Chapter 48
Canary Wharf, London
"Chelsea suffered their most humiliating defeat of the season tonight at the Calderón!"
As the television commentator's trembling voice declared this, Roman Abramovich leaned back into his plush sofa, closing his eyes.
Disappointment was written all over his face.
But the middle-aged man beside him chuckled softly and offered a consoling remark:
"Wins and losses are part of football."
Abramovich opened his eyes and looked at the man. With a faint smile, he replied, "I don't like losing. I like winning. And I only like associating with winners."
"Funny you say that. José feels the same way."
Abramovich immediately understood that "José" referred to José Mourinho, the manager of Porto.
Tonight, Mourinho's team was facing Monaco at the Stade Louis II. Based on the first-leg result, Porto's progression to the semifinals seemed all but certain.
Seated across from him, alongside Chelsea's soon-to-be CEO Peter Kenyon, was the rising Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes.
"So tell me, Jorge," Abramovich asked, "how do we win the Champions League in the shortest time possible?"
Mendes responded with a confident smile, his demeanor exuding an infectious self-assurance.
"That's simple. There's already a blueprint."
"Who?"
"Inter Milan."
Abramovich glanced at Kenyon, who nodded subtly. The Russian billionaire straightened up on the sofa, signaling his interest.
"In recent years, Inter Milan's performance has been dismal, particularly in the 2001/02 season when they only managed to finish as Serie A runners-up. A major fallout between Ronaldo and Cúper significantly weakened the team's strength."
"In response, Moratti decided to increase investment, bringing in a batch of talented and suitable core players like Adriano and Nesta during the summer of 2002."
"The results of these signings were quickly evident. Last season, Inter Milan secured both the Serie A title and the Champions League trophy. This season, they are competing on all fronts, pushing hard for a treble."
"And coincidentally, Chelsea is highly likely to finish this season as Premier League runners-up."
Abramovich, familiar with Inter Milan's resurgence, understood that the Italian side was currently the top contender for the Champions League title in Europe, standing shoulder to shoulder with Atlético.
Noticing Abramovich's interest, Mendes smiled and handed over a proposal, detailing his analysis of Chelsea's current situation and transfer recommendations for the summer.
He strongly suggested that Chelsea reinforce multiple positions, highlighting a crucial strategy:
"I believe a key factor in Inter Milan's success was their bold move in the summer of 2002, signing three players from Atlético in one go, as well as bringing in Nesta from Lazio. This eliminated problems of integration and adaptation."
In his plan, Mendes proposed that Chelsea adopt a similar strategy by signing several players from Porto.
For the midfield, he recommended Maniche and Tiago, who could bolster Chelsea's strength and provide depth, reducing the strain on the midfield. This would also enable Chelsea to transition from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
For the defense, Mendes urged Chelsea to sign Paulo Ferreira, freeing Gallas from his right-back duties so he could partner Terry as a center-back replacement for Desailly.
For center-back depth, Mendes suggested signing Portuguese international Ricardo Costa, a key player for Porto this season alongside veteran Jorge Costa.
In goal, he recommended Ricardo, the Portuguese national team's goalkeeper from Sporting CP.
For the attack, Mendes pointed to wingers Simão Sabrosa and Ricardo Quaresma.
"Quaresma is widely regarded as a super talent in Europe, but as you've seen, Barcelona lacks the patience to nurture young players. If you bring José to Chelsea, pair him with Quaresma and Simão, I guarantee Chelsea's wings will soar!"
Mendes exuded confidence, his eloquence making it all sound like a surefire recipe for Champions League success.
The plan was particularly tempting because many players came from Porto, effectively transplanting Porto's squad to Chelsea, minimizing the time needed for team chemistry.
"Do Porto have a real shot at the Champions League this season?" Abramovich asked, intrigued.
Mendes smiled knowingly. "Last season, they won the domestic treble and the UEFA Cup. What do you think?"
Abramovich nodded decisively. "Very well. I look forward to seeing it."
"Jorge."
Mendes looked at the Russian billionaire, whose very presence exuded the scent of money, awaiting further instructions.
"As I said earlier, I like winners, and I only associate with winners!"
"Understood."
As the world marveled at Atlético's stunning 4-0 victory over Chelsea at the Calderón, sealing a 7-2 aggregate triumph, another story unfolded at Monaco's Stade Louis II.
Porto managed a 0-0 draw against Monaco, progressing to the semifinals with a 3-0 aggregate victory.
The previous day, two other quarterfinals had also been decided. Deportivo La Coruña staged a miraculous 4-0 comeback at home against AC Milan, advancing with a 5-2 aggregate.
The Champions League semifinals were set:
Atlético Madrid vs. PortoInter Milan vs. Deportivo La Coruña
But while the world celebrated, a Portuguese man quietly disembarked from a yacht docked at London's Canary Wharf. Entering a waiting car, he made a phone call.
"Hello, José, congratulations on making it to the semifinals."
The call reached Monaco, where Mourinho, dissatisfied with Porto's goalless draw, answered.
"I just met with the Russian. He's very impressed with your work this season and expressed interest in bringing some Porto players to Chelsea to strengthen the team further."
"What else did he say?" Mourinho asked, sensing there was more.
For Mourinho, securing a managerial role in a top league was a pressing goal. Among all offers, Chelsea's stood out as the most appealing. Not only was their Premier League standing strong, but their ambitious owner aimed to build a world-class club, providing the perfect stage for Mourinho's talents.
"He wants you to win the Champions League to prove your abilities."
Mourinho fell silent for a few seconds before replying candidly: "Atlético won't be easy to beat."
"Of course not, but you'll find a way, won't you?"
"Our attack and counterattack struggled against Monaco, especially in the second leg."
"In the first leg, we capitalized on Monaco's eagerness for an away goal to exploit their defense. But in the second leg, we lacked a stable playmaker in midfield and had vulnerabilities in our backline."
"If we struggled this much against Monaco, facing Atlético... frankly, I don't have much confidence."
Mourinho's honesty revealed his concerns. Against Yang Hao's Atlético, claiming he was confident would have been laughable.
"Don't worry, just do your best. I'll speak to the Russian again. Rest assured, you'll be managing in one of the big four leagues next season. If all else fails, there's always Real Madrid!"
Mourinho burst into laughter. "Are you trying to kill me?"
Mendes laughed too. "Relax. Given the situation, Chelsea won't find a better candidate than you."
Mendes was brimming with confidence.
"Hello, Jacques."
"Hi, Yang. What an honor to meet you!"
After the match against Chelsea, Yang Hao welcomed Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, along with the core members of their design team, into Atlético's locker room.
This was pre-approved by Yang Hao, who hoped the designers would consider practical needs when crafting Atlético's new stadium, especially the home team's locker room.
To achieve this, they needed to better understand the behaviors and habits of Atlético players before, during, and after matches. Yang Hao permitted the designers to enter the locker room after the match and even allowed them to communicate with players—on the condition that all players were properly dressed.
Otherwise, scenes that could damage the club's reputation might occur, which Yang Hao wanted to avoid at all costs.
Yang Hao also exchanged ideas with the two architects, outlining his vision for the locker room environment. He wanted it to facilitate preparation and team discussions in a way that enhanced performance.
Interestingly, even now, many stadiums specifically designed for football fall short in their locker room designs.
Herzog and de Meuron acknowledged this, explaining that architectural design often involves compromises, with safety considerations—especially fire safety—taking precedence. Factors like player and fan access routes, stairways, and disability access were essential.
"Once you account for all these elements, you'll find the stadium practically builds itself," Herzog said. "Add ventilation, lighting, and other requirements, and the design space left for creativity becomes quite limited."
"For decades, most stadium designs have maintained the same internal structures, merely updating the exteriors."
Herzog, an avid football fan, couldn't help but complain to Yang Hao about the challenges of his profession.
Yang Hao wasn't moved.
