Imminent Change III

"And that's another chance wasted by the away side. Lorient keeps sending their challenges to the inspiring Christophe Revault, but they are denied time and time again!" Sébastien voiced over the commentary, carrying more relief in his tone than terror as he is pleased the Le Havre side is keeping the score levelled.

Horace nodded beside him. "And what happens when you get a shot on target?" the veteran stated in a brash voice, as he silently cursed himself for another failed attack in this match.

"The Le Havre centre-backs are there to block the shot, however, right now, I am running out of hope that we are going to win this match. Lorient's pace in attack and defence is just too much for the sky and navy blue team to handle. Lorient is piling on the pressure, they knock and knock again on the door. Eventually, they would score. It's not a matter of if Lorient would score, it's a matter of when Lorient would score." Horace critically analysed the match momentum as he can see the eventual result of the match if the two sides continue in the manner.

But it appears the pundit's voices have been heard by the coaching staff, as Marley made his first change of the night. What? Do you think Marley doesn't have the tactical ability to make the right decision? Let me tell you, Marley didn't contribute to the tactical side of the game in the youth team because he much rather inexperienced coaches like Lanier and Kai refine their tactical knowledge. Not contributing doesn't mean he is inept.

A tweak in the midfield was made by Marley. Although the defensive trio of Gillet, Baca, and Sambou is impressive, always reverting the danger expertly as well as inserting dominance over the Lorient strikers, the protection in front of the three centre-backs is less than ideal.

The three midfielders included a defensive-orientated, Nicolas Dieuze who sat the deepest as he aimed to dictate the game from deep. Ahead of Dieuze are midfielders Oliver Davidas and Kévin Anin. The two midfielders play further up the pitch as they aimed to support the attack and defence.

However, it is evident from the first minute of the match that Kévin Anin, the 22-year-old academy graduate, doesn't have his head in the game.

Marley didn't know if Anin is just having a bad day, or if this is just his level of footballing ability, but the young midfielder had already made several bad passes in the first half that turned into dangerous counter-attacking opportunities for Lorient.

However, Marley isn't upset with the midfielder's poor passing in the match. After all, attempting a few risky passes in the match could result in a good opportunity in front of the goal is successful. But the issue was that Anin has received a yellow card before the first half has even finished, more worrying was the poor attitude shown by the youngster, with Anin looking more and more frustrated. The young midfielder has an appalling attitude, demanding the ball from his teammates, but waving his arms in frustration and always shaking his head condescendingly whenever the ball doesn't come his way.

Marley could have at this point decided to take a gamble with his team. Switching Anin to the right wing, which isn't one of Anin's preferred positions, a position that isn't used too much. However, the attitude of the midfielder gave the manager second thoughts. He hated players that show an attitude, especially given Le Havre is in a relegation battle and morale is at an all-time low.

Anin gave an ugly expression as he noticed his number shown on the substitution board. Perhaps this was a message for his teammates, that poor attitudes won't be tolerated no matter how good of a footballer you are. The midfielder scoffed as he approached the sideline. Marley didn't bother eyeing the player. There was no intention from the manager to interact with Anin, and thus the player's reply was simple: ignore the manager.

There was an uneasy atmosphere between Anin and Marley. Anyone that sat near the dugout, fans included, can see the situation brewing down the sidelines.

"Show how a professional should conduct himself on the pitch." Marley weaved his words meaningfully as he eyed the player beside him up and down.

Kai Chiu nodded as he performed his last-second stretches before the referee permitted him to enter the field.

Midfielder Kévin Anin was dragged off the pitch in the 38th minute of the match. Replacing him was Kai Chiu, a battle-hardened midfield presence that has an all-round ability. Kai slotted right into the midfield, and a change could be observed immediately as the long shots sent to Christophe Revault decreased dramatically.

Kai is in his young, yet rash as he slowly at eased into the game. What he lacked in energy and attacking prowess compared to Anin, Kai made it up with his grit and humble attitude that "no player is above the club". Kai gave his all as he defended intelligently, chasing down loose balls and always happy to mark his opponent. He was more than happy to do the "dirty work", as one would name it.

The midfield dynamic changed drastically following the introduction of Kai Chiu in place of Kévin Anin. Previously it was more creative and offensive-orientated, now the midfield trio has a more balanced side to it, as Dieuze holds the deepest position, Kai roams around the middle of the park as he aimed to control the game alongside him. Oliver Davidas drifted further up the pitch, vacating his position as he aimed to make things happen. The Le Havre midfield is now offensively weaker, but more stable and balanced.

