Capítulo 321: Chapter 321: Insiders for Domestic Fights, Outsiders for Foreign Battles
After the 22nd round of Serie A, the rankings at the top of the table remained unchanged.
The standings still saw Inter Milan leading, followed by Napoli, then Roma, and Juventus in fourth place.
Sacchi, in his post-match column, noted Napoli's improved form against Sampdoria, confidently declaring that the team had emerged from its slump.
"I'm increasingly looking forward to the upcoming Serie A title race!" Sacchi wrote.
Italian media outlets shared the same sentiment. Napoli's recovery was evident to everyone; the team played at a remarkably high level in this round, demonstrating a clear return to form.
At the post-match press conference, Gao Shen openly stated that his team was back in top shape.
"I want to say that the Serie A title race has just begun!"
Gao Shen didn't shy away from addressing the seven-point gap between Napoli and Inter Milan, asserting that it was not insurmountable.
"I believe not just me, but everyone that Inter Milan can't keep winning forever. They will slip up, and when they do, it will be at the Stadio San Paolo."
Gao Shen emphasized that if Napoli could defeat Inter at home, the points gap would narrow to just four points, with 16 rounds still left to play, making the title race wide open.
The Italian media largely agreed, though some questioned whether Napoli could truly beat Inter Milan.
Gazzetta dello Sport responded skeptically to Gao Shen's remarks, pointing out that in the two seasons Gao Shen had managed Napoli, the team had yet to beat Inter Milan, with two draws and one loss in three encounters.
"His vision is promising. If they win at home, the gap can shrink to four points. But if Napoli loses to Inter, that gap will extend to ten points," the paper warned.
The implication was clear: losing this game would likely end Napoli's title hopes.
---
A week later, the 23rd round of Serie A kicked off.
With an upcoming Champions League match against Liverpool in midweek, Inter Milan's game against Livorno was moved to the first slot of the round.
Thanks to two quick goals by Suazo within the first five minutes, Inter Milan beat Livorno 2-0 at home, securing another three points.
AC Milan, distracted by their own Champions League fixture, struggled to a 0-0 draw against Parma away, breaking their recent winning streak.
Juventus hosted Roma, and with Del Piero scoring in stoppage time at the end of the first half, they clinched a 1-0 victory over the Giallorossi.
Napoli, meanwhile, claimed a solid 3-1 win at home against Empoli, with goals from Di Maria, Hamsik, and Cavani.
---
After this round, everyone took note of Gao Shen's earlier remarks, as they proved prophetic.
Both Napoli and Juventus, with no European commitments, were able to focus all their resources on Serie A matches through February and March. Meanwhile, Inter, Roma, and AC Milan were juggling their Serie A schedules with Champions League or Europa League fixtures.
With this round completed, Inter Milan maintained their seven-point lead, followed by Napoli. Juventus and Roma trailed Napoli by a significant five-point margin.
Italian media were left in a conundrum.
If they believed Napoli couldn't catch Inter Milan, how could they expect Juventus or Roma to overtake Napoli?
This raised the stakes for the crucial stretch between the 25th and 28th rounds, a stretch that would likely decide the Serie A title.
In the 25th round, Juventus would play in the Turin Derby, while Inter Milan would face Roma at home.
Then, in the 26th, 27th, and 28th rounds, Napoli would have consecutive showdowns against Inter Milan, Roma, and Juventus, with the first two games taking place at home.
This stretch would almost certainly determine who would take home the Serie A title this season.
---
On the evening of February 19, at Anfield in Liverpool, England, the Champions League knockout stage was about to begin, with Liverpool hosting Inter Milan in the first leg.
Gao Shen, accompanied by Lucas and Buenaventura, attended the match in the stands at Anfield.
Disguised to avoid attention, they sat in prime seats with a full view of the pitch. Lucas even brought camera equipment to record the game.
Liverpool set up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.
