As it turned out, Gao Shen was right.

  At Stamford Bridge, Hiddink deployed a 4-3-3 formation, nearly identical to the lineup from the previous away game against Aston Vil. The only ge was Ashley Cole repg Ferreira.

  In the locker room before the match, Gao Shen reminded his pyers once again.

  "Chelsea will definitely e out attag. Be mentally prepared and stay calm, no matter what."

  "They'll rely on more direct passes and crosses from the fnks."

  He specifically addressed Bonucci, David Luiz, and Thiago Motta, "Keep a close eye ba and trol the ter of the penalty area!"

  This was Chelsea's home ground. If they unched a fierce assault at the start, Napoli, as the away team, had no choice but to e.

  While Chelsea's pyers were at a disadvantage in terms of physical fitness, Napoli's pyers cked big-match experience, which was another .

  Therefao Shen emphasized a cautious approach at the start, avoiding direct frontation with Chelsea's initial onsught.

  "Guys, remember: when you step onto the pito matter what happens, don't panic. Stay posed, hold yround, and py steady football."

  "This is Napoli's first Champions League knoatd the first for many of you in your careers. I know it's going to be tough, but I want you to trust me, I'll lead you back from Stamford Bridge."

  "I promise you, we will reach the quarterfinals. Be fident!"

  The pyers responded in unison, their fighting spirit ignited.

  …

  Chelsea, under Hiddink, faapoli, the dark horse of this year's Champions League.

  The match drew 40,000 fans to Stamford Bridge, creating a packed and lively atmosphere.

  When Gao Shen led his team out of the tunnel, he saw Hiddink waiting at the exit.

  The Dutch coach had put o, and his hair was fully white, but his energy was undiminished. His sharp gaze exuded wisdom and fidence.

  At 62 years old, Hiddink carried the pressure of years of coag but maintained a passion for the game.

  "o meet you, Gao!" Hiddink greeted warmly, extending his hand. "Wele, wele."

  Gao Shen smiled as he shook hands with the veteran coach.

  He had great resped admiration for Hiddink. Among Dutch coaches, Gao Shen admired Van Gaal the most, with Hiddink a close sed.

  Their coag styles, however, couldn't be more different. Van Gaal was relentless in his beliefs, while Hiddink table and pragmatic. Despite this, both had achieved tremendous success.

  "I never expected a ese coach to step onto the Champions League stage before any ese pyers, let alone win a title. It's unbelievable," Hiddink said with a chuckle.

  Typically, the development of football in any try begins with nurturing young pyers, gradually building a talent pool, which then evolves into produg great coaches as retired pyers transition into ma.

  But Gao Shen was an anomaly.

  Gao Shen smiled lightly. "My decision to bee a coach has a lot to do with you."

  "Oh?" Hiddink raised an eyebrow in surprise.

  Gao Shen reted his experieh "Korea" and how the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan had left a deep impression on him, inspiring him to study football at Loughbh Uy in the UK.

  "I'm proud to hear that," Hiddink ughed.

  Gao Shen had bee a world-renowned young coach, and Hiddink couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for ily pying a role in Gao Shery into football.

  "So, you must have a trap prepared fba tonight, right?" Hiddink asked.

  Gao Shen didn't answer directly but tered, "Did I guess wrong?"

  Hiddink chuckled. "You're sharp, just like your tactics, young man."

  "Your analysis is spot on. In a match of this magnitude, a focal point like Drogba is critical."

  Gao Shen nodded in agreement.

  Unfortunately, some coaches didn't uand this, like Scori.

  Of course, it wasirely Scori's fault, he had never coached in a top European league, let alone managed a team in the Champions League.

  South America's Copa Libertadores couldn't pare in tactical depth or iy to Europe's top leagues, let alohe Champions League.

  Mourinho had oold Gao Shen that Champions League tactics evolved almost every year. Coaches stantly experimented and developed strategies to ter their oppos. To avoid being outmaneuvered, one had to sistently adapt and improve.

  Gao Shen deeply resonated with this philosophy.

  In today's football, hoyers could single-handedly break through a defense like Drogba?

  Messi and Ronaldo certainly fit the bill. Kaka used to, though his current form was questionable. Drogba and Ibrahimovic were capable, but beyond them, who else?

  Ribery hadn't yet peaked, Robben was too injury-prone, and his cuts from the right cked sistent sharpness. Pyers like him also needed space to shine.

