Chapter 72
"Let's look at this attack on the left wing by Atlético Madrid."
"Evra passes to find Robben."
"Zanetti moves back into position; Robben doesn't have a chance and passes it back."
"Iniesta picks up the ball, advances forward, and lobs it toward the top of the box."
"Kaká charges forward, controls it with his chest, turns, and shoots!"
"Goal!!!"
"Kaká!!!"
"Atlético takes the lead once again!"
"2–1!"
"A spectacular goal from Kaká."
"In the 74th minute of the second half, Atlético scores again!"
"Absolutely stunning!"
"Look at the slow-motion replay: Kaká leaps, controls it with his chest, doesn't let the ball touch the ground, turns, and shoots directly."
"The movement is fluid and beautiful!"
"This is Kaká!"
"Tonight, Inter Milan's style of play has fully unleashed Kaká's technical abilities!"
"If Cúper had stuck to his old ultra-defensive tactics, Kaká might have been stifled. But now, Inter has opened up and chosen a head-to-head attacking style against Atlético."
"This approach really suits Kaká!"
"That's Héctor Cúper, Inter Milan's coach. He looks frustrated. At home, he's let Atlético score two away goals. He's probably thinking, 'You all kept criticizing me for being too defensive, for playing unattractive football. Now I listened to you. And look what happened? Ha-ha...'"
"To be fair, Cúper has been quite brave in this match, especially in the first half. Very targeted."
"Throughout the first half, Atlético couldn't find a good solution. But in the second half, Yang Hao adjusted the tactics. Instead of controlling possession, they went toe-to-toe with Inter Milan in attack, going straight for the goal whenever they won the ball."
"That's why the second half was so entertaining and intense."
"However, both sides have made more mistakes as a result."
"Earlier, Adriano intercepted a pass near Atlético's goal area, charged forward alone, and scored to equalize for Inter Milan."
"Now Kaká has scored again for Atlético."
"This match is truly a star-studded showdown!"
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After Kaká's goal, Inter Milan launched another wave of fierce attacks.
In the 67th minute, Luís Figo, who substituted for Solari, became very active on the right flank.
Not long after Kaká scored the second goal, Figo tried to carry the ball down the right side and lobbed it into the box for Adriano, but it was cleared early.
When Atlético stopped controlling the tempo and started playing more directly, the match became more unrestrained.
In the 82nd minute, while Evra pressured Figo on the left wing, Xabi Alonso intercepted a pass intended for Verón in the center and handed it to Iniesta.
Iniesta, with his back to the goal, smoothly passed it horizontally to Kaká.
Kaká controlled the ball in one motion, evaded Cambiasso, and advanced decisively—swift and elegant.
After dribbling past the defender, Kaká charged forward and, upon reaching the edge of the box, feigned a pass to Drogba but suddenly shifted the ball to the right flank.
Fernando Torres, who had just come on for Messi, outran Favalli with sheer speed, received the ball, powered past Nesta, and shot from the right edge of the six-yard box. The ball sailed into Inter Milan's net.
3–1!
The entire San Siro stadium fell silent.
Inter Milan fans now clearly understood that behind their criticism of Cúper for being overly defensive lay the reality that their team's roster lacked true competitiveness in the Champions League.
When Inter faced off against a top-tier team like Atlético in an open, head-to-head battle, they couldn't even hold their ground for half a match.
If it weren't for Adriano, a world-class striker, keeping the opposition wary, they would have suffered an even more crushing defeat tonight.
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As soon as the referee blew the final whistle, Atlético's players erupted in celebration.
Yang Hao high-fived his assistants one by one before spotting Cúper approaching and walked over to greet him.
"You guys were really bold tonight," Yang Hao teased with a smile.
Atlético had faced Inter Milan several times over the past few Champions League seasons. Both sides were extremely familiar with each other.
In fact, Yang Hao was starting to feel tired of it.
Sometimes, he genuinely wanted to open up those little UEFA lottery balls to see if there really wasn't any manipulation inside—if it truly was as open, fair, and just as they claimed.
Yeah, right.
Back in his previous life as a writer, Yang Hao wouldn't have dared to write a story this contrived. Seriously.
It felt like UEFA deliberately designed these matchups to create high-stakes clashes.
Or maybe they just wanted to make things harder for Atlético.
Either way, Yang Hao had made it through.
"In the first half, we actually did pretty well. But conceding so early in the second half—when Adriano scored—we should've adjusted and played more conservatively," Cúper said with a wry smile and shook his head.
Sometimes, that's just how football is: unpredictable.
Who knows what might have happened if Inter had slowed the pace and stabilized their defense after equalizing.
Yang Hao could argue, "If you'd slowed things down, I'd have just switched back to the first-half passing and cutting strategy, and you might've lost even worse."
But that's human nature.
After failure, we often think our decisions were wrong.
Rarely do we consider that perhaps those decisions were already the best possible ones.
"Don't worry. You've still got the second leg," Yang Hao said, laughing as he teased.
Cúper was visibly frustrated.
Yang Hao then casually brought up a few indirect questions, asking if there were any recent developments in Italian football. Cúper, puzzled, shook his head.
"Nothing special, same as always. The Serie A clubs have been struggling financially in recent years. The pressure on every team is immense, and there's cost-cutting everywhere."
"Inter Milan is relatively better off. Moratti is still willing to spend. But don't expect any big moves in the transfer market."
"Although Massimo did mention recently that he really likes Messi. He's a fan of how he plays."
Cúper's intentions were clear: he wanted to get under Yang Hao's skin.
"Three hundred million euros. Tell Moratti if he's willing to pay that, I'll sell!"
Yang Hao's expression as he said this was pure sarcasm.
Yeah, 300 million—can you afford it?
Cúper knew he had touched Yang Hao's sore spot and wisely chose not to say more.
If Moratti could afford to pull out €300 million, would Inter Milan be in such dire straits? With only a month left until May, there was no hint of any significant developments in what Cúper had said. But the overall situation in Serie A was indeed grim. Every club was under tremendous pressure.
The "Little World Cup" aura of Serie A was long gone. With Italy's sluggish economy, the exodus of star players, and sharp declines in revenue, most clubs had resorted to cutting wages. The players were full of discontent.
Some might ask, why don't they just transfer out? Who wouldn't want that?
But international transfers aren't as simple as fans clicking a button in Football Manager. Moreover, Italian clubs had a reputation for charging high transfer fees and offering not-so-cheap wages.
A few years ago, when the Roman clubs were vying for the championship, their wage offers were indeed high, and Serie A transfer fees as a whole were exorbitant. To put it into perspective, it's like mid-table La Liga clubs nowadays asking €20-30 million as a starting price for their players. Can you believe that?
Because of this, it's genuinely difficult to buy or even afford Serie A players these days.
As for star players like Pirlo, Shevchenko, or Totti, clubs like AC Milan and Roma wouldn't dare let them go. If they sold them, they wouldn't be able to find suitable replacements, and their overall strength would collapse.
Take Inter Milan, for example. With Adriano still holding things together, they could at least compete for the Serie A title every year and maintain some level of competitiveness. They could also make some money in the Champions League, ensuring the club wouldn't sink completely.
