When an aging team with an average starting age of 30.3 faces a young team averaging only 23.1 years, what tactics should they adopt?
And when that young team excels at high pressing, how can the older side compete?
This was the question the global media fixated on before the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Yes, Juventus is the team of veterans, while Leeds United is the team of rising stars.
With an average age of only 23.1, Leeds United looks like a squad brimming with energy and seemingly limitless attacking firepower.
Juventus, on the other hand, started six players over the age of 30. How would they manage?
Many believed Juventus should take a pragmatic approach, lean into the Italian tradition of defensive resilience, and adopt a deep-sitting counterattacking style to wear down the young and aggressive Premier League powerhouse.
That would seem like a safe approach.
The problem is, nothing in football is ever truly "safe."
When the whole world agrees on a strategy, that's usually when it proves least reliable.
So, Juventus coach Allegri made a very bold and surprising decision on home soil: he chose to press high and attack.
They took the fight straight to Leeds United!
Let's go head-to-head!
Let's see who drops first!
How intense was it?
Right after kickoff, Juventus nearly forced a turnover inside Leeds United's box, pressing so aggressively that Alisson almost couldn't get his pass out.
The attacking line was led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Mandzukic, and Dybala. In midfield, Matuidi and Khedira pushed high up the pitch, while Pjanic sat deeper to control the tempo. The backline featured Alex Sandro, Bonucci, Chiellini, and De Sciglio.
This lineup went into a high-paced shootout from the start, completely catching Leeds United off guard.
Logically, Juventus should have feared conceding an away goal. But Allegri was clearly going all in, even pushing midfielders Matuidi and Khedira far forward.
Burning energy?
Don't worry. Juventus still had Bentancur and Emre Can on the bench.
Anyone watching the early stages of the match, and recalling Allegri's pre-match comments, would realize he wasn't just engaging in mind games.
"The pace of the game must not be dictated by Leeds United!"
If we don't want to be controlled, then we must take the initiative.
Leeds United, playing away, were overwhelmed by Juventus' intense pressing in the opening stages and struggled to find their rhythm.
But Leeds United are no pushovers.
Upon seeing Juventus' starting lineup, Pochettino made immediate tactical adjustments.
Leeds United had come fully prepared.
Goalkeeper: Alisson.
Defenders: Robertson, Ruben Dias, De Ligt, Militao.
Midfielders: Rodri as the anchor, Milinkovic and Bernardo Silva in central midfield.
Forwards: Mbappe, Vardy, Dembele.
Pochettino deployed Militao at right back to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing.
Given Arnold's limitations in one-on-one defending, facing Ronaldo directly would pose serious problems for Leeds United's right side.
Away from home, Pochettino opted for caution.
But Juventus' aggressive start exceeded expectations.
More importantly, Allegri wasn't just looking to launch a surprise attack—he stuck with it.
Even by the 18th minute, Juventus hadn't let up. They were still pressing, still attacking.
This strategy disrupted Leeds United's rhythm.
Then, during a retreating run by Mandzukic, he received a pass from Matuidi and played it out to the left wing. Alex Sandro surged forward and whipped in a low cross to the near post.
Cristiano Ronaldo timed his run perfectly, got in front of De Ligt, and powered a header past Alisson.
1-0!
The Allianz Arena instantly erupted.
Tens of thousands of Juventus fans roared with joy.
Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted to the corner flag, waving his arms and urging the crowd to get louder.
As expected, the fans responded with a deafening cheer.
Beat Leeds United and make the final.
That's Juventus' goal!
...
"This might be our last chance."
In the stands at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Gao Shen was seated in the VIP box, having accepted an invitation from Juventus president Andrea Agnelli. The two sat side by side, watching the clash unfold.
It was the Juventus president who spoke.
His tone was calm, as though nothing could unsettle him.
This was the signature elegance of Italian gentlemen.
Andrea Agnelli, now president of the European Club Association, was a seasoned figure in the football world. Backed by Juventus, he held considerable influence in European football.
But with tensions rising between Europe's elite clubs and UEFA, his position was becoming increasingly difficult.
