There were only two days between the League Cup quarter-finals and the fifteenth round of the Premier League.
After Manchester City's match against Arsenal, Gao Shen immediately threw himself into preparations for the game against Chelsea. The coaching staff also gave their all to study this final strong opponent of the first half of the season.
On the afternoon of December 4th, the day before the match, Gao Shen held a pre-match press conference at Carrington in Manchester. He announced the 18-man squad and responded to questions from British media about the upcoming clash.
It had been raining recently in Manchester, but Gao Shen said that both he and his players had plenty of experience playing in such conditions, and he believed the team would handle it well.
Throughout the interview, Gao Shen dedicated considerable time to talking about his opponent.
As for his good friend Ancelotti, Gao Shen didn't forget to twist the knife.
"I coached in Italy for three years. I met many people, senior figures in football, media friends, regular fans. If you ask them whether Ancelotti can win you a league title, I believe most would give you a very positive answer."
Gao Shen spoke eloquently on stage while the media reporters below waited eagerly.
They were like a pack of hungry wolves, eyes gleaming green, watching the juicy piece of bait Gao Shen was about to toss out.
"Don't trust that fat guy!" Gao Shen said.
Everyone knew that Gao Shen had a great relationship with Ancelotti, and that Ancelotti had previously mocked Gao Shen as well.
In football, love-hate relationships like this were not uncommon.
"If I'm counting correctly, he's been coaching for fourteen years now. But how many league titles has he won?"
"Leaving aside the two Champions League titles, he's only won one Serie A, one Coppa Italia, one Italian Super Cup, and one Club World Cup. What else?"
This pointed jab once again drew laughter from the room.
Indeed, Ancelotti's trophy cabinet wasn't exactly bursting with league titles.
The most impressive were his two Champions League triumphs.
But Gao Shen had deliberately excluded those.
"He's coached for fourteen years and only won one league title. I understand now why he's so hungry to win one, but I have to say, he doesn't have much experience in chasing a league title."
"In Italy, if you're talking about winning the league, Lippi, Capello—even Mancini—have more experience than he does."
As Gao Shen said this, he couldn't help but think: Mancini would probably be spitting blood if he heard that. Why am I even being dragged into this?
Everyone knew that Ancelotti was a world-class coach, but it was also true that he'd only managed one league title.
Although Gao Shen didn't say it directly, he was clearly hinting that he had three league titles, not counting a Serie B title.
He had only been coaching for less than four years and had already won three league championships. Ancelotti had been at it for 14 years and had just one. The message was clear, everyone should know who to back in this clash.
At that moment, in the eyes of the media, Gao Shen was like a cheeky schoolboy.
"I've seen Chelsea's recent 4-4-2 diamond formation, and many say it looks a lot like the 4-4-2 we used before, with similar player roles and functions. But I think that's not quite right."
Hearing this, the reporters immediately sensed something coming.
Then Gao Shen raised his right hand, holding his index finger and thumb slightly apart.
"In fact, Chelsea's 4-4-2 is still a little different from ours. For example, their full-backs are more aggressive, and their striker is more dominant in the box. So, strictly speaking, there are still some differences."
Everyone nearly fell over.
Just a little different?
Wasn't that the same as saying Ancelotti copied your tactics?
Haha, got it! Tomorrow's front page: Gao Shen Accuses Ancelotti of Tactical Plagiarism!
Get ready to roll it out, boys!
Gao Shen caught all their reactions and was secretly amused.
"I dare say, if I'm not mistaken, he'll still go with the 4-4-2 at the Etihad, and his lineup won't change much. We know exactly how to counter that."
Then he made his signature "know-it-all" gesture.
"No one understands the 4-4-2 diamond midfield better than me!"
The reporters were thrilled.
They had come expecting a casual presser and instead got fireworks. Gao Shen was clearly going all-in against Ancelotti!
…
To better prepare for the match, Ancelotti took the Chelsea squad north to Manchester that night after holding their own press conference at Cobham.
After leading the team to the hotel and settling the players in their rooms, Ancelotti returned to his own and watched Gao Shen's press conference remarks.
Upon hearing them, the usually mild-mannered Ancelotti couldn't help but explode.
"Fuck off!" he cursed.
