Chapter 295: Desperate Ranieri

On the evening of October 27, at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples.

Ranieri wasn't particularly surprised when he saw Napoli's starting lineup.

Goalkeeper: Handanovic.

Defense: Vargas, David Luiz, Bonucci, and Lichtsteiner.

Midfield: Biglia and Rakitic as the holding pair, with Di Maria, Hamsik, and Sanchez in front of them.

Forward: Cavani as the center forward.

From this lineup, it was clear that Gao Shen was sticking to Napoli's favored 4-2-3-1 formation, with no surprises in personnel or tactics.

What Ranieri could see in this choice was Gao Shen's intent to firmly establish David Luiz and Bonucci as Napoli's central defenders for the long term. It seemed Cannavaro's role in the squad was becoming increasingly marginalized.

While the Italian media were quick to criticize Gao Shen, professionals in coaching circles held him in high regard. Gao Shen's tactics were studied closely and admired even by his critics.

Consider Roma's recent 0-4 loss to Napoli at home. What formation did Spalletti use? 4-2-3-1.

Although Spalletti had publicly denied it, his actions spoke otherwise.

After suffering a crushing defeat to Gao Shen last season, Spalletti had quickly adopted a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system, similar to Roma's "wolf pack" tactic, but more stable. Unfortunately for Roma, the defense was lacking after they let Cristian Chivu go, which compromised their ability to execute the formation effectively.

For tonight's match, Ranieri's lineup was a more conservative, traditional Italian 4-4-2:

Goalkeeper: Buffon.

Defense: Molinaro, Chiellini, Legrottaglie, and Grygera.

Midfield: Palladino, Nocerino, Almiron, and Salihamidzic.

Forwards: Del Piero and Trezeguet.

With Nedved suspended, Ranieri banned from the sideline, and Zanetti still recovering from injury, Ranieri wasn't willing to take too many risks and decided on a cautious approach. In fact, he planned to employ a defensive counterattacking strategy against Napoli.

Napoli had the best attacking power in Serie A, and Ranieri knew he had to be careful.

"Alright, everyone, as you know, I'll be in the stands after kickoff, giving instructions remotely. All directives will come through Christian, so pay close attention, understood?" Ranieri said to his players, gesturing to his assistant, Christian Damiano.

The 57-year-old French coach had been the head of the French national youth team from 1992 to 1999, nurturing stars like Henry and Trezeguet. He'd also worked with top coaches in Nice, Fulham, and Liverpool. Ranieri recruited Damiano last season while managing Parma, pulling him from Southampton, and the two had been working together ever since.

Damiano was a well-regarded coach in his own right, with an annual salary higher than many head coaches in Serie A's mid- to lower-tier clubs. This reflected Ranieri's respect for his abilities.

The Juventus players were already aware of this arrangement, and they had no objections.

Ranieri also made a few last-minute adjustments based on Napoli's lineup, all centered around a cautious, defense-first approach. With him out of action, stability was the priority.

After his talk with the players, Ranieri pulled Damiano aside and reviewed the signals and notes he would send during the game, covering key points to watch for.

The two had only worked together for a short time, less than a year, and they hadn't developed a strong sense of mutual understanding. Damiano still wasn't fully familiar with some of Ranieri's strategies.

But Ranieri reassured him, saying he'd pass along messages as needed.

"Don't worry, just follow my instructions when the time comes," Ranieri said confidently.

As the Juventus players left the locker room, an official from the Italian Football Federation, dressed in a black suit, was already waiting outside, having been there for a while.

After the players filed out, the official approached Ranieri, showed him his credentials, and then presented the suspension notice, reminding Ranieri that he couldn't appear on the pitch tonight. He also informed him that cell phones and communication devices were banned within the stadium, and if they found evidence of any contact with assistants on the sidelines, it would be considered a violation.

Ranieri was cooperative, handing over his cell phone while assuring the official he wouldn't contact anyone directly.

Of course, he wouldn't contact Damiano himself. But he didn't say he wouldn't find another way.

He could always "accidentally" drop a note, or shout something that an assistant might "overhear." If someone else passed the message along, that wasn't on him.

What would they do, fine him for littering?

The Italian Football Federation official seemed prepared for Ranieri's cooperation. After all, Serie A teams had long since developed their own ways of dealing with league regulations and penalties. The officials generally turned a blind eye as long as teams didn't overstep too blatantly.

