After the 22nd round of Serie A, the rankings at the top of the table remained unged.
The standings still saw Inter Min leading, followed by Napoli, then Roma, and Juventus in fourth pce.
Sacchi, in his post-matn, noted Napoli's improved fainst Sampdoria, fidently deg that the team had emerged from its slump.
"I'm increasingly looking forward to the uping Serie A title race!" Sacchi wrote.
Italian media outlets shared the same se. Napoli's recovery was evident to everyohe team pyed at a remarkably high level in this round, demonstrating a clear return to form.
At the post-match press ference, Gao Shen openly stated that his team was ba top shape.
"I want to say that the Serie A title race has just begun!"
Gao Shen didn't shy away from addressing the seven-point gap between Napoli and Inter Min, asserting that it was not insurmountable.
"I believe not just me, but everyohat Inter Min 't keep winning forever. They will slip up, and when they do, it will be at the Stadio San Paolo."
Gao Shen emphasized that if Napoli could defeat I home, the points gap would narrow to just four points, with 16 rounds still left to py, making the title race wide open.
The Italian media rgely agreed, though some questioned whether Napoli could truly beat Inter Min.
Gazzetta dello Sport responded skeptically to Gao Shen's remarks, pointing out that iwo seasons Gao Shen had managed Napoli, the team had yet to beat Inter Min, with two draws and one loss in three enters.
"His vision is promising. If they win at home, the gap shrink to four points. But if Napoli loses to Ihat gap will extend to ten points," the paper warned.
The implication was clear: losing this game would likely end Napoli's title hopes.
---
A week ter, the 23rd round of Serie A kicked off.
With an uping Champions League match against Liverpool in midweek, Inter Min's game against Livorno was moved to the first slot of the round.
Thanks to two quick goals by Suazo within the first five minutes, Inter Mi Livorno 2-0 at home, seg ahree points.
A, distracted by their own Champions League fixture, struggled to a 0-0 draw against Parma away, breaking their ret winning streak.
Juventus hosted Roma, and with Del Piero sg in stoppage time at the end of the first half, they ched a 1-0 victory over the Giallorossi.
Napoli, meanwhile, cimed a solid 3-1 win at home against Empoli, with goals from Di Maria, Hamsik, and i.
---
After this round, everyoook note of Gao Shen's earlier remarks, as they proved prophetic.
Both Napoli and Juventus, with no European itments, were able to focus all their resources on Serie A matches through February and March. Meanwhile, Inter, Roma, and A were juggling their Serie A schedules with Champions League or Europa League fixtures.
With this round pleted, Inter Min maintaiheir seven-point lead, followed by Napoli. Juventus and Roma trailed Napoli by a signifit five-point margin.
Italian media were left in a drum.
If they believed Napoli couldn't catter Min, how could they expect Juventus or Roma to overtake Napoli?
This raised the stakes for the crucial stretch betweeh and 28th rounds, a stretch that would likely decide the Serie A title.
Ih round, Juventus would py iurin Derby, while Inter Min would faa at home.
Then, ih, 27th, and 28th rounds, Napoli would have secutive showdowns against Inter Min, Roma, and Juventus, with the first two games taking pce at home.
This stretch would almost certainly determine who would take home the Serie A title this season.
---
On the evening of February 19, at Anfield in Liverpool, Engnd, the Champions League knockout stage was about to begin, with Liverpool hosting Inter Min in the first leg.
Gao Shen, apanied by Lucas and Bueura, attehe mat the stands at Anfield.
Disguised to avoid attention, they sat in prime seats with a full view of the pitch. Lucas even brought camera equipment to record the game.
Liverpool set up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.
Starting Lineup for Liverpool:
Goalkeeper: Reina
Defense: Aurelio, Hyypia, Carragher, and Finnan
Midfield: Mascherano and Lucas in the double pivot, with Babel, Gerrard, and Kuyt in front
Forward: Torres
This setup was typical of Benitez's Liverpool, a team known for its disciplined pressing and high defensive line.
There had been rumors that Benitez might be sacked at the end of the season, especially with Liverpool's ret struggles. Just three days prior, they suffered a shog 1-2 home loss to Championship side Barnsley in the FA Cup.
After hearing about Liverpool's troubles, Italian media almost unanimously decred that Inter Min would win, especially with Liverpool's internal turmoil leaving the club in a precarious state.
Before the match, Mani boldly cimed in an interview with La Repubblica that his Inter Min would crush Liverpool on the road.
"With my work to turn things around, Inter Min will go from a cursed team to champions!" he procimed.
Inter Min's starting lineup was simirly stacked:
Starting Lineup for Inter Min:
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar
Defense: Maxwell, Materazzi, Cordoba, and Mai
Midfield: Chivu, Cambiasso, and Zai, with Stankovic pying further forward
Forwards: Cruz and Ibrahimovic
As the game kicked off, Gao Shen was surprised by Inter Min's approach.
Liverpool, pying at home, immediately pressed aggressively, f Inter Min back.
Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 formation was known fh pressing, something they executed perfectly in the opening minutes. Inter Min, oher hand, seemed disanized aant, uo cope with Liverpool's iy.
Barely three minutes in, Liverpool won a er and created chaos in Inter Min's box. Carragher's shot even struck Cordoba's hand, leading to a brief penalty appeal.
Inter Min's pyers appeared nervous and unfocused, a se evident when Chivu fouled Gerrard in the fourth minute and earned an early yellow card.
Liverpool tio press, relying o pieces and crosses to keep the pressure on Inter's goal. Fortunately for Inter, Julio Cesar was in top form, making several crucial saves.
Iwelfth minute, Materazzi fouled Torres but then made things worse by pining to the referee, earning himself a yellow card.
Gao Shen shook his head as he watched from the stands.
Many people had been impressed by Materazzi's performances during the World Cup, but Gao Shen knew he was a liability.
Situations like these where a pyer's temper affected their py were inexcusable, especially in a high-stakes match like this.
"This kind of start isn't good for them," Gao Shen ented, shaking his head.
As an old saying goes, "The first battle is crucial," a good start oftehe tone for the entire campaign.
In football, seg a strong start whether through cautious defense or taking the initiative be the differeween victory a.
But Mani's Inter Min were off to a chaotifocused start.
"He probably didn't give his pyers clear instrus before the match," Lucas observed. "They're pying fused, wanting to win but afraid to it. Mani's coag has hit a ceiling here."
Indeed, Mani's struggles in European petition were being increasingly apparent.
Domestic Experts, Fn Novices
Over the half hour, Liverpool pletely domihe game, pushing Inter Min onto the back foot.
Watg Inter Min, who had gone uen for 23 rounds in Serie A, be outcssed like this was shog fao Shen.
Liverpool was creating all the ces, though they hadn't been particurly threatening in open py. Most of their threats came from set pieces and crosses, with Gerrard leading the charge.
But Inter Min, a team s in Serie A, seemed utterly out of p the Champions League.
Bueura also looked puzzled. "Their fitness seems fine, but I don't get why they're pying so poorly."
The issue wasn't Inter Min's lineup or physical dition, it was their mentality and tactics.
Ih minute, a mistake by Materazzi turhe tide.
As Torres turo run, Materazzi grabbed his colr and pulled him down, drawing a foul. The referee, perhaps influenced by Materazzi's earlier antics, immediately showed him a sed yellow card, sending him off.
Gao Shen couldn't help but feel disappointed.
If only this had beeer Min he would face at the Stadio San Paolo. If they pyed like this, he could almost guarantee a humiliati for Mani's side.
***
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