Chapter 310: A Big Secret

I think everyone can imagine how angry Lazio's coach, Dario Rossi, was at the post-match press conference. He criticized Gao Shen and his Napoli, lamented the unfairness of the game's outcome, and voiced his frustrations.

He had a list of excuses ready, even though Gao Shen had openly admitted at the press conference that Lazio had performed better.

"But I still believe we deserved this victory," Gao Shen said.

This statement only added fuel to the fire.

What did he mean by saying Lazio was the better team, yet claiming Napoli deserved the win?

A reporter asked Gao Shen if Napoli was going to abandon their high-flying offensive football style, which they had previously championed.

Gao Shen clarified, saying Napoli never claimed to hold any high-flying banner.

"As a professional football team, as a professional head coach, my job is to help the team win," he said firmly.

While Rossi and Lazio were eliminated from the Coppa Italia, Gao Shen expressed sympathy, but he didn't see it as an upset. "The better team progressed, as it should be," he stated.

"But Mr. Gao, you just said Lazio performed better," the reporter questioned Gao Shen's seemingly contradictory statements.

"Yes, I meant they were better in this particular game, visually. But overall, we were stronger. That's why we're third in the league standings, and Lazio… well," Gao Shen gestured downward with his hand, indicating a lower position, "…they're down there."

"Oh, there it is," he added, scanning the standings. "They're in 15th place, quite close to the relegation zone."

The reporters were taken aback, sensing this was more than just an observation—it felt like a jab at Lazio.

Gao Shen looked puzzled. "Did I humiliate them? How did I humiliate anyone? I'm just stating facts. Isn't Lazio in 15th place?"

"What? Now telling the truth is considered an insult? Fine, then I'm insulting them. So what?" he added nonchalantly.

This attitude irked the Italian media, prompting many outlets to rally against him.

Roma's La Repubblica ran a headline suggesting that Napoli was in poor form and that Gao Shen was merely deflecting attention from his team's issues.

"Lazio will teach you a lesson in humility in the weekend league match!" they declared.

Gazzetta dello Sport also criticized Gao Shen, calling his provocation irrational and noting that Napoli was in a slump. "This is the time to keep a low profile, not to provoke opponents," they wrote. "Clearly, humility is not one of Gao Shen's virtues."

Turin Sports Daily went even further, predicting that Napoli was nearing their breaking point. They boldly stated that in the upcoming Serie A clash, Lazio would tear Napoli to shreds.

Gao Shen didn't back down. Instead, he fired back on Twitter, tagging Turin Sports Daily in a tweet.

"Haha! Wait until you can actually beat me before talking. You'll just end up defeated!"

Then, as if fate had a sense of humor, the Italian Football Association held the draw for the Coppa Italia quarter-finals—and Napoli was matched up against Juventus.

As soon as the results were announced, Gao Shen tweeted that he was delighted to face Juventus.

"We've had plenty of experience beating Juventus," he posted confidently.

Juventus fans were quick to respond, some suggesting that the draw was rigged. They were suspicious why else would Juventus be drawn against Napoli out of all eight teams?

Clearly, Juventus had developed a sense of dread when it came to facing Gao Shen and his Napoli.

But Turin Sports Daily swiftly changed its tune, calling this the perfect opportunity for Juventus to exact revenge, especially with Napoli's current dip in form. They argued that Juventus would finally settle the score by eliminating Napoli from the Coppa Italia and that Lazio would give Napoli a reality check in the upcoming league match.

"Napoli's Coppa Italia run will come to a complete stop at the Stadio Olimpico," Turin Sports Daily proclaimed.

Gao Shen found himself fighting on multiple fronts, yet his energy didn't seem to wane. Every time he tweeted, it sparked headlines in Italy's major newspapers like Turin Sports Daily and La Repubblica, often even making the front page.

When reporters asked Italian football legend Arrigo Sacchi for his opinion, he laughed it off. "I've actually called Gao Shen and asked him to teach me how to use Twitter. He was kind enough to follow me and retweet my first post, which got me quite a few followers."

Sacchi's lighthearted answer left the reporters feeling a bit exasperated.

They were looking for a serious analysis, not a Twitter tutorial.

Under pressure, Sacchi was eventually coaxed into commenting on Gao Shen's knack for antagonizing fans and clubs in Turin, Rome, and Milan all at once.

