Beep!
In the 73rd minute, Kante cleared the ball out for a corner. The referee stopped play and pointed to the sideline.
Bastia substitution.
Cioni off, Jonathan Clauss on.
As Cioni walked off, Hadzibegic patted Clauss on the shoulder. "I've always seen your positive attitude in training. I hope you can use that same positive running to solidify our defense. Don't be nervous—you just need to defend. If the ball comes to you, just play it long to Julien or Romelu. Are you clear?"
"Yes!"
Clauss nodded vigorously.
At this moment, His eyes blazed with intensity. He had been waiting for this day far too long.
He loved football and had never given up, even when life was tough, even while working part-time jobs—he never abandoned football!
Truly burning people never need torches—they themselves are blazing flames!
Cioni embraced Clauss. "Good luck."
Clauss entered the match.
Not a single person in the stadium applauded or cheered for his appearance.
Even the Bastia fans watching the broadcast knew little about him.
'Who is this?'
The TF1 commentator searched through materials and only found information after Clauss had already reached the penalty area to discuss tactical arrangements with his teammates.
He quickly said. "Jonathan Clauss—this is absolutely the most important moment in this 20-year-old's life! Last season, he was still playing for Woippy in the fifth division! And now he's appearing on the Europa League stage!
Perhaps we're witnessing a grassroots player's overnight success story?
This summer, among Bastia's heavy-hitting signings and loans, Clauss's arrival created barely a ripple. This unknown player currently lacks much reference data. He came through Strasbourg's youth system, initially playing as a forward before converting to fullback.
From the looks of it, Bastia should be making a like-for-like substitution, with Clauss taking Cioni's position at right-back."
Meanwhile, in Bastia, Fans were somewhat skeptical—in such an important match, bringing on this young player, would it work?
Though Cioni's ability wasn't great, the veteran at least had rich match experience.
Bang!
Viktoria Plzen took the corner.
The ball dropped into the penalty area, and 185cm defender Prochaska was first to the ball.
But his positioning was problematic, heading while leaning back, so the ball lacked pace.
Novaes didn't dare be complacent. He punched it clear with one fist.
The ball flew outside the penalty area. Kante was closest and controlled it, glancing at Julien and Lukaku's positions in the front line, about to pass.
But this moment of hesitation allowed Horava to steal the ball.
Possession returned to Viktoria Plzen. The Viktoria Plzen players who had been actively tracking back stopped and immediately joined the attack on the spot.
Horava drove into the penalty area with the ball.
Seeing Darida's run, he played a square pass to Darida on the right.
Darida took the ball and immediately Crossed it.
The ball flew toward Rajtoral on the far side.
This right-to-left passing sequence from Viktoria Plzen caused some confusion in Bastia's defensive line.
Rajtoral wanted to head the ball.
Fortunately, Angoula arrived in time to clear it away.
On the wing, Clauss made his first touch of the ball.
Viktoria Plzen's left-back Limbersky clearly didn't take this young player seriously.
Instead, he quickly rushed toward Julien. Marking Julien was the real priority!
Clauss hesitated for about a second. On the sideline, Hadzibegic kept waving, signaling him to clear it long.
But Clauss didn't see him.
Seeing a vacuum of space in front of him, he knocked the ball forward. And quickly pushed forward!
Seeing Clauss advancing along the touchline, Julien immediately moved infield, drawing the marking defender away.
Havránek quickly tracked back, constantly squeezing Clauss's space with the ball, pushing him toward the sideline.
But, Clauss wasn't slow. Most importantly, his fitness was fresh!
Full of passion, releasing all his energy in one burst, he charged down the wing at full speed.
Viktoria Plzen's players clearly hadn't expected this newly-introduced player to be such a capable dribbler.
Havránek was struggling to keep up.
With Julien having drawn Limbersky away, the touchline was practically a highway.
Though Havránek was pushing his pace to the limit, he couldn't restrict Clauss anymore!
Julien and Lukaku had both moved into central positions at the edge of the penalty area.
Julien and Lukaku made a crossing run.
Lukaku charged into the penalty area. Meanwhile, Julien pulled wide to the right, creating space.
Julien quickly pointed to his feet with both hands.
Clauss had been charging forward, and his talent-driven instincts told him it was time to pass.
Bang!
He took one more powerful stride and played a cross-field pass!
The ball flew toward the center.
Julien received with his back to goal as Limbersky, seeing the pass, immediately pressed up on him.
As the ball dropped, Julien didn't control it but instead flicked it behind him with his right foot. He spun around smoothly. His left foot swept through a volley.
Bang!
The ball rocketed toward goal. Lukaku had drawn the center-back forward, while Limbersky was blocking Julien.
Goalkeeper Kozacik never expected Julien to shoot directly.
When he saw the ball, it was already too late.
Swoosh!
The ball hammered into the side netting.
Goal!
2-2.
Bastia had equalized!
Crash!
The fans at Doosan Arena held their heads, hardly believing what they'd seen.
How did they concede? What just happened?
They hadn't even thought Julien could get a shot off—Limbersky was right on him, and Horvath had also come across to help defend.
But Julien somehow managed a silky turn and strike to finish it all.
Vrba buried his head in his hands and sighed.
He let out a string of curses. "Damn it!"
The TF1 commentator went wild. "My God! Julien's shot! Bastia have equalized! They're level! There's still a chance! There are still over ten minutes left, and I completely feel this scoreline isn't the final result!
This is typical De Rocca's brilliance, but I must also praise Clauss—this player who just came on, I was just saying this might be his breakthrough match.
And he really did help Bastia score!
This young man not only completed his European debut but also recorded his first European assist!
That run down the wing and final pass looked nothing like a player from the fifth division.
My God, I have to marvel again—where does Bastia find all these talents?
Clauss is definitely tonight's surprise for Bastia! Bastia is taking this youth storm all the way!"
The commentator's voice was incredibly excited.
In Bastia's sea breeze, the passionate cheers of Bastia supporters could be heard—
"Julien!"
"Julien!!"
Their captain had once again saved the team.
At the Sunset Café Bar, Various passionate curses and emotional outbursts filled the air as everyone was stunned by Julien's strike.
The turn and shot combination was simply sublime.
On the pitch, Lukaku ran over to embrace Julien, laughing. "Hey, your goal looks more like Puskas Award material than mine!
You've got to teach me how to score such stylish goals!"
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