SWR: Chapter 1266/1270

Chapter 1266: Leeds United, an Unyielding Team

After the match, the Leeds United players, led by captain Jamie Vardy, went to each stand to thank the fans who had come to the stadium.

The 67,000 Leeds United fans in attendance gave the players a standing ovation.

With a 3-0 home win and a 4-3 away victory, Leeds United advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with an aggregate score of 7-3.

This marks Leeds United's third consecutive season reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

All the fans in the stadium were cheering wildly, but many were moved to tears.

In this moment, they were happy.

But whenever they thought back to the past, they worried that everything they had now felt too unreal.

Who would have thought that seven years ago, this team was still struggling in the Championship?

Who could have imagined that, over the past decade or so, this team had repeatedly teetered on the brink of bankruptcy?

Gao Shen saved Leeds United.

Without Gao Shen's arrival, Leeds United would never be where it is today.

They wouldn't be sitting in this dream stadium that fans around the world envy, watching their team play.

All the fans shouted at the top of their lungs, venting their emotions.

They had become used to Leeds United letting go of a group of players every summer. That was how the club survived.

But they had gradually adapted to this way of life. It made them cherish the present even more and look forward to the future with greater anticipation.

Because every season, Leeds United grew stronger. And they kept growing stronger.

...

"This is an incredible team!"

"Even before the season started, there were rumors that this would be Mbappe's last season at Leeds United."

"Over the past year, players like Mbappe, Dembele, and Bernardo Silva have all been linked to top clubs, leading many to worry that Leeds United would be completely stripped of talent."

"But this season, we were surprised to find that Leeds United remains unshakeable."

"I remember that before the season started, Gao Shen, the world-renowned manager and owner of Leeds United, said in a TV interview that many people misunderstood Leeds United. He didn't believe that simply poaching players could bring down the club."

"Over the years, the players, coaches, and staff developed by Leeds United have been sought after by clubs all over Europe. But Gao Shen and the club never stopped them from leaving or forced them to stay. Instead, they maintained an open attitude."

"I remember a few years ago, many clubs even claimed they would rebuild Leeds United by poaching a large number of its coaches and staff. But they failed, and ended up burdened with high salaries."

"UEFA once did an exclusive interview with Leeds United's technical director, Borrell, discussing their youth development model, and trying to understand why the club was able to continuously produce outstanding talent, even surpassing Ajax at its peak."

"In today's European football scene, there's a popular trend: if you want to buy a player, go to Leeds United. They might be expensive, but you won't go wrong."

"Borrell said Leeds United has no single barrier. If there is one, it's the entire team."

"A system built by one or two individuals cannot form a strong moat, because opponents can simply poach those people and replicate the model."

"But Leeds United clearly isn't like that. Borrell even joked that even if someone poached all of their top executives, including Fernando Lucas, along with every coach and staff member, they still couldn't copy Leeds United. Because this club is one of a kind."

"Leeds United's strength lies in everyone within the club, from top to bottom, across countless systems, assets, technologies, partners, and the experience accumulated through long-term investment."

"Anyone who has worked with Leeds United is familiar with the process."

"This club is hailed as a model of modern management in 21st-century sports."

"While many were concerned that Mbappe's departure would have a major impact on the team, they later found out that Leeds United had already signed a Brazilian player named Vinicius around that time."

"This season, the 18-year-old prodigy has shone in the Premier League and received widespread praise."

"Everyone now believes that even if Mbappe leaves, Vinicius will surely become the main force on the left wing."

"When people were still lamenting Harry Kane's departure, they suddenly realized that Vardy had quietly become the top scorer in England. Only then did they understand that Kane's success had a lot to do with the strength of the Leeds United team behind him."

"And now, a tall striker named Haaland is rising. He's received formal and scientific youth training at Leeds United since the age of nine. His ability and talent are already clearly surpassing Kane's."

"And there's Milinkovic, Valverde, and many more..."

"Watching this young Leeds United team reach the Champions League semi-finals again, and looking back at all the stars who came from this club, we can't help but marvel at its strength."

"This is the Leeds United that cannot be brought down."

...

The commentator's voice echoed throughout the stadium, reaching every corner.

Every Leeds United fan was cheering.

The players on the pitch applauded in response.

After the players finished interacting with the fans and were heading off the field, they suddenly saw Gao Shen standing at the entrance of the players' tunnel, waiting for them.

The players immediately picked up their pace to greet him.

"Hey Gao, great to see you!"

"You guys were fantastic tonight. I'm so proud of you!"

Gao Shen laughed heartily and hugged each player.

He didn't go onto the field. That was the players', Pochettino's, and the coaching staff's moment.

He stood inside the tunnel to welcome them back.

Regarding Mbappe, Gao Shen jokingly said he didn't bring out his best tonight.

Mbappe nodded in agreement. "I think I could've done better."

"Then keep working at it," Gao Shen encouraged, patting his arm.

Mbappe nodded seriously, then walked into the locker room.

"Hey, Buu!" Gao Shen shouted at Haaland.

The Norwegian striker, much taller than Gao Shen, looked at him speechlessly.

