Bridge decisively pointed to the penalty spot.
Penalty!
The French players exploded.
They rushed toward Bridge, all protesting loudly.
Boo!
The Calderón Stadium erupted in jeers, clearly the Spanish fans didn't think this wasn't a penalty.
Bridge stood by his decision, waving his hands to keep the French players away from him.
On the other side, With Villa not in the squad, Xabi Alonso was Bosque's appointed primary penalty taker.
However, Fàbregas approached Alonso. "Let me take this penalty."
Alonso frowned, initially wanting to say he was the primary penalty taker, but considering Cesc's current situation—
He nodded.
Alonso thought perhaps Cesc just wanted to prove himself as a capable false nine.
At Barcelona, Cesc competed with Messi for the false nine position, and he admitted he was at a disadvantage in that competition.
On the Spanish national team, Cesc was the undisputed choice for the false nine position, but his scoring efficiency wasn't particularly high.
Even when Spain thrashed Belarus 4-0, Fàbregas hadn't scored, while winger Pedro had a hat-trick instead.
Amid the chaos— Referee Bridge gave Deschamps a yellow card on the sideline. He was really getting on the fourth official's nerves with his complaints.
In the stands, Zidane and Morientes, two Real Madrid teammates, one was supporting France, the other Spain.
Zidane couldn't help saying, "If this goes in, this match is basically over."
Morientes smiled. "Looks like France might have to play in the playoffs."
As long as Fàbregas could beat Lloris from twelve yards out, Spain would extend their lead to two goals.
For the always steady Spanish Armada, a two-goal lead essentially meant three points secured.
That's why Zidane said that.
All the players stood outside the box, leaving only Fàbregas facing Lloris.
Fàbregas didn't look at Lloris, staring at the ball, various penalty techniques flashed through his mind.
In the Euro 2012 semifinal, Spain and Portugal went to a penalty shootout.
Fàbregas took the fifth penalty for Spain. His shot toward the bottom left corner of the goal hit the post before bouncing into the net, the angle pushed to the extreme. The number 10 in red became a national hero.
And tonight?
Tweet!
Bridge's whistle sounded, signaling he could begin.
Lloris stared intently at Fàbregas.
Whoosh!
Fàbregas took his run-up, then as in the Euros, he chose to push toward the bottom left corner.
But compared to that extremely precise penalty at the Euros, Cesc's shot quality was much worse this time.
The ball's speed wasn't fast, and the angle wasn't sharp either.
Lloris guessed the right direction. He easily dove and pushed the ball out.
Then he got up again and grabbed the ball in his arms before any Spanish player could follow up.
"Hugo!"
Koscielny shouted Lloris's name as he lay on the ground.
That save had rescued him.
And rescued the French team.
As Ribéry walked past Fàbregas, he said quietly, "Thanks."
Fàbregas ignored Scarface.
He smoothed back his hair, his face like thunder, but his emotions were complex inside.
Alonso patted his shoulder without saying much.
Other teammates also consoled Cesc briefly.
While passing by the bench, Deschamps called out to Julien. "Run more. If there's no opportunity, try to create some set-piece chances."
Julien nodded.
With Giroud as a tall target, set pieces were indeed a good opportunity for them. The goal that had just been disallowed came from a free kick.
The match resumed.
In the final minutes, although Spain's attacking rhythm slowed, they still maintained complete control over France.
This half, France played very frustratingly.
Sunset Café Bar.
The Bastia locals couldn't help saying, "Deschamps has no idea how to use Julien."
"This style of play, letting the opponent mark Julien to death, is completely wasteful!"
Bertrand and the others watching this half also felt genuinely annoyed.
Deschamps's tactics were a failure.
If there were no changes in the second half, this match was basically decided.
Tweet!
From the TV came the halftime whistle.
The TF1 commentator was also saying, "Let's see how Deschamps adjusts the tactics for the second half during the break."
"Bertrand, more drinks!"
During the break, fans also took a rest. Some ordered more drinks, some went to the bathroom.
Some people had been holding it in for a long time.
Now they could finally relieve themselves.
But they felt watching this half, Deschamps's tactics were like this piss—uncomfortably held in.
If it weren't for Julien, they wouldn't watch every single second without missing anything.
