Starting With Real Madrid

On the evening of May 24, the Stadio Olimpico in Rome was alive with excitement.

This year marked the 60th edition of the Coppa Italia final, a match that captured the attention of football fans across Italy.

To commemorate this milestone, the Italian Football Association made special changes to the competition format. The final, traditionally held over two legs, was changed to a single-match showdown. Moreover, the venue for the final was chosen to honor the location of the very first Coppa Italia final: Rome's iconic Stadio Olimpico.

At the beginning of the season, fans and media alike had anticipated a classic showdown between Roma and Inter Milan in this year's final.

For the past three seasons, the Coppa Italia final had been contested exclusively by these two clubs. Inter had won two of those encounters, while Roma had triumphed last year, denying Inter the chance to dominate.

Given their consistent performances, most believed this year would follow the same script: Roma versus Inter Milan.

But no one expected Napoli to storm onto the scene and upset the established order.

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Napoli's journey to the final drew the attention of one particularly influential figure—Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy.

The president, a Naples native and a lifelong fan of the team, found himself captivated by their incredible run.

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis seized this opportunity. After Napoli's stunning qualification for the final, he managed to contact the president and invited him to attend the match. To the delight of Naples fans, President Napolitano accepted the invitation and arrived at the stadium to watch the game in person.

Joining the president in the stands were other prominent figures, including Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Petrucci and Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete, both of whom held significant positions in Italian sports.

On Inter Milan's side, club president Massimo Moratti did not attend, delegating his sister as the club's representative. However, technical director Marco Branca was present for the final.

Napoli's supporters had another reason to cheer as Diego Maradona, the club's legendary figure, attended the final as well. Maradona had previously promised to attend if Napoli made it to the decisive match. After seeing their rise through the competition, he kept his word and showed up to support the team.

With such distinguished guests and fanfare, the final became a truly grand occasion.

Before kickoff, the Italian Football Association held a brief ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coppa Italia final, adding an air of nostalgia and prestige to the event.

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Napoli lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation:

Goalkeeper: Handanovic

Defense: Vargas, David Luiz, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner

Midfield: Biglia and Rakitic as the holding duo, with Di Maria, Hamsik, and Sanchez playing ahead

Forward: Cavani

This formation, their staple throughout the season, had been instrumental in their success.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, opted for a 4-5-1 setup:

Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar

Defense: Maxwell, Chivu, Burdisso, Maicon

Midfield: Cesar, Vieira, Stankovic, Zanetti, Balotelli

Forward: Suazo

As Gao Shen reviewed Inter Milan's lineup in the dressing room, one detail caught his eye.

Balotelli was positioned on the right wing.

Inter Milan's unusual 4-5-1 setup was unexpected, and Gao Shen couldn't help but wonder about Mancini's intentions.

"What is he trying to do?" Gao Shen muttered, perplexed.

The coaching staff were equally puzzled.

"Maybe it's a surprise tactic?" Carlo cautiously suggested.

Gao Shen shook his head. "This doesn't feel like a surprise. It feels desperate."

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The match kicked off with Napoli asserting themselves early, as they had done all season.

From the opening whistle, Napoli took the initiative, pressing high and dictating the tempo.

Inter Milan, on the other hand, focused on holding their defensive shape and waiting for opportunities to counterattack.

Napoli registered the first shot of the match, but in the third minute, Inter Milan had a chance on the break.

Suazo, Inter's lone forward, drew attention from Napoli's defense before threading a pass to the right flank, targeting Balotelli.

Balotelli surged forward but was flagged offside.

Watching from the sidelines, Gao Shen immediately grasped Mancini's plan.

"He's putting his hopes on a 17-year-old?" Gao Shen shook his head in disbelief.

Mancini's tactics were a letdown. After all the adjustments and experiments, it boiled down to relying on the youthful Balotelli to create something out of nothing.

Balotelli's potential was undeniable, but to hinge a final on him seemed reckless.

Gao Shen wasted no time. He called out instructions from the sidelines, signaling Vargas and Biglia to keep a close eye on Balotelli.

"Don't let him have the space to cut inside or break through!"

The message was clear, and Napoli's players quickly adapted.

Gao Shen also instructed David Luiz and Bonucci to stay tight on Suazo, confident that the two center-backs could handle him comfortably.

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Balotelli, primarily a center-forward, struggled in his unfamiliar role on the right wing. His discomfort was evident, and Napoli exploited it.

Vargas and Biglia repeatedly closed him down, denying him any space to operate. Without support from his teammates, Balotelli became increasingly isolated and frustrated.

By the 30th minute, Napoli had firmly taken control of the match.

In the 31st minute, Cavani received a pass in the box and laid it off to Hamsik, who unleashed a shot. Though the angle wasn't ideal, Cesar made the save.

However, the ball fell to Rakitic, who had joined the attack from deep. Without hesitation, he struck a thunderous shot from outside the box, piercing Inter's net.

Napoli led 1-0.

The goal was a turning point. From that moment, Napoli unleashed wave after wave of attacks, pinning Inter Milan deep in their half.

Inter Milan had no choice but to retreat into an ultra-defensive shell, further isolating Balotelli and Suazo.

In the second half, Mancini attempted to change things by substituting the ineffective Stankovic for Pele.

The move, however, did little to stem the tide.

Napoli continued to dominate possession and dictate the rhythm. By the 55th minute, the difference in fitness levels between the two teams was glaring.

Napoli were relentless, their confidence growing with every minute. Inter Milan, on the other hand, looked drained, both physically and mentally.

In the 59th minute, Cavani once again played provider, setting up Hamsik for a simple close-range finish. Napoli extended their lead to 2-0.

The match was effectively over. Inter Milan, demoralized and outclassed, had no answers.

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"Napoli have showcased their brilliance tonight," the commentators observed.

"Meanwhile, Inter Milan look like a shadow of their former selves—hesitant, uninspired, and lacking the fight of a top-tier team."

"Gao Shen's Napoli, despite facing jeers from the Stadio Olimpico crowd, have delivered a masterclass in tactical execution and team cohesion."

"Mancini's Inter Milan seem powerless to stop Gao Shen from claiming his place atop Italian football tonight."

"This will mark the second time Napoli has won the domestic double, the first being their legendary 1987 triumph."

"Back then, it was Maradona's Naples. Now, 20 years later, it's a Napoli reborn from bankruptcy, forged in the fires of Serie C, and built from the ground up by Gao Shen."

"Every player in this squad has been carefully chosen and molded by Gao Shen to fit his vision. The result is a team capable of playing some of the most cohesive and attacking football in Serie A."

"With Serie A and Coppa Italia titles secured this season, it's clear that a new power is rising in Italian football. The old order is being shaken, and Napoli, under Gao Shen, is leading the charge."

"Especially after tonight."

Indeed, Mancini not only lost a final and a trophy, he lost the confidence of his team and the belief of the fans.

***

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