Starting With Real Madrid

Mourinho once famously said:

"Without eggs, there's no omelet. The quality of the omelet depends on the quality of the eggs."

"Some eggs are just more expensive than others, but those more expensive eggs make better omelets."

This analogy perfectly explains the relationship between a head coach and his players.

The head coach is the chef, the players are the eggs, and the game itself is the omelet.

If a chef wants to make a top-tier omelet, good eggs are often essential. Of course, having quality eggs doesn't guarantee a great omelet. That's where the skill of the chef makes the difference.

Since taking charge of Inter Milan, Mourinho has been tweaking and experimenting with his tactics.

While most people might not fully grasp his intentions, Gao Shen, who had closely followed Mourinho's journey at Inter Milan, understood his thinking better than most. Deep down, Mourinho wanted to deliver better, more advanced football but he needed time to make it happen.

His return to Mancini's 4-3-1-2 formation wasn't just a tactical adjustment. It was a compromise with reality, similar to his reconciliation with players like Cruz and Adriano. Yet, it was also consistent with Mourinho's characteristic pragmatism.

The 4-3-1-2, with its three defensive midfielders, is ideal for solidifying defensive organization. It also suited Inter Milan's squad, who were already familiar with the system. It wasn't surprising that Mourinho brought it back.

Still, there were noticeable differences between Mourinho's version of the 4-3-1-2 and Mancini's.

The first key difference was Muntari. Mourinho gave the Ghanaian midfielder almost complete freedom to roam the left half of the pitch.

This meant that Muntari could push forward to join the attack and drop back to reinforce the defense. His range of movement made him a critical piece in Inter Milan's midfield.

Interestingly, Muntari wasn't even Inter's first-choice signing in the summer, but under Mourinho, he had become indispensable, especially after his standout performance against Juventus. Gao Shen was particularly impressed.

Mancini likely wouldn't have been able to utilize Muntari as effectively as Mourinho did.

The second difference was Maicon.

The 4-3-1-2 formation naturally leaves the flanks exposed, but Mourinho addressed this on the left with a combination of Maxwell and Muntari. On the right, Maicon carried the responsibility almost single-handedly.

Maicon's dribbling and attacking runs created consistent threats. He wasn't content to stay on the flank, often cutting diagonally into the penalty area to create even more danger.

During Mancini's time, Maicon had also been a focal point on the right, but he wasn't as effective or influential as he was under Mourinho.

Another major adjustment was Mourinho's use of a double-center-forward system.

On the surface, this wasn't new—Mancini had also used two strikers. But Mourinho's approach was fundamentally different.

He sidelined Crespo and reintroduced Adriano, pairing him with Ibrahimović. Mourinho even began grooming young Balotelli, although he believed Balotelli still lacked consistency and efficiency.

While Crespo's finishing ability was undeniable, he represented an older generation of strikers, the kind that had thrived in Serie A's defensively oriented system. Players like Crespo, Trezeguet, Batistuta, and Inzaghi had flourished in that era, but the game had since evolved.

Strikers of that mold were heavily reliant on the service they received. The entire team had to play around them, which limited tactical flexibility.

Modern strikers needed to offer more.

Take Ibrahimović, for example. He had both the physicality and technical ability to dominate defenders, hold up the ball, and create time and space for his teammates. Crespo couldn't do that. Ibrahimović could—and often did so with excellence.

Adriano, too, had once been a prolific goal scorer. Although he was no longer in his prime, his physical strength still allowed him to hold off defenders, control the ball in the final third, and create chances for his teammates. He could also score when the opportunity presented itself.

Mourinho's double-striker system was a complete departure from Mancini's. Even the underlying philosophy had shifted.

For Mourinho, the primary role of his strikers wasn't to score goals but to create opportunities by holding up the ball and occupying defenders. This was reminiscent of the role Drogba had played under Mourinho at Chelsea.

Of course, whether or not they scored after that depended on their individual ability.

By using both Ibrahimović and Adriano, Mourinho added layers of unpredictability to Inter Milan's attack. Against Juventus, Gao Shen observed how the two strikers alternated between pulling wide and dropping deep.

