After the Bayern Munich match, Leeds United secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in their subsequent Premier League fixture, with substitute Rodrygo scoring the winner in the 90th minute.
It was another fiercely contested match.
Both teams had played in the Champions League quarter-finals and were visibly fatigued. As a result, they rotated heavily, especially with the second leg of the quarter-finals coming up the following Wednesday.
Manchester City left out players like De Bruyne and Mahrez, while Leeds United rested Haaland, Sancho, and Enzo Fernandez. This led to a very tight and uneventful game, with neither side able to create clear chances.
Just before the final whistle, Nuno Mendes provided an assist to Rodrygo, who had come on in midfield. Rodrygo made a run, controlled the ball, beat Ake with ease, and slotted it home from inside the penalty area, giving Leeds United a last-minute win over City.
A 1-0 scoreline, but it was a Pyrrhic victory.
...
Three days later, Leeds United traveled to the Allianz Arena in Munich for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Another highly anticipated clash.
Leeds United's 4-1 victory in the first leg had virtually secured their advancement, but Bayern Munich still clung to hope.
From the start, Bayern showed their intent as the home side, pushing forward aggressively and pressing Leeds United hard, launching wave after wave of attacks. Leeds were forced into a defensive posture, enduring heavy pressure.
But this momentum did not last.
Not under the constant threat of Leeds United's counter-attacks.
Süle's turning speed exposed a massive gap in Bayern's high defensive line.
In this match, Leeds rested Rashford, who had played against Manchester City. Instead, the front three consisted of Vinicius, Haaland, and Sancho.
But whether it was Haaland, Vinicius, or Sancho, their speed was something Bayern's backline deeply feared.
In midfield, Leeds United fielded Enzo Fernandez, Valverde, and Tchouaméni, ensuring a solid defensive setup. Tchouaméni, in particular, performed exceptionally well in the holding role.
Despite Bayern's pressure, they struggled to find a way through.
Especially with Militao maturing this season and Ruben Dias delivering consistently strong performances, Leeds United's defensive line had become rock solid.
Achraf Hakimi and Alphonso Davies, though known for their attacking qualities, also defended well.
This led to a stalemate.
The first half ended 0-0. In the second half, as Bayern's energy waned, they gradually lost control of the game.
In the 73rd minute, Leeds United launched a long ball from their own half.
Vinicius beat Pavard to the ball, poked it forward, and sprinted down the left, breaking into the box. After drawing Alaba's attention, he squared the ball across to the unmarked Haaland.
The Norwegian calmly slotted it into the net.
1-0.
That scoreline held until the final whistle.
With a 4-1 win at home and 1-0 away, Leeds United advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-1 aggregate score.
...
Over the next two days, the remaining Champions League quarter-final second legs were completed.
No surprises.
Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 away, advancing 4-2 on aggregate.
Real Madrid drew 0-0 away with Liverpool, going through smoothly.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Porto 1-0 away, advancing 3-0 on aggregate.
The semi-finalists were set: Leeds United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Leeds, Real Madrid, and PSG had now reached the semi-finals for two consecutive seasons.
This further solidified Gao Shen's status in European football.
When Gao Shen took over Real Madrid and PSG, many doubted him. Some even spread conspiracy theories, claiming he was manipulating things behind the scenes.
But after two years of steady results, especially in the last two seasons, the rapid progress of Real Madrid and PSG proved the value of Gao Shen and his team.
In domestic leagues, both clubs had dominated, pulling far ahead of their competitors.
Reaching back-to-back Champions League semi-finals was the strongest proof of all.
The initial investment was substantial, but in hindsight, it was worth every cent.
On the other hand, clubs that had rejected this advanced model, such as Manchester United, spent heavily over the last two seasons but achieved little.
Ratcliffe had barely settled in as United's new owner before fans were already calling for him to step down.
It was a slap in the face for British billionaires.
The contrast was stark.
United and Chelsea had spent massively, yet underperformed. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, PSG, Newcastle, and Tottenham had not only spent, but achieved results that exceeded expectations.
Newcastle, once a mid-table team, were now strong contenders for the top four. Tottenham, once average, had climbed firmly into third place.
All of this was thanks to Gao Shen.
Even Manchester City had started purchasing training and analytical systems, as well as other services, from Advanced Technology.
Professionals gave Gao Shen the highest praise.
These were things that ordinary fans would never see.
Following the draw, Leeds United were paired with Real Madrid in the semi-finals, with the first leg to be held at the Santiago Bernabéu.
This match-up once again stunned the European football world.
Leeds United had faced Real Madrid repeatedly in recent Champions League campaigns.
Looking at their head-to-head record, Leeds had little advantage. Whether it was the Champions League final or last year's semi-final, they had fallen to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's experience and composure gave them the upper hand against Leeds' youthful exuberance.
The draw caused a stir.
Leeds vs Real Madrid was one of the most highly anticipated semi-final clashes in years.
The other semi-final, PSG vs Manchester City, was equally massive.
Tuchel and Guardiola share many similarities. Tuchel views himself as a disciple of Guardiola and deeply admires his tactical philosophy. Their battle would be closely watched.
Some even speculated that if Real Madrid knocked out Leeds and met PSG again in the final, it would be the first time in Champions League history that two teams met in the final two years in a row—a historic moment.
Spanish media widely believed that Real Madrid had a great chance to reach the final after drawing Leeds United.
Officials and staff at Real Madrid expressed confidence and belief in progressing.
But Leeds United didn't have time to worry about that.
...
After returning from Munich, Leeds United had only a short rest before traveling south to face Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
After 90 tough minutes, Leeds defeated Leicester 1-0 thanks to a goal from Vardy, advancing to the FA Cup final.
Elsewhere, Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to also reach the final.
The FA Cup final was set: Leeds United vs Chelsea.
Leeds had topped the Premier League table, reached the League Cup final, the Champions League semi-finals, and now the FA Cup final. Their momentum was unstoppable.
Fighting on multiple fronts had taken its toll.
Pochettino maintained that the squad had enough depth to compete across competitions but reminded the players that every match going forward was a final.
"We must go all out and give it our best."
While the outside world praised Leeds' performance, there were concerns about them crumbling under pressure.
Competing on four fronts, every tournament had reached its crucial stage.
History offered many cautionary tales. Manchester United and Arsenal had chased four trophies before, only to fall short in the end.
Leverkusen and Bayern Munich both suffered triple-runner-up seasons, the most famous being under Jupp Heynckes.
More importantly, the schedule was brutal.
Playing two matches per week, facing Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Real Madrid…
Each match would be a major test for Leeds United.
Even the smallest misstep could undo all their hard work.
Gao Shen knew this well and took personal charge at Leeds during this period.
In the next two matches, Leeds played at home.
Despite heavy rotations, they drew 1-1 with Liverpool and then beat Manchester United 3-1. Both games were tough, largely due to squad rotation and players adjusting their rhythm.
Still, Leeds maintained their lead at the top.
After facing Manchester United, Leeds headed to Wembley to take on Tottenham in the League Cup final.
Mourinho's team had performed exceptionally well this season and would be a real challenge for Leeds United.
(To be continued.)