Starting Lineup for Liverpool:
Goalkeeper: Reina
Defense: Aurelio, Hyypia, Carragher, and Finnan
Midfield: Mascherano and Lucas in the double pivot, with Babel, Gerrard, and Kuyt in front
Forward: Torres
This setup was typical of Benitez's Liverpool, a team known for its disciplined pressing and high defensive line.
There had been rumors that Benitez might be sacked at the end of the season, especially with Liverpool's recent struggles. Just three days prior, they suffered a shocking 1-2 home loss to Championship side Barnsley in the FA Cup.
After hearing about Liverpool's troubles, Italian media almost unanimously declared that Inter Milan would win, especially with Liverpool's internal turmoil leaving the club in a precarious state.
Before the match, Mancini boldly claimed in an interview with La Repubblica that his Inter Milan would crush Liverpool on the road.
"With my work to turn things around, Inter Milan will go from a cursed team to champions!" he proclaimed.
Inter Milan's starting lineup was similarly stacked:
Starting Lineup for Inter Milan:
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar
Defense: Maxwell, Materazzi, Cordoba, and Maicon
Midfield: Chivu, Cambiasso, and Zanetti, with Stankovic playing further forward
Forwards: Cruz and Ibrahimovic
As the game kicked off, Gao Shen was surprised by Inter Milan's approach.
Liverpool, playing at home, immediately pressed aggressively, forcing Inter Milan back.
Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 formation was known for high pressing, something they executed perfectly in the opening minutes. Inter Milan, on the other hand, seemed disorganized and hesitant, unable to cope with Liverpool's intensity.
Barely three minutes in, Liverpool won a corner and created chaos in Inter Milan's box. Carragher's shot even struck Cordoba's hand, leading to a brief penalty appeal.
Inter Milan's players appeared nervous and unfocused, a sentiment evident when Chivu fouled Gerrard in the fourth minute and earned an early yellow card.
Liverpool continued to press, relying on set pieces and crosses to keep the pressure on Inter's goal. Fortunately for Inter, Julio Cesar was in top form, making several crucial saves.
In the twelfth minute, Materazzi fouled Torres but then made things worse by complaining to the referee, earning himself a yellow card.
Gao Shen shook his head as he watched from the stands.
Many people had been impressed by Materazzi's performances during the World Cup, but Gao Shen knew he was a liability.
Situations like these where a player's temper affected their play were inexcusable, especially in a high-stakes match like this.
"This kind of start isn't good for them," Gao Shen commented, shaking his head.
As an old saying goes, "The first battle is crucial," a good start often sets the tone for the entire campaign.
In football, securing a strong start whether through cautious defense or taking the initiative can be the difference between victory and defeat.
But Mancini's Inter Milan were off to a chaotic, unfocused start.
"He probably didn't give his players clear instructions before the match," Lucas observed. "They're playing confused, wanting to win but afraid to commit. Mancini's coaching has hit a ceiling here."
Indeed, Mancini's struggles in European competition were becoming increasingly apparent.
Domestic Experts, Foreign Novices
Over the next half hour, Liverpool completely dominated the game, pushing Inter Milan onto the back foot.
Watching Inter Milan, who had gone unbeaten for 23 rounds in Serie A, be outclassed like this was shocking for Gao Shen.
Liverpool was creating all the chances, though they hadn't been particularly threatening in open play. Most of their threats came from set pieces and crosses, with Gerrard leading the charge.
But Inter Milan, a team so strong in Serie A, seemed utterly out of place in the Champions League.
Buenaventura also looked puzzled. "Their fitness seems fine, but I don't get why they're playing so poorly."
The issue wasn't Inter Milan's lineup or physical condition, it was their mentality and tactics.
In the 30th minute, a mistake by Materazzi turned the tide.
As Torres turned to run, Materazzi grabbed his collar and pulled him down, drawing a foul. The referee, perhaps influenced by Materazzi's earlier antics, immediately showed him a second yellow card, sending him off.
Gao Shen couldn't help but feel disappointed.
If only this had been the Inter Milan he would face at the Stadio San Paolo. If they played like this, he could almost guarantee a humiliating defeat for Mancini's side.
***
For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 40+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder