From coaching Real Madrid

Chapter 1133 The outdated superstar is like a young Real Madrid!

The Copa del Rey final is scheduled to be held in mid-April at the Mestanha Stadium in Valencia.

This is still far away on Real Madrid's schedule.

Because the knockout rounds of La Liga and the Champions League are coming soon.

The opponent in the knockout round of the top 16 this time is Galatasaray from Turkey.

In fact, many fans underestimate Turkish teams, such as Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Their commercial revenue has always ranked high in the major European leagues, and their revenue is even higher.

Ranked firmly in the top 20, its overall strength cannot be underestimated.

Of course, in terms of overall strength, there is still a very obvious gap with Real Madrid.

…

After playing the Copa del Rey, we ushered in the 24th round of La Liga, Real Madrid challenged Getafe away.

Three goals from Jese, Dzeko and Pogba helped Real Madrid defeat Getafe 3-0 away from home.

Three days later in midweek, Real Madrid ushered in the 17th round of La Liga make-up match and challenged Valencia away.

In the end, Real Madrid defeated the Bat Corps 3-1 away from home with goals from Ronaldo, Di Maria and Benzema.

Going back to the weekend, in the 25th round of La Liga, Real Madrid defeated Elche 4-0 at home.

New aid Illarramendi scored his first goal after joining Real Madrid.

Isco, Jese and Dzeko each scored one goal.

…

On the evening of February 25, Istanbul, Turkey, Turk Telekom Stadium.

In the first leg of the Champions League knockout round of 16, Real Madrid challenged Galatasaray away from home.

Being able to stand out in the group stage, Galatasaray is not a Turkish giant in the traditional sense, because this team has gathered many famous stars in European football.

For example, African elephant king Drogba, Dutch midfielder and international Sneijder, former Brazilian international Felipe Melo, former Arsenal full-back Eboue, former Liverpool player Riera, and former Real Madrid player Arten

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These are all famous European generals, and their strength is also extraordinary.

And the head coach is even more remarkable, he is Gao Shen’s old friend, Mancini.

Galatasaray was able to advance from the group stage as second place. Mancini replaced the old coach Terim at the beginning of the season and played a vital role.

In this game, Mancini is even more prepared.

To paraphrase the Italian at the pre-match press conference, although Real Madrid is powerful, they have to travel long distances and consume a lot of players. Galatasaray has the advantage of home court and is fully capable of defeating its opponents.

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After the game started, the Turkish team turned away and took the lead in attacking Real Madrid. There was a feeling that they wanted to take advantage of Real Madrid's unsteady foothold and disrupt Real Madrid's rhythm and strategic plan first.

Gao Shen was mentally prepared for this situation, but something unexpected happened on the court.

Only two minutes into the game, Altintop's cross was hoisted into the penalty area. Drogba quickly moved forward and jumped at the same time with Ramos and Casillas to compete for the ball.

Casillas took the lead to hit the ball, but his body was knocked out by Drogba and fell to the ground.

After the team doctor entered the hospital and under diagnosis and treatment, he saw Casillas struggling to get up again and standing resolutely in front of the goal, indicating that he was fine.

But after the team doctor walked out of the court, the report he gave Gao Shen was not very good.

"Hitting his waist triggered his old waist injury. The situation is not very good. I have put a bandage on him, but I don't know how long it will last, and it may even affect his performance."

Gao Shen nodded calmly, waved his hand in a gesture of thanks, then turned and walked back to the bench, signaling Courtois to warm up, "Be ready to play at any time."

The Belgian made a gesture of understanding and quickly ran to the sideline to warm up.

Gao Shen continued to stand in front of the visiting team's coaching bench and watch the game.

Soon, Melo's sudden long shot was very threatening, but Casillas fought hard and threw the ball away, but he fell heavily to the ground again.

This time he stood up by himself.

Judging from the way he supported his waist with his hands and the look on his face, the situation seemed to be getting worse.

"He should be put to death." Carlo suggested.

Zidane and Hierro also nodded.

Everyone could see that Casillas was seriously injured.

What is the tonnage of Drogba?

Although the Ivorian is no longer the invincible monster he was back then, he is still a high-tonnage center.

Not to mention that Casillas had an injury on his waist. Even if he wasn't injured, being hit would be enough to hurt him.

What's more, now, he already showed obvious pain.

"Wait a little longer." Gao Shen shook his head.

"Why?" Carlo was puzzled.

Zidane and Hierro, on the other hand, are both professional players, and suddenly they have guessed the meaning of Gao Shen.

"This decision must be made by Casillas himself!"

Carlo was stunned and understood Gao Shen's intention.

As the captain of Real Madrid, Casillas has only played in cup competitions, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in the past two seasons. The league has been dominated by Courtois.

