The strongest Real Madrid in history.
This was the headline on the front page of Spain's Marca after Real Madrid defeated Galatasaray 7-0 away.
The newspaper, long close to Real Madrid, wrote in its commentary that this would be a match remembered by history.
"Real Madrid, wearing their away kit, were like an invincible war machine, completely crushing Galatasaray."
Marca revealed that on the road, fanatical Turkish fans tried to cause problems for Real Madrid. For example, they created huge 3D displays in the stands to intimidate the players.
Real Madrid's start was full of uncertainty, especially with Casillas's injury, which raised concerns about their prospects. But at the critical moment, Real Madrid's stars performed superbly, scoring one after another and calming any anxiety.
At 7-0, Real Madrid not only claimed a near-perfect victory, they also effectively booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Marca believes that playing away in Turkey has always been a major challenge in the Champions League, but Gao Shen made excellent use of the away setting and unleashed an incredible attacking storm.
"In fact, Real Madrid arrived in Türkiye half a day earlier than planned, and the team took a chartered flight, which gave them more rest before the game."
Marca also analyzed that Gao Shen's team has very rich in-game experience. Since he took over, Real Madrid has always traveled with a mental coach and a sleep specialist, ensuring players get enough rest even on the road.
"Every away trip, Real Madrid carefully prepares food and water for the players in the host city. These are the players' favorites and most familiar choices. The goal is to let them prepare for the match with peace of mind."
"And the facts prove that, in the two seasons since Gao Shen took over, away matches have not had much impact on Real Madrid."
In addition, Marca believes Gao Shen has brought unprecedented balance to Real Madrid since becoming head coach.
The forward line, midfield, and defense had all drawn criticism in the past, but under Gao Shen's guidance, the three lines have blended into a solid and reliable whole.
Today's Real Madrid has the most powerful attack in Europe, the most solid defense in Europe, and the most complete and versatile midfield in Europe. This makes Real Madrid the most formidable team in European football.
No doubt about it.
Marca believes Gao Shen's transformation of Real Madrid has been successful and can be called textbook.
Whether it is the transformation of the forward line, such as doubling down on Benzema and letting Higuaín go, or the midfield overhaul, letting go of Özil, Khedira, and Kaká and bringing in Toni Kroos and Modrić, or the back line's reshaping, backing Marcelo and Carvajal to form devastating full-backs.
"What is most discussed is Gao Shen's development of Varane and his trust in Ramos."
Marca revealed that not long ago they conducted a Christmas interview with Ramos. The Spanish defensive stalwart spoke highly of Gao Shen and even said Gao Shen was the only Real Madrid coach he was willing to fight for.
Ramos mentioned his mistakes last season and regretted his impulsiveness at the time. If not for that, Real Madrid might have completed the treble last season.
But in that situation, Gao Shen still trusted and supported him, which made Ramos grateful.
"During that time, many media outlets accused our boss of favoring me. He chose to fight back and said a lot on my behalf. I will always remember that."
"The night we lost the league title, I swore I would change those bad habits no matter what. I would never allow myself to make the same stupid mistake again."
Ramos said that everyone grows through pain.
"I feel like I am not young anymore."
Coincidentally, Pepe has also become more stable this season.
For a long time, Pepe left people with the impression of being overly aggressive and not refined enough. He often made inexplicable mistakes and his challenges were frequently too robust.
But now, everything has changed.
In the words of Real Madrid fans, Pepe suddenly evolved from a novice to a master and became elegant.
Regarding this change, Pepe said it was not only down to his own improvement, but more importantly to the transformation of the entire defensive system.
"After the head coach took over, he made earth-shaking changes to our entire attacking and defensive setup, especially the defensive system. He completely overturned the previous structure and built a solid defensive framework for the team."
"Each of us has found our place in this system, and we have discovered that defending well is not that difficult."
"Once the defensive structure is solid and organized, it becomes hard for opponents to directly confront the center-backs, let alone the goalkeeper. This has greatly improved our overall defensive level."
