Chapter 1 Zinedine

After Zinedine took over Real Madrid, the changes were earth-shattering. It was just because Real Madrid's record under Benitez had problems before, and they failed to close the huge gap by the end of the season.

Benitez is known as a tactical master. Decades of coaching career have given him more experience and richer tactical skills. In theory, his ability is stronger than Zinedine, a rookie coach.

Why is there such a big gap between the two in coaching Real Madrid?

The reason lies in the personalities of the two.

Benitez has a stubborn personality. He needs the players to adapt to his tactical system.

Under his strict requirements, almost everyone was fixed on the field.

As a result, the team's tactical literacy is of course extremely high, but this stifles the players' spirituality and creativity.

Real Madrid is different from ordinary strong teams. The team is full of players with extremely strong individual abilities such as Bale and Ronaldo.

Benitez forcibly instilled his tactical ideas into them, making them operate like machines.

The entire Real Madrid team played awkwardly on the field, with mechanical crosses and helpless runs.

There was no spirituality at all, let alone flowing smoothly.

Benitez couldn't hear the voices of the players. In the locker room, he couldn't unite this group of superstars at all.

So not only his tactics were not recognized by the players, but he himself could not convince the big guys. His failure at Real Madrid was doomed.

Benitez is an excellent coach. He can make a not-so-strong team competitive, and he can also make a strong team and a giant fight on the field, but he cannot coach a giant club.

Zinedine is different. His coaching philosophy is very smart: attack, fluency, control, and counterattack.

He liberated Ronaldo and found the instructions for using BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo). The strength and speed, counterattack and impact reached a terrifying level.

He doesn't stick to formalities and lets the players show themselves to their hearts' content. Marcelo and Carvajal are no longer fixed, frequently moving forward. At critical moments, they can also retreat to their positions like desperate saburo.

Almost all Real Madrid players have found themselves and are no longer so awkward.

More importantly, Zinedine himself is a legend. His skills, character, honor, and leadership ability allow him to easily control the Real Madrid locker room and unite these superstars closely.

After mastering the locker room, his tactics can be released more perfectly. Under him, BBC not only needs to attack, but also needs to cooperate on the wing to protect the space on both wings and liberate the offensive talents of the two full-backs.

Zinedine's style is as elegant as his character, perfectly in line with Real Madrid's style.

This Real Madrid team is united, has spirituality, a clear offensive core, and surging passion.

If he could have taken over Real Madrid earlier last season, the Champions League and the league might have been more competitive.

In Zhao Gang's previous life, Zinedine's Real Madrid had already started a three-连冠 (three-peat) in the Champions League, but here, last season, Real Madrid was blocked by Juventus' extremely resilient defense and did not go any further.

This season's Real Madrid is sweeping La Liga, with the most offensive firepower in La Liga, firmly suppressing Barcelona.

Of course, there are also unknown contradictions within Real Madrid.

Not between players, nor between coaches and players.

But the contradiction between Florentino and Ronaldo.

It's just that Ronaldo is not yet aware of these things. Real Madrid is currently on the road to victory. As a player with a strong desire to win, Ronaldo is now working hard to defeat every opponent. Compared with Florentino, who is similar to a political figure, he is somewhat lacking in this regard.

Florentino, a shrewd and extremely controlling chairman, will not accommodate any superstar. He has foreseen that in the near future, Ronaldo will become difficult to control.

So he has been trying to support Bale and make him the new face of Real Madrid.

And recently, he has set his sights on a super new star.

His potential is huge, so huge that Florentino is ready to give up the idea of supporting Bale.

He believes that this young man will be the face of Real Madrid for the next ten years.

The entire Dragon Kingdom (China) football market will experience explosive growth due to the combination of this young man and Real Madrid.

"Juventus used defense to defeat Real Madrid, so this time, our most important thing is defense. I need you to focus on the field. Any mistake can be fatal.

Real Madrid's speed and strength far exceed Barcelona's. Their ability to seize opportunities is stronger than any other team!

I not only need the defense line to pay attention at all times, but the midfield is even more important! Zhao's defense will definitely have problems. I need every midfielder who plays to take on his own defensive responsibility and share part of the defensive task for Zhao!

Real Madrid's midfield will definitely try to block Zhao's passes. This time, it's time for the world to see your offensive talent!"

Leaving the meeting room, Zhao Gang recalled Guardiola's targeted deployment, and an unprecedented sense of excitement struck him.

Real Madrid, the classic midfield trio, BBC, the Bernabéu!

This is really the first time encountering such a powerful opponent.

Arsenal, who he had encountered before, was still in the process of revival, and Manchester United was still in decline.

Sevilla is just a strong team in La Liga, not a real giant.

Borussia Mönchengladbach is even more insignificant.

Now, Real Madrid is really making him feel anticipation and excitement.

……

This Champions League group match is the real focus of this round. Whether it is Barcelona against Leverkusen or Bayern against Atletico Madrid, they are far behind Manchester City and Real Madrid, the two hottest teams in the Premier League and La Liga.

The fans and media of both sides have already started fighting.

"Real Madrid is one of the most successful clubs in world football, or even the most successful club, bar none! Countless championships, and the number of Champions League titles far exceeds the number of Premier League titles won by Manchester City!

The two teams have never been on the same level!"

"Real Madrid and Manchester City are on par in terms of honor, just like comparing Manchester City with Tottenham! Real Madrid has a very big advantage!!"

The English media thought about it, and comparing history is definitely not an option. This is Real Madrid's pride and Manchester City's weakness.

Then we can only compare the present.

But looking at it, Real Madrid also has a seven-game winning streak, without a single loss or draw... The momentum is invincible.

