After the match began, the Real Madrid players' mentality visibly shifted.
They launched a fierce offensive against Athletic Bilbao.
Perhaps because of Gao Shen's arrival, Solari tried his best to replicate the lineup once used during Gao Shen's era. On the pitch, the players also tried to imitate the tactical play of that time.
Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defense: Marcelo, Ramos, Van Dijk, Carvajal
Midfield: Casemiro deep, Toni Kroos and Modric in the center
Attack: Asensio, Benzema, Vázquez
Right from kickoff, Real Madrid showed a strong desire to create chances, and the players fought hard. But Athletic Bilbao has never been an easy team to face. Whether it's Real Madrid or Barcelona, they always fight tooth and nail.
At the Bernabéu, the Basque Lions showed their tenacity and fighting spirit by picking up two yellow cards in the first 10 minutes.
After that, Real Madrid struggled in the match.
It wasn't just because of how tenacious the opponent was, but also due to Real Madrid's own poor performance.
…
"I heard tonight's lineup was decided after a discussion between the players and the coach."
In King Juan Carlos I's private box, the former monarch chuckled while sharing the gossip he'd heard.
Gao Shen smiled. This guy might be the most famous fake football fan in history.
He didn't want to ruin the king's fun, though. After all, head coaches consult with players before every match. That's normal.
In fact, the lineup and tactics always depend on how well players execute on the field. It's impossible to make it work without communication.
Of course, tonight's lineup did look player-driven.
Because it was just too deliberate.
With a midfield trio, front three, and attacking fullbacks, the system looked like a carbon copy of Gao Shen's previous Real Madrid.
But times have changed. Many things are different now.
Take the front three, for instance.
When Cristiano Ronaldo was on the pitch, he could attract at least two defenders just by standing there. He didn't even need to move, and the defenders would still focus on him.
That's tactical value!
Then there's Di María, who was on the bench tonight, likely due to a recent injury.
If Di María had started, the right wing would have posed a much bigger threat and would have helped spread the defense.
In other words, Ronaldo, Benzema, and Di María together could occupy four or five defenders.
But now, with Asensio, Benzema, and Vázquez, they can maybe draw three. Sometimes not even that.
So Athletic Bilbao could afford to press and squeeze Real Madrid's midfield and defense more aggressively.
As a result, Real Madrid couldn't maintain possession and the tempo was high from the start.
"Our players are too anxious tonight," Gao Shen sighed, shaking his head.
Zidane nodded. "You can tell the midfield can't control the pace, and there's no creativity in the final third."
During Gao Shen's time as head coach, Spanish players like Asensio, Jesé, Vázquez, Isco, Marcos Llorente, and Ceballos all played well, but they were used as role players.
In short, they're best used in specific scenarios.
For example, bring them off the bench to use their physicality to make runs.
Gao Shen especially liked using Isco to dribble and destabilize solid defensive teams like Atlético Madrid.
But the problem with role players is that when you rely on them as starters, especially in groups, their limitations become obvious.
That was exactly what happened tonight.
Other than Benzema, neither Asensio nor Vázquez could break through the defense. With no threat on the flanks, the attack lacked sharpness.
"I'm guessing Di María isn't fit to play the full 90, so he's being saved for the second half," Gao Shen said.
Zidane agreed.
At the end of the day, Asensio and Vázquez just don't have that raw talent.
"This is your fault," Zidane turned and joked with Gao Shen.
Benzema really couldn't take the blame for this!
The players were putting in the effort, but sometimes, the harder you try, the worse things get.
The best way for players to perform consistently is to stay calm and composed.
A lot of strikers go through scoring droughts, not because they're lazy or off form, but because they want to score too badly.
The more you want it, the less likely you are to get it.
Gao Shen once had a chat with Gerrard and Lampard during their time with the England national team, discussing the "Gerrard-Lampard problem."
At the time, it was a huge topic globally. Even the two players themselves were confused. They genuinely wanted to work well together, but no matter what they tried, it just didn't click.
Sometimes, football is just like that.
About 25 minutes in, Marcelo started to get more involved down the left, linking up with Asensio to create chances.
But Marcelo's cross to the far post had no takers.
