章 9: Breaking Expectations
As Situ Yunbing walked into the iconic Velodrome Stadium, home to Olympique de Marseille, he couldn't help but gaze up at the imposing stands towering around him. It was a humbling sight, and in that moment, he truly felt like a small figure peering out at the vast expanse—like someone "sitting in a well and watching the sky," as the saying goes.
Among all the Ligue 1 clubs, the Velodrome Stadium is the largest and most imposing, befitting a club like Marseille. After all, Marseille is not just any club—they are the only French team in history to have won the UEFA Champions League. Their stature as one of the kings of French football, especially from the last century, is reflected in this magnificent arena.
As he scanned the stadium, Situ Yunbing took note of where the visiting team's technical area was located. His gaze fell on the home team's bench, where Eric Gerets and his coaching staff were seated. Gerets, who had been vocal in his disdain for Monaco's current state, was watching Situ Yunbing with a smug, almost mocking expression. He whispered something to his staff, and they chuckled, their eyes filled with amusement, as if they were observing a clown preparing for his final act.
Gerets didn't even bother to greet Situ Yunbing, quickly averting his gaze, as though he considered the Monaco coach unworthy of his attention.
Situ Yunbing, undeterred, turned his back on them and walked toward the visiting coach's command area, his expression cold and resolute. He faced the pitch, his mind steeling itself for the battle to come.
On the field, both teams were already lined up for the kick-off ceremony. The Velodrome vibrated with the thunderous cheers of the Marseille supporters. Not a single cheer for Monaco could be heard—perhaps there weren't even any Monaco fans present in the stands.
The contrast between the two sides was stark. The Monaco players appeared calm, perhaps a reflection of the focus they had built over the past week. Meanwhile, the Marseille players exuded indifference, walking with the swagger of a team that was supremely confident, almost dismissive of their opponents.
The atmosphere was electric, and the difference in temperament between the two sides could be felt. It was a battle of not just skill, but belief.
...
...
"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the highlight of the sixth round of Ligue 1—Marseille hosting Monaco at the famed Velodrome Stadium.
As we enter the sixth matchweek, Lyon is leading the table with 13 points, showcasing their usual consistency. Marseille, having also started the season strongly, sit just behind with 11 points from 5 games. Meanwhile, Monaco has struggled, earning only 5 points so far and already falling 8 points behind the league leaders. They find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone.
Marseille is coming off a midweek Champions League fixture where they fell 1-2 at home to Premier League giants Liverpool. That result could impact their performance today, but Monaco has its own issues. Last weekend, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Lorient, a blow that no doubt left morale in tatters. On top of that, tensions between players and coach Situ Yunbing have been reported within the Monaco camp, and it's quite surprising that Yunbing remains in charge. Many believe his time at Monaco is merely being prolonged, and that another one or two defeats could spell the end for him.
Ahead of today's match, all predictions lean heavily in Marseille's favor. Whether it's in terms of squad strength, form, or recent performances, Monaco is at a clear disadvantage. To make matters worse, Situ Yunbing has demoted as many as eight players to the reserve team, including several regular starters. As a result, many pundits are predicting a heavy defeat for Monaco today.
"Marseille is lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for today's crucial clash here at the Velodrome. In goal, as always, is the reliable Steve Mandanda, who has been a rock for Marseille throughout the season.
In defense, on the right, we have Laurent Bonnart, a dependable full-back known for his overlapping runs and defensive acumen. The center-back pairing consists of Ronald Zubar and the experienced Hilton, both tasked with keeping things tight at the back. On the left, Taye Taïwo, the powerhouse defender, will not only look to lock down the wing but also contribute with his blistering forward runs and powerful left foot.
In midfield, Bakari Koné occupies the right flank, using his pace to stretch the defense, while Mathieu Valbuena slots in on the left, bringing creativity and a sharp eye for a killer pass. In the center, Lorik Cana is the enforcer, breaking up opposition play and adding a layer of steel. Benoît Cheyrou will look to dictate the tempo, linking defense to attack with his composure on the ball. Just ahead of them, Karim Ziani is the playmaker, expected to find pockets of space and create danger in the final third.
Leading the line is Mamadou Niang, the quick and powerful striker. Niang will be looking to use his pace and strength to trouble Monaco's defense and get his name on the scoresheet."
Marseille has made a few changes following their Champions League outing, with players like Ben Arfa and Modeste M'Bami starting from the bench.