"Good interception! Lorient wins the ball attributing to an excellent challenge from Abriel." Sébastien pointed out the obvious as Oliver Davidas received an unexpected pass from a difficult angle, and with his awareness lacking, lost the ball as the Lorient midfielder stole the ball.

The 27-year-old has been in and out of the Lorient first team this season. Courtesy of last season's success, in which was a key part of the Le Havre machine that dominated Ligue 2, the attacking midfielder has been exposed at times.

Lorient is now of the offence. There was a key weakness in the Le Havre tactics, mainly the lack of natural width provided by the formation as there is only 1 player responsible on either flank in a 3-5-2.

Abriel hold onto the ball, shielding it against pressure as he awaited for a particular player to get into position.

"And a brilliant pass to Le Lan!"

The Lorient left wing-back is in his prime. The 30-year-old is getting older and older, and his physical quality would inevitably decline. However, Le Lan diminished the downside of his ageing legs with his experience, having a unique understanding of where and when he should be on the pitch.

Le Lan controlled the ball with the inside of his left foot as dashed (limped) up the pitch as fast as his antique legs could allow. But his approach had been long foreseen by his positional counterpart.

With his pace and ability to cover ground, Ben Idir knew what he had to do to stop the threat from developing. So he did not rush his actions, but slowly approached the right side of the pitch, curving his run in the process as he forced the Le Lan into the corner line.

But the experienced Le Lan had already foreseen how the series of events would develop, with the player a step ahead as he unexpectedly delivered an early cross that surprised the audience and pundits alike.

The ball was played to the middle of the pitch, where a moment of inattentiveness bewitched the unsuspecting Maxime Baca, as the defender was caught ball-watching. Realising his mistake, Baca immediately ended his daydreaming as he chased after the ball, intending the avert the danger.

But as the cross came his way, there was seemingly a spirit in the ball as it slid out of Baca's aerial prowess. It was a moment of absent-mindedness that resulted in the defender's mistake. But his mistake wouldn't be punished... or so the defender thought.

"Baca tried to stop it, but there was nothing he could do." Sébastien pointed out the pertinent fact that Baca only became aware of his own mistakes once he knew that the ball was out of his reach.

"WAIT! — IS THAT?"

This was a component of good fortune for the colossal of Lorient. The towering Gameiro was at the right place at the right time to be at the receiving end of Le Lan's cross. The Lorient No.9 was an aerial presence, but he has a light frame as opinions always remained that he was too "light frame".

But there's one side of Gamerio's game that none would critique him for. As the cross came his way, there was no intention from the Lorient No.9 to head the ball into the back of the net. It wasn't an option as he wasn't even in the Le Havre box. Gamerio was confident in his ability.

As the ball bounced on the pitch, the striker held onto it with his chest, attempting to bring it under control before unleashing a shot that was intended to be volleyed into the net. In reality, it was a very unnatural angle, but it was precisely that it was unexpected that made his attempt so dangerous.

"GAMERIOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Goalkeeper Revault saw the danger, he was expecting the Lorient No.9 to at least take a touch or two to get the ball under his control, as he launched himself in the air, outstretching his arms to tip the ball off its course.

But there was despair in Revault's eyes as he, despite foreseeing the events happening and knowing what to do, was powerless as the ball landed on the net, a certain goal scorer of Lorient had not only scored, but was clear of the goal as he became a contender of "goal of the month"

The stadium erupted into sheer joy as the footballing world was captivated by the spectacle. Gameiro was in his element, loving the applause he was receiving. The Lorient striker rushed to the away stands as he pointed at the fans, showing his love for the fans for the acknowledgement.

But if there was one thing that Gamerio noticed other than the Lorient faithful, it was the words he heard from the Le Havre crowd

"DAMN IT!!!"

"USELESS TEAM. TRASH!"

"We're going down... WE GOING DOWN."

The fans were furious, disappointed in the fact that they were unable to stop Le Lan's cross, and even more disappointed that they conceded such a spectacular goal.

Gameiro was just enjoying the Lorient fans chanting his name when he felt an unusual sensation near his ankle. The striker looked down, stunned as he noticed his sock was wet with the floor. But his sock wasn't just wet, it was splashed with alcohol as the Le Havre fans threw a plastic glass at him, alcohol that eventually soaked into his sock and clothes.