章 16: The Pressure Mounts on Monaco
In the preparations before the match against Lille, Alonzo's scouting of Lille's midfield and front line predicted the following: their three forwards would be Obraniak, Vittek, and Bastos.
If Lille chose to be more aggressive away from home, their three midfielders would likely be Hazard, Cabaye, and Balmont, with Hazard as the attacking midfielder.
However, if they opted for a more balanced approach, they would field today's starting trio of Balmont, Mavuba, and Cabaye.
In terms of midfield predictions, Alonzo was mostly accurate. Hazard, unfortunately, did not make the squad for the match, likely due to a sudden issue. Otherwise, this rising star—who could play both on the wing and centrally—would have surely been included by coach Rudi Garcia.
However, the absence of Obraniak from the starting lineup was unexpected.
Melo, typically a substitute, started as the central forward, while Vittek was shifted to the right side of the attack. At this point, Situ Yunbing began contemplating Rudi Garcia's tactical intentions.
Within the first 10 minutes of the match, the impact of these decisions became clear. Vittek's presence on the wing significantly enhanced Lille's offensive efficiency.
Rather than relying on intricate passing and dribbling through the center or from the flanks, Lille could exploit Vittek's strength with long passes, allowing him to maintain possession and continue attacks in the final third.
This strategy created a dilemma for Monaco's defense. They couldn't keep up with Lille's fast-paced attacks. As Monaco's defenders shifted to cover Vittek on the wing, space opened up centrally and on the opposite flank, providing Lille with opportunities to switch play and create shooting chances.
Bastos' shot from inside the box came from precisely this kind of tactical switch.
In the 16th minute, Lille suddenly transitioned their attack from the right side of midfield to the left. Bastos dropped deep and sent a long, diagonal pass. Monaco's defenders, focused on Vittek's positioning, were caught off guard by Lille's shift in play.
Melo, the central forward, dropped back to receive the pass. Mongongu stepped up to challenge him, while Cabaye made a forward run into the middle. Melo spotted Cabaye's movement and attempted a through-ball, but it was too close to Modesto, who intercepted the pass.
Monaco fans could breathe a sigh of relief—had that ball reached Cabaye, he would have been through on goal!
After intercepting the pass, Modesto wasted no time launching a counter-attack for Monaco. Meriem, positioned centrally, received the ball, turned sharply, and began driving forward. Balmont rushed to close him down, but Meriem skilfully sidestepped him. However, Mavuba, reading the play, quickly closed the space in front of Meriem, forcing him to lay the ball off diagonally to the right.
Pino, who had been lurking on the wing, immediately cut inside. Veteran defender Tafforeau, staying close to him, made a well-timed challenge. Though Pino managed to dodge the tackle, he lost control of the ball in the process.
Lille's defender Chedjou seized the moment and recovered the ball. He quickly spotted Balmont in space and sent a pass his way.
Balmont, now advancing into Monaco's half, saw Cabaye drop deeper to provide support. The two combined with a neat one-two, breaking through Perez's defensive line. Balmont then linked up with Vittek, who had withdrawn slightly from his advanced position. With this clever interplay, Balmont found himself in Monaco's penalty area, free to continue the attack.
Lille's swift ground passes and fluid movement completely surprised the Monaco defense!
It wasn't that Lille's individual players were technically superior, but rather that they continually varied their attacking methods, making it extremely difficult for Monaco to anticipate or contain their threats.
Trying to predict Lille's next move seemed almost impossible.
Balmont, now inside the box, shook off Mongongu's attempt to mark him and latched onto a return pass from Vittek. With a half-turn, he unleashed a powerful volley toward the near post!
Ruffier reacted instinctively, diving toward the post and barely managing to push the ball out for a corner. The Monaco keeper almost collided with the goalpost in his desperate save.
"An incredible save by Ruffier! Balmont's shot was headed straight for the corner, but Monaco's keeper is having a fantastic game today!"
Without a doubt, Ruffier was Monaco's standout performer. But the same couldn't be said for their offense, which so far had struggled to pose any real threat to Lille's defense.
The Monaco fans in the stands were becoming visibly anxious.
What was happening on the pitch? How was Lille managing to get so many shots off?
...
...
Situ Yunbing felt like his head was about to explode!
A hot surge of pressure pulsed in his mind, making it feel like it was going to burst. He struggled to calm himself down.
Monaco was now facing two critical problems. First, Lille was well-prepared. They capitalized on Monaco's setbacks during counterattacks, seizing the opportunity to swiftly switch between defense and attack. This left Monaco on the back foot, constantly reacting rather than dictating play.
