Chapter 472： psychological warfare

After the careful deployment of Naples, this national team match day, although the South American international was delayed on the road, but finally arrived in Rome, Italy on the afternoon of April 4th.

Naples arranged a special car to take the players back to the team as soon as possible.

After a careful physical examination by Buenaventura, Pintus and the team doctors, it was determined that the player's body was basically fine.

This also gave Naples a sigh of relief.

Especially Gao Shen, he was really worried all the way, and he had to make a phone call almost every day to check the situation.

Now that the players are back on time and safely, he is relieved.

In order to give the internationals a better rest, Gao Shen went north on the weekend to play away to Sampdoria and arranged for all the internationals to rest, especially the South American internationals. He did not bring any of them and stayed in Naples.

Not only that, but Gao Shen also directly gave them a day off to let them all have a good rest.

...

On April 5th, in the 30th round of Serie A, Naples played away to Sampdoria.

Mazzari's team continued their usual style and still faced Napoli with three-five-two.

Gao Shen played almost as a full substitute, which caused Naples to be quite passive at the beginning of the away game.

In the 28th minute, Sampdoria took advantage of a free-kick opportunity. Midfielder Palumbo's long-range shot penetrated Naples' goal and opened the scoring for the home team.

But before the end of the first half, Naples also got a free kick opportunity, Pelai headed the ball to equalize the score for the team.

But in the 63rd minute of the second half, it was another free kick in the frontcourt. Palumbo kicked a direct free kick and pierced the goal of Naples to overtake the score again.

This time, Sampdoria took the lead all the way to stoppage time, and was assisted by Hamsik. Mertens, who came off the bench, stopped the ball and turned to shoot low, leveling the score again for Naples.

Two to two, Napoli drew with Sampdoria away.

...

While Naples drew with Sampdoria away, Inter Milan was on the road, with an own goal from the opponent, a 1-0 victory over Udinese.

Mourinho's team is actually also affected by the national team's game, but at the critical moment, their luck is obviously better.

With this own goal, Inter Milan got a precious three points.

As a result, Napoli's league lead was cut from five to three after the round.

"Five Dynasties Rivers, Mountains, Wind and Moon"

For a time, Mourinho was excited again.

At the post-match press conference, after learning that Naples drew with Sampdoria, Mourinho put pressure on Naples again, saying that his guess was not wrong at all, and that Naples would not be able to withstand the multi-line battle and eventually collapsed.

"The closer to the end of the season, the more dangerous the situation will be for Napoli!"

Mourinho suggested that Gao Shen should choose to give up one or even two fronts.

"Now Naples is fighting on three fronts. We all know how difficult it is and how stressful it is."

Mourinho said that many times the manager has to make some choices despite his reluctance.

"As an adult, you can't want everything."

"That's greed, it's a disease, and it needs to be cured."

Mourinho's remarks caused a lot of repercussions in Italy, and even in Naples, it also caused a lot of reactions from the media and fans. Many fans began to feel that the team should make a choice.

The league lead has been shortened from seven points to three points, and the situation is also in danger.

The gap is only one game. If Inter Milan is to catch up, the situation in Naples will be dangerous.

If, as Mourinho said, insist on fighting on three fronts, and all three fronts get nothing, that is the real tragedy.

Not only outside, but even inside Naples, there are similar discussions.

Seeing different voices appearing within the team, Gao Shen made a decisive decision and immediately accepted an interview with the local media in Naples.

In the interview, Gao Shen bluntly pointed out the current problems of the team. He admitted that the third-line battle has brought a lot of pressure to the team, but he believes that this is not a bad thing.

"Pressure can make our players grow and improve. In the past three years, we have been doing this all the time. When we were in Serie B, we dared to throw punches at the giants of Serie A."

Gao Shen said that the tradition of Naples is to not compromise and not be discouraged!

"I want to say that in our Neapolitan dictionary, the word has never been dropped."

"The current great situation is achieved by our hard work and hard work in the past season. At this crossroads, I would rather we fight to the end, even if we achieve nothing, I do not want to compromise at this moment and finally get it. A league title."

Gao Shen also issued an appeal, saying that he and his team had experience in dealing with similar situations.

