Napoli's Italian striker Pelle vividly remembered what had happened earlier that m. After the team meeting, head coach Gao Shen, as usual, had called the pyers to his offie by one for a did versation.

  This was nothing new. It was a tradition in the Napoli camp, a daily practice that all the pyers had bee aced to.

  Sometimes, these talks were just casual ches. Gao Shen would ask how they were doing, inquire about their families, and even discuss personal matters.

  When i had entered retionship troubles, Gao Shen had immediately granted him three days off to sort out the issue. Aime, when Hamsik was robbed in the ter of Naples, with the thieves smashing his car window and taking his backpack, Gao Shen intervehe bag didn't tain anything valuable, but Hamsik had been upset.

  Gao Shen had not only pressured the local police to expedite their iigation but had also made public statements and tweets, urging the return of Hamsik's belongings. Three days ter, the stolen backpack was mysteriously left at the gates of the San Paolo Stadium security office—with all its tents intact, even the cash.

  The story had made headlines, and Gao Shen had publicly "thahe thief on social media, jokingly expressing his gratitude.

  Whether it was finding housing, s out children's education, or handling other personal problems, Gao Shen was always willing to help his pyers. When needed, he'd ask captain Montervino or avaro Jr. to lend a hand.

  This unwavering support earned him immense respe the locker room. The pyers trusted him pletely and wouldn't hesitate to approach him with any issue.

  Critics might argue that Gao Shen was meddling or overly involved in his pyers' personal lives, but to his pyers, it was evidence of his charisma and dedication.

  bined with his tactical brillian the field, Gao Shen's genuine care for his pyers gave him unparalleled authority in the Napoli dressing room.

  When Gao Shen spoke, the pyers listened.

  Many wondered why Napoli was so stable, even with inteernal petition and stant squad rotations, while other teams fell apart under simir circumstances.

  Pelle believed the answer was simple, this was why.

  …

  Earlier in the m, Gao Shen had met with a few pyers individually.

  Lichtsteiner had gone in before Pelle.

  At the time, Pelle hadn't thought much of it. But when the game began, he realized Gao Shen's meticulous pnning wasn't random.

  The head coach had clearly anticipated that he might o substitute Lichtsteiner with Maggi the match. Gao Shen had prepared Lichtsteiner in advance, expining the situation and earning his uanding.

  The same a, if done on the spot without warning, might have caused rese or misuanding.

  This fht made all the difference.

  When Pelle was called into Gao Shen's office, he received a simir heads-up.

  "If necessary, I might let you and i py together," Gao Shen had told him.

  "You know, Graziano, I've always believed you're a pyer with a great sense of team spirit. You're the type of ter forward every team needs. You're selfless, always willing to prioritize the team over yourself, and that's something I deeply admire about you."

  Gao Shen had praised Pelle's strengths and even discussed specific details of his partnership with i.

  "I'm not the type of coach who only values goals," Gao Shen said. "What I care about most is the team's overall performance. But on a team, everyone has their role to py. Wheime es, I'll need you to create opportunities for i and your teammates. That's your strength, and you excel at it."

  There was something about Gao Shen's words that made Pelle feel deeply appreciated. By the end of the versation, Pelle found himself nodding and agreeing to everything without hesitation.

  Some might say Gao Shen was using psychological tactianage his pyers.

  But Pelle didn't care. To him, Gao Shen's willio have these versations, sometimes even "coaxing" his pyers, roof of his resped care.

  What more could a pyer ask for?

  …

  Before Pelle ehe field as a substitute, Gao Shen pulled him aside for a final pep talk.

  He provided specifistrus, even walking through a tactical routihat he, Zidane, and Carlo had designed for this exaent.

  "You'll start by pushing toward the penalty spot," Gao Shen expined. "You and i will force their defeo colpse inward. Then, you'll suddenly retreat to the edge of the box. Mikel will probably be there."

  "Defensively, Mikel has his weaknesses," Gao Shen added. "Break through him and look for the pass."

  Pelle stepped onto the pitch, waiting for his moment.

  He made several attempts to follow the routine. Sometimes his teammates didn't reize the opportunity. Other times, the passes didn't ect. Frustration began to creep in as time ticked away.

  Then, a familiar voied from the sidelines.

  "Take your time! Don't rush! It's okay! Be patient!"

  Pelle g the toue and saw Gao Shen standing there, calm and posed, his suit immacute despite the chaos of the match.

  Pelle checked the clock, almost 90 minutes had passed.

  The score was still 1-1.

  For most teams, an away draw would have been an excelle.

  But not for Napoli.

  The word "satisfa" did in Napoli's diary.

  …

  Napoli attacked again, this time down the left fnk.

  Sanchez and Vargas worked together to break through.

  Ivanovic defeightly, intercepting Vargas's attempted pass to Sanchez and defleg the ball high into the air.

  Sanchez reacted quickly, leaping to head the ball forward toward the penalty area.

  Pelle, positioned with his back to the goal, immediately dropped deeper to receive it.

  Mikel and Balck rushed in, but Pelle's size and strength gave him the advantage. He reached the ball first, cushioning it with a deft toud shielding it with his body.

  Mikel, uo dislodge him, focused oing Pelle from turning.

  Pelle stayed calm. With a subtle flick, he lifted the ball over his shoulder and into the path of i, who was charging into the box.

  As Pelle released the pass, he shouted, "It's yours, Edinson!"

  i had been watg closely. As Alex moved to track his run, i feinted a retreat before spinning past the defender and surging forward.

  Pelle's pass erfectly timed. i met the ball with a powerful header, direg it toward the far er of the .

  Cech, caught off guard, reached out but couldn't stop the ball as it flew past him.

  Terry's desperate attempt to clear the ball came too te. The Chelsea captain collided with the ball, but both ended up in the back of the .

  "GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

  "Ih minute, Napoli has scored again!"

  "2-1!"

  "Napoli has tur around at Stamford Bridge!"

  i roared with delight, sprinting toward the sidelio celebrate. He shouted Pelle's name, pointing to his teammate in gratitude for the perfect assist.

  Stamford Bridge was stunned.

  Napoli fans in attendaed in celebration, while Chelsea supporters were left in disbelief.

  "Napoli has do! They've pleted an incredible eback away from home."

  "This is Stamford Bridge!"

  "We have to admire Gao Shen's tactical mastery. His substitutions and adjustments have been nothing short of genius."

  "Against Hiddink, one of the world's most respected coaches, Gao Shen has not only held his own but has outmaneuvered him."

  "This young coach has proven once again that age is irrelevant when it es to talent and intelligence."

  On the sidelines, Gao Shen was eted. He jumped into the air, fists ched in triumph.

  "2-1!"

  He had gambled and won.

  Had he settled for the first goal, there would have been no sed.

  But now, he could say with pride: "I won!"

  As Zidane, Carlo, and the coag staff rushed to embrace him, Gao Shen reminded himself to stay grounded.

  This was just the first leg. The journey was far from over.

  The Champions League knockout stages had only just begun.