The 2007-08 Serie A season finally came to an end.

  Some celebrated, while others mourned.

  Napoli, as a newly-promoted team, miraculously cimed the Serie A title and became a global sensation.

  With this victory, head coach Gao Shen once agaiered the spotlight of football fans around the world.

  UEFA published a special report, emphasizing that Gao Shen had used this miraculous Serie A triumph to prove his coag prowess to the world, showing that Real Madrid's double championship under his tenure was no fluke.

  "At just twenty-seven years old, Gao Shen has already established himself as one of Europe's most promising young managers."

  This statement was effectively UEFA's official endorsement of Gao Shen.

  From Italy to Europe and even globally, media outlets and fans began reassessing their opinions of Gao Shen.

  Leading outlets, including L'Equipe, Bild, and Kicker Magazine, praised him highly, aowledging that leading Napoli to this extraordinary championship was irrefutable proof of his abilities.

  What stood out even more was the attag style of football and the dominanapoli dispyed oder Gao Shen's leadership.

  Kicker Magazi so far as to decre, "Gao Shen and his Napoli have been the most astonishing team in European football this season!"

  Gazzetta dello Sport also gave a glowing evaluation, prog, "This is a meticulously crafted team that has the potential to shake up European football!"

  With this, media and fans alike began eagerly anticipati season's Champions League, anxious to see if Napoli could replicate their success on Europe's gra stage.

  Would this team hold up uhe scrutiny of the Champions League?

  …

  While the world heaped praise on Napoli, the Serie A season's best seles were announced, with the most anticipated reveal being the Serie A Team of the Season.

  The Best Coach of the Season? There was no test. Gao Shen won the honor without any suspense.

  Even the media and fans agreed that Gao Shen was already a lock for the Serie A Manager of the Year award at the following season's awards ceremony.

  This reition was a clear testament to how Gao Shen, through this championship, had fully woaly, the homend of tactical football.

  For the goalkeeper position ieam of the Season, there were three main tenders: Napoli's Handanoviter's Julio Cesar, and Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon.

  All three delivered exceptional performances. Handanovic's inclusion stemmed from his pivotal role at Napoli, where he introduced a style of goalkeeping o Italian football. He led Serie A goalkeepers in passes, pass success rate, and overall participation in the game.

  From Gao Shen's perspective, while Handanovic still had a signifit gap te before reag the level of a future Neuer, he had already performed remarkably well by current standards. Above all, he was sistent.

  Buffon, oher hand, also stood out.

  As Sacoted in his n, "With Buffon guarding the , Juventus effectively cedes ten fewer goals a season."

  Such remarks speak volumes about Buffon's value.

  Ultimately, however, the award went to Julio Cesar.

  Inter Min's defensive line was heavily stretched this season, which ironically gave Cesar more opportuo shine.

  The defensive line for the Team of the Seasoured Vargas, David Luiz, Panucci, and Mai.

  Napoli had two representatives: Vargas and David Luiz.

  Vargas, as Napoli's left-back, had solidified his status as Serie A's best in that position, with no real challengers.

  David Luiz's inclusion stemmed from his noticeable growth throughout the season. After Napoli's crucial away draw against Inter Min, the Brazilian defender showed marked improvement. Although he still had moments of recklessness, his progress was undeniable.

  More importantly, uhe tutege of Serie A's defensive philosophy, David Luiz had sharpened his overall tactical awareness and defensive skills signifitly.

  Panucci, an iic pyer for Roma, earned his spot, while Mai was the undisputed choice fht-back.

  Lichtsteiner, although promising, was still a step behind Mai.

  The midfield trio included Biglia, Cambiasso, and Hamsik.

  Cambiasso's sele was untroversial, as he was Inter Min's standout pyer. Some even attributed Inter's sed-half struggles to Cambiasso's injury.

  Hamsik, Napoli's midfield gem, was another easy choice.

  Biglia, one of Napoli's tral midfielders, had a endable season, but Sampdoria's Maggio was a strong rival for the spot.

  Maggio, a right-sided dynamo for Sampdoria, had performed spectacurly this season, showg his ability to single-handedly domihe right fnk.

  Ultimately, Biglia secured the spot ieam of the Season for his sistent and integral role in Napoli's midfield.

  The forward trio prised Mutu, Del Piero, and i.

  Mutu dazzled in Fiorentina, while Del Piero and i ranked first and sed in the Serie A sg charts, making their seles indisputable.

  i, with his stelr performances and imposing physical presenot only dominated Serie A but also caught the attention of several European giants.

