Starting With Real Madrid

February 21st, the 25th round of Serie A.

Napoli hosted Genoa at home.

The game was scheduled for the afternoon, and Gao Shen made significant rotations in the lineup, openly signaling his intention to conserve energy for the upcoming Champions League match.

After all, wasn't Napoli's five-point lead in the league precisely to allow them to perform better in the Champions League?

The match was tightly contested for 70 minutes, until the 71st minute. Parejo, who had been subbed on only ten minutes earlier, delivered a brilliant pass. Callejon, reading his intention perfectly, made a run behind the defense and scored for Napoli.

It was the only goal of the match.

In the other two games on the same day, Inter Milan defeated Bologna 2-1 away, while Roma narrowly beat Siena 1-0 at home.

The Serie A title race remained unchanged.

…

Meanwhile, in Birmingham, England.

In the 26th round of the Premier League, Aston Villa hosted Chelsea in an earlier kickoff at 12:45 PM.

Because Gao Shen and the coaching staff were busy preparing for the Genoa match, they didn't have the time to watch Chelsea's game live. Instead, they sent Zidane, Lucas, and Buenaventura to Villa Park to analyze the match firsthand.

It was a tough battle.

Chelsea had a dismal record at Villa Park, with six draws and four losses in their last ten visits, and no wins.

But from the start, Chelsea played aggressively, taking the initiative. Aston Villa, however, weren't intimidated and matched Chelsea blow for blow.

This open style of play led to Chelsea's breakthrough in the 19th minute. Lampard collected the ball in midfield, evaded two defenders, and delivered a pinpoint through ball. Anelka made a diagonal run into the right side of the penalty area and finished with a deft lob, scoring the game's only goal.

It was the Frenchman's 21st goal of the season, with 15 of those coming in the Premier League.

Drogba also had an outstanding game, showcasing his ability with a remarkable shot in the penalty area that forced a brilliant save from Aston Villa's goalkeeper, Friedel.

In the end, Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory, their first win at Villa Park in a decade and their first away win in five games. The result also ended Aston Villa's impressive 13-match unbeaten streak.

…

Zidane, Lucas, and Buenaventura returned to Naples from Birmingham after the match.

While the team rested after the Genoa game, the coaching staff convened for a meeting at Castel Volturno.

Zidane, Lucas, and Buenaventura all offered high praise for Chelsea's performance.

Chelsea's starting lineup for the match was as follows:

Goalkeeper: Cech.

Defense: Ferreira, Terry, Alex, and Bosingwa.

Midfield: Mikel as the holding midfielder, with Ballack and Lampard ahead of him.

Forwards: Anelka, Drogba, and Kalou.

"Ferreira played as the left-back because Ashley Cole was suspended, but he didn't perform well in that position. We think Ashley Cole will return to the lineup for the Champions League," Lucas explained.

"Another point worth noting is that Mikel's performance was subpar not just offensively but also defensively. On the other hand, Deco, who replaced Kalou in the 55th minute, played quite well. Chelsea switched to a 4-4-2 formation after that substitution."

"Also, Essien, who you've been monitoring closely, wasn't even on the bench," Lucas added.

The room turned to Gao Shen for his reaction.

He rested his chin on his left hand, scratching his jaw, which had grown stubbly after days of intense work.

"It's clear that Hiddink started adjusting the lineup from the 55th minute onward," Gao Shen commented.

After a moment of thought, the staff nodded in agreement.

A coach of Hiddink's caliber wasn't afraid to make bold changes, even while leading by just one goal.

"Fernando, play the clip of Anelka's goal again," Gao Shen requested.

Lucas complied immediately. As the footage played, he provided further context. "Apart from this goal, Anelka's overall performance wasn't remarkable. On the contrary, Drogba had a golden opportunity in the second half that was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper."

Gao Shen paused the video at a specific moment.

"Look here. Drogba pulls Aston Villa's center-back toward the left side of the penalty area. Lampard makes a forward run through the middle, and Kalou is also in an advanced position. Meanwhile, Anelka starts wide on the left but cuts diagonally into the right side of the penalty area, creating a three-way crossing run."

"Lampard's pass exploits this movement. This kind of overlapping tactical coordination is common in a Dutch-style 4-3-3 formation. It's incredibly flexible and puts defenders in a very difficult position."

