Real Madrid was known as the Galácticos. It originated from the "Zidane + Paven" policy that was implemented at the beginning of the 20th century. That was to introduce a superstar in the attack line every year, and rely on locally trained rookies in the defense line. Zidane and Paven were the representatives of the two paths. Real Madrid, with the introduction of Figo, Zidane, and Ronaldo in 2000, swept across Europe in the first few years of the 21st century. Together with the white fans, Real Madrid became the "Galácticos".
In the summer of 2003, Beckham transferred to Real Madrid for 35 million euros. The Galácticos' superstar lineup reached its peak: Raúl, Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Roberto, Carlos, and Casillas. The seven stars formed the Real Madrid Seven Stars. Every star was in the top three or even the number one in the world. Real Madrid's influence reached its peak.
However, under the glamorous appearance, Real Madrid had hidden hidden dangers. Before the 2003-2004 season, the hidden dangers were especially obvious. The most important hidden dangers were the unreasonable lineup and the aging of the superstars.
In the summer of 2003, other than Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid, Real Madrid did not have any reinforcements. Instead, they lost Hierro and Makelele in the defense line. The "Paven" that Florentino placed his hopes on could not grow up. The strength of Real Madrid's backfield was severely weakened. At the same time, due to the serious position conflict between Beckham and Figo, Beckham had to change to the defensive midfielder position that he was not familiar with. Raúl also had to retreat to the midfield position to fill the gap. Compared to the previous season, Real Madrid's lineup this season was full of hidden dangers.
Secondly, the core members of the team, Zidane and Figo, officially entered the age of 30 in 2003. Although the two were still at their peak and their technical awareness was still the best in the world, it was an indisputable fact that their condition was unstable and slowly declining due to their aging.
In addition, Real Madrid did not adjust their lineup during the off-season. Instead, they used the influence of Beckham's transfer to start a business trip to Asia. Although it was a business trip, it seriously affected the team's preparation.
Under the influence of multiple unfavorable factors, Real Madrid finally suffered this season. They were eliminated from the Champions League early. In the league, with only three rounds left, they were eight points behind the leader, Valencia. It was almost certain that they would not be able to win the league title.
Therefore, for Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey championship became their last concealment of the season. If they could not win the Copa del Rey, then this would be the first season since the introduction of superstars policy in 2000 that Real Madrid would lose all four championship.
Obviously, Florentino and Real Madrid could not accept this!
Therefore, the Copa del Rey champions that Real Madrid did not pay much attention to had now become the last straw of hope for this super powerhouse.
*****
Bernabéu.
In the president's office in Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's president, Florentino, was having an important conversation with the team's manager, Luxemburgo.
"Real Madrid in the Riazo Stadium is not the real Real Madrid," Florentino said.
Luxemburgo did not speak. The current controversial manager was a little disheartened at this time. The media was criticizing him, thinking that he was the biggest culprit for Real Madrid's failure this season.
Luxemberg didn't want to take the blame for this.
In his heart, he felt aggrieved. His position as the manager of Real Madrid seemed to be glorious, but his power was greatly restricted and restricted.
Among them, the one that had the most far-reaching impact on Real Madrid was the Zidane + Pavin policy made by the Real Madrid boss in front of him.
The so-called Zidane + Pavin policy was that Real Madrid would pile up star players in the front and center of the field, and rely on the team's own youth training system for the rear defensive line.
In theory, this was a very perfect policy. The superstars in the front and center of the field were the guarantee of great influence and market attractiveness, and the use of the team's youth training players in the rear defensive line ensured the club's local roots. This could not only ensure the team's huge star player halo, but also rooted in the youth training system. It was simply a perfect combination.
However, this perfect policy could be said to be Florentino, the president, who came up with it on his own.
It could be said that this policy was too artificial, and it ignored the natural laws of the development of football.
A young player needed time and process to become a real talent, and he needed to accumulate experience through many games. Star players grew slowly, and they were honed through failures and lessons.
If Real Madrid was a mid-tier or lower tier team, this would not be a problem. Young players could jump directly from the C or B team to the first team and play as the main force. Because the pressure on a small team was low, it was understandable if the young players did not perform well for a period of time.
