Gao Shen has always been generous in praising the team's performances.
As long as the players perform well, he will basically give them a good evaluation.
So many people say Gao Shen is a very loyal coach. The credit goes to everyone, and he takes the blame himself.
From Napoli to Manchester City to Real Madrid, Gao Shen's way of handling people and matters has been popular with players. Even if some of them occasionally have objections, they are usually on other levels.
When it comes to how he treats people and things, there is really nothing to fault with Gao Shen.
After beating Manchester United 4-1, he not only praised the players in the dressing room, he also gave them high praise again at the press conference.
Especially Di María, who was named Man of the Match.
Everyone knows Di María is a player developed by Gao Shen and his favorite. He was the hero who helped Real Madrid win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey last season.
In this match, the Argentine once again became the decisive player, especially in the second half.
Many reporters were puzzled. What did Gao Shen do at halftime that made Di María suddenly explode in the second half?
Gao Shen smiled and said he only gave Di María the right encouragement.
"He has always set high standards for himself. He is a top player with the ability to change the game. We all believe he should and can change the game."
"As it turns out, he did."
Gao Shen said Di María's performance in the second half again proved one thing.
"He still has a lot of room for improvement. He can play even better and become an even more important player."
Gao Shen has higher expectations for Di María.
"He is 25 now and entering the peak years of his career. I believe he and everyone else will have higher expectations of him. We all think he can do more."
Gao Shen noted that last season Di María registered 10 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, a double-double and a very good return, but he still thinks that is not enough.
"I personally think his assists this season should be over 20, and his goals should also hit double figures."
Twenty goals and twenty assists?
All the reporters were shocked.
That would be an extraordinary output.
You know, Di María has never been a pure scorer like Ronaldo. He is more all-round, so he has always had many assists but relatively fewer goals. Last season was his first time hitting double figures in goals.
But now, Gao Shen's expectations are even higher.
It borders on outrageous to ask him to hit a 20-20 season.
You know, players who can reach 20-20 in one season are all top superstars.
For example, Henry at Arsenal.
Gao Shen also noticed many reporters' skepticism, but he said he is full of confidence in Di María.
"I think the question is not whether he can, but whether he wants to."
In other words, Di María has the ability and can do it if he wants.
The press conference became a bit chaotic.
Although Gao Shen has always had a very good image, he will occasionally make one or two bold remarks that leave a deep impression.
Setting such high expectations for Di María was undoubtedly another bold statement.
But several reporters on site tried to read Gao Shen's intentions, especially those from Real Madrid-friendly Spanish outlets like Marca and AS. They follow Real Madrid's games and training closely and understand Gao Shen better.
Gao Shen said he encouraged Di María at halftime, which completely changed the Argentine's performance. Who would believe that?
Even if he did not tear into him, he definitely piled on the pressure.
At the very least, he will drop his classic catchphrase to intimidate the players.
You are dead.
In the Real Madrid dressing room, everyone knows not to take the coach's intimidation lightly. If they do not deliver, they will be punished.
Real Madrid's daily training is already very tough. If you get punished on top of that, someone might really die.
So, generally speaking, sophisticated intimidation is quite a deterrent.
And now, Gao Shen suddenly went public with his expectations for Di María, which is definitely unusual.
A reporter from AS reacted first, raised his hand, and questioned whether this was a bit unreasonable.
"Forcing someone to do it?"
Gao Shen looked at the familiar reporter and smiled slightly. "Then I will make a bet with you."
After hearing that, the other reporters immediately understood and regretted not reacting in time.
The free benefit had been snapped up by AS.
Make a bet with Gao Shen?
Is he the type to casually bet with anyone?
He had been waiting for that opening.
Win or lose, AS would not suffer.
Well, that is why they are called Real Madrid's mouthpiece.
As soon as Gao Shen's eyelids twitched, AS guessed exactly what he wanted to do.
…
Twenty and twenty.
When the news from the press conference reached the dressing room, everyone stared at the door in disbelief, then turned to Di María and found his expression had changed.
Boss, this joke is a bit much.
Is that something you can just achieve?
