Starting With Real Madrid Chapter 1155: Defending the King's Cup

"It's still Barcelona organizing the attack."

"After crossing the halfway line, three Real Madrid players are coming in to intercept."

"Modric wins the ball and passes it to Di Maria. Real Madrid launches a quick counterattack."

"It's three-on-three up front."

"Di Maria carries the ball forward and passes to Morata ahead."

"Morata controls it into the left side of the penalty area, faces Alves, does a beautiful bicycle feint, and shoots with his left foot."

"Oops!"

"Morata!"

"At the crucial mont, Morata failed to complete the shot, and it lacked power."

"Real Madrid's buildup play was beautiful, but Morata's final shot went straight into Pinto's arms. This young Real Madrid striker still needs to improve his finishing ability, especially in seizing key opportunities."

"He missed a chance to kill off the ga."

"Pinto quickly throws the ball out to start Barcelona's counterattack."

"The ga is nearly over. Let's see what Barcelona can do with this one."

"They move quickly through midfield, Xavi passes to ssi."

"ssi cuts inside with the ball but finds no space."

"Real Madrid's defensive transition is lightning fast."

"The double pivot of Casemiro and Xabi Alonso is doing an excellent job shielding the defense."

"Xavi takes it back to reorganize the play, then passes to Iniesta, who threads a through ball forward."

"Nice pass!"

"Neymar is in the box, a chance..."

"Courtois cos off his line and dives to claim the ball!"

…

The entire stalla Stadium erupts with gasps from Real Madrid fans and sighs from Barcelona supporters.

Courtois's intervention was perfectly tid. He imdiately smothered the ball before Neymar could shoot, and the Brazilian almost couldn't stop his montum in ti.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper looked slightly shaken himself. He stood up holding the ball in one hand and shouted instructions to his teammates with the other.

Carvajal had just been pushed off balance by Neymar while trying to establish position, a defensive lapse that should never have happened.

Real Madrid's right-back is strong offensively, but his defensive weaknesses are a real issue that need improvent.

Courtois saw an opening and threw the ball to Carvajal, urging him to push forward and start the attack.

But at that mont, the referee blew the final whistle.

The entire stalla Stadium erupted in cheers from Real Madrid fans.

The Real Madrid substitutes waiting on the sidelines sprinted onto the pitch, celebrating wildly as they secured the Copa del Rey title once again.

…

"The match is over!"

"2-0!"

"This is the seventh ti Real Madrid has beaten Barcelona this season!"

"It's unbelievable. Real Madrid has won all seven encounters this year."

"Looking at the live footage, you can see the Barcelona players are utterly devastated and dejected."

"This season has been a massive blow to them."

"They were once Europe's most dominant force, feared by all. Even Real Madrid couldn't stand up to them back then. They could beat Los Blancos with ease."

"But now, Real Madrid has risen. Under Gao Shen's leadership, they have defeated Barcelona seven tis in one season!"

"What an incredible achievent!"

"After losing the Copa del Rey, you can see despair written on every Barcelona player's face. They probably don't even know what cos next for the club."

"It has been a disastrous season for Barcelona."

"President Rosell resigned amid the Neymar transfer scandal, which caused chaos within the club's managent."

"At the start of the season, the board appointed Martino, who had no European experience. Looking back now, it's clear that decision was a huge mistake."

"Martino will leave Barcelona at the end of this season, without a single trophy, and without even managing to draw against Real Madrid in seven El Clásicos."

"This will go down as a humiliating season in the club's history."

"Right now, they are lost. No one knows who will succeed Martino or which players will stay and who will go."

"Let's congratulate Real Madrid! Congratulations to Gao Shen!"

"After nearly securing the La Liga title, Real Madrid now adds the Copa del Rey, bringing them one step closer to the treble they promised before the season began."

"More importantly, they showed great dominance throughout this match. Even though Barcelona had more possession, Real Madrid's control of the ga was calculated, mature, and steady."

"This is what champions look like."

"Under Gao Shen's leadership, Real Madrid is clearly on the right path toward a new era of glory."

"Perhaps they really can achieve the first treble in Spanish football history this season."

