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Starting With Real Madrid

Going back to the beginning of 2006, he became the head coach of Real Madrid. All his players are world-renowned superstars, such as Ronaldo, Zidane, Raúl, Beckham, Casillas, Carlos, and Ramos... each one of them is a formidable figure who can shake the world of football with just a stomp of their feet. How can a humble rookie coach these rebellious superstars? ___ This is a translation. All rights to the original content belong to their respective creators. Original Author: Chen Aiting Original Title: 从执教皇马开始 Cover Pic: Made With Ai

Junkdog · Người nổi tiếng
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386 Chs

Chapter 369: First Impression

This was shaping up to be the most grueling pre-season training camp since Gao Shen took charge of Napoli.

Initially, when the players heard that the number of daily training sessions had been reduced from three last season to just two, they were ecstatic.

After all, last season's pre-season had pushed them to their limits.

To be fair, the results of that training were evident in their performances, and their fitness levels were excellent throughout the season. But with the news of one less session per day, it felt like a reprieve from the hellish regimen of the past.

However, more cautious players, like Biglia, weren't entirely convinced.

"Boss, it's not that we don't trust you," Biglia said skeptically, "but when it comes to pre-season training, you've given us absolutely no reason to trust you at all!"

Gao Shen could only sigh at the players' distrust, lamenting, I gave my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines only on the ditch.

"Blame the fitness coaches!" Gao Shen thought to himself. "I'm innocent here!"

But any hope of an easier pre-season quickly evaporated when the players arrived at the training ground the next day. That was when they truly learned what the word "devilish" meant.

---

Buenaventura's training program was, on the surface, the same as before, primarily focused on drills involving the ball.

However, this time, players were divided into groups based on their physical conditions, with each group given tailored training regimens. The sessions were tightly scheduled, highly organized, and far more intense than usual.

The players, accustomed to demanding training under Buenaventura since Gao Shen's arrival, thought they could manage. But this time, the intensity was on a whole new level.

For those who had overindulged during their holidays, even lasting ten minutes felt like an insurmountable challenge.

Still, the players gritted their teeth and pushed through, consoling themselves with the thought that there was one less session per day. Surely they could endure this, right?

They were wrong.

The 90-minute session felt like it would never end. By the time it was over, the players were utterly exhausted and desperate for a break. Just as they were ready to collapse, Pintus appeared.

The bald Italian fitness coach, wiry and deceptively unassuming, had a smile on his face that sent chills down their spines.

"From now on, after every training session, we'll do additional running drills," Pintus announced cheerfully.

The players froze in disbelief.

"Running? After this? Are you serious?"

They were too drained to protest. Dragging their feet, they began running laps, but Pintus wasn't satisfied. He barked at them to pick up the pace, his relentless energy making him seem more like a drill sergeant than a fitness coach.

Then, as if to deliver the final blow, Pintus introduced a punishment system:

"Anyone who falls behind me will face penalties!"

The players collectively crumbled. Their gazes turned to Gao Shen, silently pleading for mercy.

Their eyes seemed to say, "Boss, we were wrong. Please save us!"

But Gao Shen simply chuckled from the sidelines.

"You're just getting started," he thought.

---

Buenaventura and Pintus were implementing their training program step by step.

The players, still recovering from their off-season indulgences, weren't pushed to their limits immediately. But with each passing day, the intensity gradually ramped up.

Every evening, the players found themselves missing the training sessions from the day before, which now seemed almost merciful in comparison. But there was no escape; they had to accept their fate.

Just as Gao Shen had predicted, the players spent the first week complaining incessantly.

Gao Shen himself didn't oversee the training directly. Instead, he focused on engaging with the players, offering guidance and counseling to keep their morale up.

By the end of the first week, their bodies had begun to adjust to the workload. Though still grueling, they could at least endure the sessions without completely breaking down. But just as they started to find their footing, Buenaventura and Pintus raised the intensity once more.

The process was like boiling a frog in warm water—gradual, methodical, and utterly relentless.

Every day felt like the brink of collapse, yet beneath the surface, the players were improving. Their endurance and physical fitness were quietly building up, accumulating strength for the battles ahead.

