The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 253 Winter Night Massacre, Half-Term Champion!
When Nancy kicked the ball out, they did not launch an attack first. Like most weak teams facing Bastia, they chose to play it safe.

Having experienced half a season of league play, Bastia were naturally less impetuous, and the players took their positions, ready for battle.

Nancy's attacks mainly originate from the flanks, with their number 8 left winger, Moro, being a skilled crosser.

Forward Moukandjo's finishing ability is above average for a relegation-threatened team, and his efficiency is quite good.

Therefore, Nancy's tactics are relatively simple.

But clearly, Bastia wouldn't give them such an easy opportunity to cross the ball.

With Joplin absent, Angura returned to the center-back position, and Hagi Bejic moved Klose to the starting right-back position.

Kroos' performance in the first half of the season has been commendable. Although he is still quite inexperienced in many aspects, he has gradually shown his talent on the offensive end.

at least,

In this match, Hagi Bejić chose to start Klose instead of Martial at center-back and Angura at right-back, because he recognized Klose's talent in attack.

Hopefully, he can create some opportunities on the flanks.

Reduce Gaio's stress.

Although Gaio is strong, it's a waste to keep sending him to forcefully clash with the opposing defense.

Therefore, without De Bruyne, Hagi Begic hopes that Klose can help Gaio create some space.

This arrangement almost helped Bastia score in the opening three minutes.

Third minute.

Klose made a run down the wing, and Gaio passed the ball to him. Klose then crossed the ball to the center, where Lukaku got to the ball in front of the six-yard box.

A sweeping kick!
The ball, which was almost certain to hit the target, was somehow kicked away by him!

Wow!

The Bastia fans at the stadium gasped in disbelief, clutching their heads in shock.

It's harder to miss this shot than to score it.

Lukaku was also holding his head and staring wide-eyed, somewhat unable to believe that he had actually kicked the ball too far.

After shaking his head, he turned to Klose, who had made the pass, and gave him his first thumbs up of the day.

In the past, the first like was usually given to De Bruyne.

In the stands, some fans joked, "Romero is still better suited to mindless counter-attacks, just charging forward. Asking him to score goals is a bit too much for him."

"It's a pity that a tall guy over 1.9 meters with the physique of a center forward can't head the ball or get into position; it's really not easy."

Some fans also felt sympathy for De Bruyne, saying, "They are still a national team player."

Hagi Bejic also felt sorry that the ball didn't go in.

However, this goal also reflects that Klose is indeed good on the offensive end.

From the perspective of Nancy's head coach, Fernandez, who was not far away, the ball didn't go in; it was just that Nancy was lucky because Bastia had broken through their defense with a simple two-touch pass.

Of course.

Fernandez has become somewhat numb to whether or not a goal is conceded.

why?

To put it simply, in the first 18 rounds of the competition, they only scored 13 goals but conceded 29.

Furthermore, aside from winning their first match of the season, they have gone 17 rounds without a win!

With a 17-game winless streak, Nancy has the longest winless run in Ligue 1 this season. The battle between Nancy and Troyes for the top two spots is fierce.

After 18 rounds, they have only scored 10 points.

It's easy to imagine how the Nancy players are feeling right now.
Therefore, after the initial contact period, Bastia gradually took control of the ball.

Gaião was extremely active on the right flank and in the right side area.

Nancy was helpless in the face of this.

The only option is to retreat and defend completely.

Seeing this, the Bastia fans in the stands were extremely excited, knowing that they had a high probability of winning the match.

Because the opponent was really too weak!
After their two Europa League matches against Atletico Madrid, Nancy is simply not a team to be underestimated.

In Modoso's words, "They are not as difficult to play as the Ligue 2 teams last season."

On the field.

Gaio kept a close eye on the opponent's right flank defense. Although two players were marking him, he saw the defense as full of holes.

However, with Klose helping to create space, he didn't force a breakthrough but waited for a better opportunity.

In the eighth minute, the opportunity arrived!
Klose dribbled down the wing and drew away Haidara, who was tracking back. Haidara was the only relatively strong player on the right flank. It is said that this player is now also being eyed by Newcastle United in the Premier League, and it is very likely that they will bring him from Nancy to Newcastle this summer.

As Klose dribbled forward, Gaio suddenly cut inside.

