Starting With Real Madrid

As the game entered the 80th minute, it completely shifted into Napoli's rhythm.

Gao Shen substituted Di Maria, moved Gervinho to the right, pushed Sánchez to the front line, and switched Napoli's formation to a 4-4-2.

Hamsik wasn't in top form tonight, so Gao Shen decided to replace him.

Napoli increased their offensive pressure after the substitutions, while Roma chose to stabilize their defense with their own changes.

The combination of Aquilani and Pizarro was somewhat weaker defensively, but with Perrotta offering protection ahead of them, Roma's defense remained solid, repeatedly thwarting Napoli's attacks.

Gao Shen stood on the sidelines, shaking his head.

"It's still not enough. Our midfield needs to be stronger, especially in terms of passing and creating chances."

Carlo and Guardiola nodded in agreement. There were still plenty of issues in Napoli's squad.

When the game opened up, Napoli's attack became threatening, but in a truly tough match, the team lacked enough offensive options. The root cause was their inability to effectively pass and create danger.

Hamsik was often compared to Nedvěd, highlighting some similarities with the Czech superstar, but passing and providing assists were not his strong suits. The same could be said for Gervinho and Sánchez.

Rakitic and Biglia had ability and talent in passing and organization, but when faced with high-intensity and tight defenses, they lacked the sharpness needed.

Or rather, there was stability but not enough creativity.

It's a difficult situation.

It's similar to Real Madrid's Guti, whose creativity was incredible, but he was inconsistent he could be brilliant or completely off.

The reality was that players who could offer both creativity and consistency were far beyond Napoli's current reach.

Especially considering next season, when Napoli would be in Serie A, there would be more matches like this one, with even greater defensive intensity.

A player like Dalla Bona wasn't going to cut it for Napoli anymore.

"Is it possible to bring in De la Red?" Carlo asked.

After Emerson joined Real Madrid, De la Red had fewer chances to play, but Gao Shen still shook his head.

"De la Red, Arbeloa, Negredo, Soldado let's not think about them. Real Madrid won't let them go, and even if they did, the players themselves might not want to leave."

Gao Shen did have a close relationship with them, but that didn't mean he could just call them up and convince them to join Napoli.

It wasn't that simple.

Even if the players were willing, they had agents, and they weren't stupid.

Besides, every player had their own career plan how could they change that so easily?

To bring them over, Napoli would have to offer a package that matched their career ambitions and financial interests.

Otherwise, if Gao Shen tried to persuade them directly, it might damage their relationship. The players could even start seeing him as just another opportunist, and they might never see each other in the same light again.

Gao Shen had seen plenty of similar situations in his previous life in the corporate world.

When it comes to favors and relationships, either both sides benefit and the relationship grows stronger, or you don't ask for favors lightly. You wait for the right moment, or for the other party to offer their help, and then you repay them generously.

Some people don't understand this. They think that just because they have a connection, they can ask for help with every little thing. If you don't help, they complain that you're ungrateful and no longer a good person.

The best strategy with these kinds of people? Stay away from them.

Whether it's young players at Real Madrid or superstars like Zidane and Ronaldo, Gao Shen maintained regular contact with them. But he never flaunted his connections, and he worked hard to maintain genuine relationships.

Even if there comes a time when he wants to sign a Real Madrid player, it will be done through official channels, fair and square.

...

Napoli continued to probe Roma's defense but struggled to break through.

Then, in the 88th minute, Vidal managed to steal the ball from Aquilani and quickly passed it to Biglia.

The Argentine midfielder surged forward and passed to Di María on the left wing, who then crossed to Cavani.

The Uruguayan striker attempted to pass the ball to Sánchez in the penalty area, but Chivu intervened and cleared it.

However, the clearance didn't go far, landing just outside the box.

Biglia quickly rushed forward, getting to the ball ahead of Pizarro, controlled it, and passed it back into the right side of the penalty area.

In the chaos, Gervinho suddenly appeared in the box. He made a quick move towards the goal and, before Chivu could react, slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

Roma's goalkeeper Doni was stunned and could do nothing to prevent the goal.

1-2!

Napoli had pulled a goal back.

...

On the sidelines, Gao Shen clenched his fists in celebration.

The goal reignited Napoli's hopes of advancing.

The rules for the Coppa Italia knockout stages are similar to the Champions League: if the aggregate score is tied after two legs, away goals come into play. This made Gervinho's goal extremely important.