In the player tunnel:
Julien walked together with Giroud, who shrugged. "A bit hard to play."
Julien nodded. In this situation, there was nothing he could do. Every time he got the ball, two or three people marked him.
Spanish players weren't Ligue 2 players who would let him dribble past easily.
In the few attacks he had, Alba rarely fell for his moves.
Once he couldn't get past Alba quickly, Spain's right-side defense would be in position rapidly.
This was why Julien had been somewhat invisible in the first half.
Along the way with other teammates, they all smiled helplessly at each other. Everyone had played uncomfortably this half.
Defending deeply was too difficult.
Entering the locker room, Deschamps was already waiting for them. Seeing that everyone was pretty much there, He didn't talk about how the first half went.
Instead, he immediately said, "Before this match, I met and spoke with Zidane. I asked him how Real Madrid faced Barcelona."
The players all listened.
Over the past few years, the Spanish Clásico had been a top-tier event throughout Europe and even the world.
They naturally knew this.
Barcelona basically dominated Real Madrid, but Mourinho had stubbornly held on.
"He told me that being timid and cowering only leads to death. Being brave might still leave a sliver of hope."
Deschamps's gaze swept over everyone.
"So, I've decided to learn from Mourinho in the second half. We've also practiced this in training—full-scale initiative!
You all know this is a match we cannot afford to lose!
Right now, we're behind. We must go all-out with a 4-2-3-1 formation. I want you to push our defensive line forward from our own penalty area to midfield, even to Spain's half!!"
The locker room was silent except for Deschamps's voice.
Deschamps paused, his eyes blazing. "Can you do it?"
"No problem!"
All the players shouted out. They didn't want to lose, even away from home.
Deschamps's expression softened slightly. "Fàbregas's penalty miss gave us a sliver of opportunity. In the second half, we take the initiative. Julien's right wing is where their defensive strength is concentrated."
"So—"
Deschamps pointed at Julien and continued, "Julien, you continue to maintain pressure on the right wing. As long as they don't send extra men to defend you, go ahead and attack them freely. Don't worry about losing possession. Just press in the attacking third! Get physical!"
Julien nodded.
He knew that in this situation, what he could do was create pressure.
And look for opportunities to break through forcefully.
Deschamps then turned to look at Ribéry. "Franck, Julien will bear most of the defensive pressure, so your side will become our main point of attack.
Moreover, Spain's only weakness is on their left flank!
Arbeloa is the weakest link in Spain's defensive line. You can definitely eat him alive one-on-one, right?"
Ribéry patted his chest. "No problem. As long as the center can keep up, I'll definitely create plenty of opportunities."
Deschamps nodded. He said, "I also need a playmaker. Valbuena, you warm up early in the second half."
Then pointing at Gonalons, "You switch positions with Cabaye. You push up, run more, don't worry about stamina—I'll find an opportunity to bring on Valbuena."
"Okay!"
Gonalons nodded.
Deschamps continued to address many issues. He was very detailed and clear.
To summarize: take full initiative in the second half!
They couldn't be this passive anymore.
Actually, after this half, Deschamps understood something. Most of France's current players played in the Premier League and weren't really suited to high-intensity defending.
Having them attack and press might actually suit them better.
After all, that's how they played in the Premier League.
Right now, in France's starting eleven, six played in the Premier League: Giroud, Cabaye, Evra, Koscielny, Debuchy, and Lloris!
Four were from Ligue 1: Julien, Matuidi, Sakho, and Gonalons.
Ribéry played for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
After Deschamps finished, he let the players rest for the final few minutes.
Soon, Time was up.
The players walked out of the locker room. Deschamps stood at the door shaking hands with each person, encouraging them.
When it was Julien's turn, Deschamps said, "Always remember, you're the only explosive point. At critical moments, be decisive. Don't fear mistakes, don't fear losing the ball!"
"Okay."
Julien understood Deschamps wanted to cultivate him as the core. He nodded firmly. As a team's core player, mentality was very important.
Having lived two lives, plus his experience at Bastia, he had developed quite a bit.
BOOM!
BOOM BOOM!!
As Julien and his teammates walked into the Calderón, the Spanish fans' cheers continued, their songs continued—
¡Vamos! ¡Vamos! España!
