The Juventus pyers' morale had pletely colpsed!

  Even after sg five goals against the Bianeri, Napoli tio apply pressure on Berardi, Juventus's substitute goalkeeper.

  Berardi, already shaken, began to make a series of nervous mistakes. Although these didn't result in further goals, they further eroded the team's fidence.

  It wasn't until Gao Shen started making substitutions that Napoli slowed doting a more trolled, steady pace.

  It became clear that Napoli was waiting for Juventus to press forward, setting up opportunities for a terattack.

  Faced with this ing strategy, the Juventus pyers grew more frustrated and demoralized.

  The best refle of Juventus's shattered mi came ih minute. Camoranesi, who had only been och for about 20 miried to un attack down the right fnk. He was intercepted by Thiago Motta, who had positioned himself well.

  Motta quickly passed the ball to Hamsik, and as Hamsik moved upfield, Camoranesi chased him down and tackled him from behind, right he ter circle.

  Referee Sai immediately ran over and, without eaining any expnations from the Juventus pyers, showed Camoranesi a straight red card.

  After his reckless challenge on Hamsik, the Juventus veteran seemed to know he would receive a red card. Without even protesting, he walked off the field without looking back.

  "Juventus has truly fallen apart!"

  "To cede five goals at home to Napoli is utterly humiliating, no matter how you look at it."

  "The pyers should refle tonight's performance, especially Berardi. His series of errors were unfivable and unbeing of a Juventus goalkeeper."

  "But the primary responsibility lies with Ranieri. He o seriously refle his tactical approach tonight."

  "It's uandable that Ranieri is under a lot of pressure right now. Many have criticized his ck of creativity and attag prowess, so he likely wao prove himself and divert attention from the na sdal."

  "However, he overlooked a crucial faapoli is the sed-highest-sg team in Serie A this season, just behind Inter Min and Roma. They are not a weak team."

  "More importantly, Gao Shen's team has always been known for their offeyle. Their greatest challenge is fag teams that sit bad defend, not ohat attack them."

  "Ranieri chose the wrong oppoo go all-out against!"

  "With the red card, this game is effectively over."

  "Juventus suffers a crushi at home, losing 2-5. This not only ruins their ces in the Coppa Italia but may also have sequences in the league."

  "It's being increasingly evident that Juventus is falling behind the top three teams, while A, who have been rec retly, might bee serious tenders for a top-four spot this season."

  "Ranieri really o think long and hard about this!"

  …

  "Inter Min, Roma, and all the other teams aiming for a top-four finish should thank me!"

  Gao Shen couldn't help but chuckle after seeing Camoranesi receive a red card.

  Was this just a red card?

  No, it symbolized the end of an era!

  Before the season began, Lippi had emphasized the importance of the "Juventus spirit," and Ranieri had often spoken about it as well. Both saw great value in the tributions of veteran pyers like Nedved, Camoranesi, and Trezeguet.

  But tonight, Camoranesi's red card shattered that illusion.

  Juventus was crumbling!

  The spirit of the old Juventus?

  Could this group of veterans still bring Juventus back to glory in Serie A? Could they even help Juventus pete for the title?

  Even if they had the heart and fighting spirit, did they still have the skill and stamina required?

  More importantly, as an outsider, Gao Shen could see that the tensioween Ranieri and these veterans, especially with na's trainihods, had deepehe divisions within the Juventus locker room. Now, this internal strife was on full dispy for the world to see.

  Juventus was not going to win any titles this season.

  In fact, if they didn't regroup quickly, even a top-four finish might slip through their fingers.

  Their fire had burned out!

  And it had all happe once.

  …

  Napoli ultimately triumphed over Juventus with a 5-2 victory ourf.

  Amidst the resounding boos of the Juventus fans, Gao Shen and his Napoli pyers exited the stadium.

  Before leaving, Ranieri approached Gao Shen aended his hand. The Tinkerman looked deeply despo.

  It was uandable.

  Just yesterday, there was the sdal surrounding the fitness coach na, who hadn't even been allowed to sit on the benow, this crushi at home. How could Ranieri possibly cope with all this?

  In hindsight, it wouldn't be surprising if Juventus announced Ranieri's dismissal soon after.

  Ranieri was a great guy, tale building tactical structures and iing a team. But this was not enough to lead a club to a title over the course of a long season.

  Gao Shen had e to value the cultivation of a strong spirit and identity within Napoli. This wasn't just a legacy he wao leave for his successor; it was also key to making Napoli a title tender.

  A person without irength is like a walking corpse. The same goes for a team.

  But this was Ranieri's weakness.

  Gao Shen didn't talk much with him, just exged a few words and the.

