In a box at the Bernabéu, the game was not over yet, but Real Madrid's victory was already certain.
King Juan Carlos was full of praise for the match that was about to finish, especially for Gao Shen's lineup and in-game management, which he rated extremely highly.
"I take back what I said, Florentino. He didn't play conservatively at all. The tactics, in-game decisions, and substitutions were simply amazing!" Juan Carlos was so excited he almost lost his composure.
"And Isco, my God, he is a genius, a genius like Iniesta!"
In fact, many people outside were now calling Isco the second Iniesta.
In many ways, the two are very similar.
So much so that the Catalan media felt it was a pity for Isco to transfer to Real Madrid. They said he should have gone to Barcelona.
Bayern head coach Guardiola also expressed great interest in Isco. He even believed that Isco had the ability to become a world-class midfielder, but Real Madrid rejected Bayern's approach.
It was like Bayern rejecting Real Madrid's interest in Alaba.
Local players like Isco, with outstanding talent and skill, are favored wherever they go.
"Gao Shen is the head coach best at developing them," Juan Carlos laughed.
"Look at Real Madrid now, it is exactly what you envisioned, Zidane and Pavón."
Florentino nodded repeatedly when he heard this.
Isn't it?
When he chose Zidane and Pavón, his plan was to stack stars in the front line and use mainly local players in midfield and defense. It was a blend of stars and youngsters, but it eventually failed.
Yet that is almost exactly what Real Madrid have today.
Stars and young talents gathered together, each with outstanding ability and potential.
If nothing else, the emergence of Morata, Jesé, Nacho, and Carvajal is enough to inspire confidence, and then there is Isco, Pogba, Illarramendi, and Casemiro.
Even Toni Kroos, already a world-class midfielder, is, strictly speaking, only 23 years old now. There is no problem with him playing for Real Madrid for another ten years.
Sometimes when you think about it, it really is just Zidane and Pavón.
"Gao Shen is undoubtedly the best coach in the world!" Juan Carlos praised him highly.
That was true.
Valdano agreed. "The key to this game lies with the head coach. From the lineup to the in-game management, Gao Shen's approach was almost textbook, especially his match strategy."
"First, wear down Atletico Madrid. When the time is right, send on Isco and Pogba. Atletico had no answer to that," Butragueño also agreed.
Atletico are best at defensive counterattacks, but now Real Madrid were competing with Atletico in terms of attrition and bench depth, and Atletico had no way to deal with that. In fact, Simeone only made two substitutions in the whole game.
Why?
Because he really had no one to bring on.
Gao Shen could change the team's tactical style by introducing Isco and Pogba, but Simeone could not.
Because Atletico do not have that kind of depth.
The Colchoneros are essentially still a mid-tier team. They can barely assemble a strong starting lineup, but their bench depth is not enough at the moment.
Of course, Atletico are also accumulating experience now.
If Atletico perform well this season and earn more Champions League bonuses, they can further strengthen the team and make up for the squad's shortcomings.
"Actually, I think the tactics we used for the first 70 minutes or so were pretty good. It's just that the players aren't used to them yet and missed a few chances. Gao Shen obviously anticipated this, so he had a backup plan."
When Valdano said this, he could not help laughing again.
"I told you before, he's a Virgo!"
Everyone burst out laughing too.
Beating Atletico Madrid 2-0 is definitely a big and happy result for Real Madrid.
It is not just a city derby, more importantly, it is a heavyweight clash.
You know, before this game, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico were all level on points.
Now, Atletico are starting to fall behind.
Barcelona beat Almería 2-0 away with goals from Messi and Vargas.
So, now in La Liga, Real Madrid and Barcelona are neck and neck, with Atletico Madrid in third.
"However, after such a fierce battle, will it affect the next game against Manchester United?"
After Juan Carlos said this, everyone could not help but worry again.
Isn't it?
It is really torturous to have such heavyweight clashes in succession.
Manchester United, even though they have changed coach to Moyes, are still not to be taken lightly.
…
When the final whistle blew, Gao Shen high-fived his assistants one by one, then quickly walked to the visitors' bench and shook hands with Simeone and his staff.
This is the demeanor of the home coach.
"Those two substitutions tonight were really brilliant."
Simeone and Gao Shen stood side by side on the touchline, watching both teams' players on the pitch. Atletico's players were very disappointed, while Real Madrid were celebrating.
