After signing with AC Milan, I will be the king of football!

The dimly lit study housed a shrine.

Capello lit three sticks of incense, bowed three times, and inserted them into the incense burner before stepping back.

With a sweep of his right hand, he lifted the hem of his robe to the side. His head tilted back with an air of defiance, his jaw tucked in, his tongue against his gums, his chest hollowed and back straightened, he took a humble breath. Clasping his hands as if holding the Meridian Line, thus connecting Yin and Yang, he knelt on the prayer mat and performed the ritual of three kneels and nine bows.

After completing the ritual,

Capello sat at his desk.

He poured himself a cup of green tea and picked up the ”Equal Discourse” on his desk to continue his reading.

Recently, in Huang Kaiwen’s absence, Real Madrid had been doing well, maintaining an unbeaten streak.

But Capello was always uneasy, knowing that the real test had yet to come.

He needed to read some classics to calm his mind.

”World Sports News” claimed that Huang Kaiwen was a system player and that Real Madrid played more like a unit without him – pure nonsense! Capello felt it would be more accurate to say that Huang Kaiwen brought his own system.

After reading for more than an hour and jotting down some insights, feeling calmer, Capello went back to his room to sleep.

The next day, September 29th.

After arriving at the training base, Capello announced in front of the players, ”Starting today, anyone who doesn’t meet the running distance standard will be demoted to the reserve team.”

The Real Madrid players showed little reaction.

They all knew Capello’s temperament.

”But Kevin ran 1400 meters in just one game before,” Cassano grumbled.

”Hmm?”

Capello looked at Cassano, stared at his slightly protruding belly, and said, ”Antonio Cassano, you will train with the B team for now. When you have digested the pork knuckles you ate in Germany, you can return to the first team.”

Cassano pursed his lips and did not dare say another word.

”Robben, Sneijder, come to my office with me. The rest of you, start training,” Capello said.

Robben and Sneijder exchanged glances.

It had been half a month since the infighting in the Netherlands team; was the coach only now thinking of punishing them?

The two Dutchmen followed Capello uneasily.

Once in the office, Capello poured them each a glass of water, then asked with a smile, ”You’ve been at Real Madrid for a while now, how do you feel about the team atmosphere?”

”Very good, Real Madrid is great! Everyone is working towards a common goal, and I love being part of such an ambitious team,” Robben quickly said.

Sneijder sighed inwardly.

He had been outmaneuvered by the bald man.

Hurriedly, Sneijder said, ”After coming to Real Madrid, I found that the locker room atmosphere is particularly good, training is very professional, and the coaches are all of high caliber. I’ve improved a lot recently!”

Robben’s eyes widened.

Sneijder really knew how to suck up!

”That’s good to hear. I think you both are excellent players, so I wanted to hear your opinions on the team. There’s nothing else, you can go back to training now,” Capello said with a smile.

After Robben and Sneijder left, Capello sat behind his desk and began to strategize.

Lately, Robben had become an important player, but Capello wasn’t quite ready to completely give up on Cassano yet.

Both Robben and Robinho had playing habits that favored being on the ball.

When playing with Kevin, Cassano’s positioning and passing were still on point.

So for now, he just had to let that rascal Cassano reflect properly in the B team.

”Fabio, it’s getting late,” Galbiati said as he entered the office.

Looking at his watch, Capello realized it was already past seven o’clock.

He said with a smile, ”I was considering the tactics before Kevin’s return, so I lost track of time.”

”Even when working, you can’t forget to live. You’re the one who told me that!” Galbiati said with a laugh.

Privately, Capello knew how to enjoy life quite well.

”You’re right. I’m leaving now,” Capello said.

He packed a few tactical diagrams into his bag and headed to the parking lot.

As Capello who was still thinking about Real Madrid’s upcoming formation reached his car, he used his key to open the door, placed his briefcase on the passenger seat, and started the car. The engine revved up, but before he could even leave the parking lot, he felt a jolt that indicated something was off.

Screech—

Capello pressed the brakes, opened the door, and stepped out to check.