Chapter 380: Bloodbath at Meazza

"Although it may seem unbelievable to say this, based on tonight's performance, Napoli's strength is superior to Inter Milan's!"

This was Sacchi's bold declaration during a live halftime interview.

His statement stunned the media present.

Sacchi wasn't talking about form or performance,he was talking about strength.

In recent years of Italian football, no team had managed to truly overpower Inter Milan. Yet Sacchi doubled down on his claim with conviction.

"Yes, strength. Napoli has improved tremendously. Especially after winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia double last season, their overall strength has reached a new level."

He continued, "In this match, Napoli hasn't even employed overly aggressive tactics. They've played a more measured game, but they've still managed to completely suppress Inter Milan. That alone speaks volumes."

Sacchi also reminded everyone, "Let's not forget, Napoli is missing eight of their regular starters tonight."

The implication was clear: If this is how Napoli plays without eight key players, how terrifying will they be when their full squad returns?

---

The first half ended 2–0 in favor of Napoli.

By convention, the home team's score is listed first, followed by the visitors'. Inter Milan, the home side, had conceded twice and looked second-best for much of the half.

Sacchi attributed this to Mourinho's tactical missteps.

"Judging by the flow of the game, it's clear Mourinho didn't set up defensively," he explained.

"This was his debut in Italy, his first game as Inter Milan's coach, and it's on home turf. Naturally, he wanted to boost his team's confidence and send a strong signal. But what we've seen instead is a team struggling, unable to create any real threats, and ultimately conceding twice."

Sacchi acknowledged Mourinho's bravery but saw it as further proof that Inter Milan lacked the strength to match Napoli, a team he believed was now the most formidable in Serie A.

However, the reporter conducting the interview was skeptical. He suggested Sacchi was merely trying to bolster his reputation by making a dramatic statement.

Sacchi, unfazed, smiled and countered with a wager.

"The Serie A title this season will still belong to Napoli!"

The reporter was visibly taken aback, especially when he saw the confidence on Sacchi's face.

Many doubted Napoli's strength, believing their success last season was a fluke. While Napoli hadn't sold any players over the summer, could they really maintain the same form?

Sacchi was adamant they could and that they would only get better.

"People overlook one crucial factor: Napoli's average age."

"Last season, it was about 21. After selling Domizzi and Garics this summer and bringing in players like Macho and Benatia, their average age is still just 21."

Sacchi continued, "If you ignore that context, it's easy to make a seemingly logical but completely flawed conclusion: that Napoli peaked last season and can't sustain that level. But ask yourself this does it make sense for a team this young to have already reached its peak? Are their potential and growth so limited?"

His rhetorical question left the reporters silent.

It was common knowledge that players typically reached their prime around 24 or 25 years of age.

At 21, most players no matter how talented were still far from their best.

For Napoli, this meant their players were still improving, and so was the team as a whole.

Sacchi explained that this wasn't a simple case of incremental progress but rather a leap in development, a synergy where the team became greater than the sum of its parts.

Once players adapted to and fully embraced their coach's philosophy, and once the club's management operated smoothly, the rate of progress could be astonishing.

Napoli had been under Gao Shen's leadership for two years now.

He had left an indelible mark on the team, and the players had fully bought into his vision.

Their newfound stability wasn't born of caution—it was born of strength.

"Watch closely," Sacchi concluded with a confident smile. "Napoli is going to surprise us all this season!"

---

As the first half ended, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

Sacchi's observations rang true to him.

The progress Napoli had made as a team in such a short time was nothing short of remarkable.

It had even forced Gao Shen to rethink his tactical approach and adjust the team's playing style.

Previously, Napoli relied on aggressive attacking tactics to mask their lack of depth and quality. They needed to score first and dominate early because a prolonged struggle would expose their weaknesses.

But now, even against a team like Inter Milan, Gao Shen didn't feel the need to push the team to attack recklessly. He was confident in their ability to win through controlled, balanced play.

When a team has real strength, there's no need to take unnecessary risks.

Aggression, after all, comes with its own dangers.

Beckenbauer once said, "The strongest is often the weakest."

This paradox highlights how overcommitting resources in one area be it attack or defense leaves vulnerabilities elsewhere.

High pressing and constant offensive pressure, for example, leave gaps in the defensive line. The weaker the team, the greater the risk when playing this way.

This was something Gao Shen had discussed with Pioli before.

For weaker teams, focusing on a single strength to gain a temporary advantage makes sense. But against strong opponents, this approach can backfire. Napoli's 3–0 loss to Inter two years ago was a painful reminder of this.

True strength lies in balance.

Strong teams don't need to rely on extreme tactics; they are effective because they are adaptable and balanced.

Of course, balance doesn't mean mediocrity or blandness, like the rigid styles of Capello's Juventus or Mancini's Inter Milan.

Instead, it's about striking the right equilibrium between attack and defense.

A balanced team doesn't overcommit to attack, scoring seven instead of nine out of ten, but compensates with improved defensive solidity. The end result is a more consistent and resilient team.

This is where Napoli was now.

They had matured into a team capable of controlled dominance.

As Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War: "The skillful fighter puts himself beyond the possibility of defeat, then waits for an opportunity to defeat the enemy."

In other words, secure your own survival first, and then look for opportunities to attack.

If both teams play balanced football, the winner is determined by subtle shifts in tactics, form, or moments of brilliance. This was evident in matches like the 2003 Champions League final between AC Milan and Juventus—a battle of nerves and discipline.

For Gao Shen, this philosophy now defined Napoli.

In Serie A, they were undoubtedly one of the top teams.

The Champions League, however, would be the ultimate test, a stage where balance and adaptability were most crucial.

---

Back in the locker room, Gao Shen couldn't hide his joy.

His smile was infectious, lifting the mood of the players.

He praised their performance in the first half, singling out players like Benatia and Thiago Motta for their exceptional contributions. He encouraged everyone to maintain their focus and keep improving.

However, he also pointed out areas that needed adjustment.

"Balotelli keeps drifting into the center," Gao Shen said. "Vargas, you're too fierce. He's avoiding you now."

The room erupted in laughter.

It was the same with Ibrahimovic, who was steering clear of Benatia.

Inter Milan's ability to switch between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 required some tactical adjustments, and Gao Shen made them accordingly.

"The second half will stay the same. Keep playing steady, use our strength to suppress them, force them into mistakes, and capitalize on our advantages on the wings."

He paused, then added, "Also, pay attention to Montari in midfield. He's been very active lately."

Finally, Gao Shen pointed out one area where Napoli could improve.

"Cavani," he said, turning to the Uruguayan striker. "Neither Burdisso nor Cambiasso can handle you. This is where we need to break through."

As the players nodded, Gao Shen delivered one last rallying cry.

"Two years ago, we lost 3–0 here. I promised myself back then that we'd come back to the San Siro and return the favor.

"We're just one goal away from that goal tonight!"

"Let's finish this!"

The players roared in unison, ready to take the fight to Inter in the second half.

***

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