Red is the color, the color of our blood
From the peaks to the valleys
We follow you; we follow you
España, mi amor
Through victory, through pain
España, mi amor
We'll never walk alone"
Neither side made any lineup adjustments. They stood at the center circle.
Tweet!
Referee Bridge's whistle sounded.
The second half began.
Giroud played the ball back. Gonalons, who had pushed up, immediately passed to Ribéry's feet.
Ribéry didn't delay. Facing Arbeloa's defense, He attacked!!
After receiving the ball facing Arbeloa, he slightly decelerated, luring his opponent to adjust his center of gravity.
Then he quickly flicked the ball with the inside of his right foot to change direction, connecting it with an acceleration to break through.
In one encounter, Arbeloa was completely shaken off by Ribéry's sudden change of direction and acceleration.
"Whoa!"
Spanish fans made jeering sounds. They knew Ribéry who was currently the biggest name in the French squad in their eyes.
A Ballon d'Or-level player.
Alonso and Busquets covered to this side to prevent Ribéry from advancing further.
But Ribéry's extremely quick footwork adjustment ability and low center of gravity advantage made him very skilled at dribbling in small spaces.
In the entire French team, only Julien could match Ribéry's dribbling ability.
Ribéry made a sudden stop, making Busquets stop as well. Then Ribéry flicked the ball with his right foot and charged toward the byline.
Busquets simply couldn't keep up.
In terms of physical attributes, he was completely outmatched by a pure winger like Ribéry.
Busquets tried his best to follow.
Bang!
Ribéry crossed. Both Giroud and Ramos rushed toward the ball, but neither touched it. The cross was a bit too close to goal and was caught by Casillas coming out.
San Iker launched a quick counter.
He threw the ball to Alonso, who played a long pass directly connecting to Fàbregas in the attacking third.
However, when he received the ball, Koscielny was already on him, constantly harassing him from behind, not letting him turn.
Fàbregas didn't hold the ball, passing to the advancing Xavi.
However, When Xavi got the ball, Cabaye immediately pressed him, actively competing.
Xavi turned in a circle, found space, and passed the ball out.
Spanish players soon discovered France's change. They were no longer defending deep but actively pressing and competing.
Several Premier League players were very comfortable with this physical rhythm, which made these technical Spanish players somewhat uncomfortable.
For a moment, Possession changed again.
The ball came to Julien's side. Seeing three men again on the right, Julien passed across to the center.
Matuidi transferred to Ribéry on the left.
Ribéry again charged at Arbeloa as soon as he got the ball.
A quick acceleration, sudden stop, then another quick acceleration—Arbeloa struggled to keep up.
Seeing Ribéry about to shake him off again, Arbeloa, desperately chasing back, threw himself into a sliding tackle.
Bang!
The ball was kicked out for a corner.
However, Arbeloa lay on the ground unable to get up, and quickly raised his hand.
Tweet!
The referee blew the whistle, signaling Evra to delay taking the corner. He ran to Arbeloa's side.
Arbeloa clutched his knee, and said, "Might be injured."
His face showed some pain.
The medical team entered.
Bosque on the sideline looked grave. This match had already lost David Silva, and now losing the right fullback too?
Bad news came.
The medical team again made the substitution gesture.
Arbeloa couldn't continue.
Bosque turned to his assistant and said a name, "Juanfran."
Deschamps saw Juanfran and his eyes lit up.
Juanfran was an attacking player converted from winger to fullback. Ribéry would have no problem destroying him.
Deschamps saw an opportunity.
Taking advantage of the opponent's substitution, he gestured to Ribéry to increase the attacking intensity.
Ribéry nodded. He understood that with Julien frozen out, he had to punish Spain from his side!
The ball was played. Ribéry was marked by Alonso and could only pass back.
A rare opportunity arrived for France to organize an attack.
After several passes, the ball reached Ribéry's feet again. Facing the newly substituted Juanfran, he once again displayed top winger dribbling ability.
A shoulder feint and change of direction shook off Juanfran.
Ribéry glanced at the center.
With Ramos marking him tightly, Giroud didn't have a great opportunity.
Bang!
But he still decisively passed.
This pass wasn't to the center, but a long switch to the right wing!
Julien!
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