"That's precisely why we're paying you—because it's challenging."
If it were easy, he thought, we'd design it ourselves.
Without holding back, Yang Hao presented a long list of demands, mostly concerning coaching needs but also including broader club considerations.
For example, Yang Hao wanted the stands to amplify the fans' cheers. He admired the atmospheres at the Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabéu, particularly Barcelona's home stadium.
Herzog and de Meuron, experienced in their craft, pointed out the importance of stand inclinations in achieving this effect.
Yang Hao also proposed incorporating advanced technology into the stadium, with everything as connected as possible.
Currently, many technologies could be implemented, such as smart ticketing systems, fire detection, and intelligent parking solutions. However, more futuristic elements Yang Hao envisioned—like stadium-wide Wi-Fi—were less common, even unfamiliar to Herzog and de Meuron.
Finally, Yang Hao emphasized the need to future-proof the design, leaving room for upgrades.
He compared this to his experience as a homeowner in his previous life, where many residents failed to pre-install wiring for smart devices or ceiling-mounted Wi-Fi. Some even skimped on essentials like electrical wiring, only to face power issues later when adding more appliances.
One of his neighbors, for example, frequently tripped the circuit breakers every summer due to overloading the system with multiple air conditioners.
"This won't be difficult," Herzog agreed.
After chatting with Yang Hao for a while and seeing that their team had gathered sufficient insights, Herzog and de Meuron prepared to leave.
They had learned that dealing with Yang Hao as a client was far more demanding than working with Enrique Cerezo or Miguel Gil.
If they stayed any longer, Herzog feared Yang Hao might hit them with even more challenges.
Before leaving, they exchanged phone numbers to maintain open communication.
For Yang Hao, getting to play the role of the demanding client was unexpectedly enjoyable.
After the Chelsea match, Atlético returned to La Liga action, traveling to face Málaga in the 32nd round.
Atlético secured a 3-1 victory with a brace from Fernando Torres and a goal from Kaká.
However, the real shock of the round was Real Madrid's 0-3 defeat at home to Osasuna.
David Beckham's recent tabloid scandals had taken a toll on his form, and Madrid fans at the Bernabéu waved white handkerchiefs in protest against the management.
After this round, Atlético maintained their commanding lead in La Liga with 78 points, while Valencia trailed with 66 points, and Real Madrid sat at 63 points after their humiliating loss.
According to Marca, this season's La Liga had developed a clear gap in quality.
Atlético was far ahead, dominating the league with consistency. Valencia, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Deportivo La Coruña formed a second tier, separated by a significant margin from sixth-placed Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao.
Even more surprising was Espanyol's decline under Mauricio Pochettino, as the team found themselves in the relegation zone.
Celta Vigo, who had finished sixth last season and started this campaign strongly, were also mired in the relegation battle.
This underscored La Liga's cutthroat competitiveness—any misstep could lead to disaster, leaving teams on edge.
Marca credited Atlético's early dominance in La Liga with allowing them to focus more on the Champions League.
With two Spanish teams in the Champions League semifinals, Atlético faced Porto, while Deportivo clashed with Inter Milan.
"Based on the current outlook, Atlético is the favorite to advance," Marca predicted.
However, the newspaper warned Yang Hao not to underestimate José Mourinho's Porto, who had eliminated Manchester United.
Porto's group-stage performance against Real Madrid was less convincing. They lost 1-3 at home and managed only a 1-1 draw away in the final round, when neither side had much at stake.
Given Porto's situation, the 1-3 loss seemed more telling, as it occurred when both teams were at full strength.
Yang Hao knew from his past life that Porto's Champions League triumph relied heavily on a combination of factors—timing, tactics, and favorable matchups.
Looking closely at Porto's path to glory, their most notable achievement was defeating Manchester United. But at that time, United was in a transitional phase, having lost Beckham.
Their subsequent quarterfinal against Lyon was less challenging, as Lyon lacked the firepower of Europe's elite.
In the Champions League semifinals against Deportivo La Coruña, the so-called "Super Depor," known for its poor away performances, Porto still couldn't secure a home victory. In the 87th minute of that match, Deportivo's key central defender Andrade was sent off.
In the return leg, Deportivo held the advantage but faced Porto's aggressive, physical tactics. Porto secured victory with a penalty kick. By the 70th minute of the match, another central defender, Naybet, was also sent off. Worse yet, after Deportivo had used up all their substitutions, right-back Pablo was injured, leaving the team with only nine players on the field.
Even then, Porto's win was razor-thin.
Watching the Champions League final also reveals how fragile Porto was before Ludovic Giuly's injury. Porto clearly struggled.
Analyzing Porto's entire campaign makes it evident that their squad was not of Champions League-winning quality—likely more fitting for a quarterfinal appearance. Monaco, too, was not of elite level.
However, Mourinho's tactics were undeniably impressive.
While his aggressive approach against Deportivo faced criticism, his ability to neutralize Juan Carlos Valerón was masterful. Over two legs, Valerón barely had breathing room, demonstrating Mourinho's tactical brilliance.
This success, regardless of the perceived luck surrounding Porto's title, was a testament to Mourinho's tactical prowess.
Back in Madrid, Yang Hao revisited Porto's two-legged tie against Monaco and identified a crucial moment in the first leg. Porto's quick start caught Monaco off guard, earning them an early goal.
Monaco's strategy of seeking away goals backfired. Conceding early threw them into disarray, and their decision to press further only resulted in conceding a second goal within the opening 15 minutes.
In some respects, Deschamps' tactical decisions and lineup were outclassed by Mourinho.
Yang Hao, therefore, had no intention of underestimating Porto.
Complicating matters, Atlético was set to host Real Madrid in the Madrid Derby—a La Liga Matchday 33 clash—right before their first-leg Champions League semifinal against Porto.
Yang Hao didn't expect Real Madrid to serve up such an unexpected gift right at the start of the game.
As the season progressed, Yang Hao refined his squad rotation strategy.
David Villa played more frequently on the right wing, while Didier Drogba featured in the Champions League and cup matches, with Fernando Torres primarily starting in La Liga.
This arrangement wasn't rigid and adjusted based on the opposition.
Drogba excelled in breaking down defensive blocks, while Torres was better at exploiting spaces with direct runs. Yang Hao deployed them accordingly.
Against Real Madrid, Torres started and was immediately electrifying.
Early in the game, Torres dropped deep to receive a pass from Villa. Turning sharply, he bypassed Zidane, dribbled past Roberto Carlos, and cut inside from the right flank. Using his pace, he even slipped past Vieira.
However, upon entering the box, his attempt to beat Cannavaro ended with the Italian defender executing a clean tackle. Torres stayed on his feet but lost possession.
Later, Robben delivered a fast cross from the left flank. Torres reached the ball just outside the six-yard box but stumbled and fell. Casillas claimed the ball easily. Torres argued that Cannavaro had tugged him from behind, causing him to lose balance, but the referee only responded with a smile.
During an Atlético counterattack, Torres exploited the space left by Roberto Carlos' forward runs, receiving the ball on the right flank. Cutting inside past Cannavaro, he delivered a cross, but Robben failed to connect in the box, missing a golden opportunity.
The game's first major turning point came in the 13th minute.
Baraja, positioned near the right touchline in midfield, launched a diagonal ball over Madrid's defense toward the left wing. Torres sprinted past Salgado, showcasing his extraordinary pace, and managed to keep the ball in play with a leaping header just as it was about to cross the line.
Upon landing, Torres surged forward, dribbled into the box from the left corner, and faced Helguera. With a deft feint, he sent Helguera the wrong way, then cut to the byline before delivering a low cross across the goalmouth.
Villa arrived just in time, sliding to connect with the pass.
Casillas made a stunning save, denying Villa's effort with an acrobatic dive.
Just four minutes later, Atlético attacked again with a long ball, once more targeting Madrid's vulnerable right side.
