Chapter 314: Blame It on Gao Shen

"Tell me honestly, was it you who leaked the news about Juventus?"

On the flight from Naples to Turin, Marino, who was traveling with the team, insisted on sitting next to Gao Shen. He leaned over and quietly asked about the biggest scandal of the day.

He seriously suspected that Gao Shen was behind it.

Otherwise, how else could one explain that right as Napoli was about to head to Turin, Juventus got hit by such explosive news?

Anyone could see that this news gave Napoli a considerable advantage.

At the very least, it would have severely impacted Juventus' morale.

When Gao Shen heard the question, he was momentarily stunned. But then, seeing Marino's doubtful expression, he quickly shook his head with a firm, indignant look.

"It wasn't me! I didn't do it! Don't talk nonsense!"

"Not you?" Marino asked, still surprised.

"Come on! You know my relationship with the Italian media. Why would they publish anything for me?" Gao Shen protested indignantly, almost looking like he was ready to roll up his sleeves and fight.

Marino, now slightly skeptical, asked, "Are you sure it wasn't you?"

Gao Shen snorted, crossing his arms, refusing to dignify that question with an answer. The gesture was more convincing than any words could be.

Marino finally started to believe him. "Alright, alright. Sorry, Gao. I just had to ask."

"Ask? You sounded like you were interrogating me as a suspect. Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

For a moment, Marino almost blurted something, but he held back and chuckled awkwardly. "Not really."

"In fact, I think it was you who did it," Gao Shen shot back.

"Me? How's that possible?" Marino looked shocked.

"What's so impossible? You've got great relationships with all the big media outlets, right? With your connections, organizing such a big scoop would be no problem at all. Plus, Naples would benefit the most from this scandal, so..."

Gao Shen gave Marino a suspicious look, nodding as if he'd figured everything out. "Just admit it, Marino."

"Believe it or not, it wasn't us!" Marino protested, shaking his head emphatically.

Gao Shen finally nodded, indicating he believed him.

"Well, it doesn't matter who did it. This incident is a huge help to us. Whoever it was, they must be a good person! We should all be grateful," Gao Shen said with a serious face.

Marino nodded, agreeing with Gao Shen's assessment.

Yes, whoever it was, they were a good guy!

…

After pacifying Marino, Gao Shen turned his head away and nearly burst out laughing.

The truth was, this leak was orchestrated by Fernando Lucas, under Gao Shen's indirect instructions.

Lucas, who managed intelligence for the team and had regular dealings with the media, used his network to "accidentally" let the secret slip. Journalists who trusted Lucas jumped at the story and spread it widely.

In reality, such leaks often come down to mutual benefit and reciprocation of favors.

Of course, Gao Shen wouldn't tell anyone about Lucas's involvement. Even most of the media didn't know that Lucas was the source. If it ever got out, the media especially Turin Sports Daily would tear Gao Shen apart.

As for Lucas's media contacts, they also had their own professional ethics.

If they broke confidentiality, they'd never work in the industry again.

The impact on Juventus would undoubtedly be significant, but how much it would influence the game was still unknown.

The players who had already been dissatisfied with Ranieri and Capanna would now feel even more justified in their discontent.

But this match was still at Juventus' home ground, and given the history between Napoli and Juventus over the past two seasons, this game was anything but guaranteed.

…

Just how much do Turin fans hate Napoli?

Well, by the time Napoli's team bus arrived at their hotel in Turin, there were already throngs of fans gathered outside.

Insults and taunts were the mildest forms of abuse some fans even threw objects at the bus.

In Italy, team buses have strict protective measures, and Napoli's was no exception.

But even so, the players still felt uneasy on the bus.

No one bore the brunt of the fans' anger more than Gao Shen.

This wasn't just because his Napoli team had consistently beaten Juventus; it was also because he represented a deep humiliation for Juventus. Even the local Turin media blamed him for the whole Capanna scandal.

Why?

Last summer, Gao Shen was Juventus's top candidate for head coach.

Although Sporting Director Secco had publicly opposed his hiring, both Blanc and the management team were very keen on Gao Shen, leading many to believe that he was destined to take over Juventus.

But, shockingly, Gao Shen turned down the offer!

After Gao Shen rejected them, Juventus shifted focus and hired Ranieri, who then brought in Capanna as the fitness coach.

So, was Gao Shen ultimately responsible?

Regardless of the truth, the blame fell squarely on him.

And that's why Juventus fans were the most vocal in their attacks on Gao Shen outside the hotel.

