The journey from Naples to Rome only takes more than two hours at most, but Gao Shen decided to come to Rome one day in advance.
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome is actually no stranger to Naples, but Gao Shen still decided to participate in the familiarization training session the day before, and made all the preparations very meticulous and orderly.
In this way, he wants to tell his players not to be discouraged just because the final is held in Rome.
Even if it is held at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Naples may not be able to guarantee victory.
Do you still remember the Champions League final in 2012?
Isn’t it held at the Allianz Arena?
Bayern vs Chelsea, who wins?
Therefore, what many media say about Naples having an advantage in holding the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome is totally ignored by experts.
Let’s not talk about it. With the development of technology and the improvement of various logistics facilities, whether the away factor is still that important? Even if there is an away factor, does the Rome Olympic Stadium have half a cent to do with Naples?
Just like the game between Bayern and Chelsea, in the final, the number of fans in attendance was divided fairly.
All finals tickets are divided into three parts. After UEFA takes away one part, the remaining two teams are divided equally.
Who has the advantage?
But Gao Shen cannot control the media hype. He can only keep Naples vigilant and awake.
The final is held in Rome. For Naples, the biggest advantage is that the logistics are easy to handle.
The distance is close and everything is convenient.
Unlike Barcelona, a large truck was directly loaded with food, drinking water and training equipment.
However, Barcelona learned the lesson this time.
The last time Gao Shen led Real Madrid and played Barcelona in the Champions League final in Paris, France, Barcelona bought a huge bottle of celebratory champagne early, saying that it would be used to celebrate after winning the championship at the Stade de France.
But Gao Shen didn't know what happened to the bottle of champagne afterwards. He probably took it home and drank it himself.
This time Barcelona was obviously much more low-key.
This is normal, Gao Shen is well-known now, and Naples only entered the final after defeating three Premier League teams in a row. The schedule is rich, and the competition strength and performance are solid.
Barcelona can't say they can win such an opponent with certainty.
…
Naples almost reached the starting point, starting from Castel Volturno and heading to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to participate in familiarization training.
After training, the team bus went directly to the hotel to check in.
This is also the benefit and advantage of the final cities being closer.
But Gao Shen stayed at the Olympic Stadium to attend the pre-match press conference organized by UEFA.
This is also the routine process for the Champions League finals every year.
Gao Shen experienced it once before at the Stade de France in Paris, France, and now he has experience.
"Hey, congratulations, Gao!"
As a representative of the Champions League final venue, Bruno Conte participated in the entire Champions League this season. From the draw to the layout of the final venue, he followed the entire process, and he was naturally responsible for the pre-match press conference.
He is also the general manager of Roma.
Before the press conference started, Gao Shen chatted with him about some arrangements for the final, mainly hoping that Naples could be "taken care of" as much as possible within the scope of UEFA rules.
This is actually quite normal.
For example, the size of the UEFA final venue is not actually a hard number, but a range. Within this range, there is actually quite a lot of room for maneuver.
The standard is 105*68, but like the Camp Nou stadium, it is 107*72. Whether it is length or width, it is larger than the mainstream standard. Anyone who knows arithmetic can calculate it. This circle is enough.
How many square feet is there?
Of course, the size of the Olympic stadium is standard, and the "care" Gao Shen refers to refers to other aspects.
Even though the relationship between Naples and Roma is not very good, on such a big issue of right and wrong, they are both on the same page.
After all, Naples winning the championship is also good for Serie A, and Roma will also benefit from it.
Therefore, Bruno Conte made it clear that he would "take care" of Naples within the rules as much as possible.
This should be regarded as Naples' only "home field" advantage.
…
When Gao Shen walked into the press conference hall, there was a burst of warm applause.
This made him feel flattered, and he quickly raised his hand and greeted everyone humbly.
There were media reporters from all over the world present. In addition to being reporters, they were also senior fans and the backbone of various newspapers. This allowed them to know more inside stories and truths than other fans.
Gao Shen's three years of coaching at Naples can be said to have achieved great success.
Even if Naples really fails to win the Champions League this time, it will not shake the industry's recognition and affirmation of Gao Shen at all.
Not to mention, he lost to his own apprentice, Guardiola.
Master and apprentice, the teams they coach are different, the platforms are different, and the resources they receive are also different.
Guardiola coached a giant club, and the resources he got were the unparalleled Messi, numerous European Cup champions, and stars such as Henry, Eto'o, and Yaya Toure. These are things that Gaoshen does not have now.
