Kapitel 286: Chapter 286: These 3 Points, I Want to Decide!

During the two-week international break, Napoli meticulously prepared for the upcoming match against Roma. The same was true for the Giallorossi. Both teams were determined to come out on top, but Roma, in particular, were desperate for a win.

Anyone familiar with football understands the importance of securing points at home, especially in a crucial clash against a strong opponent. Every point matters when playing on home turf, as it's never a guarantee you'll pick up points away. That's why Napoli's draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro had made such waves in Italian football—away points are precious.

Now, it was Roma's turn to defend their fortress.

"What's he playing at?" Spalletti muttered, frowning as he sat in his office, addressing his coaching staff.

He'd just shown them a clip of Gao Shen's recent interview, where the Napoli coach had hinted at his strategy for the upcoming game. But Spalletti was puzzled, unable to decipher Gao Shen's intentions or predict what tactics he might employ.

It was a tricky situation.

If it hadn't been for the bold approach Gao Shen took at the Meazza against Inter, Spalletti would never have believed he would adopt an aggressive approach away from home. But Gao Shen had indeed gone toe-to-toe with Inter Milan, and more surprisingly, he hadn't crumbled.

The question was, would Roma be able to withstand that kind of pressure?

Spalletti turned his gaze back to his assistants, waiting for their input.

"We're not significantly impacted by the international break, at least not compared to some teams. However, our right side is still a concern. Both Panucci and Cicinho played full games for their national teams, so whichever we choose, that flank will be vulnerable," said Marco Domenichini, Spalletti's long-time assistant.

"There's also De Rossi, Perrotta, and Mexes. They all started in their national games, which will affect their fitness and could impact our lineup."

Domenichini had been Spalletti's right-hand man for years. They'd first worked together at Empoli, Domenichini with the youth team, Spalletti with the senior squad. When Spalletti moved to Sampdoria in 1998, he'd brought Domenichini along. They'd been a team ever since.

Nodding thoughtfully, Spalletti remained silent, stroking his chin as he absorbed Domenichini's insights.

Another assistant, Daniel Baldini, took the opportunity to add his thoughts. A former captain at Empoli and later a coach, Baldini joined Spalletti in Rome as a technical coach in 2006.

"From the reports we've received, it seems unlikely that Panucci will be able to play the full ninety. He was a starter in both national games, and the toll is showing. But even if we start Cicinho, he's a defensive liability."

When Cicinho arrived from Real Madrid, he initially dazzled on the right flank. But the more he played, the more Roma's defensive frailties were exposed. In the seventh round, Spalletti had replaced Cicinho with Panucci as right-back, and Roma immediately went on to beat Parma 3-0 away.

Spalletti was well aware that Roma would need to go on the offensive at home. He couldn't afford to be cautious, especially when Napoli had shown their willingness to attack head-on, even away from home.

The real question was whether Roma's defense could hold up under pressure.

Even with Chivu in the backline last season, they'd been dismantled by Napoli, losing 6-0. That bitter memory still stung.

Spalletti's eyes flashed with anger. Gao Shen was coming to Roma looking for revenge after Inter, but Spalletti had his own scores to settle.

But what tactics would Gao Shen use?

While Roma had little choice but to attack, Napoli's approach was far from certain. The unpredictability left Spalletti feeling on edge.

Three days after the match with Napoli, Roma would have a crucial Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon. This only added to the complexity of managing player fatigue and tactics.

Spalletti laid out his tentative starting lineup for discussion:

Goalkeeper: Curci/Doni.

Defense: Tonetto, Ferrari, Mexes, Cicinho/Panucci.

Midfield: Pizarro and De Rossi in defensive roles, with Mancini, Perrotta, and Giuly/Esposito further up.

Striker: Totti.

Gao Shen went through a similar exercise with Napoli's coaching staff, meticulously placing pieces on the tactical board to represent the likely Roma lineup. He paused, studying Panucci's piece, then took it off the board.

He believed Spalletti wouldn't start Panucci.

Firstly, Panucci wasn't one of Spalletti's preferred players. Secondly, he had played two grueling games for the national team. As an older player, such a workload was too much to expect him to handle seamlessly.

Mancini, however, was certain to start, having had no national team commitments. Perrotta, Pizarro, and De Rossi were also key pillars of Roma's midfield and unlikely to be rotated, especially given their importance in Spalletti's tactical scheme.

On the right side, it was between Giuly and Esposito. Gao Shen ultimately chose Esposito, a former FM legend known for his pace and crossing ability.

The goalkeeper decision—Curci or Doni—was still a toss-up.

With Spalletti reluctant to make any calls on the spot, Gao Shen finalized the list of likely starters for Roma. Carlo and the other Napoli coaches gathered around to discuss their own projections, comparing notes with Gao Shen. While their ideas varied slightly, they were mostly aligned.

"This game, Roma is definitely going to attack. They have to," Gao Shen stated confidently.

From the intelligence gathered by Napoli's scouts and pre-game analysis, Gao Shen was certain Roma would play an aggressive game, especially at home. But he also knew Roma's defense wasn't airtight.

"So, for this match, we're going with a defensive counterattack approach," Gao Shen announced, a slight grin on his face.

When Napoli played Inter, the whole world expected them to sit back and counter, but Gao Shen had surprised everyone by going head-to-head with the Nerazzurri.

Now, he was saying the exact opposite, claiming he'd attack Roma when he actually planned to defend.

Of course, "defend" in this case meant pressing hard and countering sharply.

"In the opening minutes, we need to press hard. For the first ten minutes, we should try to grab an early goal," Gao Shen said, his voice brimming with determination.

Carlo quickly nodded, understanding the importance of seizing the initiative. "If we're going for an early goal, we'll need to press them aggressively. Don't let Roma settle or take shots from distance."

Lucas chimed in. "Right. We'll need to win set-pieces in their half. If we get a free-kick or corner, we can exploit Roma's weakness defending set-pieces and aim to score early."

The room buzzed with agreement. Roma's set-piece defense had shown clear vulnerabilities, and Napoli's lineup held a height advantage with players like Pelé and the center-backs.

"We can also attempt direct attacks in open play. If we manage to score, Roma will be forced to push up. That's when we can exploit their gaps," Gao Shen said, a sly smile forming.

Defensive counterattacks were one of Gao Shen's greatest strengths.

When he'd led Real Madrid, his disciplined defense and devastating counters had become his signature. But now, at Napoli, people seemed to forget that he was capable of more than just aggressive pressing and attacking football.

"I'm not afraid to defend if it means we control the game," Gao Shen continued. "But the key is to unsettle them from the start. If we can score early, Roma will be under pressure and more likely to make mistakes."

His strategy was now set in his mind.

For the past few weeks, Napoli had been drilling set-pieces and honing their targeted plays against Roma. These tactics were specifically designed to counter Roma's aggressive style. If Roma chose to sit back, it would be surprising, but Gao Shen doubted they'd do that.

If Roma did retreat, Napoli could still outlast them, waiting for an opening in the second half. By then, Napoli's substitutions and fresh legs would tilt the balance.

Gao Shen looked at his staff and concluded, "The three points in Rome, I'm taking them!"