"I don't like saying who is the favorite before a game. I think it's very bad."
After training at the familiar venue of the Stade de France, Gao Shen accepted the arrangement of UEFA, attended the pre-match press conference of the Champions League final, and answered questions from reporters on site.
This time he can't escape because UEFA only recognizes head coaches.
In fact, it’s no wonder. After leading the team to the finals, is it ridiculous to ask an assistant coach to do it?
Since he attended the press conference, Gao Shen seemed very serious.
Wearing a neat and crisp suit, this is a "uniform" tailor-made for him by Real Madrid. There are three sets in total, all of which are famous brands. Of course, the club's public funds will be reimbursed.
He sat upright on the main podium, with his hands clasped on the table in front of him, and a smile on his face when answering questions, which really made many media reporters at the scene feel a little bit strange.
how to say?
They were used to seeing those old sprouts, so they were really surprised to see such a young sprout.
Especially on the stage of the Champions League final.
As the media joked with Gao Shen at the beginning of the press conference, "We are too embarrassed to embarrass you."
It's so tender that it takes a pinch of water.
But when it comes to the serious question-and-answer session, reporters still have to perform their respective duties.
"I think this is the Champions League final. Both us and Barcelona have gone through many hard-fought games to get here, so I don't think anyone can say that they are guaranteed to win. Both of our teams have a chance.
Win the championship.”
"Even, to some extent, we will be more experienced because we have won nine Champions Leagues in history."
Gao Shen obviously does not intend to admit Barcelona's strength advantage.
Although he repeatedly emphasized it in front of the players in private, that is another issue.
Some media asked, what tactics does Gao Shen plan to adopt in this final? Has he specifically studied the video of Barcelona's game? Or what tactics have been specially arranged for Barcelona?
In the game against Sevilla, Gao Shen arranged for Arbeloa to play as left back, which was highly praised, because in that game, Sevilla's right wing was basically paralyzed, which shows the success of Real Madrid's left wing.
But Gao Shen smiled and shook his head, "Since that game at Camp Nou, I haven't studied them seriously. I have watched some of their games recently. I think that in fact, Barcelona has adopted a certain approach in the Champions League and the league.
They have two different tactics, and they play more pragmatically in the Champions League."
This is the truth.
Rijkaard learned from the experience of previous Champions League defeats and played more pragmatically in the Champions League.
To put it bluntly, we should pay more attention to defense.
In the league, Barcelona actually plays beautiful offensive football.
That's why Gao Shen said that they have two different playing styles.
Some reporters mentioned Messi, who has been participating in training with the main team recently.
"It's not surprising." Gao Shen still smiled, obviously very calm, "Messi is a very outstanding talented player, I even think that he will be a phenomenal player in the future, even though he is still very young now.
But I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was in the starting lineup for the Champions League final."
"On the contrary, I will remind my players that they must be careful about Messi, he will be a threat not lost to Ronaldinho."
Gao Shen's words are the highest praise for Messi.
You know, Ronaldinho is the best player in the world's football world, and Gao Shen believes that Messi's threat is enough to compare with Ronaldinho. This is already a very high praise.
"Mr. Gao, you are only 25 years old this year. You are the youngest head coach in the history of the Champions League, the history of the Champions League finals, and the history of Real Madrid. Now, it is the last game of the season. What do you think?
What is your coaching experience at Real Madrid? Do you think it is a success?"
Gao Shen thanked the reporter from Marca and nodded at him. He thought he was this person but didn't know his name.
"I think this is a wonderful season. I first came into contact with football in 1998, when I was playing in the World Cup in France. I met Ronaldo, Zidane, Owen, and...
Beckham……"
When Gao Shen said this, he smiled very happily. This is true.
"At that time, like everyone else, I had a dream, which was to one day be able to play alongside these great superstars. But later I discovered that I had no talent in this area and could not play football. I also did not know how to play football, but
My interest still made me choose football. I am very proud of myself for making this choice, and I am grateful to everyone who helped me make this choice."
"Before February 28, I never thought that I could become the head coach of Real Madrid. It was a dream, but I didn't expect that it would become a reality so quickly. I was not even mentally prepared at the time.
, I was just stunned there.”
Gao Shen's statement is obviously different from Chairman Martin's statement.
