The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 277 Win, Draw, Lose
There is only one answer to this question.

Without waiting for Wenger's answer, Kroenke moved on to the next question, "Arsène, do you think I'll see Gaio play tonight?"

This is what Kroenke is most concerned about.

This was also the core purpose of Wenger's invitation to him to come and watch a match together today.

Although he joined the board of directors, he was not a clueless rich kid; he was very clear about Wenger's purpose.

However, due to his stance, there are some things he can't say.

Wenger's heart is with the team.

But the Kroenke family is not, at least not for the time being.

The Kroenke family is currently locked in a standoff with Usmanov over the ownership of Arsenal.

Since Stan Kroenke acquired a 9.9% stake in Arsenal in April 2007, officially entering the club, they have had almost no management of Arsenal, but have been constantly eroding the equity of Arsenal's minority shareholders.

Meanwhile, Usmanov was also continuously acquiring Arsenal's shares. Both men had only one goal: to control Arsenal entirely.

At that time, Arsenal was a publicly listed company, so the change of ownership was very clear.

Both sides are secretly vying for power.

Like Kroenke, Usmanov slowly increased his stake in the club in preparation for a full takeover, and by June 2011, he had increased his ownership of Arsenal to 29%.

Stan Krenk, however, kept shattering Usmanov's dreams.

Kroenke capitalized on the board's animosity toward Usmanov, gradually eroding the club's shares and becoming Arsenal's largest shareholder in 2009.

At the same time, he consistently kept Usmanov out of the board of directors' offices.

Usmanov has stated more than once that he is willing to provide Wenger with unlimited transfer funds if he can join the Arsenal board.

However, the Arsenal board remained unmoved, which angered and frustrated many Arsenal fans.

Usmanov has also criticized Arsenal's decision to sell Van Persie and Song on more than one occasion, and has also criticized Arsenal's management for poor performance. It is worth mentioning that Usmanov's net worth is five times that of Kroenke.

Unfortunately, Usmanov's words had no effect in the face of Kroenke's nearly 70% stake.

Kroenke has always insisted that Arsenal be self-sufficient and absolutely refuse to increase investment.

Usmanov wanted to invest, but it was impossible for him to get approval from the Arsenal board.

The struggle between the two shareholders.

The heavy burden that has led to Arsenal's massive debt in recent years has been borne entirely by Wenger alone.

Wenger was well aware of the Arsenal shareholding issue, and he felt quite helpless about it.

He had contacted both shareholders, and both told him that they would increase their investment once they completed the privatization of Arsenal.

but,
How long will this tug-of-war last?

Wenger doesn't know.

But he couldn't wait any longer; he had never given up on bringing in Gaio, and now was the best opportunity.

He didn't want to miss it.

Therefore, he summoned young Kroenke in the hope that the Kroenke family would not miss out on such a top genius.

In response to Kroenke's question, Wenger replied, "He will come on in the second half. Bastia is not in a good situation right now, and their defense could collapse at any time. They need to bring on a player who can pose an attacking threat, or maybe two. But Gaio will definitely come on. He is the absolute core of Bastia's success. He is very talented."

Kroenke nodded slightly; he had already heard Wenger praise Gaio far too often.

However, I don't really agree with Arsenal spending too much money to pursue Gaio.

According to his understanding, Arsenal can squeeze out a budget of 40 to 50 million euros this summer transfer window.

Kroenke Jr. inquired with Wenger's transfer representative, Raul.

Lao told him, "You know, we need better strikers, so we might bring in Yaya Sanogo, Higuain, or even Demba Ba. I'm already in contact with the players' agents."

On TV, the first half of the game has ended.

Bastia successfully withstood Tottenham's relentless attacks at home, ending the halftime score at 0-0.

After taking a sip of water, Kroenke said to Wenger, "Arsena, tell me in detail what you know about Gaio, and perhaps I can help you."

Of course,
All Kroenke was thinking about was making the most of halftime and chatting for a while.