At first, he had no idea what "Buu" meant. But then Takashi posted a comic on Twitter, and...

"Boss, they all call me that now, just like you." Haaland sounded annoyed.

That thing is so ugly.

Am I really that ugly?

Besides, I only hit people. I don't eat them, okay?

"You have to admit, because of you, Buu has started to look kind of cute," Takashi said seriously.

Haaland shook his head. He really couldn't understand how that thing could be called cute.

How did it feel to score a goal in the Champions League?

Haaland turned to look toward the entrance of the players' tunnel, still caught up in the roar of the crowd.

"That was so much fun!"

"Exactly. Remember this feeling. But you still have a long way to go, and that's normal. We'll take it step by step and improve gradually, alright?" Gao Shen guided him patiently.

The Norwegian striker nodded seriously. He trusted Gao Shen completely.

It was Gao Shen who had discovered him on a local pitch in Norway and brought him to Leeds United, leading to the success he had today. This story had become a legend in European football.

But it wasn't enough.

Gao Shen had made it very clear to Haaland that Leeds United would devote all its resources to developing him into the best, strongest center forward in the world.

Previously, Gao Shen had even shown him videos of Adriano.

"You're starting to look a bit like Adriano when you dribble and charge forward. But that's not enough for a center forward. And that's the easiest skill to learn."

"That's what Rudolf told me too," Haaland nodded.

"Next, you need to focus on back-to-goal ball control, turning under pressure, and building your physical strength. You need to master the full skill set of a center forward. Do you understand?"

Haaland could feel the high expectations placed on him and nodded repeatedly.

In fact, Gao Shen believed that Haaland's dribbling and individual ability already matched, or even surpassed, Adriano's potential once he matured.

But for a center forward, that alone wasn't enough. He needed a complete skill set to avoid wasting his powerful physique.

Leeds United had arranged for experts to study Haaland's muscle structure and develop the most suitable training programs, aiming to enhance his physical confrontation ability without losing his speed, explosiveness, or agility.

The coaching staff had also been working with him on specialized center forward training, especially back-to-goal receiving and turning, which were crucial.

For example, why was Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku's development limited?

With his physical attributes, he should have become a dominant center forward. But he couldn't develop the necessary skill set, and instead became a strange contradiction.

For a player like Lukaku, padding stats was easy. But once the match intensity rose, especially in high-pressure games with heavy defensive focus, he often disappeared.

That was the limitation.

Drogba never scored that many goals, but why is he still remembered by countless fans?

Because he played the center forward role exceptionally well, with tremendous tactical value and a huge impact in big matches.

If Haaland didn't want to end up like Lukaku, he needed to take advantage of this time to build a full center forward skill set.

Only then could he truly become a top-class superstar.

Otherwise, at best, he'd just be a slightly better Lukaku.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1267: It's Haaland Again

Leeds United defeated Ajax 7-3 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

With top teams like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all failing to advance, the four teams reaching the semi-finals are Leeds United vs. Juventus from Serie A, and Liverpool vs. Manchester City.

The fact that three Premier League teams have once again reached the Champions League semi-finals has sent the entire UK into a frenzy.

Among the three Premier League teams, Leeds United will face Juventus, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. This is bound to be a fierce battle. Mbappe is hailed by many as Ronaldo's successor, and the duel between the two will undoubtedly attract worldwide attention.

In contrast, the strength gap between Guardiola's Manchester City and Klopp's Liverpool is quite clear.

Currently, Klopp is far from his peak, especially on the flanks. Robertson and Arnold are now both at Leeds United, which has impacted Liverpool's entire tactical system.

Interestingly, Klopp has been pushing the American owners to sign two full-backs from Leeds United, but this will undoubtedly come at a cost, so Liverpool's management remains hesitant.

On the other hand, Guardiola's Manchester City inherited the core players left behind by Gao Shen, making them a formidable force. In particular, Hazard has thrived under Guardiola's tactical system, displaying the qualities of a top-level superstar.

As such, Manchester City is considered a strong contender to reach the final.

Even Guardiola himself said the Premier League title could be given to Leeds United this season, but Manchester City is determined to win the Champions League.

...

After playing Ajax, Leeds United traveled south to Cardiff for an away match.

This was a fixture from the 35th round of the Premier League.

In the previous Champions League quarter-final against Ajax, Haaland scored after coming off the bench. In this match, Pochettino entrusted him with a starting position, an unmistakable sign of trust for an 18-year-old.

To everyone's surprise, just 22 minutes into the first half, the youngster received a through ball from Felix, shook off the defender, broke into the penalty area, beat the offside trap, and calmly scored.

1-0!

Majin Buu is back in full force!

In the 34th minute, Kimmich passed to Mbappe, who controlled the ball on the left side of the penalty area, shook off a defender, cut inside, and fired a long-range shot to score Leeds United's second goal. 2-0!

After the break, in the 58th minute, Leeds United won a corner. Milinkovic rose high and headed the ball into the net. 3-0!

Less than five minutes later, Mbappe received the ball on the left wing and sent in a cross. Kimmich charged forward and fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, smashing it past Cardiff's keeper to make it 4-0!

