The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 137 It’s not just time that’s burning
When Balotelli kicked the ball out and it was still rolling on the ground, the referee blew the whistle to end the regular time.

The game enters overtime!

This is the first overtime match in this European Cup.

The TF1 commentator was a little excited at this time, "The European Cup overtime! This is the best memory of the French team!"

French fans recalled the scenes of the 2000 European Cup 12 years ago.

In that European Cup, the French team entered overtime twice, and won both times and eventually became the champion.

Moreover, the French team did not drag the game to a penalty shootout on both occasions.

In the semi-finals, France faced Portugal. The two sides drew 1-1 in regular time. Zidane scored the winning penalty in overtime and France advanced to the final.

The final opponent is tonight's opponent, Italy.

This was France's most classic overtime victory.

The two sides were tied 1-1 in regular time, and Trezeguet scored the "Golden Goal" in extra time to help France win the championship 2-1.

tonight,

The script seems to be developing towards these two games again. Will it be exactly the same plot?
The score was 1-1 in regular time, and then a hero from the French team stood up and ended the game!
French fans are looking forward to it.

However, I had to lower my expectations because of the TF1 commentator's words: "This goal can be said to be the pure individual ability of Gaio. It seems that his breakthrough was stumbling, but at that time, when his physical strength was declining, he was still able to score the ball. This shows that Gaio's control of the ball has reached the pinnacle."

"However, we must also be clear that the fact that this game can go to a penalty shootout is a victory for us, as the French team has no one available."

The commentary did not specify why no one was available.

At least from the time they fell behind to the point of being eliminated, it was clear that Blanco had no intention of bringing on Benzema.

Blanco was determined to do something.

courtside,

Both head coaches were busy using the break time to arrange tactics with the players.

Prandelli, "Mario, you didn't return to defense in overtime! Receive the ball on the counterattack and solve the battle in your own way - even if it means trying a 30-meter shot!"

Balotelli nodded, he knew that he was the only one who still had any impact in Italy.

And he needs to wait for Pirlo to deal the cards.

But does Pirlo still have the physical strength to break free from the opponent's defense and pass the ball?

Blanco also wanted to use a defensive counterattack tactic. "Hold on! I don't care what method you use, you must hold on! Even if we lose, we have to lose on penalties."

During the dismissal talk, the players drank water and the team doctor gave them massages and stretching.

Blanco walked over to Gaio and asked, "Are you okay?"

Gaio was tired.

But he nodded firmly, "No problem."

Blanco smiled and patted Gaio on the shoulder. "That goal was beautiful. From now on, no matter what the outcome, you are already a hero for the team and the French fans."

Gaio nodded.

Blanc's words were a little soft. In fact, he knew that entering overtime would be disadvantageous to the French team.

but,
At least he wasn't eliminated directly, right?
Gaio gave the French team hope, but what is frustrating is that there is a high probability that no one will be able to stand up and continue this hope.

Do we still have to rely on Gaio?

Blanco looked at Gaio's wet jersey and the image of him gasping for breath when he just came off the field. He felt a little bit sorry. Why should the burden of a team be placed on a 17-year-old boy?
The French team is empty.

France has always admired individual heroes, such as Fontaine, Platini and Zidane.

But in this era, there is a gap.

There is no universal hero.

They are scattered and fighting on their own.

As Blanc turned around, he sighed, for the French team, and even more for the French team of this era.

drop! !

The whistle sounded and the first overtime of the European Cup began!
Neither side made any substitutions.

After 90 minutes of high-energy consumption, every player is now persevering.

As the game begins.

The fans in the stands were once again caught in a tense atmosphere, especially the fans of the French team.

After the exciting celebration, the score brought them back to reality.

The French team only avoided immediate elimination and did not advance.

"Gio is running a bit too hard." In the stands, Chatham was expectant but distressed, cursing Blanco. "Damn Blanco, why use Gaio like this? In Bastia, I didn't want him to play the whole game, for fear of overdrawing him."

He shared the same idea as Hajibegic, who returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina to be with his family.

He watched the game in the living room of his home with his wife and little daughter.

However, the youngest daughter Irene is a Sarajevo fan and is not interested in the game of the distant French team.

Hajibegic doesn't really care.

But Gaio, he cared.

So when Hajibegic saw the last few steps of Gio before scoring the goal, he cheered for Gio but was also worried about his staggering steps.

Afraid he would get hurt.

Chatham repeatedly emphasized to him that Gaio had two major adductor muscle injuries and asked him to use it sparingly.

but,

When it comes to the national team, Blanco is not treated like a human being!
Hajibegic muttered, "Let's eliminate him quickly."