Wenger, on the other hand, looked very serious and focused.

He said seriously, "Josh, you can find out everything about Gaio from the news or the internet. I just want to say that if we miss Gaio, we might miss an era, another era of Arsenal's 'beautiful football'."

Kroenke Jr.'s face remained impassive. The first thing he learned from his father was not to show his emotions. "So if we buy Gaio, Arsenal will completely rise to prominence, win the championship, greatly reduce the debt burden, or even stop worrying about the debt burden?"

Wenger nodded.

Kroenke smiled slightly, "Then I don't need to watch his games. I can tell you directly that unless you can bring in Gaio through Arsenal's cash reserves, you won't get any financial support from the shareholders."

"."

Wenger fell silent for a moment.

He knew in his heart that this might be the outcome, but he had no choice. No matter how much money Arsenal had on hand, it wouldn't be enough to buy Gaio.

According to his estimate, Gaio will need to spend at least 70 million euros.

Arsenal cannot afford that amount of money.

Shareholders will not contribute capital.

Kroenke will only let Arsenal fend for itself; he's waiting to buy the team outright.

Kroenke would not allow Usmanov to invest money, because Kroenke would be required to match any investment Usmanov made.

Therefore,
Kroenke's move to exclude Usmanov from the board of directors was a decisive blow!

Because in this way, nothing Usmanov says or does will be implemented, and the board of directors controlled by Kroenke will reject everything Usmanov does.

After Kroenke made those remarks, Wenger did not continue the discussion on the topic.

There is no use in talking more.

Even if he was unwilling, he knew that Arsenal could be considered to have completely withdrawn from the race for Gaião.

According to Wenger, Manchester City is currently the Premier League club with the strongest interest in and the most likely to sign Gaio.

According to media reports some time ago, Manchester City's new CEO Soriano and sporting director Begiristain made a special trip to Paris to meet with Gaio.

Although I don't know how their conversation went.

But clearly, Manchester City has the greater strength.

Time flies.

As Wenger expected, when the players entered the field in the second half, he saw Gaio at the front of the Bastia line.

Bastia has made a substitution ahead of schedule!
Palmiri was substituted and replaced with Gaio.

Mane and Gaião played as a two-striker formation, but Wenger could tell at a glance that the young Mane would definitely have to drop back and take on more defensive responsibilities.

Thessaly Stadium.

The cheering songs rose and fell incessantly, without ever stopping.

The players from both sides stood in the center circle, waiting for the whistle to start the second half.

The players all looked somewhat serious; this scoreline was difficult for either side to achieve. (On the sidelines...)

The same applies to Boas and Hagi Begic.

During halftime, both players made arrangements in the locker room. Now, with 45 minutes left in the 180-minute two-legged tie, the final result will be decided.

Villas-Boas was not surprised at all by Gaio's appearance; after all, would he not use his trump card?
He has made targeted adjustments in midfield.

drop!
The whistle sounded.

The second half of the match officially began, and the hearts of all Bastia and Tottenham fans were once again in suspense.

Everyone hopes to be the one who advances in the end.

only,
Bastia will be closer than Tottenham, as they are still leading by a large margin.

The broadcast cameras focused on Gaio, who had just entered the game in the second half.

The TF1 commentator said, "This was an expected substitution. With Gaio out, Bastia may be a strong team, but the strongest Bastia team is now a problem for Tottenham. If they want to launch a major attack, they must take into account Gaio's counter-attacking ability."

Right from the start.

Tottenham pressed Bastia high up the pitch, determined to attack.

Cup competitions are just that cruel.

If we don't score, we're going home.

On Bastia's side, although they had two strikers, Mane did indeed drop back very deep, just as Wenger had predicted.

He's practically a defensive midfielder.

Gaio became the one-way arrow.

Under Tottenham's high-pressing pressure, Bastia's teammates immediately looked for Gaio when they got the ball. However, because Tottenham's pressing was too aggressive, Bastia's long pass did not reach Gaio in a short period of time.