Torres reached the ball first, controlling it on the left wing. Facing Salgado, he executed a series of feints and looked poised to dribble past him. Just as Torres was about to break free, Salgado intervened with a foul.
The referee immediately blew his whistle, brandishing a yellow card for Salgado.
Yang Hao quickly identified Madrid's weak spot—Beckham's subdued performance left Salgado exposed, forcing him into frequent one-on-one situations.
Reacting swiftly, Yang Hao instructed his team to relentlessly target Madrid's right flank.
In the 22nd minute, Robben received the ball on the left wing, outpaced Salgado, and passed inside to Deco. Deco threaded a through ball into the box, where Torres darted between Cannavaro and Helguera.
At the penalty spot, Torres struck with his left foot, sending the ball into the back of the net.
1-0!
The Calderón erupted into a frenzy.
Atlético fans roared Torres' name, celebrating a beautifully crafted goal.
In the 27th minute, Deco shifted play to the left wing once more. Robben faced Salgado in another one-on-one duel. With a quick touch, Robben pushed the ball forward, darting around Salgado to collect it on the other side—executing a perfect nutmeg.
The crowd erupted in anticipation.
As Robben sped past Salgado, the defender attempted to recover. Turning his body, Salgado leaned into Robben, pressing a hand on his shoulder and delivering a subtle elbow to his neck. Robben lost his balance and tumbled near the left touchline.
The referee immediately blew his whistle.
"This is a blatant foul!"
"Replay shows Salgado clearly used his elbow. Now it's up to the referee to decide the punishment."
The referee reached into his pocket.
"Yellow card!"
Salgado had already been booked earlier. This second yellow meant…
RED CARD!
Real Madrid was down to ten men.
"The referee gives a second yellow card to Salgado, sending him off with a red."
"This is a fair decision. Both yellow cards were deserved. However, for Real Madrid to be a man down just 27 minutes into the game is disastrous."
"We can see that the entire Real Madrid team is protesting vigorously, claiming the decision was unfair."
"However, slow-motion replays confirm that the referee made two correct calls."
"This sequence also highlights how Atlético's coach, Yang Hao, adjusted his tactics in real time to exploit the situation. After Salgado's first yellow card, Atlético began relentlessly targeting Real Madrid's right flank."
"And what about Queiroz? He failed to make timely adjustments to counter Atlético's strategy."
"This is emblematic of Real Madrid's current issues. Beckham's form is subpar, so now what?"
"Real Madrid is preparing a substitution. Mejía is coming on."
"But the question is, who will he replace?"
"Would they dare take off Beckham?"
"Victoria Beckham, who flew in from England to support her husband, is in the stands tonight, hoping to help him through this difficult period. Would Queiroz risk substituting him in front of her?"
"Or will it be one of the Galácticos up front?"
"It's Raúl!"
"Queiroz has chosen to replace Raúl!"
"We can see the shock on Raúl's face."
"Given the current state of the players, Beckham should have been the logical choice to come off."
"However, Queiroz seems to have considered Beckham's precarious situation and opted for Raúl instead."
Yang Hao stood near the home team's dugout, observing Raúl as he was substituted. Though they were not far apart, Yang Hao could clearly read Raúl's emotions—from surprise to anger, then resignation, and finally disappointment.
Raúl did not argue or complain. He immediately removed his captain's armband, jogged over to Iker Casillas, handed him the armband, and left the pitch.
Remarkably, Raúl didn't even approach Queiroz for the customary handshake. Instead, he walked directly behind the away team's dugout and down the tunnel into the dressing room.
A member of Real Madrid's coaching staff chased after Raúl, trying to explain the decision, but Raúl shook his head and waved him off, signaling that he didn't want to hear it.
Yang Hao could understand Queiroz's predicament but also felt sympathy for Raúl.
What other choice did Queiroz have?
Would he dare substitute Vieira? Without him, Real Madrid would collapse entirely.
Being a man down, leaving Beckham in midfield alone in his current form would be tactical suicide.
Could he take off Zidane, Figo, or Ronaldo? These were global superstars, and substituting them would invite immediate backlash.
So, Beckham? On paper, yes—his performance was the worst. Substituting him made sense.
But his wife was in the stands, having flown all the way from England to support him. Would Queiroz dare substitute him less than 30 minutes into the match?
Beckham would almost certainly demand a transfer the next day.
That left Raúl. He was the safest, least risky option.
Yang Hao could even guess the message Queiroz had likely sent via the assistant coach:
"You're the captain. At a time like this, you must put the team first."
Yes, the team comes first.
When Beckham arrived and the team's tactics had to change, it was "for the greater good." When Salgado was sent off and someone had to make way, it was also "for the greater good."
And in the years to come, when more superstars joined and Raúl had to make space for them, it would still be "for the greater good."
Eventually, as Raúl's flexibility wore him down, as he aged and his abilities diminished, he would become a burden on the club. And when that time came, they would slap the label of "dressing room tyrant" on him and tell him to leave.
The match was effectively over the moment Salgado was sent off, and Raúl was replaced by Mejía.
Real Madrid managed to hold Atlético to a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the first half.
Down a man, Real Madrid's superstars felt the weight of Raúl's sacrifice. They became more active on the pitch, particularly in defense.
After all, if their captain could endure such humiliation for the team, how could they afford to play lazily? If they did, they would face the wrath of Real Madrid's fans.
However, as the second half began, Atlético unleashed an offensive storm.
In the 47th minute, David Villa scored to double Atlético's lead to 2-0.
Yang Hao made a substitution at halftime, bringing on Andrés Iniesta for Deco.
After Villa's goal, Gabi was introduced in place of Baraja.
In the 77th minute, Lucio added a third goal with a header, making it 3-0. At that point, the match was well in hand.
Two minutes later, Yang Hao substituted Lucio with Pepe to give the Brazilian defender some rest.
Queiroz, on the other hand, didn't make his second substitution until the 86th minute, bringing on Guti for Zidane.
Two minutes later, Beckham was replaced by Borja.
Yang Hao couldn't help but wonder: with only a few minutes left in the match, what was the point of these substitutions?
The game ended with Atlético Madrid securing a dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid.
After 33 matches, Atlético Madrid boasted a record of 25 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 81 points to sit comfortably atop the La Liga table.
Valencia, meanwhile, drew 2-2 at home against Real Sociedad, having trailed by two goals before clawing back for a point.
Barcelona secured a 3-0 home win over Málaga.
As a result, Atlético maintained their commanding lead.
Valencia, sitting second, trailed Atlético by a staggering 14 points with just 5 matches remaining in the season.
At this stage, the title race was all but over. Only theoretical scenarios could prevent Atlético from clinching the title.
Real Madrid remained third with 63 points, while Barcelona climbed to fourth with 59 points, followed closely by Deportivo La Coruña in fifth with 58 points.
Following their decisive victory over Real Madrid, media outlets unanimously declared the La Liga title race finished.
Having already secured the Copa del Rey, Atlético Madrid now looked poised to claim the league title with a massive margin.
With just five matches left, Atlético needed only one win—or even just a draw—to mathematically secure the championship.
This certainty didn't stop the Spanish media from lavishing praise on Atlético Madrid.
"This season's La Liga has been chaos," they wrote, "but amidst the turbulence, Atlético has risen as the undisputed king."
Two of Spain's traditional football powerhouses found themselves in turmoil.
Real Madrid's Galáctico strategy was spiraling out of control, while Barcelona suffered a catastrophic collapse in the first half of the season. Both giants had dropped too many points early on, succumbing to a string of costly errors.
In stark contrast, Atlético Madrid had maintained consistent momentum from the very beginning, staying resilient and focused throughout.
So far, Atlético had only lost two matches all season, one of which was the opening game.
Apart from their commanding performance in La Liga, Atlético had already secured the Copa del Rey, earning them the title of a bona fide double champion.
