Gao Shen thought to himself that if he were truly the hero of an online he author must be quite a genius. He couldn't fathom how the plot could be arranged in a way that readers would enjoy more than this. Like noould the author have Bara take Espanyol so lightly?

  It was already the 37th round of the league; shouldn't it be the time for Bara to stumble? This is the kind of plot twist that readers love, the author is brilliant!

  But no matter how much Gao Shen pined, Bara defeated Espanyol 2-0 at home and secured three points.

  There was nothing remarkable about the game. Bara domihroughout. Ih minute, Espanyol scored an own goal, giving Bara the lead.

  In the 51st minute, Deade a direct pass to Larsson, who successfully tered an offside trap to get a one-oh the goalkeeper. After a save from the keeper, Ronaldinho received the ball, bypassed the goalkeeper, and scored, making it 2-0.

  Notably, Xavi made his first start after a serious injury, partnering with De midfield. This clearly gave Bara a signifit advantage in midfield.

  However, Gao Shen was not in a good mood. He began to questioher he or Bara was the real protagonist of the story.

  ---

  "Let's discuss it."

  The day after the 37th round of La Liga, before the team resumed training, the Real Madrid coag staff held a regur meeting. The discussion included a summary of st night's game and an analysis of Bara's victory over Espanyol.

  Gao Shen was somewhat disillusiohis was human nature; after Real Madrid's win, he had eagerly awaited Bara to drop points. Instead, Espanyol even hahem an own goal. Was this a joke?

  "From the data perspective, Bara had 60% possession, while Espanyol had 40%. Bara's passing success rate was 81%, Espanyol's was 72%. In terms of fouls, Bara itted 14, while Espanyol itted 24."

  Lucas, the top data analyst under Gao Shen, prepared detailed data analysis reports before each meeting to crify the discussion points. His skills had improved signifitly in just over two months.

  "What really deserves our attentiowo points. Bara only had 15 shots in the game, but..."

  Lucas paused for emphasis, his tone being more serious.

  "The Spaniard had 19 shots on goal, 9 of which were on target, while Bara had only 4 on target. The number of ers was simir, Bara had 8, and Espanyol had 7."

  Despite no indications that Bara was holding ba this game—apart from perhaps testing Xavi's dition for the Champions League final—the statistics revealed that Bara's shots and offehreats were fewer pared to Espanyol's. This roblem.

  "Sed, this game was not only a derby but also a battle for the top scorer in La Liga. Before this rouo'o had scored 26 goals, while Valencia's David Vil had scored 24. Vil is a popur iional and is eager to win the Golden Boot."

  "Before the game, many Bara pyers, including Puyol, Ia, and Larsson, publicly supported Eto'o. Puyol even said the whole team would support Eto'o to win the Golden Boot."

  Lucas smiled slightly as he tinued: "However, Eto'o missed several opportunities, and Vil scored."

  Currently, Eto'o had 26 goals while Vil had 25, narrowing the gap to just one goal.

  "Actually, during the game, there were many instances proving that Bara pyers genuinely wao'o to score. For example, Larsson could have scored himself but chose to pass; Deco could have shot directly but opted to pass; Giuli also gave up a one-on-one ce to cross..."

  "But Eto'o still didn't score."

  Lucas's point was to highlight that Eto'o's form was off, indig a problem with Bara's attack. Additionally, with Espanyol's 19 shots, Bara's defense also had issues.

  It was uaiher Bara would slip up against Athletic Bilbao in the final round, but the analysis was valuable for the uping Champions League final.

  "However, our scouts have also reported that Messi has basically recovered."

  This was the only uling news. How formidable is Messi? Gao Shen knew better than ahough Messi had just debuted, his strength was undeniable.

  season, Messi would truly shine, but for now, he was still a signifit threat. With Eto'o as La Liga's Golden Boot winner, Ronaldinho on the left, Messi on the right, and Xavi, Deco, and Ia in midfield, this was the stro Bara in history. Defending against such a team would be a challenge.

  Gao Shen recalled that in the 2006 Champions League final, Rijkaard didn't start Xavi or Messi and pyed more servatively. If Rijkaard tio make servative choices, Gao Shen wouldn't be overly worried. But since his arrival had ged everything, would Rijkaard stick to that approach?

  ---

  Real Madrid defeated Sp Santander, and Bara won against Espanyol, leaving the La Liga championship undecided until the final round.

  This created excitement not only in Spain but globally. Bara seemed more dominant with the initiative and a stronger, more appealing style of py. Real Madrid was at a disadvantage, needing to face Sevil away in the final round.

  After 37 rounds, Sevil had caught up with Osasuna, both teams having 65 points. The final round would see Osasuna face Valencia and Sevil face Real Madrid, both tough matches.

  In trast, Bara's final round oppo, Athletic Bilbao, rawelfth and appeared less threatening.

  This pced Bara ahead of Real Madrid in title odds.

  ---

  Gao Shen focused on his team despite external entary. With a week betweeh and 38th rounds, the team had restorative training the day after pying Maga and a day off iernoon.

  While pyers could enjoy their break, Gao Shen and the coag staff remained busy. Scouts tio monitor Bara's activities and iigated Sevil to provide timely information for Real Madrid's preparations.

  At noon that day, Gao Shen received a call from Butragueno, Real Madrid's vice-chairman. Knowing the team had a holiday iernoon and nothing scheduled for the evening, Butragueended an invitation.

  Florentino's dinner had been pending for a while, and although Gao Shen had mentio to Martin before, his busy schedule had deyed it. Despite not wanting to eh Florentino at this moment, Gao Shen agreed to the dinner.

  Butragueno had arranged a gathering including not just Gao Shen but also others involved in the football industry to avoid any awkwardness.

  ---

  Dinner was at 8 p.m. at a barbecue restaurahe four-tower business distriadrid, named Juan House.

  Gao Shen had heard of the restaurant, known among Real Madrid pyers, but had never visited due to poor team performand ck of team dinners.

  Butragueno had arranged for a driver to pick up Gao Shen at Valdebebas. The inspicuous restaurant, with a small sign, was a surprise.

  "Hellao." The waiter greeted him politely at the door, already knowing his identity.

  "Hello."

  The waiter informed Gao Shen that Florentino and uests had already arrived and directed him to the King's Box, where Butragueno would be waiting.

  Gao Shen was intrigued and wondered if the King of Spain, a knur at the restaurant, might have an i iing him to discuss matters reted to the Spanish throne.