However, this was not the case for a powerhouse team like Real Madrid. If a player performed poorly in a game, he would be dissected and criticized in the newspapers. This mistake would be magnified infinitely by the media and fans.
The pressure on the young players was unimaginable.
For the Pavins, when they were suddenly promoted to the first team, while they enjoyed the glory of a powerhouse team like Real Madrid, they also had to bear the tremendous pressure of wearing this jersey!
The pressure was so great that it could easily crush a young player's confidence!
In fact, it could be said that Pavin and his friends were not ready at all, but because of the need for publicity, they became the victims of Florentino's policy.
Perhaps they had the talent to become a first-rate defender. However, they still needed to grow step by step. Florentino's' Zidane + Pavin 'policy forced them to go through the process of training and growth, and it was directly raised to a height that they could not bear. It was not an exaggeration to say that this was like spoiling a seedling through excessive enthusiasm.
*****
Luxemburgo was well aware of this.
How could he not know the strength of the Pavins?
Did he not know that the Pavins were still unable to establish themselves in the first team of Real Madrid?
He knew!
However, this was Real Madrid's current policy, and it was Florentino's proudest work. As the president of Real Madrid, Florentino's words carried enormous weight in Real Madrid, and the manager could only submit to him!
Moreover, Florentino had expressed his determination and means to implement this policy from the beginning. At the end of last season, he directly drove away the old captain of the team, Hierro, and expressed his determination to implement this' Zidane + Pavin 'policy with an almost cold-blooded attitude.
Hierro's departure also meant that there was an empty position for the Pavins!
Hierro, who had worked hard for Real Madrid all his life and was known as one of the best captains in the history of Real Madrid, could even kill him. Luxemburgo was only a Brazilian, and he was not a manager who came from the Real Madrid system. If Luxemburgo wanted to continue enjoying the glory of being the manager of Real Madrid, he had to obey Florentino's' Zidane + Pavin 'policy.
Therefore, Luxemburgo could not say anything. With Real Madrid's current situation, if they needed someone to bear the responsibility, was there a better candidate than him as the manager?! Could he go around saying that it was not his fault, and it was the president's responsibility?
Of course not!
Luxemburgo was silent, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
The manager of Real Madrid was a glamorous position, but it was not so easy to be the manager. It was like the crater of a volcano.
*****
"We cannot allow any accidents to happen to the Copa del Rey." Florentino looked at the silent Luxemburgo and felt displeased. He wanted to change the manager, but that would only happen after the end of the season. Right now, the most important thing was the Copa del Rey finals. This was the only championship that Real Madrid could fight for this season. Real Madrid could not accept the disaster that would happen at the end of the season.
"Yes, Mr. President, there is no problem in winning the Copa del Rey!" Luxemburgo opened his mouth and made his stance clear.
He was determined to win the Copa del Rey. This prideful Brazilian did not want to leave Real Madrid with his tail between his legs. He wanted to fight for a little longer, and the Copa del Rey was the last straw for Luxemburgo and Real Madrid.
Who are our opponents?
Sporting de Gijón?
A Segunda División team?
With such an opponent, there was no doubt that Real Madrid would win the championship!
"Very good!" Florentino was very satisfied with Luxemburgo's stance.
At this moment, the president's assistant knocked on the door and came in. He passed a newspaper to Florentino.
Florentino looked at his assistant in surprise, and then lowered his head to read the newspaper.
Real Madrid's president's expression kept changing. In the end, this well-mannered president could not hold back his anger and threw the newspaper on the floor.
"Hmph!" Florentino snorted, "I hope to see an epic victory in the Copa del Rey final!"
"Huh?" Luxemburgo looked at the president in surprise. Although he did not know why this big boss was angry, he immediately expressed his stance, "As you wish, Mr. President!"
PS: The third update is here. The outbreak continues. The league leader has given out monthly votes in red packets, and everyone can go and claim their benefits.
Can everyone's monthly votes be a little more intense?
Begging for monthly votes, subscriptions, rewards, all kinds of requests.
Continuing to write.
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