The story of David Luiz and Real Madrid is almost like a fleeting enter.

  At the time, Real Madrid's scouts were eyeing a team in Brazil's third division, where David Luiz ying. They were optimistic about Luiz's potential and eveended an invitation. But back then, Luiz's team, Vitoria, was striving to gain promotion to Brazil's sed division, and they weren't willing to let him go.

  Moreover, Real Madrid's offer was only for their B team, which was a tough pill for 18-year-old David Luiz to swallow. If it had been an offer to join the first team, he would have jumped at the ce.

  Real Madrid didn't pursue it further; for them, a transfer worth only a few huhousand euros wasn't worth a sed look.

  Before joining Napoli, David Luiz's closest brush with European football came in early 2006.

  At that time, Vitoria had successfully secured promotion to the sed division, and the club promised to let Luiz go. That's when scouts from Belgian giants Anderlecht, who were traveling through Brazil scouting young talent, spotted him and expressed i.

  The discussions progressed well, with Anderlecht's scouts even flying from Europe to Brazil to watch Luiz py in person. As long as he impressed in that match, he would secure his ticket to European football.

  Everyo Vitoria supported him, knowing that this was an incredible opportunity for the team's best pyer.

  David Luiz still remembers that game vividly. The oppo was Criciúma, and it was an afternoon match.

  His mind was all over the pce, filled with the swelteri aement.

  Unfortunately, he was too distracted.

  His thoughts kept drifting to the scouts iands, to his life in Europe with Anderlecht, and to his career prospects in European football. He even began to fantasize about using the Belgian league as a stepping stoo one of Europe's top leagues.

  This distra led to mistakes. He overperying too hard to impress, whily resulted in more blunders. The game turned into a nightmare.

  Vitoria suffered a crushing 0-6 defeat, with even the oppo's goalkeeper managing to score.

  David Luiz received the lowest rating of any pyer on the field.

  After the game, the head coach berated him in the locker room, telling him he had blown his shot at Europe, that his "ticket" was invalid.

  Sure enough, the Anderlecht scouts vanished, o return.

  That disastrous match wasn't just a personal blow for David Luiz; it was a major setback for Vitoria as well. The club not only suffered an embarrassi but also lost out on a lucrative transfer fee.

  At that moment, David Luiz felt like his life was ruined.

  "After that game, I was stu a rut. I was sad, frustrated, and everyone arouopped praising me. I even started to question how much longer I could keep going."

  David Luiz's family background wasn't affluent. His parents were teachers, but that wasn't enough for a fortable life. His father, a former footballer, had hoped that like many Brazilian kids, Luiz could ge his family's fortuhrough football.

  Being noticed by European scouts had seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime, ohat could ge everything. But first Real Madrid, then Anderlecht—both ces slipped through his fingers. For a while, his family and he himself must have beeated.

  "And then, boss, I met you. You were like a light from heaven, giving me another ce. You didn't eveate or iigate too deeply; you just took me to Europe."

  "Even when I first set foot in Naples, I was still w if it was all a dream."

  David Luiz looked at Gao Shen with an expression full of gratitude, almost like reverence.

  He was on the verge of tears.

  Gao Shen was deeply moved. He hadn't realized that a simple decision on his part could have such a profound impa David Luiz's life and family.

  "So, boss, please never doubt my loyalty. I'll fight for you with everything I've got!"

  David Luiz's eyes were red, his fists ched, and his tone filled with vi.

  "Whatever you ask, whoever the oppo, wherever we are, I'll give it my all for you!"

  Gao She geouched.

  In his coag career, he'd mawo teams, promoted several pyers, and had his fair share of moments with his pyers, but he'd never had anyone express such sincere gratitude as David Luiz had just done.

  From the time Luiz joined Napoli, he had made numerous mistakes, yet he was always diligent and hardw in both matches and training. He was one of the most driven pyers Gao Shen had ever worked with.

  But while Gao Shen was moved, he knew he couldn't let his emotions rule his decisions.

