For most fans and media, the Champions League final is just a 90-minute match broadcast to the world.
But for the players involved, it's a gruelling and exhausting ordeal.
It's like preparing for the college entrance exam. How many people can truly stay calm?
A certain level of pressure, along with the resulting tension and nerves, can help players perform better. But when the stress becomes overwhelming, it can trigger a range of physical issues.
Before the 1998 World Cup final in France, after lunch, Ronaldo suddenly had a seizure and lost consciousness.
Then everything unfolded. In the final, he played like a ghost on the pitch, while Zidane led France to win the title.
Over the years, countless rumors and conspiracy theories have emerged.
Nobody wants to revisit that incident, and even at the Brazilian Congress hearings that followed, no scientific explanation was ever given for what happened to him.
Gao Shen is quite familiar with Ronaldo, but the Brazilian has never mentioned it.
However, after piecing together information from multiple sources, Gao Shen leans toward the conclusion that it was caused by immense psychological pressure.
Most people simply cannot imagine the weight of expectations placed on a 22-year-old, carrying the hopes of an entire nation and millions around the world.
Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo's roommate at the time, said that Ronaldo had already experienced several symptoms before the seizure—nausea and loss of appetite among them.
But no one wanted to talk about that.
Because it sounds weak. And worse, it sounds irrational.
Those familiar with football's behind-the-scenes know this type of situation isn't rare.
Before major competitions, players might suddenly develop fevers, diarrhea, or muscle pain for no clear reason. It doesn't make sense, but it happens. It's real.
Ferguson once blamed the poor soundproofing at a hotel before a Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. In truth, he was suffering from insomnia. Even the slightest sound would keep him awake.
As Buenaventura once said to Gao Shen, the human body is incredibly mysterious.
Even with modern scientific understanding, there's still so much we don't know about how the body works.
Humans are not as strong as many believe.
When compared to nature—or even the complexity of our own bodies—there is surprisingly little we can control.
Some may ask, is there really nothing that can be done?
In fact, tactical and technical preparation is only part of the equation. More important is managing players' mental and physical condition.
Long ago, Gao Shen's team added a psychologist. He discovered that mental resilience could be trained, both on and off the pitch.
Psychological training is divided into long-term development and pre-match adjustments.
For example, maintaining normal routines—training, lifestyle, sleep—in the days before the match.
Additionally, every aspect of preparation is structured like a production line, with each initiative integrated into an overall process. This helps players manage their emotions and keeps things consistent and controlled.
In this area, Gao Shen and his team may not have been the very first in the world, but they were certainly pioneers.
To this day, fans and media still remember what Gao Shen said to his Real Madrid players before the Champions League final.
"You can eat, sleep, and play however you like. Just remember to bring the Champions League trophy back tonight!"
It sounds simple, like something a friend would say over dinner.
But behind those words was the immense effort of Gao Shen, his team, and the players—countless hours of preparation designed to ensure the team could approach such a high-pressure game with calm and composure.
Of course, that part is never seen by the fans or the media.
...
On the day of the final, Gao Shen took Su Qing, Lucas, Borrell, and others to the AXA Centre to visit the team.
Taking the players' emotional state into account, Leeds United had arranged for the players' families and partners to visit the AXA Centre around noon. They dined together in the main restaurant, sharing some warm family time before the final.
Gao Shen and his group arrived at the AXA Centre around the same time. He spoke with many of the players and found their mentality was generally excellent.
Leeds United has always placed great importance on mental preparation, assigning two mental health specialists to the first team alone.
It's fair to say that the Leeds United players were in a very good psychological state.
After long-term development and proper pre-match adjustment, there were basically no issues.
Leeds United has an established, systematic process for this.
Gao Shen then met with Pochettino, who was also spending time with his family.
"Honestly, managing Leeds United is a great job, but sometimes it feels a bit... hollow," he said.
The two walked out of the restaurant side by side, looking toward the beautiful training complex in the distance.
"How so?"