Because according to Martin, he had paid attention to Gao Shen very early. He thought Gao Shen had such potential and understood Gao Shen's talent, so he resolutely chose Gao Shen.
But what Gao Shen is saying now is clearly at odds with Martin.
Which one is true or false?
In fact, there is no need to guess at all.
"This is an incredible thing. I feel like Frodo in [The Lord of the Rings]. Suddenly I got a Supreme Lord of the Rings that countless people dream of. I have to remind myself all the time.
Don’t let it confuse your mind, I must always remain calm and rational, while also showing courage and determination.”
"Frodo had his Fellowship of the Ring, and so did I. I was surrounded by many outstanding comrades, not just our players, but also the coaching staff, and others."
"I want to say that Real Madrid's ability to reach the final is not due to me alone, but also to the players, coaches, staff and everyone at Real Madrid. It is a great honor for me to fight alongside them.
thing."
What Gao Shen wants to convey is that the most important thing about this journey for him is not actually coaching Real Madrid, but the various opportunities and challenges he faced while coaching Real Madrid, and the various people he met.
This is what he values most.
There was a burst of warm applause.
The profound answer may not satisfy everyone, but it is sincere.
More importantly, this is the first time Gao Shen has analyzed his past and his thoughts on coaching Real Madrid to the outside world.
…
Subsequently, reporters from the media asked many questions in succession, and Gao Shen answered them all patiently. His attitude was as always, neither humble nor overbearing. He was neither proud of winning the La Liga championship nor overly humble.
Especially for some media reporters who asked critical questions, thinking that Real Madrid is playing ugly and conservative football now.
Gao Shen gave a clear rebuttal.
"I don't think so. It may be because we scored less goals and our offense was not gorgeous enough. We have received a lot of criticism and criticism, but this is by no means conservative."
"I believe that everyone who has watched our Real Madrid game will find that our game is actually very fast-paced and our passing and receiving is more concise. This makes us lose the gorgeousness that many people think of, but it makes us more aggressive.
."
"What we are best at is taking the initiative to press and press in the midfield and frontcourt. We don't like to change the rhythm and give up space to our opponents. This makes us look more conservative, but in fact, we have strong control over the game and we do not lose.
Give it to your opponent."
Gao Shen was not satisfied with defending himself, but gave a rare counterattack and raised a question.
"If we are being conservative, then many representatives of the gorgeous offensive football that you talk about adopt similar tactics in the Champions League and have adopted the same style of play many times in the league. Are they the same?"
Gao Shen almost pointed at the noses of those media reporters and said, you have such double standards!
Barcelona adopts two different tactics in the league and the Champions League. Even in the league, they often play more conservatively. You all just ignore it and just focus on us, Real Madrid?
Don't you know that gorgeous offensive football is based on strong strength advantages?
You are not strong enough, you are a gorgeous hammer!
Don’t media reporters know these simple truths?
No, they know, but they will never tell.
Not only will they not tell you, they will pretend not to know and use it to attack you.
This is the uncrowned king!
Some media dug a hole for Gao Shen and asked him, "Do you think Barcelona is the most powerful team in world football today?"
This is actually not easy to answer.
Is Barcelona strong?
This actually doesn’t need to be said much because it is universally recognized.
But if Gao Shen admits Barcelona's strength, it will be tantamount to belittling Real Madrid in disguise, which will be detrimental to tomorrow night's final.
Gao Shen was a little confused, obviously hesitated, and then laughed again.
"That's a good question. I guess you must be from Catalonia."
There was a burst of laughter at the scene.
The reporter nodded, "I'm a reporter from Daily Sports."
"OK, I know your answer."
"But we want to know your answer." The reporter was still reluctant.
There were also many media reporters at the scene who were very interested and wanted to know how Gao Shen would answer this difficult question.
"You know, I never like to rely on words, I like to answer with facts, so I can only tell you now, and I will give you my answer tomorrow night."
"I think the strongest team is the team that wins the Champions League tomorrow night. This is the highest and most authoritative event in world football. Only the strongest team deserves this honor."
"Tomorrow night, I hope I can still see you in this stadium after the game."
Gao Shen's answer was also full of provocation, but everyone present felt his confidence and fighting spirit.
He did not admit or deny the strength of Barcelona, but he is confident that he can defeat Barcelona tomorrow night and use this Champions League to prove that Real Madrid is also, or is, the strongest team in the world.
