The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 271 Conquering Paris Begins in Corsica

Bastia training base.

There was no training that day, only physical therapy and relaxation.

The team doctor became the busiest person.

While helping Gaio relax his muscles, Fabrico asked, "Do you feel any discomfort? I can feel some tension in your muscles, which may be due to excessive muscle load."

Gaio carefully recalled the race and how he felt during warm-up, and shook his head, saying, "There was no discomfort, but during the race, when I sprinted to the limit, I felt a kind of muscle tension, like a rubber band stretched to its limit."

Fabrico smiled helplessly, "That's because you were too fast. And, under normal circumstances, your muscles should be more vulnerable after multiple injuries, but I found that they are stronger. According to the information the doctor gave me at the beginning, you may have already strained your muscles last night, or even torn them in a serious way."

Gaio nodded.

He certainly wouldn't say that this was because he had developed resistance to injuries.

Fabricio warned again, "Be careful in the next game. Don't sprint so hard. Try to avoid sprinting continuously at high intensity in a short period of time. Even if your muscles are made of iron, they can't withstand that kind of abuse."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Gaio replied.

"Ah! Pain!"

Suddenly, a scream came from the physiotherapy room.

It's Lukaku.

Those outside exchanged knowing smiles, their muscles relaxing; some of the techniques were no less than "scraping the bone to heal the wound."

But their smiles soon faded.

seem,

Everyone had to go. So, all afternoon, the screams of the players echoed over Bastia's training ground.

It's getting closer to the weekend.

The atmosphere in Bastia grew increasingly tense. From initial dissatisfaction with PSG to the current situation where every fan didn't want their team to lose, emotions were building up.

The match will be held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, and they have only given Bastia 300 away tickets.

This is far from enough.

It's even a few hundred yuan less than other away team tickets.

Sunset Cafe Bistro.

Modoso was furious, slamming his fist on the table and cursing PSG, "They're afraid of us! Knowing how strong our support is, I reckon they won't even give us a single ticket."

The others chimed in.

After a brief commotion, Mordoso smiled. "It's alright, we'll give them a big job! Just wait! Hahaha!"

Although Mordoso didn't say what it was, many people in the tavern knew that Mordoso had been busy with this matter for the past two days.

Everyone started to look forward to it.

Bertrand said, "Watch your step, and hopefully we won't see you on a legal program again."

Mordoso simply smiled, offered no reply, and continued drinking with the others.

This was a pre-battle drinking session.

We must drink to our hearts' content and have a great time!
Time flies.

Saturday, morning.

The entire Bastia team departed for Paris.

in the afternoon.

The pre-match press conference was held in the hotel's reception room.

This match is a top-of-the-table clash in Ligue 1 and a focal point for the entire league.

Everyone knows that the strongest teams in Ligue 1 right now are Bastia and Paris Saint-Germain.

They are currently on a winning streak in European competitions.

Now, it's a battle of kings.

Reporters naturally started by asking Hagi Begić about PSG's rejection of Bastia's request for a league postponement.

Hagi Begic, as a seasoned and experienced coach, readily accepts good advice.

"First of all, congratulations to my players for delivering a fantastic victory in the Europa League match against Tottenham."

That was a night to be proud of, earned through tremendous effort.

Regarding the upcoming league match and the fact that our request for an extension was rejected by Paris Saint-Germain, my position is clear: we must respect the rules and the decision made by the Paris club.

This is part of competitive football, and it's a challenge we must face when we choose to climb to the top.

Frankly speaking, the continuous high-intensity European matches, especially the immediate encounter with title contenders after just finishing an away game, have put our physical reserves to a severe test, which is an undeniable fact.

But true strength lies in refusing to make excuses in the face of adversity and tempering one's will amidst exhaustion.

The core spirit of Bastia is to never back down and never give up prematurely.

In tomorrow's match, we must defend not only the points, but also the dignity and value of being a team.

