Starting With Real Madrid

An interesting phenomenon highlights just how much Napoli's status has changed in Italian football.

This change was most evident on the morning of July 2nd, the official opening day of Napoli's summer training camp. Outside the gates of the Konami Training Center, a large crowd of media reporters had gathered.

In previous seasons, only a handful of local journalists would come to report on the team's return to training. But this year was markedly different—far more reporters had arrived, some even traveling from major cities like Rome and Milan.

Napoli simply didn't have this kind of influence in the past.

Yet here they were at least twenty reporters camped outside the training center, eagerly awaiting the players' arrival.

Though the official start date was July 2nd, the players were required to arrive in Castel Volturno a day early. This detail, apparently leaked, drew more media interest than anyone had anticipated.

Gao Shen arrived earlier than everyone else but refused all interview requests at the gate. Once inside, he instructed the staff to provide refreshments and umbrellas for the reporters to help them endure the sweltering summer heat.

This small gesture won him instant favor among the media. It was clear that this act of goodwill would likely earn him some positive press coverage in return.

---

As usual, Gao Shen and his coaching staff were the first to arrive at the training center. They began the day with a meeting to discuss plans and assign tasks.

There was only one major goal for the day: to evaluate the players' physical condition after their summer vacations, especially those who had participated in the European Championship.

To facilitate this, Napoli had implemented a comprehensive physical examination system. At the suggestion of fitness coach Antonio Pintus, Gao Shen had persuaded the club to invest in five state-of-the-art sports treadmills from the Italian company Cosmed. These machines, along with the necessary renovations to the medical room, had cost Napoli €200,000—a hefty expense that had pained sporting director Marino.

Even Gao Shen himself wasn't entirely sure how these machines worked, but he was intrigued to see them in action.

---

One by one, the players arrived at the Konami Training Center.

They were met with a lively scene outside: reporters patiently waiting under umbrellas and even a growing number of fans who had come to catch a glimpse of their favorite players.

Following Gao Shen's instructions, the staff at the gates ensured that the players entered directly without stopping to give interviews. While the media respected this boundary, they made up for it by snapping as many photos as possible.

The players were in high spirits, visibly energized by the newfound attention. Some even stopped to pose for photos, reveling in the lively atmosphere. For a club like Napoli, this kind of media frenzy was unheard of just a couple of years ago.

Once the players were inside, the journalists and fans were invited to observe the team's physical examination process, a strategic move by Gao Shen to build goodwill and transparency.

Last season, Napoli had a notably low number of injuries, with the players maintaining excellent physical fitness overall. However, holidays often meant indulgent eating and drinking, which could impact the players' conditioning. As expected, the medical evaluations revealed that many players were not quite in peak shape.

After the physical exams were complete, the media and fans were politely asked to leave, and the players were escorted to a newly renovated room adjacent to the medical facilities.

---

The room housed five devices that resembled treadmills but were much more sophisticated.

In addition to the standard treadmill handrails, these machines had two arc-shaped arms extending from the main console, with wearable equipment, including a vest-like apparatus, hanging from them. This was the advanced sports treadmill system from Cosmed.

Pintus took charge of the testing.

The players were divided into groups of five. Each player stood on a treadmill while staff fitted them with the vests, which were equipped with multiple sensors to collect various physiological data, such as heart rate and blood metrics.

A mask was also placed over each player's mouth and nose. Though it initially looked intimidating, the players quickly realized they could breathe normally.

This treadmill system, originally designed for medical use, measured over 30 physiological parameters, including respiratory ventilation, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide levels, and heart rate. The data was transmitted in real-time to Cosmed's metabolic and ECG monitoring system, providing a comprehensive analysis of each player's physical condition.

Based on the data collected, Pintus, Buenaventura, and the team doctors would develop personalized training plans for each player.

---

The first group of players stepped onto the treadmills, and the coaching staff, including Gao Shen, watched intently.

For many of them, this was their first time seeing such advanced technology. While the equipment had been proven effective in the medical field, its application in sports was still new territory. Whether it would deliver the expected results remained to be seen.

Football players' bodies are constantly evolving, and their physical data needs to be updated regularly to adjust training plans accordingly. Even Pintus, who had recommended the purchase, admitted he was cautiously optimistic but not entirely sure of its effectiveness.

"Do you think this thing will actually work?" Zidane whispered to Gao Shen, his skepticism evident.

As a former player of the highest caliber, Zidane was accustomed to trusting his instincts over data. Like many top athletes, he found it hard to place full faith in science and technology.

"These machines are just tools," Gao Shen replied with a calm smile. "The data they provide is helpful, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. In the end, we have to validate everything on the training ground and make decisions based on a combination of factors."

Zidane nodded, beginning to understand.

"Zizou," Gao Shen added with a grin, "you need to trust science! Have you heard about the Milan Lab? They have a machine where players simply jump, and it can tell you their physical condition. Ours, on the other hand, is a full treadmill with masks, vests, and everything. Each one costs €40,000! Compared to Milan's glorified scale, which do you think is more accurate?"

Zidane couldn't help but laugh. "That's not really a fair comparison, is it?"

Still, the mention of the Milan Lab brought back memories. The facility had gained worldwide recognition after AC Milan's veteran players performed exceptionally well during their 2007 Champions League victory. It was a testament to how cutting-edge technology could prolong careers.

Gao Shen's point was clear: as football evolved, high-tech equipment and data analysis would become indispensable. Young players would achieve success earlier, and disciplined professionals would enjoy longer careers, all thanks to advancements in training and recovery methods.

---

By the end of the day, all players had completed their treadmill tests.

The results showed that while most players weren't in ideal condition after the break, their overall fitness levels were still quite good, thanks in large part to the team's youth. At an average age of just 21, Napoli still boasted the youngest squad in Serie A.

With pre-season training set to begin on July 2nd, the coaching staff remained behind to prepare. The national team players would leave for the Olympics in early August, while the rest of the squad focused on preparing for the Italian Super Cup against Inter Milan.

Gao Shen couldn't help but think of Mourinho.

If history followed its original path, Mourinho would reach the pinnacle of his career in Italy. But now, with Gao Shen's presence, the landscape had shifted. Mourinho's pointed remarks during his first press conference as Inter's head coach suggested he was eager to surpass Gao Shen and establish his dominance.

In the past, Mourinho and Inter had been untouchable in Serie A. But things were different now. Napoli had risen to become their fiercest competitor.

"The team's condition must be optimized by August 24th," Gao Shen instructed.

Both Pintus and Buenaventura nodded.

Their plan was clear: a rigorous summer training camp, followed by a mid-season "mini pre-season" during the winter break. This approach would help recharge the players and ensure they remained strong for the latter half of the campaign.

By combining pre-season preparation with injury prevention and physical management, Gao Shen was confident Napoli could endure the grueling demands of a season competing on multiple fronts.

***

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