"Monaco, on the other hand, has set up in a 4-5-1 formation, clearly looking to regroup after a tough start to the season with just one win, two losses, and two draws. In goal, Stéphane Ruffier will be looking for a much better performance after the disappointment of last week's 3-0 loss.
In defense, Dario Šimić starts at right-back, with his wealth of experience crucial for a backline that struggled last week. François Modesto and Cédric Mongongu form the central partnership, hoping to be much more organized today. On the left, Vincent Muratori completes the back four and will need to balance his defensive duties with supporting the attack down the flank.
The midfield is stacked with five players. On the right, we have Juan Pablo Pino, who'll be tasked with using his pace to create width and deliver into the box. On the left, Yohan Mollo will look to provide some much-needed creativity and energy. In the center, Diego Pérez acts as the anchor, shielding the defense, while Camel Meriem and Jerko Leko will be responsible for driving the team forward and linking up with the attack.
Up front, Frédéric Nimani starts as the lone striker. He'll need to make the most of any chances that come his way, especially with service expected from the wings."
Compared to last week's game, Monaco has undergone significant changes in personnel, with several key players sent to the reserves by Situ Yunbing. French football magazine France Football humorously asked before the match: "If Monaco loses again today, will Situ Yunbing send another group of players to the reserves? At this rate, there will be no one left in the first team by the end of the month!"
All joking aside, many expect today's match to be one-sided. Let's see if Monaco can defy the odds, or if Marseille will cruise to a comfortable victory."
...
...
From every perspective, Monaco's away match against Marseille today seemed like a fight for survival. The internal turmoil, the sudden changes in the squad, and the inexperience of the coach—all of it painted a bleak picture for anyone still holding out hope for Monaco.
However, as soon as the referee's whistle blew, Monaco's approach surprised everyone.
From the first second, Situ Yunbing could be heard shouting from the sidelines, urging his players to tighten their defense and aggressively press Marseille high up the pitch. His voice was clear and urgent, driving the team to press relentlessly.
The Monaco players responded with determination, throwing themselves into a high-energy pressing game that caught Marseille off guard. Unlike the previous match, where Situ Yunbing had remained composed and detached, today he was fully engaged—on his feet, passionately guiding his players as if leading them into battle.
In just the 2nd minute, Marseille's midfielder Karim Ziani received a pass from Benoît Cheyrou. As Ziani turned to shake off Jerko Leko's challenge, he was immediately met by a fierce tackle from Diego Pérez. The force of the tackle caught Ziani off guard, and Pérez cleanly won the ball.
Without hesitation, Pérez sent a sharp forward pass. Meriem, moving with more urgency than usual, sprinted across the midfield. He quickly intercepted the ball, gliding past Lorik Cana. Spotting Pino making a run down the wing, Meriem played a precise diagonal pass before Cheyrou and Cana could close him down.
Pino accelerated, racing onto the ball and cutting inside toward the box. But just as he prepared to advance further, Taye Taïwo came barreling back with remarkable speed, stretching out a leg to intercept and knocking the ball out for a corner.
Though the quick break didn't result in a shot, Situ Yunbing clapped energetically on the sidelines, urging his players on. His encouragement was loud and clear, his enthusiasm infecting the team.
Despite Monaco's spirited start, Marseille remained calm. From their perspective, this was nothing more than an early burst of energy from a desperate team. They believed that if they continued playing at their usual level, Monaco would eventually tire and fall apart.
Even Eric Gerets showed no signs of concern. He barely glanced at Monaco's efforts, confident that Marseille would regain control once Monaco's initial energy faded.
...
By the 5th minute, Marseille's attempts to build through the middle were repeatedly disrupted. Frédéric Nimani, playing a lone striker, dropped back to harass Cana and Cheyrou, making it difficult for them to orchestrate attacks. Ziani, tightly marked by Pérez and Leko, found no room to maneuver. Eventually, Cheyrou was forced to shift the play wide to Taïwo on the left.
Taïwo, known for his forward thrusts, looked to push up the wing, but Pino, tracking back with impressive speed, matched him stride for stride. With Pino pressing hard, Taïwo opted for a safer pass, sending the ball straight ahead toward Mathieu Valbuena.
But before Valbuena could fully control the ball, Pérez, tirelessly covering ground, quickly closed in to help on the flank. Dario Šimić, Monaco's experienced right-back, maintained a tight distance, ready to step in if needed.
From the touchline, Situ Yunbing shouted instructions to Pérez: "Press him hard! If you can't win the ball, stop him any way you can!"