But if Adriano were to leave, where would Inter Milan find a replacement?
Without Adriano, with Inter's current lineup, dreaming of making the Champions League quarter-finals? Keep dreaming!
AC Milan faced a similar predicament in Yang Hao's previous life. They offered Kaká the highest salary in the world to keep him, determined not to let him go.
At that moment, Yang Hao suddenly remembered something. He decided to call Enrique Cerezo.
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While Atlético Madrid defeated Inter Milan 3–1 away, Real Madrid beat Juventus 1–0 at home.
Deschamps, having spent years at Juventus, now led Real Madrid to a victory over his former club. It could be seen as "payback" for the years of nurturing he received, which left Juventus fans deeply dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, Barcelona secured a 1–0 away win against Benfica, with Thierry Henry scoring the decisive goal.
What came as a surprise was Villarreal's 1–0 home win over AC Milan.
In Yang Hao's previous life, the Yellow Submarine had made it to the Champions League semi-finals that season. However, back then, they had players like Diego Forlán and Marcos Senna.
Now, due to Yang Hao's influence, Diego Forlán was at Chelsea, and Marcos Senna was at Manchester United. This had weakened Villarreal's overall strength, and Yang Hao had assumed they wouldn't replicate their past success.
Yet Pellegrini's team still managed to leave a profound impression. Juan Román Riquelme performed exceptionally well in that match.
Of course, AC Milan was no longer the powerhouse it used to be. Kaká was at Atlético, and Nesta was at Inter Milan. Milan's current strength was about on par with Villarreal.
Speaking of Villarreal, it's yet another team that rose from a small city.
Villarreal is located about 65 kilometers north of Valencia, in a small city with a population of just over 50,000. The surrounding area consists of scattered towns rather than major cities.
Many fans might not know that Villarreal's president, Fernando Roig, is the brother of Valencia's former president, Francisco Roig. The Roig family operates in retail and ceramics, and all three brothers rank among Spain's wealthiest individuals.
Unlike Francisco Roig, Fernando Roig's management of Villarreal is widely regarded as a model for traditional European football clubs.
Sometimes Yang Hao couldn't help but think how inept La Liga was in his previous life. The Bundesliga's Hoffenheim received endless praise for their story, while Villarreal's success barely garnered any attention.
Sure, Villarreal's rise wasn't as sensational as Hoffenheim's, but its ceiling was higher.
When Fernando Roig took over in 1997, the club was still struggling in Spain's second division. Over the next few years, he did nothing but focus on youth development, pouring significant resources into building an academy and facilities.
Through these efforts, he gathered young talent from nearby towns, integrated the academy into the local community, and fostered a football culture that attracted fans from surrounding areas to El Madrigal.
That's why, despite Villarreal's small population, El Madrigal, with a capacity of over 20,000, still regularly sells out. In the match against AC Milan, 23,000 fans packed the stadium.
In recent years, Villarreal has been recognized as one of Spain's best clubs in terms of youth development, alongside Atlético, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, as well as Málaga.
Their approach to recruitment also reflects their cautious nature.
Fernando Roig is wealthy but invests sparingly in the team, unlike Francisco Roig, who dabbled heavily with Valencia. Fernando focuses entirely on Villarreal, building step by step and adhering to a sustainable model.
He doesn't spend recklessly, always balancing the books, improving steadily year by year.
Yang Hao had once participated in an event with Villarreal's sporting director Antonio Cordón and technical director Paquito.
Paquito, who joined Villarreal with Fernando Roig in 1997, is now 68 years old. He told Yang Hao that from the very beginning, they decided to pursue a "Latin" football style.
Why?
Because it's cheap! South American players are affordable, and this style suits La Liga.
It wouldn't work in the Premier League or Serie A, but in La Liga, it thrives.
Step by step, Villarreal accumulated talent, and now, they've finally borne fruit.
Many credit Pellegrini with Villarreal's transformation, and they're not wrong. But Pellegrini himself was part of Villarreal's evolution and eventual rise. The same goes for Riquelme.
In Yang Hao's previous life, Villarreal eventually faced relegation. This caught Yang Hao's attention, as the main cause was the squad's failure to rejuvenate. The tipping point was Giuseppe Rossi's severe injury at the start of the season, sidelining him for the entire campaign.
For a club like Villarreal, losing their primary scorer for an entire season had a massive impact. They simply didn't have the resources to maintain two players of Rossi's caliber.
But before Yang Hao's time travel, Villarreal made it to the Champions League semi-finals again under Unai Emery. Fernando Roig remained their president.
Yang Hao held this team in high regard.
He was even looking forward to something.
If this season's Champions League schedule played out as expected, Atlético would face the winner of Real Madrid vs. Juventus in the semi-finals. Villarreal, should they advance, would meet Barcelona.
Yang Hao was eager to see if Riquelme could topple Barcelona.
If he could, it would undoubtedly be a legendary match.
Additionally, a small-town team like Villarreal, combined with a player like Riquelme, would deliver a Latin-style brand of football that would surely captivate audiences.
Perhaps this time, Pellegrini might achieve even greater success than in Yang Hao's previous life. Yang Hao had always believed that the Chilean engineer was an outstanding coach.
Yang Hao led his team back to Madrid from Milan, Italy.
The next day at noon, Enrique Cerezo, Miguel Gil, and Antonio Ponte visited Majadahonda together. The players didn't find this surprising, as representatives from LaLiga frequently came to Atlético to observe and exchange ideas. However, this time, the trio headed straight to Yang Hao's office.
This meeting was prompted by Yang Hao's conversation with Héctor Cúper in Italy. During their chat, something came to mind that he felt was important to share with Antonio Ponte, so he asked Enrique Cerezo to pass the message along. Unexpectedly, they showed up the very next day. Of course, their quick response was partly thanks to LaLiga's headquarters being in Madrid.
Previously, Yang Hao had proposed an idea through Enrique Cerezo to LaLiga: conducting thorough background checks on all foreign investors. LaLiga was already working on this, but Yang Hao's thoughts turned to Italy's league and its challenges, prompting another suggestion.
He raised the issue of debt management and the monitoring of acquisition funds within LaLiga. Yang Hao began by using the current state of Serie A as an example.
Across European football, debt was rampant, sparing no league, including the Premier League. The Premier League had never truly escaped debt; foreign acquisitions simply masked the issue. Serie A's debt was a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.
LaLiga and the Premier League were no exceptions. In his previous life, Yang Hao had seen cases where foreign investors acquired Premier League clubs, only to discover that the actual debt was far greater than publicly disclosed. By the time they realized, the deal was already closed, and they had no choice but to bear the burden. Such cases of deceiving investors were common in the Premier League.
LaLiga's situation, however, was even more chaotic.
How chaotic? Many LaLiga clubs couldn't even produce proper financial statements.
Take Francisco Roig, for example. A billionaire, yet he eventually gave up on Valencia. Why? Because he discovered that Valencia's debts far exceeded the figures presented at shareholder meetings. The actual debt surpassed €200 million.
Moreover, the club's management had inflated revenue projections for the following years—such as sponsorship deals—so they could minimize the appearance of debt in the current year.