Whenever one striker moved out of position, the other would remain in the penalty area, keeping the defense on edge.

No defensive line would find it easy to handle two such strikers.

Even Gao Shen had to admit: Mourinho's "omelet" was excellent.

That said, there were sacrifices. Players like Mancini Jr., Quaresma, Crespo, and even new signing Pandev seemed destined to lose prominence in Mourinho's evolving system. Meanwhile, Moutinho could still step in for Stanković, and Lucio had firmly established himself as the cornerstone of Inter's defense.

…

After their match against Real Madrid, Gao Shen and his coaching staff finally found time to prepare specifically for Inter Milan.

For example, Gao Shen focused on neutralizing Maicon by assigning Di María to mark him.

Di María's tactical discipline, speed, and dribbling ability made him the perfect player to contain Maicon. His main task was to stay tight on the Brazilian defender whenever he had possession, preventing him from advancing past the halfway line.

Gao Shen didn't even set any offensive expectations for Di María in this match. His sole priority was to suppress Maicon.

Rakitic received a similar assignment.

"Your job," Gao Shen said sternly, "is to mark Muntari and stop him from crossing the halfway line. If Muntari gets a chance to make a threatening pass or shot, it'll be on you."

Rakitic nodded seriously. "Don't worry, boss. I won't let you down."

As for Inter's two strikers, they were naturally the biggest threats and the primary focus of Napoli's defensive plan.

"They like to drift wide, right?" Gao Shen asked rhetorically. "When either Ibrahimović or Adriano moves to the flank, the center-back and full-back on that side must work together to close them down. Meanwhile, the defenders on the other side must cut off their connection."

"I only have one request: don't let Ibrahimović and Adriano link up effectively, especially near or inside our penalty area."

"Ibrahimović likes to take the ball at his feet but is slow to act. Force him to stay outside the box. Adriano's weakness is his right foot. When he receives the ball with his back to goal, focus on denying him space to turn onto his left foot for a shot."

To reinforce these points, Gao Shen had the coaching staff organize targeted training sessions, including drills where left-footed players mimicked Adriano's movements to help the defenders prepare.

These technical details, Gao Shen believed, could directly impact the outcome of the game.

…

Beyond these tactical adjustments, Gao Shen also made a point to communicate with his players, both in team meetings and one-on-one conversations.

He emphasized how pivotal this match could be, not just for the Serie A title race but for the team's trajectory in the second half of the season.

"If we win this game," Gao Shen explained, "our lead will extend from two points to five points. That cushion will ease the pressure on us in the league and give us more room for error."

"It will also allow us to better manage our schedule, like how we approached the AC Milan match earlier."

Gao Shen also reminded his players of the bigger picture:

"We've already secured a spot in the Champions League knockout stage. Teams that succeed in both the league and Europe often have a clear advantage domestically. Now, I want you to look beyond the league, to the Champions League round of 16, the quarterfinals, and maybe even further."

"If we win this match, it will strengthen our position in the league and boost our confidence in Europe. But if we can't beat Inter Milan, how can we hope to compete with the top teams in the Champions League?"

What Gao Shen didn't tell his players was that he believed Inter already had the strength to challenge for the Champions League title.

Nor did he reveal his growing ambition. After escaping the group of death and finishing top, his confidence had soared. He was beginning to dream of achieving even more.

But he didn't need to say it aloud. His players felt the same way.

The league was a marathon; the Champions League was a sprint. Balancing the two required perfect execution.

If Napoli stumbled in the league and allowed Inter Milan to overtake them, it would inevitably affect their performance in Europe.

"I don't know how far we'll go this season," Gao Shen admitted candidly. "I don't know if we'll last until the end in the league, the Champions League, and the cup. I'm not a god!"

"But I do know this: opportunities favor those who are prepared. If we're not ready, we won't succeed. And if we can't succeed, then maybe we don't deserve to be champions!"

He paused, letting his words sink in before finishing with a sharp conviction:

"But I believe none of you agree with that!"

As he looked around the room, Gao Shen saw the fire in his players' eyes, their determination unmistakable.

Napoli had never been a team that backed down.