Despite the punishing workload, Napoli's coaching staff paid close attention to recovery. They extended stretching sessions and emphasized cooldown routines to minimize the risk of injuries.

Buenaventura often reminded the players, "The goal is not just to train hard but to train smart. Recovery is just as important as effort."

As their bodies adapted to the demands, the players began to see results. Each small improvement boosted their confidence and motivated them to push even harder.

Gao Shen played his role as the motivator perfectly, painting a bright picture of the season ahead and providing the emotional support his players needed. He knew each of them inside out what drove them, what they feared, and what they aspired to achieve. By tapping into those emotions, he inspired them to fully commit to the process.

Even the newcomers, like Benatia and Maggio, quickly bought into the program.

In an interview with the local media, Maggio expressed his admiration for the team's training regimen and praised Gao Shen and his coaching staff.

"The intensity and professionalism here are unlike anything I've experienced before," Maggio said.

"Our team plays differently now. Previously, we were too open, which left us vulnerable to counterattacks whenever we lost possession. But here, the focus is on structure—positioning, movement, and support. Everything is more compact and cohesive."

Maggio also shared insights into Gao Shen's tactical philosophy.

"The coach doesn't view pressing as just a way to regain possession or defend. For him, pressing is an extension of our attack. He's a firm believer in offensive football, and everything we do is geared toward scoring goals."

Maggio even marveled at the high-tech facilities at Napoli.

"It feels like I've stepped from the agricultural age into the space age," he joked, clearly excited about the club's commitment to innovation.

Finally, Maggio set his sights on the new season: "My goal is to earn a starting spot."

---

Meanwhile, in the northern suburbs of Milan, Mourinho was watching Maggio's interview at Inter Milan's training base.

Napoli's pre-season training had been shrouded in mystery. Although the players were free to go home after training, very little information about their sessions had leaked to the public.

The only glimpses outsiders had were from player interviews, which offered limited details. But Mourinho could tell from Maggio's comments that Napoli's pre-season was well-received by the squad.

"This is quite advanced," Mourinho remarked to his assistants, Villas-Boas and Faria.

There was no denying Gao Shen's reputation. His success at Real Madrid and Napoli spoke volumes about his abilities.

"Last season, the media reported that Napoli's pre-season was incredibly intense," Villas-Boas speculated. "This year, it's been reduced to two sessions a day. Could that be why the players are so positive?"

"Do you think he's lowered the intensity?" Mourinho frowned at the thought.

Then he quickly shook his head. "No, that's impossible. Since Gao Shen arrived in Serie A, his teams have always played high-pressing, attacking football. That requires an extraordinary level of fitness. If his pre-season training wasn't effective, his players wouldn't last through the season."

Mourinho's respect for Gao Shen was begrudging but genuine.

"He's not stupid. He wouldn't make that kind of mistake," Mourinho concluded.

Villas-Boas nodded. "Their training must be very effective if the players are speaking so highly of it."

Mourinho's thoughts shifted to Napoli's upcoming warm-up matches.

"They'll be starting their friendlies soon, right?"

"Yes," Faria confirmed. "The first match is this weekend, followed by several more. But the opponents aren't strong, mostly Serie B and Serie C teams."

Mourinho smirked. "Gao Shen never cares about results in warm-up matches. He uses them to experiment. The media knows this, but they still spin it into panic-inducing headlines whenever Napoli performs poorly."

Mourinho then issued an order: "Send scouts to record their games. I want to analyze everything he's doing."

He chuckled. "I bet Gao Shen has scouts watching us too."

Everyone in the room nodded in silent agreement.

This season, Napoli was clearly Inter Milan's biggest threat and vice versa.

But Mourinho wasn't worried.

"In late August, eight of their players will be at the Olympics. For the Italian Super Cup, Gao Shen will only have Cannavaro available as a center-back."

A sharp glint flashed in Mourinho's eyes.

"We'll strike them hard before the season even starts. Break their momentum, and the rest of the season will be much easier for us."

Both Villas-Boas and Faria nodded in agreement.

This was Mourinho's philosophy: always seize the initiative.

***

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