Of course, Francisco Roig wasn't exactly a saint either. Businesspeople are rarely simple. Why did he expose this? Because he wanted to take over Valencia. But when he realized he couldn't, he sold his shares to the current chairman, Juan Soler, at a high price and made a significant profit before walking away.
Yang Hao recalled another striking example: Amancio Ortega, after acquiring Deportivo La Coruña, presented a stark analysis. He calculated the local population, Riazor Stadium's capacity, and concluded that "Super Depor" had reached its growth limit. This caused quite a stir at the time.
Yang Hao was particularly impressed because Ortega's approach was crude yet incisive. The local market is always fundamental. Without a strong local market, no football club can survive.
"I looked at Spain's list of wealthy individuals," Yang Hao continued, "and I found that almost all the wealthiest people in Spain have been involved in football at some point, except for the top two. The rest, like the Roig brothers, have net worths of several hundred million euros and come from traditional industries."
Is a net worth of several hundred million euros substantial? Of course. But anyone familiar with running a business knows that this doesn't translate to readily available funds for football.
Amancio Ortega, with the greatest capacity for investment, took an extremely pragmatic approach after acquiring Deportivo. Similarly, Fernando Roig—another wealthy industrialist—was meticulous, investing only a few million euros annually, or occasionally tens of millions over several years, while working to make the club self-sufficient as quickly as possible.
Yang Hao wasn't criticizing such owners. On the contrary, he admired them and believed more clubs should have owners like these. But how many such owners are there in Spain? They're already among the wealthiest in the country.
What Yang Hao was trying to convey was that LaLiga's current situation was extremely precarious. In his previous life, unpaid wages, player strikes, and league suspensions became a frequent and embarrassing spectacle in LaLiga over the following years.
The situation had improved slightly now, thanks to the collective sale of broadcasting rights, but it remained far from optimistic.
LaLiga's strategy was to attract foreign investment. Yang Hao agreed with this, as Spain's market was simply too small. While it had a decent population and a solid local market, it couldn't support LaLiga's global ambitions. However, he believed that before attracting foreign investment, LaLiga had to establish proper financial oversight.
Who would want to acquire clubs that couldn't even produce financial statements?
More importantly, without reforms, LaLiga risked heading down the same path as Serie A.
"Antonio, you come from a financial background, so you surely understand how critical this is," Yang Hao said.
Antonio Ponte had already been aware of these issues. In fact, his expertise in this area was one of the reasons LaLiga hired him.
"Furthermore," Yang Hao added, "while Spain and LaLiga welcome foreign investment, who's regulating it? Background checks, capital flows, and similar concerns require a clear framework. Ideally, this should be handled by an internationally reputable accounting firm to enhance credibility."
In Yang Hao's previous life, the Premier League had excelled in this regard, leaving LaLiga far behind. While debt concealment still occurred in the Premier League, all acquisitions required full payment of funds before ownership could be transferred. Only then could the investors take control of the club.
LaLiga, however, had no such regulations. In his previous life, there were even laughable cases of installment payments.
For instance, someone could promise a large sum, make a small down payment, take control of the club, and then pay the remaining amount in installments. Wasn't that absurd?
Even the Premier League had once fallen victim to such schemes, as seen with the Glazer family's leveraged buyout of Manchester United. But they learned from their mistakes and adapted.
Yang Hao had brought this up now to remind Antonio Ponte of its importance. Clubs should only be transferred once the funds were fully received.
While Premier League investors sometimes discovered hidden debts post-acquisition, they had no choice but to swallow the losses because the payment had already been made.
Yang Hao stressed the need to clean up the debts. At the very least, clubs needed to present financial statements from reputable accounting firms. Otherwise, who would trust them? Investors weren't fools.
Moreover, the messier the situation, the easier it was for opportunists to exploit.
In his previous life, Yang Hao had seen countless reports of LaLiga's smaller clubs being duped. The most infamous case involved a Dubai-based group "acquiring" Getafe. The club was swindled out of €20,000, and its president proudly announced the deal worldwide. He even flew to Dubai to meet a supposed sheikh, who turned out to be a Brazilian restaurant waiter posing as royalty for €50.
Such absurd incidents severely damaged LaLiga's reputation.
Would any serious investor dare step into such chaos?
The root cause was a lack of professionalism and an absence of a mature regulatory framework.
"We've been paying attention to these issues," Antonio Ponte said with a furrowed brow. "We've started working on them, but there's just so much to handle, and it's all very chaotic."
Yang Hao nodded. He understood.
The claim that things were chaotic boiled down to one fact: many clubs simply refused to cooperate. For numerous small to mid-tier teams, cleaning up debt essentially meant revealing their most truthful financial situations. To them, it felt like a death sentence.
But unless this issue was addressed, no investor would ever trust them.
This led to a common question: why were investors willing to pay a premium for Premier League clubs while avoiding LaLiga, even though the latter was significantly cheaper?
The answer was right here.
During this period in Yang Hao's previous life, LaLiga's reputation surpassed that of the Premier League. It was a golden opportunity. That same opportunity still existed now. Taking advantage of this moment and committing to debt reform would yield immense benefits for the league's long-term health.
If Yang Hao were just a coach, he wouldn't have bothered with these matters. But as a major shareholder in Atlético Madrid, he had to consider his interests and those of the club.
"LaLiga currently controls revenue from broadcasting rights and league sponsorships. Don't tell me that if you're serious about pushing this initiative, you wouldn't be able to make it happen," Yang Hao said, employing a bit of reverse psychology.
At the heart of it, Antonio Ponte was hesitant to offend people. But Yang Hao's point was clear: this was something LaLiga had to do.
Will people criticize you? Good! Half the reason LaLiga hired you was to endure criticism while managing the league. If everyone wanted to play the good guy, what use was there for LaLiga's oversight? Might as well return to the days when clubs handled everything themselves and save a lot of money.
Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil also came to understand that this reform was truly necessary. If LaLiga developed properly, everyone would benefit. Cleaning up debt felt like cutting into one's own flesh—painful and undesirable—but it had to be done.
"Antonio, I think Yang is absolutely right," said Enrique Cerezo, having made up his mind. He had taken the lead in a previous reform effort, which greatly boosted his reputation and gave him a taste of success. This time, he decided to lead again.
"Here's what we'll do: prepare a plan as soon as possible. In the next few days, I'll visit various clubs to gauge the situation and discuss the idea with a few of them. If we can secure the support of some clubs, it'll be easier to move forward."
As chairman of LaLiga's board, Enrique Cerezo's commitment carried weight, leaving Antonio Ponte with no room for argument.
This initiative was bound to offend people. From the perspective of many club owners, it would look like LaLiga was using broadcasting and sponsorship revenues to strong-arm them. Getting scolded would be the least of their worries.
But Yang Hao's argument was valid.
"Alright, I'll push it forward," Antonio Ponte agreed.
Yang Hao, however, wasn't satisfied and corrected him, "Don't just try to push it. Commit to it. Ensure it succeeds!"
Antonio Ponte nodded. "Understood!"
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On April 2, LaLiga's 31st round saw Atlético Madrid host Celta Vigo at the Calderón.
The promoted side had been impressive this season, currently sitting 7th in LaLiga—an unexpected achievement.
