Starting With Real Madrid

After returning to Naples, Gao Shen took a day to rest and adjust to the jet lag before diving straight back into work.

The first thing he did was personally call the two new players.

Maggio was the first. Gao Shen was already familiar with him, and the player had gotten to know Gao Shen too, as they had spoken on the phone several times before. This time, Gao Shen got straight to the point and outlined his plans.

As the best-performing right winger in Serie A last season, Maggio was used to playing in an advanced role at Sampdoria, often entrusted by Mazzarri with dominating the entire right wing. But Gao Shen had a different vision for him.

He made it clear that in Napoli's system, Maggio would play as a right-back rather than a right forward, simply because Napoli didn't have a position like the one he played at Sampdoria.

"Mazzarri gave you a lot of freedom on the wing," Gao Shen said honestly, "but with the way we play, you'll need to focus on defense first and foremost. The demands here are different. Napoli's system is built on relentless running, high pressing, and solid defensive structure. If you can master this role, you'll excel."

Of course, Gao Shen didn't forget to balance criticism with encouragement, something he was very skilled at. While he set out clear expectations, he also praised Maggio for his performance last season and encouraged him to perform even better in the coming season.

"But I must warn you," Gao Shen said with a teasing edge, "Lichtsteiner has set his sights on becoming the best right-back in Serie A. He's determined, so don't let him leave you behind."

Maggio chuckled at the challenge but took it to heart. Gao Shen's words ignited a competitive fire in him. After all, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone, it only pushed people to improve.

When Gao Shen spoke to Benatia, his approach was completely different.

Benatia, a defender who had been signed from relative obscurity, was told upfront that his role would be as an important substitute for the team this season. Gao Shen reassured him that he would have plenty of opportunities to play.

"I've watched some of your games in Ligue 2 and with the French youth team," Gao Shen said sincerely. "I see your strength and your potential, and I believe in you. What's most important now is for you to adjust quickly and show everyone your best."

Benatia, in turn, shared details about his recovery. He explained how he had been playing amateur matches with friends and diligently following the training plans provided by Buenaventura and Pintus. He was confident that his body had fully recovered and couldn't wait to join the preseason training camp.

Hearing this, Gao Shen was pleased and gave Benatia further encouragement. "Remember, at Napoli, it's all about your performance on the pitch. As long as you work hard and stay focused, you'll have your chance to shine."

The conversation left Benatia feeling even more motivated and reassured about his future at the club.

---

With last season's double-winning success, Napoli had risen to prominence. The players, now well-known names in European football, attracted attention not just from rival clubs but also from national teams.

This became evident with the upcoming Olympic Games, where many of Napoli's young stars were called up.

Argentina selected three players: Di Maria, Biglia, and Pastore.

Brazil called up David Luiz.

Belgium summoned Mertens and Nainggolan.

Italy included Pelle and Bonucci in their squad.

With a total of eight players selected, Napoli was heavily impacted by the Olympics. The tournament, held in China, was set to take place from early to late August precisely when Napoli would be conducting preseason training and playing warm-up matches.

This posed significant challenges for Gao Shen. The players competing in the Olympics would likely miss the Italian Super Cup on August 24 and might not even be ready for the first round of Serie A at the end of the month. Gao Shen and his coaching staff needed to prepare carefully to minimize the disruption.

Fortunately, this season's Coppa Italia had returned to its original format, sparing Napoli the early rounds of the competition. They would enter directly in the Round of 16, giving them some breathing room.

Still, Gao Shen took the initiative to contact each national team coach to coordinate plans.

Napoli fully supported the players' participation in the Olympics, but Gao Shen made one key request: he wanted the players to remain with the club for preseason training in July before joining their national teams. He emphasized how crucial this period was for both the team and the players.

"The intensity of Napoli's matches this season will be incredibly demanding," Gao Shen explained. "If the players skip preseason training, they won't be able to cope."

By outlining his reasons with logic and evidence, Gao Shen made a convincing case. He proposed a win-win scenario where the players would complete a month of preseason training with Napoli before transitioning to their national teams. The Olympic coaches agreed, provided that the players could join their squads as soon as possible afterward.

---

Beyond coordinating for the Olympics, Gao Shen also focused on stabilizing the squad.

One of his priorities was to reassure his players about his decision to stay at Napoli.

Many players, including Cavani, Sanchez, Di Maria, and David Luiz, had received offers from major clubs. Some had even spoken to Gao Shen directly about their ambitions and concerns. Now that Gao Shen had committed to staying, he wanted to ensure his players were on the same page.

"These players," Gao Shen thought, "were ones I brought here and developed from the ground up. They might not be completely loyal to Napoli, but I know they trust me."

During individual conversations, Gao Shen emphasized the benefits of staying. Napoli would be competing in the Champions League, and the team's foundation remained solid. A strong showing in Europe would boost not only the team's reputation but also each player's individual value.

"Think about it," Gao Shen told them. "If you leave for a big club now, can you guarantee you'll be a starter? Look at Gervinho, he joined Arsenal, but he's not a guaranteed starter. On the other hand, look at Di Maria. He stayed here, and now he's more famous than Gervinho."

Most players agreed with Gao Shen's reasoning. Napoli's upward trajectory was clear, and they wanted to see how far they could go together.

---

As the coaching staff gradually returned to work, Gao Shen was able to delegate more tasks and lighten his load.

The preseason training camp, in particular, became the focus of fitness coach Pintus and physiotherapist Buenaventura. The two collaborated to create an ambitious and intense training program.

Initially, Gao Shen had been worried about potential clashes between the two. Pintus, a traditional Italian fitness coach, emphasized non-ball training running and strength work. Meanwhile, Buenaventura, a Spanish fitness coach, preferred training with the ball and integrating technical drills into physical routines. Their philosophies seemed at odds.

But to Gao Shen's surprise, the two didn't clash at all. Instead, they complemented each other perfectly, sparking innovative ideas that enhanced the training program.

For instance, Buenaventura had struggled in the past with finding the right balance in player weight management. Pintus proposed a method to help players shed unnecessary weight while maintaining their physical strength and endurance. This approach made players leaner, improving their running ability without compromising their physicality.

They also collaborated on recovery strategies. Pintus suggested that players should push through fatigue with long-distance runs to build stamina, while Buenaventura ensured recovery sessions were carefully integrated to prevent injuries.

Together, they crafted a summer training plan that was as intense as it was meticulous.

One statistic stood out: players would be required to run 15 kilometers every day, not including other training drills.

When Gao Shen and his assistants reviewed the plan, they were stunned.

"Is this a training camp or a death march?" Carlo joked, though his voice carried a hint of genuine concern.

Buenaventura and Pintus, however, were unperturbed. They had even requested additional resources, including advanced recovery equipment and a renovated medical room, to ensure the players could handle the intensity.

Looking at the mischievous grins on the two coaches' faces, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and dread.

"These two villains," he thought, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Inwardly, he sent a silent prayer for his players.

They were going to need it.

***

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