The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 221 Showdown!

drop! !

Accompanied by a long whistle.

The first leg of the Europa League Group B clash between Atletico Madrid and Bastia has officially begun!
Commentators around the world broadcasting the match were simultaneously introducing the starting lineups of both sides, or providing information about the two teams.

At this moment, the Calderón Stadium erupted with the thunderous cheers of Atlético Madrid's die-hard supporters, the "Atlético Madrid Front"—

The song "Yo me voy al Manzanares" resounded throughout the stadium as Atlético Madrid kicked off.

Costa, with his striking good looks, kicked the ball out.

Youngster Koke received the ball, glanced at Bastia who had completely retreated, and seeing no space for a quick attack, quickly passed it to the wing.

Left-back Filipe followed up and, after receiving the ball, quickly passed it back to the center.

The positional warfare has begun.

Because Bastia didn't press forward at all after the start of the game, and instead focused entirely on defense.

Only Gaio's position was slightly forward, and he wasn't completely on the wing, but rather slightly tucked in.

They can quickly coordinate with Lukaku.

Basically, it's a 4-4-2 formation with deep defensive positioning.

Atletico Madrid played aggressively at home against Bastia, a relatively unknown team—a name most Atletico Madrid fans have never even heard of.

Cokra moved to the left wing position, while Raul Garcia and Gabi kept making runs through the middle, trying to penetrate Bastia's defense.

From the very start, Atletico Madrid put Bastia under immense pressure.

Hagi Bejic looked somewhat agitated, gesturing repeatedly to instruct his players to tuck in and not to push too aggressively down the flanks.

"Middle!"

Hagi Begic shouted that this match was important not only for Bastia, but also for him personally.

This was probably the highest-level match of his coaching career.

Simeone, standing beside him, was also waving excitedly, directing his players on how to attack.

Bastia players are all dropping back into the middle, creating opportunities on the flanks!
Bang!
On the left flank, Koke created space for Angola and delivered a cross.

Atletico Madrid has a formidable weapon, Costa, and they are not opposed to using a crossing tactic.

The ball did indeed find Costa.

However, sandwiched between Joplin and Kahusac, Costa headed the ball purely on instinct, without any power, and Noves punched it away.

Noves, who had never faced a foreign powerhouse like Atletico Madrid before, was actually a bit nervous in this match, so he opted for a more cautious shot.

Instead of taking it down.

Wow!

Atletico Madrid fans at the stadium thought Costa had a chance to score when he got to the ball, but the goalkeeper kicked it away.

He let out a gasp.

The ball flew out of the penalty area, and defensive midfielder Mario Suarez, without any hesitation, drew his bow and unleashed a powerful shot!
Bang!
This time, the football hurtled towards the goal with incredible speed.

After rushing out, Norvis quickly retreated to the front of the goal, but he still had no room to react to the ball.

Bang!
Just as Novus's heart sank, he heard a voice as beautiful as heavenly music.

Goalposts!

boom!
The sound of fans expressing their regret echoed through the Calderon Stadium.

The ball hit the post and bounced back.

Kante immediately kicked the ball out of the penalty area, but it was a subconscious reaction; he kicked a high ball instead of sending it far.

It's a bit off, focusing on the high ground but not the far distance.

The ball reached the right flank of Bastia, where Filipe tightly blocked Gaio's retreating position, shielding him behind him and controlling the ball.

The ball was then passed to Gabi, who had made a forward run.

Gabi received the ball and rushed into the penalty area, intending to shoot, but found that the middle was full of people and there was no space to shoot. Without much hesitation, he directly lobbed the ball up to find his teammate in the middle.

The Bastia penalty area is packed with people!

Costa and Adrian Lopez both rushed into the six-yard box, with Koke and Raul Garcia at the far post. However, the four players, surrounded by roughly seven Bastia defenders, failed to reach the ball.

Rothen headed the ball out of bounds.

Roar!
After rescuing himself, Rothen slapped his chest and roared.

In those few minutes, Bastia was under immense pressure, with Atletico Madrid launching a series of attacks.

It almost suffocated them.

The players took a short break during this corner kick.

"Gaio, go up front quickly." As both teams prepared for the corner kick, De Bruyne nudged Gaio, telling him to move to the edge of the penalty area.

This kind of corner kick attack easily creates counter-attack opportunities.

De Bruyne wanted to use Gaio's speed to launch a counter-attack.

but,

Before considering a counterattack, we need to hold onto this ball.

at the same time.

The broadcast cameras kept panning across the many guests in the stands, surprising many fans watching the broadcast.

French legends such as Zidane and Deschamps were present at the event, and the camera even spotted former French coach Blanc, who is now unemployed.

The French TF1 commentator said, "Bastia has so much of the future of the French national team in this match, so it's normal that they're receiving a lot of attention. It's no accident that Bastia has a chance to challenge for the Ligue 1 title this season. Whether it's Gaio, Kanté, or Sidibé, these young French players have all performed well."

Also in the stands at this match were Mbappe's family and Willian Saliba.

They just don't deserve to be on camera yet.

quickly,

Bang!
Atletico Madrid took a corner kick, and the ball fell into the penalty area, looking for Costa.

But this time he didn't jump; Joplin and Kahusaz held him firmly in place.

It made him very uncomfortable.

He didn't get a header; Joplin headed the ball out of the penalty area.

De Bruyne intercepted the ball before Koke could reach it.

Then he stepped forward.

After an empty space appears.

Without any hesitation, he launched a long ball straight towards the midfield.

Lukaku and Gaio unleash their swords in unison!

Gaio finally saw an opportunity, and without holding back, he unleashed his berserk mode and charged forward at lightning speed.

Atletico Madrid's Suarez and Gabi, playing deep, kept tracking back.

This ball was a battle of speed.

Lukaku was positioned closer to the ball, and he saw Suarez lunge towards it.

He took a few steps forward, jumped first, and passed the ball to Gaio's position.

The football slid past Gabi.

Gaio controlled the ball with his left foot, took a step forward, and sprinted forward!
Gabi relentlessly pursued the goal.

However, he remained a step behind Gaio and could never catch up.

Gaião dribbled closer and closer to the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Courtois had also rushed out to expand his defensive area.

Facing Courtois's attack.

Gaio suddenly stopped abruptly, as if preparing to shoot.

Courtois immediately made a save, but Gaio faked a shot and then slammed it in.

As Courtois rose.

Bang!
(End of this chapter)