Breaking Expectations Part 2

When Situ Yunbing used to watch football as a fan, his emotions would rise and fall with every dangerous offensive play—sometimes excited, sometimes anxious. But standing on the sidelines as the coach, the experience was entirely different. He wasn't just watching; he was living it. 

When the opponent's attack advanced into Monaco's defensive zone, it wasn't just nerves that gripped him—it was fear. The stakes were personal. And when Monaco pushed forward, nearing the opponent's goal, the tension inside him became almost unbearable. The excitement, the hope, and the fear of a missed opportunity all collided at once. He found himself holding his breath, unable to exhale until the play unfolded. 

At this moment, as Meriem orchestrated a dangerous attack on the right side just outside the box, Situ Yunbing couldn't help but clench his fists, his entire body taut with anticipation. His breath caught in his throat. 

Behind him, the Monaco coaching staff watched with equal intensity. Alonzo had subconsciously risen from his seat, his lips moving slightly, as if whispering a prayer. 

On the pitch, Marseille defender Hilton stepped forward, aiming to shut Meriem down. He wasn't reckless, but in his caution, he overcommitted, giving Meriem the space he needed. Meanwhile, Nimani, Monaco's striker, was being pushed forward by Zubar, the other center-back. 

Meriem, sensing the pressure, calmly passed the ball horizontally before Hilton could close him down and immediately sprinted forward. Pérez, positioned on the left edge of the box, received the pass. Both Lorik Cana and Cheyrou turned sharply to chase him. Pérez didn't hesitate. He spotted Mollo cutting in from the left wing and played a quick, incisive through ball. 

With Zubar drawn toward Nimani, a gap opened up on the left side of the penalty area. Mollo surged into the space, pursued closely by Bonnart, who was once again trying to force him wide. But Mollo, sharp and determined, cut inside, steering the ball toward the byline. As he neared the goal, he drove the ball deeper, shaking off Bonnart's pursuit and creating a dangerous angle. 

Mandanda, Marseille's goalkeeper, anticipated a near-post shot and moved to cover the angle. But Mollo, with a burst of composure, didn't take the shot. Instead, he sent a low cross into the center, skimming just along the goal line. 

Nimani and Zubar both lunged toward the ball, battling for position. The physical clash between the two slowed them down, leaving neither able to connect cleanly. 

Mandanda, caught in no man's land, watched in horror as the ball rolled past him—barely two meters in front of his goal. He twisted around, frantically searching for the ball's path. 

And then he saw it. 

Meriem, who had initiated the attack from outside the box, was surging forward into the open space behind the defenders. Hilton was racing back, desperate to intervene, even sliding in an attempt to block the shot—but it was hopeless. Meriem was perfectly positioned. With the goal gaping in front of him, he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. 

In that instant, Meriem broke into a wide smile, his face lighting up with elation. He sprinted toward the corner flag, his arms raised in celebration. Even with no Monaco fans in the away stand to cheer them on, Meriem ran with the same fervor, his joy unmistakable. 

On the sidelines, Situ Yunbing, who had been holding his breath, exploded with a roar of triumph. His fists clenched, he threw his head back and let out a guttural scream. Turning to his coaching staff, who were now on their feet, beaming with excitement, Situ Yunbing roared again, his voice hoarse with emotion. He charged over to Alonzo, slapping him a high-five so hard it nearly dislocated Alonzo's hand. 

One by one, Situ Yunbing celebrated with each member of the coaching team, exchanging high-fives and backslaps. After the final celebration, he returned to the sidelines, his focus immediately back on the game. Facing the pitch, he clapped vigorously, shouting encouragement as his players retreated into their half. Raising his right fist and slamming it into his left palm, he signaled to his players to stay strong defensively, emphasizing the need to hold their ground. 

On the other side of the pitch, Gerets stood on the touchline, speechless. He hadn't expected this. Monaco, against all odds, had taken the lead at the Velodrome. 

... 

... 

"Meriem! Meriem has scored! He latches onto Mollo's pass and calmly slots it in from close range! 

Monaco has taken the lead in this away match, and what an unexpected twist this is! 

It's almost unbelievable! 