The team had also advanced to the Champions League semifinals, launching a ferocious bid for European glory.
If they could secure the Champions League trophy, Atlético would become the first treble-winning team in La Liga history, marking an unprecedented achievement.
This success would elevate Atlético's status in both Spanish and European football to unparalleled heights.
Precisely because of this historic moment, the day after their emphatic victory over Real Madrid, Enrique Cerezo, Jesus Gil, and other club executives made their way to Majadahonda to "inspect" the progress.
They delivered strong messages of encouragement to the team, urging everyone to stay focused and continue their hard work.
In a subsequent team meeting, Yang Hao emphasized the club's priorities for the remainder of the season:
"The focus is now the Champions League," he declared.
Preparations would revolve around the European competition, with the remaining five La Liga matches providing opportunities for younger and less utilized players to step up.
The Final Push
"Gentlemen!"
Yang Hao exhaled deeply, flashing a confident smile.
"You've likely seen the media coverage by now. I'm sure the accompanying journalists have also shared their thoughts with you."
This internal meeting, attended by management, players, and even accompanying reporters, was not about tactical secrets. Instead, it was a rallying call—a final motivational push for the Champions League semifinals and, hopefully, the final.
"We are exactly one month away from the Champions League final," Yang Hao began, his tone steady but charged with resolve.
"In the next month, we have three games that matter most."
He turned and struck the tactical whiteboard behind him with a loud slap, drawing everyone's attention to the schedule written there. Three matches were highlighted, with their dates, locations, and opponents.
The Champions League final opponent would be either Inter Milan or Deportivo La Coruña.
From Yang Hao's perspective, Deportivo would be an easier challenge, as Javier Irureta's team was more predictable.
But realistically, Yang Hao expected Inter Milan to emerge victorious.
"I want to make this clear: if we win these three matches, every single one of you in this room will go down in history—not just for Atlético, not just for La Liga, but for European football."
"I know it won't be easy, but I want you all to remember this: nothing we've achieved so far has been easy. Not a single match, not a single opponent."
"But here we are. We've made it this far because of our hard work, our determination, and our belief in ourselves!"
"This is the result of everyone's collective effort—players, staff, management, and even the fans. It's been a journey like no other."
Yang Hao's gaze swept the room, locking eyes with each player.
"If we stay united, if we remain focused and committed, I truly believe we have the strength to defeat any opponent. I truly believe we can achieve our dream of the treble!"
"And starting today, there's only one target left: the Champions League!"
The players erupted into applause, their excitement palpable as they rallied around their coach's inspiring words.
Strategy Beyond the Pitch
After the team meeting, Yang Hao convened with the club's various departments in his office to discuss broader strategies.
Carlos Leo, the head of marketing, was the first to speak, providing an update on their progress:
"I've paused or delayed all ongoing sponsorship negotiations," Carlos announced, earning surprised looks from the group.
"Previously, we struggled in negotiations with many brands. But now, as the season unfolds and our success becomes undeniable—especially after reaching the semifinals and dominating La Liga—more sponsors are lining up to partner with us."
Carlos smirked, his tone laced with confidence:
"As Yang said before, those who ignored us before will find themselves unworthy of us today."
"If we secure the treble, our commercial prospects will skyrocket!"
The room buzzed with excitement.
Most of the executives in attendance had joined Atlético when the club's future was uncertain. Some were simply looking for a decent paycheck, while others, like Carlos, were risk-takers seeking to make a name for themselves in uncharted waters.
Now, just four years later, Atlético had transformed into one of Europe's rising giants.
Some media outlets and fans had even begun referring to Atlético as a newly minted European powerhouse.
If they truly clinched the treble this season, Atlético's status in Spain, Europe, and the global football community would undergo a monumental transformation.
Carlos outlined plans to develop homegrown superstars, such as Fernando Torres, Kaká, Xabi Alonso, Baraja, and even Didier Drogba.
"Beauty is subjective, but strength changes perceptions," Carlos explained with a grin.
"Take Ronaldo, for example. His prominent teeth might not be conventionally attractive, but they've become his trademark. Why? Because he's undeniably strong."
"The same applies to Drogba and even the team as a whole. Strength earns acceptance and admiration."
Carlos ended with an ambitious proposal: if Atlético achieved the treble, he would request additional funding to expand the marketing department, aiming to elevate the club's brand on a global scale.
"This will be a critical step in transforming Atlético into a truly global powerhouse."
Consolidating Power
The public relations team shared similar aspirations. They had capitalized on Real Madrid's recent fallout with Marca, gradually fostering a closer relationship with Spain's largest newspaper.
As a result, Marca had shifted to a more neutral stance between Atlético and Real Madrid, portraying both teams fairly within Madrid's football scene.
While AS remained staunchly pro-Real Madrid, Atlético's growing dominance had forced even them to soften their tone occasionally.
In the finance department, plans were underway to gradually improve the team's overall wage structure.
"We won't raise everyone's salaries all at once," the department clarified, "but we'll offer competitive terms during contract renewals to retain key players."
Renewals were carefully staggered to ensure contracts didn't expire simultaneously, preventing logistical chaos.
After listening to each department's updates, Yang Hao leaned back in his chair, processing their collective enthusiasm.
One thing became crystal clear:
Atlético Madrid wasn't just chasing the treble on the pitch.
Off the pitch, they were preparing to secure their place as a global football superpower.
"How can you all be so sure we'll win the treble?"
Yang Hao sighed, "I feel so much pressure."
Everyone around him burst into laughter.
"We believe in you!" Miguel Gil patted Yang Hao's shoulder, grinning.
The laughter grew louder.
"Alright, as always, leave the pitch to me," Yang Hao said with confidence.
Preparing for Porto
After the Madrid derby, Atlético Madrid shifted their focus entirely to the Champions League semifinals.
The first leg against Porto would be held at home.
Unlike Atlético's intense derby against Real Madrid, Porto fielded a mostly second-string lineup in their Primeira Liga Matchday 31 clash, resulting in a 0–0 draw away from home. Key players such as Paulo Ferreira and Maniche only played 45 minutes.
It was clear that José Mourinho was resting his main squad and conserving energy for Atlético.
Mourinho had good reason to be confident. Despite the draw, Porto maintained a 6-point lead over second-placed Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga standings. With only three matches left in the 34-game season, Porto had virtually secured the league title.
Porto was also set to play Benfica in the Portuguese Cup final, meaning Mourinho was also pursuing a treble this season.
A Detailed Dossier
Back in the winter break, Yang Hao had instructed Mendioto's scouting team to begin gathering intelligence on Porto. His reasoning at the time? "I have a good feeling about Mourinho."
As Atlético reached the semifinals, the scouting team provided an updated report on Porto.
Porto's Strengths
Defensive Solidity:
Mourinho, a defensive mastermind, had built a rock-solid backline even without Ricardo Carvalho. Veteran Jorge Costa and young Ricardo Costa anchored the defense.Flanking Power:
The fullbacks, Paulo Ferreira and Bosingwa on the right, and Nuno Valente on the left, provided both defensive stability and attacking support.Midfield Dominance:
Porto's midfield relied heavily on a three-defensive-midfielder setup, with Costinha as the lynchpin. In the quarterfinal against Deportivo La Coruña, Costinha excelled at neutralizing Juan Carlos Valerón, stifling Deportivo's creativity in both legs.Versatility:
Mourinho frequently adapted between a 4-2-3-1 in the league and a more balanced 4-4-2 in the Champions League.
In Europe, Mourinho emphasized defensive solidity and counterattacks. The midfield trio of Costinha, Maniche, and Pedro Mendes played pivotal roles, with Alenichev occasionally featuring. Among them, Maniche was the most trusted.
