The first round of every season could be described as a concentration camp of upsets.
There were even rare occasions where multiple strong teams were upset at the same time.
This year's Premier League opener was unusual. There were no upsets among the top teams, but there were plenty of draws.
On August 13, the new Premier League season kicked off.
In the opening match, Blackburn Rovers hosted Wolves and lost 1–2 at home.
At 3 p.m., Liverpool faced Sunderland at Anfield. Benítez's team could only manage a 1–1 draw against the Black Cats. It was a surprising result.
Torres had not transferred to Chelsea like he did in his previous life, but signs of his decline were already showing—he even missed a penalty.
Mark Hughes' Queens Park Rangers also played at 3 p.m. This team, which had just poached a player from Leeds United, was thoroughly schooled by Bolton, losing 4–0 in their first Premier League match after promotion.
Jonathan Howson, who was highly rated by Mark Hughes, started the match, but his performance was difficult to describe.
As Match of the Day host Gary Lineker put it afterward, "Whether Jonathan Howson is as highly rated as the rumors say or not, how to make the best use of such young players is a complex issue."
A bit confusing, wasn't it?
In other words, if you don't know how to use him, that's your problem, Mark Hughes. There's nothing profound about it!
After just one match, Jonathan Howson was nearly branded a flop.
Arsenal visited St. James' Park to face Newcastle. After 90 minutes, the score was 0–0.
In the 76th minute, Gervinho was shown a red card and sent off.
That was it?
It was embarrassing that both sides, supposedly strong teams, ended in a goalless draw on the opening day.
At noon the following day, Chelsea traveled to face Stoke City. Boas' team also drew 0–0.
At 4 p.m., Ferguson's Manchester United drew 1–1 with West Bromwich Albion away from home.
It was enough to drive people crazy.
The entire English football community was left scratching their heads.
What was going on?
The grand opening of the new season, and the top teams all looked unprepared?
And in the end, it all came down to one team—my Big Blue Moon.
…
On the evening of August 14, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Gao Shen started with an attacking 4-3-3 formation, with David Silva, Yaya Touré, and Rakitic in midfield. Yaya Touré was even given license to push forward as needed.
Because it was the season opener, and many of the top teams had already drawn their matches, Gao Shen was a bit nervous.
So before the game, he instructed everyone to play it safe.
No need for speed. Prioritize stability.
As a newly promoted team, Brendan Rodgers' Swansea City had nothing to lose. They played without fear. Add to that the team's consistent, attractive playing style, and they came out aggressively from the start, launching a fierce assault on Manchester City.
How intense was it?
In the first 15 minutes, Manchester City had only 30% possession!
Even commentator Andy Gray exclaimed, "This season's promoted teams are unbelievable!"
"My God, have you ever seen any Premier League team dominate Manchester City like this?"
"Only 30% possession? That's crazy!"
"And this is a newly promoted team!"
It really was outrageous.
Manchester City didn't register a shot on goal until the 23rd minute.
This made the home fans uneasy.
Manchester City fans are loyal and supportive, and they knew their team was usually steady. But tonight, they were playing a bit too conservatively.
The supporters started getting restless.
Eventually, City adjusted to Swansea's rhythm and began to regain control.
Thanks to their superior individual quality, Manchester City began turning the tide and gradually pushed Swansea back.
The biggest difference between the two sides was that City's players had superior individual skills.
In the 29th minute, Robinho dribbled into the right side of the penalty area and squared the ball. Rakitic arrived at the top of the box and struck a clean shot into the back of the net.
1–0!
Andy Gray shouted in excitement.
The Manchester City fans erupted in celebration.
This was the real Manchester City!
…
After conceding, Swansea tried to respond with another attack, but by then City had fully adjusted and held the upper hand.
In terms of squad strength, overall tactics, and in-game control, Swansea had no advantage.
At best, their players were more fired up when facing Manchester City.
But that was all.
Before the end of the first half, Yaya Touré played a brilliant through ball. Van Persie latched onto it and finished coolly from close range to double the lead.
2–0!
Clinical!
At halftime, Gao Shen expressed his dissatisfaction with the first-half performance.
