Chapter 75

**Chapter Pre-Thank You**: Thank you to the book friend for the reward.

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The Rose Garden is not the Bernabéu. The difference is like comparing a small temple in the mountains to a famous ancient temple by a river. Although they worship the same Buddha, the solemnity and majesty are entirely different.

Going from Málaga to the Bernabéu, whether you like it or not, you can't help but have a bit of a pilgrim's mentality. When Real Madrid comes to the Rose Garden, even the most low-key Real Madrid player is likely to feel a sense of superiority. Lin Sen couldn't do anything about this. The Rose Garden is the Rose Garden, and the Bernabéu is the Bernabéu. The reputation is there, and no matter how good the name sounds, it doesn't change anything.

However, while he couldn't change the reputation, Lin Sen couldn't let it affect his team. Being a bit more restrained at the Bernabéu is understandable, but if they returned to their home ground and still let the other team take the lead just because of their reputation, that wouldn't be a pilgrimage; it would be a disaster.

So, before the match, in the dressing room, Lin Sen had to turn on the "blower" mode, thoroughly clearing the colorful heads of the team. After nearly half an hour of pep talk, Lin Sen had to drink water several times. When Málaga stepped into the Rose Garden, even Tapias, who had been listening outside the dressing room, felt like he wanted to go on the field and fight to the death with Real Madrid.

However, Lin Sen probably never imagined that his "blower" was too strong.

Because the entire first half was like a Hollywood action movie, the process was exciting, but the outcome was a mess. Both sides were disheveled, and only the sea of fans in the Rose Garden stands was still enthusiastic. The score on the scoreboard above the stands recorded the first half's result.

3:3!

"This is too crazy! If you just turned on your TV, I'm sorry, but you've already missed what might be the best half of the season so far. Both teams scored six goals in just one half! It must be said, Málaga has given us a huge surprise. They showed their courage in front of the mighty Real Madrid. Now, let's all look forward to the start of the second half..."

The commentator's voice was so excited that it seemed like a goal could be scored with every blink of an eye. However, when the halftime whistle blew, neither coach was happy.

Schuster immediately returned to the dressing room with a dark face, and it was clear that the Real Madrid players were in for a harsh scolding. Lin Sen, who should have been happy, also had a dark face.

Seeing Lin Sen's expression, Tapias couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

Three times leading, three times being equalized.

The score was a draw, but no coach could tolerate this process, especially when the team was playing a defensive counter-attack. At the same time, Tapias couldn't help but feel a bit scared about his previous disagreement with Lin Sen. After all, this was already a strengthened version of Málaga, but they were still being torn apart. If not for the team's excellent offense, it's hard to imagine what Lin Sen's face would look like.

However, this was the moment that truly tested a coach.

Three times leading and failing to hold on, Lin Sen felt frustrated and wanted to vent. But he knew his emotions were clearly off.

Compared to his struggles at Atlético Madrid, Lin Sen's time at Málaga could be described as smooth sailing. The coaching staff was supportive, and Tapias was almost his training manager. The players didn't give him as much trouble as they did at Atlético, partly because most of them were his own signings, but also out of respect for him.

Now, the team had certainly overlooked some things, but they had also done their best. So, Lin Sen could be disappointed, but he couldn't be angry!

As the players expected, Lin Sen walked into the dressing room with a dark face.

"This is not the Málaga I want."

Lin Sen's opening words made all the players think they were about to be scolded, but unexpectedly, his next words were, "But, I still have to say, well done!"

Of course, it was well done! How many teams in the entire La Liga could score three goals against Real Madrid in one half?!

Just three words, and the entire dressing room seemed to be invigorated.

Everything requires a burst of energy.

Lin Sen couldn't just let the energy dissipate after one burst.

If before the match, Lin Sen would never let morale overshadow tactics, because morale is unpredictable, but tactics are constant. A professional team can't rely on morale to win all season, but tactics can.

Now, with the team's momentum up, Lin Sen couldn't talk about tactics, defense, or discipline. Only a burst of energy, and since they were already in a tight spot, only the brave would win!

