Chapter 340： The first dark horse in history

"For two years, I have been pondering a question, why did the Galactic Warship fail?"

After watching the game, Florentino invited Gao Shen and others to a high-end restaurant near the Bernabeu.

In the VIP box, he opened his heart to Gao Shen, Valdano and Zidane, and shared some of his thoughts.

Gao Shen guessed that he should have gained something.

"I found that the main reason was that we didn't follow the basic rules of football."

The result that Florentino came up with was exactly what Gao Shen had said before.

The so-called basic rules of football refer more to the age of the players.

The Galaxy Battleship takes one superstar a year, but the superstars introduced are too old.

For example, Figo was twenty-seven when he arrived, and Zidane was twenty-nine when he came. They were both at the peak of their careers, but everyone knows that the peaks of players are often relatively short-lived. three years.

Therefore, when Beckham was introduced later, Figo was already 30 years old, and Zidane was 31 years old, and they had already begun to go downhill in their careers, which also caused, from zero three Years later, Real Madrid's embarrassing situation without a championship all the way turned into the big earthquake in 2006.

It can be said that from the very beginning of the superstar strategy, it was destined to be such a result.

But looking at things in reverse, Real Madrid’s superstar strategy requires the team to introduce superstars of the highest level, and these superstars are often in their prime, so the superstars for Real Madrid to choose are already very scarce.

This has led to an irreconcilable contradiction in Real Madrid's superstar strategy.

In fact, it is not difficult to solve this problem, as long as you change your thinking a little bit.

Either simply introduce a number of popular superstars in one go; or don't introduce popular ones, and instead introduce younger stars who have the strength and the potential to become superstars.

Gao Shen fully agrees with Florentino's point of view, but he also mentioned another point, that is, the improvement of training level.

This is the deepest feeling after he coached Naples.

With the promotion of high-level scientific training in the field of professional football, especially as the training system for players becomes more and more mature, the trend of players getting younger is becoming more and more obvious.

For example, Kaka, who led AC Milan to the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, was only 25 years old.

And then there's Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese winger who has made a big splash at Manchester United this season, at just 23.

There is also Messi, the future Ballon d'Or winner that Barcelona has high hopes for, he is only 20 years old.

As a traveler, Gao Shen said with certainty that these three players are already top stars, and their achievements will be even higher in the future.

Of course, Kaka is due to injury, but now that he is really popular, Gao Shen must mention him.

"The training level is getting higher and higher, and it is becoming more scientific and standardized, and the player's package will be more and more perfect. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo has a special fitness coach, a special personal chef and nutrition. Master, there are other..."

"This season in Serie A, Del Piero is in great shape because he hired a special personal trainer, and Totti, who has always had his own special personal trainer, and these two veterans are in very good condition."

"I dare say that in the foreseeable future, the careers of those top stars with strong self-discipline will get longer and longer, and the top stars will become famous earlier and sooner, and maybe even very capable players in their early twenties."

This high-level judgment is actually based on facts.

Naples!

The average age of Naples is only in their early twenties. The oldest player in the main lineup is Peruvian Vargas, who is 24 years old. The youngest is Chilean winger Sanchez, who is only 19 years old.

But does that get in the way for them to shine on the pitch?

Will that prevent them from routing Serie A champions Inter Milan 5-0 at home?

The answer is that in this advanced tactical system, their strength is not lost to any star.

More and more people have realized that today's Napoli is really like Ajax under Van Gaal's coaching, young, passionate, talented and fearless.

...

Florentino, Valdano, Zidane and Butragueno were all surprised.

Every time I talk to Gao Shen, many of his views and ideas are surprising and thought-provoking.

Moreover, Gao Shen is very confident and determined every time.

Last time, Gao Shen said a lot of words and conjectures, and after two years, they are actually gradually becoming reality.

The Naples team he coached is also constantly confirming many of his original ideas.

Today's Gao Shen is no longer the fledgling boy he was two years ago. Now he is the top of the Serie A, and even the head coach of the favorite team to win the championship, his weight in European football is getting heavier and heavier.

So much so that Florentino jokingly said, "If, I return to Real Madrid, you are the ideal in my mind, Real Madrid's head coach!"

For this kind of words, Gao Shen smiled and didn't answer.

When he passed through the former mixed enterprise, the boss did not miss such a big cake for him.

But the problem is, Florentino has not yet returned to Real Madrid.

Even if he returns to Real Madrid, who can guarantee that he will keep his promise?

Besides, if he wants to fulfill his promise, Gao Shen must want to come back to clean up this mess?

So, just listen to it.

Instead, it was Zidane.