"Listen to the fans' reaction. That's what they think of your performance."
The players all looked aggrieved.
Boss, you told us to play cautiously—why are you blaming us?
"What I meant was we should pursue progress while maintaining stability. Be solid, but improve. Understand?"
Gao Shen knew what they were thinking.
"I don't care. If you don't put on a good second half, I'll offer you all up to the fans!"
The players were baffled.
They came out after the break like they'd been injected with adrenaline.
Rodgers' players had hoped to mount a comeback in the second half, but from the moment the whistle blew, City came charging like wolves, like tigers descending from the mountains, tearing into Swansea without mercy.
In the 48th minute, David Silva passed the ball, and Robinho's shot from the right was blocked for a corner.
A minute later, Rakitic delivered a pass and Yaya Touré drove into the box but shot wide.
In the 52nd minute, Robinho found Rakitic, who shot from a tight angle on the right, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
A minute later, Gareth Bale crossed from the left, and Van Persie's shot was saved.
Manchester City attacked in waves, relentlessly bombarding Swansea's goal.
The poor Swans were completely overwhelmed, gasping for air.
Finally, in the 57th minute, David Silva dribbled through and passed the ball. Bale's shot from the left was parried, but Van Persie pounced on the rebound and scored.
3–0!
In the 60th minute, Gao Shen made a substitution, bringing on Suárez for Gareth Bale.
The Welshman was carrying a slight injury and hadn't played particularly well.
David Silva shifted to the left, and City switched to a 4-4-2.
Suárez looked fired up as soon as he came on.
In the 68th minute, Leighton Baines crossed from the left, and Suárez tapped in at the far post.
4–0!
Just three minutes later, Suárez got another chance in the box. He rounded the keeper, but the angle was too tight, so he cut it back, and David Silva slotted it home.
5–0!
City continued to press.
In the 87th minute, Yaya Touré played the ball to Suárez, who dribbled past a defender and lashed a shot from 25 meters that flew into the net.
6–0!
The City fans were ecstatic!
Andy Gray was full of praise.
"A spectacular, dominant, statement victory!"
…
Rodgers was gutted. He looked at the scoreboard, then at the players on the pitch, not knowing how to describe his emotions.
This was nothing like the script he had envisioned.
He had hoped that the opening flurry would disrupt City's rhythm, make them anxious, and open the door for a counterattack.
It was a classic underdog strategy.
But Gao Shen had thrown the script out the window.
Two goals in the first half, and a relentless onslaught in the second half. There was no mercy for a newly promoted side.
Rodgers had been Mourinho's assistant and knew the Premier League well. But he still underestimated Manchester City.
This team was too strong.
He began to wonder if the early dominance had been due more to his own aggressive setup and City's cautious approach, rather than any real advantage for Swansea.
When the final whistle blew, Gao Shen walked straight to the visiting dugout and extended his hand to Rodgers.
"You taught us a lot tonight," Rodgers said bitterly.
Any team would face criticism after a 6–0 loss, especially a newly promoted one like Swansea.
"You had a good plan and executed it well. But you picked the wrong opponent and underestimated us," Gao Shen said frankly.
Rodgers froze, then gave an awkward smile and nodded.
"To be honest, I watched you in the Championship and liked your coaching. Now that you're in the Premier League, keep pushing forward and stay true to your style," Gao Shen encouraged.
Rodgers wasn't yet a big-name manager. Even in his previous life, when he went straight to Liverpool, he had some highlights but also plenty of problems.
But he deserved encouragement.
After all, he was only 38.
Whether it's Boas or Rodgers, young coaches should be encouraged. They need time and experience to break through.
As for Gao Shen, although younger, he had the [Tactical Library].
Experience for others had to be earned. For him, it could be learned and absorbed.
Live and learn.
Rodgers didn't expect Gao Shen to be so open and approachable. He didn't know what to say, and could only thank him twice.
"Keep going!" Gao Shen encouraged him once more before heading to his bench.
His players were preparing to leave the pitch, and he went to greet them.
Behind him, Rodgers watched Gao Shen walk away with confidence.
Suddenly, a thought came to him.
This is what a world-class coach looks like.
(To be continued.)