This was shaping up to be the most grueling pre-season training camp since Gao Shen took charge of Napoli.

  Initially, when the pyers heard that the number of daily training sessions had been reduced from three st season to just two, they were ecstatic.

  After all, st season's pre-season had pushed them to their limits.

  To be fair, the results of that training were evident in their performances, and their fitness levels were excellent throughout the season. But with the news of one less session per day, it felt like a reprieve from the hellish regimen of the past.

  However, more cautious pyers, like Biglia, wereirely vinced.

  "Boss, it's not that we don't trust you," Biglia said skeptically, "but when it es to pre-season training, you've given us absolutely no reason to trust you at all!"

  Gao Shen could only sigh at the pyers' distrust, menting, I gave my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines only och.

  "Bme the fitness coaches!" Gao Shen thought to himself. "I'm i here!"

  But any hope of an easier pre-season quickly evaporated when the pyers arrived at the training ground the day. That was wheruly learned what the word "devilish" meant.

  ---

  Bueura's training program was, on the surface, the same as before, primarily focused on drills involving the ball.

  However, this time, pyers were divided into groups based on their physical ditions, with each group given tailored training regimens. The sessioightly scheduled, highly anized, and far more intehan usual.

  The pyers, aced to demanding training under Bueura since Gao Shen's arrival, thought they could manage. But this time, the iy was on a whole new level.

  For those who had overindulged during their holidays, even sting ten minutes felt like an insurmountable challenge.

  Still, the pyers gritted their teeth and pushed through, soling themselves with the thought that there was one less session per day. Surely they could ehis, right?

  They were wrong.

  The 90-minute sessio like it would never end. By the time it was over, the pyers were utterly exhausted and desperate for a break. Just as they were ready to colpse, Pintus appeared.

  The bald Italian fitness coach, wiry aively unassuming, had a smile on his face that sent chills down their spines.

  "From now on, after every training session, we'll do additional running drills," Pintus announced cheerfully.

  The pyers froze in disbelief.

  "Running? After this? Are you serious?"

  They were too draio protest. Dragging their feet, they began running ps, but Pintus wasn't satisfied. He barked at them to pick up the pace, his relentless energy making him seem more like a drill sergeant than a fitness coach.

  Then, as if to deliver the final blow, Pintus introduced a punishment system:

  "Anyone who falls behind me will face penalties!"

  The pyers collectively crumbled. Their gazes turo Gao Shen, silently pleading for mercy.

  Their eyes seemed to say, "Boss, we were wrong. Please save us!"

  But Gao Shen simply chuckled from the sidelines.

  "You're just getting started," he thought.

  ---

  Bueura and Pintus were implementing their training program step by step.

  The pyers, still rec from their off-season indulgences, weren't pushed to their limits immediately. But with each passing day, the iy gradually ramped up.

  Every evening, the pyers found themselves missing the training sessions from the day before, whiow seemed almost merciful in parison. But there was no escape; they had to accept their fate.

  Just as Gao Shen had predicted, the pyers spent the first week pining incessantly.

  Gao Shen himself didn't oversee the training directly. Instead, he focused on engaging with the pyers, guidand seling to keep their morale up.

  By the end of the first week, their bodies had begun to adjust to the workload. Though still grueling, they could at least ehe sessions without pletely breaking down. But just as they started to find their footing, Bueura and Pintus raised the iy once more.

  The process was like boiling a frog in warm water—gradual, methodical, and utterly relentless.

  Every day felt like the brink of colpse, yet beh the surface, the pyers were improving. Their endurand physical fitness were quietly building up, accumuting strength for the battles ahead.

  Despite the punishing workload, Napoli's coag staff paid close attention to recovery. They exteretg sessions and emphasized cooldown routio minimize the risk of injuries.

  Bueura often remihe pyers, "The goal is not just to train hard but to train smart. Recovery is just as important as effort."

  As their bodies adapted to the demands, the pyers began to see results. Each small improvement boosted their fidend motivated them to push even harder.

  Gao Shen pyed his role as the motivator perfectly, painting a bright picture of the season ahead and providing the emotional support his pyers needed. He knew each of them i what drove them, what they feared, and what they aspired to achieve. By tapping into those emotions, he inspired them to fully it to the process.

  Even the newers, like Benatia and Maggio, quickly bought into the program.

  In an interview with the local media, Maggio expressed his admiration for the team's training regimen and praised Gao Shen and his coag staff.

  "The iy and professionalism here are unlike anything I've experienced before," Maggio said.

  "Our team pys differently now. Previously, we were too open, which left us vulnerable to terattacks whenever we lost possession. But here, the focus is on structure—positioning, movement, and support. Everything is more pad cohesive."

  Maggio also shared insights into Gao Shen's tactical philosophy.

  "The coach doesn't view pressing as just a way tain possession or defend. For him, pressing is aension of our attack. He's a firm believer in offensive football, and everything we do is geared toward sg goals."

  Maggio even marveled at the high-tech facilities at Napoli.

  "It feels like I've stepped from the agricultural age into the space age," he joked, clearly excited about the club's itment to innovation.

  Finally, Maggio set his sights on the new season: "My goal is to earn a starting spot."

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the northern suburbs of Min, Mourinho was watg Maggio's interview at Inter Min's training base.

  Napoli's pre-season training had been shrouded in mystery. Although the pyers were free to go home after training, very little information about their sessions had leaked to the public.

  The only glimpses outsiders had were from pyer interviews, which offered limited details. But Mourinho could tell from Maggio's ents that Napoli's pre-season was well-received by the squad.

  "This is quite advanced," Mourinho remarked to his assistants, Vils-Boas and Faria.

  There was no denying Gao Shen's reputation. His success at Real Madrid and Napoli spoke volumes about his abilities.

  "Last season, the media reported that Napoli's pre-season was incredibly intense," Vils-Boas specuted. "This year, it's been reduced to two sessions a day. Could that be why the pyers are so positive?"

  "Do you think he's lowered the iy?" Mourinho frow the thought.

  Then he quickly shook his head. "No, that's impossible. Since Gao Shen arrived in Serie A, his teams have alyed high-pressing, attag football. That requires araordinary level of fitness. If his pre-season training wasn't effective, his pyers wouldn't st through the season."

  Mourinho's respect fao Shen was begrudging but genuine.

  "He's not stupid. He wouldn't make that kind of mistake," Mourinho cluded.

  Vils-Boas nodded. "Their training must be very effective if the pyers are speaking so highly of it."

  Mourinho's thoughts shifted to Napoli's uping warm-up matches.

  "They'll be starting their friendlies soht?"

  "Yes," Faria firmed. "The first match is this weekend, followed by several more. But the oppos aren't strong, mostly Serie B and Serie C teams."

  Mourinho smirked. "Gao Shen never cares about results in warm-up matches. He uses them to experiment. The media knows this, but they still spin it into panidug headlines whenever Napoli performs poorly."

  Mourinho then issued an order: "Send scouts to record their games. I want to analyze everything he's doing."

  He chuckled. "I bet Gao Shen has scouts watg us too."

  Everyone in the room nodded in silent agreement.

  This season, Napoli was clearly Inter Min's biggest threat and vice versa.

  But Mourinho wasn't worried.

  "In te August, eight of their pyers will be at the Olympics. For the Italian Super Cup, Gao Shen will only have avaro avaible as a ter-back."

  A sharp glint fshed in Mourinho's eyes.

  "We'll strike them hard before the seasoarts. Break their momentum, and the rest of the season will be much easier for us."

  Both Vils-Boas and Faria nodded in agreement.

  This was Mourinho's philosophy: always seize the initiative.

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