Starting With Real Madrid

Napoli dominated at the Meazza Stadium, delivering a stunning 3–0 victory away from home!

By the next day, news of this victory had spread like wildfire across Europe, creating a huge uproar in the world of football.

The Serie A landscape was shifting, and it was clear that a new era had begun.

Gao Shen and his Napoli side were blazing through Italian football like an unstoppable wildfire, challenging the traditional order with their aggressive and modern playstyle.

Italian coaching legend Arrigo Sacchi was quick to publish a column after the match, stating that this wasn't even the strongest version of Napoli yet.

Sacchi wrote that since Gao Shen arrived in Serie A two years ago, he had profoundly reshaped Italian football. Napoli, under Gao Shen's guidance, had become a catalyst for change, leaving a deep and lasting impact on the league.

Sacchi noted that many Italian coaches—such as Spalletti, Prandelli, Del Neri, Pioli, Ventura, and Ulivieri had praised Gao Shen and Napoli's tactical style.

"You can see traces of Napoli's influence in their transformations," Sacchi wrote.

"It's a widespread and profound effect!"

Sacchi argued that Gao Shen's success had not only elevated Napoli but also contributed to the growth of Italian football as a whole.

"Some critics claim Gao Shen's team is too international and doesn't nurture Italian players. But let's take a closer look. During Gao Shen's tenure, players like Paolo Cannavaro earned national team call-ups, and now Dossena and Blasi are also strong candidates for the squad."

"And if these three aren't convincing enough, let's look at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Both Bonucci, at center-back, and Pelle, as a striker, performed exceptionally well. These two players are integral to Napoli and are seen as future pillars of the Italian national team."

Sacchi continued by highlighting Napoli's contributions to youth football. "The Italian U16 squad called up Napoli's 15-year-old midfielder Verratti, while the U18 team made an exception by calling up the 17-year-old Insigne."

"Both are rising talents who have received focused training at Napoli. They are the future of both the club and Italian football."

Sacchi also emphasized Gao Shen's broader contributions beyond tactics and player development. His influence extended to the football industry, drawing attention from the Italian professional league.

For instance, Sacchi pointed out that before the start of the season, the Italian Football Association invited Napoli's fitness coach, Pintus, to give a lecture on the team's innovative training methods and use of advanced technology.

"Before joining Napoli, Pintus left Juventus in disappointment. Ranieri preferred to use an uncertified fitness coach over Pintus, with some even questioning whether Pintus could effectively train players."

"But in Napoli, Pintus became a core part of Gao Shen's coaching staff. During the second half of last season, Napoli's consistency and physical performance were outstanding. Gao Shen himself repeatedly credited Pintus for this achievement."

Sacchi revealed that young coaches from across Italy had applied to observe training sessions at Napoli's Castel Volturno base to learn from Gao Shen's advanced methods. "This alone is a significant contribution to Italian football and even a meritorious one."

Sacchi concluded his column with a challenge:

"The changes Gao Shen has brought to Italian football are impressive, but they're not enough."

"If he can guide Napoli to success in the Champions League this season, it will resonate even further, convincing more people, inspiring more teams, and even influencing more nations to recognize the value of his methods."

…

As Sacchi's article gained traction, it was clear that he was serving as Gao Shen's number one cheerleader.

The rest of the Italian media also followed suit, showering praise on Napoli.

Although Gao Shen was an outsider, his results had silenced critics. From their tactical approach to their training methods, Napoli had become the benchmark for innovation in Serie A.

In just two years, Gao Shen had built a team capable of competing at the highest level.

However, skepticism lingered among some commentators, who argued that Napoli's dominance might be exaggerated due to the decline of Serie A as a whole.

They pointed to Mancini's Inter Milan as a cautionary tale.

How dominant was Inter Milan in Serie A under Mancini?

They went on an unbeaten run of over 40 matches, sweeping aside all challengers domestically.

But in the Champions League?

They were humiliated 0–3 both home and away, failing to score a single goal and being completely outclassed by Liverpool in just 180 minutes.

Who's to say Gao Shen's Napoli wouldn't meet the same fate on the European stage?

…

Meanwhile, the reaction to Inter Milan's loss was markedly different.

Public opinion, while critical, was relatively lenient, focusing instead on individual performances.

Montari, for instance, was singled out for praise. The Ghanaian midfielder was hailed as Inter Milan's answer to Essien, and many believed he would be a key figure in their midfield this season.

Then there was Balotelli.

Despite a subdued performance against Napoli, the young striker was already being hailed as a future star.

"Moratti has described him as the most talented center forward Inter Milan has had since Ronaldo, Adriano, and Ibrahimovic—a future cornerstone of the club!"

As for Mourinho, his reputation as a tactician remained intact. Everyone knew about his fixation with the right-back position. During his Chelsea days, he struggled to find a reliable solution for the right flank.

Now, at Inter Milan, Mourinho had Maicon, a player he described as the best right-back in the world.

With players like Montari, Balotelli, Maicon, and Ibrahimovic, Inter Milan's strength was undeniable.

Especially considering their massive summer spending, which amounted to a net investment of €50 million on players like Mancini and Quaresma.

But what shocked the football world was Inter Milan's reaction to their defeat.

…

Reports emerged that following their loss to Napoli, Mourinho held a closed-door meeting with chairman Massimo Moratti.

The very next day, Italian media outlets reported that Inter Milan had submitted an official bid for Lazio forward Goran Pandev.

At the same time, Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that Inter Milan had also made an offer for Sporting Lisbon midfielder João Moutinho.

These reports caused a stir, as it became clear that Inter Milan wasn't done spending.

After a €50 million transfer spree, they were ready to spend even more to bolster their squad.

It was evident that the 0–3 loss to Napoli had shaken the club to its core.

…

In the following days, Inter Milan moved with incredible speed.

Within three days, they secured Pandev for €15 million from Lazio.

A day later, Moutinho joined from Sporting Lisbon for €12 million.

The signings significantly strengthened Inter Milan.

Pandev, a versatile left-footed attacker, could enhance Inter's left flank and play multiple roles in the forward line.

Moutinho, meanwhile, added much-needed creativity and passing ability to Inter's midfield, which had been criticized for its lack of imagination.

"Moutinho and Montari, one focused on attack and the other on defense, have transformed Inter Milan's midfield," Gazzetta dello Sport wrote.

However, Inter's attempts to sign Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho fell through, as the English club refused to sell.

Undeterred, Inter turned their attention to two other center-backs: Fluminense's Thiago Silva and Bayern Munich's Lucio.

Each had pros and cons. Thiago Silva was younger but had previously struggled in Europe, while Lucio's quality was proven, though he was already 30 years old.

Ultimately, Mourinho chose Lucio.

Inter's technical director, Marco Branca, traveled to Munich to negotiate the deal. After persuading both Bayern and Lucio, the 30-year-old defender joined Inter for €15 million.

With these three signings, Inter Milan spent €42 million in just a few days. Combined with their earlier spending, their net investment for the summer reached an astonishing €90 million—surpassing even Barcelona to become the biggest spenders in Europe.

Inter Milan's revamped lineup now looked formidable.

Their defense, midfield, and attack had all received significant upgrades, reigniting excitement among fans and media alike.

Suddenly, the mood surrounding Inter Milan shifted.

From being dismissed after their loss to Napoli, they were now once again regarded as favorites to win Serie A.

As Gazzetta dello Sport put it:

"€90 million versus €2 million—a gap of 45 times."

"That's the weight of a championship!"

***

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