Monaco's offense would spread out, but their defense would shrink back. When Monaco's defensive transitions couldn't keep pace with Lille's quick attacks, the back line was exposed. And Lille wasn't relying on just one method of attack—they were constantly changing their approach!
The second problem was Monaco's inability to create any real threat in their counterattacks. Lille's point-to-point marking and defensive organization were highly effective. Even if a Monaco player slipped through, Lille's defensive cohesion quickly closed down any potential danger.
In terms of overall squad strength, Monaco was mid-tier in Ligue 1, even though they had the same points as Lille. But in terms of tactical flexibility and effectiveness, Lille was clearly superior.
What's worse, Lille had successfully neutralized Monaco's counterattacks. If things continued like this, Monaco would struggle to make any impact at home.
Situ Yunbing couldn't think of an immediate solution. For now, he stuck to mechanically commanding the team from the sidelines, shouting instructions and urging the players to move defensively.
In the 23rd minute, Monaco finally managed a shot through Meriem.
Receiving a return pass from Nimani on the left edge of the penalty box, Meriem pulled the ball back, cut inside to evade Mavuba, and fired a shot just before Balmont could recover defensively. However, the shot lacked power and precision, and Lille's goalkeeper Malicki comfortably collected the ball.
From the sidelines, Situ Yunbing applauded, hoping to lift the team's morale.
In the 29th minute, Lille launched a dangerous attack. Bastos received the ball on the left flank and breezed past Simic. He sent in a precise cross, and Melo rose to meet it with a powerful header. But once again, Ruffier was there to tip the ball over the crossbar.
The crowd at the Louis II Stadium let out a collective gasp. Without Ruffier's heroics, Monaco would surely have conceded by now!
Situ Yunbing was beginning to fully appreciate the value of his "Goalkeeper" card. A top-tier keeper could truly be worth more than half a team!
In the 35th minute, Monaco managed to intercept the ball in midfield. Cabaye was pressured by Meriem and Pérez, losing possession. Pérez quickly capitalized, launching a fast attack with a sharp through-ball into the final third.
Nimani dropped deep to collect it, but Beria, tracking him closely, anticipated the move. As Nimani attempted to control the ball, Beria slid in with a clean challenge, poking the ball away before Nimani could react.
The ball rolled to Mavuba, who saw Cabaye was still being closed down by Meriem and Pérez. Mavuba quickly switched play, sending the ball forward to Balmont.
Balmont burst forward with intent, and when Pérez stepped up to challenge him, he shifted the ball diagonally to the left.
Bastos, surging into the space on the wing, easily outmaneuvered Simic.
Monaco's midfield was struggling to cover the flanks, giving Lille's wingers too much space to exploit. As Bastos cut inside toward the edge of the box, Leko rushed in to close him down. But Bastos remained composed and knocked the ball across to the right.
Muratori, caught off guard, realized too late that Vittek had made an incisive run into the box. He frantically glanced around, wondering who Bastos had passed to. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Debuchy sprinting down the right wing, unmarked.
Muratori raced to close the gap, but Debuchy had already reached full speed. He reached the ball just before it crossed the byline and whipped in a dangerous cross.
The ball soared toward the center.
Mongongu and Modesto both tried to mark Vittek and Melo, but Vittek's positioning was perfect. He timed his leap brilliantly, rising above Mongongu and directing a header toward the far corner of the net.
This time, Ruffier could do nothing. He dived desperately, arms outstretched, but the ball was just beyond his reach. As he hit the ground, the ecstatic roar of Lille's traveling fans echoed around the stadium!
Vittek, a smile beaming across his face, sprinted toward the corner flag in celebration, while young Mongongu hung his head in frustration.
"Vittek scores with a superb header! Lille takes the lead at the Louis II Stadium!
Ruffier, Monaco's hero today, couldn't keep this one out!
Lille's approach has been incredibly effective. Rudy Garcia's tactics have completely stifled Monaco's usual high-tempo counterattacks. And now, through relentless pressure, Lille has finally found the breakthrough!
Vittek, playing out wide today, has stepped up when it matters most to give Lille the lead!
Lille leads Monaco 1-0 away!"
The expressions on the faces of Monaco's fans were grim. Many shook their heads, resigned to the outcome. They had hoped for a revival from their team, but now it seemed that everything was unfolding as they had feared.
That Chinese coach had only won two games by luck, some of them thought.
In the visiting coach's technical area, Rudy Garcia clenched his right fist and shouted in celebration as his team took the lead.
Situ Yunbing, meanwhile, stood still on the sidelines.
It felt as though the fire inside him had been extinguished. He wasn't cold or defeated, but he understood that his sideline commands weren't making much of a difference. The players were following his defensive principles—it wasn't their fault. The problem was Monaco's overall strategy.