Who could have predicted that Monaco, after their crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Lorient, would come to the Velodrome and strike first against Marseille? Yet here we are—Monaco has done it! 

And not only have they done it, they've done it far better than anyone could have expected! 

They've been disciplined in defense, running tirelessly, and their counterattacks, though simple, have been devastatingly effective! 

The interplay between the Monaco players has been outstanding. This goal was a product of beautiful link-up play between Pérez, Meriem, and Mollo, carving open the Marseille defense. While Nimani didn't touch the ball, his movement pulled defenders out of position, creating space for the final pass! 

Look at the Monaco coach, Situ Yunbing—he's celebrating with wild passion on the sidelines! And why shouldn't he? Nobody gave him or his team a chance, and in the face of adversity, Monaco hasn't crumbled. Instead, they've shown extraordinary resilience and courage! 

Austrian writer Stefan Zweig once said, 'Bravery is the light in adversity,' and today, Monaco is shining brightly, showing just how brave they are! 

From the start of the match until now, Monaco has held their own and even taken the lead—this is not the Monaco we saw last week. Perhaps Situ Yunbing's promise of a 'new-look' Monaco wasn't just talk. It may have come later than expected, but better late than never! 

Monaco now leads the home side, Marseille, 1-0 at the Velodrome!" 

... 

... 

Gerets' expression darkened on the touchline. He had dismissed Situ Yunbing as a joke, a mere novice pacing the sidelines, frantically issuing commands that the Marseille staff and fans alike had found amusing. But now, with Marseille trailing at home, the laughter had died down. Monaco was winning, and Gerets was feeling the sting of it—his pride bruised. 

As the game prepared to restart, Gerets signaled to his players, urging them to speed up the tempo and intensify their attacks. The message was clear: they couldn't afford to lose to a Monaco side that had floundered in the opening five games of the season. 

Monaco, however, seemed to grow stronger with each passing minute. Their confidence surged, and the players were beginning to fully embrace Situ Yunbing's tactical approach. They fought harder, ran with more purpose, and played with a sense of belief that had been missing earlier in the season. 

In the 31st minute, Marseille mounted a dangerous attack down the left flank. Valbuena and Taiwo executed a neat one-two, freeing Valbuena to drive toward the byline. As he regained possession, Simic lunged in with a sliding tackle, attempting to halt his progress. Valbuena, with quick feet, cut inside, evading the challenge. But just as he looked to advance further, Diego Pérez stormed in with a fierce tackle, knocking Valbuena to the ground and winning the ball. 

The referee's whistle blew, and Pérez immediately protested, gesturing that he had cleanly won the ball. But the official wasn't swayed, pulling out a yellow card. 

On the sidelines, Situ Yunbing argued with the fourth official, clearly unhappy with the decision. Gerets, seething, took the opportunity to vent his own frustration. He stormed over, shouting at Situ Yunbing, "Your player fouled him! What are you complaining about?" 

Situ Yunbing, not wanting to escalate things, turned his back on Gerets and gestured with his hand for him to stay away, signaling that he had no interest in engaging further. Gerets' temper flared, and for a moment, it looked as though he might confront Situ Yunbing physically. But the fourth official intervened, ushering Gerets back to his technical area. 

Marseille's subsequent free-kick posed no threat, much to Gerets' frustration. 

Three minutes later, Marseille pressed forward again, this time through Bonnart and Koné on the right side. However, Koné's pass was slightly overhit, allowing Monaco's left-back Muratori to intercept and clear the ball into the center. 

Mongongu quickly controlled the clearance and spotted Pérez in space. With Ziani pressing, Pérez calmly sidestepped the challenge, turning smoothly before launching a forward pass to Meriem. Meriem, receiving the ball in full stride, cut inside and delivered a perfect through ball into the path of Mollo, who surged forward on the left wing. 

With Bonnart caught out of position, Mollo had acres of space to run into, driving toward the Marseille penalty area. Situ Yunbing watched intently from the sidelines, his nerves and excitement building once again. 

As Mollo advanced, Zubar sprinted across to cover, hoping to block the winger's run. But Mollo, with a sudden burst of acceleration and a deft touch, slipped past Zubar, leaving him in his wake. 