Vázquez didn't even attempt to contest for the ball.
The attack lacked any real bite. However, the defense stayed organized. In the first 30 minutes, Athletic Bilbao didn't register a single shot on target. Van Dijk made three standout defensive plays.
This world-record signing at center-back was beginning to show his quality as he adapted to Real Madrid's style.
"There's a saying going around in European football: anything made in Leeds is a masterpiece."
The old king looked at Gao Shen with a meaningful smile. "Maybe you should have Leeds develop a few more top-class players for Real Madrid."
Gao Shen and Zidane exchanged a smile.
Real Madrid fans really are something else.
They only want the best stars.
As the first half approached the 40th minute, Real Madrid launched another attack down the left.
Marcelo combined with Toni Kroos and made a cutting run inside. Asensio stayed wide.
This time, Marcelo's dribble was sharper. After drawing defenders, he suddenly slipped the ball wide to the left edge of the box.
Asensio ran onto it and whipped in a low cross to the near post.
Inside the area, Benzema shielded the defender and laid it off with a light touch.
Marcelo, who had continued his run, met the ball and smashed it into the net with a powerful shot.
Goal!
Real Madrid took the lead.
The Bernabéu erupted.
Marcelo sprinted to the sideline, bypassed all his teammates, and ran straight to the Gao Shen stand. He stopped, stood at attention, and saluted Gao Shen from afar.
Gao Shen jumped up, clapping wildly in applause.
That strike was fantastic, and the build-up was even better.
Soon, the camera cut to Gao Shen on the stadium's big screen. He smiled, waved to the players, gave Marcelo a thumbs-up, and sat down.
"Marcelo was probably thinking, 'You lot are useless, I'll just do it myself,'" the old king said sarcastically, then chuckled to himself.
Gao Shen and Zidane looked at each other, amused.
This fake football fan had a lot of inner monologues.
That goal helped Real Madrid settle down.
…
After halftime, Real Madrid continued to threaten from the left.
This time, Marcelo dribbled down the wing and faked inside before lobbing the ball over the defense. Asensio chased it to the byline and crossed.
Benzema rose in the box and nodded the ball into the net.
Goal!
2-0!
The game was now clearly under control.
But no one dared relax.
Especially not this Real Madrid.
As expected, Solari made two changes in the 60th minute.
Toni Kroos came off for Pogba, and Vázquez was replaced by Di María.
Just seven minutes after coming on, Pogba got a great chance in the box.
Marcelo again created it, playing a slick one-two before cutting in and delivering a pinpoint ball into the area.
Pogba, surrounded by defenders, used his physicality to shield the ball and poked it into the left corner.
Goal!
3-0!
The Bernabéu roared.
It had been a long time since Real Madrid won by such a margin.
They kept pushing forward.
In the 79th minute, Benzema drifted wide right to receive the ball and cut it back to Carvajal, who had made an overlapping run into the box.
The right-back played a diagonal pass to Di María just outside the area.
The Argentine controlled the ball with his left foot, turned, and curled a beautiful shot.
The ball arced into the top corner off the far post.
Perfect strike!
4-0!
Real Madrid didn't stop there. Isco came off the bench and kept pressuring Athletic Bilbao's defense. He won fouls, disrupted their shape, and forced them deeper.
Although no more goals were scored, the second half was electric, and Real Madrid's attack flowed smoothly.
Especially after Pogba and Di María were introduced.
That's not to say Kroos was poor. The main issue was the lack of attacking options on the flanks.
When the final whistle blew, the Bernabéu exploded with applause.
That hadn't happened much this season.
Clearly, the fans were satisfied. Not just with the win, but with the team's spirit.
Gao Shen and Zidane both understood the reality of Real Madrid's current state.
The talent was still there. But the mindset had shifted.
When Gao Shen was in charge, Real Madrid could defend patiently for nearly an entire Champions League final against Leeds United, waiting for one decisive strike.
That came from the players' mentality.
Without patience, confidence, and a fierce desire to win, you can't do that.
Now, Real Madrid's mentality has collapsed a bit.
It's easy to fall apart.
Rebuilding? That's the hard part.
(To be continued.)