They were behind, and the current situation made it clear that morale alone wouldn't be enough to turn things around. Situ Yunbing knew he would have to make critical adjustments during the halftime break.
He remained deep in thought, motionless.
To onlookers, it may have seemed like he was overwhelmed after conceding the goal, as if he had retreated into silence. But in reality, Situ Yunbing's mind was racing, searching for the right tactical changes to save the game.
His mind was like a calm ocean, hiding the storms beneath the surface.
...
...
Monaco conceded a goal in the final ten minutes of the first half against Lille at home.
First, the physical fitness of both teams had begun to wane after more than 30 minutes of intense, high-paced football. Secondly, Lille, now in the lead, sought to preserve their advantage going into halftime by pulling back and tightening their defensive lines.
Monaco's positional play in attack was predictable—a weak point of the team. A well-rounded side should be able to transition seamlessly between defense and attack, adapting to different phases of the game and being able to create varied offensive threats.
However, Situ Yunbing's tenure as Monaco's manager was still too brief. He was focused on taking things step by step, building the team gradually. At this point, he hadn't yet implemented a structured offensive game plan for breaking down organized defenses. His main tactical focus had been to capitalize on quick counterattacks when opportunities arose.
As the halftime whistle blew, the Monaco fans at the Louis II Stadium expressed their disappointment. Monaco trailed Lille 0-1 at home.
The scoreline wasn't the only concern for the fans. What really demoralized them was Monaco's inability to pose a significant attacking threat. The lack of creativity left them with little hope that their team could turn things around.
Situ Yunbing and Rudy Garcia walked into the tunnel, mere steps apart. Lille's coach exuded confidence, knowing that the first half had unfolded just as he had planned.
Situ Yunbing, on the other hand, was well aware that unless he made decisive and strategic adjustments during halftime, Lille could easily extend their lead in the second half.
Monaco, playing at home, would inevitably start to feel the pressure as time wore on, making their situation even more precarious.
As the players entered the locker room, they didn't immediately see Situ Yunbing. They took their seats, catching their breath, while some nursed the frustration of being outplayed.
Situ Yunbing headed to the lounge first, where he called over assistant coach Manuel Colleter. Knowing Colleter was also a smoker, he asked him for a cigarette. Colleter obliged, lighting one for Situ Yunbing and one for himself.
After they each took a puff, Colleter looked at the thoughtful Situ Yunbing and said quietly, "We've been too direct today. There's no variation in the final third. Lille can read our attack too easily. The players are active in defense, but there's too much space between the lines."
Situ Yunbing's eyebrows raised slightly, and he turned to Colleter. "What did you just say?"
Colleter hesitated, thinking he had overstepped, but Situ Yunbing wasn't angry. Instead, he asked him to repeat his last sentence.
"The space is too big," Colleter repeated.
Situ Yunbing muttered to himself, "The space is too big…"
Before he finished the cigarette, Situ Yunbing had already extinguished it, heading back to the locker room. Colleter followed close behind.
Situ Yunbing had an idea for addressing the attacking issues. The solution was to introduce more variety in the offensive play. Much like Lille had done in the first half, Monaco needed to disrupt the opponent's defensive rhythm by varying their approach. Lille had delivered a valuable lesson in tactical flexibility, one that Situ Yunbing was keen to learn from.
But the defensive issues had remained unclear—until Colleter's words sparked an idea.
With the team down 1-0, taking risks was necessary. Without risks, there would be no reward.
As Situ Yunbing returned to the locker room, the players immediately focused on him, their eyes filled with expectation.
They were professionals with vast match experience, and they knew all too well that the team's first-half performance had been subpar. It was now up to their manager to provide a plan to break the deadlock.
Situ Yunbing understood that he had to offer a solution, not only to turn the game around but also to maintain the players' trust in his leadership. If the players lost confidence in him, the fragile unity he had worked hard to build would crumble.
In the modern game, especially after the Bosman ruling, players held more autonomy. Their loyalty was no longer only to the club but also to the coach who could guide them to success. In a sense, it wasn't just the club choosing the players—players also chose their coaches.
The locker room was quiet, all eyes on Situ Yunbing as he cleared his throat and laid out his tactical plan for the second half. The players and coaches listened intently. After delivering the overall strategy, he issued individual instructions to key players.
Time flew by as Situ Yunbing explained his tactical adjustments, and by the end of his talk, the players seemed more energized and focused. His plan gave them hope—it showed that he had thought things through and was providing them with a clear path forward.
Once the players and coaching staff headed back to the pitch, Situ Yunbing stayed behind in the locker room for a moment. He took out his tablet, his mind on the three tactical cards he still hadn't used.
