Chapter 327: A Classic Duel in Tactical History

When Maradona walked into the Stadio San Paolo, the entire crowd of over 60,000 Napoli fans rose to their feet, erupting in wild applause for the legendary king.

The stadium filled with chants of Maradona's name, echoing as if the stadium itself was alive with his spirit.

This was an incredible, unexpected surprise!

Before the game, Napoli's management wasn't certain whether Maradona would be able to attend, so they hadn't announced his appearance. His sudden arrival left the entire stadium, and even the live broadcasters, in stunned awe.

This was Maradona!

"We're witnessing the entire Stadio San Paolo welcome the return of their former king!"

"Maradona once reached the peak of his career in this very stadium, in this city, and everyone here still remembers his glory."

"Just a few days ago, a Naples city councilor suggested that if Napoli were to win the Serie A title this season, they should erect a statue of Gao Shen alongside Maradona, immortalizing both as heroes of the city."

"Perhaps Maradona heard this news and couldn't wait to come here to show his support for Gao Shen."

"While Maradona has his own graffiti wall in the city, no one has yet built a statue of him."

"It's worth noting that there isn't a single Inter fan in the stands at the Stadio San Paolo tonight."

"According to information from Napoli, there are over 60,300 fans in the stadium, all supporting Napoli or invited as special guests."

"For safety reasons, the local fans responded enthusiastically to this arrangement, and ticket demand was overwhelming. So, De Laurentiis directly negotiated with the Football Association and Inter Milan to ensure that no tickets were allocated to Inter fans."

"Let's look at the footage from outside the stadium..."

"Every road around the Stadio San Paolo is packed with Napoli fans."

"Tonight, this isn't just a Serie A match. It's not merely a decisive battle for the league title—it has captured the hearts of all of Naples. Every fan here is eager to see Gao Shen and his team avenge last season's loss!"

"Mancini and his Inter Milan, meanwhile, will do everything they can to defend their place at the top of the standings."

"This is bound to be a grueling, close-quarters fight!"

"Some are even calling it the highest level matchup in Serie A this season!"

...

Although every guest who arrived at the stadium received a warm welcome, no one could rival the applause and admiration for Maradona.

In this stadium, in this city, no one could match Maradona's influence.

Inter Milan had sent two senior representatives, Blanca and Oriali, who were seated alongside De Laurentiis, Maradona, and other special guests in the VIP section.

Familiar faces from Real Madrid, like Sacchi, Zidane, and Valdano, sat together in one area, while Italian legends like Capello, Lippi, and Trapattoni gathered in another. Barcelona icons Guardiola and Cruyff sat nearby, sharing a section.

Guardiola, who was coaching Barcelona's reserve team, had experienced last season's crushing 0-3 loss to Inter with Napoli. Before this game, Gao Shen had called him personally, asking if he'd like to come witness the match in person.

"I'm confident about this game!" Gao Shen had told him.

Moved by his friend's conviction, Guardiola flew from Barcelona to Rome in the morning and then took another flight to Naples after finishing a game with the Barcelona reserves.

Cruyff, who often watched Guardiola's team and shared tactical discussions with him, had also received an invitation from Inter for their centennial celebration. But when he found out that Guardiola was heading to Naples to watch the game, he couldn't resist the urge to join him.

As they settled into their seats in the chairman's box, looking out over the buzzing Stadio San Paolo, the atmosphere was electric. Even before the players had set foot on the pitch, the excitement was palpable.

Outside, the roar of fans could be heard from all directions. The streets were filled with Napoli supporters, with open-air screens set up to broadcast the game live.

"This isn't just another Serie A game," Cruyff observed.

He scanned the stands, noting the presence of Italian football legends and prominent figures. He even spotted respected Italian coaches like Ulivieri and Ventura among the spectators.

Could an ordinary Serie A match attract this level of attention?

"I think this game is a clash of two distinct tactical philosophies," Guardiola replied.

Cruyff nodded in agreement. "Over the past two years, Italy's football community has often been resistant to Gao Shen's methods. But within professional circles, he is highly regarded. Tonight, Inter Milan—the pinnacle of Italian football under a traditional Italian coach like Mancini facing off against Gao Shen's Napoli, is truly a fascinating matchup."

"But from the outset, Inter Milan is already at a disadvantage," Guardiola said with a smile.

As always, he was a staunch supporter of Gao Shen.