Fueled by his coach's words, Pérez surged forward with a fierce momentum. Valbuena, shorter and more agile, instinctively pulled the ball back, looking to escape Pérez's challenge with a quick shift to the inside. He thought he had shaken off Pérez and was about to break through Monaco's midfield.
But just as Valbuena turned, Camel Meriem came charging in from behind, perfectly timing his tackle to poke the ball away.
Valbuena, visibly stunned, hadn't expected Monaco's midfield to react so quickly. Not only had Meriem's challenge been perfectly timed, but his retreat from his advanced position had been swift and decisive.
From the sideline, Situ Yunbing applauded vigorously. "Well done! Now, get the ball forward—organize the attack!"
Šimić stepped up and delivered a diagonal pass from the backfield to the center. Leko took control and quickly surged past the halfway line. Marseille had most of their players forward, with Lorik Cana and Benoît Cheyrou holding their positions. As Leko pushed forward, Cana closed in, ready to challenge for the ball. If he succeeded in winning it back, Marseille would have a prime opportunity to launch a dangerous counterattack.
But Leko, alert to the danger, threaded a quick pass just as Cana pressed him. The ball zipped through midfield, where Frédéric Nimani darted forward from behind Cana. Nimani controlled the ball with a sharp turn, but no sooner had he done so than Hilton came charging at him.
Without hesitation, Nimani nudged the ball forward, using his speed and timing to outmaneuver Hilton. The center-back was left grasping at air, as Nimani sped past him with ease!
The Marseille fans in the stands couldn't believe their eyes. Monaco, who were expected to be on the back foot, were attacking with purpose!
As Nimani advanced, Marseille's second defender, Ronald Zubar, stepped forward. He crouched low, ready to intercept Nimani head-on. But just as Zubar moved in, Nimani slipped a perfectly weighted ball into the left side of the penalty area.
Zubar turned his head to track the pass, and what he saw made his heart race.
Yohan Mollo, cutting inside from the left, was charging into the box, closely marked by Laurent Bonnart. Bonnart, though quick, lacked the physicality to stop Mollo in a direct duel. If Mollo could get his body in front of Bonnart, he'd have a clear path to goal!
Zubar scrambled to recover, but he was too far away to stop Mollo, who was now bearing down on the left side of the box.
On the sideline, Situ Yunbing's heart pounded as he watched the play unfold, his eyes locked on Mollo. The anticipation hung thick in the air.
The Marseille fans held their breath: Could Monaco score first?!
Mollo took a touch to steady himself in the left channel, then unleashed a shot with his left foot!
Steve Mandanda, Marseille's goalkeeper, reacted swiftly, moving toward the near post. But just as quickly, the football rocketed off Mollo's foot and flew well over the crossbar, sailing into the stands like an errant cannon shot. It missed the goal by at least two meters.
The collective sigh of relief from the Marseille fans echoed around the Velodrome.
A close call—but no danger this time!
Although disappointed, Situ Yunbing clapped vigorously from the touchline, still encouraging his players. He knew Mollo's shooting wasn't his strongest attribute, and a miss like this wasn't unexpected. If Monaco wanted to seriously threaten Mandanda's goal, they would need Mollo to step up beyond his usual level.
Mollo himself felt a twinge of regret as he jogged back, but when he glanced toward the sidelines and saw his coach applauding him, his confidence quickly returned.
Situ Yunbing gestured to his players, signaling them to retreat and reset their defensive formation. Nimani, Mollo, and Leko all fell back, and Monaco quickly re-established their defensive shape.
On the opposite bench, Eric Gerets frowned. His previously casual demeanor had shifted, his eyes now focused with concern.
Monaco wasn't playing the way he had expected.
...
...
Monaco's performance in the opening minutes had truly taken everyone by surprise.
Even the commentators, who had initially dismissed Monaco, began to analyze their play more seriously.
"Monaco's defense today has been aggressive and proactive. So far, Ziani has barely been able to impose himself on the game, and Valbuena, despite getting past his marker earlier, lost the ball under heavy pressure, allowing Monaco to launch a quick counterattack."
The tone of the commentary had shifted. "Their approach is completely different from last week. In their previous game, they focused on possession, making a lot of ineffective passes in midfield. But today, they're advancing quickly, moving into Marseille's defensive danger zone with just two or three passes. Earlier, Pino's attack down the right was neutralized by Taiwo, but Mollo's drive down the left led to a shot in the box, even if it went wide. Monaco is clearly catching Marseille off guard with the speed and precision of their counters."
