On the evening of May 24, the Stadio Olimpi Rome was alive with excitement.

  This year marked the 60th edition of the Coppa Italia final, a match that captured the attention of football fans across Italy.

  To orate this milestohe Italian Football Association made special ges to the petition format. The final, traditionally held over two legs, was ged to a sich showdown. Moreover, the venue for the final was chosen to honor the location of the very first Coppa Italia final: Rome's iic Stadio Olimpico.

  At the beginning of the season, fans and media alike had anticipated a cssic showdowween Roma and Inter Min in this year's final.

  For the past three seasons, the Coppa Italia final had been tested exclusively by these two clubs. Inter had won two of those enters, while Roma had triumphed st year, denying Ihe inate.

  Given their sistent performances, most believed this year would follow the same script: Roma versus Inter Min.

  But no one expected Napoli to storm onto the se and upset the established order.

  ---

  Napoli's jouro the final drew the attention of one particurly iial figure—Giio Napolitano, the President of Italy.

  The president, a Naples native and a lifelong fan of the team, found himself captivated by their incredible run.

  Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis seized this opportunity. After Napoli's stunning qualification for the final, he mao tact the president and invited him to attend the match. To the delight of Naples fans, President Napolitano accepted the invitation and arrived at the stadium to watch the game in person.

  Joining the president iands were other promi figures, including Italian Olympiittee President Giovanrucd Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete, both of whom held signifit positions in Italian sports.

  On Inter Min's side, club president Massimo Moratti did not attend, delegating his sister as the club's representative. However, teical direarco Branca resent for the final.

  Napoli's supporters had another reason to cheer as Diego Maradona, the club's legendary figure, attehe final as well. Maradona had previously promised to attend if Napoli made it to the decisive match. After seeing their rise through the petition, he kept his word and showed up to support the team.

  With such distinguished guests and fahe final became a truly grand occasion.

  Before kickoff, the Italian Football Association held a brief ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coppa Italia final, adding an air of nostalgia and prestige to the event.

  ---

  Napoli lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation:

  Goalkeeper: Handanovic

  Defense: Vargas, David Luiz, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner

  Midfield: Biglia and Rakitic as the holding duo, with Di Maria, Hamsik, and Sanchez pying ahead

  Forward: i

  This formation, their staple throughout the season, had been instrumental in their success.

  Inter Min, meanwhile, opted for a 4-5-1 setup:

  Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar

  Defense: Maxwell, Chivu, Burdisso, Mai

  Midfield: Cesar, Vieira, Stankovic, Zai, Balotelli

  Forward: Suazo

  As Gao Shen reviewed Inter Min's lineup in the dressing room, oail caught his eye.

  Balotelli ositioned on the right wing.

  Inter Min's unusual 4-5-1 setup was ued, and Gao Shen couldn't help but wonder about Mani's iions.

  "What is he trying to do?" Gao Shen muttered, perplexed.

  The coag staff were equally puzzled.

  "Maybe it's a surprise tactic?" Carlo cautiously suggested.

  Gao Shen shook his head. "This doesn't feel like a surprise. It feels desperate."

  ---

  The match kicked off with Napoli asserting themselves early, as they had done all season.

  From the opening whistle, Napoli took the initiative, pressing high and dictating the tempo.

  Inter Min, oher hand, focused on holding their defensive shape and waiting for opportuo terattack.

  Napistered the first shot of the match, but ihird minute, Inter Min had a the break.

  Suazo, Inter's lone forward, drew attention from Napoli's defense before threading a pass to the right fnk, targeting Balotelli.

  Balotelli surged forward but was fgged offside.

  Watg from the sidelines, Gao Shen immediately grasped Mani's pn.

  "He's putting his hopes on a 17-year-old?" Gao Shen shook his head in disbelief.

  Mani's tactics were a letdown. After all the adjustments and experiments, it boiled down to relying on the youthful Balotelli to create something out of nothing.

  Balotelli's potential was undeniable, but to hinge a final on him seemed reckless.

  Gao Shen wasted no time. He called out instrus from the sidelines, signaling Vargas and Biglia to keep a close eye on Balotelli.

  "Don't let him have the space to cut inside or break through!"

  The message was clear, and Napoli's pyers quickly adapted.

  Gao Shen also instructed David Luiz and Bonucci to stay tight on Suazo, fident that the two ter-backs could handle him fortably.

  ---

  Balotelli, primarily a ter-forward, struggled in his unfamiliar role on the right wing. His disfort was evident, and Napoli exploited it.

  Vargas and Biglia repeatedly closed him down, denying him any space to operate. Without support from his teammates, Balotelli became increasingly isoted and frustrated.

  By the 30th minute, Napoli had firmly taken trol of the match.

  In the 31st minute, i received a pass in the box and id it off to Hamsik, who unleashed a shot. Though the angle wasn't ideal, Cesar made the save.

  However, the ball fell to Rakitic, who had joihe attack from deep. Without hesitatioruck a thunderous shot from outside the box, pierg Inter's .

  Napoli led 1-0.

  The goal was a turning point. From that moment, Napoli unleashed wave after wave of attacks, pinning Inter Min deep in their half.

  Inter Min had no choice but to retreat into an ultra-defensive shell, further isoting Balotelli and Suazo.

  In the sed half, Mani attempted to ge things by substituting the iive Stankovic for Pele.

  The move, however, did little to stem the tide.

  Napoli tio dominate possession and dictate the rhythm. By the 55th mihe differen fitness levels betweewo teams was gring.

  Napoli were relentless, their fidence growing with every minute. Inter Min, oher hand, looked drained, both physically aally.

  Ih minute, i once again pyed provider, setting up Hamsik for a simple cle finish. Napoli exteheir lead to 2-0.

  The match was effectively over. Inter Min, demoralized and outcssed, had no answers.

  ---

  "Napoli have showcased their brilliaonight," the entators observed.

  "Meanwhile, Inter Min look like a shadow of their former selves—hesitant, uninspired, and g the fight of a top-tier team."

  "Gao Shen's Napoli, despite fag jeers from the Stadio Olimpico crowd, have delivered a mastercss in tactical execution and team cohesion."

  "Mani's Inter Min seem powerless to stop Gao Shen from g his pce atop Italian football tonight."

  "This will mark the sed time Napoli has won the domestic double, the first being their legendary 1987 triumph."

  "Back then, it was Maradona's Naples. Now, 20 years ter, it's a Napoli reborn from bankruptcy, fed in the fires of Serie d built from the ground up by Gao Shen."

  "Every pyer in this squad has been carefully chosen and molded by Gao Shen to fit his vision. The result is a team capable of pying some of the most cohesive and attag football in Serie A."

  "With Serie A and Coppa Italia titles secured this season, it's clear that a new power is rising in Italian football. The old order is being shaken, and Napoli, under Gao Shen, is leading the charge."

  "Especially after tonight."

  Indeed, Mani not only lost a final and a trophy, he lost the fidence of his team and the belief of the fans.