"It would be a historic and legendary feat!"

…

After the final whistle, Gao Shen imdiately turned and hugged Zidane, Hierro, and the rest of his staff, then walked over to the Barcelona bench to shake hands with Martino and his assistants.

Despite being the Real Madrid head coach, Gao Shen still showed respect, greeting them one by one, especially Lula and Rubi, who played vital roles under Martino this season.

What surprised Gao Shen was that Sanchez and Thiago Motta also ca over to shake hands and congratulate him on the victory.

It was bittersweet.

Sanchez had perford well for Barcelona, but after Neymar's arrival, he lost his place in the lineup.

Based purely on form, Sanchez has been better than Neymar this season, yet he couldn't secure a starting spot.

Thiago Motta's situation was even more unfortunate.

Many called him a herald of the early-century generation.

Most fans probably no longer rember this La Masia graduate.

Gerard made his debut at Barcelona's academy and had a playing style similar to Guardiola. Yet he never got a proper chance at the club and moved to Valencia, where he beca key to their two Champions League final runs. Barcelona then bought him back at a huge price, only to sideline him again.

As a result, Gerard underperford at Barcelona, wasted several years, and retired early with regret.

Thiago Motta was luckier. Gerard never won the Champions League at Valencia, but Motta did so at Napoli.

Gao Shen still felt sympathy for his forr trusted player.

Back then, Gao Shen had advised Motta not to return to Barcelona, preferring he follow him to Manchester City. If Motta had listened, things might have turned out very differently.

But there is no dicine for regret.

Now nearly 32, Motta no longer had the sa fire he once showed at Napoli. There was only a lingering sense of decline.

What else could he still pursue at this stage?

Sanchez, Thiago Motta, and Juan Vargas were the three players who moved from Napoli to Barcelona that year. Now, Vargas had completely fallen out of favor and wasn't even in the squad tonight. Sanchez was leaving, and Motta's future at Barcelona looked equally bleak.

"Wenger has contacted my agent. He wants in the Premier League and plans to build the team around ," Sanchez said as he stood beside Gao Shen on the touchline. "Boss, what do you think?"

Even now, the Chilean still trusted Gao Shen's judgnt deeply.

"Only Arsenal?"

"No, Bayern are in contact too. You know Pep has always valued . Lewandowski is moving there, and they plan for , Lewandowski, and Ribery to form a front three."

Gao Shen nodded. That would indeed be a dream attacking trio.

But it was clear Sanchez wasn't entirely happy.

"First, Bayern's offer isn't as good. Second, I can't be sure of my tactical role. Thomas Müller is in great form now," Sanchez said, frowning.

His close friend Vidal was already at Bayern and familiar with the situation there.

The two, along with another friend, ran a winery and farm together in Chile. Their wine and cherries were exported to China, and the business was thriving.

Because of that, their relationship with Gao Shen had beco even stronger.

"Arsenal sounds like the better choice," Gao Shen suggested.

Sanchez smiled imdiately, put his arm around Gao Shen's shoulders, and thanked him.

"Don't worry, when I face your Leeds United, I'll try to hold back a little."

Gao Shen chuckled.

Given Leeds United's performance this season, they had no reason to fear Arsenal. It was anyone's ga.

Leeds United currently sat sixth in the Premier League, one point ahead of seventh-placed Manchester United and eighth-placed Tottenham, but five points behind Everton in fifth and six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

For now, Leeds United had little hope of qualifying for the Champions League, but that wasn't their main goal yet.

…

Gao Shen walked back to the pitch amid the cheers of Real Madrid players.

On the podium, the staff were already setting up for the trophy ceremony.

All the Real Madrid players, including substitutes and those not on the squad list, lined up hand in hand, sprinted toward the stands filled with their supporters, and dived onto the grass in celebration. The Real Madrid fans responded with deafening cheers and applause.

Gao Shen went over to hug each of his players, thanking them for their contributions, straightening their jerseys, and sending them one by one toward the podium to collect their dals.

He remained in the stands, celebrating with the fans, cheering on his team as they lifted the trophy high into the Valencian night.

(To be continued.)