  Entering the tunnel, Gao Shen headed straight for the visitors' locker room.

  "Mr. Gao!"

  At a fork in the hallway, Gao Shen heard a voice call out from behind.

  Turning around, he saw Juventus general manager Jean-Cude Bnc smiling and waving at him from a distance.

  Gao Shen looked around cautiously, notig only a few Juventus staff members nearby. He walked over to meet Bnc.

  "gratutions, Gao. That was an impressive victory!" Bnc smiled wryly, extending his hand.

  Gao Shen shook his hand and thanked him politely, but he sehere was more to this enter than mere gratutions.

  It wasn't surprising that Juventus ma might sider a coag ge after Ranieri's crushi and the na sdal.

  As expected, Bnce again broached the topic of Gao Shen coag Juventus. He even hihat if Gao Shen were willing, they could dismiss Ranieri immediately.

  "If you're ied in taking charge of the team, we're willing to grant you the authority you need. We believe it's not too te to turn things around," Bnc said early.

  Gao Shen didn't ask what B by "not too te," but he assumed they were hoping he could still salvage the season and secure a top-four finish.

  But Gao Shen only smiled and shook his head. "Cude, after tonight's game, the most realistic goal for Juventus is to aim for a top-four finish. You should also be wary of A and Fiorentina."

  Both teams were formidable.

  He had personally experienced Prandelli's exceptional coag prowess.

  Gao Shen's words were a subtle hint to Bnc that he had no iion of taking over Juventus at this time.

  With Napoli practically assured of a spot in the Coppa Italia semifinals, even if Juventus made a coag ge, it would be almost impossible to overturn the 5-2 deficit, with five away goals against them.

  In the league, Napoli was securely in third pce, three points ahead of Juventus, and the momentum was clearly in their favor.

  Why would Gao Shen abandohing he had built in o take over the mess at Juventus? What be would that bring him?

  "Thank you, Cude. I wish you the best of luck," Gao Shen said, extending his hand again.

  Bnderstanding the hidden message in Gao Shen's words, shook his hand, visibly disappointed.

  Bnc had been the one whht Ranieri on board. Now that the situation had turned sour, he had hoped to recruit Gao Shen as a way to salvage his reputation aify his mistake.

  But Gao Shen's refusal left him feelied.

  As Gao Shen turo leave, the smile on his face faded.

  He wasn't naive.

  With Secco still in his position as sp director, any promises from Bnc could easily be rendered meaningless.

  Besides, why would he walk away from everything he had built at Napoli?

  Juventus was a sinking ship. Anyone who boarded it now would be in trouble.

  Not to mention, the team was filled with agierans like Nedved and Camoranesi, and the club's long-standing traditions and culture were fually inpatible with Gao Shen's philosophy.

  It would be a miracle if he went to Juventus and things turned out well.

  …

  Gao Shen walked into the away team locker room, and Bnc turo leave the passage.

  After everyone had dispersed, Marino emerged from the er, adjusting his gsses.

  He had initially been on his way to the locker room to gratute the pyers but had stumbled upon the brief enter between Gao Shen and Bnc.

  Though the versation was short and vague, Marino could dis that Juventus was very ied in Gao Shen—and increasingly so.

  The most telling sign was that Juventus was now willing to ao Shen the power he had previously demanded, which they had initially refused.

  However, Gao Shen wasn't foolish. He hadn't agreed.

  After all, as long as Seained as sp director, any promises from Bnc cked credibility.

  But what if Juventus finally decided to cut ties with Secco?

  On one side was a wealthy, prestigious club, and oher was the resource-strained Napoli. If Marino put himself in Gao Shen's shoes, he khe temptation of Juventus or any other top Serie A club would be hard to resist.

  If not Juventus, then perhaps another club?

  For instance, A. Rumor had it that Ai's future was uaio underwhelmis this season, and he was likely to leave at the end of the season. Gao Shen was reportedly one of the didates being sidered for the head coach position at A.

  Additionally, Bara, all the way over in Spain, was also expected to ge coaches this summer. Rijkaard's Dream Team II had colpsed, and his departure was almost certain. Gao Shen was high on the list of didates to lead Bara as well.

  The Gao Shen of today was no lohe same as he had been two years ago.

  He had proven his worth at Napoli.

  Taking a newly promoted team to the Serie B championship, demolishing Roma 6-0, and now sistently keeping Napoli iop three of Serie A—all of this had turned heads across Europe.

  These achievements also cast a new light owo championships he won with Real Madrid two years prior.

  Everyone khat in European football, a coach who had won the Champions League was always in high demand.

  Marino's face grew serious as he realized the implications.

  "It's time to renew his tract!" he muttered worriedly.

  ***

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