We Are the Strongest Team!

"I don't like to say who is the favorite before the game. I think it's very bad."

After training on the familiar ground at the Stade de France, Gao Shen accepted the arrangement of UEFA, attended the pre-match press conference of the Champions League final, and answered questions from reporters on the spot.

This time he could not escape, because UEFA only recognizes the head coach.

Since he attended the press conference, Gao Shen seemed very serious.

Wearing a neat and straight suit, this is the "uniform" that Real Madrid specially found for him. There are three sets in total, all of which are famous brands. Of course, the club's public funds are reimbursed.

He sat upright on the podium, with his hands clasped on the table in front of him, and smiled when answering questions, which really made many media reporters at the scene feel a little strange.

How to say?

They were used to seeing those old sprouts, and it was really surprising that such a small piece of fresh meat suddenly came.

Especially on the stage of the Champions League final.

In the words that the media joked with Gao Shen at the beginning of the press conference, "We are embarrassed to embarrass you."

But when it comes to the serious questioning session, how should media reporters ask, and how should experts answer, they still perform their own duties.

"I think this is the Champions League final, we and Barcelona came here after a lot of tough games, so I don't think anyone can say that they have a chance, both of us have a chance to win the championship."

"Even, in a way, we will be more experienced because we have nine Champions Leagues in our history."

Gao Shen obviously does not intend to admit the strength of Barcelona.

Although, in private, he repeatedly emphasized it in front of the players, but that is another question.

Some media asked, what kind of tactics does Gao Shen plan to adopt in this final? Have you ever looked into Barca's game footage? Or what tactics have been arranged specifically for Barcelona?

In the game against Sevilla, Gao Shen arranged for Arbeloa to play as a left-back, which was highly praised, because in that game, Sevilla's right side was basically paralyzed, which shows the success of Real Madrid's left side.

But Gao Shen smiled and shook his head, "Since the game at Camp Nou, I haven't studied them seriously. I have watched some of their games recently. I think, in fact, Barcelona has taken the lead in the Champions League and the league. It's two different sets of tactics, and they're more pragmatic in the Champions League."

This is the truth.

Rijkaard learned from the experience of previous Champions League defeats and played more pragmatically in the Champions League.

In other words, more emphasis on defense.

In the league, Barcelona is actually playing beautiful offensive football.

Therefore, Gao Shen will say that they are two different sets of play.

A reporter mentioned Messi, who has been training with the main team recently.

"It's not surprising." Gao Shen was still smiling, obviously calm, "Messi is a very good and talented player. I even think that his future will be phenomenal. Although he is still very young, I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the starting line-up for the Champions League final."

"On the contrary, I will remind my players to be careful with Messi. He will be a threat not to lose to Ronaldinho."

Gao Shen's remarks are the highest evaluation of Messi.

You know, Ronaldinho is the number one player in the world of football, and Gao Shen believes that Messi's threat is enough to compare with Ronaldinho, which is already a very high praise.

"Mr. Gao, you are only 25 years old this year. You are the youngest head coach in the history of the Champions League, in the history of the Champions League final, and in the history of Real Madrid. Now, it is the last game of the season. What do you think? What is your coaching experience at Real Madrid? Do you think it is a success?"

Gao nodded gratefully towards the Marca reporter, thinking of this person, but did not know the name.

"I think it's been a wonderful season. I first came into contact with football in 1998, when I was watching the World Cup in France, I met Ronaldo, I met Zidane, I met Owen, I met Beckham..."

When Gao Shen said this, he smiled very happily, which is true.

"At the time, like everyone else, I had a dream that one day I would be able to play alongside these great superstars, but then I found out that I didn't have the talent for this, I couldn't play football, and I didn't know how to play football. Interest still made me choose football, I am very proud of myself for making this choice, and I am grateful to all those who helped me make this choice."

"Before February 28, I never imagined that I could become the head coach of Real Madrid, it was a dream, but I didn't expect it to become a reality, and so fast, I wasn't even mentally prepared. I just froze there."

This high-level statement is obviously different from Chairman Martin's statement.

Because according to Martin, he paid attention to Gao Shen very early. He believed that Gao Shen had such potential and understood Gao Shen's talents, so he resolutely chose Gao Shen.

