Clerc was left behind by Mané's positioning. He knew that once Mané broke through, it would be a disaster!
He immediately grabbed Mané and pulled him down.
Tweet!
The referee showed Clerc a yellow card without hesitation and awarded a free kick.
Clerc had known before committing the foul that he couldn't avoid this yellow card. He didn't argue or appeal, just wagged his finger at Mané before walking back to his defensive position.
De Bruyne came over and helped Mané to his feet. "Well done, keep attacking them like that."
Mané nodded. He walked toward the edge of the penalty area, preparing to compete for the ball.
Julien patted Mané's shoulder. "Keep attacking down the left. Don't give Lukaku balls to his head—play it to his feet, or pass back to De Bruyne. You can also shoot if you get the chance."
If anyone in the entire Bastia squad had the most confidence in Mané, it was definitely him.
Julien had been pushing Pierre to sign Mané's full ownership, currently holding about 45% of his rights.
He knew Mané's potential.
As he gradually adapted in training, Hadzibegic had noticed Mané's characteristics, or he wouldn't have brought him on at such a crucial moment.
Mané's first-step acceleration was probably only matched by Julien in his burst state throughout the entire Bastia squad.
More importantly, like Kanté, Mané was a player with an extremely strong willingness to run!
This was why Mané would later become one of the key players in Klopp's "heavy metal football."
De Bruyne took the free kick, and the ball was cleared at the near post by Clement.
Clement's clearance went straight toward the advancing Aubameyang.
Aubameyang took a touch forward, ready to use his speed for a counter-attack.
Bang!
But just as he started his run, Kanté appeared from nowhere and slid in to tackle the ball out for a throw-in.
After his sliding tackle, unlike other defensive players who might roar wildly after a crucial defensive intervention, Kanté made no gesture at all. He simply got up quietly and returned to his defensive position.
Rothen gave him a high-five, and Kanté kept watching the Saint-Étienne players, thinking about their possible attacking routes.
"Honestly, I'm starting to like this Bastia defensive midfielder..."
The TV commentator said.
Deschamps was thinking the same thing. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. The French national team was currently short of defensive midfielders—could he try Kanté?
But then he shook his head, dismissing the idea. It was still too early.
Deschamps decided to wait until the sixth round and see how Kanté performed against a star-studded lineup like Paris Saint-Germain.
On the field, Saint-Étienne took the throw-in quickly. Cohade gave the ball to Brison, who launched a long diagonal pass.
He sent the ball toward Gradel's side, where the defense was more vulnerable.
Cioni didn't dare rush forward, defending while retreating.
Fortunately, Rothen quickly provided cover.
Gradel had no opportunity and played the ball to the center. Aubameyang didn't control it, just flicked it on, trying to play a one-two with Cohade for a run behind the defense.
But Cohade didn't pass.
Seeing that Kanté had already moved into the passing lane, he didn't dare risk it and quickly passed to an open space out wide.
Bastia's formation dropped back as a whole.
Mané actively tracked back to press.
Saint-Étienne didn't have many players in attack, but as Bastia's attacking line retreated, their defensive line gradually pushed up.
Except for the goalkeeper, everyone was in Bastia's half, mounting pressure.
Bang!
Suddenly, Brison shook off Cioni and crossed the ball.
Aubameyang successfully beat the offside trap, bursting through Bastia's defensive line with what was almost a one-on-one chance.
A thunderous volley!
This shot caught everyone completely off guard.
The Bastia fans in the stands were already holding their heads in despair, anticipating another goal conceded. In that instant, they were already thinking about tonight's heavy defeat, Bastia's grim skies, the melancholy seabirds, and—
And hope!
"Novaes!!"
When everyone thought the ball was going in, Novaes, relying almost purely on instinct, stuck out a foot and deflected the ball away from goal.
He denied Aubameyang's poker!
In front of goal, Choplin, facing toward the goal, cleared the ball out for a corner kick. He wasn't sure what was happening behind him and could only make this safe play.
Whoosh!
The Cesari Stadium erupted with the sighs of fans who had just escaped disaster.
"C'est génial!"
After Choplin kicked the ball away, he roared at Novaes, praising his save.
Novaes roared back and celebrated with chest bumps with Choplin and others, while other teammates came over to pat his head.
After making so many mistakes in this match, Novaes had at least redeemed himself in this moment.
Aubameyang held his head in disappointment.
Galtier also punched the air in frustration—if that ball had gone in, it would have secured the three points.
And now... Galtier looked at the Bastia players on the field, particularly focusing on Julien.
He wondered: there shouldn't be any surprises now, right?
Bang!
Saint-Étienne's corner kick was taken, and Sidibé headed the ball out of the penalty area. On the edge, De Bruyne saw the ball coming and without hesitation sent it out wide to the left.
Whoosh!
A black lightning bolt suddenly appeared before the fans' eyes.
Mané!
His explosive power allowed him to visibly pull away from Cohade. Hamouma moved up to block Mané's path.
Mané actively slowed down, glanced at the central supporting run. Lukaku was charging forward with two defenders in tow.
Seeing Mané slow down, Hamouma moved to stop this young player.
But Mané's signature move—"left foot pull, right foot push" was displayed on the pitch.
A pull, a push.
Combined with his first-step explosive power, it made Hamouma appear frozen in that moment.
From the fans' perspective, Hamouma looked like he was "seeing Mané off."
"Sadio Mané! Bastia's summer marquee signing!" shouted the TF1 commentator, adding, "God knows where Bastia finds all these young players with such potential..."
On the field, with Hamouma beaten, it was a clear run!
Mané floored the accelerator, charging straight for the penalty area. Clerc, who had been helping defend against Lukaku, had no choice but to rush over to provide cover, leaving Zouma alone to defend against Lukaku.
Seeing Clerc rushing toward him, Mané didn't continue his charge. He saw a better opportunity!
Bang!
Suddenly, the right-footed player came to a sudden stop and used his outside foot!
The ball traced a "C"-shaped arc.
Lukaku launched himself, throwing his body forward, trying to get a touch for a shot. He came up just short of the ball.
He didn't make contact. But Lukaku's dive not only fooled the central defenders and goalkeeper, but also the covering defender from the flank.
Julien burst in from the right!
A left-footed rocket shot!!
Swoosh!
The ball hammered into the near corner of the net, even knocking the corner camera flying.
Goal!
Score: 3-4!
Roar!
The home fans immediately erupted in cheers—they truly saw hope—
"DEEEEEE ROCCCCAAAAA!!"
The commentator was completely shocked by this Bastia attack: "MYY GODD!! Both wings are flying!!"
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