His wife, Leila Hajibegic, asked with a smile, "Farouq, don't you support the French team? Why do you want them to be eliminated now?"

Hajibegic shook his head. "No, I don't support the French team. I just support my players, Gaio. He's a great guy, you know. But I don't want him to be too tired. I need him next season!"

Leila nodded. Of course she had heard Gaio's story and knew that her husband's glory last season was largely due to Gaio.

Also because of Gaio, the Bosnian national team has invited Hajibegic to coach.

They even called on their eldest daughter Amina, who is currently working at the Sports Department of Sarajevo University, to act as a lobbyist.

But it was rejected by Hajibegic.

Although Leila has never played football, she has been influenced by her husband and can distinguish the situations of the French and Italian teams.

She whispered, "You might get what you want. Italy in blue jerseys controls the tempo, while France in white jerseys has no offense at all. They're likely to lose the ball."

Hajibegic could naturally understand the situation.

But he knew Gaio too well.

When he saw that Gaio did not retreat and was roaming in front of the opponent's defense line, he knew that it would not be easy for the Italians to win this game.

but,

On the TV screen, Gaio was forced to the sideline by Nocerino when he received the ball and had to pass it back.

It is not that easy for the French team to win either.

See Italy's key defense against Gaio.

What Hajibegic is thinking in his mind is how he should arrange tactics next season to completely liberate Gaio?
Think of this.

He felt it was a bit tricky because the team lineup would change a lot next season, and he didn't know what kind of junk Chatham would stuff into his pocket.

Influenced by the football of the former Yugoslavia, his tactics focus on high-intensity confrontation, iron-blooded defense, and efficient offense-defense conversion, so the offense relies more on fast wing advancement and the fulcrum role of high center forward.

Last season, Bastia's lineup was sufficient in Ligue 2, but in Ligue 1, it was a different story.

He watched on TV as Pirlo made a long pass to Balotelli, which brought a huge impact to the French team's penalty area.

Sighed slightly.

Hopefully, Chatham can find him a big center who can be used.

Maolida can be used in Ligue 2.

After the season, the team did not choose to renew his contract.

We need a big center!

Hagibegic also didn't expect Chatham to bring him any good midfielders.

There is still some oil in Rothen, so just use it.

Although a bit old.

But at least he was once the assist king in Ligue 1.

There was no way out. Hagibegic had no power in Bastia's transfer and could only wait for the result.

The transfers he knows about so far are Kante and Mane.

Only Mane barely suits his taste.

At least it can charge.

As for Kante, apart from his willingness to run, he hasn't seen anything different at the moment.

"Italy has a free kick! France's Rami brought down Balotelli, but the referee didn't give a yellow card. The Italians surrounded the referee, knowing Rami already had a yellow card, and tried to influence the referee's decision."

The commentary on TV brought Hagibegic's thoughts back to the game.

Kyiv Olympic Stadium.

Balotelli pointed to his socks, which had a hole in them, and said, "Look, isn't this a yellow card?"

The referee shook his head and signaled Italy to take the free kick quickly.

Pirlo pushed Balotelli away and told others to stop arguing.

Hurry up. It's already the 103rd minute, and the first half of overtime is drawing to a close.

Pirlo didn't want to drag the game into a penalty shootout.

The French players took advantage of the time just now to put their hands on their hips and rest for a while.

It's really tiring.

Gaio stood on the periphery, waiting for a chance to counterattack and also to rest. He really couldn't run much now.

This game was burning.

But seeing that Blanco refused to use Benzema, Menez and others, he also knew that he had to fight!

Blanco has done everything a coach can do, so they have to fight to the end!

The other teammates were forming a wall according to Lowry's instructions.

A set piece in extra time.

Too dangerous!

Pirlo and Motta stood in front of the football, one on the left and one on the right, covering their mouths and communicating with each other.

Balzaretti and Nocerino stood almost in the center circle to prevent France from counterattacking.

The rest of the people stood near the restricted area line.

Waiting for kick-off.

Prandelli and Blanco on the sidelines looked very nervous. If possible, no one wanted to enter a brutal penalty shootout.

Especially Blanco.

The Italian goalkeeper is Buffon!
drop!
As the referee blew the whistle, all the fans held their breath and stared at Motta and Pirlo.

soon.

Motta moved, he took a run-up and ran directly past the football.

Then Pirlo kicked the ball into the penalty area with his right foot.

At the same time, the Italian and French players all moved and rushed towards the football.

Giroud was at the highest point, and he wanted to jump, but he felt like someone was pulling his jersey, so he didn't jump.

Bonucci jumped high and headed the ball.

Wow!

The fans at the scene exclaimed.

However, Bonucci did not hit the right spot. He tilted his head and the ball fell on his shoulder and bounced up.