The entire Cardiff stadium fell silent.

Losing this match would undoubtedly push them further into the relegation zone.

In the 81st minute, Leeds United created another chance.

Felix dribbled into the penalty area, where he was brought down by a defender. The referee pointed to the spot. With Mbappe already off the pitch, Felix stepped up to take the penalty after consulting his teammates.

The young Portuguese calmly converted, making it 5-0!

No one expected that, at such a critical stage of the season with the title on the line, Leeds United would not only rotate their squad but also launch such a devastating attacking display.

Following the emphatic 5-0 win over Cardiff, British media widely believe that the Premier League title race is all but over.

Their final three opponents are Huddersfield Town at home, Newcastle United (currently 13th) away, and Wolves (currently 7th) at home.

From any angle, Leeds United have a strong chance of winning all three matches.

Pochettino also stated publicly after the match that Leeds United had taken control of the title race.

"But I will still remind my players to give everything in the remaining games."

Having been eliminated in the FA Cup semi-finals, Leeds United are now focused solely on the Premier League and Champions League.

In back-to-back matches, first in the Champions League, then in the Premier League, Haaland scored in both. The young Leeds United striker is making a name for himself and drawing attention across European football.

...

A week later, in the 36th round of the Premier League, Leeds United hosted Huddersfield Town.

Gao Shen sat in the stands at the Amazon Stadium, just like everyone else, hoping for a great performance.

If Leeds United win this match and Manchester City fail to beat Liverpool away the next day, they can clinch the title with two games to spare. That would be a huge boost for the team.

Like everyone else, Gao Shen worried that the young Leeds United squad might lose their composure in such an important game.

But to his surprise, the match unfolded completely differently.

From the very start, the young Leeds United players pressed Huddersfield hard.

Just 28 seconds into the match, Huddersfield's goalkeeper made a poor pass.

As Vardy rushed to press him, the goalkeeper tried to pass to a nearby teammate. Milinkovic intercepted the ball and passed it to Mbappe, who was not offside.

Mbappe controlled the ball and played it back to Vardy, who had just stepped back onside. He turned, accelerated, and found himself one-on-one, slotting the ball past the keeper.

1-0!

Only 35 seconds had passed!

The entire Amazon Stadium erupted.

Everyone knew that if Leeds United took the lead, all the pressure would fall on Manchester City.

After taking the lead, Leeds United kept up the pressure, creating chance after chance.

In the 18th minute, Rodri dribbled through midfield and passed to Robertson on the left wing.

After controlling the ball, the full-back delivered a diagonal ball to the near post.

Milinkovic surged forward and connected with a powerful header, sending the ball into the net.

2-0!

"Yeah!" Gao Shen couldn't contain his excitement and stood up cheering.

If 1-0 isn't enough to feel secure, then 2-0 all but seals it.

The main reason was that Huddersfield had been stuck at the bottom of the table all season. They were effectively relegated already. The team lacked motivation and confidence. Now trailing by two, it was no longer a question of whether Leeds United would win, but by how much.

Just before the end of the first half, Leeds United launched another attack down the right. Arnold delivered a long diagonal ball to the left side of the penalty area.

Mbappe made a high-speed run to meet the bouncing ball. Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, he coolly chipped the ball over his head and into the net.

3-0!

In the second half, Leeds United kept pressing.

Bernardo Silva assisted Mbappe to score again, extending the lead to 4-0.

Soon after, Leeds United launched a counterattack from midfield. Milinkovic sprinted forward to receive the ball and delivered a through pass. Robertson crossed from the left side of the penalty area to the far post, where Dembele tapped in from close range.

5-0!

The entire Amazon Stadium turned into a sea of celebration.

All the Leeds United fans erupted in joy.

Another huge win.

And more unexpectedly, after Valverde came on as a substitute, Bernardo Silva played a through ball, and the Uruguayan midfielder surged into the right side of the penalty area and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.

6-0!

Leeds United were playing like a team possessed.

Even the Sky Sports commentators couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

No one expected Leeds United to follow up their 5-0 demolition of Cardiff with another six-goal performance.

More impressively, the team wasn't satisfied yet.

Haaland came on as a substitute again.

The 18-year-old had already scored in two straight matches, and the entire stadium was cheering for him.

Even the Sky Sports commentators asked, "Can he score again tonight?"

Haaland really wanted to score.

Soon after coming on, he fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that gave Huddersfield goalkeeper Rossel a real scare.

Leeds United then made another substitution, with Mbappe making way for Vinicius.

The Brazilian winger was lively on the left, constantly threatening Huddersfield's defense and opening up space in the middle for Haaland.

After 80 minutes, Leeds United kept pressing Huddersfield, pinning the bottom-ranked team around their own penalty area and delivering a relentless beating.

But despite the pressure, Leeds United struggled to create clear chances.

Time ticked by.

By the 84th minute, just when it looked like the attack was fizzling out, Huddersfield, under pressure, passed the ball back after a failed forward play.

At that moment, Arnold appeared on the right. After receiving a return pass from Valverde, he made a slight adjustment and sent a diagonal cross toward the left side of the six-yard box.

Just as Haaland was about to drop back inside the box, he saw Arnold's cross coming and surged forward, using his body to push aside Huddersfield captain Schindler.

By the time the ball reached the area, Haaland had already secured his position. Without even jumping, from the left edge of the six-yard box, he headed the ball toward the far post.

Goalkeeper Rossel was rooted to the spot by the left post, completely helpless against the header flying toward the right corner.

Haaland's header hit the back of the net.

7-0!

"Gooooooooaaaaaaaallllllllllllll!"

"Erling Haaland!"

"It's Haaland again!"

"Scoring in three consecutive matches!"

"My God, is he really only 18?"

"He already looks like a very mature goal scorer."

"First it was the Champions League quarter-finals, then back-to-back Premier League matches. This 18-year-old's goal-scoring form seems unstoppable. If this continues, Vardy's hard-earned starting spot might be in danger again!"

In the stands, Gao Shen burst out laughing.

Vardy is in trouble!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1268: Moving Towards the Perfect Center

In the past decade or so, with the rise of wingers—especially players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Salah, and Mane—the demands placed on center forwards have changed. Discussions often focus more on their tactical role, their hold-up play, and their ability to create space and opportunities.

It creates the impression that scoring ability is no longer the most important part of a center forward's job.

On the other hand, another extreme opinion might emerge—suggesting that scoring goals is actually quite simple.

This is understandable. After all, when you look at Messi and Ronaldo, who consistently score 40, 50, or even 60 goals a season, it's truly terrifying. For them, scoring goals seems as routine as eating meals.

When fans become accustomed to goal machines like Messi and Ronaldo, they naturally start looking down on other strikers, assuming they're not good enough.

But Gao Shen has always maintained one belief: the center forward is the most difficult position to play on the football pitch.

As long as football remains a sport centered on scoring goals, the role of the center forward will never become obsolete.

The more important the match and the more solid the opponent's defense, the more valuable a true center forward becomes.

While many people are fascinated by Ronaldo and Messi's incredible scoring records, they often overlook the number of shots they take. Of course, many of those chances are created by their own individual brilliance.

In fact, Messi's shooting accuracy and goal conversion rate in recent years has never dropped below 20 percent. His peak came in the 2012/13 season, when he scored 46 goals in La Liga with a conversion rate of 28 percent.

Many people criticize Ronaldo for being a volume shooter, and that criticism is not unfounded. His shot conversion rate is indeed relatively low. His best season was in 2014/15, with a conversion rate of 21 percent. Otherwise, it's usually around 14 to 15 percent.

Since joining Juventus this season, his conversion rate has dropped to 12 percent.

At first glance, that might seem awful.

But in reality, that's not the case.

Ronaldo's biggest issue is that he takes a lot of long shots, which drags down his conversion rate.

Even so, his numbers are still not bad. For example, Lewandowski's conversion rate this season is only 15 percent. Before joining Dortmund, it was about the same. After moving to Bayern, where he gets more chances in the box, it rose slightly, but it still peaked around 20 percent.

Among all strikers, one stands out—Suarez.

During Gao Shen's time at Manchester City, Suarez maintained a conversion rate of around 20 percent. In recent years, as he aged and gained more experience, it increased to about 25 percent. At his peak in the 2015/16 season, it reached an impressive 29 percent.

Another high-efficiency striker is Icardi, who consistently maintained a conversion rate above 20 percent. At his peak, it reached 33 percent, meaning he scored one goal for every three shots, which is an extraordinary figure.

One player who may surprise many is Vardy.

After Leeds United were promoted to the Premier League, Vardy began receiving more chances, and his conversion rate improved significantly. In recent seasons, it's stayed above 20 percent, reaching 25 percent last season, and even 28 percent this season. He's getting better with age.

By now, everyone should have a basic understanding of what these numbers mean.

Shot conversion rates don't tell the full story, but they do provide a useful reference point.

So, what's Mbappe's conversion rate this season?

The answer is 28 percent.

Yes, Mbappe scores, on average, one goal for every 3.6 shots. That's why clubs across Europe are desperate to sign him. It's also one of the key reasons his market value has soared to 250 million euros. His efficiency is simply too high.

And what about Haaland?

The answer is 38 percent.

Of course, most of Haaland's appearances this season have been off the bench, so the data lacks a large sample size. But it still clearly shows one thing: his scoring efficiency is extremely high.

This brings us to Leeds United's careful development of Vardy, Mbappe, and Haaland.

In particular, Mbappe and Haaland have been trained in the most scientific and rigorous way.

Currently, Mbappe is like a more efficient Cristiano Ronaldo, with better shooting technique and fewer long-range attempts.

As for Haaland?

Many might instinctively compare him to the equally tall Ibrahimovic, but that's not entirely accurate.

His playing style more closely resembles Adriano's—only Haaland is clearly faster.

Players like Haaland are extremely rare, making it difficult to find a perfect comparison. But their development path is clear: train them to become as complete as possible.

Do you remember what Gao Shen told Haaland's father when he first discovered him in Norway?