Roma's fans understood this well. After seeing Gervinho's goal and his exuberant celebration, the stadium erupted into boos and insults. Many of them even resorted to racist slurs, which infuriated Gao Shen.

"I'm going to ask the club to file an official protest," Gao Shen said angrily.

Italy is very conservative, and the issue of racism has always been serious.

As Arrigo Sacchi once said, this mentality is deeply ingrained in the culture.

"With this goal, in the second leg, we'll send Roma packing!" Gao Shen said confidently.

Carlo and Guardiola exchanged glances.

Has he already figured out a way to deal with Roma?

In truth, if Rakitic had been on the field, Napoli might have equalized by now.

The team had missed several chances and lacked organization and creativity in their attacks, but they had clearly dominated much of the match.

Gao Shen's on-the-spot adjustments were crucial in getting Napoli back in the game.

For example, forcing Spalletti to substitute De Rossi played a major role in Napoli's goal.

De Rossi's stability and defensive positioning were key to protecting Roma's defense, something that Pizarro and Aquilani couldn't provide.

This was why Biglia was able to push forward from midfield, win the ball, and set up the play that led to the goal.

In essence, this goal came from Spalletti's substitution decision.

Unfortunately, it would likely go unnoticed.

Because, in the end, Napoli still lost.

...

When referee Luca Banti blew the final whistle, Gao Shen didn't look disappointed at all. Instead, he smiled and walked onto the pitch to greet his players, giving each of them a high-five or a hug.

"Well done, everyone!"

"Biglia, that was a brilliant pass!"

"Gervinho, that goal was beautiful! Don't mind the crowd noise!"

He went around, encouraging and praising each of his players.

Napoli's players were a little confused. Did we just win?

Even Roma's players were surprised. They had won 2-1, so why did it seem like Gao Shen was celebrating?

Spalletti scratched his bald head, baffled.

This coach sure acts strangely.

He's happy about losing?

And then Spalletti thought, I won, Shouldn't I be even happier than him?

So, Spalletti also cheerfully greeted his players.

...

"That was a great match, Mr. Spalletti!"

Gao Shen extended his hand, shaking Spalletti's firmly. "But it's a shame we didn't play our best tonight. Otherwise, the result would have been different."

Spalletti could hear the tone in Gao Shen's voice there was clear dissatisfaction and a sense of unfinished business.

"You played incredibly well. It's no small feat for a Serie B team to show such strength. I believe you'll definitely be promoted to Serie A this season and could even be a dark horse next season."

Dark horse?

Just a dark horse?

Gao Shen could tell that Spalletti thought highly of Napoli's chances of getting promoted and even performing well in Serie A next season. But to Spalletti, that was merely "impressive."

"You know, Mr. Spalletti, when I said I'd build a Serie A team in three years, I wasn't joking."

Spalletti's eyes widened slightly. What do you mean?

"I've seriously thought about and studied this plan, and I believe it's entirely achievable. And…"

Gao Shen paused deliberately, "Also, when I said three years, I was being conservative."

Spalletti understood now this was a challenge.

"Next season, we won't just be a surprising dark horse in Serie A. But before that, this season, next week at the San Paolo, I'll show you the real Napoli!"

With that, Gao Shen gave Spalletti a polite nod and turned to leave.

"See you next week, Mr. Spalletti."

Spalletti stood there, watching Gao Shen walk away. He could feel the immense confidence radiating from the young coach.

But he didn't quite understand where did a newly promoted Serie B coach get such confidence?

With a team of young players in their early twenties, did Gao Shen truly think they could challenge a powerful Serie A team?

Tonight's game was the first after the winter break, and Roma's players weren't at their best, especially Totti. Even though he scored, wasn't Napoli worse?

Would Napoli have scored if De Rossi hadn't been substituted?

As Spalletti pondered this, he gritted his teeth in frustration.

He hoped that when they met again next week, Gao Shen wouldn't be so smug.

...

Gao Shen paid no attention to Spalletti's thoughts. As he made his way back to the visitors' bench, he bumped into Lucas.

"Fernando, when you get back tonight, work hard and pull an all-nighter if you have to. I want a detailed analysis of this game. Also, make sure I have the video footage on my desk by tomorrow morning."

Lucas nodded quickly, already used to Gao Shen's demanding style.

This wasn't just about learning from their mistakes. Gao Shen clearly had a plan.

He was preparing to fight to the very end with Roma!

With Lucas's deep understanding of Gao Shen, he knew that his boss must have spotted Roma's weakness.