The match was fiercely contested for over an hour until the 71st minute. Lionel Messi, who had come on as a substitute, dribbled down the right flank, beat multiple defenders, and drove into the box near the byline, forcing a corner kick after his attempt was blocked.
During the ensuing chaos in the box, Sergio Ramos broke free from his marker, rushed to the near post, and leaped high, heading the ball straight into the top-right corner of the net.
"Goal!!!"
"Ramos!"
The entire Calderón erupted in celebration.
Yang Hao cheered enthusiastically from the sideline, clapping for Ramos.
"Well done, Sergio!"
The attacking defender from Yang Hao's memories was finally starting to shine. It hadn't been easy. His positioning and header in this goal were simply outstanding.
Following Ramos' opener, Atlético ramped up their attacks. In the 82nd minute, Messi once again dribbled into the box, evading three defenders before slotting the ball into the net from the right flank, extending the lead to 2–0.
Celta Vigo's energy was visibly fading.
The entire stadium roared in support of Messi, while Yang Hao signaled for the team to press further.
In the 88th minute, Messi's dribble down the right flank drew a foul, earning a free kick. From the resulting set piece, Fernando Torres headed the ball into the net, securing Atlético's third goal.
3–0!
Atlético's victory, courtesy of goals from Ramos, Messi, and Torres, sealed three points against Celta Vigo.
In another marquee matchup that same round, Real Madrid and Barcelona played to a 1–1 draw at Camp Nou. Ronaldinho scored for Barça, but Ronaldo equalized for Real.
This outcome surprised Yang Hao. Deschamps had apparently reconciled with Ronaldo.
With Real Madrid fighting on multiple fronts, relying solely on Van Nistelrooy and Raúl wasn't enough. Moreover, Raúl wasn't the kind of forward who could carry the team on his own.
Deschamps' decision to mend fences with Ronaldo ensured Real Madrid's attack remained potent.
The 1–1 draw at Camp Nou reflected Deschamps' improving defensive strategies.
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On April 5, the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals saw Atlético host Inter Milan.
Having secured a 3–1 victory in the first leg, there was little suspense heading into the return match. However, Yang Hao remained cautious and fielded his strongest lineup.
Cúper unapologetically employed a defensive strategy, allowing Atlético to dominate possession while Inter focused solely on counterattacks. The match was far from entertaining.
Cúper's 4-2-3-1 formation created an impenetrable defensive wall at the Calderón.
Atlético, sticking to Yang Hao's instructions, maintained patient possession, steadily wearing Inter down and waiting for opportunities to arise.
Messi started the match but found himself in an unexpected challenge. Before the game, the Argentine had confidently told Yang Hao that he would dominate Favalli. Instead, Cúper assigned him an even more troublesome opponent: Iván Córdoba.
The Colombian defender was far more difficult to deal with than Favalli. Although not particularly tall, Córdoba was agile, quick on his feet, and adept at defending Messi's signature inside cuts.
It was clear that Cúper had intentionally planned this. Córdoba marked Messi, while Materazzi and Nesta formed a central defensive duo, supported by Zanetti.
No need for further discussion—this defensive line was formidable.
Unable to break through, Atlético opted for a strategy of patience, leveraging their possession to slowly wear Inter down.
The first half ended in a goalless stalemate.
In the second half, as the game progressed and physical stamina waned, Inter Milan's weaknesses became increasingly evident. Finally, in the 68th minute, they made a critical error.
Robben pulled Zanetti out of position on the left wing, and Kaká made a horizontal pass near the edge of the box. Iniesta followed with a precise through ball to Evra, who made a lightning-fast diagonal run into the left side of the penalty area. From the edge of the six-yard box, Evra calmly slotted the ball into the far corner with his left foot.
The ball slipped through Toldo's legs and into Inter's net.
At that moment, Yang Hao couldn't help but wonder—should Evra be playing as a forward? But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Evra was improving steadily on the left flank. Why would he be moved to a forward position? With his height and technical characteristics, he wasn't suited for such a role; even as a winger, it would be challenging.
No, Evra was better off sticking to his job as a left-back, a position with significant potential for his future.
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After the Champions League quarterfinals concluded, the global media and football fans were abuzz.
Thanks to Evra's goal, Atlético Madrid defeated Inter Milan 1–0 at home, securing a spot in the semifinals.
In the same bracket, Real Madrid eliminated Juventus without too much trouble, setting up a Madrid derby against Atlético in the semifinals.
Villarreal, meanwhile, held AC Milan to a 0–0 draw at San Siro and advanced to the semifinals on aggregate.
As for Barcelona, they made no mistakes, defeating Benfica 3–0 at Camp Nou to secure their place.
For the first time, all four Champions League semifinalists were from LaLiga.
This development shook European football to its core.
Everyone knew LaLiga had been dominant in recent years, but last season's all-English final had many believing it was the beginning of the Premier League's rise.
No one expected that this time around, all Premier League clubs would be eliminated in the Round of 16, while LaLiga teams turned the semifinals into an all-Spanish affair.
Atlético Madrid would face Real Madrid in a Madrid derby, while Villarreal would clash with Barcelona—pitting Riquelme against his former club.
The matchups were tantalizing.
Atlético and Real were considered the two most star-studded teams in world football, with squads filled to the brim with elite talent.
As the media described it, this would be the most star-studded match in history, a showdown featuring the most Ballon d'Or winners ever assembled.
On the other hand, Villarreal vs. Barcelona was equally compelling.
Almost everyone who watched Riquelme play would agree—this man was a genius.
Yet, despite his undeniable talent, he never thrived at Barcelona.
Some said Riquelme was too slow and ill-suited to modern football's demands. But at Villarreal, under Pellegrini's system tailor-made for him, Riquelme had flourished, becoming one of Europe's best performers this season.
Some even suggested that if Villarreal pulled off a shock Champions League victory, Riquelme would be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Many viewed Villarreal's run as a triumph of pure football.
The team had no superstars, aside from Riquelme. The next most recognizable names were former Atlético wonderkid José Mari, Argentine international Juan Pablo Sorín, and Juventus loanee Alessio Tacchinardi.
The rest? Largely unknown.
Yet this unassuming team had forced its way into the Champions League semifinals.
Marca even suggested that Pellegrini was recreating the history made by Héctor Cúper when he led Valencia to consecutive Champions League finals.
The irony was that while Barcelona boasted far more stars—players like Ronaldinho, Henry, and Eto'o—many fans found themselves rooting for Villarreal instead.
Even Yang Hao couldn't help but hope Villarreal would topple Barcelona.
It was a strange feeling.
Watching Villarreal and Riquelme play felt special.
Yang Hao didn't care to classify Riquelme as "classical" or "modern." The truth was, Riquelme simply didn't fit into contemporary European football trends.
But as a fan, Yang Hao appreciated Villarreal and Riquelme for defying those trends.
Why must football conform to a specific style? Why should all teams play the same "modern" way?
Why couldn't a playmaker like Riquelme exist anymore?
If the world of football followed one rigid trend, wouldn't everything become monotonous?
What joy would there be left in the game?
That was exactly how Yang Hao felt.
He even called Pellegrini to congratulate him on reaching the semifinals.
