Capítulo 298: Chapter 298: Being a Leader is Hard!

Referee Bergonzi blew the final whistle, signaling the end of the game.

Napoli triumphed over Juventus with a 3-0 victory, thanks to goals from Di Maria, Hamsik, and Pellè.

The result sent the entire San Paolo Stadium into a frenzy of celebration.

The fact that all three goals came within the last 20 minutes only added to the excitement, as if Napoli had been waiting for the perfect moment to unleash their decisive blows.

As the whistle sounded, Gao Shen pumped his fists into the air, his face showing a mixture of relief and pride. The result was not only a victory on the scoreboard but also a testament to Napoli's resilience and the success of their grueling strategy.

Over the course of three challenging matches against top-tier opponents, Napoli had emerged unbeaten, exceeding all expectations.

A 2-2 draw away at Inter Milan, a crushing 4-0 win over Roma, and now a 3-0 victory over Juventus at home.

Napoli had weathered this "devil's schedule" with near perfection.

Gao Shen let out a long breath, finally feeling the weight of the past few weeks lift from his shoulders.

Such intense clashes tested not only the players but also the coaching staff's ability to control the team's form and manage their psychological state under extreme pressure.

Before the season even began, Gao Shen and his coaching team had carefully crafted a strategy that would allow the players to peak during this crucial stretch. They knew that a strong showing in these high-profile games would be crucial for morale and team confidence.

And, for the most part, Napoli had executed their plan brilliantly.

The only blemish was the draw against Inter Milan. Despite the excellent performance, they hadn't managed to snatch a win at San Siro.

Gao Shen couldn't help but feel a pang of regret about that match. But he was confident that the next time Napoli faced Inter, they would be an even stronger and more mature team.

As he thought about the road ahead, Gao Shen turned and embraced each member of his coaching staff, thanking them individually for their dedication and hard work.

Carlo, who meticulously oversaw training and ensured the team was always prepared tactically; Lucas, the experienced intelligence analyst who provided crucial information about their opponents; Buenaventura, responsible for the players' physical condition and fitness levels, which had proven invaluable during this intense period.

Then there were Borrell and Lopis, each specialists in their own fields, who had contributed enormously to the team's success.

As he hugged each of them, Gao Shen expressed his gratitude and acknowledged their indispensable roles.

"Yes, this is our team," Gao Shen said with a grin. "But none of this would be possible without you guys."

The smiles and nods from his staff were filled with pride. They were a team, united in their journey to push Napoli to new heights.

"And now," Gao Shen continued, "we have to keep this momentum going. Our goal is to stay at the top as long as possible, so let's keep working hard."

The prospect of staying at the top was thrilling, but Gao Shen knew it was no easy feat.

---

Being the leader wasn't just about celebrating victories. Gao Shen understood that maintaining the top spot would bring its own set of challenges and pressures.

First, there was the issue of maintaining the team's form.

Napoli's recent stretch against Inter, Roma, and Juventus had seen the team reach their peak. But Gao Shen knew that no team could stay at the top of their game forever. A peak in performance was always followed by a dip—it was inevitable.

Napoli's strong form had been carefully managed with the help of Buenaventura, who adjusted the players' workload and intensity to maintain their physical peak. But with the schedule about to intensify, it would be increasingly difficult to keep them performing at this level.

Next week, Napoli would face two games in quick succession. The condensed schedule would put even more strain on the players' fitness and could lead to fatigue or injuries if not handled carefully.

Adding to that, November would bring another international break, disrupting the team's rhythm and risking fatigue for players representing their countries.

On top of everything else, Gao Shen was keeping a close eye on Inter Milan.

Based on information from Lucas, he suspected that Inter's recent struggles were due to their own strategy to manage fitness. Mancini's team appeared to be saving energy for a difficult stretch of fixtures in November and December, when they would face both Juventus and AC Milan.

This meant that Inter Milan might be in a lull now, but they could be back in top form soon. December, in particular, could be a critical month, with Inter expected to be at their peak.

