On the return trip, Real Madrid's players chatted excitedly.
Securing a win in the first match of the second half of the season was a strong start, leaving them feeling incredibly satisfied.
Of course, the upcoming matches still needed to be approached with caution, but they could afford to relax a little.
Currently, Real Madrid was still leading the league standings—17 rounds in, not a single loss.
However, Barcelona was hot on their heels, which placed enormous pressure on them.
Barcelona was closely watching every Real Madrid match. Even the slightest slip-up could allow Barça to overtake them.
On top of that, an away game against Barcelona still loomed ahead—yet another challenge Real Madrid couldn't ignore.
The Champions League was set to begin again on February 17.
It was that time again—the "life or death" phase of the season.
Having been knocked out in the Round of 16 for five consecutive seasons, tensions were running high.
And their opponent this time? Lyon.
Yes, the very team that had eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League twice before.
In the group stage, Real Madrid had already taken revenge on AC Milan, but Lyon was still on the list.
To draw Lyon again in the Round of 16 felt like an unlucky coincidence.
This kind of luck made even Bayern Munich green with envy.
Bayern had struggled to get through the Champions League group stage and failed to top their group. That meant they once again missed the chance to draw Milan.
Meanwhile, Milan was facing Manchester United in the Round of 16—an extremely tough opponent, making qualification uncertain.
If Bayern couldn't face Milan in the quarterfinals, they'd have to wait another season.
Suker felt Pellegrini was overly optimistic about Real Madrid's current situation.
Yes, their results looked good. But the tactics were overly simplistic and riddled with hidden risks.
Everything looked fine on the surface, but they wouldn't be able to withstand high-intensity competition.
Suker wanted the Champions League more than anyone else.
But to win it, Real Madrid needed the actual strength to contend for the title.
Right now, they just didn't have it—not yet.
The core issue was their lack of stability.
Because of the inconsistency in La Liga's competition level, Pellegrini mistakenly believed Real Madrid could perform just as well in the Champions League.
But teams like Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Manchester United—these were clubs that had built up their strength over years of restructuring and development.
Real Madrid had only just begun this process, yet wanted to challenge them head-on? That was reckless.
"Next match in the Copa del Rey, we'll use an all-reserve lineup. The starters will rest—our target this year is the Champions League!"
Pellegrini's statement sounded decisive and bold—but the players' reactions were tepid at best.
Some even looked surprised.
Five straight years of Round-of-16 exits, and now they finally had a full squad. But before the team had even truly gelled, they were being told to go all-in for the Champions League?
It would already be an achievement to break past the Round of 16. Why not settle for that and build momentum for next year?
It wasn't that they didn't want to fight for the Champions League.
Every team wanted that title—but not at the cost of throwing away the Copa del Rey!
Captain Iker Casillas hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
"Shouldn't we be a bit more cautious? We can push hard in the Champions League, but we shouldn't give up the Copa del Rey."
Pellegrini responded:
"I never said we're giving it up—we're just using the reserves."
"That's basically the same as giving it up. I think we should rotate the starters and subs, stagger their rest. That would be safer."
"But that would prolong the recovery period. The Champions League is all about momentum—a do-or-die attitude. Without that, we can't go far."
"We've won the Champions League before—even more times than you. And that's not how we did it. Real Madrid doesn't play the Champions League like that."
"Are you questioning my tactics?"
"I…"
Casillas was about to speak again, but Suker suddenly stood up and grabbed his arm.
Suker shook his head gently and then turned with a smile:
"Coach, we'll follow your tactical plan. You're the manager—this is your call."
Suker was trying to mediate the situation. Looking over at Pellegrini, he noticed the coach had slowly relaxed his clenched fists and his flushed face was returning to normal.
Suker then turned to Casillas and quietly whispered:
"Look around you."
Casillas glanced around and saw his teammates staring at him in shock, clearly unnerved by the confrontation with Pellegrini.
Clearly, the tension between captain and coach had rattled the whole team.
Casillas sighed and raised his hand:
"Alright, I understand."
He sat back down.
Pellegrini gave Casillas a cold look and said, "Dismissed," before turning and leaving.
From his back, it was clear he was furious.
The players slowly dispersed, but Casillas was still fuming.
Suker walked over.
"You shouldn't have stopped me," Casillas said.
Suker sighed:
"If I didn't, what—let you two get into a fistfight?"
He'd noticed that Pellegrini had been gripping his folder and had almost thrown it in frustration several times.
If it had escalated, things could've spiraled out of control, destroying the locker room's unity—and Suker couldn't allow that.
"So you agree with him?" Casillas asked.
"No," Suker replied. "But he's still the coach. It's his right to decide."
He continued:
"We've already backed Pellegrini into a corner. Let's not pressure him more. Let this season pass, and he'll be gone."
Casillas finally let out a long breath.
"But what about the Copa del Rey?" he said, worried. "If we end this season without a single title again, that'd be awful."
Last season, Real Madrid had won nothing.
This year, a Champions League run seemed unrealistic. The players were aware of their own shortcomings.
La Liga was still within reach, but Barcelona was a fierce rival.
The Copa del Rey, though—it was different. Barcelona was practically ignoring it to focus on Europe, which meant Real Madrid wouldn't face tough opponents.
Even if they were picking up leftovers, Real Madrid needed to lay low this season—win the Copa del Rey, compete for the league title.
That was the realistic objective.
Casillas was also frustrated. Of course he wanted to fight for the Champions League—it had been years since Real Madrid had won.
