Capítulo 325: Chapter 325: Year 0 Celebration
A silver Volvo XC60 slowly pulled into the Pinetina training base in the small town of Appiano Gentile.
Moments later, Moratti, Blanca, and Oriali stepped out of the car one by one.
The staff at Pinetina had already come out to greet them and led the trio into the training base.
Inter Milan's headquarters may be located in central Milan, but their training base is nestled here in the quiet suburbs.
Moratti and his companions were familiar with the facility and headed straight for the players' lounge.
On their way, they happened to run into Mancini and his coaching staff, who had already heard of their arrival. Moratti and his entourage exchanged cheerful greetings with Mancini, and the atmosphere was visibly positive.
In the players' lounge, Moratti went through his usual routine, asking about the team's condition, especially regarding the injured players.
Recently, Inter Milan had been plagued by injuries.
This was, in fact, one of the most troublesome issues facing Inter at the moment. Samuel had been injured in the December match against AC Milan, and Cordoba had also been sidelined shortly after. Both center-backs had sustained severe injuries and were out for the rest of the season.
Cambiasso, Maxwell, and Ibrahimovic had also recently picked up injuries.
Moratti asked about their status with genuine concern, wanting to know if they'd be able to play against Napoli.
Mancini gave him a thorough response.
None of the three had severe injuries. Maxwell had twisted his ankle, Cambiasso was dealing with a minor injury, and Ibrahimovic had an old knee problem. All three were currently training with the team, but whether they could play would depend on their condition leading up to the match.
After all, recovery from this type of injury could change day by day.
Moratti understood this well.
The president of Inter Milan offered words of encouragement to the players, urging them to give their all and beat Napoli in the weekend match. He also called on them to put forth their best performance for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 next week, hoping for a comeback against Liverpool.
The players responded positively, assuring the president of their commitment.
…
"These recent injuries really couldn't have come at a worse time."
Leaving the players' lounge, Moratti, Blanca, and Oriali went back to Mancini's office with him.
The four of them shut the door and began discussing the current situation.
Moratti felt that the atmosphere in Inter's locker room wasn't ideal, due to both injuries and recent performances.
"Mancho," Moratti addressed Mancini, "You're carrying a heavy burden right now."
Mancini nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, I'll do my best..."
"No, no, no, Mancho. You don't understand what I mean," Moratti interrupted. "I don't want to hear about 'doing your best'—I want results. You should know this isn't the time for empty promises."
Mancini was a bit taken aback.
"The match against Reggina next weekend? To be honest, since it's a home game, I'm not worried. I believe that even with a rotated squad, we can win. But I am very concerned about this weekend and next Wednesday."
This weekend, they were heading south to face Napoli, and the following Wednesday, they would be hosting Liverpool.
"You know, after the Reggina game, we'll be celebrating the club's centenary. We've invited many distinguished guests from the world of football, including FIFA President Blatter, UEFA President Platini, as well as legends like Pele, Maradona, and Cruyff. Over two or three hundred former players and coaches who represented this club will be attending."
The centennial celebration is a monumental occasion for any historic club.
Back when Florentino was president of Real Madrid, he'd made up his mind to fire Del Bosque, partly because he felt Del Bosque had botched the club's carefully planned centennial celebration.
Now, it was Inter Milan's turn. It was Mancini's turn.
Inter Milan had meticulously planned the event. The centenary celebration coincided with their home game against Reggina—a relatively weak opponent, which made a victory highly probable.
As Moratti had said, even a second-string lineup could likely handle Reggina.
But what Moratti, and all Inter fans, really wanted was to stay on top in Serie A and to make a strong showing in the Champions League.
In Serie A, Napoli was chasing fiercely, closing the gap to just three points. If Inter lost this weekend's high-stakes match, they'd be forced to relinquish their lead.
After the first leg loss in the Champions League Round of 16, even Moratti had to admit that the odds of overturning Liverpool were slim, but no matter how slim, they still had to give it their all at home.
However, if they lost to Napoli this weekend and were subsequently eliminated by Liverpool next Wednesday, would Inter's centenary celebration even matter?
Mancini understood Moratti's message. He wanted to make a strong promise, but…
Inter's squad was currently struggling with a wave of injuries, and the tight schedule didn't help. Add to that an aging roster, and the recent injuries had become overwhelming.
In fact, Mancini had anticipated these challenges, which is why he had requested the signing of Maniche during the winter transfer window.