Formal youth training.

Yes, in his previous life, Haaland's technical movements were often unorthodox.

Even in 2021, before Gao Shen's transmigration, Haaland was already a rising superstar in Europe. But if you looked closely at many of his actions—including shooting—they often involved awkward or unconventional techniques, like toe-poking.

Some might say, "What's the big deal?"

If it results in a goal, who cares if you score with your butt?

That's fair. But it only proves one thing: Haaland's natural talent had been severely underestimated.

Why?

Because he didn't receive the most formal and scientific youth training. He lacked a solid foundation, so he often relied on unusual movements to produce top-level shots.

If a center forward had gone through formal youth development, he should resemble someone like Marco van Basten—the textbook example.

Using uncoordinated or improvised movements can make a striker more unpredictable, but it also makes them less consistent.

Now, having joined Leeds United at age 9 and receiving meticulous training from Borrell, Haaland has a solid foundation. Whether it's ball control or dribbling, he's already surpassed the version of himself from his previous life.

Even his old weakness—headers—has improved significantly.

Take that goal against Huddersfield, for example. It was a beautiful header.

Excellent technique, pace, explosiveness, strength, balance, agility...

All of this has led to the emergence of Buu Haaland, the prodigy who scored in the Champions League quarter-finals and in three consecutive Premier League matches—at just 18 years old.

...

Watching from the stands, Gao Shen was full of praise for Haaland's goal.

The key was the header.

"We've fixed that weakness," Gao Shen said with a hearty laugh.

He had witnessed every bit of Haaland's growth.

"Yeah, it wasn't easy. The kid is ambitious, works hard, and trains diligently," Borrell added.

Gao Shen was delighted. "Next time I run into Haaland's dad, I'm going to brag. With a son like this, who knows how far he'll go?"

He let out a snort in the end.

The Haaland of the previous life was a product of the elder Haaland's guidance. It was impressive, but still far inferior to the current version.

You have to understand—being able to play football doesn't mean you can teach football. And Haaland Sr. was never a technically outstanding player himself, so how far could his coaching really take someone?

"He'll probably insist that he instilled the fundamentals of professionalism in Haaland from an early age," Borrell said with a chuckle.

Haaland Sr. is a Leeds United legend. His son performed exceptionally well in the academy and fully committed himself to the sport. That made him familiar with figures like Gao Shen and Borrell.

With Leeds United's current reputation and influence, it's unlikely Haaland would consider leaving before winning the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or. Even after achieving those, he may not need to leave at all.

Both Gao Shen and Leeds United treat him like family.

Would he receive that kind of treatment elsewhere?

"You still need to watch his physical condition and manage his playing time properly. And make sure he keeps working on his back-to-goal technique," Gao Shen reminded again.

A center forward who can't play with his back to goal isn't good enough.

More importantly, if he doesn't take advantage of his youth to train those skills now, it'll be even harder to learn later.

Especially once he becomes a regular starter under pressure. At that point, there won't be time to build a full toolkit.

Right now, with the pressure relatively low and Vardy still carrying the main responsibility, Haaland should focus on mastering everything he needs.

"Oh, by the way. Vinicius and Rodrygo also need to increase their training intensity."

Although many fans and media call them the twin stars of Brazil, their styles are quite different. Vinicius is fast, explosive, and excels at dribbling past defenders on the flank.

But modern wingers can't just rely on wide play. They need to cut in and score more often.

Vinicius still lacks solid shooting technique, and his weaker left foot needs a lot of work.

Rodrygo, on the other hand, looks more ordinary at first glance. He doesn't seem to have any standout traits, but that versatility makes him full of potential.

He's like a student who scores 90 in every subject.

Players like that often enjoy long, successful careers.

Both Brazilian wingers have similar strengths and weaknesses.

The problem is that they both lack experience in European football and are not yet fully physically adapted to the Premier League.

But their advantage, like many Brazilian players, is that they're bold. They're not afraid to take the ball, make plays, or challenge defenders.

In simple terms, they play without fear.

That's extremely rare on the football pitch.

Many technically gifted players don't dare to make bold plays when it matters. They hesitate, and the moment passes.

That's why the courage and confidence of players like Vinicius and Rodrygo are especially valuable.

In the big picture, Leeds United is still not ready.

As the old saying goes: Build high walls, store ample grain, and wait before declaring yourself king.

Leeds United has finished building the high walls. Now, they are stockpiling.

Once the club has enough resources and a solid foundation, their reign will begin.

And the young Leeds United players will surely shake the whole of European football.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1269: Let's Go Head-to-Head!

When an aging team with an average starting age of 30.3 faces a young team averaging only 23.1 years, what tactics should they adopt?

And when that young team excels at high pressing, how can the older side compete?

This was the question the global media fixated on before the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Yes, Juventus is the team of veterans, while Leeds United is the team of rising stars.

With an average age of only 23.1, Leeds United looks like a squad brimming with energy and seemingly limitless attacking firepower.

Juventus, on the other hand, started six players over the age of 30. How would they manage?

Many believed Juventus should take a pragmatic approach, lean into the Italian tradition of defensive resilience, and adopt a deep-sitting counterattacking style to wear down the young and aggressive Premier League powerhouse.

That would seem like a safe approach.

The problem is, nothing in football is ever truly "safe."

When the whole world agrees on a strategy, that's usually when it proves least reliable.

So, Juventus coach Allegri made a very bold and surprising decision on home soil: he chose to press high and attack.

They took the fight straight to Leeds United!

Let's go head-to-head!

Let's see who drops first!

How intense was it?

Right after kickoff, Juventus nearly forced a turnover inside Leeds United's box, pressing so aggressively that Alisson almost couldn't get his pass out.

The attacking line was led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Mandzukic, and Dybala. In midfield, Matuidi and Khedira pushed high up the pitch, while Pjanic sat deeper to control the tempo. The backline featured Alex Sandro, Bonucci, Chiellini, and De Sciglio.

This lineup went into a high-paced shootout from the start, completely catching Leeds United off guard.

Logically, Juventus should have feared conceding an away goal. But Allegri was clearly going all in, even pushing midfielders Matuidi and Khedira far forward.

Burning energy?

Don't worry. Juventus still had Bentancur and Emre Can on the bench.

Anyone watching the early stages of the match, and recalling Allegri's pre-match comments, would realize he wasn't just engaging in mind games.

"The pace of the game must not be dictated by Leeds United!"

If we don't want to be controlled, then we must take the initiative.

Leeds United, playing away, were overwhelmed by Juventus' intense pressing in the opening stages and struggled to find their rhythm.

But Leeds United are no pushovers.

Upon seeing Juventus' starting lineup, Pochettino made immediate tactical adjustments.

Leeds United had come fully prepared.

Goalkeeper: Alisson.
Defenders: Robertson, Ruben Dias, De Ligt, Militao.
Midfielders: Rodri as the anchor, Milinkovic and Bernardo Silva in central midfield.
Forwards: Mbappe, Vardy, Dembele.

Pochettino deployed Militao at right back to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing.

Given Arnold's limitations in one-on-one defending, facing Ronaldo directly would pose serious problems for Leeds United's right side.

Away from home, Pochettino opted for caution.

But Juventus' aggressive start exceeded expectations.

More importantly, Allegri wasn't just looking to launch a surprise attack—he stuck with it.

Even by the 18th minute, Juventus hadn't let up. They were still pressing, still attacking.

This strategy disrupted Leeds United's rhythm.

Then, during a retreating run by Mandzukic, he received a pass from Matuidi and played it out to the left wing. Alex Sandro surged forward and whipped in a low cross to the near post.

Cristiano Ronaldo timed his run perfectly, got in front of De Ligt, and powered a header past Alisson.

1-0!

The Allianz Arena instantly erupted.

Tens of thousands of Juventus fans roared with joy.

Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted to the corner flag, waving his arms and urging the crowd to get louder.

As expected, the fans responded with a deafening cheer.

Beat Leeds United and make the final.

That's Juventus' goal!

...

"This might be our last chance."

In the stands at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Gao Shen was seated in the VIP box, having accepted an invitation from Juventus president Andrea Agnelli. The two sat side by side, watching the clash unfold.

It was the Juventus president who spoke.

His tone was calm, as though nothing could unsettle him.

This was the signature elegance of Italian gentlemen.

Andrea Agnelli, now president of the European Club Association, was a seasoned figure in the football world. Backed by Juventus, he held considerable influence in European football.

But with tensions rising between Europe's elite clubs and UEFA, his position was becoming increasingly difficult.

That's also why someone like Agnelli had been chosen to lead.

Gao Shen understood what he meant. Juventus had reached a point where an overhaul was inevitable.

Their squad was even older than Real Madrid's.

In fact, many were surprised when Ronaldo transferred to Juventus. Why?

Even a Serie A club like Juventus could afford Cristiano Ronaldo?

Yet, Juventus made the gamble.

Signing Ronaldo was a massive bet by both Juventus and Andrea Agnelli.

A bet on the Champions League.

From Chiellini to Bonucci, from Matuidi to Khedira, and even Ronaldo and Mandzukic, Juventus needed a complete rebuild across the pitch.

This impacted team performance, but more importantly, Juventus wanted to send a message—to the world and to young talents—that the Bianconeri's ambition remained intact.

If the gamble paid off and they won the Champions League, that would be ideal.

Even if not, signing Ronaldo showed their intent and helped in attracting players during the coming rebuild.

Otherwise, how could AC Milan and Inter compete with other European giants for top talent?

So, when Ronaldo's spectacular diving header put Juventus ahead, it was a massive relief for Agnelli.

"Gao, you guys are still too young." The Juventus chairman turned and said calmly to Gao Shen.

Gao Shen didn't react to his tone. In fact, Agnelli wasn't speaking with any malice.

He spoke and acted like a true gentleman.

Every word and gesture from him carried the grace of Italian nobility. You never felt offended.

"Allegri's tactics were a surprise. Leeds United's strategy didn't work," Gao Shen analyzed.

Agnelli wasn't particularly tactically minded, but even he could tell that Leeds United were off balance.