But they just weren't ready. He didn't think Pellegrini had what it took to guide them there either.
He'd spent months working on a system and still hadn't solved the problem.
The team still revolved around Suker. Nothing had truly changed.
Now, hearing Pellegrini's lofty ambitions was just too much.
"Let's just wait and see," Suker said with a sigh. "Just one more season."
Maybe when Mourinho arrived, Real Madrid would finally be strong enough to fight for the Champions League.
Florentino Pérez had spies all over Real Madrid—even in the first team.
So he quickly learned about the argument between Pellegrini and Casillas in the tactics room.
And he understood Pellegrini's intent.
But he disagreed.
Unrealistic!
Pérez had planned to transform Real Madrid over two seasons and four transfer windows.
But Pellegrini clearly hadn't understood him—and now he was acting recklessly.
Pérez narrowed his eyes and coldly told his assistant:
"Tell Pellegrini: if he loses the Copa del Rey, we say goodbye."
The assistant sighed, already bracing himself for Pellegrini's rage.
"Understood."
But to his surprise, Pellegrini responded calmly:
"Okay, I understand."
"You… really understand?" the assistant asked, unsure if he'd been too vague.
"I heard you clearly," Pellegrini said. "If I lose the Copa del Rey, I'm fired. I said, I understand."
"O-okay then…"
Still in disbelief, the assistant left the office. He kept glancing back, expecting some sort of emotional outburst.
But Pellegrini just stayed seated, writing.
He gripped his pen tightly—so hard his knuckles turned white. Then, the pen tore through the paper.
RIP—!
The sheet was ruined.
Pellegrini stared down for a long moment, then suddenly hurled the pen across the room.
"F**K!!!"
His hands trembled, eyes red with frustration.
He was fed up.
Was he even the manager?
Every decision he made got shot down. The players pressured him. The board pressured him. It was like everything was his fault.
But was it?
He didn't think so!
This was Real Madrid—full of arrogant stars who didn't listen.
Screw the "Galácticos"!They wouldn't let him do anything—what kind of coach did they want?
Fine! Let it all crash and burn.
Pellegrini made up his mind.
No matter what anyone said, this time he would stick to his plan.
He would prove them all wrong—with results!
He stood up, breathing deeply, and left the office.
Downstairs, he called his assistant.
"Sir?" the assistant asked, confused.
"I need a meeting with Mr. Pérez," Pellegrini said darkly.
"Well…," the assistant hesitated.
"What, I don't even have that right?" Pellegrini snapped.
"No, no!" the assistant said quickly. "I'll let him know."
"Tonight," Pellegrini said.
And he walked away.
The assistant watched him leave and sighed heavily.
This was going to get worse.
That night, Pellegrini arrived at Pérez's estate in formal attire, documents in hand.
This meeting was critical. He needed Pérez's trust to assert authority in the locker room and realize his footballing vision.
But when he entered, he didn't just see Pérez.
Casillas and Suker were there too, sitting on the sofa chatting.
"Mr. Pellegrini, come have a seat," Pérez greeted him with a smile.
Pellegrini frowned slightly. Casillas didn't look too pleased.
Pérez sat at the head. Pellegrini took a seat across from Casillas—directly opposing him.
Suker was in the best "spectator" seat across from Pérez.
But this wasn't a fun show.
Suker awkwardly stood up.
"Where are you going?" Pérez asked.
"To grab a coffee," Suker replied.
"Sit down. I'll have someone bring it to you," Pérez said.
Suker smiled awkwardly and sat back down.
Why am I here?!This is so uncomfortable!
Pérez smirked and said loudly:
"I heard what happened today. I've brought you all here to talk openly—to understand each other's thoughts and communicate effectively."
"Who wants to start?"
Casillas raised his hand:
"I still believe we shouldn't give up on the Copa del Rey."
"It has no value," Pellegrini replied.
The two remained at odds.
Pérez sighed, then asked:
"Suker, what do you think?"
Both men turned to look at him.
Suker's heart skipped a beat.
Old fox is setting me up!All because I ate a few grapes from his plate?!
Suker coughed lightly:
"I support whatever benefits the club."
Both men turned back away.
Suker quietly exhaled.
Pérez chuckled inwardly.
Clever boy—doesn't want to offend either side.
"I understand your perspectives," Pérez said. "But a team can only have one direction. My decision is—"
Pellegrini lowered his head, disappointed.
He had failed to convince Pérez.
"I support Mr. Pellegrini."
Everyone looked stunned.
Pellegrini raised his head in disbelief.
Casillas looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Suker's eyes widened.
What the heck?!
But Pérez continued:
"However, you must sign a performance contract. If you don't win the Champions League, you must resign."
Pellegrini's joy evaporated.
Pérez had set a trap!
He wanted Pellegrini to quit voluntarily.
Suker turned to look at Pérez.
Old fox indeed.
Resigning and being fired were completely different—this way, Real Madrid wouldn't face public criticism.
Pérez had planned this all along.
Now, Pellegrini's only chance was to win the Champions League.
But… was that even possible?
This was a setup for him to walk out on his own.
As they left together, Suker sighed:
"All this backstabbing and scheming… it's exhausting."
"But this is what life is like in a top club," Casillas replied.
"Milan wasn't like this," Suker said.
Casillas laughed:
"You really think so? I think it's just that Maldini shielded you from everything. After he retired, is Milan's locker room still the same?"
Suker went quiet, then muttered:
"You're really annoying, you know that?"
"Sorry—but I'm just being honest!" Casillas grinned.