  Napoli didn't have anyone ba's caliber. Pyers like Sanchez, i, and Di Maria had strong abilities but cked the unstoppable dominance ba.

  Napoli's strength y in their cohesion and Gao Shen's meticulous tactics.

  "Good luck, young man from a," Hiddink said with a smile before leaving.

  His fidence was unmistakable.

  Gao Shen's expression darkened as he returo the visitors' dugout.

  "What did he say?" Zidane asked, curious.

  "He wished me good luck," Gao Shen replied with a bitter smile.

  The coag staff exged puzzled looks. Was Hiddink really that kied?

  "In front of him, I feel like I have s," Gao Shen admitted, frustrated.

  That feeli him uled.

  "It's normal," Carlo chimed in. "There aren't mas in football. Most strategies are open to interpretation, and matches are won through in-game adjustments."

  This game was no different.

  Both teams had clear objectives: Chelsea aimed to unleash Drogba's explosiveo score early and finish the match before fatigue set in, while Napoli wao ralize Drogba, drag the game into the ter stages, and ter when Chelsea's energy waned.

  These weren't hidden strategies; the challenge y iion.

  Chelsea wanted Drogba to score, but how?

  Napoli wao strike te, but how?

  P this, Gao She uneasy. He walked to the toue, signaling his pyers to stay posed and focus on their game.

  He specifically reminded Bonucd David Luiz to stay alert tba's movements.

  …

  To the deafening cheers of 40,000 fans, the referee blew the whistle to start the game.

  As expected, Chelsea unched an aggressive attack from the outset.

  Under Hiddink, Chelsea's style was vastly different from Scori's. Their py was more oppressive and dynamic, refleg a modern tactical approach.

  They focused oing numerical advantages in key areas through stant pyer movement.

  This style closely resembled Napoli's, and at the start, the visitors found themselves under immense pressure.

  As predicted, Chelsea's attacks leaned heavily on the fnks, particurly through Kalou.

  From the opening whistle, Kalou was highly active.

  Whenever Chelsea gained possession, the ball quickly went to Kalou, who orchestrated their terattacks and offensive pys.

  The young winger impressed immediately.

  He first cut in from the right and passed horizontally to Anelka at the top of the penalty area, allowing the Fren to take a shot. However, Thiago Motta's interference made it an easy save foalkeeper Handanovic.

  Chelsea's pressure only increased. Bald Lampard pushed fgressively, f Napoli's defense deeper. Right-back Bosingwa also advanced frequently.

  Ih minute, Chelsea created another ce. Balck attempted a le shot, but it sailed over the bar.

  A mier, Bosingrinted down the right fnk, reached the byline, and whipped in a cross. Drogba and David Luiz tested the header, but Drogba's effort, disrupted by Luiz, went high.

  Chelsea tiheir assault ih minute.

  After a binatioween Kalou and Bosingwa, Kalou turned sharply a a through ball down the line. Bosingwa raced onto it and crossed low into the box, but David Luiz cleared it at the near post.

  Chelsea earheir first er.

  Lampard stepped up to take it.

  For some reason, Gao She an ominous premonition from the sidelines.

  Perhaps it was his experience as a coach sharpening his instincts.

  Before he could shout a reminder, Lampard delivered the er.

  Chaos erupted in the penalty area. Terry, Alex, Balck, and Anelka all vied for the ball.

  In the fusion, Drogba quietly drifted back, taking advantage of David Luiz being momentarily blocked by a teammate. Rising above Bonucci, Drogba powered a header into the left side of the goal.

  "GOAL!"

  Drogba celebrated wildly, sprinting toward the er fg.

  Bonucci stood frozen. He had been pletely outmatched by Drogba and couldn't even test the header.

  Chelsea's pyers swarmed Drogba in celebration, while Napoli's pyers looked dejected.

  g a goal within ten minutes, how were they supposed to recover from this?

  "It's okay! It's okay!"

  Gao Shen shouted from the sidelines as loudly as he could.

  "Everyoay focused! Keep your posure a ready!"

  His voice carried authority, and the Napoli pyers felt a sense of reassurance. Gao Shen was their bae, the ohey trusted to guide them through moments like this.

  But inwardly, Gao Shen was frustrated.

  After all the pnning and preparation, they still ceded so early.