Chapter 840 Showdown at Stade de France—Bulgaria! Ma’el’s Career Goal Ratio! Crushing Malta

"Bang... Bang bang!"

After Bulgaria started the kickoff from the center circle, they couldn’t make many passes in their own half before losing possession under the pressure from the France team.

From then on, it became quite difficult for them to regain ball control.

Players in the midfield and forward positions of the France team utilized their excellent footwork to firmly control the situation, pressing the entire Bulgaria team into the defensive zone.

"Bang!"

"Snap... Bang!"

The football quickly spun from side to side, with Nasri and Yohan Cabaye occasionally sending diagonal through balls, looking for threatening ball opportunities within the penalty area.

Bulgaria could only struggle to cope, with their starting lineup in a 4-4-2 formation falling back, pulling the two wide midfielders to wing-back positions and one forward to midfield, forming a 6-3-1 defensive block.

This is almost the customary approach for all underdog teams against stronger opponents: a conservative strategy aiming first to endure and then counterattack for a goal, trying to secure points away from home!

"Here!"

"Come on!"

Ma’el was highly active upon coming onto the field, often using changes in rhythm to seek opportunities for passes underfoot.

Bulgaria’s Bodulov and Manolev were following him. From pre-match analysis, he learned that these two were teammates at the Bulgarian league powerhouse Lovich Team, known for their cooperative play.

Initially, he didn’t pay much attention to the duo, figuring that matching up against them should be relatively easy.

"Snap...! Bang...!"

"Tap tap tap...!"

But after a few confrontations and speed races, realizing their physical qualities weren’t much weaker than defenders on Premier League Teams, his expression changed subtly, lowering his center of gravity.

These defenders might not play in top leagues due to factors like awareness, focus, or ball-handling skills.

But having a price tag of more than 3 million Euros definitely doesn’t mean they’re pushovers; at least their physical condition is absolutely durable.

Coupled with the aspiration for the World Cup and the motivation of playing in a stadium of 80,000 fans, the strength they erupted could surpass their price considerably.

All out!

He completely discarded any thoughts of underestimating the opponent and fought with full force.

Time passed by second by second, and France often managed to create decent shooting opportunities.

Indeed, every attack seemed very threatening, with Ma’el and Nasri frequently piercing the penalty area by virtue of their personal skills, creating chaos, though they were yet to score.

"Ah...!"

"Oh...!"

Sighs and regretful noises were the norm at Stade de France, with French fans frequently holding their heads before clapping to encourage the players’ performances.

Judging from the outlook, they still believed the team would securely take 3 points, Bulgaria seemed to have no capacity to counter, it’s just a matter of when they score, and whether it’s a landslide win.

In contrast to their optimism, Deschamps stood somewhat apprehensively at the sidelines, staring at the pitch with a stern expression.

As the coach, he faced greater pressure; if the margin of victory wasn’t 3 goals, he’d surely be mocked by fans post-match.

He kept glancing at the time, and each small movement of the minute hand intensified his urgency.

"Come on...!!"

When the time passed 30 minutes, Deschamps became increasingly anxious, shouting to the players on the pitch: "Go! Push in! Pin them into the box, create long-range shooting opportunities for Ma’el!

"Especially you, Yohan Cabaye, and Malouda! Charge in! Press in! Make them retreat and expose the top of the arc!"

A translator familiar with French quickly stood up from the Bulgaria’s bench, reiterating Deschamps’s words in Bulgarian to the players.

"Damn."

Deschamps didn’t expect the opposition to be prepared at this level, complaining as he returned to his bench.

No matter who they play at their home ground, there’s always pressure.

If the situation remains unresolved, Bulgaria will inevitably grow more determined to guard one point as the match draws closer to the end, perhaps even harbor ambitions of stealing 3 points.

"Bang... Bang bang..."

In the 32nd minute, Bulgaria forward Bobov received the ball and struggled up to the front edge of the France team’s box, faced by Klich and Koscielny’s joint tackling.

He was pushed close to the sideline, seemingly on the verge of losing possession.

"Bang!"

In a desperate moment, he could only attempt to kick the ball towards the middle, trying for a threatening ball.

Unexpectedly, the ball hit Koscielny’s leg, spinning toward the baseline, rolling out near the corner flag.

A corner.

Bulgaria’s players raced to France’s penalty area; this was their scoring opportunity, as in set pieces, the gap between strong and weak teams minimizes unless there’s exceptional strategy.

"Bang!"

Under the indifferent eyes of French fans, Ivanov kicked the corner for Bulgaria, with the football aimed directly toward the near post, flying swiftly.

"Swoosh...!"

No one saw what transpired at the near post, only noticing the football suddenly darting to the near corner, as Lori lunged urgently but failed to reach it.

"Whoosh!" The football slammed into the net, and Bulgaria’s players in red jerseys instantly ran to the sideline celebrating as if scoring a decisive goal.

Zero to one!

Trailing at home!

"Whistle... Whistle.....!" The atmosphere was terrifyingly gloomy, French fans’ clamor and whistle surpassed Bulgaria fans’ celebrations, making it feel like a hellish environment.

Ma’el stood there in the forward position and, upon seeing the opponent score, raised his waist, clapped his hands after regaining consciousness, encouraging teammates to stay focused.