"To be honest, I think he's quite successful at it!" Sacchi said with a smile.

…

"Damn it!"

Dario Rossi threw down his copy of La Repubblica, which had featured yet another one of Gao Shen's taunting tweets.

The latest read: "I'm not worried about the 19th round! I don't think Lazio will dare to play aggressively at the San Paolo Stadium!"

That single tweet became front-page news across Italy overnight.

For days, every move Gao Shen made seemed to capture the Italian media's full attention. If they could report on what color pants he was wearing, they probably would.

Public opinion was at a fever pitch.

At Lazio's training ground, fans gathered, calling on the team to crush Napoli and silence the "arrogant Chinese coach."

Clearly, Gao Shen's words had stirred up Lazio's fanbase.

The media had stoked the fire, and Lazio's supporters were fully inflamed.

Roman fans, whether they supported the Giallorossi or the Biancocelesti, were notoriously passionate. They didn't take insults lightly.

If they encountered Gao Shen outside the stadium, it wouldn't be surprising if things got physical.

Some furious Lazio fans even called the club, demanding that the team avenge their Coppa Italia elimination by Napoli and lift their current league ranking from the near-relegation zone.

Management, too, put pressure on Rossi, insisting that they could not afford to lose this weekend.

Lazio's position was precarious, teetering on the edge of the relegation zone. If they dropped further, Rossi's job would be on the line.

The media, fans, and club executives were all pushing Rossi to bring down Napoli in the weekend match.

Yet, Rossi couldn't shake the feeling that he was being manipulated, that Gao Shen was orchestrating this entire situation.

Or perhaps Gao Shen was leveraging the media storm for his own advantage.

Why else would he keep stirring the pot with so many remarks to the press and on Twitter?

Was it because Napoli wasn't in great form? Was Gao Shen creating a situation that would work in his favor?

But Rossi didn't have much choice.

The fact remained: Lazio was on the brink of relegation.

Being knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Napoli was a reality.

His job was indeed at risk.

He needed these three points at the San Paolo Stadium to stabilize his position.

Gao Shen's tactics were ruthless, leaving Rossi with no choice but to take the bait.

And that realization only made Rossi angrier.

…

"This isn't going to be easy!"

While Dario Rossi was fuming, Gao Shen also had concerns.

Despite his confidence about facing Juventus on Twitter, deep down, he knew what he was up against.

This was a tough draw.

Juventus was incredibly strong this season in Serie A.

Inter Milan was the undisputed powerhouse, head and shoulders above the rest.

Napoli, Juventus, and Roma were all roughly on the same level.

Napoli was young and somewhat inexperienced. Their strength came from Gao Shen's advanced coaching methods and the custom tactics he had crafted for the team, allowing them to keep pace with Juventus and Roma.

But after the winter break, Napoli's physical condition and form had declined. And now, they faced back-to-back games against Juventus in a congested schedule. It was far from ideal.

"At least we're playing the first leg away, then at home," Carlo analyzed.

Gao Shen gave a wry smile. "Ranieri is a cautious manager. Even though he's not yet reached the level of a championship-winning coach, he's not easy to deal with. Last time, we only got the upper hand because he was suspended."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Just then, Fernando Lucas rushed in, looking like he'd uncovered a major secret.

Lucas stopped in front of Gao Shen, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Guess what I found out?"

"What?" Gao Shen asked, intrigued.

"I was gathering intel on Juventus in advance, and on a whim, I decided to dig a bit deeper. I found something big."

Lucas handed a file over to Gao Shen, his expression full of mystery.

Gao Shen took it, not thinking much of it at first. But as he read, his eyes widened.

"No way… Juventus made such a rookie mistake?" Gao Shen exclaimed in shock.

Carlo and the others, seeing Gao Shen's reaction, grew curious and gathered around. Carlo took the file and, after reading it, looked equally astonished.

"Is this real?"

"It can't be…"

Everyone shared the same surprised reaction as Gao Shen.

But Lucas nodded confidently. "I double-checked it."

"Then this just got interesting." Gao Shen muttered, a sly smile spreading across his face.

He knew that if this information got out, it could throw Juventus into chaos, especially considering their current situation.

Everyone else seemed to realize this too, and they all began to laugh.

***

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