Young Talent:
Porto's winter signing, Carlos Alberto, a 19-year-old Brazilian from Fluminense, was deployed as a playmaker or forward. Though not exceptionally fast, his technical skills and physical strength made him a key figure in Porto's attack.
Porto's Attack
The frontline was spearheaded by Benni McCarthy and Derlei.
McCarthy: Known for his explosive power and aggressive playstyle.Derlei: Exceptional at off-the-ball movement, he was both the team's second-highest scorer and top assist provider.
Together with Carlos Alberto, McCarthy and Derlei formed a dynamic trio that had been instrumental in Porto's knockout-stage victories.
Tactical Preferences
Mourinho's strategy centered on two elements: home-field advantage and defensive counterattacks.
At home, Porto typically exerted dominance with a high-press system.On the road, they relied on deep defensive blocks and quick counters.
Mourinho's meticulous preparation made Porto a formidable opponent, particularly at home, where Mourinho had once maintained an extraordinary unbeaten streak.
Yang Hao's Plan
To counter Porto's strengths, Yang Hao stressed the importance of seizing the initiative at home.
"The goal is simple: score first and secure the win," Yang Hao explained.
By doing so, Atlético could force Porto to abandon their defensive setup and attack in the second leg, opening up vulnerabilities.
Yang Hao also pointed out another weapon in Porto's arsenal: Edgaras Jankauskas, a 1.92-meter Lithuanian target man.
"His goal tally may not be high, but his presence is crucial for their tactics. Not only is he excellent in the air, but his technical skills are also noteworthy," Yang Hao cautioned.
Given Porto's likely reliance on a three-defensive-midfielder setup, Yang Hao anticipated a midfield battle.
"With Costinha, Maniche, and Pedro Mendes anchoring the midfield, breaking through on the ground will be difficult. Deportivo tried it and couldn't score across two legs."
Instead, Yang Hao proposed focusing on the flanks and utilizing long balls to bypass Porto's midfield pressing traps.
"Their central defenders are Jorge Costa, who's 32 and slowing down, and Ricardo Costa, who's prone to errors. While Jorge is experienced, Ricardo is vulnerable against physically dominant forwards."
Yang Hao's strategy revolved around Didier Drogba.
"This game will hinge on Drogba. We'll center our attack around him," Yang Hao emphasized.
With his strength, aerial prowess, and ability to hold up play, Drogba would be crucial in exploiting Porto's defensive weaknesses.
"Long balls to Drogba, followed by quick support from the wingers and midfielders. Avoid engaging Porto's midfield trio directly," Yang Hao instructed his team.
The coaching staff quickly set to work, preparing tailored drills and tactics.
Yang Hao, meanwhile, began individual sessions with Drogba, ensuring the striker was mentally and physically ready.
"This match will be won or lost with you, Drogba," Yang Hao told him, patting his shoulder.
Drogba nodded, his determination evident.
The stage was set. Atlético Madrid would go all out to secure a first-leg victory at home.
A journalist once interviewed Atlético Madrid players and asked them, "What does Yang Hao do in the locker room before matches?"
The most frequent response was: "He always makes us trust him completely. He tells us that if we follow his instructions to the letter and play as he expects, we will win the match."
Not just one match, but match after match, leading to trophies upon trophies.
The media would also ask, "What is the most important thing Yang Hao conveys to you?"
The players always replied: "Confidence!"
Drogba swore that Atlético players never coordinated their answers. They didn't need to—it was simply the truth of what they experienced in the locker room.
It was the same before the match against Porto. Yang Hao used every tool and piece of evidence to convey one clear message: Porto was not an easy team to handle. However, if Atlético players followed his instructions, they could defeat their opponents.
After more than four years together, everyone believed in Yang Hao with unwavering faith.
These players had been molded by him from the ground up. No one could command their trust and loyalty like Yang Hao.
In an interview with the media, Drogba summed it up succinctly: "No one knows me better than him!"
This coach, who Drogba considered to know him better than anyone else, spent half an hour with him in his office the day before the match.
Now, standing in the center circle of the roaring Estadio Vicente Calderón, ready for kickoff, Drogba adjusted the laces of his shorts while a memory of Yang Hao's words resonated in his mind:
"Didier, I know that deep in your heart, there's a hidden secret: you want to be a great person, a truly great one!"
"Now is your chance."
"Help Atlético win the treble, and you will achieve greatness!"
As Drogba lifted his head, he locked eyes with Deco, who looked back at him with equal determination.
Both had the same unwavering resolve, their eyes burning with an insatiable hunger for victory.
As the referee blew the whistle, Drogba passed the ball to Deco and sprinted forward. Deco played the ball back to Baraja, who switched it to the right flank toward Maicon.
Porto immediately pushed forward, pressing hard to regain possession.
Atlético remained calm. With their technical prowess, the Colchoneros handled Porto's high press with ease.
After a series of short passes, the ball reached Xabi Alonso, who delivered a long pass toward the edge of the penalty area on the right.
Drogba read the trajectory and positioned himself, shielding Ricardo Costa with his body before passing the descending ball to Joaquín.
The Spanish winger carried the ball diagonally, drawing Pedro Mendes' attention before attempting a direct pass into the box. However, Jorge Costa intercepted and cleared the ball with a strong kick.
Porto's defense around the penalty area was well-organized and impenetrable.
As Joaquín advanced, he found no viable passing lanes. His connection with Deco was entirely cut off by Costinha.
From his first encounter, Joaquín realized that the coach was right: Costinha was Porto's most underrated player. His defensive awareness, positioning, and ability to anticipate passing lanes were exceptional, coupled with remarkable stamina.
Porto's clearance didn't go past midfield, and Maicon won the aerial duel, heading the ball back to Baraja. The midfielder controlled it skillfully and quickly passed it to Joaquín.
Atlético launched another attack into Porto's final third.
This time, Joaquín found himself surrounded by three defenders, leaving him no option to pass. Forced toward the sideline, he kicked the ball against Valente to earn a throw-in.
The fans at the Calderón responded with enthusiastic applause.
Maicon saw Joaquín preparing to take the throw-in and rushed over to indicate he would take it instead. Meanwhile, Drogba moved into the area.
Porto had packed the zone with defenders, flooding it with bodies.
After adjusting his throw direction several times, Maicon saw that Drogba had shielded the ball from Ricardo Costa and launched the throw his way.
The Ivorian controlled it with his chest and brought it down. Just as he was about to turn, Costinha appeared out of nowhere and executed a clean tackle, stripping the ball away.
Drogba froze momentarily, but he immediately chased after the ball into the penalty area.
Jorge Costa controlled the ball without letting it go out of bounds, but Drogba was on him instantly.
Other Atlético players joined the press, creating chaos in the area.
After a scramble, Jorge Costa blocked Drogba with his body, spun around, and cleared the ball by kicking it off Drogba, causing it to deflect out of bounds.
Goal kick.
The stadium erupted with boos and jeers from Atlético fans.
"Unbelievable! How shameless can they get?"
"They're kicking the ball off our players to get it out!"
Vítor Baía took the goal kick, this time sending it past midfield, but Atlético regained possession and launched another attack, again targeting the right flank.
Baraja sent a diagonal pass, and Joaquín reached it just in time, nudging it toward the goal line before Valente collided with him intentionally.
Foul!
Atlético earned a free kick on the right flank.
Deco delivered the free kick, but it was cleared by a Porto defender at the near post.
Porto's playing style was clearly dirty.
In the 4th minute, Porto's defense cleared a ball forward, and McCarthy sprinted at full speed to chase it. However, Carvalho got there first and headed it to Lucio.
Although the ball had already been cleared, McCarthy didn't slow down, deliberately colliding with Carvalho and then pretending to help him up.
These minor tricks didn't influence the match result but did affect the players' emotions.
After losing to Porto, Deportivo de La Coruña's coach, Irureta, angrily ranted that Mourinho's team was the dirtiest he'd ever faced.
