Real Madrid's players circulated the ball.
Shifting from left to right, Di María received and dropped off, then played back to the center back.
The ball went from the right back across to the left, finding Marcos Alonso on the flank.
Chelsea's defensive adjustment was rapid, giving Real Madrid no time to react.
So Marcos Alonso recycled to Xabi Alonso to reorganize.
At that moment, Di María suddenly drifted laterally.
Toni Kroos immediately fed the Argentine, who took the ball on the half-turn and burst forward, then whipped in a quick cross with his left foot.
Modric was at the right edge of the D and, without controlling, slipped the ball into the box.
Benzema used his body to pin Terry and laid it back toward the left side of the penalty spot.
Ronaldo burst into the area at top speed and reached Benzema's pass near the byline, but Chelsea center back Koulibaly reacted quickly and closed him down. By the time the Portuguese reached the ball, he was too close to the byline and had lost the shooting angle.
With no other option, Ronaldo hit it, but Cech saved.
The Czech goalkeeper sprang up and quickly rolled the ball out, signaling a fast break.
Chelsea's counter was sharp, but Real Madrid's recovery was just as quick. They reset into a four-on-three in front of the box, and Oscar's long-range effort flew over the crossbar.
The Blues still failed to register a shot on target.
Mourinho applauded vigorously on the touchline and urged his players on.
That was his plan tonight.
Stabilize the defense, then seize the moment and counter decisively.
He believed the chance to score would come.
…
Gao Shen stood in front of the technical area, arms folded, his left index finger rubbing at his lips.
It was now the 58th minute of the second half.
The score was still 0-0.
As Gao Shen had expected, Mourinho went with a compact defensive block and counters. Although Real Madrid had more of the ball, they could not find an effective way to break Chelsea down.
Mourinho was using the same method he had used against Barcelona to deal with Real Madrid.
So far, Real Madrid had over 70 percent possession, but not many dangerous attacks. Chelsea's defending was very solid.
To an extent, Real Madrid's huge possession advantage had even been forced by Chelsea.
Unable to access Chelsea's defensive third consistently, and wary of counters, Real Madrid's players were circulating the ball frequently on the outside, and the tempo could not rise.
At halftime, Gao Shen had told the players to try to raise the pace, but it had not worked.
Only two days had passed since the match at Camp Nou to reaching Eden Arena. The players were tired and generally not sharp, especially Toni Kroos and Modric in midfield, whose performances were not ideal tonight.
As time ticked by, Gao Shen could almost conclude that if it continued like this, the final score would either be 0-0, or Real Madrid would get caught by a Chelsea counter.
At the moment, scoring against Chelsea looked unlikely.
Unless a star produced a moment of magic.
But Gao Shen never liked to leave his fate to such luck.
Just as he did not like gambling, because he had never had any luck with it.
Thinking of this, Gao Shen glanced at Mourinho and smiled to himself.
This old guy was treating Real Madrid as if they were Barcelona.
But he seemed to have forgotten one thing.
I am not Guardiola.
Did he really think this was all Real Madrid could do?
Watch me add another and switch to four-wheel drive, dual engine.
…
"Paul, warm up. Two minutes, quick."
At assistant coach Carlo's shout, Paul Pogba sprang up from the bench, peeled off his long-sleeved training top, and under his teammates' eyes jogged to the touchline to warm up.
His movement also drew the attention of the nearby fans and Chelsea.
Mourinho noticed Pogba warming up immediately, and his expression darkened.
After a brief hesitation, the Portuguese decided not to react, choosing to wait and see.
Soon, Pogba finished and ran to the technical area to meet Gao Shen.
Gao Shen waved him over.
The French midfielder leaned in obediently.
He was slightly taller than Gao Shen, so he bent down to hear the instructions.
"We are facing a tough opponent and it is a grind. Now I need someone in midfield to help us open the game, raise the tempo, and get the ball to our forwards."
Pogba nodded. He understood.
"Chelsea will try everything to stop us in midfield, but we have no choice. If we cannot open up the attack, the match is over."
"I understand, boss," Pogba said.
"Once you are on, carry the ball more and share the defensive pressure. I will have Modric work with you. You have physical advantages, and I believe you can do it," Gao Shen instructed.
"Do not worry. I know what to do."
