Starting With Real Madrid

The game was nearing its end.

Tottenham Hotspur once gained possession near midfield. Modric attempted to play a forward pass to find Džeko, but Manchester City's center-back got to the ball first and headed it away.

The ball dropped to midfielder Scott Parker.

Parker had just brought the ball under control and was preparing to pass forward when Henderson charged in. The ball deflected off Henderson and bounced behind Parker.

Henderson intercepted Parker's pass, took a step forward, and sent it ahead to Hazard.

The Belgian controlled the ball, turned, and played a diagonal pass back toward the left flank.

At that moment, Gareth Bale came surging past Kyle Walker like a bolt of lightning.

Both players are quick, but Walker had played the entire match and was clearly fatigued. Bale, on the other hand, had only come on in the 75th minute. Their physical condition was no longer on the same level.

And physical condition directly affects pace and explosiveness.

Gareth Bale sprinted forward, beat Walker to the ball, tapped it ahead to push it into space, and then exploded after it at full speed.

Ledley King was positioned just outside the box and tried to track back, but Bale, upon reaching the edge of the penalty area, poked the ball forward again and accelerated.

The entire Etihad Stadium erupted into wild cheers.

"Gareth Bale accelerates again!!!"

"Oh my God, he's so fast!"

The Welsh winger used sheer pace to burst past Ledley King and charged into the left side of the penalty area. He reached the ball on the edge of the six-yard box, glanced toward the center, and sent in a low left-footed cross.

The ball zipped across goal and fell right into the danger zone in front of the six-yard line. Suárez arrived just in time, met Bale's delivery, and slotted the ball into the almost-empty net with his right foot.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"In the 93rd minute, the final minute of stoppage time, Suárez breaks the deadlock for Manchester City!"

"Gareth Bale made a brilliant, explosive run down the left and delivered a perfect assist to Suárez."

"Look at the Manchester City players—absolutely ecstatic!"

"The entire Etihad is chanting the names of Gareth Bale and Suárez, and of course, their head coach—Gao Shen."

"As the live broadcast shows, Gao Shen sprinted out of his technical area to embrace his players at the touchline. He's overwhelmed with emotion!"

"Ninety-three minutes—almost ninety-four—and Manchester City finally find the breakthrough!"

"This is strength!"

"This is the magic of Gao Shen!"

"He always finds a way to turn the tide in the dying moments, just like this substitution with Gareth Bale!"

…

"You're really making it tough for me, Gao!"

Referee Howard Webb quickly ran over, shaking his head and gesturing to Gao Shen not to go any further.

Just stay there. I'm pulling out my cards!

Gao Shen laughed and spread his arms, as if to say, "Bring it on, mate!"

Webb chuckled, reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a yellow card, and showed it to Gao Shen.

"Careful now, Gao. Any more and you'll be suspended for yellow card accumulation," Webb warned jokingly.

Gao Shen laughed, stepped forward, shook Webb's hand, then leaned in for a friendly hug before returning to the home dugout.

The entire stadium was chanting Gao Shen's name.

"At this moment, he's probably the happiest man in the world to receive a yellow card," Andy Gray said admiringly.

"Manchester City have faced tough opponents recently. There have been draws, there have been wins, but every match has been a battle."

"This is like a test for every Manchester City player—to see whether they have what it takes to continue challenging for unprecedented glory."

"Remember, when Manchester United completed their historic treble, they too came from behind repeatedly against tough opponents."

"Manchester City are going through the same now. Since the winter break, they've fought hard in nearly every match."

"And coming up next, they'll face Liverpool, Arsenal, and then the Champions League will return."

"Full-time!"

"Referee Howard Webb blows the final whistle after Tottenham's restart."

"Let's congratulate Gao Shen and his Manchester City side on securing another hard-earned three points!"

"For Manchester City, this isn't just a win on their title campaign—it's a crucial psychological boost as they navigate this brutal stretch of fixtures."

…

"Congratulations, Coach Gao!"

"Thanks!"