Mourinho, of course, retaliated by mocking Irureta's inability to accept defeat.
Yang Hao, watching from the sideline, turned toward the visiting team's bench and exclaimed in surprise:
"Who gave him that chair?"
Jesús Gil, laughing, replied, "Looks like he brought it himself."
"He brought a folding chair all the way from Portugal to Madrid?" Yang Hao could hardly believe it.
"Unbelievable!" he thought, recalling all the quirky coaches he had seen in his life, but none as eccentric as this.
After all, this was a Champions League semifinal.
You're playing an away game, yet you set up a folding chair by the sideline in front of the visiting team's technical area, sitting there like a king with your legs crossed, rocking back and forth. Are you going to die if you don't show off for even a second?
Yang Hao couldn't believe it!
Having coached for years now, he had never seen something like this—a coach bringing a folding chair to sit and cross his legs in the middle of a match.
"Why not take it a step further, like Lippi, and light up a cigar while you're at it?" Yang Hao muttered.
"I'm tempted to tell one of our players to kick the ball his way," Yang Hao joked, clearly annoyed.
Juanma Lillo rolled his eyes. "You're just looking for trouble."
Sacrificing possession just to annoy Mourinho? Atlético's players were skilled enough to intentionally kick the ball in his direction, but was it worth it?
"Besides," Lillo added, "how can you be sure this isn't his way of drawing your attention, or even getting our players to kick at him intentionally?"
Lillo had a point.
"But the problem is, he's just showing off way too much, and I can't stand it!" Yang Hao laughed despite himself.
In truth, he had a good relationship with Mourinho. Before the match, they were even joking around together.
Yang Hao even had Mourinho's private number—after all, back when he was at Barcelona, they had become quite familiar with each other.
Even Lillo couldn't hold back a bitter smile. "To be honest, I can't stand him either."
But the truth was, there was no rule against coaches bringing their own chairs to the technical area.
Pure arrogance! A uniquely eccentric arrogance!
The pace of the game was quick.
Porto focused on defense, while Atlético took the initiative in attack.
Possession switched back and forth between the two teams.
Porto struggled to get into Atlético's final third. Most of their attempts came from long passes over the midfield, but Carvalho and Lucio firmly controlled the high balls.
In the 10th minute, for example, Lucio headed the ball to Maicon.
The Brazilian right-back controlled it and moved forward, passing the halfway line. Spotting an opportunity, he delivered a diagonal ball toward the edge of the penalty area.
Deco surged forward, beating Maniche to the ball. With his left foot, he controlled it, steadied himself, and then lifted it over Costinha's head into the arc behind him.
Drogba charged forward, using his strength to keep Ricardo Costa behind him. He controlled Deco's pass, burst into the penalty area, and struck with his left foot, just before Jorge Costa could close him down.
The shot went high.
The crowd at the Calderón still gave Drogba a warm round of applause.
This time, Mourinho couldn't stay seated. He jumped up and shouted instructions at his players.
That defensive play had been completely broken by Atlético.
If the shot had been taken by Torres or Villa instead of Drogba, it would likely have been a certain goal.
Drogba's technique and shooting ability were excellent, but his left foot was weaker.
Still, a breakdown in defense was a breakdown. What if Drogba managed to get more power behind his left foot next time?
After yelling for a bit, Mourinho sat back down. Yang Hao, pretending not to notice the showoff, kept his expression neutral, focusing on the game.
"Drogba needs to work on his left foot," Yang Hao told Juanma Lillo.
"Agreed. He's made significant improvements in his technique and right-footed shooting over the years, but his left foot has lagged behind a bit."
Drogba was a very hardworking player.
Especially since joining Atlético, he had transformed himself into a new player. Without a doubt, he was one of the hardest-working members of the squad.
But progress takes time.
If Drogba had a weakness, it was his age.
At 26, his room for improvement was limited.
Still, Yang Hao's attitude toward him made it clear to everyone that this tactically essential striker was likely staying at Atlético.
Even though he wasn't the best-looking player, Atlético fans appreciated the hardworking African forward.
Porto's first somewhat threatening offensive play wasn't really an attack—it was more of a long clearance.
A long ball from the Porto defense reached the edge of Atlético's penalty area.
Derlei sprinted forward, but Cech came off his line, collecting the ball just inside the box before Derlei could reach it.
It looked dangerous, but Cech had timed everything perfectly.
Porto's attacking play left much to be desired, but their defensive organization was growing tighter.
By the 13th minute, they were practically man-marking every Atlético player as soon as they crossed midfield.
Porto wasn't the kind of team to sit back and wait, either.
Mourinho's defensive style was like poking a snake with a stick: Atlético crossed midfield, and Porto pressed high. If Atlético passed back to reorganize, Porto followed, even pushing past midfield.
On one occasion, they even forced Atlético to pass back to Cech.
Yang Hao, noticing this strategy, walked to the sideline during a stoppage and called Xabi Alonso over.
He instructed him to draw Porto's players forward and then attempt a long pass to Drogba.
"Also, spread the wingers out to open up the middle—we'll play through balls," Yang Hao added.
Xabi Alonso returned to the field and quickly relayed the coach's plan to his teammates.
In the 20th minute, Atlético began implementing Yang Hao's strategy.
When they couldn't create chances after crossing midfield, they passed back to reorganize.
Porto followed suit, pressing forward once more. This time, Atlético dropped deeper and deeper.
While both teams had solid technical players, Atlético's skill level was clearly superior, especially with someone like Deco in midfield.
Spotting an opportunity, Xabi Alonso launched a long, direct pass toward Drogba's position.
The Ivorian striker held off his marker with his strength, his back to goal. Meeting the ball mid-air, he flicked it with his head into space on the left.
Reyes burst into the penalty area at full speed, striking the ball with his left foot.
However, under pressure from Paulo Ferreira, he couldn't get enough power behind his shot, and Vítor Baía easily caught it.
For the second time, Mourinho rose from his folding chair and adjusted his team's tactics.
When Atlético tried to draw Porto out again, they found that Mourinho's team wasn't falling for it anymore.
"So damn conservative!" Yang Hao muttered, glancing at Mourinho, who had once again crossed his legs on his folding chair.
Despite Porto's caution, Atlético began exploiting the flanks.
In the 26th minute, Reyes and Evra combined on the left, receiving support from Deco to create a beautiful sequence. Reyes shook off Paulo Ferreira's defense and sprinted toward the penalty area, chasing Deco's through ball.
Just outside the box, Jorge Costa, in a last-ditch effort, nearly got beaten by Reyes' pace and had no choice but to drag him down from behind.
The ball slipped through! That would have been a goal!
If nothing else, Drogba was ready to support in the center.
The referee immediately showed Jorge Costa a yellow card, awarding Atlético a direct free kick on the left edge of the penalty box.
However, the angle was awkward—neither a direct shot nor a coordinated play seemed ideal.
In the end, it posed no real threat.
Later, during a midfield possession by Deco, who had been weaving through defenders, Costinha committed a brutal sliding foul. The referee brandished yet another yellow card.
That marked Porto's second booking of the match.
Yang Hao shook his head on the sidelines.
Mourinho's ability to build a defensive fortress was truly impressive—layer upon layer, executed with incredible discipline by his players.
He glanced at Mourinho, still lounging in front of the dugout with his legs crossed, and muttered angrily: "Coward!"
Earlier, during an intense sideline skirmish, Mourinho had retreated back to his technical area. Now he sat there casually, as if nothing had happened.
Yang Hao wanted to ask him, "Why even bother setting up on the sidelines? Why not just install your chair permanently in the dugout?"
That folding chair—clearly brought along to flaunt his eccentricity—was infuriating.
Unbeknownst to Yang Hao, Mourinho, though appearing calm and casual, was deep in conversation with his assistant coaches.