Gao Shen patted his shoulder and sent him to the fourth official.
Taking advantage of a stoppage, Real Madrid made their first change.
Pogba replaced Toni Kroos.
It was understandable. The German was off his best and had spent a lot of energy playing two matches in four days.
Gao Shen hugged him and told him to rest.
Pogba's first touch was a neat take, then a pull-back and turn past his man, shaking off Ramires and driving forward on the dribble. His final pass was not ideal and did not create a threat.
Chelsea countered quickly, and the Frenchman also sprinted back diligently.
Gao Shen flashed him a thumbs-up from the sideline, telling him to keep going and not get discouraged.
Pogba is a very smart player. He is physically strong and powerful, yet has delicate technique and clever positioning. He constantly receives in open pockets.
After receiving, Pogba has many options. He is proficient at all of them.
After he came on, Real Madrid's previously stagnant midfield began to come alive.
Mourinho also sensed the danger and made a change, bringing on Mikel for Oscar.
That was a clear signal to strengthen midfield defense.
Chelsea's shape officially shifted to a 4-3-3.
After the adjustment, Chelsea's counters grew more potent.
Gao Shen immediately made a second substitution, replacing Xabi Alonso with Casemiro.
At the same time, he signaled both fullbacks to push a little higher to stretch Chelsea's block.
Because Real Madrid's starting midfield had struggled under Chelsea's aggressive pressure, especially defensively, and because Schürrle and Willian's counters were decisive and quick, Real Madrid's fullbacks had been reluctant to press, which left the wingers isolated up front.
Now, with Casemiro on, he could screen the middle and back line, and the fullbacks could advance with more confidence.
Gao Shen also urged Pogba to push higher and join more in the final third.
By now it was the 70th minute, and the score remained 0-0.
If there was no improvement after these changes, they would be headed for extra time or even penalties.
That was not what Gao Shen wanted.
Real Madrid's schedule was packed and the players had spent a lot of energy.
Extra time would be bad news.
…
After two quick changes, Real Madrid's midfield was indeed revitalized.
But Mourinho was no pushover. He had reinforced the middle as well.
Real Madrid, unlike Barcelona's sleep-inducing safety-first recycling in midfield and defense, used plenty of short and long exchanges, constantly pulling and shifting Chelsea's shape.
Through this mix of long and short passing, they were probing for an opening.
The players were also patiently moving to drag Chelsea around.
Like in the 78th minute.
As Modric carried forward, Di María, off the ball, made a run toward the flank to receive between Terry, Mikel, and Ashley Cole, while Arbeloa overlapped to widen the defense.
Modric had played in the Premier League, so he knew Chelsea's defensive strength. He did not fire the ball straight to Di María's feet because he knew that even if it reached him, Di María would cut inside with little shooting chance. Even if he shot, it would be hard to score.
So he passed to the outside of Di María, forcing the Argentine to receive on the move, while yelling for him to return it to Arbeloa.
The understanding was clear. Seeing Modric's pass, Di María chased it with full trust. After hearing Modric's shout, he took two steps to the right, but instead of playing it to Arbeloa, he sent it straight back to Varane.
He knew that even if he passed to Arbeloa, it would likely go back to the center back anyway.
Varane controlled and took a step to his right.
Chelsea saw Real Madrid had clustered Di María and Arbeloa on the right, with Modric there too, so their block shifted to that side.
Varane paused, turned back, changed direction, and zipped it to Ramos.
As soon as Ramos took the ball, he glanced forward and saw Džeko posting up with his back to goal, pointing to his right.
Ronaldo was near the right touchline, hand raised.
Ramos did not overthink it and pinged a long diagonal to the left side of the attacking third.
Ronaldo brought it down and saw Ivanovic closing, but the Portuguese was ready.
Before Ivanovic arrived, Ronaldo exploded, cut in with the ball, and tried to power past him. Ivanovic tracked him immediately.
Ronaldo is right-footed. As he cut laterally, his right foot was free, and he slid a low pass toward the left side of the area.
Džeko arrived, back to goal, using his body to pin Koulibaly. He cushioned Ronaldo's pass to his left, at the left edge of the D.
A white shirt streaked onto it, met Džeko's layoff, and hit it first time.
(To be continued.)
***
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