Uhe leadership of Guus Hiddink, Chelsea were formidable at Stamford Bridge, making them a tough oppoo face at home.

  At the post-match press ference, Gao Shen openly expressed his admiration and respect for Hiddink, as well as for Chelsea as a team, even though his Napoli had just secured a 2-1 victory over the Blues.

  "We didn't py particurly well at the start of both the first and sed halves. They mounted some threatening attacks and put us under a lot of pressure. We also made a few mistakes, but thankfully, we adjusted quickly," Gao Shen said.

  He praised Napoli's quick responses during the game, highlighting how the pyers mao adapt once errors were made.

  "The most valuable thing about this match is that we didn't panic when we fell behind. That was the key to our eback victory, and it reflects how much our team has growhis period."

  Gao Shen admitted there were areas where the team struggled in the first half but emphasized how they improved in the sed.

  "From the 60th minute onward, we were able to trol the game much better," he said.

  Gao Shen firmly believed that Napoli deserved their victory, stating, "The team that performed better won the game."

  He did not hide his satisfa with his pyers' performances, even singling out individuals like Pelle, Lichtsteiner, Maggio, and i for their tributions och.

  "Yes, they all have outstanding individual qualities, but they're also important pieces of Napoli's collective success."

  When discussing Drogba's goal, Gao Shen defended Bonucci, who was beaten by the Ivorian striker in the build-up.

  "I don't see this as an issue, and I really dislike such criticisms," Gao Shen said, firmly bag his pyer. He pointed out that Drogba is widely regarded as one of the top ter-forwards in world football, possibly the stro in the game today.

  "Ask aral defender in the world about marking Drogba one-on-one. I doubt any of them would cim they could do it with fidence."

  Gao Shen made it clear that Bonucci's performance was not a for him.

  "I think Bonucci is a very talented and capable tral defender. Aside from the i with Drogba, he made no signifit mistakes in this match. Holy, when it es to defending someone like Drogba, it's normal for even the best defeo falter occasionally, isn't it?"

  He shared that Bonucci had approached him at halftime to apologize, but Gao Shen refused to accept it.

  "I told him there's o apologize. He did his job well, why should he feel the o apologize?"

  Gao Shen urged fans and the media to be rational and fair when analyzing pyers' performances.

  "I think every single one of my pyers leave Stamford Bridge with their heads held high as winners!" he decred.

  This was Gao Shen's way of shielding his pyers from unnecessary scrutiny.

  ---

  In fact, after the game, both the media and UEFA officials provided pyer ratings. For Napoli, the lowest rating was six, a passing score. On Chelsea's side, the highest rating was seven, awarded tba.

  Ashley Cole received the lowest rating of the match—a three—due to his struggles against both Sanchez and Di Maria. The English left-back had an uncharacteristically poor performance, well below his usual standard.

  The standout pyer of the match was Napoli midfielder Rakitic. His spectacur volleyed goal not only tied the game but carried signifit weight in the final oute. Additionally, his overall tributions in both attad defense were remarkable, making him an integral part of Napoli's midfield trol throughout the game.

  At the post-match ference, Gao Shen praised Rakitic for his rapid development.

  "In the past, Biglia was our most irrepceable midfielder, and Rakitic's position was more intergeable. But this season, things have ged," Gao Shen expined.

  With the tactical shift to a 4-3-3 formation and Thiago Motta pying deeper, Rakitiow had more freedom to operate betweey areas. This adjustment not only relieved David Luiz of certain responsibilities but also allowed Rakitic to shine as a tyer in both attad defense.

  "When we previously used a 4-2-3-1 formation, Rakitic ositioned as a defensive midfielder and had to focus more on maintaining his position and defending," Gao Shen said. "But now, with Motta handling those duties, Rakitic is free to express himself more on the field, and his performances have been improving dramatically."

  Gao Shen eveioned whether his earlier decision to train Rakitic as a double pivot midfielder had uionally deyed the Croatian's development.

  Ich against Chelsea, Rakitic's impressive growth and adaptability not only surprised Gao Shen but also made his teammates rethink his role ieam's tactics. The question of whether he should be given even more responsibility moving forward became a point of discussion.

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  Napoli's stunning 2-1 eback victory at Stamford Bridge drew widespread praise from the media across Europe and beyond, with Gao Shen receiving the mnition.

  The Times ehat Gao Shen had proven his worth as a top-level coach through this dramatic reversal.

  Despite his success, Gao Shen had often beeioned due to his young age. After leaving Real Madrid, he spent time coag in Serie B and Serie A, leagues widely sidered less petitive pared to others.

  But this match at Stamford Bridge silehe doubters. While other Serie A teams faltered in their Champions League matches, A failing tress from the group stage, Roma losing 0-1 to Arsenal, and Inter Min falling 0-2 to Maer United—Napoli stood tall.

  "Ferguson, Wenger, Hiddink—these are some of the mnized managers in world football. Fao Shen to lead Napoli to a eback victainst Chelsea on their home turf speaks volumes about his ability," wrote the Times.

  This match, the paper cluded, solidified Gao Shen's position as one of the elite managers in European football.

  Simirly, the Guardian praised Napoli as the standout team of the Champions League Round of 16's first leg.

  "Emerging from the group of death, Napoli has visibly improved. Pyers like Rakitic, i, and Pelle have made a sting impression," the report stated.

  The paper also appuded Gao Shen's tactical brilliance, g his in-game adjustments as a decisive factor.

  "Each substitution Gao Shen made was like a perfectly timed strike, targeting Chelsea's weaknesses with precision. His decision t on Maggio in the sed half, which led to the equalizer, was nothing short of masterful."

  The Guardian cluded, "Gao Shen is improving at araordinary rate. He's on track to bee one of the best managers in Europe, if not the world."

  ---

  While the British media tempered their praise to spare Chelsea's blushes, the Italian press was unreserved in their accim.

  With Serie A struggling on the European stage, Napoli's triumph was a bea of hope. Mourinho's Inter Min had fallen short, Roma had been edged out, and Napoli's success was the sole bright spot for Italian football.

  The Gazzetta dello Sport quoted Gao Shen's remarks about the first leg being just the first half of the battle. He emphasized the importance of the return leg in Italy, which would ultimately decide whressed.

  Napoli's strong position after their away win made them favorites to advance, but Chelsea's challe the San Paolo Stadium remained signifit.

  As for Inter Min, their situation looked bleak after a 0-2 loss to Maer United. Mourinho admitted that his team wasn't ready to pete for the Champions League title just yet.

  With Serie A's reputation on the line, all eyes were now on Napoli as they carried the hopes of Italian football.

  But Gao Shen had little time to dwell on the past. After returning to he team quickly refocused and headed to Turin to face Juventus in the round of Serie A fixtures. At the same time, Inter Min prepared to faa in a critical domestic csh.