Starting With Real Madrid

"It's not that I didn't give you a chance. It's that I gave you the chance, and you couldn't grab it!"

Gao Shen's grin stretched wide, and he looked as though he was on the verge of giving Ancelotti a celebratory hug.

On the other hand, Ancelotti stood there with a sullen expression, clearly dissatisfied with the match's result.

And who could blame him?

AC Milan, Serie A's fourth-placed team, had played at home against a Napoli side that fielded a heavily rotated lineup. They even had a numerical advantage for the entirety of the second half, yet they barely managed a draw, relying on a penalty that was steeped in controversy.

Even though Ancelotti defended the decision in his post-match press conference, deep down, he knew the truth. When Kaka's shot struck Nainggolan's hand, it was unintentional. Nainggolan's hands were reflexively spread and hardly in a position to block the ball deliberately. And if the ball hadn't hit his hand, there was no guarantee it would've gone in.

Outwardly, Ancelotti had to support his team. But inside, he was clearly frustrated. He'd thrown everything at Napoli but still couldn't secure a win.

Adding insult to injury was Gao Shen's smug demeanor. Ancelotti's temper simmered as he watched the younger coach revel in his triumph.

---

"Did you plan to lose?" Ancelotti finally asked, barely holding back his irritation.

Gao Shen waved him off casually. "Let me be clear. It's not that I planned to lose, I was just ready to accept losing. I've got a four-point lead in the league. Who am I afraid of?"

The words were as sharp as knives, and Gao Shen's laughter only added salt to the wound.

Ancelotti glared at him, his hands curling into fists. "You better watch yourself. Your overconfidence is going to get you into trouble someday."

But Gao Shen simply shrugged, the smile never leaving his face.

"Honestly, if you'd gone all-in with your strongest lineup tonight, we probably would've lost," Ancelotti admitted after a moment, his tone softening.

Gao Shen nodded in agreement. "Yeah, probably. But I'm not that reckless."

"Of course not," Ancelotti scoffed. "But this... This was still risky. You pushed your luck."

Gao Shen grinned wider. "The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Isn't that what makes it fun?"

There was a spark of excitement in Gao Shen's eyes as he continued. "This is my last season with Napoli. I want to play big, just like when I was at Real Madrid. Back then, I gambled everything for the double, and I won."

Ancelotti looked at Gao Shen, a mix of admiration and nostalgia washing over him. Once, he'd been just as daring, just as hungry for success. But the years had worn him down. Now, he was more cautious, less willing to take risks.

"It's great to be young," Ancelotti sighed.

---

Gao Shen's intentions were crystal clear.

By rotating his lineup heavily against AC Milan, he was saving his strongest players for Napoli's midweek Champions League clash against Zenit St. Petersburg. This wasn't just about avenging the draw in Russia; it was about securing three critical points.

A win against Zenit would all but guarantee Napoli's qualification from the group stage, leaving the final two rounds as a contest for first or second place.

But if Napoli failed to beat Zenit at home, they'd face immense pressure in their last two group games against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The stakes would skyrocket, and the margin for error would disappear.

With a four-point cushion in Serie A, Gao Shen could afford to take risks domestically. Even a loss to AC Milan wouldn't have toppled Napoli from the top of the table. But in the Champions League, where one bad result could derail an entire campaign, Gao Shen's decision to prioritize Zenit made perfect sense.

Ancelotti had to admit it: Gao Shen's strategy was bold, but it was also logical.

"Still," Ancelotti said, "Bayern's game against Real Madrid won't be easy for them either. They'll treat it like a final."

"If I were in their position, I'd do the same," Gao Shen replied confidently.

Bayern's biggest challenge lay in their upcoming trip to St. Petersburg. The harsh Russian winter would make that game treacherous, and they'd likely have to settle for a loss. Their final group-stage match was at home against Napoli, but no team would want to leave their fate hanging on the last round.

For Bayern, the match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu was critical. If they won, they'd essentially secure qualification and turn their focus to fighting Napoli for the top spot.

But if they lost, Real Madrid would be back in the race, dragging Bayern into a battle for second place.

Both Gao Shen and Ancelotti shared a pessimistic view of Real Madrid's current state. The team lacked cohesion, and the locker room was in disarray. It was a far cry from the Galacticos' glory days.

"People are already talking about you returning to Real Madrid next summer," Ancelotti said, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

Gao Shen chuckled. "And I heard you're planning to take Kaka there with you."

The two coaches laughed, the tension between them easing for a moment.

"I haven't thought about it yet," Gao Shen said after a pause, his tone turning serious.

Ancelotti studied him carefully. He knew Gao Shen wasn't just talking about returning to Real Madrid, he was reflecting on his entire future. Gao Shen was the kind of person who threw himself completely into his work, focusing on the present and not worrying about what came next.

Ancelotti couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

"Me neither," Ancelotti admitted softly. "This is already my eighth season at Milan."

There was a bittersweetness to his voice. Eight years was a long time, and Ancelotti had formed deep ties with the club. But those ties also held him back.

"This team doesn't deserve you, Carlo," Gao Shen said sincerely.

Ancelotti gave him a weak smile. He knew Gao Shen was right. AC Milan was a shadow of its former self, a squad full of aging stars and a club struggling financially. Without significant investment or a fresh approach, Milan couldn't hope to reclaim its place at the top of European football.

But Ancelotti couldn't bring himself to abandon them.

"You've got too much heart," Gao Shen said, almost reading his mind. "That's why it's hard for you to make the tough calls."

Ancelotti didn't respond, but his expression said it all. He understood the reality of the situation. He just didn't want to face it.

As Gao Shen reached out to shake his hand, Ancelotti saw a younger version of himself in the Napoli coach, someone unafraid to take risks, someone willing to make tough decisions for the sake of the team.

"Think it over carefully, Carlo," Gao Shen said. "I've got a game against Zenit to prepare for, but you've got some decisions of your own to make."

With that, Gao Shen turned and walked away, leaving Ancelotti standing alone.

---

Ancelotti watched Gao Shen disappear into the distance, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions.

Gao Shen's ability to act decisively, his boldness, and his willingness to take risks, all of it reminded Ancelotti of what he used to be.

Now, Ancelotti was hesitant, tied down by sentimentality and cautiousness.

And yet, seeing Gao Shen's success gave him hope.

Gao Shen was proof that youth and ambition still had a place in football, that daring to dream and fight for greatness could yield incredible rewards.

"Being young really is amazing," Ancelotti murmured to himself.

***

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