The second leg match against Tottenham was a major event in Bastia itself.
The day before the match,
At Sunset Café, Modoso and the others had just returned from Paris a day ago and already had to prepare for the next round of home support activities.
They didn't even have time to celebrate the victory over Paris. No time to celebrate their three-point lead expansion at the top of the table either.
Modoso said helplessly, "Honestly, I'm not even playing, just running around following them, and I'm exhausted. This match against Spurs won't be easy."
His lament wasn't unfounded. According to reports from Bastia Daily's embedded journalist with the team, after returning from Paris to Bastia, the team had barely trained at all. The players were all undergoing physiotherapy and relaxation.
Most of the starting lineup had issues with muscle tension and excessive load.
"After valiantly defeating Spurs away in the Europa League mid-week, just 72 hours later, the team staged a historic 2-0 away victory over Paris at Parc des Princes on Sunday!
However, the price of this epic victory was brutal: severe physical exhaustion for all starters, high mental consumption, and less than three days to recover before the Europa League second leg showdown.
Fitness!
Bastia's greatest enemy!
By contrast, Tottenham?
Villas-Boas's team had a full week of precious rest after their White Hart Lane match!
While Bastia players returned to Corsica dragging exhausted bodies, Spurs were conducting detailed tactical drills preparing to overturn the tie away..."
At Tottenham's pre-match press conference, Villas-Boas had responded to questions about fitness.
"Of course, we noticed Bastia's congested schedule and their great victory in Paris. That was a match requiring enormous effort, especially for their key players. Undoubtedly, this will present challenges for their recovery.
But we're focused on ourselves: we've used this week for high-quality training and targeted preparation. Both fitness and form have been adjusted to optimal levels.
We know about the home atmosphere at Stade Armand Cesari, but we need to stay calm and play our game.
Regardless of the opponent's condition, we must ensure our intensity and quality can last 90 minutes or even longer..."
So, even the most die-hard fans at Sunset Café had to admit, "This match will be difficult!"
Modoso continued, "That's exactly why our support and cheering should be even more fierce! UEFA won't let us use cold flares, so we'll use sound waves to tell those English softies what Bastia is all about!!"
Bertrand chimed in at the right moment, "You all cheer and help the team win. If we can advance, all drinks will be 50% off for three days! We'll celebrate hard!"
Hearing this, everyone was very energized. But everyone was also somewhat worried. Leading by just one goal, and in such an extremely fatigued state—what would tomorrow night's final result be?
None of them knew for sure.
In the corner, Roncaglia and his good friend sat aside, listening to these most die-hard Bastia fans' various comments without comment.
Also being a player and aspiring to be professional, he was just silently thinking that tomorrow night's match could end any way, even a loss was acceptable as long as no one from Bastia got injured.
The league lead was now 10 points, but that wasn't secure.
As Bastia's first team performed better and better, Bastia's youth academy players at all levels were increasingly confident, and Roncaglia heard that this year's youth training registration numbers had increased significantly.
Previously, anyone paying could join training, but now with more applicants and limited capacity at Bastia's youth academy, they were starting to screen for talent.
Roncaglia would never forget that number 29 jersey in Bastia's youth academy.
That was the role model for all Bastia fans!
Now, almost everyone in Bastia knew that Julien would leave in the summer.
So, who could fill Julien's role?
Roncaglia knew those guys in the youth team were training intensely with full energy, trying to prove themselves and compete for a first-team opportunity.
But Roncaglia couldn't help thinking, how many people in this world have Julien's kind of talent?
Bastia's excitement grew increasingly intense as the match time approached.
The entire city was welcoming the Europa League second leg.
Tickets for this match had sold out long ago.
Not to mention away fans—even many local fans couldn't buy tickets.
Match day.
At the final team meeting, seeing his players' physical condition, Hadzibegic couldn't help but worry.
What he saw in his players could be summed up in one word: "exhaustion."
Three days simply wasn't enough to recover.