"If they can maintain this intensity, then Monaco might not be as easily dismissed as we thought today."
...
By the 12th minute, Marseille was trying to slow the game down and build from the back, but Monaco's relentless pressing made that difficult. With Nimani blocking passing lanes in the middle, Bonnart found himself under pressure on the right flank, forced to knock the ball sideways to create some breathing room. However, as soon as he attempted a forward pass to Bakari Koné, Leko was there, sprinting in to challenge him.
Koné, feeling the pressure, dragged the ball toward the touchline and tried to accelerate past Leko. Though Leko stretched his leg to intercept, Koné managed to break free. His speed carried him forward, but before he could gain too much ground, Muratori charged in with a robust tackle, the two players almost colliding head-on!
Muratori got to his feet quickly, looking to control the ball, but the referee's whistle had already blown.
Muratori, visibly frustrated, turned to protest the foul, while Gerets leapt off the Marseille bench, angrily approaching the touchline. His frustration grew as he noticed Situ Yunbing complaining to the fourth official, questioning the decision.
Muratori had clearly fouled Koné, so what did Situ Yunbing have to argue about?
Gerets, though initially dismissive of Monaco, began to see that this was not the same team that lost last week. If Marseille didn't take them seriously, they risked an upset.
It wasn't until the 16th minute that Marseille registered their first shot on goal. Mamadou Niang, receiving the ball just outside the box, cleverly laid it off diagonally to the oncoming Cheyrou, who hit it first time. The shot had power but lacked precision, and Ruffier was able to catch it easily, positioning himself well.
Every time Monaco successfully defended, Situ Yunbing applauded, encouraging his players with unyielding energy. By the halfway mark of the first half, his palms were starting to sting from constant clapping, though he hardly noticed.
While Monaco's defensive organization had been solid, their positional attacks left much to be desired. They were too simplistic, too transparent. In the 19th minute, Pino whipped in a cross from the right, only for Hilton to rise above everyone and head the ball clear with ease.
Cana, positioned just outside the box, readied himself for Meriem's interception attempt. Anticipating it, Cana headed the ball forward in an attempt to bypass the pressure.
But Ziani, trying to control the second ball, was quickly closed down by Leko. The physicality of Monaco's midfield was proving too much for Marseille's smaller, more technical players, and Leko easily won the duel. Monaco clearly had an advantage in these aerial and physical confrontations, particularly outside the penalty area.
Leko passed to Pérez, who, after controlling the ball, glanced up to assess the situation. From the touchline, Situ Yunbing gestured for Pérez to pass back toward the right. Without hesitation, Pérez sent the ball toward Pino.
As Pino dropped back to receive the pass, Taiwo, one of the best left-backs in Ligue 1, closed in immediately, determined not to give Pino any space to turn. Pino, sensing the pressure, played a quick pass into the center for Meriem, who was already moving into position.
Before Cheyrou could close him down, Meriem played a perfectly timed pass forward to Nimani, positioned on the edge of the box. Nimani controlled the ball with a single touch before laying it off diagonally.
Meriem, continuing his run into the central area just outside the penalty box, met the return ball and unleashed a blistering shot with his right foot!
The ball flew like a rocket, heading straight for the top right corner of the goal!
On the sidelines, Situ Yunbing clenched his fists, his body rising instinctively as the shot sailed toward the target. It looked certain to be a goal.
But at the last second, Mandanda, Marseille's ever-reliable keeper, launched himself into the air, stretching out like an eagle to tip the ball away with a fingertip save!
Situ Yunbing's momentum came to an abrupt halt, his anticipation deflated as Hilton cleared the ball from the penalty area. Wiping his face with his hand, he clapped once again, encouraging his team's efforts despite the near miss.
Meriem, too, couldn't help but feel disappointed. He glanced up to the sky, letting out a frustrated sigh. He knew he was in excellent form today, though he had no idea why. What no one else knew, not even the players, was that Meriem's sharpness and energy were thanks to the boost given by the "Mamadou Niang" card, courtesy of Situ Yunbing's Endgame Manager system. It was this additional boost that had made Meriem's performance so standout today.
The Marseille fans exchanged bewildered looks in the stands of the Velodrome Stadium, unable to comprehend what was happening on the pitch. How was Monaco, a team expected to fold under pressure, suddenly looking so dangerous in their own backyard?