  Though Di Maria and Sanchez were also brilliant under Gao Shen's system, Mutu and Del Piero were simply too impactful to overlook based on their statistics.

  Napoli's domination was evident, with the team g five spots in the 11-man Team of the Season. It was a refle of the strength a of this newly-promoted side that went on to win the league title.

  This championship was nothing short of deserved.

  …

  After the final round of Serie A, Gao Shen allowed the team ara day of rest after their recovery session.

  The Coppa Italia final, scheduled for May 24th, ter than the Champions League final meant that Napoli had a full week to prepare after the Serie A clusion. This provided ample time for adjustments and preparation.

  However, one crucial task couldn't wait, summer transfers.

  Back during the winter break, Gao Shen had made it clear that he wa in Maggio from Sampdoria.

  Unfortunately, Sampdoria refused to eveer iations with Napoli at the time.

  Now, the need for a high-caliber right-back had bee urgent.

  While the pyers rested, Gao She with club president De Laurentiis and sp direarino at the club's headquarters to discuss summer pns. During the meeting, Gao Shen made it clear that Geie Garics was no longer part of his pns.

  "I need a top-level right-back, like Maggio," Gao Shen emphasized.

  " season, we'll be peting on three fronts. The physical demands on our full-backs will be immense, so I need a high-quality pyer to rotate with Lichtsteiner. Maggio is the ideal didate."

  This was Gao Shen's third time pushing fgio.

  The club had agreed to pursue him twice before but had failed to secure the deal.

  "Each positiowo top-tier pyers. That's my requirement," Gao Sheerated.

  De Laurentiis nodded and turo Marino, eared slightly hesitant.

  "Maggio won't e cheap now," Marino admitted. "At this point, he'll cost at least seven ht million euros."

  Napoli had missed a golden opportunity to secure Maggi the winter window when his market value was much lower. After a stelr season, Maggio's reputation had soared, driving up his price.

  Seven ht million euros was a substantial sum for Napoli, even as Serie A champions.

  The reality was that Napoli didn't have much financial leeway. Most of their anticipated Champions League revenue was still months away from materializing, meaning De Laurentiis would have to dip into his own funds to fihe transfer.

  plig matters further was the looming pressure of tract renewals.

  The club was w hard to extend Gao Shen's tract, which priority. There were also key pyers whose traeeded to be renewed, all of which would require signifit financial resources.

  De Laurentiis had previously suggested selling pyers to ease the financial burden. For example, selling Gervinho the previous season had helped stabilize the club's finances. Another sale this summer could provide a simir boost.

  However, Mariated to broach this subject with Gao Shen, sensing that the timing wasn't right.

  In truth, despite winning the Serie A title and seg Champions League football, some pyers were still dissatisfied with their roles.

  For instance, Geie Garid Domic were both keen to leave. her had seen much pying time, with Domi particur, being increasingly frustrated.

  "To be ho, Domic doesn't fit my requirements," Gao Shen expined. "If we receive a suitable offer, he be sold for at least four or five million euros. As feie Garics, he should fetch two to three million."

  As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.

  Napoli's success had boosted the market value of even their fringe pyers.

  "Selling Garics to fund Maggio's transfer makes sense, but if you sell Domic as well, we'll only have three ter-backs left, plus avaro as a substitute. Is that enough?" Marino asked, visibly ed.

  Over the past season, Gao Shen had sistently backed the partnership of Bonucd David Luiz, which had performed admirably. avaro, meanwhile, had transitioned into a backup role. But relying on just one substitute ter-back seemed risky.

  "I already have a target in mind," Gao Shen assured them. "We might not eveo pay a transfer fee. The money from selling Domid Garics should be enough to secure Maggio. Trust me—it'll work."

  Serie A's financial realities meant that pyer valuations were far lower pared to the Premier League or La Liga. A pyer like Maggio would and a fortune in Engnd, but in Italy, seven ht million euros was a signifit offer that would likely tempt Sampdoria.

  "Seal the deal fgio as quickly as possible. We 't afford to let other teams beat us to him. I'm fident he'll be ied in pying Champions League football with us. If necessary, I'll personally give him a call," Gao Shen said decisively.

  His fiden Maggio's ability tthen the squad was evident.

  As for the ter-back position, Gao Shen had already identified a suitable didate who wouldn't require a signifit financial outy.

  ***

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