Hadzibegic couldn't help shaking his head. The media were right, this was the price of fighting on two fronts.
Many small clubs, occasionally reaching European competition due to their starting lineup's explosion, would likely collapse on both fronts if they tried to fight on two fronts.
In Hadzibegic's pre-match starting lineup, Julien's name was absent.
Fabruetto had assessed Julien's muscle load situation. His exact words were, "This amount of time is simply not enough for recovery. Sixty minutes at most—any longer will definitely result in injury."
So Hadzibegic placed Julien on the bench as a super-sub.
In fact, Hadzibegic found it especially difficult to arrange the starting lineup.
Because after two consecutive high-intensity matches, almost all the main lineup had muscle fatigue issues.
When finalizing the starting lineup, Hadzibegic gritted his teeth and decided to fight once more.
Get past Spurs first!
If they could get past Spurs, he would definitely rotate as much as possible in the league.
If they couldn't get past Spurs, then there was nothing more to say—focus single-mindedly on the league title fight!
In the end, at the team meeting, Hadzibegic didn't say much. He just said, "Focus on defense, and be careful not to get injured."
Current Bastia didn't need motivational speeches. Each of them had a clear, visible common goal.
This team with unbalanced age structure either old or young—everyone was willing to give everything for this goal.
Young players needed to make their mark and announce their arrival to the world.
Veterans wanted to seize their last chance, burn bright once more, and perfect their careers. But whether it was veterans led by Rothen or young players led by De Bruyne and others, they all rallied tightly around team captain Julien.
No one denied that Julien was this team's core!
Seven o'clock in the evening.
Bastia's team bus drove toward Cesari.
All along the way, the blue tide constructed by fans seemed to flow through the streets, connecting directly to the sea!
This blue river followed the team bus all the way to the stadium.
When Julien and the others stepped off the bus,
All they heard were fans' deafening shouts—"FORZA BASTIA!"
Eight forty-five in the evening.
By now, Stade Cesari was already boiling like a volcano, still accumulating even more intense energy, ready to erupt.
As the players walked onto the pitch, Stade Cesari reached tonight's first climax.
Thunderous roar.
With Julien not on the field, Rothen as captain performed the pre-match coin toss with Spurs captain Gallas.
At the same time, Modoso led the Ultras Bastia die-hard members in displaying another giant TIFO in the stands.
There was no excess information—just silhouettes of jersey backs.
De Bruyne's number 17,
Lukaku's number 11,
Kanté's number 13...
And in the center position was the number 10 jersey.
Below these jersey silhouettes was just one phrase, the one most deeply etched in Bastia people's memories—"FORZA BASTIA!!"
Tweet!!
When the time reached nine o'clock, the referee officially blew the whistle, and the match began!
After kickoff, the broadcast cameras found Julien on the bench.
The TF1 commentator said, "After experiencing two consecutive high-pressure matches, Bastia has made some personnel adjustments. The most important adjustment is putting Julien on the bench, with young Mané getting the start..."
Accompanying the commentator's words, Tottenham's attack gradually unfolded.
They had only one goal for this match: to overturn the aggregate score!
However, their first attack encountered Martinez firing on all cylinders.
Bale cut inside from the flank. In this match, like the second half of the first leg, he had ample freedom and shooting rights in the attacking third. Less than two minutes into the match, he curled a shot from the edge of the left side of the box.
Martinez flew out and parried the ball away.
Following up, Adebayor, under Van Dijk's defense but faster by a step, got there first and poked a shot.
After making his save, Martinez, in a half-risen state, extended his leg to block Adebayor's follow-up shot. On the other side, Cahuzac quickly cleared with a big boot toward midfield.
Whoosh!!
Bastia fans let out cries of alarm, not just for Martinez's brilliant save but more for how threatening Tottenham's opening attack had been.
Martinez pounded his chest and roared. Bastia players were forced to quickly get into the right state.
Van Dijk smoothed back his hair. This play was largely his fault—mainly he hadn't held firm in those final steps, otherwise Adebayor wouldn't have had that follow-up shot opportunity.