The current situation left him with no choice—he had to play his hand.
He selected Mongongu on the player management interface and applied the "Puygrenier" card to him, hoping to strengthen the center-back's performance.
Next, he clicked on Nimani and used the "Benzema" card to boost his attacking threat.
Finally, Situ Yunbing sighed as he looked at the single "Toulalan" card left in his options.
He had hoped to save more cards, but now, with only one remaining, he understood the gravity of the situation.
Still, he remained optimistic. If he averaged two cards per game, he could still preserve some resources for the crucial battles in the latter stages of the season.
Assuming he still had a coaching career by then.
With his adjustments complete, Situ Yunbing straightened himself and left the locker room.
In the second half, the teams switched sides. Rudy Garcia had already positioned himself on the sideline, ready for the game to resume. Situ Yunbing, with renewed determination, returned to the technical area just as the referee blew the whistle to start the second half.
...
...
The cheers at the Louis II Stadium had diminished, and many of the fans in the stands looked listless, their early enthusiasm dampened by Monaco's struggle.
As the second half began, the two teams immediately engaged in a fierce midfield battle. Rudy Garcia, observing Monaco's defense push slightly higher up the pitch, sneered to himself. Is this a desperate gamble? he thought.
To him, this forward press in Monaco's defense was a clear sign of panic.
Despite meticulous preparation before the match, Rudy Garcia had never believed that Situ Yunbing could turn the tide in this game. He saw the young Chinese coach as too inexperienced to make any significant tactical adjustments.
But in the 51st minute, Rudy Garcia's confidence faltered.
As Debuchy sent a long pass from Lille's backline toward Vittek up front, the linesman's flag went up—offside! The referee's whistle blew before Vittek could make his move.
Rudy Garcia stood stunned for a moment. Replaying the sequence in his mind, he realized what had happened. At the exact moment Debuchy played the ball, Monaco's defense had executed a quick, well-timed push forward—not just a simple offside trap, but a carefully coordinated maneuver that closed down passing lanes and marked key players.
Monaco's defenders and midfielders had staggered their positions, cutting off options for Balmont and Cabaye. Debuchy, left with no better choice, had tried the long ball to Vittek, but both Vittek and Melo, while strong in aerial duels, were caught in the trap due to their lack of pace compared to Monaco's defenders. Only Bastos, quicker than the two forwards, had escaped the offside.
For the first time in the match, Rudy Garcia found himself reevaluating Situ Yunbing. He could no longer dismiss him as inexperienced. This was a calculated adjustment.
On the sideline, Situ Yunbing was clapping energetically, applauding his team's successful offside trap.
His tactical adjustment in the second half was bold. Instead of retreating deeper toward their own goal when defending Lille's counterattacks, Monaco's defense had pushed forward, compressing the space in midfield. This not only suffocated Lille's creative players, but it also forced them to resort to risky long passes.
In traditional football tactics, shrinking the defensive line means retreating toward your own goal to ensure solidity. But Situ Yunbing had flipped this idea on its head.
He combined this forward-pressing defensive strategy with Monaco's high-tempo, aggressive pressing game. The result was that Lille's key technical players, the likes of Cabaye and Balmont, were being hounded relentlessly by Monaco's midfield, with the defensive line pressing up behind them. This made it nearly impossible for Lille to build up through the midfield, as they had done in the first half.
In the first half, Monaco had been caught off guard by Lille's long passes to Vittek, who acted as a fulcrum on the wing. But in the second half, Monaco's defensive adjustments forced Lille to rely even more on those long balls from deep.
There was simply no space left in midfield for Lille to play their usual ground-based passing game.
Mavuba, Lille's defensive midfielder, was unwilling to push forward too much for fear of leaving gaps at the back. Meanwhile, the five attacking players—Balmont, Cabaye, Debuchy, Tafforeau, and Bastos—found themselves swarmed by Monaco's relentless pressing, often facing as many as eight Monaco players closing them down.
It had become increasingly difficult for Lille to transition the ball from defense to midfield. And even when they succeeded in doing so, they struggled to maintain possession or launch meaningful attacks.
Situ Yunbing was taking a calculated risk, but he had a backup plan in place. Even if the offside trap failed and Vittek managed to break through into the penalty area, Mongongu might not make it back in time to cover. However, Modesto was there, providing an additional layer of defensive security with his ability to recover quickly.
Though his approach was aggressive, it was far from reckless. There was a refinement in the details—an evolution in his tactics.
The energy Situ Yunbing had invested in this game surpassed that of the previous two matches he had coached combined. The lessons he was learning today would shape his future in ways that were hard to measure.
Adversity, after all, is the birthplace of rapid growth.
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