Manchester City's only advantage lies in its offensive firepower, which is even stronger than Real Madrid's.

But as soon as the English media brought out this advantage, they were mocked by the Spanish media.

"The Premier League's competitiveness is too weak. It is said that there are no weak teams in the Premier League, but in reality, it's just a bunch of chickens pecking at each other. Arsenal is worried about qualifying from the Champions League group, and Manchester United has no Champions League to play at all. Isn't it natural for Manchester City to defeat these teams?"

The angry English media released a big move, at least Manchester City has won consecutive championships in the Premier League, Real Madrid is suppressed by Barcelona in La Liga, and has not won any Champions League titles in recent years.

And this time, it is Guardiola who is leading Manchester City to face Real Madrid, the champion coach who has created several massacres for Real Madrid. Real Madrid will be beaten to tears in front of Guardiola!

The English media, which has always been known for its gentlemanly demeanor, ignored it this time and was merciless.

As for the fans, they were even more excited to the point of talking nonsense. Many had already lost their minds. No reason, no evidence, just spray, just scold!

Evaluations such as Manchester City has no heritage and is just a nouveau riche are already very mild.

Personal attacks such as bald Guardiola, disabled Aguero, hairless Zhao are everywhere.

Manchester City fans shouted Qi Bald, Luo Three Votes, Pig Ma...

They even compared Real Madrid to Manchester United, who can only lie in a coffin and talk about history.

"Real Madrid will definitely win! Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Modric... How can you lose with these world-class stars?

Zhao? He hasn't even grown his hair yet! Real Madrid will let him know what football is.

The Premier League players are just a bunch of useless people, unable to stop a nineteen-year-old child! Let Real Madrid's players tell those Premier League waste players how to play football!

The Premier League team is just a pile of shit and cannot be compared with Real Madrid!"

This extreme statement not only offended Manchester City fans, but also brought in all the Premier League teams.

A fire broke out, and a large number of English fans joined the battle and output against Real Madrid.

The mutual scolding between the two sides began to escalate.

In Dragon Country (China), the sense of anticipation was of course full, but it was much more peaceful and they didn't fight.

"Very good, although it's night, I've already booked a room, beer and peanuts are ready! It's more exciting than opening a room with my girlfriend for the first time!"

"Peanuts are not good, crayfish are much better! Today, I want to see Zhao Gang kick Real Madrid into pieces!"

"Tomorrow, the game is tomorrow, I'm so looking forward to it, Zhao Gang against Ronaldo, the first time facing such a powerful opponent, and the classic midfield trio!"

"Play well, the whole world is watching! After this game, the whole world will know Super Zhao!!"

"Hey, Manchester City's defense is too much worse than Real Madrid's. I feel like they can't defend against Real Madrid's attack. It's really a bit difficult to win."

"Well, I hope Zhao Gang can score a goal. Real Madrid's home court is difficult to play!"

"What are you afraid of? Zhao Gang can take Norwich to defeat Sevilla, can't he take Manchester City to blow up Real Madrid??"

"I want to ask, can Real Madrid fans not support Real Madrid? Will supporting Real Madrid be sprayed?"

"I don't know, anyway, the last time Manchester United fans temporarily defected..."

Soon, the Champions League group match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at home is about to begin.

Before the game, Guardiola routinely accepted media interviews. This time, he brought Zhao Gang with him.

"Yes, Real Madrid is a great... a very great club. Any team will have a difficult time facing them.

I know them very well, it's hard to describe this powerful team in words.

They have the world's top stars, which is one of their advantages.

Zinedine's coaching time is not long, but everyone has seen the changes he has brought to Real Madrid. I am looking forward to playing against him.

As before, we are full of desire and anticipation. We desire to play against strong opponents, and we desire to take victory from every opponent.

We have a great opportunity!"

"Is Ronaldo the top star you mentioned?" A reporter suddenly asked.

Guardiola meant that Real Madrid's players are all world-class, but the reporter wanted to create a topic. If everyone is the top, then there will be more top players.

If Ronaldo is the top one, then no one else is the top, not even Messi.

Guardiola smiled and shook his head helplessly, "I've been away from Spain for so long, you guys really haven't changed at all."

In Guardiola's heart, Messi is always the best one, but he is not Mourinho and will not say that kind of view on this occasion.

This will bring unnecessary trouble to him, Ronaldo, and Messi.

"I think you are the best reporter, always have been, although I don't know you very well." Guardiola laughed, and the reporters could only laugh with him. They knew that it was impossible to get what they wanted from Guardiola today.

Whether Guardiola says Ronaldo is the best or Messi is the best, it will be a pretty good hot spot.

Soon, the reporter set his sights on Zhao Gang, this super new star. He is not very old and will not be as smooth as Guardiola. Maybe he can get some words he wants to hear from him.

"Zhao, is this the first time you have encountered such an excellent and powerful club like Real Madrid? Are you nervous?"

"Real Madrid is indeed a powerful and great club, but it's not the first time I've encountered such an excellent team. I've encountered Manchester United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and another powerful club in La Liga, Sevilla.

So, there is excitement, but I can't say I'm nervous."

The reporter frowned.

That's bad.

This kid is not very old, but he has a lot of thoughts.

The words he said were like those of old foxes like Florentino.

"Real Madrid has a lot of stars in the team, and your lineup is much worse. How much chance of winning do you think you have?"

"Um... I don't understand what you mean. In my opinion, we are not much different from Real Madrid.

Emm... Which position do you think we are a little worse in? Don't worry, I won't tell my teammates that you think they are bad."

Guardiola touched his chin and almost laughed out loud.

These reporters just create conflicts and hot spots to embarrass the players. Now it's good, you say it, you tell me, where are we lacking?