That's also why someone like Agnelli had been chosen to lead.
Gao Shen understood what he meant. Juventus had reached a point where an overhaul was inevitable.
Their squad was even older than Real Madrid's.
In fact, many were surprised when Ronaldo transferred to Juventus. Why?
Even a Serie A club like Juventus could afford Cristiano Ronaldo?
Yet, Juventus made the gamble.
Signing Ronaldo was a massive bet by both Juventus and Andrea Agnelli.
A bet on the Champions League.
From Chiellini to Bonucci, from Matuidi to Khedira, and even Ronaldo and Mandzukic, Juventus needed a complete rebuild across the pitch.
This impacted team performance, but more importantly, Juventus wanted to send a message—to the world and to young talents—that the Bianconeri's ambition remained intact.
If the gamble paid off and they won the Champions League, that would be ideal.
Even if not, signing Ronaldo showed their intent and helped in attracting players during the coming rebuild.
Otherwise, how could AC Milan and Inter compete with other European giants for top talent?
So, when Ronaldo's spectacular diving header put Juventus ahead, it was a massive relief for Agnelli.
"Gao, you guys are still too young." The Juventus chairman turned and said calmly to Gao Shen.
Gao Shen didn't react to his tone. In fact, Agnelli wasn't speaking with any malice.
He spoke and acted like a true gentleman.
Every word and gesture from him carried the grace of Italian nobility. You never felt offended.
"Allegri's tactics were a surprise. Leeds United's strategy didn't work," Gao Shen analyzed.
Agnelli wasn't particularly tactically minded, but even he could tell that Leeds United were off balance.
"But the game's just begun. There's still plenty of time. There's a second leg, and besides, how long can your veterans keep pressing at this intensity?" Gao Shen smiled as he asked.
That was indeed the issue.
Agnelli was at a loss for words.
It's easy to start fast, but hard to maintain it.
What is Leeds United best known for?
Aside from their youth, it's their high pressing and intense tempo.
All of that is built on their superior fitness and ability to sustain high-intensity performance for 90 minutes.
In other words, Leeds United doesn't need to panic.
As long as they stick to their game plan and execute their tactics, Juventus' issues will surface eventually—and perhaps severely.
"The key to this match isn't Ronaldo or Mbappe. It's Milinkovic and Pjanic."
Gao Shen pointed toward the pitch and continued.
Agnelli was surprised. Ronaldo had just scored.
"Didn't you notice? Milinkovic is pushing further up. Pjanic is retreating deeper and deeper. That's forcing Matuidi and Khedira to push higher too. Juventus' midfield is starting to disconnect."
As Gao Shen finished, he chuckled and looked at Agnelli, who was listening attentively.
"This is just the beginning. If it were me, I'd have Milinkovic press Pjanic relentlessly, keeping the tempo high. Given the current fatigue level, we can turn the tide before halftime."
"Actually, if we'd been sharper, we could've equalized already."
Agnelli was stunned. Was this true?
Could he really see that far ahead?
"Look. Pochettino's making adjustments."
Following Gao Shen's prompt, Agnelli looked over. Sure enough, Pochettino was at the touchline, calling out Milinkovic's name and motioning for him to push higher.
The Argentine's right hand kept waving forward, making his intentions clear.
Allegri saw it too. He shouted toward the attacking third, instructing Matuidi and Khedira to drop back and keep the midfield tight.
Both midfielders were strong and experienced, but neither was a true leader.
If Agnelli had doubts before, now he was genuinely concerned.
"Allegri must've figured it out too," the Juventus president muttered to himself.
"Of course," Gao Shen replied with a smile. He wasn't at all worried about being behind.
"But he doesn't have a real solution. As long as Leeds United contain Pjanic, Juventus can't control the tempo, and their attacks will become increasingly disorganized. That's why I said the key isn't Ronaldo or Mbappe."
If Milinkovic can shut Pjanic down, Leeds United will turn this around.
Now it all depends on whether we can score.
The coach can only prepare so much.
Ultimately, it comes down to how the players perform on the pitch.
(To be continued.)