From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 307: Chapter 96: Deschamps at a Crossroads in Life! Ma’el Launches a Blitzkrieg! A Tragedy Is About to Unfold!

Provence, southeastern France.

As the owner of the largest Mediterranean port, Marseille is the second largest city in France, enjoying an advantageous geographical location.

In such a football-loving country, the football atmosphere here is self-evident; the famous French football maestro Zidane hails from this city.

The fans affectionately call his turn move the ”Marseille turn”.

At 4 PM on October 23, the third round of the Champions League group stage is about to take place here, the entire city appears to be in a boiling heat wave.

Under the gentle sunlight, fans from both teams make their way from all directions to the Vélodrome stadium... Both teams will end the first cycle of the group stage at this largest club stadium in France.

Before this, Arsenal had won two matches, ranking first in the group, while Marseille had one win and one draw, ranking second.

”Football Flash News segment, how do you think the team will win?”

”Wenger is a Frenchman, and there are several French players in the Arsenal Team... will these two points allow you to accept any outcome?”

”Marseille has a chance to challenge for first place in the Champions League group stage this season, do fans have confidence in this?”

”There are rumors that the French Football Federation has already extended an invitation to Deschamps, but the coach himself wants to finish this season and take over after the European Cup. What do you think?”

Before the match, media reporters from around the world blocked the fans near the stadium to learn about their expectations for this game.

Marseille Team’s fans were extraordinarily excited, they painted their faces with blue and white graffiti, showing frenzied expressions as soon as they were on camera, frantically gesticulating and roaring towards the lens.

”Three to zero!”

A Marseille fan bared his teeth and approached the camera, holding up three fingers with each hand, ”Listen! If you’re a loyal Marseille fan, you wouldn’t have a filter for Wenger and Arsenal, all we want is to crush them!

”Of course, we really like Wenger, we like rookie Ma’el, Koscielny, and others, but that’s not the reason!

”We want to defeat Arsenal to climb to the top and then attack the quarterfinals!”

”.....”

”We are not the underdogs at all, we have the best coach and players! They will lead us to victory!

”Wenger? Ma’el? They seem to have been active in media headlines recently, but we have no worries at all!

”Marseille...! Marseille...!”

”.....”

”Deschamps is an excellent coach; he was already one of the most outstanding French players and has proven himself in coaching over the years.

”If he leaves us at the end of this season, we hope he can lead Marseille to challenge for the highest honors in European competitions... I don’t think it’s impossible, we won the Champions League in ’93.

”I wish him happiness in the French National Team in the future, we’ve been dissatisfied with Blanco for a long time.”

...

At 4:30 PM, half an hour before the match starts.

Inside the Vélodrome stadium, the pre-match press conference had begun.

Deschamps looked to be in good spirits, answering the media’s questions with a smile; he was humble: ”Arsenal seems to be the stronger side; they’ve been in good form recently.

”Playing against such a team, you’re always under great pressure... Fortunately, our team’s defense has always been good, which is something I’ve been emphasizing over the past few seasons.

”We will focus on defense first, then seek opportunities for counterattack, just as we drew with Dortmund last time.”

”Anything to say about Wenger?” A reporter picked up the microphone, shrugged slightly, and said: ”And the French player we must mention, Ma’el... you may have future cooperation.”

”Haha...” Deschamps listened to the reporter’s hint, smiled and lowered his head, then raised it again: ”Wenger is a coach I admire very much; he has influenced many people worldwide.

”In a sense, like Sacchi and Benitez, he has also promoted the development of football techniques and tactics, advancing professionalism.”

Speaking of which, he placed both arms on the table, ”As for Ma’el... he is that rare kind of player, an incredible player.

”It’s undoubtedly a good opportunity to meet this talented Aix youngster in this game.

”But I still have to say, I have faith in the midfield and backline of the team; they are precise like machines.

”Thank you.”

After finishing this question, he stood up and walked towards the exit of the media room, concluding this press conference.

In his last answer, he mentioned many newsworthy points such as ’rare player,’ ’great opportunity to meet him’, which was enough for the media to create news stories.

”Didier.”

As soon as he left the conference room, a voice called out from behind... Wenger, with a smiling face, came up and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

The two had known each other for a long time; early in their coaching careers, they both achieved significant honors with the Ligue 1 powerhouse ’Monaco’ and being both French, naturally had a good relationship.

After the French National Team coach Santini left the team in ’04, Wenger and Deschamps both became hot candidates for the French team’s head coach.

Deschamps chose to stay at Monaco afterward and repeatedly promoted Wenger, although the latter also chose to remain at Arsenal.

”Hey.” Deschamps recognized Wenger’s voice, turned around to embrace him, ”Still in good shape, must be keeping fit.”

”Running.” Wenger, releasing from the hug, held Deschamps’ hand and with a smile, asked: ”When will you take over the French National Team?”