Chapter 434: The Clown is Me

Sun Tzu's Art of War states: "The speed of rushing water that can carry boulders is due to its momentum; the swiftness of a bird of prey that shatters bones is due to its strength."

This means that fast-flowing water can carry massive rocks because of the momentum it generates, producing immense impact force. Similarly, a bird of prey can kill with a single strike because it seizes the most opportune moment to unleash its explosive strength.

There's another phrase in the same text: "Therefore, the momentum of one skilled in combat is like a round stone rolling down a mountain a thousand feet high. This is momentum."

In other words, the momentum created by someone adept at leading in battle is like a boulder rolling down a steep and towering mountain, unstoppable and destructive.

This is what is called momentum.

The concept isn't confined to Art of War alone.

In Mencius Part I, there is a saying: "Even if you have wisdom, it is better to take advantage of the situation; even if you have strength, it is better to wait for the right time."

This means that no matter how intelligent one may be, they must also observe the broader circumstances. Even if they possess tools or abilities, they must wait patiently for the perfect moment to act.

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As Gao Shen's coaching experience deepened, so did his understanding of why football is revered as the world's most popular sport. To many, it's not just a game but a "war without gunpowder."

Whether it's the momentum of a single game, an entire season, or a team's long-term development, the concept of momentum is vital.

From the small shifts in momentum within a match, it gradually builds and snowballs into the larger momentum of an entire season. Over time, the accumulated energy of multiple seasons shapes a team's long-term trajectory.

Of course, there will be setbacks and obstacles along the way. But as long as the core momentum remains steady, the overall direction of progress will not change drastically.

It's not so different from real life.

In the world we live in, momentum exists everywhere, from individuals to families, businesses, cities, and even entire nations. And throughout these processes, there are often key forces or moments that shape the trajectory of success.

For example, consider Napoli's away match against Inter Milan.

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At the post-match press conference, Inter Milan's coach José Mourinho remarked, "I must congratulate Napoli because they defeated the strongest team in Serie A. They've taken the initiative on the road to the championship!"

Although Mourinho quickly added that Inter hadn't given up and that there was still time to overturn the situation, his admission was telling. As long as his team performed better, there was still a chance to surpass Napoli and reclaim the top spot. After all, the league wasn't even halfway through, and it was too early to declare a winner.

Still, the very fact that Mourinho acknowledged this was enough to show how deeply Napoli's victory had shaken him and Inter Milan.

At his own press conference, Gao Shen was equally candid. He emphasized that this game marked an important milestone, and beating Inter Milan on their home turf had greatly boosted Napoli's confidence.

"This match is a testament to the hard work we've all put in, from the rotation system we've adhered to since the start of the season to our tactical strategies and the sweat and effort of every player on the team. It's all been worth it!"

However, Gao Shen was quick to clarify that this victory didn't mean Napoli had already won the championship. It was far too early for that.

"But what this game has given us is clarity. We now have a better understanding of our capabilities, what we can achieve and what we strive to accomplish. And that is more important than anything else."

Napoli was now aiming higher than ever.

Their sights were set on the Serie A title.

The Italian Cup.

Even the Champions League.

This victory extended Napoli's lead in the Serie A standings to five points. While the gap wasn't insurmountable, the crucial difference lay in the momentum between the two teams.

Napoli was on an upward trajectory, brimming with confidence and seemingly unstoppable. On the other hand, Inter Milan, after suffering successive defeats at Napoli's hands, was reeling. Their morale had taken a significant hit, and it wasn't likely to recover anytime soon.

When the championship race entered its decisive phase, Inter Milan would undoubtedly feel the impact of these setbacks.

The day after the game, it wasn't just the head coaches of Napoli and Inter Milan making headlines. The major Italian media outlets were in a frenzy to praise Napoli's performance.

Napoli had dominated the match with nearly 70% possession and four times as many shots as Inter Milan. Yet, they only managed to score once, late in the game. It was a grueling test of both teams' strength, willpower, and fighting spirit and Napoli emerged victorious.

The Gazzetta dello Sport declared, "From this game, it's clear that Napoli is the team with the most championship potential in Serie A this season. A top-tier team is like a natural-born king!"

