The away trip to Russia sted less than forty-eight hours, but the drastic temperature differend long-distaravel took a serious toll on Napoli.

  The moment they arrived in St. Petersburg, Handanovic developed a high fever. After barely rec enough to py the match, his fever spiked again upourning to Naples, nding him directly in the hospital.

  Almost every pyer who had traveled to St. Petersburg was deeply affected by the ordeal.

  The team was unhappy about only managing a draw against Zenit, but once ba the training ground, it was clear the pyers were exhausted and uninspired.

  This is the kind of disaster teams face when traveling to Russia during the freezing winter months.

  And Napoli was not alone in experieng this.

  On October 1st, Bara traveled to Ukraio face Shakhtar Dosk. The match was a struggle, with Lionel Messi ing off the bench to score two te goals, reversing the scorelio secure a 2-1 win in injury time.

  That was in early October, and Dosk is farther south than St. Petersburg. Given the harsh ditions Napoli faced at the end of October, their struggles were all but iable.

  The Italian media, however, ended Napoli for managing t home a point from such a difficult away fixture.

  Anyone familiar with football knows the perils of pying in Ukraine or Russia during this time of year, especially in a pce as far north as St. Petersburg.

  ---

  While Napoli battled the elements in Russia, Klinsmann's Bayern Munich hosted Real Madrid, who were fresh off a managerial ge, at the Allianz Arena.

  The match couldn't have started worse for Real Madrid. Within five minutes, Ribery orchestrated an attack, setting up Luca Toni, who assisted Klose for the opening goal.

  Despite a banced test for the remainder of the first half, Bayern struck again just five minutes into the sed half. This time, Ribery provided the assist, and Toni scored.

  The twoals at the start of each half sealed a 2-0 victory for Bayern Munich.

  After three rounds of Group H, Napoli sat at the top with two wins and a draw, earning seven points.

  Bayern Munich, with two wins and one loss, were sed with six points.

  Zenit St. Petersburg and Real Madrid were both on one point, but Zenit had the edge on goal difference, leaving Real Madrid at the bottom of the table.

  The result sparked widespread for Real Madrid.

  Though mathematically possible, their ces of advang looked bleak. To have any hope, they would o win their home match against Bayern in early November. and likely win all three of their remaining games.

  Napoli, oher hand, were in a strong position to qualify, with two of their final three group games being pyed at home against Zenit and Real Madrid. Their toughest hurdle, the trip to St. Petersburg was already behind them.

  As for Bayern, their five-point lead wasn't secure either. They still faced two major challenges: a potentially decisive away game against Real Madrid and their own daunting trip to St. Petersburg in te November.

  Both games could dramatically alter Bayern's group standings.

  ---

  After returning to he team was given a day to rest before traveling to Rome for their Serie A csh against Lazio in the eighth round.

  The effects of the Russian expedition were clear, prompting Gao Shen to make signifit rotations to his lineup.

  Goalkeeper Handanovic, despite being discharged from the hospital, was still rested. Veteran Iezzo was giveart.

  Napoli's rotated lineup faced a well-rested Lazio, who held a slight adva home. While Napoli focused on defensive terattacks, Valencia capitalized on a break in the 61st minute, assisting Callejon for the opening goal.

  But just five mier, Iezzo suffered an injury and had to leave the field.

  Gao Shen was forced t on third-choice goalkeeper Gianello, and the team shifted into full defensive mode.

  It's worth noting that since Gao Shen took charge, Napoli underwent a prehensive overhaul across all three lines—except in the goalkeeper position.

  Handanovic, signed shortly after Gao Shen's arrival, immediately became the starter. Iezzo, the former first-choice, transitioned into a backup role. At 35 years old, Iezzo remained a reliable professional but rarely got the ce to py.

  Gianello, Napoli's third-choice keeper, had been with the club sis days ihird division. He hadn't made an appearan three years and was only included in the squad due to Handanovic's fever and Iezzo's subsequent injury.

  Despite his ck of game time, Gianello beed from the rigorous training regime by goalkeeping coach Lopis. Both veteran keepers stayed in excellent shape, and Gao Sheed them with fairness and respect, ensuring their saries and bonuses were never promised.

  After Napoli's 1-0 victory over Lazio, Gao Shen lightehe mood in the locker room with a joke aimed at Gianello.

  "Now we've got one goalkeeper sid another injured. You're the most important pyer ieam right now. Everyone o take care of you or else we'll have to stick David Luiz in goal!"

  The team burst into ughter, knowing full well that Luiz, during training, occasionally jumped in as a makeshift goalkeeper and wasn't half bad.

  But beh the humao Shen was emphasizing Gianello's importance.

  With the ninth round of Serie A ing up midweek, there was little time to recover, and Gao Shen wasn't even sure if Handanovic would be fit to py.

  He needed Gianello ready.

  ---

  Not all the news Gao Shen received was bad, however.

  Inter Min, fresh off a dominant 4-0 win over Roma in the seventh round, returo Serie A to host Genoa. Despite their momentum, Mourinho's side was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home.

  Gasperini's Genoa pyed a disciplined defensive game, relying on Diego Milito to lead terattacks.

  Iarted aggressively, riding their wave of ret victories. Mourinho even appeared on the sidelines with a fresh haircut, exuding fidence.

  But the swagger didn't trao goals.

  Missed opportunities in the first half left Mourinho visibly agitated. By halftime, his frustration boiled over, leading to two substitutions. Ten minutes into the sed half, he used his final substitution, bringing on Cruz to further bolster the attack.

  Watg the game live, Gao Shen couldn't help but smirk.

  "That's just how he is sometimes. It's ridiculous, isn't it?"

  Inter had dominated but failed to vert their ces. Instead of staying calm, Mourinho's rash substitutio more like aional outburst than tactical adjustments.

  "What if one of his pyers gets injured now? He'd be left a man short for no reason," Gao Shen mused.

  Moments ter, his predi nearly came true—though not quite how he expected.

  It wasn't an Inter pyer who got injured, but Genoa's Juric, who was sent off after receiving a sed yellow card.

  "Well, now he's probably regretting everything," Gao Shen said, ughing at the sight of Mourinhing on the sidelines.

  Despite the man advantage, Inter couldn't break through Genoa's defehe matded in a goalless draw.

  ---

  The following day, Italian media heavily criticized Mourinho's decisions.

  Even La Gazzetta dello Sport called his substitutions "suicidal," arguing that they cost Ihe Serie A lead and handed Napoli an advantage.

  Mourinho didn't hold ba his post-match press ference, publicly critig his pyers—particurly Cruz. He accused the forward of being "self-righteous" and not following instrus.

  Reports ter surfaced of a heated argumeween Cruz and Mourinho in the locker room. Cruz, already in traegotiations with Inter, was furious at being called out in front of the media.

  In an interview, Cruz fired back. "I still remember when someone first came to Inter and said, 'The st thing I'll ever do as a coach is criticize my pyers publicly.'"

  "Well, I guess he's fotten that now."

  The Italian media sided with Cruz, pointing out that Mourinho's substitutiohe real issue.

  "It's uandable to be angry about losing the Serie A lead," Turin Sports Daily wrote, "but Mourinho should refle his as instead of bming his pyers. Was it really wise to use all his substitutions so early?"

  The paper cluded with a jab at Mourinho:

  "pared to Mourinho's irrational antiapoli's poise feels almost charming."