Chapter 843 - 16: Battle Against Bulgaria at Stade de France! Ma’el’s Career Goal Rate! Big Win Over Malta_4

This is the most authoritative football media in France, L’Equipe, whose post-match report on this game expressed dissatisfaction, resonating with the discontent of French fans.

"Since Meks transferred to Milan, last season he gradually became a rotation player, only appearing 14 times. His age is really getting on, not at his peak anymore.

"Both Rami and Koscielny are regulars at their respective clubs, but they are not considered core players in those teams at their positions, they need someone to lead them, otherwise it’s hard to call them first-rate." - Former French football international player and coach Michel

"Give the young players some chances. Varane transferred from Lens to Real Madrid last year for 11 million euros, and he’s starting to get substantial opportunities this year, let’s give him a try." - Zidane’s social media post

"France team has only one centerpiece, and that’s Ma’el. Deschamps’ current performance is difficult to call stable, which is worrying!" - Former coach Blanco

"I don’t quite understand, Bulgaria’s whole team isn’t worth more than 89.3 million euros, less than Ma’el alone, so why are they playing like this?" - French football critic Stephen

The posts from various notable figures and former coaches quickly put Deschamps and others in the spotlight, as people seemed to forget that they just won the European Cup.

Every industry sees this situation; when you fail to meet expectations, criticism from others is relentless, even harsh.

Fortunately, L’Equipe eventually seemed to receive some internal pressure, and used an attention-diverting article to shift the focus.

"Ma’el’s terrifying goal efficiency and contribution in scoring! Using data to display the player’s dominance across clubs and national team matches!" - L’Equipe

"During his time at Sheffield United, Ma’el appeared in 42 Championship matches, scoring 40 goals, with an average of 0.95 goals per game. Additionally, he provided 27 assists, bringing his total contribution to 1.6 per game.

This encapsulates the player’s total data from the Championship League, as he didn’t participate in any other cup competitions that year.

"Later, he moved up to the Premier League, and in his first season he represented Arsenal in 46 matches, scoring 58 goals, reaching an average of 1.26 goals per match.

"Coincidentally, he also provided 27 assists, resulting in an astounding total contribution of 1.85 per match!

"That season, in the Premier League, he appeared in 36 matches, scoring 43 goals and providing 20 assists. Including the new season’s opening 3 matches with 7 goals and 2 assists, he played 39 Premier League matches, scoring 50 goals and 22 assists.

"The player’s top-tier league average scoring rate reached 1.28 goals, and his total contribution rate was 1.85 goals per game!

"As for the player’s explosive performance in the French National Team, it is unprecedented.

"In 10 national team events, he scored 20 goals and provided 5 assists, averaging 2.0 goals per game, and 2.5 total contributions per game, far surpassing Messi and Ronaldo."

"....."

In summary, from the very beginning, the player maintained extremely high efficiency, and rather than declining as he competed in higher-level matches, his efficiency saw a sharp rise!

Amidst this, we can also clearly feel the player’s rate of improvement and massive potential.

In total, throughout his professional career, the player appeared in 101 official matches, scoring 125 goals and providing 61 assists, averaging 1.24 goals and 1.84 total contributions per game.

Other than last season’s Messi and Messi’s entire 2012 calendar year, historically no one has achieved such terrifying efficiency!"

"....."

This report conveyed Ma’el’s astonishing stats, helping shift the focus to France team’s only remaining standout player, drawing fan attention.

The tactic proved somewhat effective. In the days following, the France team prepared for their match against the Malta team in a relatively quiet atmosphere.

On September 11, the entire France team flew to the Republic of Malta in Southern Europe.

Though it’s a tiny country with an area of only 316 square kilometers, it is known as the heart of the Mediterranean, a European tourist paradise, and a highly developed nation.

However, their football skill level is truly not high, not even comparable to some European smaller nations, with a world ranking of only 192.

Facing such opponents, France team expected a very relaxed match.

This was evident from their pre-match lineup, where they deployed second-choice goalkeeper Mandanda, and extensively reshuffled the defense and midfield lines, with Varane, Diaby, Mavuba, and Griezmann all included.

Still, the attacking line remained straightforward, with Ma’el teaming up with Giroud and Nasri to form a trident against the opposition defense.

This match also set a record, with 5 Arsenal players appearing in France team’s starting lineup simultaneously.

If Lori hadn’t missed the start, then it would have been 6; adding former players Klich and Nasri, it would have been 8!

It can be said that Wenger contributed considerably not only to Arsenal but undeniably to France team as well.

"Beep!"

At 4:30 p.m., at the Other Countries Stadium in Ma’er, the second round of the European Qualifiers began at a stadium equipped with a synthetic track.

Thousands of cheering France team fans attended, while Malta team fans were slightly more, about 10,000 in total, though the atmosphere was still somewhat muted compared to the last match.

Perhaps the crisis at the last match’s end and post-match media reactions left France team players apprehensive, as they went all out from the start of this match, courageously attacking.

"Boom!!"

In the 11th minute, seizing the chaos at the opposition’s defense, Ma’el struck again with a direct-foot volley at the edge of the box, continuing his streak of scoring a world-beater goal per match.