"Back then, when I was coaching Real Madrid, I was also faced with a two-front battle, and at that time, many people, even those inside Real Madrid, were persuading me, hoping that I could make an appropriate choice, give up one of the fronts, and focus on Another one, but I didn't do it."

"I told the players at the time that everyone has to be tough on themselves. Only by forcing themselves can they know how much potential they have, and then they will know that in this world, nothing is impossible."

"Finally, we got the double crown!"

Gao Shen said that he now wants to say something similar to Naples.

The day after the interview with the media, when the players had seen Gao Shen's interviews and reports from the media, and after digesting it, Gao Shen organized an internal mobilization meeting.

He told all the players with great certainty that Napoli would not give up any of the fronts.

"I can tell everyone that we have no way out now."

"Either, we will go all the way on these three fronts and keep fighting until the last moment; or we will give up early, and the result of giving up is that Inter Milan will quietly eat us, Arsenal will also kill us, and we are very happy in the end. Probably nothing!"

Gao Shen makes all players have a unified idea, and Naples must persevere to the end!

"I know that there is a lot of pressure now, and it is difficult for everyone, but I believe that as long as we work together, as long as everyone grit their teeth, we can persevere. I believe that you will definitely be able to do it!"

"After success, you will become the heroes of this city!"

...

When Naples was in the quagmire of the third-line battle, although Arsenal was not easy, the situation was much better than that of Naples. At least in the league, the Gunners were not as fierce as Inter Milan.

Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth-placed Aston Villa.

But in the 31st round of the Premier League, Aston Villa visited Old Trafford, a game doomed to fail.

Manchester United are currently competing with Liverpool for the league title, and Ferguson will not give Aston Villa a chance to upset their own turf.

Sure enough, Manchester United finally beat Aston Villa 3-2.

This makes it easy for Arsenal, who are feeling the pressure of fourth in the league.

At home to Manchester City, the Gunners easily beat Mark Hughes' side 2-0.

By the way, after the 31st round, Mark Hughes' team is still ranked tenth in the Premier League, which makes Manchester City's huge investment last summer and this winter break seem like a joke. .

No one will question the investment of Manchester City, but Mark Hughes really can't bring the ambitious Manchester City, and the change of coach has become the consensus of the whole Manchester City.

The Gunners extended their lead to six points with this victory.

With seven rounds remaining in the Premier League, that advantage is enough to secure Arsenal's place in the top four.

...

The Gunners won by near misses, but Napoli drew 2-2 with Sampdoria in the league. Although they played on the bench, it was somewhat disappointing.

More and more media are starting to worry about Naples' trip to London, England.

After Wenger finished playing Manchester City, he directly responded to Gao Shen's previous remarks.

Gao Shen said that he has the experience of defeating Arsenal, which has made the whole world look up to him, and he wants to demonstrate it again.

"I don't know who gave him the courage but I would say I'm glad he has that ambition but he won't have that opportunity because after entering the Emirates, we have so far Haven't lost in the Champions League yet."

Wenger is very proud of this record.

Home record, this is definitely a symbol of a strong team.

Far away in Italy, he trained with the team in a low-key manner for two days. On the afternoon before the game, he responded to Wenger's remarks again at the pre-match press conference announcing the 18-man squad.

"I don't deny that the Emirates Stadium is a very difficult fortress to conquer, but I don't think Arsenal are strong."

"On the contrary, this is a team that lacks aggressiveness."

"Look at their position in the Premier League, they are fourth."

"If it were me, I would be ashamed if I was fourth, because I'm six points behind third-placed Chelsea and 13 points behind top-ranked Manchester United."

"But obviously some people don't see it that way, they look down, oh, I'm six points ahead of fifth, my fourth place is solid, come on, have a good drink and celebrate. "

Gao Shen shook his head, "This is not my style!"

Obviously, Gao Shen is also playing psychological warfare.

Arsenal's lack of aggressive ambition in recent years is also well known.

No, after selling Henry, they are now ready to sell Cesc Fabregas.

The Spanish midfielder was intent on going back to Barcelona. It was reported that Real Madrid was also interested in him, but Gao Shen knew that Cesc Fabregas had no intention of going to Real Madrid.

And this high-level remark is obviously poking at the weakness of Wenger and Arsenal to prepare for the next Emirates Stadium battle.

After the pre-match press conference, Gao Shen led the team on a chartered flight from Naples to London that night.