Pepe also believes Gao Shen's coaching is epoch-making for Real Madrid.
"He is an incredible manager, very knowledgeable and intelligent, always full of ideas and able to make you think. He is completely different from all the other managers."
"In my mind, he has long been the best head coach in the world."
The two center-backs firmly guarantee the quality of Real Madrid's defense and make the team the best defensive side in the Champions League, La Liga, and across all competitions.
Real Madrid's goal has become a fortress that is hard for opponents to breach.
…
Coincidentally, AS also ran the headline "Real Madrid Captures Istanbul," highly praising the team for staging a spectacular attacking feast in Türkiye.
This Madrid-based paper attributed Real Madrid's current situation to the team's sheer strength.
"Any doubts about Real Madrid's victory based on Galatasaray's supposed lack of strength are unfair."
AS believes that Galatasaray's passage to the Champions League knockout stage had already proven their level. The most important factor in Real Madrid's overwhelming away win was the excellent head coach.
"His arrival has played a vital role in every corner of the team, and more importantly, he has kept the locker room in a state of peace and happiness."
This was obviously a comparison with his predecessor Mourinho.
After Gao Shen took charge, there was visibly less locker-room noise around Real Madrid, and there have been no explosive scandals.
This calm and happy atmosphere keeps Real Madrid's players focused on the pitch.
Ronaldo is Real Madrid's biggest star and top scorer. In an interview with AS after the game, he said he was in excellent form, and so was the team.
"For us, the time is right now. We are in very good shape. We are leading La Liga, we have reached the Copa del Rey final, and now we have one foot in the quarterfinals."
Ronaldo believes this is the strongest team he has seen since joining Real Madrid. "No, this is the strongest team I have seen since I started playing football. I feel no opponent can make us afraid. We have the strength to beat everyone."
"I have never had more faith than I do right now."
"As our boss said before, our goal is the treble. Why not? Who can stop us?"
"He is as confident as we are. No team can stop us from striving for higher honors. Not this season, not next season, not the one after that, and not for many seasons to come."
"The only thing that can stop us is time."
…
In fact, after Real Madrid beat Galatasaray 7-0, even Mundo Deportivo and Diario Sport, two outlets close to Barcelona, praised Real Madrid.
Unless they were willing to lie to themselves, it was hard to find any flaws in Real Madrid.
L'Équipe even wrote, "The Real Madrid created by Gao Shen is like a gift from God."
This was high praise for Real Madrid.
L'Équipe believes that Gao Shen's team completed an unstoppable conquest in Türkiye, allowing fans in the Far East to witness the level of the strongest team in the world.
Germany's Bild believes that the CBD trio of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Di María is unstoppable, representing the highest standard in world football today and the most individually capable attacking combination.
Among them, Ronaldo's goal tally is still climbing and is about to set a new career high. Benzema is also on course for a new personal best.
But the most surprising is Di María.
As last season's assist king, Di María has become even sharper this season, scoring in torrents.
Argentina's Olé highly praised Di María's outstanding form, believing that with refined and meticulous training, he has become one of the strongest superstars in world football today, and his threat on the pitch is no less than Messi's.
Olé believes this is the sharpest weapon Gao Shen has created for both Real Madrid and Argentina.
"The team played a football match with a tennis score. Di María performed at a world-class level and gave us hope for the 2014 World Cup."
Olé believes that with Di María's current form and with Messi, Argentina will have a real chance at the World Cup in Brazil. Behind this, Argentine football should thank Gao Shen.
"He has produced for us players like Di María and Pastore."
"The goals that Real Madrid fans dream of will soon be realized, because they have the best players in the world, the best coach in the world, and they play the most beautiful and dreamy attacking football in the world."
"The goal of Argentine fans is the same, this summer."
…
The outside world was buzzing, and even media from some South American countries and North America joined in.
By contrast, after returning to Madrid from Türkiye, Gao Shen went back to his usual routine.
And he immediately encountered a new problem.
(To be continued.)
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