Porto's coaching staff included four assistants: José Morais, Baltemar Brito, Rui Faria, and Aloísio.
"Atlético's strength is undeniable!" Rui Faria lamented.
"They've breached our defense several times already, and we're struggling to create any counterattacks."
"Well, they're La Liga champions—it's no surprise they're this strong."
"They're attacking us down the flanks, using their wingers' individual skills to create threats. And then there's their long balls to Drogba—this guy's a beast. Strong, technically sound, fast, and mobile. He's like a moving fortress!"
"Don't forget Deco. We need to keep a close eye on his central drives."
"Yes, especially since both Costinha and Jorge Costa are on yellow cards. They need to be more cautious."
"Damn it, Atlético is just too strong. If this continues, we might not hold out much longer."
Mourinho, still reclining with his legs crossed, finally spoke. "Even if it feels impossible, we must hold. If we survive this, we'll have a chance to counterattack. If we don't, we're done for."
The gravity of the situation was clear to everyone—this was a Champions League semifinal.
"We're pinned so deep we can't even cross midfield. Our counterattacks pose no real threat. Defense is all we have left."
"But as long as we hold off their attacks, gaps in their defense will inevitably appear."
It was a near certainty.
Relentless attacking would eventually lead Atlético to overcommit, leaving spaces vulnerable for counterattacks. Whether Porto could capitalize on those moments was another matter entirely.
If worst came to worst, a 0–0 draw would suffice. Returning home, Mourinho felt confident in his chances to battle Atlético to the death.
The match was fiercely contested.
Both teams fought relentlessly, leaving no room for complacency. Every player gave their all.
Atlético held more possession, but controlling the pace of the match proved elusive. Even organizing and stabilizing their attacks was challenging.
A key reason was Mourinho's midfield "spider web."
Atlético attempted to exploit the flanks and deliver long passes. Later, they tried Deco's central runs, but nothing seemed to work consistently.
Faced with this, the Colchoneros settled into a war of attrition, shifting the ball horizontally to stretch Porto's defensive lines.
Whenever Atlético found an opportunity to switch play with medium or long passes, they fared better. But whenever the ball entered central areas, Porto swarmed them, turning the midfield into a battleground.
Mourinho's approach was like dragging his opponents into quicksand: "I'll drag you into my pit, and then use my expertise in the muck to drown you."
Yang Hao had no surefire way to counter this tactic.
But he trusted his players, especially the key figures on the field.
He directed Drogba and Deco to target Jorge Costa and Costinha specifically—both players on yellow cards.
The reasoning was simple: yellow cards restricted their aggression.
Their bookings weren't unwarranted. Without them, Atlético would likely have scored already.
So Yang Hao sought to exploit this advantage, concentrating attacks on their side.
By the 39th minute, Baraja intercepted Pedro Mendes in midfield, initiating a swift counterattack. He carried the ball forward to the edge of Porto's penalty area on the right.
Porto's defenders recovered quickly—Costinha closed in, and Pedro Mendes also hurried back.
Baraja glanced at Joaquín, who was marked by Valente. He stopped abruptly, pulled the ball back, and passed to Xabi Alonso, who was unmarked in the center.
Xabi controlled the ball, shifted slightly to the right, and gestured for Maicon to run. But then, suddenly, he stopped, turned, and delivered a long cross-field pass to the left.
Porto's defense had shifted heavily to their right (Atlético's attacking right flank), leaving the left side wide open.
Reyes trapped Xabi's pass and drove toward the edge of the penalty area.
Paulo Ferreira stood his ground, fully focused on Atlético's star left winger.
Reyes, one of Europe's best-performing wingers over the past two seasons, waited for Drogba to move into position.
When Drogba arrived, Reyes feinted a run toward the goal line. Paulo Ferreira bit, chasing him wide, but Reyes suddenly stopped, pulled the ball back, and delivered a low cross with his right foot.
The ball shot diagonally into the left channel of the penalty box.
Drogba used his strength to block Jorge Costa.
Porto's center-back, already on a yellow card, dared not make any rash moves, relying solely on his body to prevent Drogba from turning.
But the Ivorian striker had no intention of turning.
As soon as Reyes delivered the cross, Paulo Ferreira realized he had been deceived and rushed back toward the play. Almost simultaneously, Reyes darted in the opposite direction, cutting into the box and shouting, "Didier, here!"
Drogba immediately returned the ball to Reyes, who surged past Jorge Costa, controlling the pass with his left foot near the edge of the six-yard box.
He took another step forward and struck a low shot with his left foot.
The ball zipped past the left post and nestled into Porto's net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"Minute 39: Atlético Scores!!!"
"A brilliant assist from Drogba, and once again Reyes breaks the deadlock for Atlético!"
"My God, after more than half an hour of deadlock, Atlético has finally breached Porto's defense!"
"1–0!"
The moment Reyes scored, Yang Hao jumped up, unable to contain his excitement. He shouted loudly from the technical area, his voice filled with passion:
"Beautiful! Well done, Antonio!"
"This is how we play—keep hammering them!"
All the Atlético fans in the stands erupted, leaping from their seats and cheering wildly at the top of their lungs.
Yang Hao turned to his assistants, exchanging high-fives and hugs, before spinning back to face the field. He saw Reyes running toward him after celebrating with his teammates, and immediately stepped forward to meet him with a high-five.
"Keep it up!"
The players responded with loud cheers of encouragement.
As Yang Hao turned again, he noticed that Mourinho had stood up from his folding chair. The chair itself had toppled backward onto the grass, clearly knocked over in his rush to rise.
This sight made Yang Hao even happier.
"That's what you get for being so smug!" he thought gleefully.
"Go on, sit back down now. Cross your legs again—if you dare!"
The first half ended with Atlético leading 1–0.
During the halftime break, Yang Hao praised his players for their strong performance but reminded them to stay focused and continue applying pressure on Porto in the second half.
"Keep pressing them hard. Don't give them any easy chances!"
Yang Hao was well aware that Mourinho wouldn't back down.
What he couldn't predict was what adjustments Mourinho might make in the second half.
Would he go all out for an away goal?
Or would he patiently defend the 1–0 scoreline, saving everything for the return leg in Portugal?
Both options were plausible and made sense.
Unsure of Mourinho's intentions, Yang Hao decided to remain flexible.
But he was clear on one thing: Atlético needed to keep attacking.
"I'm not Capello or Lippi. A one-goal lead isn't enough for us!"
"So, in the second half, we'll maintain the same approach—keep attacking and pressing."
"Didier, Deco," Yang Hao called out to Drogba and Deco specifically.
"Jorge Costa and Costinha are walking on eggshells with those yellow cards. Keep targeting them. If we neutralize these two players, Porto's midfield and defense will crumble."
Jorge Costa was the backbone of Porto's defense, while Costinha's contributions were vastly underrated.
In Yang Hao's previous experience, he knew how critical these two players were.
Jorge Costa was no less capable than Carvalho, and Costinha was comparable to Deco. But why weren't they more renowned?
Age.
Jorge Costa was already 32, and Costinha was 29.
No matter how well they performed on the Champions League stage, their age meant they couldn't fetch high transfer fees.
For Porto, if they couldn't sell them for a good price, it made sense to keep them. Both players had manageable salaries, strong skills, and plenty to contribute to the team.
Had they been 26, clubs across Europe's top leagues would've been clamoring for their signatures.
This scenario wasn't unique; not every great player becomes famous at a young age.
Porto's first-half effort to prevent Atlético from scoring had cost them two yellow cards. Now, Yang Hao intended to capitalize on that.
Just as they had in the first half.
The second half began with sides switching ends.
As soon as Porto kicked off, they found Atlético pressing aggressively, just as Porto had done to them earlier. Forced into mistakes, Porto had no choice but to launch long balls forward.
Predictably, they lost possession.