Reporters then asked Gaio questions, particularly about his fitness and whether he would start and play the full match.

Hagi Bejic continued, "Regarding Gaio, this young man who has shown great composure has made invaluable contributions to the team."

But we bear the responsibility of protecting the future of geniuses, and it is crucial that we manage his workload very wisely.

I will not risk the health of any player, especially those who represent the future stars.

His playing time will be based on the latest physical assessments, tactical needs, and a long-term perspective.

Please forgive my secrecy; the answer will be revealed an hour before the competition.

Finally, when discussing the match itself, he said, "We knew it would be difficult to face a Paris Saint-Germain team with a star-studded lineup and plenty of rest, especially at the Parc des Princes."

In my years of playing against great forwards, I've come to realize that a great defense is itself the foundation of art and victory.

Tomorrow, we will build a mobile fortress, with everyone giving their all for their teammates, fighting for every inch of ground, communicating seamlessly, and making the most efficient choices under pressure.

Paris seeks control and repression; we will be on high alert, using tight organization and decisive transformation to find opportunities.

Haji Begitch's answer was watertight.

On the other hand, the old fox Ancelotti of Paris Saint-Germain did the same thing.

“I must give respect to Bastia’s achievements so far this season – they are the undisputed leaders of Ligue 1.”

This is reflected not only in their points tally, but also in their energetic playing style, which cost us dearly in our 3-2 encounter at the Cesarian Stadium.

I remember that defeat vividly.

That match, especially Gaio's performance, if I remember correctly, he scored two goals and provided an assist, teaching us an important lesson.

His speed on the counter-attack, his composure in decisive moments, and his increasingly mature decision-making are hallmarks of a top attacker. The fact that an 18-year-old player can have such a profound impact on matches against top teams speaks volumes.

Our respect for his potential has translated into the highest level of vigilance on the field, based on our experience with Cesar.

We can no longer give him room to run and play one-on-one.

Tight organization, compressing space, and coordinated defense on the flanks and in the middle will be key.

Of course, Bastia's success wasn't solely due to Gaião. Kante's sweeping efficiency in midfield, De Bruyne's exquisite passing and set-piece threat—all these elements combined to create a cohesive and highly effective system.

They deserve their current positions.

But we are also in good form. Our midweek Champions League victory has given us confidence, and we also have players who can change the course of a game.

Zlatan also scored twice in Cesar last time, demonstrating his ability to decide a game in any situation.

At Princes Park, our team has both the responsibility and the ability to correct the mistakes of the previous round.

This requires a high degree of focus, teamwork, and the wisdom to leverage our experience.

Ancelotti, of course, couldn't escape the topic of Paris's refusal to postpone.

He replied, "Regarding the discussion about the recent schedule?"

We respect Bastia's situation, but the rules are set, and Paris Saint-Germain is focused on playing their best football in front of their fans, bringing back three points, and continuing to put pressure on the league leaders.

Princes Park needs our response, a victory that demonstrates our resolve and level of competence.

At last.

Reporters also asked whether Beckham would make an appearance.

Ancelotti, true to form, offered no definitive answer, only stating, "David is already an important and highly valued member of our team. He brings more than just the prestige of his name; he brings invaluable professionalism, incredibly precise passing, and a masterful vision in reading the game."

His ability, especially in set pieces, is one of our valuable weapons.

As for his role tomorrow? He trains very hard and is in good form, making him a viable option in this important match. I will consider putting him on the field at the appropriate time, depending on the progress of the game and tactical needs.

Both head coaches were seasoned veterans and didn't leave any direct verbal sparring.

Both appeared to be "refined and easy-going".

But in reality, undercurrents have been brewing for some time, and the most direct manifestation of this is naturally on social media.

The fans of Bastia and Paris Saint-Germain were already arguing fiercely.

Paris's advantage lies in its large fan base.