"Mancho." Even now, Moratti's tone remained gentle, without a hint of pressure; it was more like a request than an order.
He was a kind-hearted man—a very, very kind-hearted man.
"You know, this celebration holds a special meaning for us. It represents our 100-year history. My hope was that the team could secure another Champions League trophy during this centennial year, but now it seems…"
Moratti trailed off.
"I only have one request for you: beat Napoli and keep our lead at the top. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Mancini felt a pang of guilt.
He knew in his heart how good Moratti had been to him. Given the current situation, he felt obligated to meet this request, and even if he hadn't, Moratti's plea made him want to do his utmost.
But playing at the Stadio San Paolo this weekend was bound to be a hellish challenge.
That damn coach and his damn team had been waiting for this moment for two years!
They'd come close to defeating Inter at the San Siro, but that draw only fueled their determination.
No one knew how long the coach had been preparing for this match, or how much effort that damn team from the south had put into it.
But one thing was certain this game would be incredibly tough.
If Inter had been in peak form, Mancini would have been confident about securing an away win, but now…
Mancini had to admit that he and his coaching staff had been too complacent.
As early as the beginning of the season, he had known about the club's centennial plans, but he still believed Serie A was secure. Even after winning their Champions League group, he hadn't placed enough importance on the Round of 16 matchup.
Now, Inter found themselves on the back foot against both Napoli and Liverpool. But at this critical moment, the team had hit a slump, health issues were piling up, and injuries had begun to take their toll. They had been dropping points and suffering setbacks one after another.
Surrounded by internal and external pressures, Mancini was in a difficult position, facing challenges on all fronts.
He wanted to offer a strong promise to Moratti, but the words wouldn't come.
In the end, all he could do was tell Moratti, "I promise, even if we can't win, I will make sure we don't lose and will keep us at the top. If I fail, I'll take full responsibility and resign."
Mancini finally made a firm commitment.
Moratti listened carefully.
Mancini didn't dare promise a victory in Naples; he could only guarantee a draw to maintain their position at the top.
This showed that he truly lacked confidence.
Was that coach really that formidable?
Was the Napoli team he trained really that powerful?
Moratti wasn't one to pressure others. After hearing Mancini's words, he gently patted Mancini's shoulder and said quietly, "I believe in you, Mancho." Then he left with Blanca and Oriali.
Mancini stood there, feeling a cold chill in his heart.
He knew he had disappointed Moratti.
After so much investment and so many reinforcements, to end up possibly tarnishing the club's centennial celebration, anyone would be disappointed.
Mancini understood that the upcoming games were about more than just three points, more than Inter's centennial, more than the Serie A title, more than fulfilling Moratti's hopes and the dreams of Inter fans…
It was also about saving his own job.
...
...
While Mancini was seeing Moratti and his party off at Pinetina, across town at Fort Volturno, Gao Shen was holding a tactical meeting for his entire team.
He needed to align everyone's mindset before the big game.
Over the past few days, Gao Shen had spoken with each player, whether a starter or a substitute.
Now, he needed to unify the team's focus.
The general manager, Marino, had also been sent by De Laurentiis to attend the meeting at Fort Volturno.
"Before I start, I want all of you to be crystal clear."
Gao Shen stood at the front, facing the entire group, including the coaching staff, players, and support staff.
Everyone looked at him intently. The room was silent, and only his voice resonated.
"For this weekend's game, Naples has only one objective." Gao Shen's voice boomed with determination.
"Victory!"
"I don't want a draw, and I won't accept a loss. I want a win!" Gao Shen shouted with all his might.
He wanted everyone to feel his resolve, to feel the fire of his fighting spirit.
"I've waited two years for this moment. Last season, we suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat at the San Siro. It was the most disgraceful game since I started my coaching career!"
"On that day, in that stadium, I swore to myself that I would make Inter Milan pay for that humiliation, right here at the San Paolo!"
"In the first game of this season, we managed a 2-2 draw away. We could have won, but that's all in the past. Now, the time, the place, and everything else is on our side. This weekend, there is only one outcome I'll accept—we win!"
Gao Shen's words radiated a fierce determination, his killing intent unmistakable.
Everyone in the room felt the fire igniting in their hearts.
He had been holding this in for far too long.
He had endured long enough.
Now, the moment had arrived, and he was done with patience. He was ready to lead his Napoli team and, right here at the San Paolo Stadium, crush Inter Milan!
To seize the top of the table once more!
***
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