"But the game's just begun. There's still plenty of time. There's a second leg, and besides, how long can your veterans keep pressing at this intensity?" Gao Shen smiled as he asked.

That was indeed the issue.

Agnelli was at a loss for words.

It's easy to start fast, but hard to maintain it.

What is Leeds United best known for?

Aside from their youth, it's their high pressing and intense tempo.

All of that is built on their superior fitness and ability to sustain high-intensity performance for 90 minutes.

In other words, Leeds United doesn't need to panic.

As long as they stick to their game plan and execute their tactics, Juventus' issues will surface eventually—and perhaps severely.

"The key to this match isn't Ronaldo or Mbappe. It's Milinkovic and Pjanic."

Gao Shen pointed toward the pitch and continued.

Agnelli was surprised. Ronaldo had just scored.

"Didn't you notice? Milinkovic is pushing further up. Pjanic is retreating deeper and deeper. That's forcing Matuidi and Khedira to push higher too. Juventus' midfield is starting to disconnect."

As Gao Shen finished, he chuckled and looked at Agnelli, who was listening attentively.

"This is just the beginning. If it were me, I'd have Milinkovic press Pjanic relentlessly, keeping the tempo high. Given the current fatigue level, we can turn the tide before halftime."

"Actually, if we'd been sharper, we could've equalized already."

Agnelli was stunned. Was this true?

Could he really see that far ahead?

"Look. Pochettino's making adjustments."

Following Gao Shen's prompt, Agnelli looked over. Sure enough, Pochettino was at the touchline, calling out Milinkovic's name and motioning for him to push higher.

The Argentine's right hand kept waving forward, making his intentions clear.

Allegri saw it too. He shouted toward the attacking third, instructing Matuidi and Khedira to drop back and keep the midfield tight.

Both midfielders were strong and experienced, but neither was a true leader.

If Agnelli had doubts before, now he was genuinely concerned.

"Allegri must've figured it out too," the Juventus president muttered to himself.

"Of course," Gao Shen replied with a smile. He wasn't at all worried about being behind.

"But he doesn't have a real solution. As long as Leeds United contain Pjanic, Juventus can't control the tempo, and their attacks will become increasingly disorganized. That's why I said the key isn't Ronaldo or Mbappe."

If Milinkovic can shut Pjanic down, Leeds United will turn this around.

Now it all depends on whether we can score.

The coach can only prepare so much.

Ultimately, it comes down to how the players perform on the pitch.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1270: I'm Impressed

Leeds United arrived in Turin, Italy, carrying plenty of frustration.

In last weekend's Premier League fixture, although Leeds United thrashed Huddersfield Town, Manchester City narrowly beat Liverpool 1-0 away, denying Leeds the chance to clinch the title with two rounds to spare.

Though winning the league is all but certain, the players had hoped to seal it early.

When they arrived in Turin, they were caught off guard by Juventus' aggressive approach, leaving them flustered at the start.

Although Leeds quickly settled and started attacking, the players appeared slightly rushed.

And when you're in a hurry, you rarely do things well.

As a result, Ronaldo's header dealt a heavy blow to Leeds United.

Only then did everyone realize they had made a fatal mistake. Without noticing, they had handed Juventus a golden opportunity.

For a star like Ronaldo, he only needs one.

But that goal completely woke Leeds up.

Especially head coach Pochettino on the sidelines, who was clearly aware of the team's issues.

He made a swift adjustment.

On one hand, Milinkovic was instructed to increase pressure on Pjanic in an attempt to shut down Juventus' playmaker.

Everyone knows that Matuidi and Khedira are tough, industrious players, but not organizers. They can charge forward, but they can't dictate the game.

By containing Pjanic, Leeds United could disrupt Juventus' attacking buildup and throw off their rhythm.

More importantly, Juventus' midfield looked disconnected.

Pjanic had dropped deeper to avoid Milinkovic, while Matuidi and Khedira pushed up, creating a large gap in the middle.

On the other hand, Pochettino also realized defensive lapses were a hidden danger, so he demanded more aggressive counter-pressing and faster recovery.

How fast?

The 21st minute provided the best example.

After losing possession in the final third, Leeds United responded immediately.

Dembele and Bernardo Silva combined on the right flank. But the French winger failed to control the ball and was dispossessed by Alex Sandro.

If time were frozen at that moment, it would show only Dembele in Leeds United's right-side attacking third.

In contrast, Juventus had Alex Sandro on the ball, with three midfield options nearby—Matuidi wide, Khedira moving into position, and Pjanic dropping deeper—as well as Bonucci in the back line.

Four passing options. It looked like a guaranteed escape.

But Leeds United's counter-pressing soon proved effective, with relentless running putting Juventus under pressure.

When Alex Sandro broke free from Dembele and attempted to drive down the left flank, Vardy moved toward Bonucci, Milinkovic closed down Pjanic, and Bernardo Silva and Rodri stepped in to press Matuidi and Khedira.

All of this happened within two seconds.

It showed that after conceding the goal, Leeds United had regained composure and were fully focused. Only then could they react so quickly and transition between attack and defense in an instant.