Mollo, now cutting inside from the left, headed straight toward the heart of the penalty area. The Marseille defense was in disarray, struggling to keep up. Nimani, as usual, was occupying Hilton with his near-post run, keeping the defender tightly marked. 

But this time, instead of firing a cross into the box, Mollo delivered a clever, diagonal cut-back toward the top of the penalty area, an inverted triangle pass! 

Pino, racing in from the opposite flank, found himself in the perfect position to strike. As he wound up for the shot, Cheyrou, with a last-ditch effort, threw himself in front of the ball. Pino's shot cannoned off Cheyrou's leg and ricocheted out for a corner. 

Pino dropped his head in frustration, his hands on his head in disbelief. 

On the sidelines, Situ Yunbing mirrored the emotion, holding his head for a moment before clapping energetically to encourage his players. "Keep pushing!" he shouted. 

The Marseille defense, meanwhile, was feeling the pressure. Monaco seemed tireless, strong in defense and relentless in their counterattacks. 

Monaco's strategy of capitalizing on quick transitions from defense to attack was paying dividends. Each time Marseille committed bodies forward, Monaco exploited the brief moments of disorganization as their opponents tried to shift from defense to offense. This slight imbalance was all Monaco needed to create threatening opportunities. 

The movement and connection between Monaco's players were exactly what Situ Yunbing had drilled into them during the week—quick transitions, close contact between players, and sharp, decisive counterattacks. It was the product of intense training, and today, on the field, it was clicking into place. 

What made the difference even more pronounced was Marseille's underestimation of their opponent. They hadn't expected this level of intensity from Monaco, and with key players like Meriem showing newfound confidence, Monaco was proving to be much more than a mere nuisance. 

Monaco's internal reshuffle had stripped the team down to its most dedicated core. Though they weren't necessarily packed with star players, they were full of fight. And in football, players with spirit and determination often make the difference in tough battles. 

Monaco was proving today that a team united in purpose, filled with belief and fight, could take on anyone—even in the most hostile of environments. 

... 

After 35 minutes of play, the Monaco players began to show signs of fatigue. Having maintained an intense, high-tempo press throughout the first half, it was inevitable that their physical levels would start to drop. 

Noticing this, Situ Yunbing immediately signaled for his team to pull back slightly, tightening their defensive shape to conserve energy. By withdrawing a little, Monaco could deny Marseille the space they needed to launch more dangerous attacks. 

The home side, on the other hand, seemed to find their footing only in the final 10 minutes of the half. Despite playing at the Velodrome, Marseille had struggled to impose themselves for much of the match. 

Mamadou Niang, Marseille's talisman up front, was particularly isolated. With his teammates unable to provide sufficient attacking support, Niang took it upon himself to try and break through Monaco's defense with his individual dribbling skills. Though he often got the better of Mongongu in one-on-one situations, Modesto was quick to cover, always arriving in time to clean up the danger. The midfielders, particularly Pérez and Leko, were relentless in tracking back to help out, further stifling Niang's impact. 

On the wings, Valbuena focused mainly on crosses and long-range efforts. While he did create the occasional moment of danger, none of his chances amounted to a clear-cut opportunity. 

Koné, on the right, faced an equally tough battle. Monaco's left-back Muratori wasn't the most technically gifted, but his tireless running and constant pressure made it difficult for Koné to break free. With little support from his teammates, Koné's influence was largely nullified. 

As for Marseille's attacking midfielder Ziani, he had a night to forget. Bullied by Pérez and Leko from the start, Ziani never seemed to recover from his early mistakes. Even when Marseille pushed forward with more intent, his confidence appeared shaken, dragging down the team's momentum. On the sidelines, Gerets was visibly frustrated, frequently gesturing and shouting, his disappointment evident with every missed chance. 

When the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the first half, Situ Yunbing finally allowed himself a moment to breathe. His throat felt dry and raw, as though he had been smoking for hours. Before heading down the tunnel, he grabbed a bottle of mineral water from beside the bench, taking a long swig as he walked. 

Both teams filed off the pitch, but the contrast in their demeanor was stark. The Marseille players looked conflicted, their expressions a mix of frustration and uncertainty. In contrast, Monaco's players walked off with their heads held high, brimming with confidence. 