Yang Hao chuckled as he glanced at Mourinho, catching the Portuguese coach muttering angrily while gesturing at his players to avoid blind long balls and pass more carefully.
"Are you just going to hand the ball back to Atlético after fighting so hard to win it?"
Yang Hao also noticed that Mourinho's folding chair had disappeared.
This observation amused him even more.
"Looks like he can't sit still anymore," Yang Hao thought.
With the scoreline against him, the Portuguese coach was clearly feeling the pressure.
Under Atlético's deliberate control, the match continued in much the same rhythm and pattern as the first half.
Yang Hao believed this tempo worked entirely in Atlético's favor.
Mourinho, however, was in a difficult position.
On the one hand, he knew Atlético were targeting Jorge Costa and Costinha because of their yellow cards. Both players were hesitant to make aggressive moves, leaving them restrained.
On the other hand, Mourinho was painfully aware of their importance to Porto's defense.
There was simply no one else in his squad capable of replacing them.
Frustrated, Mourinho cursed under his breath.
"If I'd known, I would've let them score in the first half. This is humiliating!" he muttered bitterly as he walked back to the visiting team's bench.
Rui Faria gave a wry smile. "Two yellow cards are practically worth two goals."
Given Atlético's quality, Deco's attempt might not have been guaranteed, but if Reyes had gotten past earlier, it would have been a goal for sure.
If that had happened, the scoreline would now be 2–0 or even 3–0. What would be the point of continuing the match then?
Of course, Mourinho's remarks were born out of frustration. He knew the reality of the situation.
But it was infuriating nonetheless!
He felt like his team's Achilles' heel had been exposed, and he had no way to protect it.
Should he make substitutions to strengthen the attack?
"Please. We can barely defend. How are we supposed to attack?"
Should he focus on reinforcing the defense?
"That would only make us more passive!"
No matter what choice he made, Mourinho felt trapped.
"Keeping things as they are won't work," Mourinho muttered grimly, his face heavy with concern.
Following Atlético's pace would only lead to Mourinho's eventual defeat at the hands of that devil Yang Hao.
After some thought, Mourinho decisively made his first substitution.
In the 60th minute, Alenichev replaced McCarthy.
By substituting a forward for a midfielder, the Russian—capable of playing both central and left midfield—took up position on the left flank, while Maniche shifted to the right. Porto's formation morphed into a 4-4-1-1.
This tactical change made Porto's defense significantly more solid, relying on two compact defensive lines. However, it also diminished their offensive threat considerably.
As a result, Atlético's dominance in possession became even more apparent.
In the 65th minute, Yang Hao made his first substitution.
Kaká replaced Baraja.
This had become a routine substitution for Atlético in recent games. However, unlike before, Kaká didn't take Baraja's position but instead swapped places with Deco. Deco moved to the right, while Kaká positioned himself on the left.
This was a clear signal to Mourinho—Yang Hao intended to use Kaká's attacking prowess to target Porto's right flank.
Mourinho glanced toward the Atlético bench and caught Yang Hao smiling at him.
The Portuguese tactician pretended not to notice.
"Damn it! It's just one goal—what's there to be so smug about?"
Mourinho strode to the sideline, signaling his players to keep a close watch on Kaká, particularly the connections between Evra, Kaká, and Reyes.
But what Mourinho didn't anticipate was that the problem wouldn't arise on the left. Instead, the right flank turned out to be their weak spot.
In the 69th minute, Atlético launched another long pass into Porto's penalty area.
The ball was aimed at Drogba, who headed it down to Deco. Deco then shifted the ball to the right.
As Joaquín attempted a breakthrough, Valente deflected the ball out for a throw-in.
Maicon hurried up to take the throw, quickly finding Joaquín, who passed back to Deco. Deco then returned the ball to Maicon.
At that moment, everyone expected Maicon to deliver a cross to the left side—a tactic Atlético had used throughout the match.
But this time, Deco called out to Maicon, raising his hand to ask for the ball.
When Maicon passed it to him, Deco sent it to Joaquín and sprinted forward, shaking off Alenichev. Joaquín passed it back, completing a one-two exchange that allowed Deco to surge forward into Porto's penalty area.
Just before Ricardo Costa could intercept him, Deco abruptly stopped, feinting a cut inside. Instead, he accelerated toward the goal line and delivered a cutback to the edge of the six-yard box.
Drogba was already waiting.
As Deco's pass reached him, Drogba struck a first-time shot with his right foot.
The ball rocketed past Baía and into Porto's net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"Drogba!"
"Atlético scores again against Porto!"
"2–0!"
"An assist from Deco, and a clinical finish from Drogba!"
"Deco's play was absolutely brilliant. He identified the gap in Porto's defense, made an instant adjustment, and seized the opportunity!"
"This is what a core player brings to the game!"
Drogba sprinted off the field in celebration, sliding on his knees by the sidelines—a move that had become his signature celebration.
Yang Hao, equally ecstatic, pumped his fists in the air. But as he watched Drogba's celebration carve two distinct streaks into the grass, he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of regret.
"Still missing the third stripe! Drogba's got more work to do!"
The entire Calderón erupted into a sea of celebration.
Over 50,000 Atlético fans lost themselves in the joyous atmosphere, cheering with abandon.
Yang Hao turned to the stands, raising both fists high and urging the fans to cheer even louder.
When he turned back to the visiting team's bench, he noticed that Mourinho had retreated to his seat.
Yang Hao couldn't see Mourinho's expression, but that didn't matter—he was enjoying himself.
After all, Mourinho had been so smug in the first half, even going so far as to bring a folding chair from Porto.
"What, you came all the way to our Calderón just to show off? Well, now you'll see what we're made of!"
With a 2–0 lead, the match was entirely out of Porto's control.
The Portuguese side was already weaker than Atlético in terms of raw talent, relying heavily on a disciplined defensive system to stay competitive.
But now, trailing by two goals, their players' morale began to waver. Mourinho was forced to make another substitution, bringing on Bosingwa to replace Carlos Alberto.
Porto shifted once again, this time into a 4-1-4-1 formation.
It was undeniable that Mourinho had prepared a myriad of tactical adjustments, making it difficult for opponents to predict his next move. However, this time, the shift to 4-1-4-1 was primarily defensive, aimed at minimizing further damage.
Porto focused on using Maniche, Pedro Mendes, Bosingwa, and Alenichev to shield Costinha and Jorge Costa from Atlético's relentless attacks.
But Atlético showed no mercy.
Yang Hao was determined to resolve the tie in the first leg, ideally scoring as many goals as possible.
Ultimately, Porto paid the price with two more yellow cards after the 80th minute, narrowly holding Atlético to a 2–0 victory.
Thanks to goals from Reyes and Drogba, Atlético defeated Porto at home.
After the match, Yang Hao immediately made his way to the visiting team's bench, warmly greeting Mourinho.
"José, it's been so long! Don't leave right after the press conference. I've got a great bottle of wine ready for us. Let's drink and catch up properly!"
Mourinho, seeing Yang Hao's overly familiar demeanor, wanted nothing more than to push him away and ask, "Since when were we close friends?"
Shameless!
"You're just rubbing it in because you won. Do you think I don't see through your little schemes?"
And who said I want to drink with you?
Only a dog would drink with you!
If it weren't for the press conference, Mourinho would've made his escape already.
"Come on, I insist—let's drink until we drop!" Yang Hao exclaimed with infectious enthusiasm.
Mourinho, thoroughly exasperated, hadn't even agreed yet.
Post-match drinks between the host and visiting coaches were a long-standing tradition.
Of course, a prestigious coach offering such an invitation was considered an honor.
But tonight, Mourinho felt anything but honored.
He had lost the match.
And if he had to sit and drink with Yang Hao after this, he'd probably end up vomiting.
Resolving to avoid the ordeal, Mourinho decided to make a quick exit right after the press conference, staying as far away from Yang Hao as possible.
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