Gao Shen smiled and walked toward Modric, who came over after the final whistle.

"You played really well tonight. Honestly, it was tough for us to get past your midfield." Gao Shen praised sincerely.

He had always held Modric in high regard.

Back during his Napoli days, he'd tried twice to sign the Croatian. Even after arriving at Manchester City, he'd always hoped to bring him in. Unfortunately, the opportunity never materialized.

Modric's greatest strength lies in his versatility.

There's a saying that fits him well: the more complete the technique, the more expansive the tactics.

Players like Modric are rare gems.

Although Leeds United had a similar player, he wasn't quite the finished article yet.

Van der Vaart had done well since joining Spurs, but the real heart of the team was still Modric.

"I hope you keep working hard and achieve your goal of winning the quadruple!" Modric said with a smile.

Tottenham had no real chance of lifting major silverware this season, but the whole football world was watching to see if Manchester City could accomplish Gao Shen's historic objective.

It was a bold and enviable ambition.

Gao Shen noticed the hunger in Modric's eyes.

At 26, he was at the perfect age to make his mark.

This was the golden phase of a player's career—where fitness, experience, and technical ability all reach their peak.

A few years later, even if skills improve, the body begins to decline. It's a fact no one can escape.

If Modric couldn't take a leap forward now, he might never reach the top.

The Croatian clearly wasn't willing to let that happen.

"I heard two or three teams are interested in you lately, Luka?" Gao Shen suddenly asked.

Modric was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a wry smile. "Leonardo called me, and Ancelotti too. He's managing Paris Saint-Germain now. But… I'm still undecided."

"I get it." Gao Shen nodded. PSG could definitely offer him great wages, but in terms of honors, the risk was high. Ligue 1's global influence was still limited.

"I've always wanted to thank you." Modric suddenly seemed a little shy.

"Thank me? For what?"

"When you said I was the best player in the Premier League, it gave me confidence. People always say you're the best coach in the world at spotting talent, so I believed you."

For some reason, Gao Shen felt moved.

He realized that sometimes, a single comment—even a casual one—could change a person's life.

"Then I take it back now!" Gao Shen said abruptly, his smile vanishing.

Modric was startled. What did that mean?

Had he offended Gao Shen?

Seeing his reaction, Gao Shen was inwardly pleased. His trick had worked.

"You're not just the best in the Premier League—you're one of the best in the world!"

Modric broke into laughter, visibly touched.

"Thank you!"

"Luka, I really hope we get a chance to work together someday." Gao Shen extended his hand.

Modric froze for a moment, then quickly shook his hand. But mentally, his thoughts were already racing.

Given Manchester City's current midfield setup, there was no space for Modric.

Everyone knew Gao Shen trusted David Silva, Rakitic, and Yaya Touré the most. Then there was the young De Bruyne, another key developmental focus.

Why would City break apart a midfield they'd spent three years building just for him?

Then Modric suddenly thought of another possibility—Real Madrid?

Was Gao hinting he might take over at Real Madrid and bring him along?

The thought made him excited.

But Modric wasn't reckless. He quickly calmed down.

"Me too. I've always dreamed of playing under you. I'm ready to give everything for you," Modric said earnestly.

Gao Shen was briefly stunned. Did this guy misunderstand something?

"Modric moved closer and whispered, "I've never told anyone this, but Levy and I have a gentleman's agreement. If a big club comes in this summer, he'll let me leave."

Gao Shen was surprised, looking at Modric, who nodded seriously.

"I'll wait for your call!"

With that, Modric smiled and walked away.

Gao Shen stood there, smiling wryly.

What did I even say to make him think that?

It was just a polite remark, wasn't it?

He genuinely admired Modric, but Manchester City didn't need him now. Unless…

Still, Gao Shen had no plans to think about it now.

He shook his head helplessly.

Forget it. Let the misunderstanding stand.

Still, this kid is really something. To tell me something so personal...

Damn it, now I feel a bit guilty.

(To be continued.)