As soon as Matuidi received the pass from Alex Sandro, he was immediately pressed by Bernardo Silva. When he passed back, Dembele had already moved into position to cut it off.

The ball turned over again, and when Alex Sandro attempted to win it back, he fouled Dembele.

Leeds United were awarded a free kick.

This counter-press perfectly reflected Leeds United's tactical identity—using youth and fitness to dictate the pace, covering large areas of the pitch through constant movement to suppress Juventus.

Juventus quickly found that their high pressing wasn't working. With Pjanic marked out and Leeds United regaining their rhythm, the Italian side began to struggle.

The space between their forward line and defense widened significantly, becoming dangerously disconnected.

As the game wore on, Juventus' problems became more obvious. They were finding it increasingly difficult to move the ball forward.

In Juventus' entire tactical setup, Ronaldo remained the focal point in attack.

When managers build teams, they prioritize strengths. For Ronaldo, that means scoring.

To do that, he's tightly marked by center-backs. But given his age, constant physical battles take a toll.

It's similar to when Ibrahimovic criticized Van Gaal, saying he couldn't run that much. Or when Ronaldo himself said he couldn't contribute heavily on defense.

Players like them require certain trade-offs from coaches.

So, if Ronaldo can't battle center-backs all game, someone else must step up.

At Real Madrid, that was Benzema. At Juventus, it's Mandzukic.

A strong forward frees up Ronaldo.

This used to work well.

But now, a new problem emerged.

With Pjanic contained, Juventus' build-up play became clunky.

You can't expect Khedira and Matuidi to dribble and organize attacks.

Mandzukic had to stay forward, occupying both Leeds center-backs. That left either Ronaldo or Dybala to drop back.

Dybala dropped first, but Robertson pressed him so tightly that it rendered his retreat ineffective.

So Ronaldo started dropping deeper too.

In the 31st minute, after Ronaldo retreated to receive the ball, Militao suddenly darted out from behind and poked it away.

The young Brazilian center-back was like a charging bull, even knocking Ronaldo to the ground.

The Portuguese forward appealed for a foul, but the referee smiled and waved play on.

Leeds United had deployed Militao at right-back instead of Arnold specifically to deal with Ronaldo.

All of these details unfolded over a 20-minute period where the game appeared balanced, but lacked clear chances. It felt stagnant.

Until the 40th minute, when the dynamic finally shifted.

That moment came from a Leeds United counterattack after winning the ball on the left.

Milinkovic received the ball with his back to goal and played it wide to Robertson, who quickly found Mbappe down the flank.

The Frenchman dribbled forward, tried to cut into the box, but was tightly marked by De Sciglio and forced to play it back to Robertson. He himself cut inside, making a diagonal run into the box.

Robertson received the ball near the corner of the penalty area, drawing defenders with him.

Inside the box, Mbappe, Vardy, and Dembele were all positioned.

Juventus' back line stayed alert, worried that Robertson might drive to the byline for a cross. De Sciglio blocked the path, while Pjanic dropped back to help cover.

But in doing so, the top of the penalty area was left exposed.

This was the cost of Juventus' disjointed shape.

Robertson didn't go down the line. He pulled the ball back toward the edge of the box.

Milinkovic stepped up to meet it, controlling with his right foot.

Everyone inside the Juventus box froze. Pjanic rushed forward to close him down.

But Milinkovic held his ground with his left foot, then swung his right.

The ball exploded off his foot like a cannon, slicing through Juventus' defense and flying into the top right corner.

"Gooooooooooooooooal!"

"Leeds United equalize!"

"A stunning strike from Milinkovic!"

"My God, Leeds United have drawn level against Juventus right before halftime!"

"A world-class long-range shot from the Serbian midfielder!"

"What a brilliant goal!"

The entire Allianz Arena was stunned.

No one expected the equalizer to come so suddenly, so sharply.

It was a moment of brilliance.

In the VIP box, Gao Shen could no longer contain his excitement. He stood, clenched his fists, and shouted in celebration.

A beautiful and timely goal.

Andrea Agnelli, sitting beside him, looked on in disbelief.

Just over 20 minutes earlier, Gao Shen had told him that Leeds United could equalize before halftime.

Now, it had actually happened.

It was astonishing.

If Agnelli had previously doubted Gao Shen's judgment, he now fully believed it.

"Milinkovic… he's really something," Agnelli said.

From this match alone, the Serbian midfielder had shown far more than just a thunderous shot. His height, aerial ability, technique, and speed were all impressive.

"The real match begins now."

Gao Shen sat down and chuckled.

He was genuinely curious to see how Agnelli, the refined gentleman, would react if things spiraled out of control.

"We'll definitely adjust in midfield," Agnelli replied firmly.

Gao Shen smiled. "But some problems can't be fixed. For example, what will you do about Pjanic?"

Leeds United had already found the formula, and Pochettino would only double down at halftime. In the second half, Leeds would press even harder, and their attack would be relentless.

Could Juventus withstand it?

At this stage, the game's direction was becoming clear.

The only question left was whether Leeds United would take their chances.

(To be continued.)