The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 177 Deschamps has also managed to latch onto a powerful figure.

For fans at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Gaio's move was truly a dream come true.

Without watching the replay on the big screen, it's impossible to understand how he accomplished all of this.

Some fans held their heads in disbelief; this style of football is rarely seen, at least in Finland.

What they usually see in the Finnish Veikkausliiga is more about long passes and crosses, and reckless attacks.

Finland's football level is not considered high in Europe, and the team has a history of more than 100 years without participating in international competitions.

The World Cup qualifiers and the European Championship qualifiers are the highest level of competitions they can participate in.

It is related to the climate to some extent.

Winter in Helsinki lasts four to six months a year, with temperatures ranging from zero to minus thirty-five degrees Celsius.

Looking at the entire history of Finnish football.

For most fans, they may only have heard of Litmanen and Hyypia.

This is a legend in Finnish football.

Finnish fans describe Litmanen as the supreme God, while Hyypia is the embodiment of the Redeemer – Jesus.

only,
The current Finnish squad does not have a player like that; Moisander has replaced Hyypia.

Leading the attack is Tim Pukki.

Finnish fans gasped, and so did French fans – because after Gaio's cut inside was blocked, he passed the ball to Giroud, who had made a run into space, but Giroud kicked the ball wide.

Deschamps, standing on the sidelines, had a very expressive face, surprised by Gaião's performance and regretful about Giroud's missed opportunity.

This was Deschamps' first official match.

He didn't want to lose.

So it's understandable that I got a little excited.

Some Arsenal fans watching the game, upon seeing Giroud's shot, simply remarked, "It's alright, there are even more outrageous chances that Arsenal missed."

Partellain appeared relatively calm on the sidelines, only gesturing to the defense and instructing his players to mark their man.

At home, Partellain decisively retreated into a defensive posture.

The initial formation was 4-4-2, but it quickly turned into nine players huddled near the penalty area, with Pukki alone in the attacking third waiting for a counter-attack opportunity.

Such tactics were not unexpected.

To the surprise of French fans, Deschamps' French team played terribly.

Aside from occasional contributions from the two wingers, they showed absolutely no creativity throughout the game.

Throughout France.

Fans expressed the same sentiment: "The current French midfield is too mediocre."

France has yet to find a way to break through Finland's solid defense.

drop! !

When the referee blew the whistle for the first half, the two sides shook hands and agreed to a draw.

Deschamps shook his head and walked into the locker room.

France dominated possession, but as Deschamps said about Parteylanen's tactics, "when they have the ball, they don't know how to play."

The same goes for the French team.

At the end of the first half, the TF1 commentator lamented, "Throughout the first half, despite having over 70% possession, we only managed six shots, and five of those opportunities came from the right flank where Gaio was playing."

Gaio is already good enough, facing three or four defenders at any time. The key is, who on the French team can step up and help Gaio instead of letting him repeatedly charge into the crowd and waste his energy?
On this point, I think Deschamps' use of this French team has been very problematic.

French locker room.

"We did a good job with possession and pressing, but lacked the finishing touch. Finland's defense was well-organized, but we need to be calmer and more decisive!"

Deschamps stood in the middle of the locker room, looking at the players who were either sitting or standing, and continued speaking.

“Frank, your and Valbuena’s crosses are too weak. You need to change that, and so does Rio.” Deschamps pointed to Mavuba, “You need to make decisive runs forward, create chaos for them with your long-range shots, and even if you don’t shoot, you need to get to the edge of the box to provide support.”

Deschamps wasted no time.

He spoke for more than ten minutes, explaining the situation of almost every position on the field.

Including Gaio, "Sometimes you don't have to pass the ball just because you see an open space. I think you can trust yourself more and make a decisive run into the box. They can't stop you. Penalties are also a tactical option."

"it is good."

In the Finnish locker room, Partellain continued to emphasize, "We must keep a close eye on France's right flank! We'd rather foul than let that kid get past us!"

Patelen looked at the Finnish players on the left flank: Toivio, Alexander Lin, and Spalf.

These three players focused all their energy in the first half on defending against France's right-wing attacks.

Most of the time, the team would let the player who was wearing the leash go, and would focus on defending against Gaio.

After all, no team has dared to underestimate Gaio since the European Championship.

Italy, a team considered capable of reaching the European Championship final, had their European championship dreams shattered by Gaio.

What gives Finland the right to look down on him?
The second half.

There have been no substitutions or changes made by either side.

The first five minutes were the same as the first half.

Gaio passed the ball out from the right wing, and Spalf subconsciously nudged him.

These Finns used some dirty tricks in their defense against him.

Gaio drifted slightly towards the middle lane.

Spalf was like a leech, impossible to shake off; wherever Gaio went, he followed.

The TF1 commentator frowned, "Finland is treating Gaio like a superstar in their defense. Gaio hasn't even had a chance to get close to the penalty area in this game. Under such tight defense, and on artificial turf, Gaio is having a hard time performing."

Madrid.

Zidane is paying close attention to this match, whether it's the French national team, Deschamps' official coaching debut, or Gaião's World Cup qualifier debut.

Zidane had anticipated France's predicament.

He tried to put himself in Deschamps' shoes and ask himself what he would do if he were in that situation.

As Zidane thought about it, Gaio's image involuntarily came to mind.

"Give the ball to Gaio."

Zidane smiled; perhaps this was his tactic.

Trust Gaio.

Trust in the individual performance of the players.

All I can say is that Deschamps has really hit the jackpot by having Gaião.

"Wow, Gaio has been fouled again. This time, the referee finally gave Spalf a yellow card. He has committed multiple fouls against Gaio."

The commentary continued to play on the television.

Free kick taken.

Sakho won the header, but his header went wide.

"Oh no! Why shoot that ball? It could have been passed back to Gaio, Gaio could have scored!" Mbappe's voice echoed throughout Bondi's house.

The Mbappe brothers and Saliba sat together on Mbappe's bedroom bed, watching the only small television in the room.

Watching the French team repeatedly whiz past the goal, I felt a deep sense of regret.

"Geo!"

Ethan suddenly exclaimed in surprise!

(End of this chapter)