"I mean, I'm happy, of course. I get so much support, more than most coaches could ever dream of."
"For instance, this morning, the team gave me an analytical report. It broke down Manchester City's tactics and reminded me to pay special attention to their central combinations, since Guardiola tends to favor attacking through the flanks and the middle."
"They predicted Mahrez probably won't start, because Hazard on the left doesn't push forward quickly. So Sterling is needed for pace. If Mahrez plays, both flanks would lack speed."
"And the opposition scouting team also predicted that Gareth Bale would be a substitute, since he's been struggling with injuries."
At the end, Pochettino couldn't help but laugh at himself.
"I feel like, after all this analysis and breakdown, I've practically guessed Guardiola's entire setup. I'm actually hoping he'll surprise me with something unexpected."
Gao Shen nodded. "That's about right."
In terms of logistics and scouting, Leeds United and its expert team were dominating.
It's not that they were overdoing it. It's just that their opponents weren't doing enough.
But Gao Shen has always believed that in war, logistics and intelligence are everything.
"But still, I sometimes feel like I'm not that important," Pochettino admitted. "With this squad and this system, any capable coach could step in and do what I'm doing. It makes me feel unfulfilled... maybe even a bit empty."
Gao Shen laughed.
"You're under a lot of pressure right now."
Pochettino paused for a second, then smiled wryly.
That was true.
"Actually, your thoughts are pretty normal," Gao Shen said. "Just think about this final. How much is it worth?"
"At least... one, two, three hundred million euros?"
"Exactly. The combined direct and indirect revenue is around €300 million."
Pochettino wasn't surprised.
"Now imagine two companies competing for a €300 million contract. What would they do? Would they leave everything to one person? Would they take that kind of risk?"
People say modern football has lost its sense of adventure.
But that's to be expected. Football today runs on massive capital.
Forget the Champions League—just look at the value of the Premier League.
So both club management and tactical approaches are centered around one thing: controlling risk.
Why are Guardiola's tactics so effective?
Because he's an expert at managing risk.
Winning the Champions League is important. But even if you don't win, you must protect your position.
That's how a business thinks.
"Like I told you before, you have to change your perspective. In the past, head coaches had to understand tactics, training, player psychology... everything. Not anymore."
"Today's head coach is a leader. You have tactical coaches for tactics. Technical coaches for training. You're working with a team, not fighting alone."
"Just yesterday, Wenger and Ferguson were saying how their coaching staffs used to be just a few people. Now, there are dozens, maybe over a hundred if you count everyone."
"Leave the professional work to the professionals. You're the leader. And if you can shift your mindset, congratulations—you're already an excellent, forward-thinking head coach."
Pochettino burst out laughing. "You really have a unique way of cheering people up. But it does take some pressure off."
The head coach leads the team. The technical director leads an even bigger team of coaches. Above that is the club—an even larger team.
This is industrialization in the age of big capital.
Many will ask, what's the point?
The answer is simple: risk control.
And Gao Shen is absolutely certain—this is the future.
Especially after seeing what happened to Manchester United after Ferguson left. Their sudden collapse shocked and terrified top clubs across Europe.
In today's capitalist football world, that kind of breakdown is unacceptable.
Imagine a company where losing a department head causes the entire company's performance to crash, along with its stock and market value. That would indicate serious management flaws.
How many top clubs and Premier League teams have been thinking about that very issue in recent years?
"Don't overthink it," Gao Shen said. "Tonight's game is not just a test for you and the players. It's a test of the reforms Leeds United has spent the past seven years building."
Last year, Leeds lost to Real Madrid because they were the stronger side.
But what about this year?
With none of Gao Shen's personal flaws in the way, Leeds United has returned to the Champions League final to face Guardiola's Manchester City.
This is a fair fight.
And Gao Shen wants to see if his investment over these years has paid off.
Guardiola represents a tactical system on the pitch.
Leeds United represents a top-down operational and management system, on and off the pitch.
Now we'll see which one triumphs.
(To be continued.)