August 17, evening, Balaídos Stadium in Vigo, Spain.
The opening round of La Liga: Real Madrid visited Celta Vigo.
This was Yang Yang's first official appearance since returning to Real Madrid, as well as Real Madrid's La Liga debut after its rebuilding. Everyone was intensely curious: after suffering seven straight defeats in the warm-up matches, how would Yang Yang approach this game?
Would Real Madrid's players continue their dismal warm-up form? Or would they fight their way out of desperation and rise to the occasion?
All the suspense was dispelled when the two teams submitted their starting lineups, but Yang Yang's decision caught everyone off guard.
Even the La Liga commentators broadcasting the match worldwide were stunned.
Courtois was in goal. The back four were Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, and Carvajal. The midfield consisted of Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and De Bruyne, while the front three were Hazard, Suarez, and Mbappé.
Nobody had expected Yang Yang to use a lineup exactly identical to last season's. Not a single player signed during the summer transfer window had made the squad. It was utterly shocking.
Was he really that determined to trust this group of veterans?
"I truly can't understand Yang Yang's choice at all."
"In the second half against Atletico Madrid, we saw a Real Madrid full of vitality, hope, and aggression. It was a young team, brimming with explosive energy."
"But that Real Madrid appeared for only forty-five minutes. After that, Yang Yang completely dismantled the team."
"He doesn't seem to trust these young players. He still seems stubbornly determined to trust the teammates who once fought alongside him, which is why he has fielded this lineup in the opening round of La Liga. Honestly, it's deeply disappointing!"
"In our impression and expectations, Yang Yang should have shown more courage. He