…

"Are these Juventus fans crazy?"

"Right? This is borderline discrimination."

"The boss is just the head coach of Napoli, and he beat Juventus a few times. Do they really need to hold such a grudge?"

"It's absurd. At least there are police around."

"Police? I don't think those officers like the boss much either. Did you see the way they looked at him? I even think they're holding back on purpose, just watching."

"Ha, so you're saying they'll only step in once a fan actually charges at the boss?"

"Get out of here, man!"

Once they entered the hotel lobby, Napoli's players gathered around Gao Shen, joking and lifting his spirits. Despite everything, they seemed to be in high spirits.

Gao Shen calmly walked in, faintly hearing his players' banter.

"Alright, ignore the noise outside! The most important thing now is for you to get a good rest. Tomorrow, we'll focus on how to beat Juventus and give these guys a lesson!"

As soon as Gao Shen finished speaking, the players cheered in unison.

Their collective roar drew everyone's attention in the lobby.

"Get plenty of rest and be in top shape tomorrow!" Gao Shen encouraged.

…

After checking in and settling the players, Gao Shen and his coaching staff didn't rest. Instead, they gathered in their hotel room to finalize the game plan for the next day.

Goalkeeping coach Lopis brought up an important topic: Juventus's backup goalkeeper, Emanuele Belardi.

One of the most "unfortunate" goalkeepers in Europe, Belardi had gained a reputation for his struggles on the field.

How unlucky was he?

As Buffon's backup, Belardi hadn't played a single minute in Juventus's nearly 50 matches last season.

The 30-year-old had started his career at Reggiana, where he'd performed well. In 2004, he moved to Napoli, who were in Italy's third division at the time, but he was still mostly a backup. A year later, he transferred to Catanzaro in Serie B.

In 2006, Juventus signed him as Buffon's substitute.

He didn't play a single minute last season, and this season, he'd been on the bench again, only appearing twice in the Italian Cup.

In the recent match against Livorno, Buffon suffered a back injury, and Belardi was brought on. His performance was average.

But Lopis saw potential weaknesses in Belardi.

"Over the past few years, he hasn't had consistent playing time, especially last season when he didn't play at all. He's not used to the high-intensity pace of competitive matches," Lopis explained.

"I watched his last three games. In two matches against Empoli, they lost 1-2 and 5-3, with him conceding five goals. Against Livorno, he conceded another goal. Although he received decent reviews for that match, there were still noticeable issues."

Lopis analyzed Belardi's weaknesses in detail from a technical perspective.

"His hand positioning, his sense of timing, and his rhythm in the game are all problematic. He's been out of practice for too long, and no amount of training can fully compensate for that."

Gao Shen, Lucas, Carlo, and the others exchanged glances, all agreeing with Lopis's assessment.

Lopis was an expert in training goalkeepers, and he was just as sharp in analyzing opposing goalkeepers.

When Buffon was healthy, Juventus's goalkeeper position was a strength, but now, with Buffon injured, that strength had turned into a vulnerability.

"Any suggestions?" Gao Shen asked Lopis.

The Spanish goalkeeping coach smiled. "Two things. First, encourage more long shots. If there's a chance, take it. Second, in the penalty area, increase pressure on the goalkeeper and be ready to pounce on loose balls."

Gao Shen understood and turned to Carlo. "Add these two points to our tactical briefing tomorrow."

This was one of Gao Shen's defining traits: he trusted his team and valued their professional insights.

This trust motivated everyone on the team to work hard.

Everyone enjoyed the feeling of being trusted.

"I suspect that Ranieri won't just defend and counterattack at home tomorrow. He's in a tough spot lately, and even the gentlest person fights back when cornered. Ranieri is a nice guy, but that doesn't mean he won't retaliate if pushed."

Lucas, Carlo, and the others noted down everything Gao Shen said.

"If Juventus does press forward, I'll consider launching a direct offensive against them. We need a morale-boosting game. We can't keep playing defensively all the time—it's demoralizing." Gao Shen explained, considering the team's morale.

Since the winter break, the team had been playing cautiously, focusing on defense. The younger players, full of energy and potential, were getting restless.

A game against Juventus could be the perfect opportunity to release that pent-up energy. Even if it didn't guarantee a victory, it would help alleviate the players' current frustration.

Simply put, attacking football was in Napoli's DNA.

Moreover, this was an away game in the first leg. Scoring a few away goals would be an ideal scenario for Gao Shen.

***

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