Klose, as if on cue, suddenly stopped, turned around, and passed the ball to Gaio.

Salif Sané and Piglernier quickly surrounded them.

They wanted to block Gaio.

However, the next moment, after receiving the ball with his left foot, Gaio faced the two men directly and cut the ball to his right foot. Salif and Piglenier dared not move and just stared at Gaio's body.

Seeing that neither of them were faked out, Gaio's fake drive naturally turned into a real drive.

He pushed the ball between Salif's legs, who was further back, with his right foot, and instantly accelerated past Salif's left side.

Wow!

The fans cheered as Gaio dribbled past them with the ball, and some even shouted "groin strike!"

Gaio has made a breakthrough!

Nancy's other center-back, André Luiz, quickly stepped up to cover. Fernandez had arranged a three-center-back formation for this match, intending to hold the defensive position deep.

However, what he didn't expect was that what he thought was a tight defense with three center-backs was actually more loose and easier for players to move into position!

This is the core flaw of this tactic – the use of width is a big problem. Three center-backs are inherently one less wing defender than four-backs. Wing-backs have to both attack and defend, and often become the breakthrough point when facing strong teams, which places high demands on the players!

Not to mention the issue of lateral movement, which can easily leave gaps in the middle when the three center-backs are covering for each other.

This is the opportunity that Gaio saw!

As Andrei charged forward, Gaio didn't slow down; instead, he accelerated a second time and suddenly rushed towards him.

Andre was momentarily stunned. He didn't know what Gaio was going to do, but he still went to meet him based on his defensive instincts.

Just as he thought he was about to make contact with Gaio, Gaio shrugged and cut him in the groin.

Andrei panicked a bit and took a step forward to catch up. To prevent Gaio from shooting, he put his hands behind his back, since it was inside the penalty area and a handball would be troublesome.

Just as he took a step, before his foot even touched the ground, Gaio moved again!

Andrei had a bad feeling again.

really!

For some reason, Gaio, despite his height, had an astonishingly high footwork frequency. Andrei saw Gaio's right foot turn back.

Andrei tried to turn around, but his head followed, while his body couldn't.

Once he was finally on solid ground, he quickly pushed off the ground and moved toward Gaio.

Bang!
But the only response he received was a dull thud.

Gaio's movements were so fast that Andrei had only made one and a half movements before Gaio had already connected with a shot.

The football flew towards the net without any obstruction! Goalkeeper Gregorini's vision was affected by Andrea, and he had no way of judging the direction of Gaio's shot. By the time he saw the ball, it was already too late.

Swish!
1-0.

Gaio scores, giving Bastia the lead at home.

"Geo!!"

The moment the goal was scored, the entire Thessaloniki stadium erupted in madness.

After scoring, Gaio turned and ran towards the stands, standing in front of the stands behind the goal with a big smile and his arms outstretched, welcoming the cheers from the crowd.

"Geo!"

The fans' enthusiasm dispelled the chill of the winter night, shouting cheers for Gaio.

Lukaku and the others rushed over and hugged Gaio, saying, "That was amazing! You completely outmaneuvered all three of them."

Blue waves surged in the stands, engulfing everyone present.

This includes players like Mbappe and Chatham.

Everyone was genuinely happy for Gaio. After the celebration, Chatham said to the person next to him, "Virgil, what do you think? I told you so, Gaio could completely sweep through the entire defense."

Virgil van Dijk shook his head. "Incredible footwork. His footwork frequency is really too fast. I've seen some players who are 1.7 meters tall, and their footwork isn't necessarily that fast."

Chatham laughed. "That's Gaio's talent."

Virgil van Dijk has completed all his matches in the Netherlands, and he has even said goodbye to his teammates, telling them that he is going to play in Ligue 1, one of the top five European leagues.

Initially, some people questioned why he would join a newly promoted team.

Van Dijk simply said it was because of Gaio, "I wanted to defend him in the team scrims."

Van Dijk's teammates naturally didn't take his words as fact.

but,

Determined to become the best defensive player, he did indeed have the idea of ​​guarding Gay after Chatham showed him videos of Gay.

This is also a good opportunity to improve your defensive skills.

Moreover, Bastia painted a bright future for him: winning the Europa League and Ligue 1 this season, and with a very high probability of playing in the Champions League next season.