Football matches are never just about the ninety minutes on the pitch. They're also about preparation, strategy, and execution throughout the entire season.

In terms of pre-match preparation, Napoli had clearly outperformed Inter Milan. They had better squad depth and were able to field their full-strength lineup.

Inter Milan, by contrast, had players recently returning from injuries, making it uncertain if they could perform at their best.

"I believe that preparation and current form might level the playing field between Napoli and Inter, but this game will ultimately test the tactical minds and adaptability of both coaches," Cruyff said thoughtfully.

This was precisely why so many Italian football legends were here tonight.

They wanted to see, in a contest between two evenly matched teams, whose tactics would prevail.

In many ways, this game wouldn't just impact the Serie A title race; it could reshape Italian football's tactical future.

This might even become a classic tactical showdown etched into Italian football history.

While the media and fans saw Gao Shen as a disruptive force, the professionals in Italian football recognized that someone like Gao Shen could bring the necessary innovation and excitement to the game, introducing fresh ideas and challenging established norms.

"I've always felt that Gao Shen is quite different from you," Cruyff said, looking at his protégé with a smile.

Guardiola nodded. "He's the most skilled locker room manager and motivational leader I've ever met."

"Oh?" Cruyff raised an eyebrow, surprised by Guardiola's high praise.

"At one point, we discussed using zones and grids for player positioning, but he disagreed. He considered it a lazy approach to management," Guardiola said with a slight smile. He himself was now using zones and grids to structure Barcelona's play.

But Gao Shen had rejected this method.

"He studied management, and he told me that bureaucratic management has three fundamental techniques that always work. First, tasks are broken down into levels. Second, responsibilities are assigned. Third, rewards and punishments are clearly defined."

"He thinks my zoning approach falls into that category," Guardiola added, chuckling.

Cruyff listened, intrigued. He could see how these principles, if applied effectively, could manage not just a team but even an entire organization.

"And he doesn't approve of it?" Cruyff asked.

Guardiola shook his head with a wry smile. "He thinks it's too simplistic, too rigid, and lacks a human touch. It might work with certain players, but with others, it could lead to big problems."

"So how does he do it?" Cruyff asked, his curiosity piqued.

Guardiola sighed. "He hardly oversees training himself. Instead, he spends his days chatting with players—not just about tactics, but about everything, even personal topics like dating. He calls it 'connecting with the grassroots.'"

"Connecting with the grassroots?" Cruyff echoed, bemused.

Was he a coach, or some kind of politician?

"Then he gathers all this information, learning each player's personality, abilities, and preferences. Once he's clear on everything, he communicates his own ideas to the players, getting them to understand his vision. This way, everyone shares a common goal and knows both the 'what' and the 'why,' which helps them move as one on the pitch."

Cruyff couldn't help but laugh. "No wonder he spends so much time talking to his players. It must take a lot of effort and charisma."

For some players, this approach might not work at all.

Guardiola nodded. "He once said he could spend hours complimenting someone without ever repeating himself."

"That's hard to believe!" Cruyff laughed, genuinely surprised.

Guardiola chuckled as well, nodding in agreement.

"His approach might seem time-consuming, but over the long run, it has a huge payoff. It builds strong relationships and helps resolve conflicts within the locker room," Cruyff admitted, his respect for Gao Shen growing.

"Exactly. This season, he replaced Cannavaro with David Luiz and Bonucci, and even made Bonucci the on-field captain. Despite all this, there's been no unrest in the locker room. Even when Cannavaro was stirring things up in the media, he ended up defending Gao Shen."

It was remarkable.

Cannavaro had been sidelined, yet he still defended Gao Shen publicly.

To put it mildly, it showed Cannavaro's professionalism. To put it bluntly, Gao Shen had managed to "sell him off," and Cannavaro was still grateful.

Such a skill was truly impressive. Even more than Gao Shen's tactical prowess, Guardiola admired his mastery of interpersonal relationships.

"Honestly, if Barcelona decides to change coaches this summer, I think Gao Shen would be the perfect choice, more fitting than Mourinho. I don't believe Mourinho would suit Barcelona's ethos," Guardiola said thoughtfully.

The expression on Cruyff's face grew serious, and he nodded.

At that moment, the players from both teams stepped onto the pitch.

The atmosphere inside the Stadio San Paolo exploded, reaching a fever pitch as Napoli and Inter Milan lined up for what was sure to be an epic showdown.

***

Bonus Chapter.

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