The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 56 Ambition of the Europa League!
"Europa League?"

Hearing Gaio's question, Hajibegic nodded and answered Gaio's doubts at the same time.

"I know you must be wondering why the team is trying so hard to win the French Cup when they were about to give up."

Hajibegic looked at Gio and said, "The reason is simple. It's because of you."

"because I?"

"Yes, let me put it this way. If it weren't for you, we might have been eliminated from the French Cup and wouldn't have the thoughts we have now. On the other hand, of course, these are just my guesses and I can't guarantee they are the real thoughts."

Haji Begich paused, as if to form his words.

He continued, “Chatham wants to create the biggest platform possible for you.

This is the case with the French Cup and the Europa League.

You can simply understand that Chatham wants you to show yourself in front of more people, want to show your talent in more important games, and then sell you at a better price."

He also pointed to the scattered newspapers on the table and said, “Some of the rumors about your transfer reported by these media are also an important reason why Chatham decided to do this.

It's all about making you more valuable before a bigger team comes looking to buy you, so they can get more transfer money."

Gaio fell into deep thought.

Hajibegich also did not act as a riddle man.

He continued bluntly, “Of course, you can also understand that Chatham is increasing your bargaining chips before you leave Bastia.

When you negotiate a contract with a new team, whether it's asking for a starting position, playing time, or salary, you have enough bargaining chips to negotiate."

"Chatham told me a long time ago that I wanted to go further in the French Cup, but when you entered the U21 team and even had rumours of an affair with Wenger and Arsenal, it disrupted his plans and he had to plan ahead."

"So, do you understand?"

Gaio nodded.

Hajibegic explained it so clearly that he understood it instantly.

It's a win-win!
Bastia received more transfer fees, and Gaio gained more bargaining chips when negotiating with the next club.

Chatham is willing to fight on two fronts for Gaio.

Then,

What needs to happen next is for Gaio to respond with concrete actions - goals and victories.

Hajibegic smiled and patted Gaio on the shoulder. "Don't feel pressured, but don't relax either. Keep trying. This is a big gamble for all of us, so let's go crazy for once. Like we said before, this is for the championship!"

"it is good."

"Alright, that's it. Focus on training." Hagibegic dismissed the player. He added, "You'll be on the bench for the match against Lens on the afternoon of the 13th. I'll keep you on the bench for most of the league games going forward, playing in the second half so you can focus on the cup."

"By the way," Hajibegic reminded him, as if remembering something. "I know you've been training extra. Don't overdo it and take care of yourself. A healthy football prodigy is a prodigy. One lying in bed is useless. I don't want you to be known by fans as a player who 'plays well, but doesn't play much.'"

"I'll pay attention." Gaio nodded in response.

When Gaio walked out of the office.

Thinking back to what Hajibegic said, I took a deep breath. I thought he was just focusing on leveling up in Ligue 2.

Now, we have to compete against French Ligue 1 teams and even European competitions.

Gaio felt some anticipation in his heart.

Who doesn’t want to step onto the European stage?
It's a battle between the best teams and a confrontation between the best players.

Even if it is just the Europa League, it is the highest level competition that Gaio can currently touch.

Of course, the prerequisite is the French Cup champion!
3 month 13 number.

Lens, Pas-de-Calais, Pas-de-Calais region, northern France.

Felix Paulet Stadium.

Nicknamed "les Sang et Or" (Blood and Gold), Lens launched a relentless attack, fueled by the frenzied cheers of over 20,000 fans. Less than ten minutes into the match, Bastia capitalized on a Lens error, which Maolida had won, to take the lead.

Then Lens pressed forward frantically.

Bastia decisively retreated its formation and played a defensive counterattack.

Playing away from home, Hagibegic was very rational.

We will never give up on defense and attack Lens just because Lens' attack leaves a huge space in the defense line.

Lens' offense is the team's characteristic. Last season, they were still a French Ligue 1 team. In the first half of the season, under the leadership of head coach Jean-Guy Valimy, they suffered a series of defeats.

In the winter window, the team fired Varimi.

In fact, as a player, Varimi was a youth player of Lens. He took over the financially troubled Lens in 2008 entirely out of his love for his mother team.

As a result, he had to take the blame for the team's chaotic management and heavy debt.

In the winter transfer window, Lens replaced the coach with Bologna, who was once the head coach of Rennes and Monaco, to save the day.

The result was that they were directly relegated with a 19th place finish in Ligue 1.

In the new season, Lens fired Bologna again and invited Jean Garcia, who had just resigned after coaching Angers for five years, hoping that he could lead the team back to Ligue 1.

But the team's finances are like that, and a good cook cannot cook without rice.

Jean Garcia has led the team for 26 rounds and currently has only 34 points, ranking 11th in Ligue 2, nearly ten points away from the promotion play-off zone.

Upgrading is already difficult.

On the field.

It looked like a half-court offense and defense drill.

The fans at the scene exclaimed again and again during Lens' attack.

However, the Lens players displayed the spirit of passing the ball three times without scoring.

There were 14 shots in the first half, only 5 on target, and 0 goals.

Jean Garcia was standing on the sidelines, his brow furrowed as he watched.

The team's performance this season obviously did not meet the requirements in all aspects. He knew that if it continued like this, he would probably be gone by the end of the season.

But what could he do?

This team's ceiling is just like that, and the team's top management won't recruit any new players.

soon.

The first half is over.

Lens 0-1 Bastia, entering halftime.

The French Ligue 2 commentator said, "The biggest problem facing Jean Garcia now is that their offense can't score and they are one goal behind. For Lens, it is not easy to win a victory at home.

Bastia is so strong this season that it doesn't seem like a newly promoted team. It has been leading the standings by defeating all opponents.

Especially since Hagibegic has not yet played Gaio, it is not Bastia’s strongest lineup yet.

Gaio is Bastia's biggest discovery this season!

Previously, Gaio had just been selected for the French U21 and scored his first goal in his national team career in the match against England U21.

According to Lens' current tactics, if Bastia plays Gaio, Lens' defense will be under great pressure! "

Jean Garcia and Hadjibeghi know this.

Therefore,
As soon as the second half started, the commentator noticed a familiar face in Bastia's lineup.

"Hagibegic has made an adjustment, and Gio comes on!"

(End of this chapter)