And this sequence was just a small scene of this match.
Tottenham completely controlled the rhythm. Bastia turtled up at home, relying entirely on Mané as a lone striker making runs.
Hadzibegic had set up a 4-2-3-1 formation.
But in reality, both wide midfielders Palmieri and Clauss dropped deep to help defend.
Kanté's position this match was relatively free because he had to mark Bale.
Though his absolute speed couldn't keep up, Kanté's defense had gradually become the most reassuring element of Bastia's game.
Tottenham's attacks came in waves; shots came one after another.
On the sideline, Villas-Boas alternately held his head and showed regret, always feeling the goal was coming on the next attempt.
However, Bastia's defensive line was like a reef in the ocean.
But in attack, they struggled.
Without teammate support, Mané alone found it very difficult to break down Tottenham's defense like Julien could.
Every time he lost possession; cameras would find Julien on the bench.
And Julien sat on the sidelines with a grave expression.
Mainly because Tottenham's attacks were simply too fierce, and in one-on-one situations, Mané still couldn't match Lukaku or himself.
Now, Bastia's two best attacking players were both on the bench.
Fortunately, Mané's attitude was very good, he charged hard on counterattacks and could also defend deep.
At certain moments, Bastia's formation was compressed into a 5-5-0.
As most Bastia players gradually found their rhythm, Tottenham's attacking space was continuously compressed.
For a time, Tottenham's attacking threat gradually diminished.
Whether Tottenham fans or Tottenham players, they all became somewhat anxious.
They needed to score at least two goals!
Whoa!!
In the 31st minute, Stade Cesari erupted with exclamations, fans were holding their heads with very surprised expressions.
On the pitch, Angoula, while defending Holtby's dribbling advance, in the physical battle, both players fell to the ground.
Before falling, Holtby passed the ball out.
He had wanted to pass to Lennon. But the power was short.
Lennon quickly accelerated forward at high speed. Just as he was about to control the ball,
The fallen Angoula, while still prone, actually launched himself forward and headed the ball away!
And when he headed it out, he happened to meet Lennon's incoming foot.
Lennon tried to pull back but didn't fully succeed—his studs caught Angoula's eye corner, instantly opening a gash with blood flowing freely.
Angoula seemed completely unaware, immediately scrambling up and booting the ball he hadn't headed far away with a big clearance.
At this moment, blood had already stained his jersey.
Tweet!
The referee immediately blew to stop play, signaling for the medical team to enter.
Angoula touched his eye corner, saw his hand covered in blood, but didn't panic.
Given his past experiences, this was just routine.
The TF1 commentator praised, "This is Bastia! Some ask why a small island team can become Ligue 1 leaders, can defeat PSG's hundred-million-euro squad!
This might be the answer! They don't just have talented players like Julien and De Bruyne—they also have warriors like Angoula and Choplin!
This is why Bastia can be such dark horses..."
Bastia fans, seeing Angoula use his head to meet Lennon's foot, felt emotions welling up inside that could only be vented through shouting.
"FORZA BASTIA!!"
"FORZA..."
Sound waves rumbled.
The medical team quickly bandaged Angoula, wrapping gauze around his head. He also changed jerseys.
Play continued!
Julien, watching his teammates' blood and sweat on the sidelines, felt surges within his heart.
This was Bastia, this was the team he was willing to give everything for...
At the same time,
England, North London.
In Wenger's office, he wasn't watching the match alone as usual.
Beside him was someone else—super rich kid Josh Kroenke, who had just joined Arsenal's board of directors.
Also known in the outside world as "young Kroenke."
Why call him a super-rich kid? Because he was the only son of sports industry tycoon Stan Kroenke and Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke!
Having just joined Arsenal's board this year, this was his second actual position of authority.
His first job was as president of the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
At this moment, young Kroenke maintained the gentlemanly demeanor his family had always taught him.
He asked Wenger, "Will Tottenham lose?"
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