Chatham continued, “When you come back for Christmas, you’ll officially be one of us, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”

"Of course!"

Just seeing the football atmosphere in Bastia made Van Dijk realize that coming here was the right decision.

The game resumed quickly.

Nancy struggled against a resurgent Bastia, finding it difficult to create attacking opportunities on their own.

They don't have a single shot on goal yet.

Instead, Bastia capitalized on their mistakes, taking control of the ball and continuously pressuring them down the flanks.

Gaio executed a Marseille turn on the wing, getting past the onrushing Haidara, and then delivered a cross to Rothen in the center.

This scene drew gasps and applause from the fans at the scene.

To the Bastia, Gaio was incredibly handsome!

The right side of Nancy Road has become like Gaio's main road; you can just cross it whenever you want.

The TF1 commentator exclaimed, "Gaio really displayed overwhelming power; it was practically a one-man show, truly spectacular!"

Just as the commentator finished speaking, Rothen took a few steps forward and then made a direct pass.

Gaio's angled insertion!

The two executed a brilliant combination, completely breaking through Nancy's defense of all four players.

Oops! !

The fans gasped again, their eyes filled with anticipation, and many had already stood up, ready to cheer.

next moment.

Gaião rushed out of the defensive line, and goalkeeper Gregorini rushed out to block the near post.

Bang!
Gaião delivered a cross with his right foot, and Lukaku, who had made a run into the middle, finally caught up, blocked his position, and stretched out a foot to score into the empty net.

Lukaku and Sami, who were defending him, then both fell to the ground.

Lukaku, beaming with excitement, quickly stood up and rushed towards Gaio, shouting, "I love you, Gaio! That pass was so easy even my grandma could score!"

Gaio opened his arms and embraced him.

Other teammates rushed over to hug and celebrate. After the celebration, Lukaku even imitated Gaio, opening his arms towards the stands and patting the team badge on his chest with a smile.

In a pre-match interview, Lukaku expressed his loyalty to Bastia, saying, "I love it here. It feels like my second home. I'm very happy here, and if I could, I would stay here forever."

Of course, Lukaku took this seriously, but Bastia couldn't take it seriously either.

It's simple, Bastia can't afford it.

Unable to afford the transfer fee or the wages, Chelsea still covered 30% of the wages for this season's loan.

It's fair to say that Chelsea were truly a benefactor to Bastia!

Not only did they loan out Lukaku and De Bruyne, but they also covered 30% of their wages.

When the ball went in, Hagi Begic on the sidelines and the players on the bench were incredibly excited.

The broadcast camera also gave De Bruyne a close-up.

The TF1 commentator said, "Even without De Bruyne, Bastia can easily crush their opponents with Gaio alone against a relegation-threatened team. Less than twenty minutes in, Bastia is already two goals ahead. Tonight's victory is basically Bastia's. At this moment, I think Bastia can start celebrating their mid-season championship!"

Bastia's victory is almost a consensus.

Nancy couldn't stop Bastia at all.

Just after Gaio and Lukaku scored, in the 32nd minute, Mane used his individual skill to cut inside from the left wing and unleash a powerful shot, further increasing Bastia's chances of winning.

3-0!

When Mane and Gaio hugged in celebration, Mane was all smiles. "It's all thanks to you for drawing so much of their defense, giving me one-on-one opportunities."

Gaio patted him on the back and laughed, "A few more, to give this year a perfect ending."

As the game resumed, Mane became even more aggressive, and his activity on the left flank made it even more difficult for Nancy's defense, as both of Bastia's flanks were explosive threats.

Furthermore, both full-backs were very active in overlapping on the flanks.

Despite Fernandez's repeated hand gestures urging everyone to get back on defense, they still made mistakes.

drop!
The referee pointed to the penalty spot.

When Gaio cut into the penalty area from the right wing, Salif tackled him.

Bastia gets a penalty!

Wow!

In the stands of Thessalonians, fans were beaming with delight, never expecting this final match of the year to be so perfect!
They had a chance to lead 4-0 at halftime.

When everyone thought Gaio would take the free throw,
Gaio, however, handed the ball to Rothen, saying, "Here you go."

Rothen looked up and met Gaio's gaze, understanding what he meant.

He couldn't help but smile, "You rascal."

(End of this chapter)