"Congratulations! I hope you push harder and knock Barcelona out!"
"And then?"
"And then we'll meet in the final, where I'll take the trophy!"
Pellegrini laughed and cursed over the phone.
After the jokes, Yang Hao sincerely added, "I really admire your team and your football. You have a real chance—keep going!"
"Thank you!"
Coming from someone of Yang Hao's stature, that call alone was the highest endorsement Pellegrini and Villarreal could receive.
Whether Villarreal could defeat Barcelona remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: reaching the semifinals was already a monumental achievement for both Villarreal and Riquelme.
They had proven themselves to the world.
Especially Riquelme.
Yang Hao genuinely hoped that this time, Riquelme could make up for the penalty he missed in his previous life.
After the Champions League quarterfinals, LaLiga's 32nd round brought an intriguing turn of events: all the top Spanish teams ended up drawing their matches.
If you included Villarreal—or even Sevilla and other UEFA Cup participants—all of LaLiga's European contenders played to draws.
Out of ten matches, eight ended in stalemates. Truly remarkable.
Atlético Madrid managed a 1–1 draw away to Espanyol. Real Madrid finished 1–1 at home against Real Sociedad. Barcelona drew 2–2 away to Racing Santander. Villarreal also played to a 1–1 draw at home against Deportivo La Coruña.
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Following the 32nd round, Yang Hao gave his players a day off and dedicated the rest of the week to recovery and tactical adjustments.
Facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals required no special tactical research. After so many Madrid derbies in recent years, both Deschamps' approach and Real's playstyle were well-known to Yang Hao and Atlético's players. The same held true in reverse.
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April 15, LaLiga Round 33
Atlético Madrid hosted Athletic Bilbao at the Calderón and secured a narrow 1–0 victory thanks to a late goal from Fernando Torres in the 82nd minute.
This win effectively sealed the LaLiga title for Atlético, their fourth consecutive league triumph.
This unprecedented dominance sparked a huge reaction across Spanish football.
Using Barcelona as a benchmark, their Dream Team's peak era also included four consecutive league titles, though Atlético's consistency and margin of dominance exceeded that of Johan Cruyff's team.
Cruyff's Barça only claimed one Champions League title during that period, while Atlético had already won two since 2002.
By this standard, Atlético was firmly in their own "Dream Team dynasty" phase.
If Real Madrid's legacy were used as a comparison, their most iconic era outside of their early European dominance was the "Vulture's Cohort" era, which included five consecutive LaLiga titles.
Atlético now stood just one title away from matching that legendary achievement.
However, it was worth noting that Real Madrid's "Vulture's Cohort" era did not include a Champions League title.
Moreover, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona had ever achieved a treble in their history. Not once.
As Spanish media outlets pointed out, regardless of the standard applied, Atlético were now at a historic peak in LaLiga.
The question now was: who could dethrone Atlético?
After Real Madrid's legendary run, they were toppled by Barcelona's Dream Team, only for Barça to be dethroned by Real Madrid, who then won two Champions League titles in three years.
Time passed, empires rose and fell. The Spanish media eagerly speculated whether Atlético could surpass Real Madrid's peak records.
Meanwhile, the pro-Madrid AS newspaper issued a rallying cry:
"No matter what, Atlético must not win five in a row!"
"Real Madrid fans will never stand for it!"
In LaLiga's 33rd round, Real Madrid played to a 1–1 draw away to Getafe, with Deschamps clearly conserving energy for the midweek Champions League semifinal.
Another key matchup saw Barcelona narrowly defeat Villarreal 1–0 at Camp Nou, a potential preview of their Champions League semifinal clash.
However, the match was peculiar. Villarreal rested key players, including Reina, Riquelme, Tacchinardi, and Figueroa, none of whom even made the squad.
In contrast, Barcelona fielded their strongest lineup and only managed a win thanks to Eto'o's goal.
This set the stage for a tantalizing first leg of the Champions League semifinal three days later, where Barcelona would host Villarreal. The narrative centered on Riquelme's return to the Camp Nou, adding significant intrigue.
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April 18, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Champions League Semifinal, First Leg
Atlético Madrid traveled to Real Madrid for the first leg of their semifinal clash.
As the referee blew the whistle, Atlético kicked off.
Real Madrid's forwards Ronaldo and Raúl immediately pressed Atlético's defensive line, with Zidane following close behind. Supporting them were Ballack, Vieira, and Essien in a robust three-man midfield.
Deschamps had taken over during the winter break, and Ronaldo had initially been sidelined. It was only recently that Ronaldo reconciled with Deschamps and regained his starting spot.
Now, just three games away from realizing his dream of a Champions League title, the Brazilian forward was highly motivated, showing his intent right from the opening whistle.
Atlético, however, were missing two crucial players. Xabi Alonso was out due to injury, and Lucio was serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
Real Madrid took advantage of this and applied immediate pressure on Atlético's backline, targeting the center-back pairing of Sergio Ramos and Thiago Silva.
Ronaldo and Raúl pressed hard, forcing Ramos to clear the ball upfield.
However, the clearance was intercepted by Cannavaro, and the battle resumed near midfield.
Possession soon fell to Atlético. Real Madrid, it seemed, were not intent on competing for possession.
Deschamps' strategy resembled Cúper's approach in the quarterfinals: aggressive pressing to disrupt Atlético's passing rhythm.
Atlético's first attacking attempt came through the middle but was quickly thwarted. By the second minute, they shifted focus to the left flank.
Evra carried the ball down the left wing and passed to Robben, but under pressure from Salgado, Robben was unable to break through and returned the ball to Iniesta.
Iniesta, pressed by Essien, was forced to pass back.
Spotting an opportunity, Evra delivered a long diagonal pass to the right flank.
When Messi controlled the ball, Real Madrid's defensive line was already shifting to cover him.
Instead of attempting a direct challenge against Ashley Cole, Messi moved horizontally, evading Ballack before passing to Kaká and sprinting toward the penalty area.
Kaká, advancing from midfield, saw Messi's pass and, without stopping the ball, attempted a direct through ball between Vieira and Ballack to penetrate the penalty box.
Kaká's through ball was too obvious and was directly intercepted by Vieira. However, Kaká immediately fought back for the ball, tangling with Vieira until the ball was deflected back to Maicon on the right flank.
As soon as he passed, Kaká sprinted toward the right wing.
Maicon noticed that Ballack had been drawn away by Kaká's movement and advanced the ball before delivering a low diagonal pass. The ball slid past the retreating Vieira and landed at Messi's feet near the right edge of the penalty area.
The Argentine was positioned between Ashley Cole and Cannavaro, with his back to the goal. Messi executed a clever move, flicking the ball with his heel, nutmegging Cannavaro.
As Messi turned to chase the ball, Cannavaro subtly extended his arm to obstruct him. Casillas seized the moment and rushed forward to grab the ball.
"That was a beautiful attacking play by Atlético."
"From Messi and Kaká's interplay, to Maicon's diagonal pass, and then the nutmeg—it was all so well-executed."
"But Messi's lack of experience showed there. Cannavaro's block was perfectly timed."
"No matter how intricate Atlético's build-up is, as long as they're kept outside the box, it's meaningless."