The entire Bernabéu was echoing with cheers from Real Madrid fans.
"Honestly, during the earlier battle of attrition, I was puzzled. You don't seem like such a conservative coach."
"You are wrong about that," Gao Shen laughed. He was naturally happy after winning.
"In fact, many times, in order to win, I can be very conservative. Even if you ask me to set up a deep defensive block, I have no problem with it."
Simeone was amused by Gao Shen's words. "Stop joking, you are not that kind of coach."
That left Gao Shen speechless.
"Honestly, after watching a few of Barcelona's games this season, I felt we still had a good chance. We were not afraid of Barcelona and originally wanted to challenge Real Madrid, but in the end…"
Simeone smiled bitterly. "However, the league has just started. I have a strong feeling that this season's La Liga will be a battle between the two of us. It has nothing to do with Barcelona."
"I agree," Gao Shen said. "I am even a little worried whether Martino can make it to the end of the season."
"If you win at Camp Nou in the 10th round, I think he will be sacked during the winter break," Simeone smiled as well.
Gao Shen nodded. "Okay, I will work harder and make sure you do not see him at the Calderón."
As he spoke, Gao Shen extended his hand again.
Simeone shook it, and the more he looked at Gao Shen, the more he liked him.
The first meeting between Atletico and Barcelona would be in the 19th round, at the Calderón.
"Then I wish you good luck. I will also beat Barcelona at home. We will team up to defeat them first, then we will compete slowly."
And just like that, the two reached a secret PY agreement on the Bernabéu touchline.
…
After the match at the Bernabéu ended, Real Madrid fans left the stadium one after another following a round of wild celebrations.
No one noticed that among the crowd, four unfamiliar faces were walking out.
They followed the flow out of the stadium, but did not head to the subway station near the Bernabéu or the bus stops. Instead, they walked north and soon hailed a taxi at the junction north of the stadium.
"Sir, to the airport, thank you," one of them said in English.
The taxi driver suspected nothing and continued driving north.
Before long, they left the city, turned east, and soon arrived at Madrid Capital Airport.
The four of them each bought a hot drink in the waiting area and found seats.
If there had been Premier League fans nearby, they would have recognized one of the four as Manchester United's head coach, David Moyes.
In the sixth round of the Premier League, Manchester United had hosted Leeds United the day before Real Madrid played Atletico, so Moyes and his assistants had time to come to Madrid to watch the match.
The result left Moyes and the others even more anxious.
Gao Shen's squad management and tactical planning in this game, especially the two substitutions and the changes Real Madrid showed afterward, surprised Moyes and his staff and made them quite worried.
Before and after the substitutions, Real Madrid looked like a different team.
More importantly, the team was familiar with this tactical shift and switched very smoothly.
Moyes had four assistant coaches at Manchester United, namely Jamie Lumden, Steve Rod, Phil Neville, and Ryan Giggs. Among them, Ryan Giggs was appointed by Manchester United, and the other three were brought in by Moyes.
To this end, Moyes disbanded all of Ferguson's coaching staff.
Among these four, Jamie Lumden had been with him the longest.
The 65-year-old Scotsman started in the Leeds United youth system. In 2002, he followed Moyes to Everton as an assistant coach and was considered Moyes' right-hand man.
"It is not without positives. Judging from this game, Real Madrid's players are very fatigued. Atletico are not easy to deal with," said Phil Neville.
The former Everton captain is not only a product of Manchester United's academy, but also played for their first team for more than ten years. When Moyes decided to coach Manchester United, he first wanted to bring him onto the staff.
After all, it is more convenient to have someone familiar with the environment when coaching a top club like Manchester United.
"But do not forget, top teams are always known for their fitness," Steve Rod reminded them.
Everyone nodded.
"We have one more day of rest than our opponents, and Real Madrid have just had a tough battle with Atletico. This is a great opportunity for us. I think we should be proactive and catch them off guard," suggested Phil Neville.
"I agree," Steve Rod responded. "At the Bernabéu, not many teams would dare to do this. But the more that is the case, the more likely we are to spring a surprise. If we really play according to plan, I think we are far inferior to Real Madrid."
Everyone nodded again.
They have all been in football for many years. They knew better than anyone how strong Real Madrid are and what Manchester United are right now.
But the current situation forced Moyes to go all out and get a win as soon as possible.
Otherwise, he might not be able to hold on as Manchester United manager until Christmas.
(To be continued.)