Even after gaining possession, Tottenham still faced the formidable defensive line built by Bastia!

Although fatigue permeated Bastia, everyone gritted their teeth and persevered during this time.

By fully utilizing the width and depth of the pitch, Tottenham were forced into positional play, which eliminated their speed.

Gaio didn't touch the ball much after coming on.

However, Tottenham's attack also failed to improve.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Bastia fans were filled with anticipation, while Tottenham fans grew increasingly anxious.

Seventy-fifth minute.

After failing to break through Tottenham's defense, Villas-Boas finally made his substitutions.

Holtby and Lennon left the field.

Bring on Dempsey and Sigurdsson, and we're going to launch a fierce attack!
This meant that Bastia's players could only use their limited energy on the defensive end, leaving Gaio to carry the offensive load alone.

but,

Every time, Gai would waste time by dribbling.

however,
In the 87th minute.

The man still stepped forward.

Bell,

In the ensuing chaos following Adebayor's shot, he found an opportunity, rushed into the box, received a pass from Sigurdsson, and poked the ball into the net.

0-1!

Tottenham have pulled one back!
Bale didn't celebrate at all; he quickly returned to the center circle. There were still a few minutes left, and there was still a chance!

however,
There are only two minutes of stoppage time.

Tottenham did not witness a miracle, nor did they secure a last-minute victory!

drop! !

The referee blew his whistle!
The TF1 commentators were ecstatic: "The match is over! Unbelievable! Breathtaking! A dramatic ending!"

Tottenham won the game away from home, and Bale's goal gave them a glimmer of hope for advancing!

but!

The ultimate victor was Bastia, who lost 0-1 at home!
Thanks to the two away goals they scored in the unforgettable 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in the first leg, this team from Corsica, dragging their extremely tired bodies, withstood almost the entire game of Tottenham's bombardment at home, miraculously keeping the aggregate score at 2-2!

And that extra away goal secured their place in the Europa League Round of 16!

at the same time.

The moment the whistle blew, the stadium in Thesari roared!
The fans kept shouting!

They advanced!
They really made it to the next round!!

Bastia fans were almost in tears; it had been so difficult.

Some emotional fans even burst into tears, covering their faces and feeling incredibly excited, despite not being favored before the game.

but now,
Although they lost the game and the score was tied, they became the final winners thanks to the away goals rule!

Bastia eliminates Tottenham to advance!

On the field, Van Dijk, Angola, and others lay down directly on the grass.

He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving.

tired.

too tired!
In the last ten minutes or so, they even felt that their legs were no longer their own.

My feet felt like they were filled with lead.

Even the ironman Kanté was standing there panting with his hands on his hips. He could easily compete with Van Dijk and Darmian for the best player award in this game.

tonight,

The three of them formed the ironclad defense of Bastia!

And now,
Everything they sacrificed was worth it!!
The substitutes, Hagi Begic, and the assistant coaches all rushed onto the field, hugging, shouting, and celebrating with every teammate who had fought to the last drop!

This is their moment.

at the same time,

While the stadium erupted in celebration at Thesari, Villas-Boas gave a quick interview on the sidelines.

The Portuguese man's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Regarding us, I only feel disappointment and frustration right now. We fully deserved a victory in the second leg. The team gave their all and scored the winning goal under very difficult circumstances. We controlled possession and dominated the attack. However, football can be cruel sometimes – what determined our fate was our poor performance in the first 45 minutes at home in the first leg."

"The away goals rule is the rule, and we have to accept it. The team defended very well today, keeping a clean sheet, and also created chances in attack. Unfortunately, we couldn't do better in London. It's a matter of details that determine success or failure, and these fatal details all happened in the first leg."

"The players are very disappointed right now, and so am I. We can only leave with our heads down, learn from the experience, and move on in the league. We must become stronger."

After the interview, Villas-Boas headed to the locker room.

Upon entering the passageway,
He turned and glanced at the surging blue lights in the stands, which made it hard for him to open his eyes.
(End of this chapter)