The Bernabéu erupted in applause. Clearly, Real Madrid fans appreciated the defensive effort.
Despite the stop, Atlético's pressure on the field continued to mount, while Real Madrid appeared passive early in the game. The home crowd seemed resigned to this dynamic—Atlético had been far too dominant in recent years.
By the 7th minute, Maicon delivered another pass down the right flank to Messi.
Facing Ashley Cole one-on-one, Messi attempted a dribble but couldn't get past the defender. He cut inside and passed the ball to Kaká at the top of the penalty area.
The Brazilian controlled the ball with his side to goal, then flicked it lightly through Cannavaro's legs once again.
Poor Cannavaro—nutmegged twice within minutes.
This time, Kaká surged forward between Cannavaro and Ballack, cutting into the penalty area. He managed to reach the ball ahead of Samuel and unleashed a powerful strike.
The shot struck the outside of the right post and bounced out of play.
The loud thud as the ball hit the post echoed through the stadium, sending a chill through the hearts of everyone present.
Five minutes later, Kaká was at it again. After receiving a pass from Maicon in midfield, he controlled the ball, turned, and shook off Ballack. Feigning a move to the left, Kaká lured Real Madrid's defense to shift leftward before suddenly delivering a diagonal through ball with his left foot.
The ball skimmed past Vieira and reached Drogba, who had run in the opposite direction to the right side of the penalty spot.
Drogba's shot was precise, but Casillas made a heroic save, pushing the ball out.
The Bernabéu once again roared in approval, recognizing Casillas' critical intervention.
Atlético's relentless attacks were clearly putting immense pressure on Real Madrid's defense.
Even with four defenders and three defensive midfielders, Real Madrid's backline frequently appeared vulnerable.
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"In football circles, many people describe Atlético's attack as being like water. Their movement flows continuously across the field, always finding and penetrating gaps, making them almost impossible to defend."
In a private box at the Bernabéu, a particularly notable figure sat watching the match.
If spotted by the media, his presence would undoubtedly make headlines worldwide the next day.
It was none other than Arsenal's current manager, Arsène Wenger.
With no Champions League commitments for Arsenal, Wenger had given his squad a day off and took the opportunity to attend this high-profile clash in secret.
His host for the evening was his longtime acquaintance, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.
"Many say his coaching style resembles yours, Arsène," Florentino remarked with a smile.
Wenger chuckled. "Don't tease me. He's far better. I've yet to win a single Champions League title."
"Then come to Real Madrid. Everyone here will give their all to help you win the Champions League—and even more titles!" Florentino's tone was persuasive and enticing.
"You know how much we value the Champions League. At Real Madrid, the Champions League is everything!"
Wenger fell silent but didn't appear dismissive. Florentino, understanding Wenger well, continued without concern.
He knew Wenger had accepted his invitation to watch the match at the Bernabéu for a reason. The Frenchman was tempted, but his long tenure at Arsenal complicated matters.
"You know, Arsène, I've always felt you've been underappreciated at Arsenal. Over the years, you've poured your heart and soul into that club to help build their new stadium."
"I've also heard about the tensions between David Dein and Arsenal's shareholders."
At this, Wenger glanced at Florentino with a complex expression.
On one hand, he admired Florentino's ability to gather such detailed insider information. On the other, it frustrated him to see how accurately Florentino had pinpointed Arsenal's current predicament.
David Dein indeed had disagreements with Arsenal's shareholders, primarily because of the club's dire financial situation.
The new stadium was nearing completion, but significant debts remained unpaid. Additionally, plans to develop commercial housing on Highbury's former site required substantial investment.
David Dein believed the club needed to bring in foreign investors to resolve these financial strains, complete the stadium and real estate projects, and allocate funds for squad reinforcements to maintain competitiveness.
But Arsenal's board of directors disagreed. In their view, as long as the team consistently finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League, there was no need for heavy spending on transfers. The priority was to save wherever possible.
This perspective deeply disheartened Wenger.
He had given his all for Arsenal, only to see the club's management prioritize frugality over ambition.
Yes, he had proposed the idea of building a new stadium, but the real estate project wasn't his idea. If it were just the stadium, Arsenal wouldn't be in their current predicament.
And yet, the board acted as if their struggles were inevitable.
On the other hand, Wenger couldn't ignore how sincerely Florentino valued him.
Florentino had repeatedly told him, "You've always been my ideal candidate for Real Madrid's head coach!"
Moreover, the current European football landscape undeniably favored LaLiga.
With four Spanish teams in the Champions League semifinals, LaLiga's dominance was evident.
A club like Real Madrid, with its resources and history, was an irresistible prospect for any manager.
Yet, Wenger hadn't made his decision.
Wenger's relationship with Arsenal was far more complicated than simply being their coach.
"Florentino, I think your biggest problem right now is with the team's overall tactical style," Wenger remarked, shaking his head.
"The presence of so many superstars has made it difficult to implement tactical adjustments. Over the years, you've fallen behind modern trends. For instance, your forward line—Van Nistelrooy, Raúl, and Ronaldo—none of them are suited to playing as lone strikers anymore."
"Van Nistelrooy could have managed it in the past, but his age has caught up with him. His mobility has declined significantly, and in high-intensity matches, he can no longer keep up."
"That's why you need to bring in a top-tier striker—someone like Adriano. He would elevate Real Madrid's attack to a whole new level."
Florentino nodded. "Sacchi said the same thing before."
"With a world-class striker like that, Joaquín on the right wing, and a new left winger who can work well with Ashley Cole, your attacking front would be revitalized."
"Robinho is still too raw," Wenger added.
Florentino nodded again. He was already aware of all this. He had held several meetings to gather ideas, and these suggestions had been brought up repeatedly.
The issue, however, was that Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos were still on the team, leaving no room for new arrivals. For example, if a left winger were signed, what would happen to Zidane or Raúl?
"Arsène, let me be completely honest with you. We will undergo a major overhaul this summer."
"Zidane will retire after the World Cup, and both Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos will leave. If you're willing to take charge, I'll give you full control. Whoever you want gone, I'll let them go—no questions asked."
"Additionally, I've set aside a significant transfer budget. I promise that whoever you want, as long as they're available, I'll bring them in. I want you to build us a super team."
Florentino's tone turned serious.
"You know how it is—Atlético have already won four consecutive league titles. Next season, under no circumstances will we allow them to win a fifth. We will do whatever it takes to stop them."
It was the same approach Mendoza had taken to counter Barcelona back in the day.
How desperate had he been?
He even signed Valdano and Redondo—who had infamously denied Real Madrid the title twice in the final round of the season—to take charge of the team and spent heavily on transfers.
That was how they dismantled Barcelona's Dream Team.
The reasoning was simple: the honor of five consecutive LaLiga titles belonged to Real Madrid alone, and no other team could be allowed to claim it.
Mendoza had understood this, and he had made up his mind. Florentino knew it too, and he was equally determined.
"I know what's holding you back, Arsène," Florentino said, noticing Wenger's hesitation.
"I'll handle David Dein. If compensation is needed, we'll take care of it. All the issues—leave them to me. You've already done more than enough for Arsenal by giving them their new stadium."
