Lichtsteiepped out of Naples airport, apanied by his brother and agent, Marko Lichtsteiner.

  The two brothers stood at the airport's exit, curiously sing the unfamiliar city.

  This is where they would both be w and living for the few years.

  "Stefan, Marko, over here!"

  Across the street, a middle-aged Italian man with slicked-back hair and wearing a dark blue suit waved at them.

  The two brothers turo look and reized their legal advisor, Federico Pastorello.

  Though referred to as a legal advisor, Pastorello was, in fact, more of a.

  Many people have misuandings about agents. Iy, true agents are involved in a wide array of services, and their responsibilities are plex. Ageifications, much like coag lises, e in various levels, and agents work aany tiers. Pastorello, for instance, was known as the first agent in Italy to receive the highest-level certification.

  Iingly, Pastorello was more popur abroad than in Italy.

  Acc to his own at, this was because, before the Calciopoli sdal, as a pyer agent in Italy, no one could rival Luoggi's son. Pastorello had to seek opportunities elsewhere.

  Pastorello had siderable influen French football because, ie 1990s, AS Roma's chairman, Sensi, purchased French club OGice. Pastorello had developed his es aation in French football through this venture.

  Lichtsteiner's transfer from Lille to Naples had e together smoothly, but the traegotiations required a trustworthy mediator. Pastorello was the perfect fit for that role.

  "I've already tacted Napoli. We'll head straight to the hospital for your medical exam. Lorenzo Bueura, Napoli's fitness coach, will be there with the team doctor to guide you through the process."

  As soon as they got into the car, Pastorello id out the day's schedule for the Lichtsteiner brothers.

  "After the medical, we'll head directly to the Stadio San Paolo for the tract signing and a brief introdu. From what I've gathered, the only person from the club who will be present is the captain, Franontervino."

  Hearing this, Lichtsteiner felt a little disappointed.

  "The head coach won't be there?" asked his brother, Marko, somewhat ed.

  "Bueura will expihing in more detail," Pastorello replied. "He's a close fidant of head coach Gao Shen. The word I got is that Gao Shen prefers to meet with you ter at Castel Volturno."

  Lichtsteiner was relieved and looked forward to meeting the young coach.

  "I should remind you, Stefan," Pastorello added, "don't uimate Montervino. He has the coach's plete trust."

  "Why? Isn't he just a benchwarmer?" Marko asked, perplexed.

  Pastorello chuckled, already used to Marko's inquisitive nature. Stefan, the younger brother, was more reserved, while Marko teo ask more questions and dig into every detail.

  "You must have read the media reports, right?" Pastorello ughed.

  Last season, after Napoli secured the Serie B title, Montervino, as captain, lifted the trophy despite having barely pyed all season. The Italian media had mocked him and Gao Shen for it, portraying Montervino as little more than a pceholder.

  "The media only know part of the story. Montervino was one of the first pyers brought in after Napoli's restructuring. When Gao Shen took charge, Montervino realized he'd lost his p the team, but after having a frank versation with the coach, he itted himself to being a positive influen the locker room."

  "In essence, Montervino is the team's captain, but he's not the on-pitch leader. Instead, he pys more of a support role, which Gao Shen values highly. The club eveended his tract this summer."

  sidering Napoli's strong performa season, reag the Coppa Italia semifinals, Montervino's tinued presence as captain roof of Gao Shen's faith in him.

  "In the locker room and even off the pitch, if you need help with anything, Montervino is the person to turn to," Pastorello added.

  Lichtsteiner nodded, uanding the importance of such a figure.

  There was oail that particurly struck him: the professionalism.

  From the moment Lichtsteiner arrived at the hospital, Bueura and the team doctor ehat everything ran smoothly. Each step of the medical exam had been carefully pnned, with no time wasted.

  Moreover, Bueura held Lichtsteiner's medical history in his hands, every injury he'd suffered i years, how those injuries had beeed, and what areas needed closer examination. Bueura even participated in the exam itself, making sure everything was doiculously.

  Lichtsteiner was genuinely surprised. Medicals were often just a formality uhere was a situation like when Real Madrid rejected Gabriel Milito due to a failed medical. But Napoli clearly took this process seriously.

  "Every result from today will go into our database. This information will form the foundation for your future training. We 't afford to overlook anything," Bueura expined.

