Dzeko sat in the home dressing room at the Bernabéu, his ears filled with the heavy breathing of his teammates.
Even after a big win, the players were exhausted.
This was Dzeko's first La Liga match, but it was nothing like he imagined.
Before he arrived in Spain, many people told him that La Liga values technique and attack over physical duels, and that it is the paradise all attacking players dream of.
After just one game, Dzeko wanted to tell them to go to hell.
Who said La Liga does not like physical confrontation?
Real Betis' two center-backs not only relish physical duels, they are full of little tricks.
Unlike the straightforward clashes in the Premier League, they like to get dirty. It forces attackers to stay alert at all times. The moment you switch off, you get a harsh lesson.
Paradise for attackers... yeah, right.
No defender in La Liga is easy to deal with. They will use every possible method to defend.
Dzeko did not feel this match was any easier than the Premier League.
And this was only Real Betis.
If they face a real powerhouse like Atlético Madrid or Barcelona, how draining will it be?
Before joining Real Madrid, Dzeko had watched a lot of their matches from last season. At the time he felt nothing special and thought whatever Benzema could do, he could do too.
After playing one match, he realized that was not the case.
Even so, Dzeko was ecstatic to have scored twice on his debut.
That is a great start, right?
Looking around at his teammates, excitement was written on every face.
They had won the opener 8-0. Could there be a better start?
If Dzeko had to sum up his La Liga debut, aside from being tired, he would use just two words, very comfortable.
It felt really comfortable playing for Real Madrid.
Tired and comfortable seem like opposites, but they are not.
His body was tired, but his mind felt at ease.
Head coach Gao Shen spent the entire summer camp getting to know the three new signings and tailoring tactics to help them integrate.
For Dzeko, Gao Shen did not simply plant him up front. He allowed him to drift wide or drop off as he saw fit.
Not to mention the teammates, all of them were so strong. It was completely different from his time at Tottenham Hotspur. Many combinations he could not execute there came off naturally at Real Madrid.
Everyone's quality pulled Dzeko's level up too.
And the team's tactics were very sensible.
Just like Cristiano Ronaldo.
He is the biggest star and the face of Real Madrid. Everyone knows he is targeting the FIFA Ballon d'Or this season, and he is working for it.
Even so, he was not selfish. He defended when he should, dropped back when he should, and pushed on when he should.
In the match, Gao Shen assigned the two of them to press in turns and rest in turns.
But Dzeko thought that since he was new, he should work even harder. Plus, people always said Ronaldo was arrogant and played on his own, so he figured he should take more on himself.
As a result, the two almost overlapped their pressing.
On the way back, Ronaldo told him he did not need any special consideration. He should just do his own job.
After that, every time Dzeko finished a pressing sequence and it was Ronaldo's turn, Ronaldo carried it out without compromise.
This reminded Dzeko of what Gao Shen told him before the match.
"At Real Madrid, you do not have to overthink. Just do your job well."
That really was all that was needed.
And Paul Pogba.
Dzeko turned to look at the gifted midfielder who cost Real Madrid 60 million euros this summer.
He had heard of Pogba back in the Premier League. From when Gao Shen recruited him to Leeds United to his breakout last season, Dzeko knew him well.
But after arriving at Real Madrid and playing tonight, Dzeko realized some of his impressions were wrong.
He is really strong.
More importantly, he is so young.
Before, Dzeko, like many others, worried that a 60 million euro fee would weigh on Pogba and hurt his performances.
Now he suddenly felt that the potential and talent Pogba showed might be worth more than 60 million.
But it was Isco who was named Man of the Match.
From this Spanish prodigy, Dzeko confirmed something again.
A player only realizes his maximum potential within a tactical framework that suits him.
Isco did not perform well last season, even worse than Kaká.
But this season, he has really changed.
Marcos Alonso had also improved. He was very dangerous down the left, even more so than Nacho on the right, though the two had different strengths. Nacho was quick, Marcos Alonso excelled in passing and technique.
