The journey from o Rome takes less than two hours, but Gao Shen still decided to travel a day in advance.

  Napoli wasn't unfamiliar with the Stadio Olimpico, yet Gao Shen insisted on holding a familiarization sessiohe day before the match. Everything was meticulously pnned, every detail executed with care.

  His message to the pyers was clear: Don't get pt just because the final is in Rome.

  Even if the match were held at the San Paolo in Naples, victory wouldn't be guaranteed.

  Remember the 2012 Champions League final? It was held at the Allianz Arena.

  Bayern Munich pyed Chelsea.

  Who won?

  That's right—Chelsea.

  Gao Shen dismissed the media's cims that Napoli had an advantage because the final was being held in Rome.

  It was nonsense, in his view.

  With modern travel, teology, and improved logistics, the cept of "home advantage" wasn't what it used to be. Besides, what did Rome's Olympic Stadium have to do with Naples?

  Take that Bayern-Chelsea final, for example.

  Ticket allocations for Champions League finals are always evenly split: ohird goes to UEFA, while the remaining two-thirds are divided equally betweewo finalists.

  So where's the advantage?

  Since he couldn't trol the media narrative, Gao Shen focused on keeping his team sharp and alert.

  The real advantage of pying in Rome was logistical venience.

  No long flights. No plex transport schedules. Everything was close and familiar.

  Bara, oher hand, had to send aire truckload of food, water, and training equipment across the border.

  At least they had learheir lesson.

  Last time, when Gao Shen's Real Madrid faced Bara in the 2006 final in Paris, the s had prematurely bought a giant bottle of champagne, fident they would win.

  Instead, they left the Stade de Fray-handed.

  As for that bottle of champagne? Gao Shen had no idea what happeo it.

  Probably drank it at home in frustration.

  This time, Bara kept a much lower profile.

  And with good reason.

  Napoli had reached the final after eliminating three secutive Premier League clubs. Their path to Rome had been brutal but impressive.

  Bara khey were in for a fight.

  …

  Napoli's team bus departed Castel Volturno on time and headed directly to the Stadio Olimpico for their training session.

  Afterward, the pyers went straight to their hotel to che.

  The proximity betweeies made everything smoother than usual.

  Gao Shen, however, remai the stadium for UEFA's pre-match press ference.

  It was a familiar routine. He had gohrough the same process before the final in Paris.

  "Hey, gratutions, Gao!"

  The greeting came from Bruno ti, the venue representative for the Champions League final.

  He had been involved throughout the tour, from the group stage draw to overseeing the stadium's preparation for the final. As Roma's general manager, he was deeply ied in the event's success.

  Before the press ference, Gao Shen took the opportunity to discuss some logistical details with him.

  His request?

  "Take care of us as much as possible, within the rules, of course."

  There was nothing unusual about this.

  UEFA guidelines for pitch dimensions allowed for some flexibility.

  The standard size was 105m x 68m, but Camp Nou, for instance, measured 107m x 72m—signifitly rger.

  That added space ged the dynamics of a match.

  The Stadio Olimpico's pitch was already set to the standard size, so Gao Shen's "care" request referred to other aspects: facilities, aodations, and subtle, behind-the-ses details that might provide an edge.

  Despite the rivalry between Roma and Napoli, ti agreed without hesitation.

  After all, a Napoli victory would bring prestige not only to the club but also to Serie A as a whole.

  "Don't worry," ti promised, "we'll take care of you as best we ."

  That, right there, was Napoli's only real "home advantage."

  When Gao Shen walked into the press ference hall, he was greeted by warm appuse.

  Feeling slightly fttered, he quickly raised his hand to aowledge the crowd with a modest smile.

  The room acked with reporters from all over the world. These weren't just average journalists, they were seasoned football insiders, the kind who knew more than the average fan and had access to behind-the-ses information.

  Gao Shen's three years in Naples had been nothing short of a success.

  Even if Napoli lost the uping Champions League final, his standing within the football world wouldn't be shaken.

  Especially if he lost to his own protégé, Guardio.

  The two coaches might share simir tactical philosophies, but they operated on vastly different ptforms with vastly different resources.

  Guardio had ied Messi, a geional talent, along with European champions like Xavi, Ia, and Busquets. Add world-css stars like Henry, Eto'o, and Yaya Touré to the mix, and it was clear Bara's squad was in a different stratosphere.

