block a shot.

But Benzema feinted, didn't strike, drew Puyol into a sliding block, and slipped the ball across to the left side of the penalty spot.

Di María, who had sprinted forward after his earlier pass, was perfectly positioned. He controlled with his left foot and instantly shot with the same foot.

The ball flew almost in a straight line into the bottom left corner of Barcelona's goal.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"Di María!"

"Real Madrid's third goal!"

After scoring, the Argentine winger turned and sprinted towards the stands, making a heart gesture with his hands.

His teammates chased after him and surrounded him in celebration.

"Barcelona's defending there!"

"Seven defenders undone by just three Real Madrid attackers."

"Yes, it was a fast counterattack, but Barcelona's defensive organisation has serious problems."

"No structure, no flexibility, and torn apart in seconds."

"The combination play between Real Madrid's front three was breathtaking, completely outplaying Barcelona."

"We all know this used to be Barcelona's specialty, but now Real Madrid are using it to score against them."

"3-0!"

"This is a very bad situation for Barcelona."

"Real Madrid score again within two minutes of the restart."

The Bernabéu roared with the celebrations of the home fans.

The camera cut to the touchline, where Gao Shen was pumping his fists in delight.

He had said they would score again in the second half.

But no one expected it to happen so quickly.

As he had repeatedly told his players, Barcelona's defence was actually very poor.

In the past, their strong possession play and dangerous counterattacks had masked these flaws.

Now, with their counterattack weakened and their running power reduced, the issues were fully exposed.

"Believe it or not, I feel like we can score again," Gao Shen said to Zidane.

Zidane laughed aloud.

(To be continued.)