Chapter 278: The Man-Ball Play

"We're almost there!"

In the coaching booth, Lucas' attention was fully on the laptop screen in front of him. After confirming his analysis, he shouted loudly to Gao Shen.

Gao Shen had been standing in the technical area throughout the match. This was his usual habit while commanding.

Upon hearing Lucas' shout, he turned around and walked back.

"The data shows that Inter Milan's performance has dropped significantly, and the players' activity has decreased a lot. It's time," Lucas said eagerly, his voice trembling with excitement.

Gao Shen carefully reviewed Lucas' analysis and materials, then confirmed his judgment. He immediately looked over at Carlo and nodded solemnly.

Carlo responded with an OK gesture and quickly headed toward the Napoli bench.

Soon, Pastore and Antonio Valencia were called to start warming up.

By the time they were ready, the match clock had just hit the 60th minute.

Gao Shen called both players over, speaking seriously, "Do you remember the tactical plan we covered in our targeted training?"

Both nodded.

"Antonio, focus on your marker and use your speed to get past him!"

"Got it!" Valencia replied confidently.

"Javier." Gao Shen looked at Pastore. "Your task is the same as before. Once you win the ball, move it forward and pass it to Antonio at the right moment so he can make the most of his speed. Understood?"

"I understand, boss!" Pastore nodded firmly.

After the first match of the league, Pastore had been deployed several times and was greatly valued by Gao Shen. He had already made a name for himself in one key match and had grown to admire and trust Gao Shen deeply.

At this point, as long as Gao Shen gave him an order, Pastore would give his all to carry it out.

"When you get on the pitch, just follow what we've practiced and planned. Don't worry about the pressure. Got it?"

"Got it!" the two players responded in unison.

…

Watching them head to the touchline for the substitution, Gao Shen felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Long before the match, he had already devised the overall strategy.

In truth, Gao Shen didn't have many choices. Whether in terms of strength or experience, Napoli was at a disadvantage against Inter Milan. This forced him to make a decision. He had to shift the battle to an area where Napoli excelled.

When facing Inter, Napoli's greatest asset was their fitness.

Under the careful guidance of fitness coach Buenaventura over the past two seasons, Napoli had become one of the most physically capable teams in Italy and even all of European football.

Combined with precise tactics, Napoli's younger squad, and meticulous preparation during the week leading up to the match, this gave them a clear advantage in physical conditioning.

The conclusion was obvious: Gao Shen was setting up a war of attrition against Inter Milan.

From the kickoff, Napoli pressed Inter hard, forcing them into a fight they couldn't escape. Even Mancini had no choice but to engage.

After all, how could they refuse an opponent seemingly asking to be beaten?

But Napoli wasn't to be underestimated.

Back when Gao Shen managed Real Madrid, his defensive setup was solid enough to frustrate even Capello.

Now, against Inter Milan, Gao Shen employed high-press tactics alongside a highly structured defense, neutralizing Inter's offense. Ibrahimovic had been out of sorts all game.

Although they had conceded a goal early on, the match soon turned into a stalemate, an attritional battle.

Napoli was relentlessly wearing down their opponents, waiting for the right moment.

Finally, shortly after the second half started, Inter Milan's players began to show significant signs of fatigue.

All the data and indicators on the pitch pointed to one thing: their energy reserves were running low.

Now, it was time for Napoli to shine!

With that thought, Gao Shen's focus returned to the game.

…

Valencia came on for Sanchez.

It was a like-for-like substitution, one that had been planned before the match.

As the Chilean winger left the field, he patted Valencia on the shoulder in encouragement, hoping he would make an impact.

While it wasn't obvious to outsiders, Napoli's players knew very well how talented Valencia was.

Especially when it came to his speed.

"Zanetti's a bit slow, just get past him!" Sanchez whispered as he embraced Valencia.

Valencia nodded his thanks.

Before the match, he had received detailed analysis on Zanetti, which included information about the veteran's recent return from injury.

Valencia had watched plenty of footage of Zanetti's games. He was confident that he could beat him for pace.

Of course, Valencia also knew that speed alone wasn't enough.