Arsenal's new stadium was set to open this summer.
________________________________________
Suddenly, a gasp erupted from the stadium, interrupting their conversation.
Everyone in the private box turned their attention back to the game.
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Real Madrid's pressing in the first half was intense.
Even Ronaldo, who was unusually energetic tonight, joined the front-line pressing and ran far more than usual.
Zidane, however, struggled against Mascherano, who had marked him out of the game. When Ramos passed the ball to Mascherano to avoid Ronaldo's press, Zidane immediately closed in.
Mascherano, significantly shorter than Zidane, had a hard time withstanding the physical challenge. The Frenchman bumped him from behind, causing him to stumble. Mascherano managed to get the ball away to Ramos in open space just in time.
As Ramos controlled the ball, Ronaldo charged at him.
After a season of learning and improvement, Ramos now faced Ronaldo with composure. He calmly dribbled two steps to the right before sending a pass upfield past the halfway line.
Maicon intercepted the ball near the right touchline, controlled it, and pushed forward.
Ballack sprinted toward him, but Maicon wasted no time and passed the ball forward to Messi on the right wing.
Before receiving the ball, Messi glanced toward the middle of the pitch, noting that Iniesta and Kaká were already in position.
Understanding the situation, Messi controlled the ball, cut inside, and explosively accelerated forward.
Ashley Cole, wary of Messi, stuck close to him, not giving him any space. Behind them, Maicon overlapped, pulling Ballack away to give Messi more room.
After two strides, Messi feigned a shot with his left foot, prompting Cole to lift his leg in response. But Messi had no intention of shooting. Instead, he slid the ball through the gap under Cole's raised foot and into the right side of the penalty area.
Kaká, originally positioned in the center, made a sudden diagonal run from Vieira's blind spot into the right side of the box.
Cannavaro, focused on Messi, failed to notice Kaká's movement. By the time he reacted, Vieira was already chasing after Kaká.
However, Kaká reached Messi's pass just outside the right corner of the six-yard box. Without stopping, he played a one-touch pass across the face of goal.
Vieira, realizing the danger, lunged in with a slide tackle but was a step too late.
The ball rolled perfectly along the edge of the six-yard box toward the center.
Waiting in the middle, Drogba used his strength to muscle past Samuel and tapped the ball into the bottom-left corner of Real Madrid's net.
"Goal!!!"
"In the 33rd minute, Drogba breaks through Real Madrid's defense to give Atlético the lead!"
"A brilliant assist from Kaká and a calm finish from Drogba!"
"The Ivorian's physicality was too much for Samuel, who couldn't match him in size or strength. Drogba simply overpowered him."
"Kaká's pass was exquisite, and Messi's dribble leading up to it was exceptional."
"This attacking sequence was classic Atlético—fluid, technical, and precise. Their players not only have superb individual skills but also incredible coordination, which makes their attacks consistently dangerous."
"1–0!"
"This is a tough situation for Real Madrid, but there's still an hour left in the match. Deschamps' priority now is to stabilize his team and find a way to counter."
"Up to this point, Real Madrid have only managed two shots on goal, neither of which has troubled Atlético's keeper."
"In terms of possession, Atlético hold 59%, which is a significant advantage."
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Atlético's goal shifted the momentum of the match, especially for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid intensified their pressing in the midfield and final third, with their three defensive midfielders pushing aggressively forward. It was clear they realized that, having already conceded, allowing Atlético to maintain possession and dictate play with their intricate passing would leave them with no chance of winning.
From the sidelines, Deschamps urged his team to apply more pressure, particularly in the midfield.
Yang Hao's response was straightforward, similar to how he had countered Inter Milan's high pressing, but with some adjustments.
If Real Madrid wanted to press high, Atlético would meet them head-on. After all, it was an away match, and scoring more goals was always a good idea.
Yang Hao instructed Kaká to focus more on attacking, while Iniesta shifted centrally to act as the midfield pivot, linking play and dictating tempo. Messi was tasked with supporting Iniesta in the right half-space, leaving the flank open for Maicon to exploit.
Iniesta's presence in midfield provided Atlético not just exceptional ball control but also a fluid and unpredictable rhythm. While he lacked pace, his ball-handling, passing, and dribbling exuded a graceful cadence that was difficult to defend against.
With Xabi Alonso unavailable, Iniesta had to take on greater responsibility in orchestrating the midfield.
Kaká, meanwhile, pushed higher up to participate in the attack, while Messi frequently drifted into the half-spaces to support Iniesta, giving Maicon the freedom to overlap.
With Messi, Iniesta, Kaká, Mascherano, and Ramos all combining their talents, Atlético's midfield ball circulation became virtually unbreakable. Although Real Madrid's pressing disrupted Atlético's attempts to advance the ball at times, patience was key as they waited for the right opportunities.
In the 44th minute, with the first half nearing its end, such an opportunity finally arose.
Iniesta attempted a pass to Drogba, but Vieira intercepted it. However, Iniesta immediately regained possession and passed to Messi in the half-space.
Messi received the ball facing Ballack, who stepped up to challenge him.
Messi wasn't intimidated by taller, stronger players like Ballack. Having grown up playing against older and more physically imposing opponents, he had learned how to outmaneuver such players. In fact, he found it harder to deal with quick, agile defenders like Ashley Cole who could match his pace and rhythm.
With Ballack marking him, Messi noticed Kaká nodding toward him, signaling his readiness. The two shared a natural chemistry, and Messi knew exactly what Kaká was anticipating.
Without hesitation, Messi initiated a swift dribble, combining quick feints with bursts of acceleration. His agility and explosive pace left Ballack off-balance and unable to keep up.
Messi drove forward past Ballack, while Kaká made a diagonal run from the right edge of the penalty arc. Drogba, meanwhile, dropped deeper into the box, raising his hand to signal for the ball.
Vieira, trying to cover for Ballack's lapse, rushed to close the gap, but Messi quickly chipped the ball forward.
The ball sailed in a beautiful arc, landing perfectly between the penalty spot and the edge of the six-yard box on the right side of the area.
Kaká, in full stride, kept his eye on the ball as it descended. He knew Messi's passes were always precise.
Cannavaro, marking Kaká tightly on his inside, followed him closely, refusing to give him any space. Yet, inside the penalty area, Cannavaro dared not risk overly aggressive physical play.
Kaká was prepared. He stopped abruptly, using his body to gain favorable positioning. As the ball arrived, he turned his back to goal and controlled it perfectly with his chest.
Cannavaro, forced to stop suddenly as well, lost his chance to challenge for the ball and waited for Kaká to land, ready to prevent him from turning.
But Kaká was one step ahead. Without letting the ball touch the ground, he nudged it forward lightly with his right foot, then took a quick step to stabilize himself. Using his body to shield the ball from Cannavaro, he planted his right foot, turned smoothly, and struck with his left foot in one fluid motion.
The ball rocketed toward the bottom-left corner of the net with blistering speed.
Casillas, positioned on the right side of the goal, had no chance to react to such a precise and powerful shot aimed at the far corner.
"GOAL!!!"
"Kaká scores a stunning chest control, turn, and strike to double Atlético's lead!"
"Right before halftime, Atlético strike again!"
"2–0!"