By the time Tapias entered the dressing room, Lin Sen's pep talk was already over. Seeing Lin Sen chatting with Apoño and the other players eager to get back on the field, Tapias was confused.

Did Lin Sen give them all a collective dose of something?

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Lin Sen was dissatisfied with the score, and Schuster was even more dissatisfied.

Losing three goals in the first half to a promoted team was simply unacceptable for Real Madrid. What made Schuster even angrier was that this happened while the game was in Real Madrid's rhythm.

Like many ambitious coaches, after leading Atlético Madrid to a league title, Schuster, with some capital, began to transform Real Madrid according to his own philosophy. Last season, Real Madrid's main formation was 4-4-2, which was often criticized as relying on Capello's old tactics. The Italian coach only coached Real Madrid for one season, winning the league title by upsetting Barcelona, but ultimately left because his football philosophy didn't align with Real Madrid's. As his successor, Schuster naturally wanted to distance himself from Capello.

Thus, this season, Real Madrid's main formation became 4-3-3. Schuster's determination to change the formation was evident; he even preferred to play Drenthe as a left winger rather than give the already talent-rich midfield another chance.

However, changing the formation was easy, but winning was hard.

Deportivo La Coruña taught Schuster a lesson in the first match. The German is known for his strictness, but he is also known for his stubbornness. The 4-3-3 formation has been used consistently, but defense has become a major issue. Not counting this match, Real Madrid had conceded five goals in the previous three matches, averaging almost two per game. But in this match, after just one half, it was no longer "almost" two; it was at least two.

Unlike Lin Sen, who could be angry but chose not to be, Schuster wanted to be angry but couldn't. The dressing rooms of Málaga and Real Madrid were different. Málaga was dominated by young players, and occasional outbursts were harmless as long as they were fair. Real Madrid, however, was different. Managing the Real Madrid dressing room is notoriously difficult. Even Bosques, who became one of the greatest coaches in Real Madrid's history, is known for his successful management of the dressing room.

So, even if Schuster was furious, he had to be patient and serious: "You need to be more focused..."

This was also Schuster's dilemma. According to his 4-3-3 formation, the three midfielders should be good at both attack and defense. Even if they weren't, they should at least be willing to participate in defense. This was one of Schuster's transformations, sharing defensive responsibilities rather than having Diarra do all the dirty work, as in the previous season.

But the current three midfielders of Real Madrid—Guti, Gago, and Sneijder—were a different story. Gago, known as the "second Raimondi," might be less famous and skilled, but he was at least capable of both attack and defense, so he took on most of the defensive responsibilities. The other two were responsible for supporting, and Sneijder was willing to participate in defense, but Guti was different.

In terms of ability, Guti fully met the definition of a top midfielder. Dribbling, passing, through balls, free kicks... he was almost perfect. Even in the star-studded Real Madrid, he was one of the best midfielders. His through balls were almost his trademark. In terms of status, he was the captain on the field, and no one in the current Real Madrid could match his experience, not even Casillas, who was a junior to him.

But this player, who was so capable, did not fully meet Schuster's tactical requirements for the midfield. Guti has always disliked defense, which is no secret. For him, being asked to defend was a waste of his talent. In fact, he preferred to have no constraints and play freely.

Thus, the current situation arose.

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Schuster wanted to maintain the dressing room, but the game was different.

At the start of the second half, Schuster quickly realized that Málaga was still playing the same way as in the first half.

In the first half, Málaga's offensive efficiency was excellent, or perhaps they were just very lucky, but overall, they were following Real Madrid's rhythm. According to this rhythm, Real Madrid was not afraid to play an open game. Schuster thought Lin Sen would make adjustments during halftime, but Málaga made no changes in the second half.

But it made sense; who could resist the urge to continue attacking after scoring three goals in the first half?

After a few minutes, when it became clear that Málaga had no "fear" of Real Madrid, Schuster gave Lin Sen a cold look.

3-3, what a good score.