... 

When the players returned to the locker room, Situ Yunbing immediately clapped his hands and praised, "Great job in the first half! We had Marseille on the ropes!" 

The players exchanged smiles, acknowledging that Situ Yunbing's words weren't an exaggeration. They had felt it themselves—Marseille had been in disarray for a stretch, and during that period, Monaco had capitalized to score. 

Situ Yunbing took another swig of water and continued, "But let's be clear: Marseille is going to come at us hard in the second half. This is their home turf, and they will not want to see us walk out of here with three points." 

He paused to let the words sink in, then added, "So we need to maintain the intensity we showed in the first half. Stay tough in defense! Their players are technically gifted, but don't be distracted by their ball-handling tricks. If you can win the ball, win it—hard! Just make sure you're mindful of the referee's scale." 

Situ Yunbing's gaze turned to Pérez. "Pérez, you're already on a yellow card, so you'll need to be careful. Meriem, Leko—this means you two need to step up even more on defense. If Pérez gets into trouble, it'll be harder for us to stop their attacks. It's on you two to handle key defensive responsibilities." 

The three midfielders, Pérez, Meriem, and Leko, nodded with determination, absorbing their roles. There was a sharpness in their eyes that reflected the growing unity within the team. 

Petit and the rest of the coaching staff watched the scene with satisfaction. Compared to the chaos in the locker room during their last match, the atmosphere now was one of focus, cohesion, and belief. 

At that moment, Alonzo handed Situ Yunbing a sheet of paper. Situ Yunbing glanced at it, then pinned it to the tactical board. "Take a look at this." He gestured to the players. "This is Marseille's lineup from their Champions League match against Liverpool a few days ago. The names circled in red are the players who played the full 90 minutes and are starting again today." 

He pointed to the board, his voice steady but firm. "You can see their goalkeeper, all four defenders, two midfielders, and Niang up front have played the full game. Koné played 75 minutes before he was subbed off, and Ziani came on for the last 35 minutes." 

He let that information settle, then added, "We've had a full week to rest and prepare, and we should have the physical edge going into the second half!" 

Situ Yunbing's tone grew sharper. "We've already restricted their midfield in the first half. But in the second half, they'll push harder down the wings, with their full-backs providing more support. They'll try to overwhelm us out wide." 

He turned to face the players, his eyes scanning the room. "We need to be ready for them. We're going to fight them down the wings. It's going to be a tug-of-war out wide. And I believe—no, I know—that we're fitter, and we can outlast them! We can break them on the flanks!" 

The players were now fully energized, their voices rising as they responded in unison, "Yes, coach!" 

Satisfied, Situ Yunbing nodded. "Good. Rest up for a moment, and get ready for the second half." 

The players took a short breather, gathering themselves for the battle ahead. 

When both teams emerged for the second half, the tension was palpable. The Velodrome crowd buzzed with anticipation as Marseille tried to claw their way back into the match. 

Gerets, his face etched with frustration, stood on the sidelines, visibly agitated. He had been unsettled since his team fell behind and couldn't hide his growing animosity toward Situ Yunbing. It wasn't just the fact that this inexperienced coach had made such a commotion; it was that Monaco was actually leading his team on their own pitch. 

Situ Yunbing, on the other hand, barely glanced in Gerets' direction. His full attention was fixed on the game, watching his team with unwavering focus. 

The second half was about to begin, and both managers knew the next 45 minutes would be decisive. 

... 

After the second half kicked off, Marseille wasted no time, launching an aggressive attack down the flanks. 

In the 48th minute, Valbuena orchestrated an intricate passing move with Taiwo, who had pushed up to support, and Cheyrou, who followed from midfield. Valbuena managed to slip past Simic's challenge on the wing and delivered a dangerous cross from the byline. 

Luckily for Monaco, Mongongu was in the right place, winning the aerial duel against Niang and clearing the ball with a powerful header. 

On the sidelines, Situ Yunbing exhaled deeply, his nerves fraying with each Marseille attack. Every offensive move from the opponent brought a fresh wave of anxiety. He knew the stakes. If Monaco lost, it wasn't just the match that would end—it would be the end of his time in football, perhaps even more. 