But what Gao Shen said now is obviously wrong with Martin.

Which is true and which is false?

In fact, there is no need to guess at all.

"This is an incredible thing. I feel like Frodo in *The Lord of the Rings*, and suddenly I got a supreme Ring that countless people dream of. I have to remind myself all the time, never don't be fooled by it, I have to stay calm and rational at all times, but also show courage and determination."

"Frodo has his Fellowship of the Ring, and so do I. I have a lot of outstanding comrades around me, not just our players, but the coaching staff, and others."

"I would like to say that Real Madrid was able to reach the final, which is by no means the credit of me alone, but also the players, coaches, staff, and everyone from Real Madrid, and it is a great honor for me to play alongside them."

What Gao Shen wants to convey is that the most important thing for him during this process is not actually coaching Real Madrid, but the various opportunities and challenges he faced while coaching Real Madrid, and the various people he met.

That's what he values ​​most.

There was a burst of warm applause.

The high-level answer may not satisfy everyone, but it is sincere.

More importantly, this is the first time that Gao Shen has analyzed his past to the outside world and his thoughts on coaching Real Madrid.

...

Afterward, the media reporters raised a lot of questions in succession, and Gao Shen answered them one by one patiently, with the same attitude as always, neither humble nor arrogant, neither proud of winning the La Liga championship, nor too modest.

Especially for some media reporters who asked questions, they think that Real Madrid is now playing ugly and conservative football.

Gao Shen gave a clear rebuttal.

"I don't think so. Maybe because we scored few goals, because our offense is not flashy enough, and we have been criticized and criticized a lot, but this is by no means conservative."

"I believe that everyone who has watched our Real Madrid game will find that our game is actually fast-paced, and our passing and receiving are more concise, which makes us lose the gorgeousness in the impression of many people, but makes us more aggressive."

"What we are best at is active pressing and pressing in the midfield and frontcourt. We don't like to give up rhythm and space to our opponents, which makes us look conservative, but in fact, we have a strong control over the game and do not lose. to the opponent."

Gao Shen was not satisfied with defending himself, but gave a rare counterattack, which in turn threw a question.

"If we are conservative, then many of the representatives of the gorgeous offensive football that you are talking about have adopted similar tactics in the Champions League and adopted the same style of play many times in the league, so do they too?"

Gao Shen almost pointed at the noses of those media reporters face to face and said, "You are too double standard!"

Barcelona adopts two different tactics in the league and the Champions League. Even in the league, they often play more conservatively.

Don't you know that gorgeous offensive football is built on the basis of strong strength?

If you don't have enough strength, you are a gorgeous hammer!

Don't media reporters know these simplest truths?

No, they know, but they never say it.

Not only do they not say it, but they also pretend not to know and attack you with that.

This is the uncrowned king!

Some media dug a hole for Gao Shen and asked him, "Do you think Barcelona is the most powerful team in world football today?"

This is not really a good answer.

Is Barcelona strong?

This doesn't really need to be said, because it is universally recognized.

But if Gao Shen admits the strength of Barcelona, ​​it is tantamount to belittling Real Madrid in disguise, which is not good for tomorrow night's final.

Gao Shen was a little troubled, obviously hesitated for a while, and laughed again.

"That's a good question. I guess you must be from Catalonia."

There was a burst of laughter at the scene.

The reporter nodded, "I'm a reporter from the Daily Sports Catalonia."

"OK, I know your answer."

"But we want to know your answer." The reporter still insisted.

There were also many media reporters at the scene who were very interested and wanted to know how Gao Shen would answer this difficult question.

"You know, I never like to rely on words. I prefer to answer with facts, so I can only tell you now, and I will give you my answer tomorrow night."

"I believe the strongest team is the one that wins the Champions League tomorrow night. This is the highest and most authoritative competition in world football. Only the strongest team deserves this honor."

"Tomorrow night, I hope that after the game, I can still see you at this stadium."

Gao Shen's response was full of provocation, but everyone present felt his confidence and fighting spirit.

He did not admit or deny Barcelona's strength, but he was confident that he would beat Barcelona tomorrow night and use this Champions League victory to prove that Real Madrid is, or can be, the most powerful team in the world.

The scene erupted in warm applause.

Many media reporters applauded Gao Shen's answer.