The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 142 VIVA BASTIA! Youth Storm!
December 2012, 7.

It's about two o'clock in the afternoon.

Red Bull Arena, New York, New Jersey, USA.

Only about 15,000 people came to the stadium, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people. After all, the temperature in New Jersey has been stable between 28 and 32 degrees during this period.

At this time in the afternoon, the sun is strong and very hot.

So even on Saturday, actual ticket sales were not that good.

Except for the climate issue.

The most important thing is that the two teams in the French Super Cup final are very unfamiliar to American fans.

This is not your traditional French giants.

For American fans, the influence of football in the United States is far lower than that of the four traditional sports leagues - NFL (American football), MLB (baseball), NBA (basketball) and NHL (ice hockey).

If there are some unfamiliar teams, I will have even less desire to watch the game.

The attendance rate of MLS games is usually not high.

They even have to deliberately avoid direct competition with popular events such as the NFL and MLB, and choose to hold it in the non-traditional football season, from March to December, in order to attract more viewers.

These days, it’s okay to say there’s something missing.

of course,

The MLS has also made efforts. They have continuously increased investment in infrastructure and youth training, expanded the selection of local talents, and actively applied to host the 2026 World Cup.

in addition,

In terms of competitions, the classic model of North American sports is imitated, with the playoffs adopting a home and away elimination system and the finals decided in a single game, which enhances the drama and commercial value of the competition.

Just like the NBA, "exhibition game" statistics are used to create football idols for young people.

as well as,

Try to bring in football superstars to increase attention, such as the Los Angeles Galaxy signing British superstar Beckham in 2007.

This year, the Montreal Impact, a new team in the MLS, also signed the 37-year-old legendary defender Nesta.

The New York Red Bulls signed French star Thierry Henry in 2010.

So at his home stadium, Henry did not miss the game and came to the box early, waiting to watch the French Super Cup final.

More than anyone else, Henry cared about Gaio.

Henry was sitting in the box, and with him was Tim Cahill, who joined from Everton in England as soon as the European summer transfer window opened.

Cahill is an Australian international who has played in England for a long time and is not very familiar with the French team.

He asked Henry, "Who do you think will win?"

Henry shrugged. "Montpellier? Or Bastia? They both have a chance to win. Teams that can win the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup are all very strong."

He did not answer the question directly.

He wasn't sure of the answer either.

Henry's attention was all on Gaio, and he didn't watch the European Cup in June.

The MLS season is different from the European New Year's Eve season. The MLS basically starts in March every year and the regular season ends in October.

Then the playoffs continue until December to determine the final champion.

There are also matches during the European Cup.

Henry just watched the broadcast.

He felt regretful about the internal strife in the French team. Perhaps if it weren't for the internal strife, France could really make it to the finals this time!
Henry was deeply impressed by Gaio.

A player who is willing to fight for victory and get injured is a rare iron-blooded spirit in the French team!

Therefore,
Henry doesn't know who will be crowned champion, but he hopes Gaio wins.

on the field.

Players from both sides warmed up intensively in preparation for the game which was to start at three o'clock sharp.

Gaio and his teammates conduct shooting warm-up training.

At this time, the French tricolor flag and the American Stars and Stripes were placed on the stands.

But what attracted the most attention were the fans of Bastia.

Gaio finally saw the familiar flag again.

The blue flag of Bastia.

And the "Moorish" symbol representing Bastia.

Flying up and down in the stands, like waves in the Mediterranean, surging to the east coast of the United States.

The players finished warming up quickly.

Go into the locker room to get ready for the official game that is about to begin.

And then,
On the big screen, the highlights of Montpellier's last season were played - Giroud's various winning goals, the players' roars, and the fans' shouts.

Accompanied by the sound of the live DJ, "Montpellier won the first French Ligue 1 championship trophy in team history! They created"

The DJ gave a long introduction.

The audience's emotions were gradually aroused over time.

The few Montpellier fans who came to the US sang their cheering song together:

"When the Mediterranean wind blows along the banks of the Leyse

Orange flames ignite the Saint-Pierre Stadium
Look, Montpellier

That is the proudest emblem of the southern French sky."