  After leaving the ese restaurant and dropping David Luiz off at home, Gao Sheuro his owh a lot to think about.

  This versation had given him a clearer sense of the impact his work had on his pyers' lives.

  He had always known that football could ge people's lives. For instance, Sanchez and his family had left behind the poverty of northern Chile to start a new life in Naples. And that artly because of the opportunity Gao Shen had provided.

  But this was the first time anyone had openly aowledged his influen their life.

  He believed that David Luiz was genuinely remorseful and truly wao ge. But Gao Shen still chose to keep a bit of distance.

  Why?

  Because he o keep some pressure on David Luiz.

  As a leader, you have to be able to keep yourself in a position where you move forward or pull back when necessary. Sometimes, putting too much trust in a subordinate backfire.

  If Gao Shen had responded with equal siy, expressing all his expectations and hopes, David Luiz would likely be grateful. But then what?

  There was a risk that he might start getting pt, falling bato old habits.

  If that happened, it would be even harder to reel him ba.

  Instead, it was better to keep some pressure on him now. Let him tio feel a sense of crisis, a drive to improve.

  However, Gao Shen didn't leave him pletely in the dark. He offered Luiz a goal, a way to redeem himself.

  "The game against Roma, if you don't make any mistakes and even mao score, I'll sider it even."

  David Luiz nodded eagerly, filled with determination. He vowed to give it his all.

  No one else knew about the versatioween Gao Shen and David Luiz.

  But the day at the trainier, everyoiced something different. David Luiz showed up with red eyes and a blistered mouth. The team doctor said it was from somethie, but what could he have eaten?

  David Luiz didn't expin, and Gao Sheainly wasn't going to say anything.

  But during practice, David Luiz was a force of energy, focused and driven, his spirit noticeably lifted.

  Carlo, Lucas, and the rest of the staff couldn't help but wonder if Gao Shen had done something in private.

  Somehow, Lucas mao get the story out of David Luiz, and soon, the coag staff was ughing.

  It was almost unbelievable.

  Was this really how you treat your pyers? And your most loyal o that?

  The most ridiculous part was that Gao Shen hadn't even ihem to share in the fun.

  These were just private jokes, of course. The coaches kept a professional demeanor around Luiz and the other pyers.

  As October rolled on and the iional matches took pce, the time for the pyers' return grew closer.

  But travel plications soon arose.

  The match against Roma was scheduled to be the first fixture of the eighth round of Serie A. Kickoff was set for 5:00 PM on October 20th at the Stadio Olimpi Rome.

  The issue was the return of the South Ameri pyers.

  Many of them would o fly for over ten or evey hours to reae, with the earliest arrivals returning the night before the match, and some only arriving the m of the game. Additionally, they'd have to tend with jet g.

  This posed a signifit challenge, as the South Ameri iionals would likely be exhausted.

  This wasn't just a problem for Napoli but for any team with a signifit South Ameri ti.

  However, Roma's situation was less severe. Their main South Ameri pyers, such as Mani and Pizarro, were not pying in iional matches. Only their ter-back Juan and right-back ho had to travel back.

  Napoli, oher hand, faced a greater challenge. While Di Maria, Valencia, and Vidal had no iional duties this time, Biglia, i, and Vargas were all returning from national team matches. This would iably impaapoli's performance.

  To prepare for this, Napoli had made tingens.

  During the two-week iional break, Gao Shen had been w meticulously on Napoli's tactid specific arras for the Roma game.

  In interviews with the media, Gao Sheerated that Napoli would stick to their tactical style on the road.

  "Last season, we beat Roma 6-0. We have the psychological advantage and the experieo hahis team."

  "I believe it's going to be a fantastic game, and we'll aim to defeat them in the boldest ossible!"

  The message was clear: Napoli inteo go on the offensive.

  Just like they did against I the San Siro.

  Moreao Sheedly remihe press of st season's 6-0 thrashing of Roma.

  It was almost as if he ointing at Spalletti and the Roma pyers, challenging them, saying, "Dude, do you want revenge?"