章 4: Monaco vs Lorient Part 1
As Situ Yunbing stepped into the small Louis II Stadium, he was immediately struck by the subdued atmosphere. It was not what he had imagined for his debut as Monaco's head coach. The stadium, with its modest capacity of less than 20,000, was sparsely populated. Only about a third of the seats were filled, meaning fewer than 7,000 spectators had shown up for the match.
The noise from the stands was far from deafening. Instead of the raucous cheers and chants that typically filled stadiums on matchday, there was a quiet, almost indifferent energy in the air. If you looked closely, many of the Monaco fans wore expressions of cold skepticism, their arms crossed, waiting for something—anything—to rekindle their passion.
Situ Yunbing understood their attitude all too well. No one here expected him to be a savior, and if he was honest with himself, even he wasn't entirely sure if he could turn things around. Monaco's struggles over the past three years had eroded the faith of the fanbase, and the team's poor results had caused home attendance to plummet. By the end of last season, the average home crowd was barely scraping 6,000.
On one hand, the team's lackluster record was to blame. On the other hand, the local fanbase was naturally limited. Monaco, after all, was a city of only about 30,000 residents, and that small number meant that even in the best of times, the pool of dedicated supporters was slim.
Still, today's attendance was slightly above average, which was something. At least there were enough curious fans to see what Situ Yunbing's first match would bring. They had heard his promise of a new-look Monaco, and although their expectations were low, there was still curiosity about whether the new coach could back up his words.
Standing on the touchline in his Monaco tracksuit, Situ Yunbing cut a youthful figure. The substitute players and other coaches were seated on the bench behind him, but he remained on his feet, pacing slightly as the anticipation for kickoff built. His eyes swept over the stands, feeling the weight of the occasion, though the muted atmosphere served as a constant reminder of how much work lay ahead.
Then he felt it—a pair of eyes fixed on him from not far away. Turning his head, Situ Yunbing locked eyes with Lorient's coach, Christian Gourcuff, who was studying him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Gourcuff, at 53, was a full generation older than Situ Yunbing. In fact, the age gap between the two was so large that Gourcuff's son, Yoann Gourcuff, was actually two months older than Situ Yunbing himself. While Christian Gourcuff was not a household name in European football, his son had made headlines at a young age. Yoann had burst onto the scene in France at just 17 and earned a move to Italian giants AC Milan by the age of 20. Though his time in Serie A hadn't gone as planned, and he'd been loaned back to Bordeaux, he remained a star in Ligue 1.
Situ Yunbing nodded politely at Gourcuff, acknowledging the older coach with a gesture of respect. Gourcuff responded with a slight nod of his own, though his eyes remained analytical, as if still unsure what to make of the young Chinese coach on the opposite touchline.
Taking a deep breath, Situ Yunbing returned his focus to the pitch. This was the moment he had been building toward. His first match as Monaco's head coach was about to begin, and despite the uncertainties swirling in the background, he was ready. Ready to prove himself. Ready to show the fans, the players, and the media that his ideas weren't just talk.
Whatever doubts remained would have to wait—now it was time to deliver.
...
...
"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the fifth round of Ligue 1, where AS Monaco hosts FC Lorient here at the Louis II Stadium.
The biggest news in French football this past week has undoubtedly been the hiring of Monaco's new head coach, Situ Yunbing. The 22-year-old Chinese coach, who was completely unknown before this appointment, has replaced Brazilian manager Ricardo Gomes, creating quite a stir in the football world.
Situ Yunbing's arrival marks a historic moment in French football—he's the first coach from China to ever take charge of a team in Ligue 1. But while this might be a groundbreaking hire for the club, it has left many fans feeling uneasy. After all, Situ Yunbing has no prior experience coaching at this level—or any level, for that matter.
In a recent street poll conducted by local media, a staggering 99% of Monaco fans expressed doubt about his appointment, while the remaining 1% have chosen to reserve judgment. In short, almost no one believes that Situ Yunbing will last long in Monaco, and there's already speculation as to how many games he will be given before being shown the door.
But tonight, all eyes are on the pitch. Situ Yunbing declared in his pre-match interview that he aims to bring a fresh approach to Monaco. Whether that will succeed or not remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: everyone is curious to see what he can deliver.
Monaco has lined up in an aggressive 4-3-3 formation tonight, a significant shift from the more traditional 4-4-2 that the team has used in recent matches.
In goal, we have Stéphane Ruffier. The back four consists of Dario Šimić at right-back, François Modesto and Patrick Müller as the center-backs, and Vincent Muratori on the left. In midfield, Diego Pérez holds the defensive midfield position, while Lukman Haruna and Camel Meriem will look to control the center. Up front, Freddy Adu starts as the left winger, Park Chu-young on the right, and Yannick Sagbo leading the line as the lone striker.
