Starting With Real Madrid

Under the leadership of Guus Hiddink, Chelsea were formidable at Stamford Bridge, making them a tough opponent to face at home.

At the post-match press conference, Gao Shen openly expressed his admiration and respect for Hiddink, as well as for Chelsea as a team, even though his Napoli had just secured a 2-1 victory over the Blues.

"We didn't play particularly well at the start of both the first and second halves. They mounted some threatening attacks and put us under a lot of pressure. We also made a few mistakes, but thankfully, we adjusted quickly," Gao Shen said.

He praised Napoli's quick responses during the game, highlighting how the players managed to adapt once errors were made.

"The most valuable thing about this match is that we didn't panic when we fell behind. That was the key to our comeback victory, and it reflects how much our team has grown over this period."

Gao Shen admitted there were areas where the team struggled in the first half but emphasized how they improved in the second.

"From the 60th minute onward, we were able to control the game much better," he said.

Gao Shen firmly believed that Napoli deserved their victory, stating, "The team that performed better won the game."

He did not hide his satisfaction with his players' performances, even singling out individuals like Pelle, Lichtsteiner, Maggio, and Cavani for their contributions on the pitch.

"Yes, they all have outstanding individual qualities, but they're also important pieces of Napoli's collective success."

When discussing Drogba's goal, Gao Shen defended Bonucci, who was beaten by the Ivorian striker in the build-up.

"I don't see this as an issue, and I really dislike such criticisms," Gao Shen said, firmly backing his player. He pointed out that Drogba is widely regarded as one of the top center-forwards in world football, possibly the strongest in the game today.

"Ask any central defender in the world about marking Drogba one-on-one. I doubt any of them would claim they could do it with confidence."

Gao Shen made it clear that Bonucci's performance was not a concern for him.

"I think Bonucci is a very talented and capable central defender. Aside from the incident with Drogba, he made no significant mistakes in this match. Honestly, when it comes to defending someone like Drogba, it's normal for even the best defenders to falter occasionally, isn't it?"

He shared that Bonucci had approached him at halftime to apologize, but Gao Shen refused to accept it.

"I told him there's no need to apologize. He did his job well, why should he feel the need to apologize?"

Gao Shen urged fans and the media to be rational and fair when analyzing players' performances.

"I think every single one of my players can leave Stamford Bridge with their heads held high as winners!" he declared.

This was Gao Shen's way of shielding his players from unnecessary scrutiny.

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In fact, after the game, both the media and UEFA officials provided player ratings. For Napoli, the lowest rating was six, a passing score. On Chelsea's side, the highest rating was seven, awarded to Drogba.

Ashley Cole received the lowest rating of the match—a three—due to his struggles against both Sanchez and Di Maria. The English left-back had an uncharacteristically poor performance, well below his usual standard.

The standout player of the match was Napoli midfielder Rakitic. His spectacular volleyed goal not only tied the game but carried significant weight in the final outcome. Additionally, his overall contributions in both attack and defense were remarkable, making him an integral part of Napoli's midfield control throughout the game.

At the post-match conference, Gao Shen praised Rakitic for his rapid development.

"In the past, Biglia was our most irreplaceable midfielder, and Rakitic's position was more interchangeable. But this season, things have changed," Gao Shen explained.

With the tactical shift to a 4-3-3 formation and Thiago Motta playing deeper, Rakitic now had more freedom to operate between penalty areas. This adjustment not only relieved David Luiz of certain responsibilities but also allowed Rakitic to shine as a two-way player in both attack and defense.

"When we previously used a 4-2-3-1 formation, Rakitic was positioned as a defensive midfielder and had to focus more on maintaining his position and defending," Gao Shen said. "But now, with Motta handling those duties, Rakitic is free to express himself more on the field, and his performances have been improving dramatically."

Gao Shen even questioned whether his earlier decision to train Rakitic as a double pivot midfielder had unintentionally delayed the Croatian's development.

In the match against Chelsea, Rakitic's impressive growth and adaptability not only surprised Gao Shen but also made his teammates rethink his role in the team's tactics. The question of whether he should be given even more responsibility moving forward became a point of discussion.

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Napoli's stunning 2-1 comeback victory at Stamford Bridge drew widespread praise from the media across Europe and beyond, with Gao Shen receiving the most recognition.

The Times commented that Gao Shen had proven his worth as a top-level coach through this dramatic reversal.

Despite his success, Gao Shen had often been questioned due to his young age. After leaving Real Madrid, he spent time coaching in Serie B and Serie A, leagues widely considered less competitive compared to others.

But this match at Stamford Bridge silenced the doubters. While other Serie A teams faltered in their Champions League matches, AC Milan failing to progress from the group stage, Roma losing 0-1 to Arsenal, and Inter Milan falling 0-2 to Manchester United—Napoli stood tall.

"Ferguson, Wenger, Hiddink—these are some of the most recognized managers in world football. For Gao Shen to lead Napoli to a comeback victory against Chelsea on their home turf speaks volumes about his ability," wrote the Times.

This match, the paper concluded, solidified Gao Shen's position as one of the elite managers in European football.

Similarly, the Guardian praised Napoli as the standout team of the Champions League Round of 16's first leg.

"Emerging from the group of death, Napoli has visibly improved. Players like Rakitic, Cavani, and Pelle have made a lasting impression," the report stated.

The paper also applauded Gao Shen's tactical brilliance, citing his in-game adjustments as a decisive factor.

"Each substitution Gao Shen made was like a perfectly timed strike, targeting Chelsea's weaknesses with precision. His decision to bring on Maggio in the second half, which led to the equalizer, was nothing short of masterful."

The Guardian concluded, "Gao Shen is improving at an extraordinary rate. He's on track to become one of the best managers in Europe, if not the world."

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While the British media tempered their praise to spare Chelsea's blushes, the Italian press was unreserved in their acclaim.

With Serie A struggling on the European stage, Napoli's triumph was a beacon of hope. Mourinho's Inter Milan had fallen short, Roma had been edged out, and Napoli's success was the sole bright spot for Italian football.

The Gazzetta dello Sport quoted Gao Shen's remarks about the first leg being just the first half of the battle. He emphasized the importance of the return leg in Italy, which would ultimately decide who progressed.

Napoli's strong position after their away win made them favorites to advance, but Chelsea's challenge at the San Paolo Stadium remained significant.

As for Inter Milan, their situation looked bleak after a 0-2 loss to Manchester United. Mourinho admitted that his team wasn't ready to compete for the Champions League title just yet.

With Serie A's reputation on the line, all eyes were now on Napoli as they carried the hopes of Italian football.

But Gao Shen had little time to dwell on the past. After returning to Naples, the team quickly refocused and headed to Turin to face Juventus in the next round of Serie A fixtures. At the same time, Inter Milan prepared to face Roma in a critical domestic clash.