.
In Naples, all the players were discovered and cultivated by Gao Shen himself. There are many players with good abilities, but the overall lineup is still far behind Barcelona.
Not to mention Messi's level, let alone Henry, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets and other European Cup champions and the core main force of the world's top teams, let's talk about world-class superstars like Eto'o who have been famous for many years.
, Naples couldn’t even get one.
The platform of Naples is still too low. Players here are unlikely to be promoted to world-class stars.
Therefore, the whole world knows very well that whether it is a senior player or a Naples player, the next step is to go to a wealthy club.
But this does not prevent the industry from recognizing Gao Shen.
It is precisely because Naples' platform is too low, and precisely because Naples lacks world-class stars, that Gao Shen's ability to lead the team to this point is even more valuable and legendary.
During the three years in Naples, Gao Shen has tempered a lot of his temper. He is no longer as sharp as when he coached Real Madrid, but is more restrained.
He was full of praise for Guardiola and Barcelona.
Three years ago, Gao Shen led Real Madrid and played against Barcelona in the Champions League final. Three years later, they met Barcelona again. Comparing the two teams before and after, Gao Shen's evaluation was also very different.
There is no doubt that both teams are extremely talented.
Rijkaard's Barcelona was more creative, more spiritual, and had a freer style of play, but now Guardiola's Barcelona is more stable, more pressing, and the overall style is better.
"I think that in Guardiola's Barcelona, we can see the unique football that belongs to Barcelona that has been slowly established and gradually improved over the past two decades starting from Cruyff.
style."
As Guardiola's "master" in the eyes of many people, Gao Shen still modestly said that he is not.
Regarding Guardiola, Gao Shen said, "He is a meticulous, very energetic and passionate person who is also very cunning."
Gao Shen specifically reminded that the cunning he mentioned here was not a derogatory term.
Regarding Naples, Gao Shen said that the probability of winning the championship between the team and Barcelona is roughly 50-50.
He even jokingly said that he was actually more stressed than Guardiola.
"This season is his first season as coach. I think his results so far have been very, very good. Even if he loses this game, it will not have any impact on him."
"But it's different for me. When I face him, I still feel a lot of pressure."
Everyone at the scene smiled, and there was a burst of laughter in the press conference hall.
No one will think there is anything wrong with Gao Shen's words, they just think it's weird.
Because Gao Shen is only twenty-eight years old.
But he is already a senior who has won the Champions League.
…
After a press conference, the atmosphere was very relaxed and smooth, but the reporters did not actually get the explosive news they wanted from Gao Shen.
Today's profound and restrained image is no longer the image he had in the past where he never stopped talking without making any surprises.
This also made many media reporters feel sad.
Gao Shen was such a lovable kid back then. He went to Serie A and hung out with a group of old gangsters for three years. Now he has become so old. How can he still have the cleverness he had back then?
Sure enough, Serie A is still in decline!
Gao Shen didn't know what these media reporters were thinking, but after he left the house, he went through the UEFA process as usual. When he finished, he happened to see Guardiola finishing the familiarization training.
, came over to hold a press conference.
"Hey, Gao!"
"Pep!"
The two met and hugged each other with a smile.
Whether it was media reporters, UEFA officials, or staff at the scene, everyone felt the friendship between them, and many people even took out their mobile phones to take pictures.
"Did you say anything bad about me just now?" Guardiola asked with a smile, not minding the crowd around him.
Gao Shen laughed and said, "I wouldn't dare. You are the most popular people now. I respect you very much."
Guardiola made a sound, with a strange expression that I would only believe in you.
As soon as he saw his appearance, Gao Shen immediately became playful.
"Seriously, Pep, I have already guessed what tactics you will use tomorrow night. Have you guessed mine?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.
Guardiola's smile almost froze.
He had no doubt at all about Gao Shen's words.
And if Gao Shen guesses the lineup, he will definitely make targeted arrangements next. Will he adopt any special tactics?
Gao Shen looked at his expression and almost laughed out loud.
Don't blame me!
Who made us two rivals?
"Think about it slowly, brother. I have something to do. I'm going to leave now. After the game is over tomorrow night and I win, I'll buy you a drink."
After saying that, Gao Shen waved his hands in a flirtatious manner and left quickly.
He was afraid that he would stay with Guardiola for too long and become entangled.
But now, he is very curious, will this guy change his tactics on the spot?