He needed the right circumstances, and more importantly, support from his teammates!

And with Gao Shen's double substitution, the entire Napoli team understood the signal.

The targeted tactics were in play!

…

Following the substitutions, Napoli continued with their signature high press.

However, with Valencia and Pastore on the field, the pressure on the right flank noticeably increased.

Valencia was relentless, often tracking back to help defend Inter's attacks, even chasing players all the way into Napoli's own 30-yard zone to assist right-back Lichtsteiner.

This allowed the Swiss full-back to push forward more aggressively and challenge Inter's left winger, Cesar.

Although Inter's right flank featured the pairing of Maicon and Figo, Figo's age was showing, and his energy was fading. Maicon, while active, was kept in check by Napoli's fast winger Di Maria, meaning he couldn't push too far forward without risk.

In the first half, Maicon made several overlapping runs but was quickly exposed by Napoli's pace on the counter.

So, Maicon remained cautious around players like Di Maria.

With their right side stifled, Inter started to favor the left, hoping to exploit Napoli's right side as they had last season, especially by using Ibrahimovic and Cruz to bully Napoli's center-backs.

This tactic had been key in their 3-0 victory last season, and Inter's players were familiar with it.

But just six minutes after the substitution, Lichtsteiner managed to intercept an Inter pass intended for Cesar, diverting the ball straight to Pastore, who had tracked back to help defend.

Once Pastore collected the ball, he surged forward, quickly drawing the attention of Stankovic.

The young Argentine showed his intelligence. After his impressive first-round performance, he had gained more playing time and a better understanding of his role. He didn't wait for Stankovic to get close but instead passed the ball swiftly up to Valencia.

Zanetti's positioning left Pastore with no direct angle to pass behind him, but this pass allowed Valencia to face the Argentine directly. As soon as the Ecuadorian winger collected the ball, he darted into Zanetti's defensive zone.

Both players acted without hesitation. Zanetti lunged for the ball while Valencia deftly pushed it forward, sidestepped his marker, and accelerated past him.

"The man beats the ball!"

"Oh my god, Napoli's winger Valencia, just on as a sub, has outpaced his man!"

"He's blisteringly fast!"

Valencia sprinted forward with all his might, while Zanetti gave chase, but he couldn't catch up with the ball at Valencia's feet.

The Ecuadorian closed in on the right side of the penalty area.

Napoli's striker Cavani had already charged into the box, positioning himself in front of the six-yard area, ready for the cross from Valencia.

This was the primary threat!

Materazzi was still sidelined with injury, so Inter's center-back pairing in this game was Cordoba and Samuel. Both were relatively short, which left them at a disadvantage against a center forward like Cavani.

Cordoba positioned himself between Cavani and the goal, while Samuel stayed on Cavani's right, trying to block off the cross.

But Cavani was no fool. As soon as he saw Valencia breaking down the right, he quickly shook off Cordoba, cut diagonally toward the near post, and claimed the best position inside the box.

Samuel, being experienced, knew that if Cordoba didn't have the inside track, he had to block the cross, because if Valencia got the ball to Cavani, there would be no stopping him from such close range.

So, Samuel moved to follow Valencia's run to the baseline.

Valencia, well aware of Samuel's movement, knew that crossing the ball would likely result in a block.

But Samuel's choice came with a trade-off. By covering the baseline so tightly, he left space behind him exposed.

Without hesitation, Valencia cut the ball back in a reverse triangle pass, aiming for the penalty spot.

Inter's defenders quickly realized the new danger.

Vieira and Stankovic rushed toward the penalty spot, but someone had already beaten them to it.

Napoli's attacks always came in layers.

Di Maria had intentionally hung back as Cavani darted forward, setting himself up for a secondary strike.

When Valencia delivered the cut-back pass, Di Maria met it with no one marking him. The Argentine surged into the left side of the penalty area and struck the ball first-time with his left foot.

The ball flew straight and low into the bottom-left corner of Inter Milan's goal.

The Argentine winger turned and sprinted off the field, forming a heart shape with his hands and smiling as he celebrated the critical goal.

He had just scored against Inter Milan!

The Meazza Stadium erupted with astonished cries!