Everyone can see that Courtois has superior strength and is young. It is logical to replace Casillas, and it can even be said to be the general trend.

Many people have begun to discuss that Casillas should be sold and Courtois should be promoted.

But Gao Shen has always adhered to the principle of playing cup games and league games.

This was his original promise to Casillas.

But if Casillas retires from injury now and gives Courtois the opportunity to play in the cup, it will be tantamount to further reducing Casillas' playing time.

The waist injury is an old problem and it won't get better for a while. It doesn't matter if he retires tonight, but if Courtois performs well, what will happen to Casillas in the future?

Once the balance is broken, there is no going back.

Casillas himself understands this, so he is unwilling to follow the team doctor's instructions and end the game.

Gao Shen knows Casillas very well. As the team's head coach, he clearly knows what the risks are.

But he believed in his captain.

Even if Galatasaray scores a goal, so what?

…

Gao Shen adjusted the team's defense and allowed the entire formation to retreat appropriately to take care of Casillas.

But the Real Madrid captain's game was still difficult.

Especially in the seventh minute, he was leaning against the pillar. It was obvious that he was in severe pain, but he still gritted his teeth and persisted, unwilling to give up easily.

Because he knew very well that this might really be his last game.

Ramos and other teammates also came back several times to ask about his situation. Ramos even helped Casillas serve goal kicks, hoping to relieve the pressure on Casillas.

Even Courtois, who warms up on the sidelines from time to time, looks at the captain on the court, as if cheering him on.

But when the game entered ten minutes, everyone could clearly see that Casillas' condition was deteriorating, and at the 13th minute, the Real Madrid captain finally couldn't stand it anymore.

I saw him calling the referee, taking off his gloves, and lying upright on the goal line, covering his eyes with one hand, so that no one could see clearly his expression at this moment.

The referee quickly signaled for the stretcher to come in.

Real Madrid players all ran back, helped put Casillas on the stretcher, and comforted him one by one, firmly believing that he would have a chance to come back.

Yes, there will definitely be a chance for him to come back.

But then, I'm afraid he won't have any chance!

When that moment came, he had to make a choice between two difficult questions.

Either, serve as a substitute for Courtois, or leave Real Madrid, where he has played for his entire life.

No matter what he chooses, it will be painful for him!

Before being taken off the field on a stretcher, Casillas, with red eyes, pulled off the captain's armband from his arm and put it into the hands of his teammate Ramos. After giving him a few words, he was taken off.

On the sidelines, Casillas shook hands with Courtois again.

Gao Shen was standing nearby, and he clearly heard Casillas say in a trembling and choked voice: "I'll leave it to you from now on!"

Courtois nodded heavily and quickly ran into the court.

Gao Shen greeted him with a smile.

As soon as he saw Gao Shen, Casillas could no longer suppress his tears. He shouted, "Boss", and then burst into tears.

For a time, Gao Shen, Carlo, Zidane, Hierro and others felt sad.

Everyone ages, and professional players are no exception.

This is the fairest but also the cruelest thing in the world.

Just like Gao Shen and his Real Madrid at this moment, they look invincible, but sooner or later time will deprive Real Madrid of its spirit, its passion, and everything, and finally turn it into an old football team.

Team.

This is a necessity!

"Don't worry, take good care of your injuries, and I'll come back to you in the next round!" Gao Shen patted Casillas on the shoulder and consoled him.

The premise is that he can catch up with the next round of home games.

Casillas calmed down a little and walked into the tunnel with the team doctor and Buenaventura.

…

The Real Madrid captain's injury seems to represent the end of an era.

Courtois, who came on as a substitute, was very active. As soon as he came on, he made a wonderful side save to save Real Madrid's goal.

Real Madrid also gradually began to exert their strength, especially under the arrangement of Gao Shen, and after becoming familiar with Galatasaray's rhythm and strength, Real Madrid began to strengthen its frontcourt offense.

Yes, the Turkish team has many stars, but they are all old and outdated superstars.

But Real Madrid is just a teenager now.

In the 18th minute, Xavi Alonso suddenly sent a long pass to the left side of the penalty area in the frontcourt.

After Ronaldo intervened at high speed, he intercepted his teammate's pass in front of the baseline, brought it back, and passed it back to Toni Kroos.

The German midfielder spotted an extremely narrow gap on the left side of the arc and passed the ball diagonally to the right side of the penalty area with his left foot.

Di Maria inserted into the right side of the penalty area and received the ball before Riera. He made an emergency stop and kicked back with his left foot. After avoiding Riera, he cut inside with his left foot and then avoided the extra ball.

Ratasaray's central defender hit a curve ball with his left foot.

The ball drew a beautiful arc, penetrated the dense crowd in the penalty area, got into the Galatasaray goal behind, and hit the upper left corner of the goal.

One to zero, Real Madrid takes the lead!

(End of chapter)