Starting With Real Madrid

Death group!

This was the phrase used most frequently by media outlets worldwide after the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.

Almost every pundit predicted that it would be extremely difficult for Napoli to advance from the group stage.

Napoli, making its Champions League debut since the competition's reformation, lacked European experience. Against seasoned heavyweights like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Europa League winners Zenit St. Petersburg, the Serie A champions appeared to have no edge whatsoever.

The consensus, even among Italian media such as Gazzetta dello Sport, was bleak. Many believed that Group H was the most terrifying death group since the Champions League's reformation, even surpassing the infamous group of 2002–2003.

Arrigo Sacchi, in his post-draw analysis, echoed the sentiment that Napoli's draw was far from ideal.

However, Sacchi didn't count Napoli out entirely.

While Real Madrid and Bayern were undeniably big names, Sacchi argued they were no longer at their peak and were slightly weaker than the Premier League giants like Manchester United and Chelsea. This, he claimed, could provide Napoli with a sliver of opportunity.

"From his time as Real Madrid's head coach, Gao Shen has proven his ability to handle tough battles. In fact, every time he faces strong opponents, he seems to thrive on the challenge, pushing himself and his team to greater heights," Sacchi wrote.

He outlined a potential roadmap for Napoli's success. Sacchi emphasized that Napoli's home form would be the key.

According to Sacchi, Napoli's group stage schedule presented a potential opening:

1. Match 1: Away at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid.

2. Match 2: Home against Bayern Munich.

3. Match 3: Away in Russia against Zenit St. Petersburg.

4. Match 4: Home against Zenit.

"If Napoli can win all of their home matches, securing nine points, and scrape out results in one or two away matches—perhaps a draw or two—that should be enough to qualify," Sacchi theorized.

However, other analysts deemed Sacchi's outlook overly optimistic.

Napoli's youth and inexperience in Europe's elite competition were seen as major liabilities. Away games, already a daunting challenge, would be even tougher for such a young squad. Even at home, seasoned opponents like Real Madrid and Bayern might prove too strong.

"The Champions League is not Serie A," one commentator stated. "Gao Shen and his Napoli need to temper their ambitions and focus on gaining experience step by step."

The implication was clear: Napoli wasn't ready to compete with Europe's best. They were expected to be little more than stepping stones for the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern, supporting players in a competition dominated by stars.

Some commentators even argued that third- and fourth-pot teams existed in the Champions League merely to fill the tournament's coffers, acting as cannon fodder for Europe's elite while entertaining global fans.

Many fans and pundits around the world held similar views.

After all, most football fans admired the strong. Weak teams, it seemed, were destined to fade into the background.

But Gao Shen wasn't willing to let Napoli play that role.

…

The morning before Napoli's trip to Rome, Gao Shen made an unexpected decision.

He canceled the scheduled tactical meeting and instead gathered all the players and staff in a conference room at Castel Volturno.

What followed surprised everyone. Gao Shen played a film for the group to watch together.

The film? Ridley Scott's epic Hollywood masterpiece, Gladiator.

The classic story followed Russell Crowe's character, a Roman general who was betrayed and reduced to a mere gladiator fighting for survival. Despite his hardships, he refused to surrender to fate and ultimately achieved revenge through sheer will and determination.

Under Scott's masterful direction, the movie captured the grandeur of ancient Rome, blending sweeping battle sequences with raw, brutal emotion. The themes of perseverance and resilience resonated deeply, leaving everyone in the room captivated from start to finish.

Regardless of whether they had seen the movie before, the players and staff were enthralled. The story, the action, the setting—all of it hit close to home, especially given the movie's ties to Rome and its symbolism for fighting against the odds.

…

As the credits rolled, the room remained quiet. Everyone was still immersed in the epic tale, processing the story and its message.

But Gao Shen had already moved on. He stepped to the front of the room, carrying a stack of books.

One by one, he handed out copies of When the Stars Shine by Stefan Zweig.

"This book gave me great strength and countless insights," Gao Shen began, addressing the room.

He explained the significance of the book and shared some of its inspiring stories.

"Take Handel, for instance. At the lowest point of his life, when he was impoverished and out of ideas, he suddenly found inspiration and composed the immortal Messiah. Or consider Napoleon, whose indecisiveness and lack of adaptation led to his defeat at Waterloo."

Gao Shen held up his own copy of the book and gestured passionately as he spoke.

"Then there's the American entrepreneur Field. After suffering repeated setbacks, he finally succeeded in laying the first transatlantic cable, connecting Europe and America. These are stories of resilience, determination, and overcoming impossible odds."

The room listened intently, hanging on every word.

"There are two quotes from this book that resonate deeply with me," Gao Shen continued.

"'There is only one thing that makes people truly tired: indecision and hesitation. Taking action, even if you fail, is better than standing still.'

"'The greatest happiness is to discover your purpose in life during your prime, in your most creative years.'"

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

From the film to the book to these carefully chosen quotes, Gao Shen had one clear message for his team:

Don't be afraid.

…

Napoli might be small. They might be underdogs. But that didn't mean they were insignificant.

The media, fans, and even rival coaches might dismiss Napoli as an afterthought, but Gao Shen refused to let his team adopt that mindset.

What mattered most wasn't how others saw them. It was how Napoli saw themselves.

Being placed in the group of death, did that make them lose confidence? Did it make them despair? Did it fill them with fear?

Gao Shen showed them Gladiator and gave them Zweig's book for one reason: to instill in them a belief in constant self-improvement.

"A blacksmith must be strong before forging steel," he said firmly.

"If we aren't strong enough ourselves, how can we hope to change anything?"

…

"I know that when you saw the Champions League draw, many of you felt worried or even scared," Gao Shen admitted, his voice calm but commanding.

"That's normal. Honestly, I felt the same way. I've coached Real Madrid in this tournament, and I know how tough it is. Even in the group stage, every game feels like a final."

Every team in the Champions League was elite. Every match was grueling. Any mistake could lead to elimination. Gao Shen wasn't sugarcoating the challenge ahead.

"But," Gao Shen raised his voice, "I promise you this: if you follow my plan, if you stick to the tactics I give you, and if you execute them with everything you've got, I guarantee you'll be ready for every single match."

"And I guarantee," he continued, locking eyes with his players, "that we will make it to the knockout stage!"

The room fell silent.

It was a bold statement, almost unbelievable. This was the so-called "super death group," featuring Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Zenit. It was a group designed to crush underdogs like Napoli.

But Gao Shen wasn't just anyone.

Two years ago, perhaps no one would have believed such words. But two years under Gao Shen had turned Napoli into Serie A champions. He had delivered on every promise he made, and now, his players trusted him implicitly.

Gao Shen scanned the room, reading the determination in their faces.

"Believe me," he urged. "The so-called group of death? It's not just about how strong the others are. It's about how strong we are."

"If we weren't strong, would this group still be a group of death?"

Many nodded in agreement. It was true: Napoli's strength was part of what made the group so difficult.

"So, instead of being afraid, let's prove our strength. Let's make our opponents fear us."

"If we can conquer this group, what can stop us? Why stop at the round of 16?" Gao Shen's voice rose with conviction.

"No! We're going for more. We're going for the championship!"

By the end, Gao Shen was practically shouting, his passion contagious.

The players and staff could feel the fire in his words. It ignited something within them.

Napoli wasn't here to survive. They were here to fight.

***

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