Until the very moment referee Rizzoli blew the final whistle, Napoli's pyers were still poised to unother attack, while Inter Min had already been utterly defeated.
For Inter Min, the sound of the final whistle was like a lifeline, a long-awaited salvation. The pyers finally exhaled in relief.
Though Napoli's pyers felt they could have done more, their joy erupted as they cheered and celebrated.
Gao Shen stood on the sidelines, in front of the home team's bench. Substitute pyers and staff swarmed onto the pitch, celebrating this moal victory. Yet, Gao Shen stood still, watg from the sidelines.
The live broadcast cameras panned across the stadium, capturing the jubint atmosphere.
When the cameras finally focused on Gao Shen, the eadio San Paolo erupted into thunderous cheers.
The 60,000 Napoli fans sang his praises with wild enthusiasm, their voices ringing across the arena.
Notig the otion, Gao Shen gnced up and saw his image on the giant s. He turo the fans with a smile, raising his right hand and spreading five fingers wide.
The stadium immediately grew even louder, their cheers and shouts being deafening.
Those five fingers symbolized five goals!
Everyone knows how infamous Italian fans be for their antics, and among them, Napoli's fans are the most unruly. Their rebellious spirit always defying Rome and the northern teams runs in their blood.
This fiery temperament makes them uniquely passionate.
So when Gao Shen raised his hand and fshed those five fingers, the fa pletely berserk. Some even jumped out of their seats, screaming his the top of their lungs.
The se was broadcast live around the world.
"We're not sure if Gao Shen's gesture was meant to greet the fans or to moter Min for their 5-0 defeat," the entator said, his tone heavy with intrigue.
"But ohing is certain: this a by Napoli's young coach will undoubtedly spark debate."
"Five to zero! Napoli demolished Inter Min at home!"
"This result has shocked everyo doesn't accurately reflect the strength of both teams, but it does highlight their current situations."
"Napoli is at the peak of their form, while Inter Min is struggling with poor form and injuries."
"In fact, after tonight's match, coach Mani may face a crisis with his job."
"However, Napoli ot afford to let their guard down. They will face back-to-back challenges against Roma and Juventus, two critical games that will heavily influehe Serie A standings."
"In any case, gratutions to Gao Shen and Napoli!"
"This marks the third time this season that Napoli has reached the top of the Serie A standings. For a team with the you average age among the top four European leagues, this achievement is truly remarkable."
"We sincerely hope Gao Shen and his team tio deliver such thrilling football."
---
"This kid just 't resist twisting the knife," Sacchi ughed as he watched Gao Shen's gesture.
After this match, Gao Shen's reputation as one of Serie A's most promi coaches was firmly ted.
"Holy, who else i years has mao humiliate Inter Min like this?" Sacchi asked rhetorically.
"Other than Gao Shen and his Napoli—no one!"
Why did Inter Min's 0-2 away loss to Liverpool earn the bel of shame?
Because before that match, everyone including Mani was fident they'd easily beat Liverpool.
And the result?
Inter lost 0-2, managing just a handful of weak shots on target. It was a disgrace.
Now, in Naples, Napoli had delivered a mastercss on what humiliation truly looks like.
Shame? No, this wasn't just shame. It was devastation.
Inter Min's three total shots, zero on target, and all-around dismal stats against Napoli more closely resembled the performance of a Serie B bottom-feeder than the Serie A leaders.
But it happened.
"From a tactical perspective, this match was a test between two teams on pletely different levels," Valdano remarked with a sigh.
Sacodded. "Last season's 0-3 loss saw Inter Min dominate Napoli with their superior strength. But now, with Napoli having closed the gap in quality, their tactical superiority and attention to detail have pletely outshoer."
From the very start, Mani was a step behind.
Napoli had reached peak dition, while Inter Min hadn't.
But so what?
In football, if you lose, you lose. pining about poor form doesn't excuse you. Do your oppos have to wait until you're ready to py?
Thus, Mani's failure was undeniable.
"Twenty-five games uen, ahis o is so crushing," Valdaed.
"In fact," Sacchi added, "if you look at it closely, Inter Min has been uen in 40 games across two seasons. Sixteen games st season and 25 this season, an incredible streak. And now, they've been brought down by Napoli."
"And not just beaten—humiliated!" Sacchi emphasized.
---
Gao Shen, ever the tacti, knew when to stop.
He quickly lowered his hand and walked toward Inter Min's teical area.
Mani's face was grim. He clearly wao leave for the tunnel immediately, but Gao Shen intercepted him.
"That was a wonderful game, Mancho!" Gao Shen said, smiling as he extended his hand.
The smugness on Gao Shen's face was so btant, he might as well have tattooed the word on his forehead.
Mani bristled. He wao retort, Don't call me Mancho! We're not that close!
But in the end, he swallowed his pride and shook Gao Shen's hand. "You guys pyed very well."
"Thank you," Gao Shen replied, taking the pliment at face value. "You were right, looking down from your lofty position, it's no wonder you couldn't see Napoli."
Mani's face turned pale. He almost choked oterness rising in his throat.
Damn it, so that's what he's implying—mog me for saying they were beh us?
Did he really have to rub it in with that smug look?
Sure, Napoli is the leader now. So what? I've been in first ponths before. What's the big deal?
If Mani were ten years younger, he might've rolled up his sleeves and throunch. But now, powerless, he had to ehe humiliation.
At least he could still walk out of the Stadio San Paolo in one piece.
"I hope you maintain this pace," Mani said with a forced smile. "Don't fall apart."
Gao Shen, of course, uood the jab, but he wasn't fazed. He simply smiled and moved on.
---
Befao Shen could return to the benapoli's pyers lifted him into the air, shouting and celebrating.
"Hey! We haven't wole yet!" Gao Shen protested.
"Yeah, but we're close enough, boss!" someone shouted back, sparking ughter all around.
As they paraded him around the pitch, Gao Shen tilted his head toward the blinding stadium lights. It felt surreal like he was beio the gallows.
---
Eventually, Gao Shen made his way back to the locker room, but not before entering club president De Laurentiis, alking down with a group of guests. Leading the group was her than Maradona.
Gao Shen immediately reized the football legend but was momentarily awestruck. He'd seen Maradona tless times in videos, photos, and news reports, but meeting him in person was a first.
Behind him, the Napoli pyers were equally starstruck.
This was the king of football.
Maradona approached with a smile aended his hand. "You and your team pyed an incredible game, Gao. Truly fantastic!"
Gao Shen snapped out of his daze, g Maradona's hand with both of his own. "Thank you!"
But then, Gao Shen gnced around and shouted, "Fernando! Quick, get a camera!"
Maradona froze, momentarily fused, before realizing Gao Shen's iion. The young coach had already sidled up o him, beaming as he struck a pose. "Make sure I look good!"
Maradona burst out ughing.
Despite his legendary status, it was clear Gao Shen genuinely admired him. Moved by this respect, Maradona draped an arm around Gao Shen's shoulder. "e o's look good together!"
And so, the king of football and Napoli's young mastermind posed for a series of photos. One by one, Napoli's pyers joined in, lining up to take pictures with Maradona.
By the end, Maradona was exhausted but clearly amused.
As Gao Shen prepared to leave for the post-match press ference, he called out, "Ball King, make sure to sign my photo ter!"
"No problem! But you'll owe me dinner," Maradona quipped.
"Deal!" Gao Shen grinned.
With that, the two parted ways, the stadium still r with celebrations.
***
Support me on patreon to read 45+ advanced chapters: patreon./Blownleaves.