Two minutes later, Marseille's right-back Bonnart surged forward, linking up with Koné. However, the resulting cross was too close to Ruffier, who leaped confidently to claim the ball in the air. 

Monaco had shifted their approach compared to the early part of the first half. In these opening minutes of the second half, they focused on stabilizing their defense, absorbing Marseille's pressure before choosing their moment to counterattack. 

By the 52nd minute, the tide began to turn. Ziani pushed forward to combine with Valbuena on the left, but their space was quickly compressed by the relentless efforts of Pérez and Pino. Ziani, feeling the pressure, misjudged his pass, allowing Simic to step in and intercept, sending a diagonal ball upfield. 

Leko quickly controlled the ball in midfield and sent a precise pass down the left, finding Nimani, who had drifted wide. Nimani expertly held off Cana, shielding the ball and then passing it back to the advancing Meriem. With one glance, Meriem saw the opening and sent a diagonal through-ball towards Mollo on the left wing. 

Mollo had been a constant threat down the left, and though his shooting hadn't troubled Mandanda directly, his creativity and pace kept the Marseille defense on high alert. 

This time, Mollo swung in a low cross, aiming for Nimani, who was charging toward the near post. Zubar, feeling the pressure, desperately tried to intercept but could only watch as the ball zipped past him. 

Hilton, meanwhile, was locked in a physical battle with Nimani. The Monaco striker used his body well, creating enough space to turn and fire a low shot toward the goal. Mandanda reacted instinctively, spreading himself wide and managing to block the shot with his outstretched right hand. 

The collective gasp from the Velodrome Stadium echoed as Mandanda's save prevented Monaco from doubling their lead. 

"Nimani almost found the back of the net!" exclaimed the commentator. "Mandanda with a miraculous save to keep Marseille in the game!" 

Situ Yunbing tilted his head back in frustration, letting out a sigh before clapping vigorously and signaling for his team to maintain the pressure. 

Marseille, still desperate to equalize, pushed forward again. Taiwo made another overlapping run, looking to link up with Valbuena on the left. However, Cheyrou's attempt to feed them the ball was thwarted by Nimani, who pressured him into making a poor pass. Pérez quickly capitalized, cutting off Ziani's route before playing the ball forward to Meriem. 

Cana rushed to close Meriem down, but Meriem calmly knocked the ball back to Leko. As Leko advanced, he spotted Pino darting toward the right flank, looking to exploit the space left behind by Taiwo. 

Without hesitation, Leko pinged a precise diagonal ball into Pino's path. Hilton, realizing the danger, rushed over to confront Pino before he could deliver the cross. Nimani, meanwhile, positioned himself centrally, ready to pounce. 

Pino, composed and aware of Hilton's proximity, controlled the ball just before the baseline. With Hilton bearing down on him, Pino made a quick decision, cutting the ball back diagonally toward the right edge of the box. 

Meriem was already on the move, anticipating the pass. With Cheyrou closing him down, Meriem didn't try to dribble. Instead, he swung his right foot through the ball, delivering a perfectly lofted cross into the penalty area. 

Nimani had been waiting for this moment. Positioned near the far post, he leapt into the air, timing his header to perfection. Zubar, realizing too late, tried to leap alongside him, but the ball soared just above his outstretched head. 

The ball arced toward the far corner of the goal, Mandanda scrambling across his line. The goalkeeper stretched his left arm desperately, but the ball eluded his grasp by mere inches, nestling into the back of the net. 

The Velodrome Stadium fell into a stunned silence. 

"Nimani heads it in! It's 2-0 Monaco!" shouted the commentator. "Mandanda had no chance, and Monaco have doubled their lead at the Velodrome!" 

Situ Yunbing clenched his fists and roared in triumph, his heart racing. In that moment, the pressure lifted slightly, and he allowed himself a brief moment of celebration with the bench. But as he turned back to the pitch, his focus sharpened again. There was still a long way to go. 

Marseille's players looked bewildered. Their home fortress had been breached not once, but twice. And with the clock ticking, they were running out of time.