The other players plan to take advantage of the second opportunity.

Bang!
Lori attacks, and in the crowd, he knocks the ball out with one punch!

The football flew out of the penalty area.

Matuidi was the first to react. He had been preparing for a counterattack and he still had plenty of energy.

He got ahead of Marchisio, passed the ball forward, and without any hesitation, strode forward!

Wow!

France's counterattack!

The fans at the scene exclaimed, and the French fans even stood up and looked at Matuidi.

On the field, Marchisio immediately rushed towards him, and Motta also came over to defend.

Double team!

"Geo!"

Matuidi knew he had little chance of getting through and he called out for Gaio.

Blanco's words seemed to have stamped him with steel - whenever there was no chance, give the ball to Gaio.

Faced with this situation, the first person he thought of was Gaio.

“Dans les pieds!!”

Give it to your feet!
When Matuidi was dribbling the ball forward, Gaio was already observing the opponent's movement and moving forward quickly.

Just waiting for Matuidi.

Bang!
Matuidi made a cross pass to Gaio's right.

Gaio took the ball and strode forward.

Balzaretti and Nocerino quickly moved to the right.

Marchisio and Motta continued to rush back without slowing down.

The rest of the French team was basically unable to move forward.

Two against four in the frontcourt!
When the French team fans saw this scene, they felt helpless. There was no one there!

If there is another fulcrum in the middle, it can help Gaio to open up some space, or provide a support point.
Unfortunately, no if.

Gaio was still charging, but his pace was obviously slow, and Balzaretti was getting closer and closer to him.

Ugh.
The French fans looked anxious. They did not blame Gaio for his slow speed. Gaio had given his all throughout the game.

They just thought of this opportunity to fight back.
Wow! !
"Geo!!"

When French fans felt that Gaio might be stopped by Balzaretti.

When Balzaretti was about to arrive, Gaio suddenly burst into even faster speed!

Second acceleration!
Gaio gritted his teeth and forced the second acceleration, feeling the burning in his lungs.

I also felt the pull in my thigh muscles.

But at this moment,

The goal is his only goal!
The rapid surge of adrenaline made him completely forget all the discomfort.

He instantly distanced himself from Balzaretti!

At this moment, the French fans saw hope and shouted, "Geo!"

"Geo!!"

The atmosphere at the scene was like water that was gradually heating up, with bubbles rising to the surface and then bursting.
Zidane, Deschamps, Legheira and others could no longer sit still.

He stood up like the fans and stared at Gaio!

Not willing to let go for even a second.

Mbappé, Kante, Mane. They also followed Giao. At this moment, all of them seemed to have become Giao.

Their vision couldn't help but be replaced by Gaio's eyes.

Rush!
Crush it!

Prandelli felt as if someone was holding his heart, and he yelled, "Nocerino!!!"

This was the last defender he could use to stop Gaio.

Nocerino also saw Gaio break away from Balzaretti and cut inside quickly.

Nocerino ran in a straight line, he was confident that he could catch up with Gaio!
however,
Gaio is still accelerating!!

"Oh my god!! Gaio!!! Oh my god, what did I see! It's been a hundred minutes! Gaio is burning himself!!" The TF1 commentator's voice was so excited that it broke!

France at this moment,

Thousands of breaths were held at the same time, and countless noisy pubs fell silent.
Everyone's eyes were following the figure striding forward!

104 minutes of full-speed sprint!
Whoosh!

Whoops! !
Gaio gasped for breath, he felt like his lungs, his legs, his muscles, everything about him was about to burn! !
goal!

goal!!
Gaio's rapid sprint had already made him a little short of breath, and he relied on his instinct to dribble the ball.

There is no guard.
No care for the goalkeeper,
In his eyes, there is only the goal!
Blocking the road,
Just pass it!
A shadow lunged towards him, and he instinctively dodged it and lunged forward.

But this time, he couldn't sprint any further.

Severe pain in the inner thigh.

When he stepped past the figure, the severe pain made it impossible for him to move forward.

He fell.

However, before falling to the ground, Gaio was still staring at the empty goal.

He lost his balance and kicked out.

The light football now feels as heavy as a thousand pounds!

It stirs up countless emotions!

Swish!
He seemed to hear the sound of the football rubbing against the net, which was the most beautiful sound in the world.

He also seemed to smell the fragrance of the grass
At this moment, the world became quiet.

But the next moment,
The world exploded!!

boom!
The violent cheers seemed to blow up the entire Kiev and the entire Ukraine.

The combined emotions, voices, and passion of tens of thousands of French fans were like a mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb exploding with the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv as its center.

Soaring straight to the sky! !
"Geo!"

"Geo!!!"

(End of this chapter)