After their match against Zenit, Napoli barely had time to rest as they immediately began preparing for the 11th round of Serie A against Sampdoria. The team maintais fast-paced and high-iy approach, but much of the workload was delegated to the assistant coaches.
Gao Shen's role was more about giving dires aing objectives, while the specifics were left to his staff to execute.
This division of bor had bee a hallmark of Napoli's coag setup. Gao Shen had eveioned in an interview with UEFA that without his staff, he wouldn't be able to coach at all.
"If I didn't have a coag staff, I simply wouldn't be coag!"
It was a did statement, but many dismissed it as modesty.
However, Gao Shen eaking the truth. If he didn't have the right people, he'd just build a eam around himself. Gao Shen was still Gao Shen but whether others could succeed without his framework remained an opeion.
The advantage of this structure was that it gave Gao Shen the mental space to focus on strategic thinking and pnning. It also allowed him to carve out time eaight to enjoy his favorite pastime: pying World of Warcraft.
When Sarri visited Gao Shen's home with his notebook one evening, he found the coach immersed in a game. Gao Shen called this his "free time," typically sting half an hour to an hour.
At first, Sarri was shocked. Seeing a head coach py online games was a y. But over time, just like Zidane, Carlo, Lucas, and the rest of the staff, he got used to Gao Shen's quirks.
For instance, he never expected that Gao Shen's in-game character would be named "Zidane."
When Sarri found out, he asked the real Zidane, " you tolerate this?"
Zidane's eyes briefly flickered with murderous i before he sighed and shrugged it off.
He had protested, but to no avail.
Now, even though it annoyed him, he had learo e.
---
Gao Shen didn't engage in petitive dungeons or battles in the game. Instead, he spent his time fishing, cooking, and colleg materials.
Every day when he logged in, he'd find a letter from Su Qing, whose character was named "Mourinho." Her letters detailed her adventures from the previous day, mixing in bits of real-life updates alongside in-game aes.
She also sent items or equipment she thought Gao Shen could use, sometimes asking him to gather specific materials for her. Gao Shen happily obliged.
When he wasn't helping Su Qing, he would ride his padin's free pony and wander aimlessly around Azeroth.
Since Su Qing had started w, their gaming schedules rarely aligned, but the letters kept their e alive. It gave Gao Shen a sense of panionship that made his brief gaming sessions special.
After about an hao Shen logged off auro his living room.
There, Sarri estering Carlo with tactical questions, Zidane was on the phoh his family in Spain, and Lucas was typing away on his ptop, likely flirting with someone on social media.
Gao Shen had noticed something peculiar about Sarri: he was like a curious child, eager to ask questions and eager to learn.
Sarri's ck of a professional football background did present challenges. Without years of experien the sport, some things were difficult for him to grasp intuitively.
Take Lippi, for example. His fiden critiquing Arrigo Sacchi's ideas stemmed from years as a successful pyer and coach. For seasoned professionals like Lippi, what might seem plex to outsiders often appeared straightforward.
That said, Gao Shen didn't see Sarri's background as a fw. Everyone brought their own urengths and weaknesses.
What Gao Shen appreciated most was the [Tactical Library], which allowed him to absorb insights from legendary coaches like Lippi, Ferguson, Van Gaal, and Cruyff. It provided him with knowledge that even seasoned professionals might not have access to.
---
"What are you thinking about?"
Lucas, who had known Gao Shen the lo, asked casually as he noticed him deep in thought.
Gao Shen smiled. "I'm w if we should fight Bayern for the top spot in the group."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lucas, Zidane, and Carlo all exged knowing smirks but said nothing.
Sarri, fused, looked at them for an expnation.
Lucas leaned in to crify. "He's a Virgo—obsessive, meticulous, and, well… let's just say, leaving things unfinished keeps him awake at night."
"So what?" Sarri asked, still puzzled.
Lucas chuckled. "Do you really think he'd be okay with not finishing first in the group?"
Sarri thought for a moment and realized the point. How could someone as detail-oriented as Gao Shele for sed pce? Of course, he would want to win the group.
But if that was the case, why was he agonizing over the decision?
Reading Sarri's expression, Luodded. "See? That's the weird part. He already knows he's going to go for it, but he'll still sit here overthinking how to approach it."
Gao Shen couldn't help but ugh. "Don't listen to his nonsense."
He paused and admitted, "In truth, the decision is already made. We have to pete for the top spot. The challenge lies in managing the schedule. The 14th round, away against Inter Min, will be key. That game es right after our fifth Champions League group match against Real Madrid."
To stay in tention for first papoli would have to give their all against Real Madrid at home. Then, just days ter, they'd fater Min at the San Siro, a potential showdown for the Serie A lead.
"We'll o keep rotating pyers and preparing accly," Gao Shen instructed.
Carlo nodded. "I'll ha."
Gao Shen turo Lucas. "Keep a close eye on Inter. I heard their injured pyers are returning. Let's find out how they're doing."
"Leave it to me," Lucas replied.
"If I'm right," Gao Shen tinued, "Mourinho's priority this season is Serie A. Inter lost the title st year, they'll be desperate to recim it."
Serie A was Inter's main focus. While the Champions League remained a dream for Moratti, domestiinance was the club's immediate goal.
"It'll all depend on how well they bah petitions," Gao Shen cluded.
---
Three days after the match against Zenit, Napoli faced Sampdoria at home ih round of Serie A.
Making signifit rotations to the squad, Gao Shen's team secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Callejon and Pelle. Sampdoria, still reeling from the loss of Maggiore, was struggling to avation.
Elsewhere, Inter Min narrowly defeated Udinese 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Cruz. Reports suggested Mourinho and Cruz had reciled.
Meanwhile, A was held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce, and Roma edged Lazio 1-0 in the derby.
---
Midweek brought the Round of 16 in the Coppa Italia.
Napoli drew Salernitana, the only third-tier team left in the petition. Gao Shen fielded airely rotated lineup, even including local talents Insigne ati.
Napoli cruised to a 4-0 victory, and ih minute, Gao Shen introduced both Insigne ati for their senior debuts. Verratti, in particur, impressed in his first appearance for the club.
With Napoli advang, the quarterfinals were scheduled for te January.
---
Ih round of Serie A, Juventus defeated Genoa 4-1, while Inter Mi Palermo 2-0 away, courtesy of two goals from Ibrahimovic. A edged Verona 1-0 at home, and Roma cimed another derby victory.
Napoli faced Atanta away. Del Neri deployed a cssic 4-4-2 formation, remi of his Chievo days, with a defensive approach that frustrated Napoli for much of the game.
For the first hour, Napoli dominated possession but struggled to create clear ces.
Ih minute, Gao Shen made a pivotal ge, substituting Rakitic with Pastore.
Within a minute of ing on, Pastore made a decisive impact. After a midfield breakthrough, he threaded a perfect pass to Di Maria, who set up Hamsik for the opening goal.
Ten mier, Sanchez doubled Napoli's lead with a ical finish.
Late substitutions followed, and ih minute, Nainggon added a third goal. In stoppage time, Hamsik delivered a brilliant through ball for i to make it 4-0.
Napoli's te surge secured another emphatic victory, ting Gao Shen's reputation for masterful in-game adjustments.
Even L'équipe praised his performance, writing, "In the past two seasons, Gao Shen has sistently demonstrated exceptional tactical a. He is evolving into a true tactical master."