"Zinedine, have you passed your coaching certificate?" Gao Shen suddenly shifted the topic to Zidane.

The French star was stunned for a moment, then smiled awkwardly, "I haven't passed the exam yet."

slacker student!

Proper scumbag!

Who can believe that Zidane, who is invincible on the court, did not even get a coaching certificate?

Florentino, Valdano and others didn't know why, so they hurriedly asked what was going on. Gu Cong

Gao Shen immediately told the matter in its entirety, and everyone laughed.

"You still have five months left. If you haven't passed the test by then, it doesn't matter, you still have to come to me to report, but I will take the initiative to confess to the media, so as not to become the second Ranieri." Gao smiled deeply.

Ranieri was in a lot of trouble because of the coaching certificate of the fitness coach Capana. Although in the end, under the protection of the top management of Juventus, he barely escaped the disaster, but he still got into trouble.

Of course, Gao Shen would not make such a mistake, so he will take the initiative to confess in advance, and when the game is over, he will catch Zidane in the stands. "Anyway, it will not be me who will lose face."

Holy shit!

Zida's heart is full of galloping horses, this move is too cruel, right?

You are trying to kill me!

Gao Shen nodded seriously, not forcing you, God knows when you can wait until you get the certificate?

As for Florentino, I'm sorry, you draw your pie, I dig my corner, and everyone is happy.

...

In fact, Gao Shen really didn't think too much about his future.

Perhaps, all head coaches are like that.

No one knows what's going to happen next.

What Gao Shen can think of for the time being is that he wants to bring the Naples team and this group of players to the Serie A championship, and strive to take it to a higher level next season.

He has played in the Champions League, he knows the level of the Champions League, and he never feels that he is a dragon, so he does not ask much for what the team can achieve in the Champions League next season. A game is a game.

But there was an uncontrollable longing in his heart.

After subverting Serie A, he really wants to turn the European league system upside down and make a scene.

Everyone knows that there is a standard for the draw for the Champions League group stage, and that is the European war points.

National leagues have European points, and clubs also have European points.

Many people may think it is strange, what is the use of this thing?

In fact, this is the moat of a giant team, or a traditional strong team.

Take Naples, for example.

Even if Naples won the Serie A championship this season, and their strength is very strong, in the draw for the Champions League group stage next season, it will still be fourth, and it must be the fourth.

Because Napoli have zero points in the European war.

What will this situation be like?

As we all know, the teams in Pot 1 and Pot 2 are very strong, they are the strongest teams in Europe.

The third-tier teams are not as good as the first two, but in fact, these third-tier teams are often strong teams from second- and third-tier European leagues. The competitiveness is also very strong.

Then comes the problem.

When Napoli reach the Champions League as a fourth-pot team, they are bound to meet a strong team, and basically it is the group of death.

He is obviously the Serie A champion, but he has to be drawn to the group of death. Why?

European war points!

Teams like Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma don't need it.

This is the accumulation of giant teams, and it can be said that they are their moat.

Before the high-level crossing, many fans were dissatisfied with the draws of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and other teams. They thought that there was a shady scene, but not necessarily, because the rules are here, no matter how the draw is a group of death and the cup competition It is very different from the league, especially in the Champions League, where you will encounter teams of different styles and accept the test of different tactics, which will have higher requirements on the team.

Even if it is advanced, they dare not say that Naples can qualify from the group. Even if they do qualify from the group of death, the team must be exhausted, and no one can be sure whether they can take a step forward.

In case if a strong enemy is drawn and only the second place in the group, even if it is out of the line, the situation will be quite bad.

Cruel? Is it unfair?

Yes, but that's the rule!

Either follow the rules and play the game well, or don't play it.

Naples will definitely be able to get a place in the Champions League group stage now, but Gao Shen just doesn't believe in evil.

With zero points in the European war, and being placed in the death group, is it destined to be unable to break through?

What if the giants have a strong moat?

Will it be safe?

In Serie A, Naples is a dark horse, and in the Champions League, Naples will still be a dark horse!

Gao Shen wanted to try. After subverting Serie A, can the Naples he brought out subvert the Champions League and become the first dark horse in history!

However, this is too far.

His most important task at the moment is to lead Naples, play steadily in the next 12 rounds of the league, and win the coveted Serie A championship after the season.

It must be a wonderful feeling to win the championship as a newly promoted horse.

And the Coppa Italia, which starts in April.

He missed this title last season, he really wants to win it this season!

Grab Serie A with one hand and the cup with the other, insist on grasping with both hands, and both hands must be hard!

As for the Champions League, that is something to consider only next season!