Wilkins and the others were stunned.
Was that… swearing?
"He's unbelievable! And he thinks I copied him? He should take a long hard look in the mirror! I won a league title before he was even born—who does he think he is?"
"And saying I can't win a title? How many has he won? Have I not reached more Champions League finals than him?"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. If not for his sense of restraint, Ancelotti might've called Gao Shen then and there to curse him out.
His assistants stayed silent.
Although Ancelotti was usually polite and easygoing, someone everyone could get along with, he could be incredibly stubborn and intense when provoked.
But it was rare for him to lose his temper like this.
Clearly, Gao Shen had struck a nerve.
But Ancelotti quickly composed himself. After taking several deep breaths, he calmed down, at least a little.
"This kid is such a bastard!" he muttered again, and his anger surged once more.
To be honest, Gao Shen had touched a sore spot.
It wasn't about the accusation of not winning titles, Ancelotti had long been labeled a perennial runner-up. That label had followed him since his days at Juventus and had stuck with him ever since.
He'd come to terms with that.
And it wasn't that Gao Shen accused him of copying tactics. Tactical ideas aren't something you can just steal anyway.
The same formation looks very different depending on the players you use. You can't just copy and paste it.
The real blow was Gao Shen's final line: "No one understands the 4-4-2 diamond midfield better than me!"
That was the real shot across the bow.
The 4-4-2 diamond formation has obvious strengths, but its flaws are equally clear.
The midfield and front line lack width, so wide attacks must rely heavily on overlapping full-backs.
But everyone knows that this kind of overlapping run from full-backs leaves you dangerously exposed at the back.
Unfortunately, Chelsea's holding midfielder is Mikel, a player with limited mobility and coverage.
Up against Manchester City's powerful wide players—Robben, Hazard, Robinho, Bale, and Sturridge—they'd face a massive threat. All of them had pace, technique, and most importantly, strong one-on-one ability.
What if Mikel doesn't play?
Ballack could step in, but there's no guarantee he'd do better.
And then there's Joe Cole.
Gao Shen had mentioned Joe Cole several times this season. He believed Cole had a place in Chelsea's midfield.
But every time Ancelotti heard it, he felt uneasy. He knew Gao Shen well, he'd never praise someone so obviously unless he had an agenda.
Joe Cole's biggest issue? Inconsistency.
Especially under intense pressure from opponents.
Manchester City's Javi Martínez had been in stellar form lately. His defensive work had made City the best defensive side in the Premier League this season. Javi had played a crucial role in that.
Could Joe Cole handle Javi Martínez?
If Ancelotti's current lineup faced teams like United or Arsenal, whose midfields were softer, especially defensively, it wouldn't be a problem—Chelsea could win.
But against teams like City or Liverpool, who had tough, defensive midfielders, Chelsea's issues in the middle became obvious. And compared to Liverpool, City had more dangerous wide players with world-class firepower. Ancelotti couldn't ignore that.
In this situation, could Ancelotti really feel at ease?
"Do you think Gao Shen could predict our starting tactics and prepare a specific strategy?" he asked anxiously.
Wilkins and the others exchanged looks. Who could say?
The whole world knew how unpredictable Gao Shen's tactics had been this season.
In the first 14 rounds, he'd changed his formation nearly every game. Who knew what he'd pull out this time?
Sometimes, you had to admit—he really was a tactical genius. It was hard to believe he was only 29.
Ancelotti wouldn't say it publicly, but deep down, he knew his diamond midfield configuration was based on Gao Shen's system. So naturally, he worried that Gao Shen had already figured him out.
"Change the formation!" Ancelotti gritted his teeth and said firmly.
"Change the formation?" Wilkins was taken aback.
The match was tomorrow, now you want to change the system?
Chelsea's players were all seasoned pros, so adaptability wasn't a problem. But was it necessary?
"Mikel can't play. We need players who can cover both flanks. And Joe Cole—I don't trust him…"
Wilkins quietly breathed a sigh of relief. So they weren't changing the system, just the starting lineup.
But if Mikel and Joe Cole were dropped, wouldn't that unravel the midfield setup they'd worked so hard to establish?
All because of one quote from Gao Shen?
Was it worth it?
(To be continued.)
***
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