With the highlights from Montpellier ended.

Then,

It's a collection of highlights from Bastia.

in fact,

It's more like a collection of Gaio's highlights than Bastia!

On the big screen, various scenes of Gaio dribbling past defenders and running through the crowd shocked the American fans who had never seen much fine food.

Wow!

They were truly stunned.

"Amazing", "Unbelievable", "Oh my god" various voices rang out in the stands.

Can football be played like this?

This suddenly made them feel that watching such a game in the hot afternoon was not a bad thing.

Then,

A deep male voice pierced the entire venue.

“Ladies and gentlemen!

Please give your most enthusiastic cheers to welcome the legendary team from Napoleon’s hometown—Bastia, a century-old powerhouse born in Corsica in 1905!

They made the whole of Europe tremble in 1978!

With their iron-blooded defense, they defeated Sporting CP, Newcastle United and Torino one after another, and were just one step away from the Europa League title;
They once shattered Saint-Étienne's dynasty myth with Uncle Milla's fatal blow in the Paris rainstorm in 1981;

Last season, the 2011/2012 season that was written into history, this Mediterranean powerhouse in blue completed an epic transformation.

Double crown!
The French Ligue 2 championship trophy is still sparkling with champagne, and the last-minute cheers from the French Cup final are still echoing in the Stade de France!

But the people of Bastia are never satisfied!

now,

They are only one step away from the annual treble, the French Super Cup championship!
Look at those amazing goals on the big screen.

I think you should also remember a name - the soul of this team, the super winger worth 3000 million euros, who wore No. 29 last season and No. 10 this season - Yan Gaio!

He returned with the glory of reaching the European Cup semi-finals, being the top scorer of the European Cup and being in the best lineup of the European Cup.

What he is best at is using ghostly breakthroughs to tear through the opponent's defense and using deadly goals to arouse cheers from every fan.

From the turbulent waves of the Mediterranean to the scorching sun of New Jersey, from the grassroots of Ligue 2 to the new champions of the double crown - ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to witness the miracle? Friends from Bastia, let us shout together -

VIVA BASTIA!

now,

In the Bastia fan stands, Modosso and the Bastia fans cheered wildly.

He shouted "VIVA BASTIA" three times in a row, and then lit cold fireworks directly in the stands.

Wow!

The blue fireworks instantly attracted everyone's attention.

The wildness of French fans once again surprised Americans. How was this thing brought in?

In the locker room.

Hagibegic didn't say much. He looked at each player with a cold gaze. "I think I've already said everything I wanted to say during the match preparations. Go, win our first game of the new season! Return to Bastia in triumph!"

Most of the players looked determined.

Compared with last season, Bastia has basically retained half of its lineup, and these are players who experienced the glorious moments of last season.

My heart is full of confidence.

The new players also want to prove themselves in such a game.

Especially De Bruyne.

Gaio often observed De Bruyne and found that De Bruyne never smiled.

Courtois is really useless.

Ding Ding is now not only introverted, but also a wounded soul.

However, Gaio is not worried that this will affect De Bruyne.

If De Bruyne had not come to Bastia, he would have been a blood C in Bremen.

Lukaku is much more optimistic.

When chatting with Gaio frequently, one word comes out in his words - confidence!
"Give it to me if you give it to me. Give me more lead time. I can get a one-on-one chance with one burst. Seriously, believe me. Have you seen my video of Anderlecht? No defender can stop me. Those who are stronger than me are not as fast as me, and those who are faster than me are not as strong as me."

Finally, Hagibegic called on all the players to stand up, stretched out their hands in the middle of the locker room, and everyone shouted together -

"Fight, Bastia!"

"Fight, Bastia!!"

Bastia fans went crazy again when they saw the players come on the field.

The blue fireworks had already gone out when they appeared.

But the blue smoke covering the stands actually makes this place more Bastia-style!

Gaio was at the forefront as captain.

Bastia's No. 10 jersey had "Gueho" written on it for the first time.

"Geo!"

Modosso led the Bastia fans in shouting wildly. The voices of less than a thousand people suppressed the noise of the entire stadium.