Ranieri followed the official out of the visiting team's locker room, through the inner corridors, and into an elevator.

But when the official pressed the button for the second floor, Ranieri felt his heart sink.

"Why the second-floor stands?"

"Well," the official replied, "we just received word from Naples. Apparently, two local fan groups had a skirmish over seating, almost causing a riot. The section we had arranged for you was damaged and can't be used. I went to inspect it myself, and it's unfit for seating."

"You have two options: you can sit in the executive box with your general manager and sporting director, or in another section we've arranged, but the tickets are all sold out." The official smiled.

Everyone knew this was one of Napoli's tricks.

They expected Juventus to have their own ways to communicate covertly with Ranieri, so Napoli had deliberately created a diversion, releasing misinformation before the game and then switching his seating arrangement at the last moment. It was their stadium, after all they could seat him wherever they liked.

Ranieri's face fell.

Damn it! Napoli really is a bunch of cunning, underhanded schemers!

Gao Shen, and now even the management!

When Ranieri finally reached the second-floor stands, he almost wanted to cry.

He was surrounded by Napoli fans, all of them eyeing him menacingly. Ranieri felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't help but wonder, What's the most common thing in Naples, aside from fans? The Mafia!

Ranieri half-expected someone to pull out a gun, like in The Godfather…

Fortunately, they only glared at him, and nobody made a move.

The Stadio San Paolo wasn't a professional football stadium but a multi-purpose complex. Both ends of the pitch had curved stadium seating, which was far from the goals.

Unsurprisingly, they seated Ranieri in one of these far-off sections, at a great distance from the coaching area.

From this vantage point, even if he shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice would never reach the pitch.

Especially with the rowdy "Mafia" fans surrounding him, acting like a wall of hostile energy.

The Stadio San Paolo is way too dangerous!

The match soon began, and the atmosphere exploded.

Ranieri, sitting among the most passionate fans, found that not only was it impossible to communicate with the team, but even talking to the official beside him required shouting directly into his ear.

He felt utterly powerless.

How could the Naples officials assign him a seat like this?

How was he supposed to communicate any instructions?

The match opened cautiously. Napoli, playing at home, tried to launch an early attack, which Ranieri had anticipated.

Gao Shen was known for aggressive starts, so this was no surprise.

After about ten minutes of probing, seeing that Juventus's defense held firm, Napoli slowed down and focused more on maintaining possession.

Juventus played steadily, not rushing to press forward. Napoli controlled the game's tempo, maintaining possession and occasionally accelerating to threaten Juventus's goal, though they failed to convert their chances.

Ranieri, anxiously watching from the stands, saw that Juventus had defended well and looked stable.

The two sides continued their tactical battle. The situation unfolded as Ranieri expected, and he began to feel more at ease.

Right before halftime, Napoli launched one last offensive push, creating a dangerous moment, but they still couldn't break through Juventus's defense.

The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Ranieri finally left his seat, walking down to the locker room under the watchful eyes of the "Mafia fans" around him.

In the locker room, Ranieri expressed satisfaction with the team's first-half performance, but he reminded them to stay vigilant against Napoli's wings.

Di Maria and Vargas on the left, Sanchez and Lichtsteiner on the right—this was Napoli's strongest flank combination this season, supporting Cavani in the center, creating a formidable offensive force.

Ranieri urged Juventus's players to keep their focus. As long as they stayed disciplined, they could contain Napoli's attacks.

He was certain that at the start of the second half, Napoli would come out strong again, trying to break through.

Since he was far from the sideline, Ranieri told Damiano to take control and make decisions as needed. The goal for this game was to hold Juventus level, and if possible, score on the counterattack.

After the break, the second half began, and everything proceeded as Ranieri had anticipated.

Napoli openedthe second half aggressively, while Juventus defended and looked for counterattack opportunities. Neither side made any major tactical changes.

But as Ranieri watched from the stands, an uneasy feeling began to settle in his mind.

Something didn't feel right.

The game seemed to be unfolding exactly as he and Juventus wanted. Napoli's attacks were constant but not particularly threatening, and Juventus's defense was holding steady.

Yet, it was precisely this sense of control that made Ranieri feel uneasy.

This doesn't seem like Gao Shen's usual level at all, he thought.

It was as if everything was going too smoothly, almost as if Gao Shen was playing into Juventus's hands on purpose.