As for Lorient, Christian Gourcuff has opted for a classic 4-4-2 setup. In goal is Fabien Audard, with a defensive line of Sylvain Marchal, Michaël Ciani, Jérémy Morel, and Christophe Jallet. The midfield features Fabrice Abriel, Oscar Ewolo, Yazid Mansouri, and the talented André Ayew, while the forward partnership of Rafik Saïfi and Kevin Gameiro will be looking to cause trouble for Monaco's defense.
With both teams on the pitch and ready to go, we're just moments away from kickoff. The crowd here at the Louis II Stadium is buzzing with anticipation, despite the modest attendance, and like everyone else, I'm eager to see what the young coach from China, Situ Yunbing, can bring to the table. Will he surprise us all, or will Monaco's struggles continue? Let's find out!"
...
...
Situ Yunbing stood on the sidelines, trying to project an air of calm, but inside, his nerves were in overdrive. His heart raced as the weight of his first professional match as a head coach pressed down on him. He knew all eyes were on him—players, fans, the media—and he couldn't afford to show any signs of unease. So, he maintained a composed, almost stoic demeanor, hoping it would help him command the situation, even if his nerves were jangling.
To be honest, Monaco's squad wasn't particularly strong. The team was filled with players who could, at best, be described as mediocre. As Situ Yunbing surveyed his lineup, he knew this would be an uphill battle. But that only fueled his determination. He had to make the best of what he had.
Starting goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier, for instance, wasn't exactly a standout. In fact, Situ would have preferred to rely on veteran keeper Flavio Roma, who, despite being near retirement, still had experience from Monaco's glory days, including their 2004 run to the Champions League final. But Roma was well past his peak, and Situ Yunbing had no choice but to stick with Ruffier between the posts.
On the right, Croatia's Dario Šimić was another question mark. At 33, his best days were behind him, and whether he still had the legs to fly up and down the wing was doubtful. Brazilian Adriano was an option as a backup, but he was inconsistent, capable of brilliance one minute and careless errors the next.
In the center of defense, François Modesto and Patrick Müller were both seasoned veterans, but Müller had only arrived in the summer from Lyon, and there was no telling how quickly he could settle into this team. Their experience would help organize the backline, but age was creeping in, and that brought its own vulnerabilities.
Monaco's midfield was perhaps the team's strongest area, with the rugged Argentine Diego Pérez playing the holding role and Camel Meriem orchestrating attacks further up the pitch. Pérez was a rock in defense, while Meriem's creativity would be vital if Monaco was to break down Lorient's defense. To balance the experienced pair, Situ Yunbing had selected 18-year-old Nigerian midfielder Lukman Haruna. As a new coach, Situ knew he had to do more than just inherit Gomez's squad; he needed to promote young talent to earn the support of the dressing room and the club's future prospects.
Further up the field, Situ Yunbing had to make some difficult choices. Freddy Adu, still just 19, had been brought to Monaco by De Bontin in an attempt to add international star power to the squad. Once hailed as a football prodigy and even praised by Pelé, Adu's career had taken a downward turn in recent years. His attitude in training left much to be desired, and in the few days Situ had worked with him, Adu had shown little enthusiasm for the new coach's methods. But Situ couldn't simply drop him—Adu's signing was part of De Bontin's strategy to attract global attention to Monaco.
The same dilemma applied to Park Chu-young. Though Situ had reprimanded him on the training ground, he was still De Bontin's marquee signing aimed at tapping into the Korean market. Dropping Park wasn't an option, so Situ had no choice but to start him in this crucial match.
As for the striker position, Situ had been spoiled for choice, with options like Juan Pino, Frédéric Nimani, Serge Gakpé, and Yannick Sagbo. After careful consideration, he chose to give Sagbo the nod as the starting forward for this match.
The referee's whistle blew, and the match kicked off. Situ Yunbing stood on the touchline, his eyes fixed intently on the field. His heart pounded in his chest as if he were about to step onto the pitch himself. He held his head high, shoulders squared, knowing that this moment—his debut—felt like a battle of life and death. Everything he had worked for, everything he hoped to achieve, began here.
As the ball started rolling, so did his journey.
...
...
The atmosphere at the Louis II Stadium remained subdued, far from the roaring excitement that one might expect at the debut of a new coach. The fans, while attentive, sat quietly in their seats, watching the match with an air of calm detachment. There were no loud cheers, no chants, just a sea of blank faces, waiting for something to happen. The rhythm of the game on the pitch mirrored the mood in the stands—it was slow, measured, and lacked intensity.
Situ Yunbing stood on the touchline, maintaining a serious expression, occasionally gesturing to his players. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but outwardly, he tried to project an aura of control and composure. He pointed frequently, directing his players to fill empty spaces, reminding them to move without the ball, to pass, to create.
