Sitting in the home dugout, Simeone watched the situation on the pitch, especially the tactical changes Real Madrid made after Gao Shen brought on Di María. He and his assistants were very surprised.
"He can stay calm in crucial moments, still trust his own judgment, his players, and his earlier plans. In today's football, few people have that ability."
When he got excited, Simeone suddenly waved his right hand, making no secret of his admiration for Gao Shen.
Even though Gao Shen is much younger than him.
Gao Shen's plan from the start was to play around Isco, using Isco's ability to hold the ball and dribble in tight spaces to attack Atletico's defense, while Atletico stuck to their own approach of burning energy and committing rough fouls to compensate for technical shortcomings and restrict Real Madrid.
Both sides did this well and restrained each other effectively.
Tonight, Real Madrid's advantages did not come through.
In the second half, Gao Shen made two substitutions, bringing on Carvajal and Marcelo for the starting full-backs. The purpose was clear, to stretch the width and free Isco.
Many people realized Isco was not playing well. He held on to the ball too much and loved dribbling, which delayed many chances.
Even before Di María came on, Simeone, like many others, wondered whether Gao Shen would replace Isco.
That would be human nature, right?
But Gao Shen did not.
He stuck to his original plan, stuck to his earlier judgment, and still believed in Isco.
It was an admirable persistence.
At the same time, Simeone also felt threatened.
Including added time, the last ten minutes would be the most difficult and dangerous of the game.
Because the advanced setup took a step beyond the original.
Atletico's problems were now more serious.
The left side of Di María, Pogba, and Marcelo needed close attention, and the right side of Jesé and Carvajal also needed watching, especially Siqueira.
Neither flank could be relaxed, and at the same time, Isco in the middle could let go and devote himself to attacking.
Whether Atletico's defenders could adjust and switch roles in time, cover more spaces, and plug more gaps would be the biggest test in the minutes ahead.
With Di María, Isco, Jesé, and Džeko up front, Real Madrid's attacking unit is no soft touch.
If Atletico concentrated resources centrally, the flanks would inevitably be eaten up by Real Madrid. Conversely, if they split to cover the wings, Isco in the middle would take the chance to exert himself.
Simeone certainly hoped Atletico could take care of both, but what were the odds?
What is more, Simeone actually had no real option to change.
This was the best lineup he could field. Who else could he replace?
He did not have a bench as strong as Gao Shen's.
"Gao Shen, oh Gao Shen, you are such a monster."
…
After Real Madrid used up their substitutions, the game remained finely poised.
It looked like nothing had changed, but both sides knew and kept adjusting.
Especially Real Madrid.
The newly introduced Di María brought fresh instructions from Gao Shen. The midfield setup was adjusted, and the players' positions and responsibilities changed significantly, requiring redistribution, readaptation, and a re-established rhythm.
Atletico managed to turn the tide somewhat during this spell and began to launch threatening counters.
Like in the 87th minute, Juanfran overlapped on the right, received the ball, and crossed to Turan at the far post.
Turan met it at the back post and headed it back across, aiming for Diego Costa and Raúl García, but Varane recovered in time and headed it clear.
Outside the box, Pogba judged the drop, took control, leaned into Koke, turned, and fed Isco.
Isco surged through the middle, but Atletico midfielders Gabi and Mario Suárez rushed him at the same time.
Just as a three-way tangle seemed imminent, Isco read the bounce, nipped in front of Gabi, and deftly flicked the ball over, directly behind Gabi and Mario Suárez. He then stepped in and used his body to shield Gabi.
Atletico's midfielder was angered and shoved Isco hard from behind, trying to knock him off balance and halt the dribble.
This was where Isco's strengthened physical training over the past two years showed.
His ability in direct physical duels may be limited by his height and not outstanding, but his base was solid. Short and agile, he merely swayed slightly without even stumbling, continued forward, and cushioned the ball with his chest right in front of him.
Mario Suárez reacted quickly and stepped across to block him immediately, but the Spaniard's feet were faster. He suddenly stopped, rolled the ball back with his right foot, and shifted his whole body sideways.
With Gabi behind and Mario Suárez in front, Isco still managed to work the ball out despite being sandwiched by two Atletico midfielders.
He then carried it a step across to create a gap and immediately sent a diagonal pass.
Mario Suárez lunged and missed.
The whole sequence happened in a tiny space and a split second. Isco used feints and small movements to play out of the crush.
At that moment, the entire left side of the final third was practically empty.
Juanfran had just overlapped and was now sprinting back, but in a footrace, how could he match Di María?
Di María reached Isco's diagonal pass at pace and drove straight into the box.
Juanfran chased desperately inside, but he could not catch Di María and was always a step behind.
Godín and Miranda in the middle were tracking Džeko, with Jesé arriving at the far side.
Everyone knew that if any one of them stepped away, Di María would slip the pass.
Even worse for Atletico, Pogba was charging up outside the box, a step behind the rest.
This is Real Madrid's attack.
Wave after wave, one surge pushing the next.
Di María burst into the left side of the area. He was a body length ahead of Juanfran, but Atletico's right-back, tracking inside, was still narrowing his route, keeping him wide and away from goal.
Atletico's right-back is an extremely experienced player.
In the past, Di María would have looked to square it for Džeko or Jesé.
Or stopped, rolled it back, and let Pogba arrive and shoot from the edge.
The Frenchman's long-range shooting is very strong.
But now, Di María is Real Madrid's third-highest scorer.
He had barely crossed into the area, near level with the penalty spot, when he had already made his decision and set himself. By the time he hit the six-yard line, he had struck.
A left-footed instep shot, steered toward the far corner.
This is Gareth Bale's signature.
This zone is also called the Bale area.
But today, Di María struck from that area just like Bale.
When Juanfran sensed the danger, he slid in to block, trying to cut the shooting lane, and Atletico goalkeeper Asenjo launched into a full-stretch save.
The ball bent past Asenjo on the outside. He could not reach it. It kissed the inside of the right post and went in.
"goalllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!"
"Di María!"
"At the crucial moment for Real Madrid, the substitute Di María scores the decisive goal!"
"2-1!"
The entire Calderón gasped, then a wave of boos swept through.
Di María sprinted away in a rush of excitement, made a heart with his hands, and kept running, kept celebrating.
Real Madrid's players streamed after him.
On the touchline, Gao Shen leapt up and roared his celebration.
To score like this with the game nearing its end filled him with excitement.
His continuous planning, from before kickoff to the in-game adjustments, finally paid off at the last.
In particular, his trust in Isco was fully rewarded at that moment.
Without this goal, Isco's first 80 minutes would have drawn criticism.
With this goal, he is the elf on the pitch.
This is the charm of football.
"This goal from Real Madrid is sensational."
"We could see that when Isco took Pogba's pass, he lifted it over the defender with a deft touch, then used his body to block Gabi, then stopped, rolled the ball, and cut across. The whole sequence was very skilful."
"Isco's handling was crucial. It directly changed the direction and momentum of the entire attack."
"We saw that when Isco released Di María, Juanfran realized the danger on his side, but it was too late. The speed of Real Madrid's winger ripped Atletico's flank."
"This is Real Madrid."
"At the decisive moment, Isco's handling and Di María's high-speed run created Real Madrid's second goal."
The broadcast cut to the touchline. Simeone was cursing angrily, while Gao Shen hugged his assistants in excitement.
"This is a profound and wonderful command."
"He brings unexpected surprises in every match."
"Just like tonight. He trusted Isco. His previous two changes did not bring the effect, but the third, Di María, settled it."
"This is a world-class coach."
(To be continued.)