  Lichtsteiner could only nod in agreement. He was at a loss for words.

  Although there were mas, they were pleted in just over an hour, leaving Lichtsteiner amazed. He had expected it to take until at least noon.

  "The medical report will be sent to the club, and once we've analyzed it, we'll review it with you. For now, you head to the stadium to finalize the tract," Bueura said, visibly relieved after the exam.

  Lichtsteiner passed with flying colors, leaving Bueura fident that he could push him to his limits in training.

  Unaware of the fitness coach's thoughts, Lichtsteiner simply assumed Bueura leased with his dition. Before leaving, he stopped to ask, "What about Mr. Gao Shen…"

  "The pyers call him 'boss,' and you do the same. For now, head to the stadium first. Montervino will take you to Castel Volturno after that. The coach has been there a lot retly."

  Bueura paused as if remembering something. "Oh, by the way, he asked me to pass along his greetings."

  Lichtsteiner's face lit up with a smile and he nodded, clearly ier spirits.

  Bueura couldn't help but think to himself how powerful a reputation could be.

  ---

  In European football, outside of Real Madrid, most clubs don't throresentations for new signings.

  At most, they invite a few reporters to withe tract signing. Some clubs don't even bother with that, preferring to take photos themselves and release them to the press ter.

  Napoli had only ever staged a vish unveiling for one pyer: Diego Maradona.

  Lichtsteiner was treated more like any other pyer he sighe tract, took some photos, and then, apanied by Montervino, drove to Castel Volturno.

  There, he finally met the man he had heard so much about: Gao Shen.

  So young!

  He didn't look like a ma all, more like a pyer.

  Lichtsteiner found himself momentarily stunned, unsure of how to greet him.

  At Castel Volturno, Gao Shen anded absolute respect, carrying himself with the authority of a leader.

  "Stefan, I've been waiting for you for a year!" Gao Shen said with a smile as they shook hands.

  As early as st summer, Gao Shen had set his sights on the Swiss right-back, and now his wish had finally e true.

  Lichtsteiner was fttered.

  Though Gao Shen was young, his reputation preceded him. Winning La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, followed by leading Napoli to the Serie B title st season such achievements made Lichtsteiner feel a bit nervous.

  No matter how young Gao Shen appeared, he was still the head coach, and oh a anding presence.

  "Grava is gone, so this season, I'm left with just twht-backs, you and Garics."

  Gao Shen led Lichtsteiner on a tour of the training ground, speaking as they walked.

  "I hope you'll show your best in training and in our warm-up games. Prove to me and everyone else that you should be our first-choice right-back. I believe you do it."

  "Don't worry, coach. I'll give it my all!" Lichtsteiner replied early.

  "No, no, Stefan. I don't want you to just try your best. I need you to guara," Gao Shen interrupted, his tone growing more serious. It wasn't a request; it was an order.

  "You know, we have only one goal this season the Serie A title. I'm not joking. I need you to py at the level of a Serie A champiht-back."

  Lichtsteiner was taken aback.

  He hadn't expected Gao Shen to pce such a heavy burden on his shoulders right from the start.

  "In Lille, petition was fierce, but I'm sure deep down, you felt like you weren't any worse thahers, right? Like you should have been a starter?"

  Gao Shen's words struck a chord with Lichtsteiner, leaving him momentarily speechless.

  Every young pyer harbored that fighting spirit, that hunger. Who wao sit on the bench?

  "It's a good thing to have that drive. We're young here at Napoli, but every single one of us is determio fight for the Scudetto. And this is your ce to prove yourself."

  "Bring out your best. Show everyone why you're here, and make sure they all know: You're the best."

  Lichtsteiner was thhly inspired.

  Throughout their versation, Lichtsteiner found himself increasingly impressed by Gao Shen. Every word seemed to resonate deeply with him, each senteapping into his petitive spirit. Gao Shen wasn't just talking about tactics iving a standard motivational speech, he eaking directly to the core of what made Lichtsteiick as a pyer.

  Gao Shen was unlike any coach Lichtsteiner had ever met. His approach was unique, direct, and pletely in tuh the mi of his pyers.

  And by the end of their versation, Lichtsteiner felt more fired up than ever. He wasn't just joining aeam he was joining a cause, a team with a clear and ambitious goal: to win the Serie A title.

  This was his ce, and he wasn't going to waste it.