"This goal is a major blow to Real Madrid's morale. Conceding just before halftime is a huge setback, especially here at the Bernabéu."
The silence of the Real Madrid fans was a clear indication of their disappointment.
While Real Madrid's defense had improved significantly under Deschamps, they still struggled against Atlético's relentless attack, especially in high-stakes matches.
It wasn't that Real Madrid's defense was poor—it was that Atlético's attack was simply too formidable. Their variety of passing, intricate movement, and seamless coordination created an endless stream of scoring opportunities.
As some pundits observed, Atlético's only real weakness was their lack of a reliable direct free-kick specialist.
Indirect set pieces, however? With Lucio, Drogba, Torres, Ramos, Pepe, and Thiago Silva all excellent in the air, Atlético's indirect free-kick play was as lethal as their open-play attack.
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The first half ended with Atlético leading 2–0.
When the second half resumed, Real Madrid showed a renewed sense of determination.
Ballack and Essien pushed higher up the pitch, transforming Real Madrid's midfield into a diamond formation and providing Zidane with additional support.
Just six minutes into the second half, Real Madrid created their best chance of the match.
Zidane delivered a clever chipped pass toward Ronaldo. Ramos, under pressure from Ronaldo, mistimed his header, allowing the ball to sail over him.
Ronaldo burst into the left side of the penalty area. Thiago Silva, having outrun Raúl, raced to close down Ronaldo.
With Raúl unmarked in the center, a quick cross would have given Real Madrid an open chance.
However, Ronaldo, eager to score himself, hesitated and missed the opportunity to pass. His eventual shot was well-covered by Čech, who blocked it and deflected it out for a corner.
Čech picked himself up from the ground and shouted at Ramos, who raised his hand in apology, his expression full of regret.
He knew how costly that mistake could have been, especially against Ronaldo.
He couldn't believe how quick Ronaldo's acceleration was. Despite his stockier build and seemingly sluggish demeanor, his sudden burst of speed was as sharp as ever.
It defied all logic—an absolute violation of the laws of physics!
For Real Madrid, this was a small taste of success.
In the 58th minute, Deschamps made his first substitution, bringing on Beckham for Ballack. Essien moved to the left side of midfield, while Beckham took over the right.
It was a clear signal of an intent to strengthen the attack.
Real Madrid indeed increased their offensive pressure, particularly in the midfield and attacking third.
In the 63rd minute, Deschamps made his second substitution, replacing Raúl with Van Nistelrooy. Clearly dissatisfied with Raúl's impact up front, he turned to the Dutch striker to establish a stronger hold-up presence.
However, just five minutes later, in the 68th minute, Mascherano intercepted a ball in midfield, sliding in to dispossess Zidane. Iniesta quickly moved the ball to the left wing, where Evra passed forward to Robben.
Robben sprinted down the left flank in a rapid counterattack. As Salgado moved up to challenge him, Robben executed a textbook move, splitting man and ball. He sent the ball past Salgado and charged forward at full speed.
When Robben caught up to the ball again, Drogba was being double-marked by Samuel and Cannavaro in the center, while Kaká was surging forward like a lightning bolt toward the far post.
Without hesitation, Robben swung his left foot and delivered a pinpoint diagonal cross.
The ball soared over the heads of everyone in the center and landed in the right side of the six-yard box.
All eyes followed the ball as it arced through the penalty area. Suddenly, a red-and-white-striped figure came hurtling into view.
Kaká dove forward with perfect timing, connecting with Robben's cross with a powerful header.
"GOAL!!!"
"A diving header!"
"3–0!"
"Kaká scores a spectacular diving header to once again breach Real Madrid's goal!"
"68th minute, and the score is now 3–0!"
"This match is effectively over!"
"This is unbelievable—Atlético Madrid are leading 3–0 at the Bernabéu!"
"Kaká's diving header was absolutely stunning!"
The Brazilian jumped to his feet and sprinted toward the sidelines, signaling for Robben to join him in celebration while gesturing for the rest of the team to follow.
Soon, the entire Atlético squad was celebrating in a tight huddle by the touchline, right under the noses of the Real Madrid fans.
On the sidelines, Yang Hao exhaled deeply, visibly relieved.
3–0.
The match was firmly in their grasp.
While there was still a second leg to play, Yang Hao was confident that his team would secure victory at the Calderón.
After years of battles against the Galácticos, his confidence in Atlético's ability to handle Real Madrid was well-founded.
He was acutely aware of Real Madrid's weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Moreover, Atlético's players had been nothing short of exceptional.
Kaká's diving header brought to mind Van Persie's iconic goal at the World Cup. But Kaká's effort was even more aggressive, reflecting his fiery desire to score.
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The remaining 20 minutes of the match were little more than a formality.
Real Madrid made substitutions in an attempt to regain control, while Atlético brought on fresh legs to maintain possession and run down the clock.
Despite their efforts, the Galácticos struggled to pose a genuine threat to Atlético's defense. Zidane, Ronaldo, and other stars seemed a step behind, their prime years long gone.
The substitutes Joaquín and Robinho showed flashes of brilliance after coming on but failed to create meaningful opportunities.
Every time Yang Hao saw Joaquín, he couldn't help but feel it was a wasted talent.
After transferring to Real Madrid, Joaquín's career had failed to meet expectations, primarily due to the surplus of superstars at the club. Initially, he had to compete with Figo, then Beckham, and under Deschamps, his opportunities dwindled further as defensive solidity took precedence, often leaving no place for wingers in the lineup.
Spending €80 million on a benchwarmer—how many clubs in the world could make such a move?
Yang Hao also suspected that Joaquín struggled under the pressure of his record-breaking transfer fee.
As the saying goes, "To wear the crown, one must bear its weight." If you're not ready, how can you carry the burden?
In the end, Atlético secured a 3–0 victory at the Bernabéu, thanks to Kaká's brace and Drogba's goal.
With this win, Atlético maintained their perfect record in the Champions League this season, winning every match from the group stage to the knockout rounds.
Even Yang Hao found their unblemished record astonishing.
He admitted he had rested players in the final two group-stage matches to conserve energy, yet they still managed to win. What more could he do?
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The day after Atlético's emphatic win, European football was abuzz.
Everyone knew that with such a commanding away scoreline, Atlético's progression to the final was almost certain.
If Real Madrid managed to overturn the deficit at the Calderón, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
More importantly, Atlético's dominance this season was undeniable. To maintain a perfect record in the Champions League was almost unheard of.
If they could win their next home leg and the final, Atlético would become the first team in Champions League history to claim the trophy with a perfect record—and perhaps the only team ever to do so.
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Meanwhile, at the Camp Nou, Villarreal faced Barcelona in the other semifinal.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Early in the second half, however, Riquelme delivered a masterful through ball despite being surrounded by three Barça midfielders. José Mari received the pass in the box, controlled it perfectly, and calmly scored.
In the closing stages, Ronaldinho provided a pinpoint assist for Henry to equalize. Moments later, another sublime pass from Ronaldinho set up Eto'o, who completed the comeback.
Barcelona won 2–1 at home, but Riquelme's performance left an indelible impression, especially his assist to José Mari, which was nothing short of breathtaking.
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