  Napoli's roster, oher hand, was entirely Gao Shen's creation.

  He had discovered and developed his pyers from retive obscurity. While many of them had grown into formidable talents, Napoli's lineup still couldn't match Bara's in terms of star power.

  Fet Messi or Henry even produg a forward of Eto'o's caliber was a distant dream.

  Napoli's ptform remaioo small to elevate their pyers to global superstardom.

  The football world khat both Gao Shen and his best pyers were destined fger clubs eventually.

  But that only made Gao Shen's achievements even more remarkable.

  Taking Napoli, a club without stars or a deep financial bag to a Champions League final was, in itself, a footballing miracle.

  Over the past three years, Gao Shen had mellowed. Gone was the fiery, bative coach who once challehe world during his Real Madrid tenure.

  Now, he was more measured.

  More posed.

  And today, he had nothing but praise fuardio and Bara.

  Three years ago, Gao Shen had led Real Madrid to victainst Rijkaard's Bara.

  Now, fag Guardio's version of the team, he aowledged how different things were.

  "Both teams were and are incredibly strong," Gao Shen said.

  "Rijkaard's Bara had more creative freedom. Their football was more spontaneous, more uable. But Guardio's Bara is more structured, more methodical. They apply greater pressure and have a stronger collective identity."

  He smiled.

  "In this Bara team, we see the tactical philosophy Johan Cruyff began building more than 20 years ago."

  Despite the widespread belief that Guardio was his "student," Gao Shen dowhe idea.

  "Pep doesn't need me as a mentor. He's meticulous, passionate, and aggressive. But also… very ing."

  The room stirred at the word ing.

  Sensing the shift, Gao Shen quickly crified.

  "I don't mean that ively. In football, being ing is an asset, it shows intelligend adaptability."

  As for Napoli's ces, Gao Shehem at 50-50.

  Then, with a self-depreg ugh, he added:

  "To be ho, I feel more pressure thahis is his debut season as a head coach, and he's already achieved so much. Even if Bara loses tomorrow, everyone will still sider it a fantastic season for them."

  "But if I lose? I'm going to hear about it for weeks."

  The room erupted into ughter.

  To the reporters, it was surreal.

  Gao Shen was only 28.

  Yet here he was, discussing his sed Champions League final like a seasoned veteran.

  …

  The press ference ed up smoothly, but many journalists left feeling disappointed.

  The Gao Shen of old might have delivered a few headline-grabbing statements.

  Now, he was too measured. Too diplomatic.

  Oer sighed, "He used to be such a fun kid. But three years in Serie A turned him into a b tacti."

  "Exactly," anreed. "Serie A kills all the good ones."

  Gao Shen had no idea what the media were thinking.

  After fulfilling his UEFA obligations, he walked toward the tunnel just as Guardio emerged from the field, having pleted Bara's training session.

  "Hey, Gao!"

  "Pep!"

  The two greeted each other with genuine smiles and a warm hug.

  The media, UEFA officials, and stadium staff all sehe respect between them. Phones came out as people scrambled to capture the moment.

  "Did you say anything bad about me in there?" Guardio asked, half-joking.

  Gao Shen ughed.

  "Would I dare? You're the favorites, remember? I have nothing but respect for you guys."

  Guardio narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe you."

  Gao Shen couldn't resist.

  "Holy, Pep, I already know what tactics yoing to use tomorrow. The question is, you guess mine?"

  Guardio froze.

  Just for a sed.

  But it was enough fao Shen to see the uainty fsh across his face.

  Guardio was a tactical perfeist, someone who obsessed over every detail.

  Hearing Gao Shen's fident statement instantly pnted a seed of doubt.

  What if Gao Shen really had cracked his tactical pn?

  Would he o make st-minute ges?

  Gao Shen nearly burst out ughing at the sight.

  e on, Pep—don't let me down. I'm ting on you to overthink this.

  "Anyway, take your time figuring it out, brother. I've got other things to do."

  Gao Shen patted Guardio on the shoulder.

  "If I win tomorrow, drinks are on me."

  With a casual wave, he turned and walked away.

  The moment he was out of sight, Gao Shen allowed himself a grin.

  Would Guardio resist the bait?

  Or would the so-called "Emperor of fusion" tinker with his tactics at the st minute?

  e on, Pep. I believe in you.

  ***

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