La Repubblica, based in Rome, commented, "Though they only scored one goal—deep into injury time—Napoli's performance was convincing both in execution and in result. They are the strongest contender for the Serie A title this season."

Even Turin Sports Daily, which has no historical ties to Naples, threw its support behind them, stating that this team from the south has a strong chance of winning Serie A again. It would be a first in Italian football history.

Since Genoa became the inaugural Serie A champions in 1898, the league has seen over a century of competition. During this time, several southern teams, including Roma, Lazio, and Napoli, have claimed the championship. Napoli famously won in 1987 and 1990, led by the legendary Maradona.

The two Roma clubs followed with titles in 2000 and 2001.

But no southern team has ever won back-to-back Serie A championships.

Not even Maradona's Napoli could achieve that feat.

Yet now, Gao Shen's Napoli was being hailed as the frontrunner to achieve this historic milestone. It was not only a recognition of Napoli's progress but also a validation of Gao Shen's leadership.

After Napoli's 1-0 away victory over Inter Milan, the three major European bookmakers adjusted their odds. Napoli overtook Inter Milan as the favorite to win the league title.

This was a first for Napoli.

…

In just one night, Napoli's win transformed the mood across the Serie A landscape. Public opinion and the league's overall momentum shifted entirely in Napoli's favor. It felt as though the entire league, the fans, and the media were rallying behind them.

The energy surrounding the team had become completely different.

Gao Shen could feel this shift as well. While proud of his team's performance, he constantly reminded himself and his players that this was precisely the kind of moment that required composure.

"A pig can fly if the wind is strong enough," he reminded them. "But what happens when the wind dies down?"

A pig without wings is just a pig.

"If you want to fly, you have to grow your own wings."

The day after the match, Gao Shen convened a staff meeting. With a stern tone, he warned his team: anyone who lost focus on training or failed to give their best effort would be immediately disqualified from competing—no exceptions.

No matter who they were.

But Gao Shen balanced his strict warning with praise for his players, as was his style. He acknowledged their efforts and made ambitious promises, reminding them that the team had the momentum to win the league, the Italian Cup, and even compete for the Champions League title.

Carrot and stick. Simple and effective.

…

After the intense match against Inter Milan, Napoli finally got a week to rest.

Gao Shen granted the players a two-day break, albeit on a staggered schedule to ensure the team's rhythm remained intact. This did little to disrupt their focus.

One week later, Napoli hosted Siena at the San Paolo Stadium.

Just seven minutes into the match, Thiago Motta scored Napoli's first goal. Before the first half ended, Cavani added another, bringing the score to 2-0.

In the second half, Sanchez, Cavani, and substitute Mertens all found the net in succession. Napoli crushed Siena 5-1.

Siena's lone goal came from another player, and their starting striker that day was Emmanuel Calaió.

Yes, the same Calaió who had once been Napoli's top scorer back when they were in Serie C. He had left the club shortly after Gao Shen took over, transferring to Siena for over €3 million.

While Calaió started the match, he had little impact on the game, and Siena's only goal had nothing to do with him.

After the match, Calaió met privately with Gao Shen, as well as former teammates like Montevino and Yezo.

But he quickly realized something disheartening: Napoli's fans had completely forgotten about him.

And why wouldn't they?

When Calaió played for Napoli, they were a newly promoted team from Serie C, struggling to find their footing. Back then, his €3 million valuation made him the team's brightest star. Believing his ambitions outgrew the club, he had left for what he saw as greener pastures.

At the time, he even harbored resentment, wanting to prove that Napoli and Gao Shen would regret letting him go.

But now?

The truth was painfully clear. Calaió's departure had barely registered. If anything, it had benefited Napoli. The club used the funds from his transfer to recruit stronger players, building a squad that went on to win Serie B, conquer Serie A, and even make waves in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Calaió's career had stagnated.

Two years after leaving, he was still the same player, no closer to achieving greatness. Standing on the field of the San Paolo Stadium, he couldn't help but feel regret.

What if he had stayed? Would his career have flourished alongside Napoli's meteoric rise?

In the end, Calaió realized something bitterly ironic.

The clown was not Gao Shen.

The clown was him.