In fact, Monaco looked far more threatening than Marseille in these opening stages.
It wasn't just about Monaco's unexpected energy—Marseille's own game seemed disjointed. Their usual rhythm was off, and their efforts to organize attacks were repeatedly broken up by Monaco's relentless pressing and disruption of their build-up play.
Monaco had adopted a defensive approach that went beyond simply nullifying Marseille's attacks; they were actively destroying their opponent's structure, cutting off their movement, and forcing them into mistakes. On top of that, the Monegasque players resembled a pack of wolves, hungry, ferocious, and in full control of the game's tempo.
The players themselves could sense that their game plan was effectively restraining Marseille. In football, there are different dynamics in a match. Some games are evenly balanced, where both teams take turns attacking, relying on who scores more or who makes fewer mistakes. But today, Monaco wasn't dominating Marseille outright—they were simply neutralizing their offense and creating threatening opportunities in the process.
And in football, the result doesn't always align with the process. It's possible to dominate a game but still lose, just as it's possible to grind out a win against a stronger opponent.
But for Monaco, a team struggling with morale and internal chaos, just being able to frustrate and restrain a team like Marseille was an immense boost. The players felt it, and their confidence grew with every successful defensive action.
On the sidelines, Gerets could sense the shift and couldn't stand it any longer. He gestured frantically, yelling at his players to pick up the pace, trying to inject some urgency into his side.
Situ Yunbing, on the other hand, was fully engaged, barking out commands and keeping his players focused on maintaining their intensity.
Monaco had clearly entered the game faster and were dictating the tempo. Marseille, having played a taxing Champions League match just days earlier, were lagging behind.
In the 24th minute, Marseille tried to build an attack from the left. Valbuena, wary of Monaco's aggressive pressing, quickly released a diagonal ball into the left side of the penalty area before Šimić and Pérez could close him down.
Mamadou Niang, ever-dangerous, sprinted to collect the ball, controlling it with Mongongu in pursuit. With a quick feint, Niang sent Mongongu the wrong way, creating space for a shot.
But just as Niang wound up to strike, Modesto stepped in, reading the play perfectly and blocking the shot with a well-timed interception. Niang, feeling the pressure, pushed the ball ahead, trying to burst forward. As he did, he collided with Modesto on the edge of the penalty area, slowing his momentum. The ball rolled harmlessly into the arms of Ruffier, who had already charged out to collect it.
Niang spun around, arms raised in protest, claiming that Modesto had fouled him, but the referee waved it off. It was a physical challenge, but not one deserving of a penalty.
Gerets, now pacing on the touchline, waved his hand in frustration. Monaco's defense was proving a real headache.
Three minutes later, as Monaco's left-wing attack was snuffed out by the Marseille defense, Mollo immediately tracked back to help out. Nimani dropped deep to block Lorik Cana's options, while Meriem shadowed Cheyrou, preventing him from dictating the tempo.
Zubar, finding no easy passing options, played a straight pass into midfield.
Ziani rushed forward to collect it, but just as he controlled the ball, he was hit with a fierce physical challenge from behind by Leko, throwing him off balance.
Ziani, panicking, tried to regain control of the ball, but in doing so, he inadvertently nudged it two meters away. Pérez pounced, stepping between Ziani and the ball, using his body to shield it from the Marseille midfielder, who then tumbled to the ground, appealing to the referee for a foul.
But once again, the referee ignored the protests, much to the fury of Gerets on the sidelines.
What happened next took everyone by surprise.
Monaco immediately launched a lightning-fast counterattack.
Pérez, seeing Cana stepping up to challenge, passed diagonally to Meriem, who had peeled away from Cheyrou. Meriem turned quickly, driving toward the left edge of the penalty area. Pérez, continuing his run, moved into an advanced position on the left flank, while Mollo cut inside from the wing. Nimani, already in the box, was ready for the delivery.
Marseille's defense suddenly found itself stretched.
Cheyrou, sensing the danger, lunged to block Meriem's pass, but Meriem expertly pulled the ball back, sending Cheyrou stumbling past him. With Cheyrou out of position, Meriem drove toward the edge of the box, with Pérez and Mollo in support.
It was a brilliant counterattack, and Monaco now had Marseille on the ropes.
Meriem surged into the penalty area with the ball at his feet. Pérez and Mollo advanced on either side, while Nimani positioned himself centrally, just waiting for the final ball.
Monaco had a golden chance to score !
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