Oh my, that is a 20-20 season.
"It is fine, it is fine. It is just twenty and twenty. It is not difficult," Ronaldo came over, patted Di María on the shoulder sympathetically, and tried to comfort him.
The Argentine gently pushed Ronaldo's hand away, raised his head, and asked, "Have you ever done it?"
Ronaldo could not help laughing. He raised his right hand and pinched his index finger and thumb together. "Just a tiny bit short."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Ronaldo scores a ton, but he does not assist as much. His highest in a single season was 17.
He looks more like a goalscorer.
By contrast, Messi, the Argentine superstar, has done it, and did it in each of the last two seasons.
That shows just how difficult 20-20 is.
Di María turned away in annoyance, not wanting to pay attention to those gloating.
"Honestly, it also shows the boss's high expectations for you. Do not let him down," Ronaldo said.
"Yes, you know the boss. If you disappoint him, the consequences will be..." Ramos chimed in.
Everyone, hoping for chaos, started to stir it up.
Di María had no intention of responding.
"Anyway, the words are out there. I will do my best and hit my ceiling. If I cannot, then I cannot. The boss is not going to kill me, right?" Di María played it off and slumped back.
Everyone glanced at each other, a bit surprised by Di María's defiance.
"Aren't you scared?" Marcelo asked from the side.
"What is there to be scared of? If I do my best and still cannot do it, what can I do?" Di María said calmly.
When everyone heard that, it seemed fair.
"But the boss…"
"That is not my problem. I did not brag," Di María said with a roguish look.
Just then, Gao Shen pushed open the dressing-room door and walked in.
"Boss!"
"Hello, Boss!"
Everyone greeted him, dispersed, and continued packing.
As soon as Gao Shen entered, he did not look at anyone else. He walked straight to Di María.
"Ángel, did you hear what I said at the press conference?"
"I heard, Boss."
"Well, I have already said it, and I made the bet, so you see…" Gao Shen pondered for a moment.
Everyone pricked up their ears and listened in secret.
"Boss, I think this matter…"
"Go on, tell me what you think."
"...I… what can I think? Boss, since you said it, I will risk my life rather than let you lose face, right?"
The whole dressing room nearly fell over.
Come on, that is not what you just said.
You shameless guy, you were so righteous just now, why are you backing down now?
"Boss, do not worry. I promise I will not let you down."
Gao Shen looked Di María up and down, then nodded with satisfaction, pointed at him as if to say, take care of it yourself, and turned to leave.
As soon as the head coach left, Di María was surrounded.
"Do not look at me like that. The boss is doing this for my own good," Di María said weakly.
Everyone just looked nauseated.
Di María, you could be even more shameless.
…
Gao Shen's bold remarks drew media attention and even overshadowed Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Manchester United.
Everyone wondered whether Gao Shen's expectations for Di María were excessive.
A 20-20 season is a bit outrageous.
As a result, many outlets expressed doubts, believing Di María could not reach those numbers.
However, many others voiced support for Gao Shen, arguing that professionals should dare to challenge the peak. Whether they succeed or not, set the goal first, then strive to achieve it.
Even if it does not work out in the end, so what?
If you do not dare to try or think big and are always timid, how can you achieve great things?
Alfredo, the editor-in-chief of AS, said that judging from Di María's past performances, he is approaching the peak of his career and is fully qualified to set a 20-20 target for the new season.
Especially after the second half against Manchester United, Di María showed a world-class level.
"At 25, he is becoming more mature and very complete. He is comfortable in Real Madrid's tactical system and fully capable of achieving the goals Gao Shen set for him."
Alfredo said that if Di María really achieves it, Real Madrid will have two world-class stars. Add Benzema, and Real Madrid will have the strongest attacking trio in the world.
"This trio could even help Real Madrid win La Liga and European trophies in the coming years."
Alfredo also revealed that inside Real Madrid, Gao Shen not only has high demands of Di María, but also of Benzema.
"He has even arranged for Zidane to work with Benzema on his finishing, which shows how high his expectations are."
"I believe it will not be long before Real Madrid's trident terrifies all of European football."
(To be continued.)
***
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