For the first few minutes, Monaco looked composed. Camel Meriem and Diego Pérez, supported by Dario Šimić and Vincent Muratori on the flanks, moved the ball well through the midfield, creating fluid passing sequences. But despite their control in midfield, Monaco's attack lacked bite. Lorient, content to sit back and absorb pressure, set up a disciplined defensive structure in the midfield, waiting for Monaco's inevitable breakdown.
Situ Yunbing's frustration grew as his forwards failed to take advantage of the buildup play. Park Chu-young, though active with his runs, often tried to go it alone once he received the ball, forcing his way past defenders instead of looking for a simpler pass. Freddy Adu, on the other side, was similarly frustrating. While his technical ability was undeniable, he seemed to lack purpose. Time after time, he made flashy dribbles down the wing only to send in aimless crosses or get dispossessed by Lorient's defenders, often trying to dribble past one player too many.
Situ Yunbing couldn't hide his dissatisfaction as he watched them. If you don't have the ability to defy the odds, why insist on playing like you can? he thought bitterly. The forwards' insistence on going solo was killing Monaco's chances of building meaningful attacks.
On the opposite bench, Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff sat back, carefully studying the situation. His eyes narrowed as he tried to make sense of Monaco's approach. Were they trying to attack through the wings? It wasn't consistent enough to tell. Perhaps through the middle? But Meriem, while adept at moving the ball, lacked any real penetration going forward. Monaco wasn't committing numbers to any one area, and there was no clear structure to their attack. To Gourcuff, it seemed as though Monaco lacked an identity, and so far, there had been no real threat to his team's defense.
As the minutes ticked by, Monaco's possession grew more sterile. They passed the ball frequently in the midfield, but it lacked purpose. There were no moments of danger, no incisive runs, and no shots of any real consequence. The forwards—Sagbo, Park, and Adu—were disconnected from the midfield, and when they did receive the ball, their decision-making was questionable at best.
From the stands, Monaco's fans watched in silence. They had hoped to see a new, revitalized Monaco under Situ Yunbing, but what they were witnessing felt like more of the same. There was no spark, no creativity, no signs of improvement. It was 0-0 at halftime, and while they weren't displeased with the result, there was little reason for optimism.
In the royal box, De Bontin and Prince Albert sat together, their faces betraying their boredom. The first half had given them little to be excited about, and both men could barely stay engaged in the match. They, like everyone else, were waiting for something to happen, but nothing did.
As the halftime whistle blew, Situ Yunbing turned and walked briskly into the tunnel, his mind racing. He knew the first half had been underwhelming, but there was no time for doubt. He needed to address the issues now before they spiraled further.
Back in the dressing room, Situ wasted no time in calling out the forwards. He didn't mince words.
"Look at yourselves," he said sharply, pacing in front of the silent players. "You're playing as if you're the only ones on the pitch. You're running with your heads down, not looking for your teammates. Do you really expect defenders to just open the gates and let you walk in? I've said this before in training—pass the ball more! When there's no obvious chance, pass back, reset, and allow the midfield to control the attack. You have to make the opponent guess what we're going to do next, not hand them the ball on a silver platter."
The room remained silent. Adu, Park, and Sagbo wore visibly frustrated expressions, though they kept their heads down. Meanwhile, Meriem and Pérez, who had been more active in the first half but failed to create many meaningful chances, looked thoughtful. They knew Situ Yunbing had a point. The forwards were failing to make the most of the buildup, and if they had more support in the final third, things could be very different.
Situ Yunbing continued. "The potential is there, but we're not in sync. The forwards need to link up better with the midfield. We need to move the ball faster, with more urgency. Meriem, I want you to look for more killer passes in the second half, take more risks in the final third. And everyone else, improve the speed of your passing!"
After laying out his tactical adjustments, Situ Yunbing ended with a final attempt to rally the team's spirit, though he wasn't entirely sure if it would take. He had done what he could—now it was up to the players.
As the second half began, Monaco did manage to inject more energy into their attack. They pushed forward with more purpose, creating a flurry of chances in the first five minutes. Adu and Sagbo both had shots in the box, though neither hit the target, and Park Chu-young struggled against the physically dominant Lorient defenders.
Situ Yunbing, standing on the touchline, could sense the frustration building. He saw Meriem and Šimić deliver several promising passes, but each time, Monaco's forwards hesitated or failed to finish. Meanwhile, Lorient was waiting patiently, and as Monaco's attacks began to lose momentum, the visitors sensed an opportunity to strike back.
Lorient, content to absorb pressure, was preparing for a shocking counterattack. The warning signs were there, and Situ Yunbing could feel it.
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