Then there was Casemiro. This young Brazilian midfielder was no ordinary player. He was tough defensively, and his touch and passing were excellent. Many times, Real Madrid's backline was just him, Varane, and Ramos, yet Betis still could not break through.
Thinking of this, Dzeko leaned back, raised his head to the dressing-room ceiling, and let out a long breath.
He felt fortunate he had worked hard all summer, fortunate he had given everything and taken his two chances. Otherwise, how embarrassed would he be now?
Just as Dzeko quietly exhaled in relief, the dressing-room door opened.
Everyone looked over to see Gao Shen walking in with Zidane, Carlo, and the others.
He was smiling, clearly in a good mood.
Dzeko did not know how to describe it, but he felt Gao Shen had a strong aura. He did not need gestures or words, nor any ceremony. He only needed to be present.
For example, right now, just by pushing the door open, he gave off a special feeling.
As if he was born to rule this dressing room, and everyone should follow him.
Dzeko did not even know why he thought that.
He had worked with many head coaches, including famous ones like Redknapp, but none had given him that feeling. Gao Shen did.
As soon as he came in, he walked forward, stood there, smiled, and clapped twice.
"You did a great job tonight."
Hearing that, Dzeko felt a spark light inside him, as if he had gained great recognition. A sense of accomplishment surged up and he could not help but cheer loudly.
The others were the same.
This must be the charisma of a leader.
…
After praising the players in the dressing room, especially the new signings and Isco, Marcos Alonso, and Casemiro, Gao Shen headed to the Bernabéu press room at the urging of club staff.
On the way, he met many people.
Everyone greeted him, congratulated him, and praised the team's performance.
Gao Shen smiled and waved, then went in once he arrived.
The media applauded warmly.
Before the game, everyone thought Barcelona's 7-0 would put heavy pressure on Real Madrid.
Nobody expected Real Madrid to answer with an 8-0 at home.
Were these two super teams planning to compete in a goal-scoring contest?
Gao Shen said he had no interest in such media speculation.
"I have always been a very pragmatic pragmatist. My first priority is winning."
Reporters could only smile wryly.
Without that 8-0, they might have believed it.
Regarding the game, Gao Shen rattled off many names, which was rare. It showed he was in a very good mood, especially with his emphasis on Isco, the Man of the Match.
Gao Shen said Isco had not yet reached his best form.
"I do not think this is his best yet. I believe he can do even better."
"Pogba too."
Speaking of the young midfielder who cost 60 million euros, Gao Shen said he had never doubted him.
Later, when a reporter brought up Neymar's comments after Barcelona's 7-0 win over Levante, where Neymar claimed he had received an invitation from Real Madrid but chose a champion team, Gao Shen denied it.
"I do not know if Real Madrid contacted Neymar's camp before. I was not the head coach then, so I cannot speak to that. But since I became head coach, I can tell you responsibly that we have never tried to bring in Neymar."
His words caused a stir.
He spoke with such confidence because it was true.
Though it was only part of the truth.
The reason they did not try was not that they did not want him, but that Neymar had already reached an agreement with Barcelona.
Now Gao Shen made it sound like he did not want Neymar.
Why not?
"Because we have a group of outstanding young players. Isco and Pogba tonight, and Morata and Jesé who scored off the bench, and Vázquez."
"I want to say we have a very good group of youngsters. We do not need Neymar. I can even say responsibly that it would be difficult for Neymar to find a place at Real Madrid."
Yes, difficult.
Because Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing.
As for the champion team claim, Gao Shen said Real Madrid won two trophies last season, one of them the Champions League.
"This season, we will win every trophy, and then we will see who the real champion team is."
That was a declaration of war against Barcelona.
Because next, Real Madrid would face Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
The first leg would be at the Bernabéu.
Gao Shen was determined to win.
He wanted to pour cold water on Martino and Barcelona.
They could not be allowed to keep winning like this.
(To be continued.)