The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1 Chapter 154

Talent!

This is true talent!

Any fan who saw this goal had only this thought in their mind.

Gao’s ball control was simply too abnormal!

He was able to maintain control of the ball even under pressure.

He completed a chip-dribble to get past his man.

And finally, facing the goalkeeper, he stuck to his usual style, dribbling past him to face an empty net.

If this isn’t talent, what is?

On the sidelines.

When Tavares saw Gao’s goal, he felt like he was watching a Copa América match.

South American players play like this—

Tactics?

What tactics?

Tactics mean giving me the ball and watching me perform a “Maradona-esque solo run.”

But the difference is, those players often don’t succeed.

Gao succeeded.

And Gao’s goal process perfectly matched what Tavares had told the Uruguayan players before the match: “Gao’s footwork is no worse than a Brazilian’s,” and “He’s not like a European player.”

Football often has stereotypes about different regions.

For example, Europe: players are rigid, tactical cogs with little creativity; South America: players are highly intuitive, strong in individual creativity, but poor in tactical discipline; Africa: average football IQ, explosive physical attributes… Asia: few who can play football.

On the field.

Uruguay’s attacking players were equally shocked to see Gao’s string of dribbles.

Suárez was stunned.

Gao, with his height, could play like this?

The key was that the players Gao dribbled past were not nobodies!

Godín, the core of Atlético Madrid’s “iron defense.”

Álvaro Pereira, Inter Milan’s versatile left-sided player.

Forlán called out to Suárez and Cavani, “You two switch positions more often, they’re basically man-marking, so move around a lot. I’ll pass to you, be decisive with your shots.”

Suárez and Cavani nodded.

In the national team, Forlán was the elder statesman.

In 2010, Forlán almost single-handedly led Uruguay to the World Cup semifinals, becoming the first player in history to win the World Cup Golden Ball when his team didn’t finish in the top three.

Unfortunately,

That Forlán was the best Forlán, but he didn’t have the best Suárez and Cavani alongside him yet.

However, Suárez still contributed that World Cup’s classic moment: Suárez’s handball blocked a certain goal, Gyan missed the penalty, and Uruguay narrowly eliminated Ghana after a grueling penalty shootout.

The match continued.

Deschamps’ tactics were still primarily defensive, with the offense currently relying solely on the individual abilities of the attacking players.

Uruguay clearly intensified their defense on Gao’s side.

Ribéry found an opportunity.

However, Uruguay’s attacking prowess was still strong, largely pinning France in their own half.

Boom!

Cavani, from outside the box, unleashed a powerful long-range shot. At Napoli, he was famous for his world-class strikes and surging runs.

The ball flew towards the goal, and Lloris made a diving save.

The ball was parried away.

Suárez immediately rushed in for the rebound, but Varane held him tightly, unable to break free.

However,

As Suárez charged forward a couple of steps, he not only attracted Varane’s attention but also the attention of the fallen Lloris.

But they didn’t see another figure charging in from the other side.

Forlán!

A delicate push shot.

The ball hit the net!

The referee pointed to the center circle, signaling a valid goal.

In the 22nd minute, Uruguay equalized.

Forlán excitedly hugged Suárez, Cavani, and others in celebration.

Deschamps shook his head.

The defense was still lacking; this French team was still too weak.

The only thing that gave him some relief was that he still had enough time to adjust the French team’s lineup.

There were no major tournaments for now.

The national team’s only task was the World Cup qualifiers, to reach the finals.

At this moment.

Far away in Paris, watching the match broadcast at home, Blanc, much like Deschamps, shook his head when the goal was conceded.

Although he was no longer the French national team coach.

That coaching inertia still made him instinctively turn on the TV to watch the broadcast.

He trusted Deschamps.

But he also knew that the current French national team was indeed in a rebuilding phase, a very difficult time.

He didn’t know where Deschamps’ French team would go.

Blanc believed that while his coaching of the national team hadn’t reached its goal (the European Championship semi-finals were a result of Gao burning himself out), he was very proud.

Proud of clearing out the team’s problems and promoting a top young star like Gao for the national team.

This was his greatest contribution to France during his coaching career.

In Blanc’s eyes, the current French team still only had Gao as their most dangerous player.

Ribéry was no longer just a pure dribbler; he dropped deeper more often, acting more like a playmaker.

Striker Giroud had almost no independent attacking ability.

Suddenly,

The commentator’s exclamations came from the television.

“Gao’s counter-attack! This is his most comfortable way to receive the ball, with only Pereira in front of him! A pure test of speed!!”

Ocean Stadium.

Fans on the right wing of the French side had all stood up.

Their eyes were fixed on Gao.

Uruguay attacked, France won the ball back and counter-attacked. Gao received a pass from veteran Réveillère and surged down the sideline, flat out!

As his ‘berserk mode’ activated, his stamina rapidly declined.

But the distance between him and Pereira also grew wider. Gao glanced towards the center, looking for an opportunity to cut inside.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure chasing from behind.

Cavani!

Uruguay’s star striker’s greatest characteristic was his tireless running; his presence could be seen in both defense and attack.

Gao intentionally slowed down.

Just as Cavani was about to catch up to him, he suddenly made a sharp stop, dribbling the ball and cutting inwards.

Cavani immediately turned and stretched out his leg to intercept.

Gao poked the ball forward and immediately accelerated, creating distance between himself and Cavani.

Cavani didn’t stop his defensive pursuit; even though he was a few steps behind, he quickly caught up to Gao.

At the same time,

Godín came out to defend, as did Pereira, and Arevalo, nicknamed “the Bulldog,” who played for Palermo in Serie A, had all joined the encirclement.

These were all players whose defensive abilities were stronger than their offensive ones.

Gao was caught in an encirclement.

Facing a circle of nearly four players, he didn’t slow down but, before they could fully close in, he charged towards Godín!

Godín didn’t back down, meeting Gao head-on, but Gao’s footwork was faster.

And, a second burst of acceleration!

Godín didn’t expect Gao’s speed to suddenly increase and was a step slow.

That one step allowed Gao to burst through the gap between him and Arevalo.

Arevalo quickly grabbed Gao’s jersey.

But Gao,

Had already passed the ball!

While everyone’s attention was on him, Giroud dropped back a step, creating distance from PSG’s center-back Lugano.

Lugano was older, after all, and didn’t keep up with the first step.

Boom!

Giroud, finding space, didn’t waste Gao’s brilliant pass, sending a shot past Muslera’s outstretched hands.

Last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer shone brightly!