"To follow or not to follow—that's the dilemma," Gao Shen said, tapping the screen.

He continued analyzing. "When Chelsea switched to a 4-4-2 formation, their midfield consisted of Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, and Deco—essentially four creative playmakers. This gave their attack more fluidity. However, Aston Villa's manager, Martin O'Neill, responded by bringing on Carew, Heskey, Agbonlahor, and Ashley Young, increasing their attacking threat."

Despite the pressure, Chelsea still created a clear chance in the 83rd minute. Drogba's powerful shot was only denied by the goalkeeper's heroics.

"Do you think Hiddink is trying to create confusion?" Carlo speculated.

It was a possibility. Hiddink might have deliberately made adjustments to keep Napoli guessing.

His substitution in the 55th minute could have been an attempt to force Gao Shen into second-guessing Chelsea's strategy.

He seemed to be sending a message: "Guess what I'll use—4-4-2 or 4-3-3?"

"No," Gao Shen countered firmly.

The staff exchanged puzzled glances, waiting for his explanation.

"If Hiddink had more time, I might consider that possibility. But right now, he doesn't. He's working against the clock, trying to maximize every match and training session."

"From this game, it's clear that Hiddink is focusing on improving Chelsea's attack by playing Drogba and Anelka together. As Fernando mentioned earlier, Drogba often drifts to the left while Anelka starts on the left but frequently cuts inside or moves to the right."

"We've seen all season that Anelka's wide play hasn't been effective. Scolari tried it repeatedly, and it failed. But now, Hiddink has found a way for Drogba and Anelka to coexist."

Gao Shen paused, then added, "In the post-match press conference, Hiddink addressed this directly."

He gestured to Lucas, who quickly found the relevant quote in his notes.

Hiddink had said, "Anelka and Drogba can play together, provided they fulfill their defensive responsibilities."

"To play good attacking football, everyone must first understand their defensive duties."

"I have players like Anelka and Drogba, and when they commit to defending as a team, you can play the football you want."

After hearing this, Gao Shen leaned back, his thoughts clearer than ever.

Hiddink's approach had become transparent.

He was shifting Chelsea back to a 4-3-3 system, but he wasn't rigidly sticking to it. Depending on the situation, he might switch to a 4-4-2. The specifics would depend on how Hiddink read the game.

Based on current evidence, though, the most likely setup was a 4-3-3 formation.

In this system, the front three would be Anelka, Drogba, and Kalou.

Mikel would anchor the midfield, with Lampard and Ballack in front of him.

Deco's inclusion would raise questions about defensive stability, but his creativity made him an option Hiddink might consider.

The defense was straightforward, with Ashley Cole likely replacing Ferreira at left-back.

"Hiddink has limited time. He won't overhaul the team but will make adjustments to refine Scolari's work. Small tweaks, like the positional interchanges between Anelka, Drogba, and Kalou, are already evident," Gao Shen analyzed.

He continued, "Have you noticed how Chelsea's passing and movement have also changed? Their overall shape is tighter and more cohesive compared to Scolari's era. Look at Lampard's assist, he dropped deep to collect the ball, threw off the defenders, and delivered a decisive through ball."

Zidane nodded in agreement. "Yes, their positioning is much better. Each player seems to have immediate passing options nearby. It's a noticeable improvement."

"However, this comes at a cost," Gao Shen pointed out. "Their high-intensity play is draining, and by the second half, their activity level dropped significantly. The midfield trio of Mikel, Lampard, and Ballack isn't strong enough to cover both flanks, especially with the full-backs pushed up."

"And that," Gao Shen declared, "is our opportunity."

For years, he had studied Hiddink's methods, trying to find weaknesses. Now, he finally had clarity.

He knew how Hiddink's Chelsea would play.

And if you know your opponent, you also know how to beat them.

Napoli's physical fitness was a significant advantage. Premier League teams didn't have a winter break, putting Chelsea's stamina at a disadvantage. Additionally, Chelsea had several older players, which was another weakness.

The full-backs were also a concern. Ashley Cole had been inconsistent this season, and Bosingwa had similar issues. Ferreira, who played left-back against Aston Villa, received the lowest rating of the match—a failing grade of five.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the winner between us and Chelsea will be decided in the second half," Gao Shen concluded confidently.

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.