However, every Bastia fan is a top-notch fighter, and they don't fall behind when it comes to verbal battles.

The two groups of people argued about everything from football to historical matters.

When it comes to history, the Bastia stand even taller!
"Two hundred years ago, a Corsican boy named Napoleon Bonaparte set off from our little island! He rode in stirrups, carried a saber, and led his troops all the way to Paris. He trampled your proud crown underfoot and was crowned Emperor of all France!"

"Today, it's our turn! We'll conquer the damned 'blue' of the Park of Princes with the 'blue' of Corsica! Gaio is our Napoleon! We'll start our conquest of Paris from Corsica! Just you wait and see!"

In an atmosphere that is escalating.

The match day arrived quietly.

When Gaio opened his window in the morning, he saw the bustling and vibrant Greater Paris.

But today he had no time to appreciate Paris at all.

Everyone gathered at a training ground rented by the team to begin warm-up exercises in preparation for the evening's game.

The players chatted while running.

Lukaku turned to Gaio and asked, "Have you seen the news online? They're saying you're Napoleon, and you're going to conquer Paris again."

Others echoed this.

Rothen said, "What's so new about this? The Bastia people have long considered Gaio to be Emperor Napoleon. Go look at the mural on the Terra-Vecchia Center building; isn't there an abbreviation of the letters 'N' and 'B'? That's the attitude of the Bastia fans."

Those who came during the summer transfer window, such as De Bruyne, naturally knew this.

Van Dijk arrived late and wasn't quite sure, so Rothen explained it to him again.

This made Gaio's image even more great in Van Dijk's mind.

Van Dijk gave Gaio a thumbs up, "It's amazing that you can be called a legend by the people of an entire city."

Gaio took all of this seriously; he knew his teammates weren't joking, they meant it sincerely.

But he changed the subject and said to Van Dijk, "Let's see if you can stop the Swedish tower tonight."

Hearing this,

Van Dijk looked somewhat serious, but he simply nodded in response, "I will give it my all!"

Angula nudged Van Dyke's arm and laughed, "Kid, don't be nervous, I'll help you."

The group ran around for a few laps.

Haji Begitch, along with Dominic, Chatham, and others, stood together.

Chatham said, “It’s great. What I see is a cohesive and strong team. I never thought Bastia would ever compete for the Ligue 1 title. Even when we briefly topped the table ten years ago, I didn’t think we would win. But now it’s different. I truly believe it!”

Haji Begitch nodded, "I believe it too."

He was incredibly passionate; this was the strongest team he had ever led in his life.

Perhaps, this is the last one.

Thinking of this, his expression dimmed slightly. After this summer transfer window, how many of the current players will be left on the team?

But the desire for the championship immediately dispelled these worries.

The soft sunlight shone on everyone, refracting into different patches of light.

7 p.m.

The area around the Parc des Princes stadium has long been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain's blue.

Countless blue jerseys converged together, surging onto the field like waves.

The commentary for Ligue 1 has already begun its pre-season hype.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the battle reignites at the Parc des Princes tonight! Ligue 1 leaders Bastia face off against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain away from home. This is no ordinary league match!"

"The battle for the top spot is fierce! Bastia leads Paris by 7 points, and in the first leg of the league, it was this Corsican Eagles who upset PSG 3-2 at home in Cesar! In that battle, 18-year-old winger Gaio shone with two goals and an assist, becoming the absolute hero of the team's upset victory!"

"Bastia are exhausted from their Europa League match against Tottenham; Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, are embroiled in controversy for refusing to postpone their game. Now playing at home, their thirst for revenge burns brightly! Ibrahimovic also scored twice in the first leg, and tonight he will lead Paris Saint-Germain's powerful attack!"

"A fierce battle for the top spot, rife with grudges, clashes between the old and the new, and fraught with undercurrents, is about to erupt!"

"Please tune in to TF1, the match is about to begin!"

(End of this chapter)