Beep!!
With a long whistle blast,
Europa League Group B, the first leg between Atlético and Bastia, officially began!
Commentators broadcasting this match worldwide were simultaneously introducing both teams' starting lineups and their situations.
At this moment in the Calderón Stadium, the rolling sound waves of Atlético's die-hard fan association "Frente Atlético" erupted—
The song "Yo me voy al Manzanares" rang throughout the stadium as Atlético kicked off.
Diego Costa passed the ball back.
Young Koke received it, saw Bastia completely withdrawn with no space for a quick attack, and quickly passed it wide.
Left-back Filipe advanced to receive the ball, then quickly passed back to the center.
They began playing positional football.
Because Bastia didn't press forward at all after kickoff, falling into full defense.
Only Julien's position was slightly forward, and he wasn't completely on the wing but tucked in a bit.
He could quickly combine with Lukaku.
Basically a 4-4-2 formation, defending deeply.
Atlético, at home, playing a relatively unknown team like Bastia, most Atlético fans had never even heard the name played proactively.
Koke pulled to the left-wing position while Raúl García and Gabi in the center constantly interchanged, trying to penetrate Bastia's defense.
From kickoff, Atlético pressed Bastia to the point of suffocation.
Hadzibegic looked somewhat agitated, constantly gesturing for players to tuck inside, not to press too hard on the wings.
"Center! Stay central!"
Hadzibegic shouted. This match was important not just for Bastia, but for him personally.
This might be the highest-level match of his coaching career.
Beside him, Simeone was equally energetic, constantly waving gestures, directing players on how to attack.
With all Bastia players withdrawn to the center, the wings were the opportunity!
Thump!
On the left wing, after Koke created space from Angoula, he sent in a cross.
Atlético had the lethal weapon Costa and didn't shy from crossing tactics.
This ball did find Costa.
But caught between Choplin and Cahuzac, Costa could only head the ball on pure instinct, there was no power, and Novaes punched it clear.
Never having faced a foreign powerhouse like Atlético before, Novaes was actually somewhat nervous, so he chose the safer option of punching it out rather than catching it.
Whoosh!
The Atlético fans in attendance thought Costa had won the ball and might have a chance to score, but then saw the goalkeeper kick it out.
They let out a gasp.
The ball flew outside the box. Defensive midfielder Mario Suárez didn't hesitate, he wound up and unleashed a shot!
Thump!
The ball surged toward goal with extreme speed.
After coming out, Novaes quickly retreated to the goal line, but facing this shot, he had no room to react.
Clang!
Just as Novaes's heart sank, he heard a sound like heavenly music.
The post!
Roar!
The Calderón Stadium erupted with fans' groans of disappointment.
The ball hit the post and bounced back.
Kanté immediately kicked it out of the box, though this was an instinctive reaction, he kicked it high without clearing it far.
Slightly mishit, high but not far.
The ball went to Bastia's right flank. Filipe firmly blocked returning Julien, keeping him behind, and controlled the ball.
Then passed it forward to the advancing Gabi.
Gabi took the ball into the box, tried to shoot, but found the center completely packed with bodies, there was no shooting space. Without hesitation, he chipped the ball up, looking for teammates in the middle.
Inside Bastia's box, it was completely packed!
Costa and Adrián López both rushed to the six-yard box, with Koke and Raúl García at the far post.
But the four of them, surrounded by roughly seven Bastia defenders, couldn't get a touch.
Rothen got there first and headed it out for a corner.
Roar!
After clearing it, Rothen pounded his chest forcefully and roared.
These few minutes, all of Bastia had been pressed hard, with Atlético's series of attacks nearly suffocating them.
During this corner, the players could catch their breath slightly.
"Julien, go up front." As both teams prepared for the corner kick, De Bruyne pushed Julien, telling him to go to the edge of the box.
These corner attacks often created counterattack opportunities.
De Bruyne wanted to use Julien's speed for a counter.
However, before considering a counterattack, they had to defend this ball.
Meanwhile, the broadcast cameras kept scanning the many VIP guests in the stands, surprising many viewers watching the broadcast.
Zidane, Deschamps, and other French legends were all in attendance, and the camera even found former France manager Blanc who was now unemployed.
The French TF1 commentator said, "This match has so much of France's future in Bastia, it's natural it draws attention. That Bastia has a chance to compete for the Ligue 1 title this season is no accident—whether it's Julien, Kanté, or Sidibé, these young French players have all performed well."
In the stands for this match were also the De Rocca Family, Mbappé family and William Saliba.
Soon,
Thump!
Atlético's corner came in, the ball again dropping into the box, seeking Costa.
But this time he didn't jump, Choplin and Cahuzac pinned him down making him very uncomfortable.
He didn't get to it. Choplin headed it clear from the air.
De Bruyne intercepted it before Koke could reach it.
Then pushed it forward.
After space opened up, without any hesitation, he launched a long ball toward midfield.
Lukaku and Julien both surged forward!
Julien finally saw the opportunity. Without any reservation, he activated his burst of speed and charged forward.
Atlético's holding midfielders Suárez and Gabi both chased back.
This ball was a race of pure speed.
Lukaku was closer to the ball. Seeing Suárez charging toward it, he took a few strides and jumped first, flicking it toward Julien's position.
The ball slid past Gabi. Julien controlled it with his left foot, pushed it forward, and sprinted!
Gabi chased hard. But he was always a body length behind Julien, he just couldn't catch up.
Julien dribbled closer and closer to the box.
Goalkeeper Courtois had already rushed out, expanding his defensive zone.
Facing Courtois's advance, Julien suddenly stopped short, feinting a shot.
Courtois immediately made a saving motion, but Julien faked the shot and cut inside.
As Courtois rose,
Thump!
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