With all these factors in mind, Gao Shen knew that Napoli's position at the top was far from secure. The upcoming weeks would be a test of endurance and resilience, and Napoli would need to navigate through it with as few slip-ups as possible.

He admired Inter Milan's consistency; even when not at their best, they managed to grind out results and stay close to the top. That kind of stability was something Napoli aspired to but had yet to fully achieve.

But for now, Gao Shen allowed himself to savor the victory. A 3-0 win over Juventus was worth celebrating, especially since it kept Napoli at the top of the table.

---

After the game, Gao Shen met each of his players as they came off the field, congratulating them with a handshake or a hug, and offering words of praise.

This had become a post-game ritual for Gao Shen, especially for his young squad. He knew that for young players, confidence was key, and nothing boosted confidence like a bit of well-deserved praise.

After sending off the players, Gao Shen walked over to the Juventus bench and shook hands with Christian Damiano, Ranieri's assistant.

Damiano, who would go on to become a renowned figure in global youth training, had a reputation as a sharp mind and a respected coach. Gao Shen knew of his future career path and respected him for his expertise.

As they shook hands, Gao Shen had a fleeting thought. He wanted to tell Damiano something, to give him a piece of advice about the challenges he would face if he ever took on a role in youth development for another country.

He thought about China, about the passionate but often disheartened fans, and the enormous expectations placed on anyone tasked with elevating the sport there.

But he kept it to himself, merely offering a polite smile as he moved on.

---

As Damiano watched Gao Shen walk away, he felt a strange mix of admiration and intrigue. There was something in Gao Shen's eyes, a hint of depth and perhaps even sadness, as if he carried burdens and stories he had never shared.

This man has lived through his own battles, Damiano thought. He's not just a coach, he's someone who has been shaped by life's challenges.

---

Meanwhile, as Damiano returned to the locker room, he encountered Ranieri, who had come down from the stands.

"Where's the guy who was supposed to pass on my messages?" Ranieri asked, visibly frustrated.

Damiano shook his head. "There was no contact the entire game. What happened?"

Ranieri sighed heavily. "Turns out the two staff members we sent were caught in a scuffle with the Napoli fans and got escorted out by the police."

Damiano's eyes widened. "Did… did Napoli have something to do with it?"

Ranieri shrugged, his face etched with frustration. "Who knows? But I wouldn't put it past them. I was surrounded by their fans the entire time, and it felt like they were trying to keep me isolated."

Ranieri's frustration turned to resignation. He felt as though he had been outmaneuvered both on and off the field.

With a long sigh, he muttered, "We lost today. Fair and square."

---

The next day, the Italian press was filled with praise for Napoli and Gao Shen.

Napoli's performance against Juventus, following their impressive results against Inter Milan and Roma, had silenced many critics. Publications like La Repubblica and Gazzetta dello Sport acknowledged Napoli's rise, though they continued to speculate about the sustainability of their success.

However, some Italian media, especially those with ties to Turin, seized on the treatment of Ranieri at the stadium. They criticized Napoli for placing Ranieri in the middle of hostile fans, claiming it endangered his safety and showed a lack of sportsmanship.

De Laurentiis, never one to shy away from confrontation, publicly fired back. He accused these media outlets of bias, claiming they were merely upset that a "small" team like Napoli was shaking up the established order.

"It's clear that certain people don't want to see Napoli succeed," De Laurentiis said. "But we are here, and we're not going anywhere."

Amid this media storm, Inter Milan played their next game, a challenging away match against Palermo.

Despite fielding a strong team, Inter struggled to break down Palermo's defense and were ultimately held to a 0-0 draw.

The result meant that Napoli, with a two-point lead, remained alone at the top of the Serie A standings.

For the first time in a long while, a team outside of the traditional powerhouses was sitting at the top of the Italian league. But with that position came scrutiny, expectations, and the weight of being a leader.

Gao Shen could only chuckle and shake his head as he read the headlines.

"Being a leader really is hard," he murmured to himself.