American fans watched the Bastia crowd go wild.

I couldn't help but immerse myself in it.

Gaio and Montpellier captain Hilton performed the side-to-side ceremony.

Gaio guessed correctly and chose the ball.

The two sides then exchanged team flags.

In the stands.

Danny Burton, who is in charge of European football affairs at Nike, one of the sponsors of this game, and Edwards Hoyt, a senior scout of Nike, are keeping an eye on Gaio.

Burton looked at the passion of the Bastia fans and said with a smile, "It seems that signing Gaio will be a very cost-effective deal. He is very popular in France."

Hoyte nodded. "The technical department has studied Gaio. His style is very suitable for being a spokesperson. He is elegant, agile, and very entertaining. His influence will soon not be limited to France. Our unanimous recommendation is to sign him as soon as possible."

Burton nodded. "This is also what the head office requires. The only concern is his injury. He has already had three adductor muscle injuries."

He sighed, "I'm afraid he'll turn into glass."

Burton couldn't help but sigh. If it were any other young player, Nike would be able to get him without spending much money.

But the opportunity to capture Gaio has been missed.

Gaio had previously signed a contract with Adidas, but his performance at Chelsea was getting worse and worse.

The contract expired and Adidas did not renew the contract.

Until now, Gaio has no endorsement contract.

He broke out last season.

And in the European Cup, he shined, but then suffered a serious injury.

But unexpectedly, just one month later, he came back full of energy again.

So Nike is going to take action.

You must take a gamble!
Even though Nike now needs to pay a huge price to sign Gaio, Nike cannot miss the opportunity.

Because if Nike doesn't sign, other companies will sign.

With Gaio's playing style, if he really grows up, it will be a blow to Nike.

drop!
The referee's whistle attracted the attention of Burton and Hoyt.

The 2012 French Super Cup final officially begins!
courtside,

Both Girard and Hajibegic looked rather cautious, and neither of them was sure of winning.

at the same time,

The game was also broadcast in France, with the commentator saying, "Bastia's squad has changed significantly compared to last season, with more young players. It seems Bastia wants to go the route of a youth storm. They have loaned De Bruyne and Lukaku from Chelsea, both of whom were players who didn't get a chance to play at Chelsea.

This, along with Gaio, who was abandoned by Chelsea, and Bastia's forward line, form the 'Chelsea Losers Alliance' attacking group. Let's see how well they fit together. Dieu! This big guy is so fast?!

Wow!

At the New York Red Bull Arena, as soon as the game started, fans were startled by De Bruyne's sudden long pass and screamed.

Bastia kicks off.

Without giving Montpellier any time to adapt, Lukaku passed the ball, De Bruyne controlled it a little and then made a long pass.

Lukaku’s favorite offensive method - dog catching frisbee!
Montpellier's defenders hadn't reacted yet when they saw Lukaku rushing forward and immediately followed him.

Saihi and Estrada were left behind by Lukaku's Belgian attack.

"That's too much impact! Bastia has found a beast as their center forward!"

The commentary hasn't finished yet.

Lukaku has already rushed to the frontcourt, and the two central defenders in front of him, Yanga Mbiwa and Hilton, quickly surrounded him to prevent Lukaku from rushing forward.

If you rush forward again, it will be a one-on-one fight!
Lukaku suddenly stopped.

All four players were shaken by his sudden stop. After Lukaku stopped suddenly, he saw the gap and pretended to shoot.

Hilton immediately made a flying tackle to block the shot.

however--

Bang!
Lukaku made a cross pass, and he had already seen Gaio following up very quickly.

Wow!

Such an attack at the beginning of the game instantly made the adrenaline of all the players on the scene surge.

Bastia fans were instantly filled with excitement, "Geo!"

"Gaio got the ball! There's no defender in front of him!"

The commentator exclaimed!

Goalkeeper Yulderen quickly rushed to the near corner to block Gaio's shot.

Gaio received the pass and there was enough space for him to take a slight adjustment before shooting with his left foot!
Bang!
The ball goes straight into the far corner!!
(End of this chapter)